Wow, so blogging everyday about the tournament didn't really happen.. I never really ended up with too much down time to myself, I was always hanging out with friends. Also, by the time we'd get back from the alley it was time for dinner and then we were off somewhere for a few hours.
This weekend was pretty epic. The first day was a slight struggle, but it was better than last year so I was fine with that. I ended up falling off in the last two games because I was tired, but was consistent enough to be happy about it. I ended up averaging 180. The problem with this shot (short: WTBA Stockholm), is that I didn't have the right equipment for it. It played really dry and my Reign was too strong and hooked too much. Because of that I didn't really know where the ideal place to play was. I knew it was down the 5 board or even outside of it, but I was making too big of an angle, swinging into it. I'm not used to that so I decided to try the straightest line I could, which clearly was not the best, but at least it got me through the day.
Scores: 181 180 188 217 158 163: 1087
Standing: 36/62
The second day was medium, WTBA Athens. This shot was better for my Reign. It played fairly short so I still got some good hook. The ideal line was around 7 or 8 and I'm pretty sure I stayed there all day. But once again I fell off in the last two games. Finally I actually balled up to my IQ because I realized that it wasn't hooking anymore, because I was too tired. The IQ did the trick, but at that point it was kind of too late and being tired didn't help, concentration was a bit shot. I was actually sore all day during this one. My triceps tendons by my elbow were killing me. Clearly I was throwing it too hard the day before. So this day was all about letting it swing, let it do it's thing, trust it.
Another challenge that I thought I'd have was bowling with one of the girls from my bowling alley. Let's just say we don't really get along, so whenever I can beat her I'm having a great time.. I took her for 4/6, she finally got it together in the last two when I fell off. It's actually kind of funny how that happens, I think she's too concerned with beating me and then she gets frustrated when I bowl well and it takes away from her game. This day ended up being better than the day before, as well as last year's medium series.
Scores: 191 204 224 210 163 176: 1168
Standing: 31/62
The third day was the long, WTBA Paris. Practice went horribly, I couldn't find a line whatsoever. I knew it was supposed to play around 12, but that is so tight, that for me, could be difficult since I got get enough roll on the ball. So during practice I was all over the place trying to figure it out, but once it got the game, I decided that I may as well just try to play it like it was meant to be. I suppose that means I ended up taking an educated guess of where I needed to stand, and maybe I got lucky until I was able to calm down and loosen up. Sometimes that's the problem and you aren't doing the technical things right. I was pretty anxious at the beginning actually, wanting to see everyones scores and stuff. Not sure why, but it took me two games to finally get into my own game and stop worrying about anyone else. I was bowling with two girls around my age for once which was a bit nice, but they had their parents as a cheering section, mostly acting like intimidation. I was not a fan of that so I texted my guy friends that were having some beers in the bar (they had bowled in the morning) and they came to cheer me on for a bit. It helped, it picked me up and I finished strong.
It surprises me how smart I played the lanes this weekend. I did my research for ideal lines to use and then figured them out, but no one really told me how to adjust to breakdown, and that's usually my problem. Usually I wait too long and then it takes awhile to figure it out. Maybe that happened in day 1&2 as well as the fatigue, but in day 3 there was no change. In the 5th game I was starting to get lucky, and was making all my spares but it just wasn't working right. I finally decided to ball down from Vivid to IQ just to change it up and it ended up working. I actually got lucky, missed where I wanted to hit, but it was a good angle, so I just had to move my feet to get it right in the pocket.
I was actually right next to the girl I have "issues" with from the day before and I think she was watching and was getting frustrated by me again, and her not having any great games until maybe the end. By far this day was my best day ever at CNCs and actually only 6 women beat me that day; all Team Canada members (4 adult, 2 youth), so that really is something!!
Scores: 232 204 151 258 206 233: 1284
Standing: 18/62 (6 spots and ONLY 101 pins out of making the final day cut!!)
**101 pins is not much by any means, especially when I have at least 2 games that, if they were like the other games that surrounded them (those 150s) I might have made the cut!
Overall, I averaged 197, miles better than I set out to do (180 goal). The scores were crazy high this year though, because going into the weekend I thought if I somehow averaged 190 I'd make the cut. Well I almost averaged 200 and I didn't, so that's insane. But I'm super proud of my showing, and my name is hopefully getting more and more recognized. Hopefully I can come back next year, keep improving and make the cut! I definitely need another ball in my arsenal though, something to play the short better, so I'll be saving my money all year long for the tournie in case I don't get the money (competing against the women now, though I did show I am 3rd best in Alberta this past weekend) and then maybe get the ball for xmas or as an early bday present or something. We'll see!
But of course, as usual, I just want to get back home and keep bowling! Especially after a showing like this, by the end doing everything really well and keeping focus really well. That ended up being key. Focus and hitting my mark. Once I could hit my mark consistently, the game actually felt pretty easy. This was why it was hard for other people, they couldn't hit their mark very well.
Definitely one of my best bowling experiences to date! Next year is Toronto and then hopefully in Edmonton for 2015!!
Showing posts with label Tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tournament. Show all posts
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Monday, March 12, 2012
ATPA Scratch Qualifier
Yesterday in Calgary was my last chance to make a national championship tournament for the year. This was for the CNCs, the Canadian National Championships - Team Canada Trials.
Now when I talk about qualifying, it doesn't mean you have to win or else you can't go, it's just that the Alberta Ten Pin Association won't give you $1000 towards the tournament.
So for youth, there's actually two ways we can qualify. The Alberta Youth Scholarship that was held in about November or so. The top 2 boys and top 2 girls get the money. Then there's also the ATPA qualifier. It's a more difficult tournament though because it's also the qualifier for the adults. Same as with the other tournament, the top 2 boys and top 2 girls qualify. For the adults it's top 4 men and top 4 women.
Since the youth tournament had already been held, I really had no one to compete with. It's quite a competitive tournament so unless you're "experienced" (when it comes to youth at least), you're not going to find many people trying to go. As a result I was up against 2 other girls, a 16 yr old and an 18 yr old. I had to beat only one of them. But I know these girls and they aren't the greatest bowlers so I wasn't worried.
I started off great with a 211 but after that I kind of fell off, I was somewhat consistent but the shot they put down was kind of weird. Not necessarily difficult, but different I guess. And after 5 games it really dried up quick, adding to the challenge, meaning balls hook a lot more with less oil, and we still had 5 to go.
Game 7 I lost my switch grip. It somehow fell out of my ball and they couldn't find it in the pit behind the pins or in the ball return. Greeaaat.. But at least I came prepared and brought another ball that doesn't need the switch grip. Or else I'd have to use someone else's and cram a shit ton of tape in there to get it to fit my thumb.
In the end I can't really take a lot of this tournament besides the $1000 and the fact that I ended up throwing a really good ball. It hard to feel good about your scores when ALL the scores all low, but I guess in comparison to others you see you still did well. It just doesn't really feel like it for some reason.. But anyways, I ended 120 pins or so up on 2nd place.. yeah.. haha. Either way, I'm just glad I got that money!!! I'm super stoked for the end of May now. I think it takes place about the17th-20th in Toronto.
So I'll be going to the pro shop and complaining about losing the switch grip (maybe faulty installation??). Then end of April I'll get a new ball (hopefully I win one from the year end banquet, but if not, it'll be an early birthday present from my parents).
Now to spend next to no money and hopefully find a job that will begin Beginning of May and will let me take that time off!!
Now it's just normal league which ends end of April.
Now when I talk about qualifying, it doesn't mean you have to win or else you can't go, it's just that the Alberta Ten Pin Association won't give you $1000 towards the tournament.
So for youth, there's actually two ways we can qualify. The Alberta Youth Scholarship that was held in about November or so. The top 2 boys and top 2 girls get the money. Then there's also the ATPA qualifier. It's a more difficult tournament though because it's also the qualifier for the adults. Same as with the other tournament, the top 2 boys and top 2 girls qualify. For the adults it's top 4 men and top 4 women.
Since the youth tournament had already been held, I really had no one to compete with. It's quite a competitive tournament so unless you're "experienced" (when it comes to youth at least), you're not going to find many people trying to go. As a result I was up against 2 other girls, a 16 yr old and an 18 yr old. I had to beat only one of them. But I know these girls and they aren't the greatest bowlers so I wasn't worried.
I started off great with a 211 but after that I kind of fell off, I was somewhat consistent but the shot they put down was kind of weird. Not necessarily difficult, but different I guess. And after 5 games it really dried up quick, adding to the challenge, meaning balls hook a lot more with less oil, and we still had 5 to go.
Game 7 I lost my switch grip. It somehow fell out of my ball and they couldn't find it in the pit behind the pins or in the ball return. Greeaaat.. But at least I came prepared and brought another ball that doesn't need the switch grip. Or else I'd have to use someone else's and cram a shit ton of tape in there to get it to fit my thumb.
In the end I can't really take a lot of this tournament besides the $1000 and the fact that I ended up throwing a really good ball. It hard to feel good about your scores when ALL the scores all low, but I guess in comparison to others you see you still did well. It just doesn't really feel like it for some reason.. But anyways, I ended 120 pins or so up on 2nd place.. yeah.. haha. Either way, I'm just glad I got that money!!! I'm super stoked for the end of May now. I think it takes place about the17th-20th in Toronto.
So I'll be going to the pro shop and complaining about losing the switch grip (maybe faulty installation??). Then end of April I'll get a new ball (hopefully I win one from the year end banquet, but if not, it'll be an early birthday present from my parents).
Now to spend next to no money and hopefully find a job that will begin Beginning of May and will let me take that time off!!
Now it's just normal league which ends end of April.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Edmonton Youth Scholarship All Events
This is by far the best tournament of the year - lots of fun, low pressure.
So this is how it works. It's a tournament comprised of team, doubles and singles events. 3 games for each shift. There is also a "mini tournament" of 3 games on a difficult oil pattern, which we call a sport shot. As well, there is a skills competition where specific pins are set up and we get points for making the spares; with more difficult spares garnering more points.
Skills is divided into 160 average and under & 161 and over. The field usually gets cut to the top 6 in each, and they move on to the second round & more difficult spares. The winner wins a bowling ball, and gets their name on a plaque. This year I got 12 points, but the cut off was 13 points so I just missed making the cut - I think I was the same for last year as well.
For payouts, I'm not 100% how it works, but I think the amount depends on how many entries were in each event and division. So each event will pay different amounts. The big thing about this tournament is in the name - All Events. They take your combined scores from teams, doubles and singles (but only from the first shift of each, as you can enter as many times as you like). It's also scratch and handicap, so there's 8 ways of winning.
Now for my results. Keep in mind, my average is 179, so for each shift, an average total would be of about 540.
Teams: 629, 210 ave
Doubles: 590, 197 ave
Singles: 637, 212 ave
-----------------------------
All Events: 1856, 206 ave
(2 high games of 227)
Teams scratch I think we ended up either 3rd or 4th for scratch and maybe 2nd or 3rd for handicap. So we'll hopefully cash a bit of money.
Doubles was a lost cause because my partner didn't do too well.
For singles scratch, the lowest I could end up is 2nd but I think I managed 1st so that should be a decent payout. I'm not too sure how I fared in handicap, but considering I was 33 pins above average I stand a decent chance! I won't be cashing for all events because so many people had really high scoring games this weekend, but that's all right.
Now for the sport shot. I had never done it before and didn't know what to expect. I've shot difficult patterns at world cup and of course CNCs and sort of from CYCs but I still wasn't sure what would be out there. My first game was a tough 154, lowest of the day and tourny for me, but it was about what everyone else was doing as well. Near the end of that game I decided to try a different line (stand and aim elsewhere). It paid off for the rest of the shift and I added a 214 (second highest for the shift - a girl I was bowling with had a 216 that same game) and then a 198, for an average of 188. I came tops in girls and second overall, only 7 behind the top boy (though overall doesn't matter). I'm not sure if I get paid for it, because I won a bowling shirt, coupon for the pro shop and a kit from the pro shop. Fingers crossed that I do though.
So it was a heck of tournament for me. There were so many high games though. There was a 300, a 299 and a 289. All boys of course. I'm really proud at how consistent I was, always around that 200 mark (besides that 150 game, but that's forgivable). And I also figured things out on my own, for the most part.
It's a good thing it came at the end of reading break so I was nicely rested and relaxed. It's also a good warm up for YBC provincials next Sunday. I just need to get my mental game back and not put too much pressure on myself.
So this is how it works. It's a tournament comprised of team, doubles and singles events. 3 games for each shift. There is also a "mini tournament" of 3 games on a difficult oil pattern, which we call a sport shot. As well, there is a skills competition where specific pins are set up and we get points for making the spares; with more difficult spares garnering more points.
Skills is divided into 160 average and under & 161 and over. The field usually gets cut to the top 6 in each, and they move on to the second round & more difficult spares. The winner wins a bowling ball, and gets their name on a plaque. This year I got 12 points, but the cut off was 13 points so I just missed making the cut - I think I was the same for last year as well.
For payouts, I'm not 100% how it works, but I think the amount depends on how many entries were in each event and division. So each event will pay different amounts. The big thing about this tournament is in the name - All Events. They take your combined scores from teams, doubles and singles (but only from the first shift of each, as you can enter as many times as you like). It's also scratch and handicap, so there's 8 ways of winning.
Now for my results. Keep in mind, my average is 179, so for each shift, an average total would be of about 540.
Teams: 629, 210 ave
Doubles: 590, 197 ave
Singles: 637, 212 ave
-----------------------------
All Events: 1856, 206 ave
(2 high games of 227)
Teams scratch I think we ended up either 3rd or 4th for scratch and maybe 2nd or 3rd for handicap. So we'll hopefully cash a bit of money.
Doubles was a lost cause because my partner didn't do too well.
For singles scratch, the lowest I could end up is 2nd but I think I managed 1st so that should be a decent payout. I'm not too sure how I fared in handicap, but considering I was 33 pins above average I stand a decent chance! I won't be cashing for all events because so many people had really high scoring games this weekend, but that's all right.
Now for the sport shot. I had never done it before and didn't know what to expect. I've shot difficult patterns at world cup and of course CNCs and sort of from CYCs but I still wasn't sure what would be out there. My first game was a tough 154, lowest of the day and tourny for me, but it was about what everyone else was doing as well. Near the end of that game I decided to try a different line (stand and aim elsewhere). It paid off for the rest of the shift and I added a 214 (second highest for the shift - a girl I was bowling with had a 216 that same game) and then a 198, for an average of 188. I came tops in girls and second overall, only 7 behind the top boy (though overall doesn't matter). I'm not sure if I get paid for it, because I won a bowling shirt, coupon for the pro shop and a kit from the pro shop. Fingers crossed that I do though.
So it was a heck of tournament for me. There were so many high games though. There was a 300, a 299 and a 289. All boys of course. I'm really proud at how consistent I was, always around that 200 mark (besides that 150 game, but that's forgivable). And I also figured things out on my own, for the most part.
It's a good thing it came at the end of reading break so I was nicely rested and relaxed. It's also a good warm up for YBC provincials next Sunday. I just need to get my mental game back and not put too much pressure on myself.
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