I just got back from a tournament in WV. This was the same one that I made match play for the first time when I bowled it before and got booted first round. I didnt really bowl well in qualifying, but shot well enough to make the cut in it. My first game was horrid. I won 168-156 and I was soo nervous it just didnt make any sense. After I made it by that I loosened up and startem making good shots. I beat my next two opponents to make the finals. It was my game to loose going into the ninth with a 20 somethin pin lead. I just needed to strike ninth and first in 10th to seal it. I get up, make a good shot...and I mean there was no doubt when it came off my hand that It was goin to the hole...BAM..pocket 7-10. Needless to say the other guy got up and double in the 10th. I wasnt upset I just with that ball would have carried one of the corner pins..lol. I'm happy b/c I made all the right moves at the right times. I changed balls with conviction and that what kept me in the tight matches. Another good experience for me.

Congrats on 2nd place. Was it a handicap tourny or was it scratch? Who sponsored it?
What was the first place prize? Lot of entries?

I Know what you mean about being nervous. The last tourny I did well in, I haven't been in any in a while, I came in second place. I lost because I lost my reaction. I wasn't nervous because being in a singles league finals prepared me for it. I was so nervous during the singles league finals but that was negated by the 300 that was thrown against me. I learned from that experience, so I wasn't as nervous when I did well in the other tourny. Experience is the best teacher. The more of these your in, the more comfortable you will feel. So keep bowling and you will win one soon. Good bowling.

Nice going McKee. Smooth is right. The more you bowl, the more your confidence will rise. The nerves will become controllable. And, you will do well.

When I bowled in tournaments, I was really too young to realize just how nervous others were. Now that I realize it, I am not good enough to do it. Sort of a catch 22.

I've been doing the local King of the Hills for months now. I've cashed in a few, been in the top 5 with 2 games to go a couple of times also. The nerves was basically b/c it was match play...I still dont know why I was so nervous..lol. I'm just glad I got by that first match. In my third match I think the lefty I beat bowls a few regionals, not like that means a whole lot, but I'm sure he has more experience than I do. Lately I've been doing really well with my T-Road Solid. I've only had it for two weeks and have shot 288 with it, and ran off the first 8 a few other times with it. Funny thing is, that ball only made it through the first 2 games of qualifying. I know I made good ball choices yesterday and I never second guessed myself. The two balls I used in match play I hadnt used in months. This was a scratch tournament, and right now its sponsored by the bowling center, the guy who runs it bowls at my house one night a week and advertises when he comes there. This was the second one he's held. There's two squads..he takes the top 6 from each, then the next 4 highest scores. Its a blind draw in match play. 800 for 1st, 400 for 2nd, and 150 for 3rd and 4th. The entry is 50 dollars. He's takings suggestions on what the bowlers like and dont like about it, so the next one in April will only have one squad, he's still taking top 16, but this time it will be 1 vs 16, 2 vs 15 and so on. The top seeds didnt like the format. For the first one he had I had the highest qualifying score, and was knocked out first round by the same guy I bowled in the finals this time.

Sounds like a lot of fun, good job with the 2nd place! I met a guy Saturday night, and it was good to hear from a person about the ABT stuff. They have tournaments all the time up in Broomfield, CO which is just a few miles from me. Plus they stick to a general radius around my area with the other few stops. I'm most likely going to wait until after I'm done with league, and the state bowling tourney to try and compete in ABT. Hoping my league winnings and state winnings will help me pay for the entry fees LOL.

Nice going Mkee!

Last weekend I bowled in my 1st tournament as well. It's the USBC County Open (all city) and did really well. I was asked to join team play by a part-time PBA member and before the event I was really nervous because I didn't want to embarrass myself. Once play started though that nervous feeling just kind of disappeared. I totally felt like I was just playing with the guys during league play.

I don't know the final results yet, but our team is in first place, my doubles team is in first place, and I'm in third place for all scores.

Keep up the good work!

Thats nice rookie roller. What were your scores like for singles and doubles?

Mkee Nice Bowling. Congrats on the 2nd place finish.

I came in second again in another tournament. This was a PBA experience one that puts down the same shot the pro's bowl on. I made the last qualifying spot, barely made past my first match to bowl for the title then put together a decent game but lost in the finals. I won 90, not bad, just happy to do well again and come out on the positive end. I will be tested again next week in a higher scoring King of the Hill tournament.

Nice bowling Mkee19. Sounds like everything is clicking for you right now.