I got my first win in a tournament today.

I only decided to enter the tournament on Friday. So I woke up and drove to the center in time to bowl in the 11am squad. And I stunk. Had a nice 211 the first game, followed up with a couple of steaming piles that aren't worth mentioning. So I decided to re-enter for the 1pm squad.

Started out with a 193, change pairs, 200, change again, 233. I was finally feeling good, making small adjustments but basically playing the same line. Anyway, as this was a handicap tournament and I was able to use my 194 average from 2006-2007, I had a nifty little 695. Still was sweating the cut though.

Then it came: "the cut is 679." YES!!

16 of us left, we bowled one elimination round and took the top 8. I had my best game, a 255. Opened with a 6-bagger, missed 10-pin, then finished out clean. Easily made the final 8.

Match play: I rolled a 248 to a possible sandbagger's 215 and was in the final 4.

Then up against the toughest guy left in the field, solid bowler with a weird release. I thought I'd messed up when I blew an easy 4-pin in the 1st. But then I had a 4-bagger, then 3 spares, then again I thought I'd screwed it up by leaving a wash-out and not picking it up. But I struck out the 10th for a 199. My opponent finished with 206, but since only had 4 pins handicap, I had an easy win. On to the finals.

My opponent was a nice, older gentleman with some health issues with whom I'd bowled 1pm squad. I think he gave everything he had getting to the finals, because he had nothing left. I won easily with a 205 game to his 148.

Anyway, this was a lot of fun. It was only my 2nd real tournament since I got back into bowling 3 seasons ago, and the first one in a year and a half. I'll definitely be doing more.

Congrats on the win. I've been thinking about entering tournaments but I haven't first and foremost because of money issues. Secondly, I'd like to have a solid game first. Ya know, something like three games all in the same area like all 180s or higher instead of a 140, 190, 163 for a 493 series.

congrats!!!

Congrats Dan! Winning tournaments is one of the best feelings one can experience in bowling. I'm fortunate to have one tournament win to my credit since I've only entered the tournament scene 3-4 years ago. Mine happened a few months over a year ago but I will remember that for a long time, and you probably will too.

Congrats Dan,
Great tournament! I never really won tournament, came in near the top once winning a few bucks but thats about it. Actually winning the thing must be a great feeling. Way to go.

Dan, this is the place to brag. And, we all appreciate good bowling. Congrats.

Thanks to everyone for the pats on the back. I still can't believe I won the thing. Hopefully more will come down the line.

That is great Dan, what tournament was it and what house was it at?

You might want to try the King of the Hill tournament at Shirley on Friday nights, they put the viper pattern down and might be fun to try. It is a scratch tournament though.

Jim, it was the handicap tourney at Shirley yesterday. I'd love to try that tournament, but I'm usually working Friday evenings. I've got a friend/teammate who bowls in it somewhat regularly, though. And I've got a couple Fridays coming up in August that I'll be not working so I might try then.

Jim Smith has put together quite a few outstanding tournaments this summer, I just wish I was able to bowl.

Great bowling Dan, keep it up!

They are continuing into the fall. He mentioned Bull Run, Dranesville, and Chantilly coming up over the next few months.

Unfortunately I'll lose about 27 pins off my handicap once the 2007-2008 book comes out, but I guess I'll just have to make up for it by bowling even better.

Well done Dan! The first of many, I'm sure!