Posting again to force the new page for those of you using the default setting of 10 posts/page...my last post started a new page for those w/ that setting, which doesn't show.

hello all..just wanted to know if these events are going to be televised or broadcasted on tv or the web?...i love watching bowling events on tv especially on espn classic or fsn...i like watching the american players but i'd also like to see how other foreign players bowl as well...i see some foreign players on youtube but not enough...if someone can hook me up, i'd appreciate it

I don't know if the World Championships get TV coverage anywhere in the world.

Anyway, the World Men's Championships concluded today with Walter Ray Williams Jr. taking the gold medal in the Masters competition. He swept Denmark's Jesper Agerbo in 3 games (of a best of 5) in the final match, shooting a pair of 256s and a 228. Finland's Osku Palermaa (who Williams defeated 3-2 in the semifinals) and England's Dominic Barrett were the bronze medalists. Williams defeated fellow American Rhino Page 3-1 in the round of 16, then top-seeded Choi Bok-Eum of Korea 3-1 in the quarterfinals to advance to the medal round.

All-in-all, this was a great World Men's Championships for Team USA, medaling in every event (including All-Events and Masters) with 4 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze. Note to Demo...I've seen the other threads; if bowling was in the Olympics, these would be the Olympic teams that competed in the World Championships.

Something to look forward to next year: the World Women's Championships will be in Las Vegas at the Cashman Center on the USBC Open lanes.

My wife and I have had a busy, but enjoyable week. We drove back up to Bangkok early Saturday morning to arrive in time for the start of the final day of bowling, the Masters competition. Competition began precisely at 8:00 AM so we left home just a little past 6:00 AM to arrive about 10 minutes before competition was to begin. At 8:00 AM, there were very few spectators so when we arrived; we headed straight for where Walter Ray Williams Jr. was setting up to bowl. It was an unfortunate draw, but Walter Ray and Rhino Page were paired up in the first round of the best 3 of 5 game match play. Later that morning, I was able to sit down and chat with Rhino for a bit while watching some of the other completion. I mentioned to him that is was a shame that he and Walter were matched up so early; that I would have liked to see an all American final. He replied, not an exact quote, "Yeah, I qualify 2nd in the All Events and I have to get Walter Ray in the first match." Walter Ray took the match 3-1. Due to the early morning hours, I was able to sit or stand right behind the bowlers and was able to get some good video footage of the match. Walter Ray and Rhino was playing near the far end of the center on lanes 33 & 34 I think. Most of the spectators were at the other end watching the European bowlers. The British, Fins, Danes and the Koreans seemed to have the most fans present.

Tommy Jones had a tough time in his match that extended to 5 games. He bowled ok, but this guy, Osku Palermaa of Finland was unbelievably hot, especially in the final game. He is a two-handed bowler who throws extremely hard and has one hell of a hook. Anyway, he reeled off strike after strike in the final game and took Tommy 279-244 in game 5 to advance. Osku Palermaa would later take Walter Ray to 5 games in the quarter-final match.

Patrick Allen was paired with Choi Bok-Eum, Korea in the opening round. Choi Bok-Eum was the All Events gold medal winner, just edging out Rhino Page who was leading before the Singles completion. Neither bowled really well with Patrick opening with a 143. Choi Bok-Eum took the match 3-1 and would later bowl against Walter Ray in the semi-final match.

By the time that the final came around, Walter Ray was in his groove. He was paired against Jesper Agerbo, Denmark who had just destroyed his competitor, Dominic Barrett, England in their semi-final match 3-0.

The final match, as with all of the finals, was televised live and as far as I know only Thai Sports channel 3, unfortunately all of the commentary was in Thai language. Like I said before, Walter Ray Williams was in his groove and took the match 3-0 for his third gold medal.

All of the American bowlers were very friendly and approachable. Tommy and I spoke a little concerning the flooding in the southeast. Several of the bowlers, particularly Rhino Page gave some of his balls away after his final match. I wish I could have gotten one as the balls are very expensive to purchase overseas. I really liked Walter Ray's Stars & Stripes spare ball; I even told him so, but he replied, "I like it too!". So much for getting a free ball (lol).

Final thoughts, I don't understand why bowling is not an Olympic sport. With 330 bowlers from 57 countries, you would think that it could qualify; does anyone know why bowling has been Olympic competition status? I like the short oil/long oil lane bowling format. During the Masters completion, the bowlers alternated short oil and long oil each game. Rhino Page told me that they were going to bowl some short oil/long oil combinations on tour in the upcoming season for some of the competition. Out of all the teams participating, I was most impressed and surprised by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) team. I didn't even know that they bowled over there. I worked eleven years in Saudi Arabia and never saw a bowling center, note no team participated from Saudi Arabia in this year's competition, and I just assumed that bowling wasn't that popular among the Middle Eastern countries, but the UAE team came to bowl and bowled well.

I took some pictures of the awards ceremony following the Masters final, but I don't know how to upload them. They presented the medals for both the Masters and All Events winners.

Sorry for the long post, but I just felt like sharing my first experience attending a professional bowling tournament; it was an awesome experience.

Pattayabowler