Is it the challenge, the potential to win big bucks, an excuse to travel, the opportunity to meet bowlers from all over, or some other reason?

While I like the excuse to travel, meet bowlers from all over, and the challenge, I have a new reason. I bowl in a center that tends to put out a challenging house shot. On any night you can hear bowlers complaining about the shot.

After going to Baton Rouge and shooting sets of 409-491-463, my new reason is to better appreciate bowling in my local centers.

so true BBowler. The first Nationals I went to, we had to drive the 4+ hours home and with barely any time bowl league that evening. I was pretty beaten down and the long drive game me even more time to think about it. But got rushed back to the house, off to the alley and 630 soemthing series. A bunch of us looked at each other, laughing, and all sighed with relief that we were home.

Erin

Atochabsh, LOL I went to league at the house mentioned in the original post and shot 163 (flashback to one of my better games in BR)-234-221-195 for only my 2nd 800+ set of the season. Even the front 3 games were 600+. As you said it was a relief to be home

All my life I said that I wanted to bowl in the Nationals just once. It's ALL the things you mentioned. When I could not field a team from my own house, I placed my name on the sub board. Within hours I had 4 teams asking me to bowl with them. I settled on a team from San Jose ,Ca. Living in New Orleans it was just an hour drive up to Baton Rouge. I gotta tell ya I felt like a kid. The team i bowled with was great and we had a good time.I truly appreciate watching better bowlers. I appreciate the skill and discipline it takes to average 200+. And personally I think it's fun to bowl against some of these people to gauge where your skills lie and where you may need improvement.What blew me away were the awards they gave out before our squad bowled. Three people were awarded plaques by the ABC for bowling in the tournament for over 25 years!A lot of these bowlers were easily in their 60's and some in their 70'S! THESE are the people that should be considered,the backbone of this sport.Bowl for score,shoot your best but remember to HAVE FUN! That's why you started bowling in the first place!!...Rusty279 (P.S. I can't wait till next year!)

Who'd ya bowl with in San Jose? I know tons of bowlers from there.

Erin

Nancy Hilton, Michael Craig,Mary Garza and Steve MacGregor. They were all great people. Nancy even received an award for bringing so many teams to the tournament,(I think in was 10-15). I'm sure you know Nancy if anyone, Erin.As a matter of fact , she has already told me that if I can't field a team next year, she'll find a spot for me . I thought that was very nice considering my worst event was doubles and I was paired with Nancy. Who knows, I might see you in Corpus Christie Too!........Rusty

I'm with you BBowler. I want to figure out the shot. I am a competitor, though I enjoy meeting new people and all, I enjoy bowling against better bowlers and getting the shots they do not, and I like travelling to other houses.

My reason for going to Nationals is to have fun.

This year will be my first Nationals ever.
I basically just want to see what's out there in the realm of bowling.

I do bowl to compete but most of all I bowl to have FUN. And meeting other bowlers from EVERYWHERE is a plus.

BigBowlla, I figure if I bowl enough of them I might actually have one to brag about :p
SDBowler, Have a great time!

I went there to met some old freinds, meet friends from aol that I never met, and to have a good time. Turns out I will make money in the singles. Suffice it to say, I got locked into the pair during singles, and make quite a few good shots. Made some bad shots too, but they weren't extremely costly in terms of opens. Case in point, front 7 last game in singles. grab the 8th one and miss the head pin right. Make the spare, go strike strike, grab it again and get it thru the face for a 9 count, make the spare.