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Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous Q&A  [1-20]  [21-40]  [61-80]  [81-100]  [101-120]  [121-140]  [141-160]   [161-180]  [181-200]  [201-220]



Matthew September 23, 2003
Green Bay
WI

Dear Water Ray,
I am currently in my fourth year of college at The University of Wisconsin Green Bay with one more year to go before graduation. I spend most of my time at a bowling alley though. I not only work there, but I coach Jr. leagues and a high school team and just resently got my USA bowling level 1 & 2 coaching certifications. With that all said, you can see that my passion is bowling. I bowl in three leagues along with bowling for the college team here. I have had one individual who use to bowl in regional tournaments in Texas tell me that he believes that I have what it takes to someday "make it" on tour. Unfortunately this person passed away this last year in a car accident and I am left with little direction. My question for you is: what advice do you have for an individual,like myself, that has a desire to someday become a professional bowler? What steps do you suggest that I take in the next months and/or years? Is there information available out there that may hel! p me in any way to achieve my goals?
Thank you for your time and input, and best of luck in the up comming bowling year.
Sincerely,
Matthew Orvis

Hi Matthew,
I am sorry to hear about your mentor passing away. I think that bowling in tournaments is the best way to test yourself to see what you might need to work on. I would recommend bowling in PBA regional tournaments. You don't need to join the PBA to bowl regional tournaments unless you cash in two of them. Keep practicing on your game, and with hard work you might be able to attain your dream.



Rafael September 6, 2003
Cebu
Philippines

Hi,
I'm 18 yrs. old from the Philippines and also an avid bowler. I'm currently taking up the same course as you took up, BS Physics, I'm in my 2nd yr. now. I was wondering if I could read/get a copy of your thesis and If I could continue on it? I'm planning of making up of a thesis behind the technical aspect of a bowling ball.
Thanks and great bowling!

Hi Rafael,
You could see if there is a copy of my senior thesis at the Cal Poly Pomona website, but I doubt it. I guess that would be a good addition to my website, but I am a bit embarrassed as I am sure there are some mistakes on it. It is quite long and I am not sure how well a character software program (for scanning) would work on it since it has quite a few formulas in it. I am not sure I want to retype it! I will have to look into putting it on my website. But for now, I guess I would have to say it's "unavailable" Thanks.



K.N. August 21, 2003
Edenville
MI

Caught you winning the ESPY again this year. Outstandingly well deserved. Hope your stamina holds out for another decade at least! I saw you standing next to Jose Santos who won best jockey {my other passionate sport}. Just wondered if you got to mix and mingle with the other ESPY winners this year? Have another great season and take care.

Hi K.N.,
Thanks. It was nice to attend the ESPY awards this year and especially to win. I did get to meet some of the other athletes, but only a few. The party they had after the ESPY award had about 500 to 1000 people.



Kenny August 4, 2003
Toronto
OH

Dear:walter ray
I have to things to ask u was {1}keith nichols every on tour with u and if he was was he any good::{2}I have work in a bowling house for a year and we have all the stuff to drill balls and would u know how i can go about to get traning in this feild no one knows how to drill and we sell alot of bowling balls it would help us out a great deal
kenny
p.s
what age did u start in the pba and how do i go about getting in it

Hi Kenny,
Yes, Keith Nichols did bowl some tournaments on tour. It depends on your definition of good. Keith is a very good bowler, but being a successful bowler on tour takes a lot more than a good physical game.
I don't know where you should go to get instructions on drilling bowling balls. Here is a website which is for the International Bowling Pro Shop's and has information for classes, http://www.ibpsia.com/education.asp . I hope this helps you. Good luck.




Geoff July 30, 2003
Minneapolis
MN

Dear Walter Ray,
I joined your fan club in April. I was really excited to get your autographed picture and everything else in the kit. My Dad surprised me with it. Congratulations on winning an ESPY. I have been bowling since I was 3. I love it! I am 10 right now, and I hope to be a pro bowler when I get older. I am bowling in a summer league now, and I am averaging 182. Today I bowled a 179, 279 and 227. That is my new high game and series. In the 279 game I had the first 5 in a row, left a 4 pin, covered it and threw the last 6 in a row. I was so nervous in the 12th frame, When I got the last strike, I turned around and everyone was cheering. Then I asked my Mom for the phone so I could call my Dad and tell him the good news. I have a tournament this weekend. I hope I can do as well as I did today. People tell me I'm like the Tiger Woods of Bowling. I hope so.
I can't wait for the Fall Tour to start.
Your friend,
Geoff Weiss

Hi Geoff,
Thanks for your kind words about the ESPY! I was very pleased with my bowling last year and was proud to earn another ESPY award.

I am glad that your Dad joined the fan club for you and that you enjoyed the items in the membership packet. I really do appreciate all of the fan support.

Congratulations to you on your great bowling! 279 is a GREAT game for anyone (including me) and the fact that you are only 10 years old makes it even more impressive! Good job! You are bowling really well - you may just be a "star of the future" on the PBA tour! Good luck and keep having fun….




Bill July 25, 2003
Noblesville
IN

Dead Eye,
First off, I have a few questions for you, then a comment.

1. I am a College Freshmen this fall at Indiana State, I was thinking for a few days, and I was wondering if my season didn't go as well as I hope, do you think it would be a smart decision to come out and try to qualify for the Indianapolis Event in March? If so, what kind of preparation should I take to not make myself look dumb in front of the best in the world?
Average- 219 (On a 7-7 house shot with a 5-5 reverse block)
High Game- 299
High Series- 834

2. Deciding Equipment is a very touchy and sometimes confusing choice for me. A lot of times lately I have picked out a bad bowling ball for me. What would be a better way to determine if a ball is good or not so good for me?

3. Is it also good for a bowler to be able to Play anywhere from the 3 board all the way across to loft the gutter cap if the conditions call for it? If so, what would be a good line for me to learn to play?

4. Any Moments from the World Championship that you want to share like commerical moments or fans that said anything?

Comment:
Great season last year on the PBA. The Victory that was in my opinion the best one of the year was the World Championship in Taylor, Michigan. Mainly because I was in the audience, but of course, PDW had to get cheers as well as you. My former High School Teammates were really cheering for you. I was too, but of course by time the championship match came around, my voice was gone *laughs*. Hope for the best next year.

Sincerely,
Bill Crane

PS: Stay away from Flash Cameras next season.

Hi Bill,
1. If your season wasn't going very well, I am not sure that would be the best time to try a National PBA tournament. But March is a long way off, you may very well have your game straightened out by then! You might want to practice on the toughest lanes that you can find. If you are not a PBA member, then you might want to contact the bowling center on how you might be able to get into the tournament as a non-member. I am not sure exactly how that works these days.

2. Picking the right ball comes with experience and knowing your equipment. It is sometimes more of an art than a science. More important is being able to make good shots. The "right" ball still won't work if the operator isn't doing what he needs to be doing. Try to keep in your mind what a certain ball does on a certain condition, then when you run into the same situation you will be able to know whether that ball worked last time!

3. I think it would be in any top bowlers best interest to be able to play any part of the lane. Obviously everyone is going to have a favorite part of the lane to play, but you have to be able to at least still be competitive while playing from as many parts of the lane as you can. Not ever being "shut out" is a major step to consistently bowling well!

4. Being able to win the PBA World Championship was kind of like the icing on the cake to a great season. I managed to bowl pretty decent and get a few breaks during my matches. Locking up the match against Brian Kretzer was pretty special to me. I wish I had done that against Pete Weber, but I was fortunate that he wasn't able to strike out




Matt July 16, 2003
Virginia Beach
VA

Hi Mr. Williams,
I recently heard that you were sponsoring a youth bowler in the hampton roads area. I am 15 and averaging around 180-185 on a house condition and around 175 on a sport condition. i too am planning on continuing bowling in college and maybe joining the professional tour. i was wondering what qualifications are needed to be sponsored by you. I was also wondering whether companies would take interest in youth bowlers. Good luck in the upcoming season, and i hope to see you on the telecasts.
-Matt

Hi Matt,
It sounds like you are being misled. I am NOT sponsoring any youth bowler!

I would continue your hard practice and bowl well. Some colleges have programs for recruiting bowlers and that would be a great place to learn even more.

I don't know of any ball companies that are interested in youth bowlers. It might also be against NCAA policy for a youth bowler to receive equipment from a company, but I am not totally up on collegiate bowling rules. Good luck.



Jason June 14, 2003
Reno
NV

Walter Ray,
First of all, congrats on your outstanding year. My question for you is totally unrelated to bowling...what would you say are the best/worst parts of your golf game and how did you get your handicap down to where it is now? I find that pretty impressive coming from someone who said ten years ago golf was a "waste of time" or whatever it was you said. And do you have any favorite golf equipment? Finally, do you have any recommendations on courses for the next time I get down to Tampa and/or Orlando? Thanks!

Hi Jason,
Before I played golf 12 years ago, I thought it was a big waste of time. And now I don't have much time because golf takes a lot of time. Pretty funny hunh!

Right now my driver is really giving me fits which didn't used to be the case. And it seems like my short game is my best part right now even though it isn't as good as I would like it to be. I guess I am a slightly obsessive person, so once I got hooked on playing golf I have played a lot. I live on a golf course now and play almost every day that I am at home. But if I want to get better I need to go to the driving range and take a few more lessons.

I live about 80 miles from both Orlando and Tampa. There are many nice courses in those areas. It depends on how much you want to spend, but I am not as familiar with those areas. There are golf guides available for free almost everywhere down here. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a golf course. There are also nice bowling centers and even some horseshoe courts.



NASIR June 2, 2003
Lahore

DEAR SIR,
I HAVE TRIED VERY HARD TO SOLVE THESE QUESTIONS BUT COULDN'T ABLE TO SOLE THESE QUESTIONS.PLEASE HELP AND SOLE THESE QUESTIONS I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL.THANKS

REGARDS,
NASIR

Qs.2: All possible samples of size 2 were selected
(i) with replacement
(ii) without replacement from a population consisting of 4 elements. If in the first case the standard error of the sample mean came out to be 3.16, what was its value in the second case?

Qs.3: Let represent the proportion of odd numbers in a sample of size n1 = 3 drawn without replacement from the finite population 1, 2, 4, 6. Similarly, let represent the proportion of odd numbers in a sample of size n2 = 2 drawn without replacement from the population, 1, 1, 3, 4.
a) If we construct the sampling distribution of p1 hat - p2 hat, then what is the probability of p1 hat - p2 hat being equal to 0.2?
b) What is the probability of p1 hat - p2 hat being negative?
c) Compute the mean of the sampling distribution of p1 hat - p2 hat.

Qs.4: Taking all possible samples of size 2 with replacement from a finite population 3, 5, and 2, show that , where S2 is the ordinary sample variance. Can we say that S2 is an unbiased estimator of fã2?

Qs.5: If X1, X2,¡K Xn are the values of a random sample of size n from a Poisson population with parameter fÜ, find an estimate of fÜ using the method of moments.

Qs.6. The University of North Carolina is conducting a study to determine the average weight

Hi Nasir,
It has been over 25 years since I took a statistics class. Most of these questions don't make sense to me. If you need help with your stats class you might want to ask your professor or ask for a tutor. I don't feel that I can help you without the book you use for some guidance. Good luck.



Kerry May 30, 2003
Traverse City
MI

Do you wish you picked up your golf game earliar because the prize money is so much more than bowling's is or is this just a hobby away from your profession?

Hi Kerry,
I have made a great living from bowling. I also pitch horseshoes competitively and still do even though there isn't that much money involved. I would love to be able to make money playing golf, but I don't really put the time into it that I need to be a true professional at it.



Bob May 27, 2003
Clinton Township
MI

Hello Paige and Walter
Like 99% of the bowling population; my wife Annet and I are big fans of yours. You met my brother, Randy at a golf tournament in Ocala a week ago. Just wanted to say hello and wish you the best for the coming season.
bob jones

Hi Bob,
Thanks for taking the time to write and the support from both you and your wife. Fan support is very important to professional bowling, in general, and to me personally. I want you to know that I appreciate it.

My wife really enjoyed riding around with Randy at the golf tournament. He was a lot of fun! I hope he didn't "rub-it-in" as much as he said he was going to! (just kidding)

I appreciate the good wishes for the coming season also. I intend to do the best I can.



Old Bowler May 25, 2003
Edenville

It's memorial day weekend and most of us able will be golfing as you will be I assume. How did start golfing and what was your motivation? Aside from your competiveness did your family golf or was it just popular at the moment? Hope the tour will be in the Detroit area this fall and you keep the dreams and goals alive. Take care for the 2004 season.

Hi,
I was in a celebrity golf tournament and a PBA regional tournament on Memorial weekend. I was introduced to golf by my in-laws when I was 31. I have a sister who golfs with her husband, but the rest of my family doesn't really golf or bowl. I have 3 brothers who are into pitching horseshoes. I was never really that interested in playing golf because it is a slow game. Then I got hooked on it and I don't have much extra time.

The PBA has tournaments scheduled for Grand Rapids, MI, Toledo, OH, and Taylor, MI. I am planning on being at all of those tournaments.



Steve May 7, 2003
Brooklyn
NY

I've been having a disagreement with the owner of a bowling establishment. He feels it's unfair for touring I pros like yourself to compete in regionals. He feels it is a learning process and there would be more entries if touring I pros were not allowed to compete.The competition would not be so steep.I believe if you are a PBA member you should be allowed to enter the regionals no matter what. What is your position on this? This may be tough to respond to, since in addition to being a touring one pro you are the best in the world. Thanx.

Hi Steve,
Your owner of the bowling establishment may be right that there might be more entries in regionals if the touring players weren't there! But most proprietors like to have us there for the fans and the pro-ams. This doesn't mean that regional players aren't very good, but they aren't as well known. However if touring players didn't compete in the regionals then the regional players wouldn't know how they rank against them. When the tour is on, you won't see many touring players at regionals since they are on the National tour. But most host centers would rather have the regional tournaments when the tour is off or maybe schedule it so that the touring players can stop by in between stops. Does your owner friend know that Tiger Woods can play in a Nationwide (mini-tour) tournament if he wants? The difference is that the golf tour is basically year round, so there is always a national tournament going on for him to compete in. One of the reasons I bowl in regionals is to maintain my game or practice and to pick up a few dollars, but if there was a national tournament I would go there instead.



K.A. May 1, 2003
Edenville
MI

What is your most favorite television moment? I've been watching since the 70's and I still have to go back to Erie when you played against lefty Horan. I don't know, something about a high school band playing and you coming from behind, kinda gets me every time, even though you didn't win the tournament. I hope the tour goes back to Erie again.

K.A. realized a minor mistake in the question submitted above and later wrote back to add:
Hi. I submitted a question the other day about your most favorite T.V. question and kinda screwed up when I went back into the memory vault and realized you were playing Brad Snell "the lefty" and not Dennis Horan "the lefty". Horan won the tornament in 94', but you needed to beat Voss that year to move on. Anyway it was kind of an unrealistic question because you've been on TV sooo much in the last decade that maybe you haven't had a superior event in that time, I dON'T KNOW? ANYWAY, IT WAS FUN TO WATCH YOU TWO VETERANS VOSS AND YOURSELF GO AT IT IN dETROIT AND MAYBE SOMEDAY I CAN GET A KYBOARD THAT WORKS!! good GOLFING!

Hi K.A.,
I have many good moments on TV. The best is probably the first time I was on TV or when I won my first tournament. Both of these happened in Peoria, Illinois.

I also enjoyed bowling in Erie, PA and look forward to bowling in Erie again sometime.



Jeff April 12, 2003
Garfield
NJ

1. In league play if you were bowling on lanes 3+4 can you stand on lane 4 to throw the ball on lane 3? im talking as a lefty.

2. How do they come about in choosing which center to bowl in? Reason im asking is would they pick a center in wallington new jersey which it is a decent size of 48 lanes.

3. Would you drill my bowling equipment if you were in this neck of the woods?

Hi Jeff,
1. It is unusual for a player to start on the other side of a ball return to bowl on their lane, but I have seen it done. It is especially unusual for a lefty since they normally don't play that deep of line which would warrant such a starting place. But is perfectly legal as far as I know. You would need to check with someone from the PBA to be sure though.

2. A bowling center will usually be interested in hosting a PBA tournament or the PBA will contact them. There is usually a fee involved plus many other expenses which some bowling centers don't want to incur, not to mention that leagues are usually pushed back one week. I would talk to your local bowling center and tell them that the local bowlers would like to have a PBA National (or Regional) tournament at that center.

3. I am not a ball driller, so since I don't even drill my own bowling balls I don't think it would be a good idea to start with you. You would be MUCH better off going to a professional. Though I am a professional bowler…I am NOT a professional ball driller (or even an amateur one)!



Mick April 12, 2003
Minneapolis
MN

Dear Walter Ray,
I have been a fan of yours since you came out on tour. Your cool demeanor and ability to come through under pressure proves you are a true professional. I have been bowling since I was young, (I'm your age) and have always enjoyed it. I just finished the season with my highest ever average of 203. I have been inspired and have learned a lot from watching you.

My 10 year old is a die-hard bowler. He ended the season with a 176 average using a 13 lb. ball. He has been actively bowling since he was 3. He has won scholarship money and numerous trophies and awards in his 7 year career. We have numerous PBA telecasts on tape and have re-watched them countless times. You happen to be in just about every telecast we have on tape. No surprise, I guess.

Our sincerest best wishes to you and Paige. When we see you in the line-up on a PBA telecast we know it's going to be a good show. Keep up the great work!!

Do you plan on being in the Twin Cities area any time soon? It would be great to see you in person.
Sincerely,
Mick and Geoff Weiss

Hi Mick and Geoff,
Thank you so much for the kind words and support. I really do appreciate having wonderful fans like you! I don't believe that the PBA tour has any plans to have a tournament in Minnesota any time soon. I will be pitching horseshoes this summer (2003) in Eau Claire Wisconsin at the World Championships, but I won't be bowling. It sounds like your son is getting ready for PBA tour early. Maybe I will be watching him on TV someday. Good luck to him!



Brad March 19, 2003
Washington
UT

Walter Ray,
I live about an hour from las vegas. i was wondering if you had any suggestions on someone that might be a good coach that I could get some help from. Right now i carry a 192 average and would like to get above 200. So any assistance would be appreciated. And if you dont know someone good in vegas than anywhere would be ok too.
Thanks,
Brad

Hi Brad,
I believe that Don Johnson lives in Las Vegas and would be an excellent coach if he is willing and able. If Don isn't able to, maybe he can recommend someone else. I am sure that there are many capable coaches in the Las Vegas area. Good luck.



March 17, 2003
Taunton
MA

Hey Walter Ray, Ever think about being in a movie about bowling? I would love to see a serious movie about todays bowling. Rather than comedies like "Kingpin".Or maybe a documentary on bowling?

Hi Taunton,
I am not an actor. There are many things that I would need to learn to be in a 'real' movie. I was in a docudrama many years ago about a couple of rookies bowling on tour and a couple of stars. I thought it was a very good documentary-movie even though they kind of played around with what really happened. The movie was called "Pin Gods".

This year there was a film crew who was following the PBA tour. They have around 350 hours of tape of bowling, bowlers, and interviews. I agree that Hollywood doesn't portray bowling very well. Unfortunately their views of bowling seem to be very common among way too many people. Hopefully some of the press the PBA is getting will help to change some of those images.



Bob March 13, 2003
Fort Lauderdale
FL

Hi Walter Ray,
I apologize if you've heard this before, but do you have any plans in the near future to publish a book, or maybe a DVD, for both bowling and horseshoe techniques? I have Earl Anthony's "Bowl for 300", and would love to see you do something like it.

I'm new to the deadeyes, but just wanted to let you know that I've admired your career for many years. Your direct approach to the pocket has been a model for my game. If only I can learn to adjust faster

Congratulations on a great year!
Regards,
Bob Foreman
Ft. Lauderdale
200 average and holding

Hi Bob,
At this moment I have no immediate plans for an instructional book, or video for bowling or horseshoes. Some day I hope to, but I am the biggest procrastinator around. Thanks.






Miscellaneous Q&A  [1-20]  [21-40]  [61-80]  [81-100]  [101-120]  [121-140]  [141-160]   [161-180]  [181-200]  [201-220]



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