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Tour Information Q&A [1-20] [41-60] [61-80] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] Jamie February 11, 2003 Round Lake Beach IL Hi Walter Ray, I have been bowling for about 7 years now. I have slowly gone from the small 114 average bowler to averaging 200+. I have increased my average just about every year and I have decieded to commit myself to practicing more, in hopes of keeping that average up over the 200 mark. I know that I would need at least a 200 average for 2 consecitive years before I could try to join the PBA. I know that the best thing would be for me to do the regional tour first to get used to the tour life. What I wanted to ask is, what type of money am I looking at that I would have to save for this? I realize that there is going to be hotels, and travel, and entry fees. I just want to know if there is a rough estimate on the other things that come up that I would need money for? I also hope to see you out here at Hawthorne Lanes again next year, if the tour is coming back, as that is one of my local houses in which I bowl. I also hope that one day I can be bowling you for a title, hopefully my first Major Title! Thank you for your time! Hi Jamie, The regional program isn't really the same as traveling on tour since they are normally on the weekends as opposed to the nearly week long tour events and they aren't normally 10 to 12 in a row as the national tour has. Depending on your lifestyle you can expect to spend at least $800 per week up to $2,000 per week. My expenses are even more than that. Steve January 8, 2003 Pontotoc MS Hi there, Let's say you're using only one ball during a tournament, Is the 25 second shot clock running while you wait for your ball to return, or does it start when the ball becomes available? Thank You very much, Steve Buckles wanna-be,.....will-be Hi Steve, The 25 second clock is only for TV. The rule is that the clock starts when your opponent walks off of the approach or when your ball comes back on the ball return. Using a spare ball can give you a little bit of extra time, but only if you are shooting at spares which nobody really wants to do! Matthew January 5, 2003 Detroit MI Dear Mr.Williams. Hi, My name is Matthew, I have to say you are my favorite Pro bowler out there and have always been. i like the fact that you dont have some huge hook ball, but still know how to get the job done. anyway, I was wondering, All my life Ive wanted to bowl a 300 and be a pro, and it sometimes it seems impossible, but I keep getting better and better as time goes, i was wondering, after you get your average between 200 225 for 2 years straight, how do u go about turning pro, like do they notify you, or is there a place i can call for paper work in the future, if you could give me a idea thanks your fan matthew Hi Matthew, You can join the PBA when you have averaged over 200 for 2 years. You can contact the PBA at www.PBA.com. They will be glad to help you in your desire to become a professional bowler but they normally don't contact the players. Good luck. Ramone January 4, 2003 Ypsilanti MI Hello, My name is Ramone and I am striving to be one of the most dominant bowlers in the not so distant future. As of now I avg. 197 on three leagues and suprisingly carry a 217 avg. @ tournaments. I guess I just have a different mentality at the tourneys I bowl in. But to get to my question, it is actually directed to the you and your wife. The past few months I have been traveling quite a bit to bowl and recieve coaching and the more I do, the more I want to do(very passionate about bowling). Since I know that being a full time tourer is very demanding, I would like to know how demanding is/was it for the both of you and what are some of the pitfalls that my fiance` and I should watch out for. p.s. It would be a dream to bowl on the same pair with you Walter Ray. My grandmother and I have been fans for quite some time and we are always rootin for you. Hi Ramone, Being on the road isn't all fun and games. Traveling is something that is not for everybody. My desire to compete is very strong and I don't mind the traveling. Also if your significant other travels with you, you may need to find some time apart. As much as my wife and I love each other, we get on each others nerves and need to be able to give the other room at times. Fortunately I am successful so that takes some other pressure off of us. Thanks and good luck. Cathy January 27, 2003 San Bernardino CA Hi, My son bobby has been bowling since he was 8 he's 18 now, he just bowled a 300 and 298 game on a adult jr savings bond league. He has alot of them under his belt but not on a sanctioned league. He just got a letter from ABC congratulating him. Foothill lanes tried to disqualifi him because he throws the ball with his thumb out of the hole but it didnt happen. He also has a "797" series (285-257-255). The reason i'am writing is to ask you how i go about finding him a sponcer i have no clue. I no he's just as good if not better than most of the pros i see on tv. Could you please help me out. To me he's wasting his time on these leagues. hes that good. Hi Cathy, I am sure that your son is a good bowler, but he is bowling on a different lane condition than what the pros bowl on. If he is really good enough he will eventually make it to the tour or wherever it is he wants to go. Getting a sponsor is not easy, as you need to find someone who has plenty of money. Most sponsors are actually investors and will want to get their money back plus some if their bowler makes some money. If he is looking for a ball company as a sponsor he will need to bowl well in tournaments. I would suggest that he bowl in some PBA regional tournaments to test himself. Throwing the ball without the use of a thumb can be good sometimes when done right, but can also get a bowler in a lot of trouble on tough conditions which are in most PBA tournaments. I wish your son well, but he probably still has some experience to gain. Brandon January 24, 2003 Fayetteville NC Walter Ray, I reside in Fayetteville, NC and I will be attending the TARHEEL OPEN in Burlington, NC. My question is, what will your practice schedule be like and will one be allowed in the center during those times? Also, I would like to reply to the question posted on the "net" about you charging for an autograph... Well, God has blessed me with an education... great job... Therefore, I'm willing to pay the price for an signature from a guy of your caliber! Brandon T. Akridge Hi Brandon, I should be on the 'A' squad in Burlington which would have its practice session on Wednesday morning from 8 am to 10 am. I will probably take advantage of this and spectators are definitely welcome. I normally don't charge for autographs, but we do sell items on our website which I can autograph if so directed. Rick December 16, 2002 Fontana CA Walter Ray, I don't know if you remember me, but I worked at Garey Center in Pomona in the early '80s while you videoed yourself prior to going out on tour. I watched you hit 60 or 70 plus ringers at the Pomona Fair Grounds too. I bowled with Jeff and even have a copy of your thesis from Cal Poly Pomona. Anyway, I've followed your career on tour and have watched the tour since the early seventies. I have a comment about the broadcasting of the tour on ESPN. With all the technology we have today, why can't ESPN preempt any other sport than bowling? I know the routine to make money by showing the sports that are supposedly more viewed, but I was very disappointed this year when 5 or 6 shows ran over the allotted time. My recorder missed some portion of the final game of these shows and it's very upsetting. I've been forced to record the subsequent programming that is useless to me as an avid bowler and bowling fan. I know you're not employed by ESPN, but as the best player in history can you say something for the sport and fans to ESPN? Thank you, Rick O'Neil Hi Rick, If I understand your problem correctly, ESPN isn't really to blame in this instance. The PBA ESPN telecasts have been running about 10 - 15 minutes over their allotted time. So if you have your VCR or other recording device to record the show you need to allow at least 15 minutes more to get all of the bowling telecast. I am sorry that you have been missing the final frames of the telecast as they are normally the most exciting. There is another way to watch the telecasts. Real One has teamed up with the PBA and has video of the round of 16, round of 8 and TV finals on file. These can be viewed at any future time after they are up and ready. The rounds of 16 and the TV finals are usually delayed. The round of 8 is usually a live feed. They charge about $6 per month, so I would figure that any bowling fan would love to take advantage of it. I hope you can set your VCR up properly and not miss any more bowling. Also, they sometimes rebroadcast the shows on ESPN2 later. Tom December 7, 2002 Mt. Vernon IN What is the hardest part of living the tour life? Wondering week to week what Walters paycheck will be or like many...When will the next paycheck be? Walter has been my fave for years before he was POY. Its gotta be tough even with his success!!! Hi Tom, It isn't always fun and games on tour, but I do enjoy it most of the time. I am always trying to get as much as I can as you never know what next week will bring. Success might make it tougher as those average weeks aren't what you are looking for. When I struggle out here, I do wander how long I am going to do this. Fortunately this year I haven't had those thoughts so much. Dino December 2, 2002 Calgary, Canada Alberta Hello again Walter Ray, I was just wondering if the PBA Tour ever has any plans to come to Canada? I would love to get out and see you guys live. Thanks very much, Dino Hi Dino, I don't what plans the PBA has regarding events in Canada. But if they have a sponsor and a host center I am sure that they would love to have a tournament up north. I do know that the PBA is working on international events even though Canada would probably be more of a regular tour event such as we have had in the past. I guess that Tacoma would be the closest we would come to Calgary. I am sure you are aware that you can follow the PBA events a lot better now on the PBA's website and the Real Player videos. George November 27, 2002 Lseliga Port St. Lucie, FL Hello, my name is George and I wanted to know how do you get recognized to become a pro? Hi George, Being recognized has nothing to do with being a pro. Becoming a pro is something that happens if a bowler averages over 200 for 2 years, is accepted as a member of the PBA and pays the required fees and dues. Bob November 24, 2002 Falling Waters WV Walter Ray, I guess this category is the right one for the question I want to ask. Do you feel it is right to mic every bowler ? And do you think all the guys with the in your face attitude, and the screaming " you need two to beat me " is a good thing for the PBA, or does it show a lack of class ? Thanks for your thoughts, and continued good luck to you from a long time Walter Ray fan. Hi Bob, The PBA is encouraging the players on the TV shows to be as entertaining as they possible. They would like every player to wear microphones, but some players don't like to for fear they will say something they might they regret. I don't think the PBA is forcing the players to wear microphones. As far as I know, each player still has the option of not being wearing it. My guess is that the "in your face attitude" is what some people (in the marketing/advertising department) think that the young 18-35 male viewer wants to see. Sine that demographic is the most sought after in advertising, I think the "antics" we are all now witnessing on the TV show are going to be around for quite some time. I prefer to let my bowling speak for me, but I also get excited when good or bad things happen. There is, in my opinion, a line between being demonstrative" and "getting in your opponents face". Running out shots, yelling out things like "YES" or "ALRLIGHT" are things I would put in the "demonstrative" category. When a bowler yells out thing that are directed more towards his opponent, that is when you cross into the "in your face" zone. For example, "YOU CAN'T BEAT ME" or something similar would be what I consider "in your face". To me, getting in your opponents face is a little bit "low class". When a bowler does that, I always feel he doesn't think he can beat me with his bowling, so he is going to try to distract me with his mouth. It doesn't usually bother me either way. I just try to bowl the best game I can and take my chances. Apparently I am a bit boring to some people, but that's ok with me. You can't please everyone. Thanks for your good wishes. Dan November 22, 2002 Philadelphia PA Hi Walter Ray, Many of the bowlers who make the PBA finals have become very demonstrative. Do you feel it crosses the line into bad sportsmanship at any point? Hi Dan, It is my opinion that the way some of the players act when on TV is marginal sportsmanship. However, sometimes "off camera" behavior is not much better. There are times when I look back at things I have done and thought, "What was I thinking?" Some marketing people seem to think that the "in your face"type of behavior is what the average viewer likes to see. I try to behave myself on TV and let my bowling speak for me. Some folks may think that my "TV persona" is boring, but I have a wife, mother, mother-in-law and others to answer to. I don't always behave properly either, so it is hard to point fingers sometimes. Michael November 17, 2002 Fort Bragg NC I bowled with you at the Pro-Am at Dragon lanes on Fort Bragg. I was just wondering why some people carry a 200 average at two different houses but still are just on the regional PBA. Why wouldn't they go on tour? Do you have to do something special? Hi Michael, There is a big difference between averaging 200 on a local house condition and averaging 215 or 225 on a tour condition. Even though a 200 average is a minimum for joining the PBA, it is actually a low average for a PBA bowler if he were bowling in league. Most league conditions will inflate an average about 20 pins. James November 17, 2002 Des Moines IA I was just woundering, What do you have to do to become a pro bowler? The reason i am asking is that my life goal is to become a pro like you. So if you would let me know what i need to do. P.S. write back as soon as you have time thanks, James(Your Fan) Hi James, To be a PBA member you need to average 200 for 2 years in a league. However, to be successful you will need to be able to average 215-225 on very demanding lane conditions which are almost always a bit different. Basically it takes a lot of practice and hard work to become a professional at anything. Good luck. Tom November 4, 2002 Glendale AZ Hello Walter Ray, My question is this,I have read the posts on the PBA Site and there is alot of talk on the trash talking that is going on as of late, there was also comments on how some don't care for it and that others don't mind. I know that not all players and personalitys can work together,What is your take on all this? Good Luck and hope for the best.Thanks Hi Tom, It seems that most of the trash talkers just like to stir things up. I don't look at the PBA's posting area too much as it seems that most of the posting has no basis except to irritate somebody. Jason October 12, 2002 Columbus OH Walter Ray, First off, I want to say that growing up as a youth in the 80s, I tried to emulate your smooth style from watching you on television. (Also while throwing in a touch of the intensity of Pete Weber.) I am currently 20 years old, and I am asking for your opinion. As of Oct. 12, 2002, I am carrying averages of 221, 212, and 197 with the 197 average being in a travelling sports league. I have always had aspirations of turning pro after college (which is 8 months away). I was leaning towards becoming a regional professional that way I can maintain my job as a computer software engineer/designer and participate in events that wouldn't require me to travel across the country. Based on my research, becoming a standard pro would also allow me to still enter the PBA US Open, PBA World, and ABC Masters tournaments. What is your opinion? I have the heart to become a national player, but for now I'm considering just the regional level. Thanks for your opinion. Good luck in the future! Jason Hi Jason, I would recommend anyone who is considering bowling on tour to first bowl in regional tournaments to give yourself a better gauge of how well a player is. The thing to remember is that the regional tour has only a fraction of the talent that the tour does. If you happen to have a week open for a national event then I would encourage you to try one. It can take a year or two for players on tour to get their games up to a level which makes them competitive. Good luck. Chris October 8, 2002 San Dimas CA Dear Walter Ray, First of all, I had the pleasure of meeting you at the 2001 US Open in Fountain Valley, CA, and I hope to do so again during the coming season. My question to you relates to fan courtesy while the pros are on tour. My visit to the US Open during the Round of 32 was the first time I'd ever been to professional competition, and I made not one, but two, faux pas. The first involved Ryan Shafer. I saw him sitting on the steps after (what I thought was) the 8th and final game of the morning block, and I approached him for an autograph. Unfortunately, he was relaxing between his 7th and 8th games, and was a bit upset at the time I asked. (For the record, he was VERY kind to me afterward, and we apologized to each other. It was definitely my mistake, and an obvious one at that.) The second was a bit trickier. I had been getting autographs from several of the players (including yourself) after the morning block, and one of the players was Amleto Monacelli. As he was signing for me, I casually asked him how he had bowled that morning, and he responded by giving me (what seemed like) a dirty look, and saying, "Please don't ask such questions." I didn't realize until later that he was actually running 32nd of out 32 at the time. My long-winded question to you is, was that an inappropriate question, and are there certain things a fan should avoid asking when we meet the players? I meant no offense to Amleto, and would like to avoid making similar mistakes in the future. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Hi Chris, One of the 'problems' with us professional bowlers is that we are very accessible to the fans. That makes it easy for fans to get autographs. But when we are competing, it could be very distracting if we were asked for autographs so we have a rule where we are not allowed to sign during competition. You obviously understand the need for this kind of rule. The other problem is that when a player bowls poorly they probably aren't in a good mood. Amleto is normally cordial to fans, but does like his privacy. He may have had a poor round, but that doesn't give him the right to be rude to a fan. I have probably made similar comments, but usually when someone assumes that I bowled well and I didn't. That may have been the case with Amleto. I don't think that your question was inappropriate, but a lot of people, fans and players alike, assume the name players to bowl well all of the time and that isn't a case. I don't think that Amleto would feel like you were being rude, but more that he wasn't happy with his bowling. Remember that if a bowler had a bad round it can cost him a lot of money and that is partly what we are trying to do out on tour, make a living. Most of the pros are very happy to give autographs when they are not bowling, but sometimes they aren't real happy when they had a bad round. I wouldn't worry about your previous encounter and hopefully your next encounter with Amleto will be a better one. Thanks for being understanding and hopefully the pros will also be understanding. Tim August 6, 2002 Chatham IL Walter Ray - When I turn 50 in a few years I have as a personal goal to compete on a few stops on the Senior Tour. I have worked hard on my game and recently visited the Kegel Training Center in Sebring Florida. It's a great facility with great instructors. I had a CATS analysis with video and individual instruction. The CATS showed that over 10 shots I was within 2 boards of my target with a 17.8 velocity on average. There are areas of my game I do need to work on though. I bowl in most of the area tournaments and carry a 200 - 225 average. I realize that you do not compete on the Senior Tour, but with your experience can you give me some insight into what I can expect and any other helpful information. By the way, Doug Kent gave me quite a glowing report of your new home. Regards, Tim Hi Tim, The best way to prepare for any major tournament is to practice and bowl in other tournaments. You should work on playing all different parts of the lane. It wouldn't hurt to also work on throwing the ball in different ways; slower, harder, straighter and with more hook. I would also practice on the toughest lanes possible so that the tournament conditions seem easy. Good luck. Keith June 26, 2002 St. Louis MO What are some of the costs to be on tour. Entry fee / travel / food / etc. I am going to try my hand @ midwest regionals in 2003. Hi Keith, Right now the entry fees for National tournaments is $400 while Regional's are $155. Travel expense depends on how far you go and how you travel while other expenses depend on your lifestyle. On tour I would say expenses outside of entry fees would range any where from $500 per week to over $1500 per week. Regional expense should be a lot less, but can still be considerable. Good luck. Mike May 19, 2002 Hampton VA Congrats on your win at Franklin. On your earlier schedule you did not have Franklin on your schedule. I hope to see you when I bring my son to stay with his Grandma this summer in Ocala. Keep your your winning ways this summer in horseshoes and of course bowling. Do your have a ball sponsor yet? Are you going back to Hammer for the National tour if the balls are approved to use on tour? Hi Mike, Thanks. I was slow about updating my schedule this last month. I am sorry about that. I am planning on going to Chesapeake in a few weeks so maybe you could catch me there. I don't practice much so I don't know if your son will have a chance to see me bowl when he visits in Ocala. I don't have a ball contract yet. As of right now I will be using whatever bowling balls I think will work best for me. Tim April 26, 2002 PA Dear Walter, How hard is it to make a decent living on the PBA Tour. I know prize funds went up but was it enough? Also, how many of the pros have side jobs to make extra money? Hi Tim, It is nice that the prize funds are up, but we now have many more weeks in which we don't have tournaments (fewer tournaments per year). It would seem that about 20 players make a decent or good living out on the road and that should improve in the next few years. I don't know how many touring pros have side jobs, but it might be over 50% since there is so much time off. Considering that over 100 players are on tour it is pretty tough to make a living on the PBA tour. But if you are successful, there are some pretty good monetary rewards to go along with accomplishing life long dreams. Tour Information Q&A [1-20] [41-60] [61-80] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] | ||