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Tour Information Q&A [1-20] [21-40] [61-80] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] Rich October 26, 2003 Chicago IL Hi Walter Ray, Just saw you compete recently at Vernon Hills, IL. It was exciting to see you shoot a 300 game although Tim Mack came back to win at the end. Anyways, whatever happened to the gold pins that were used in the finals of a PBA tournament? I think they were a little heavier than regular pins. Were they scrapped because it meant lower scores in the finals? Once again, good luck in the rest of the season and thanks for your autograph. Hi Rich, I hope you enjoyed watching the tournament live at Vernon Hills. I am amazed that more bowling fans don't come out and watch the pros live. Unfortunately for me in match against Tim Mack I had most of my strikes in 2 games and Tim ended up beating me. The gold pins were kind of promotional item from one of the manufacturers. Yes the pins were an ounce or two heavier than most pins, but I am pretty sure that real reason for not using them is a sponsor/promotional thing. The scores might be a pinch lower with heavier pins, but scores are a relative thing. Jonathan October 17, 2003 Paducah KY How would someone go about getting a sponsor for the tour? I haven't bowled in any tournaments yet and would like to start so I can see how I would rank with some of the best. I feel like I can take that next step in the business if I had a coach like the pros do. I would really appreciate any help that you could give to me. I have carried a 200 average for about 4 yrs now and I am getting tired of league bowling now. This is no challenge anymore in that. I have watched you for years and have tried to emulate you in all aspects of the game. Thank you for your time and help. Maybe some day I can catch you live and put my skills against the best in the business. Hi Jonathan, Since the tour is going to be an all exempt tour next year, getting a sponsor for the tour to help with expenses is really not the problem. The problem is getting one of those exemptions. There are going to be 2 main ways to get out on tour next year if you aren't part of the exempt 50. Being one of the top 10 or so players at the qualifying tournament held in the spring or bowl in the weekly qualifiers for the 2 or so spots every week. But first you need experience. If have never bowled in any tournaments, PBA or non PBA, I would recommend that you start bowling in some. There are many PBA regional tournaments which should be fairly close for you to participate in. Those will be good tests for you, but you should also look for scratch tournaments in your area to bowl. If you find that you are spending more money on entry fees than you are winning, then you are not ready for the tour. Not all of the pros have coaches. Many of the pros learned how to bowl by bowling in competition including myself. But if you find a rich person who is willing to invest some money in you for a few years, then take advantage of that. However, most people with extra money aren't that interested in getting rid of it. My first couple of years on tour I had some friends who invested a small amount of money on me, but I pretty much backed myself. My friends did make some money on our arrangement, but I wasn't able to get any one else interested in backing me. Good luck. Brian October 1, 2003 Fort Worth TX what is the best way to get a mentor to make it to the pba? i am a good bowler, i guess. 190 avg plus i have the ambition, going to try to bowl the pro-am in dallas in feb Hi Brian, You don't have to have a mentor. Anyone who meets the requirements for joining can become a member of the PBA. Those requirements are listed at PBA.com. However, it can be very helpful to have someone who can help you become a better bowler. But finding that right person to help you might be a very tough job in itself. If I were you, I would ask around, but it sounds like you will need to develop a friendship with the right person. You might also ask around for who would be a good coach. Good luck. Brandon October 5, 2003 Cleveland TN Dear Walter or Paige, I have a question that I could not find on the pba website. I was wondering how I could join or sign up for the pba. What are some of the requirements for joining the pba? Currently I have a bowling average of about 175-180. I love to bowl, its about the only thing that I am good at. One minor detail about how I bowl is, I only use two fingers, my middle and ring fingers. Is this ok or bad? The only time I use all three fingers is when I want to throw a straight ball. I hope you can answer this question, just send some info. to my email. Thanks alot, Brandon :) Hi Brandon, On the PBA website there is a way to contact the office. You might want to use this e-mail address to inquire about membership, membership@pba.com . Currently the PBA has a minimum average requirement of 200 for 2 years in league competition. Bowling with just your fingers and no thumb can be effective, but is usually very hard to control. You might want to learn how to use your thumb for a straighter strike ball. Good luck. Hiroto August 27, 2003 Niigata Japan Dear Dead Eye, This is a very important question from a Japanese fan. Every year we look forward to meeting you at the Japan Cup at this time of year. However, the announcement that the Japan Cup has been excluded from the PBA tour makes your fans here worry about its future. Have your motivation to participate in the Japan Cup weakened? Thank you for saving time for me. Hi Hiroto, The Japan Cup is still a tournament for the PBA tour. However, since it is an invitational, the event won't count for points. But the win is a PBA title and the money won is official earnings. I still want to bowl well in Japan and would love to win there again. I think that the Japan Cup is still a treasured tournament to win by the PBA players. Rich August 12, 2003 Levittown PA Just wondering if we can expect to see Walter Ray at the Greater Philadelphia open in November this year. I would also like to say that I think the way you handle yourself during tournament play shows real class, you are one of the finest bowlers I have seen. Keep up the good work and good luck in the upcoming season. Dear Rich, Right now I am planning on participating in the Greater Philadelphia open. Things sometimes change, though, so I can't guarantee it! Thanks for the kind words regarding my behavior and bowling ability. I do try to behave in a professional manner. However, I am not perfect and do sometimes lose my temper and do/say things I regret later. I just try to do the best I can and hope for the best. xxxxxxxxxxx@hotmail.com August 06, 2003 Dear Mr. Williams Let me begin by saying what a fantastic year you had, congratulations, well done. With the new formats I would never have guessed that anybody could have had the year you did. As a fellow member (ex-member at the present time) I would like to extend you an offer of somewhat of a different approach. As a father of two and being recently released from my job with AMF as a pro shop operator/manager I have found it impossible to be able to get an opportunity to get myself out on tour living pay check to pay check. The shop I was in was leased out from under me to a friend of the district manager with out my knowing. I came to work one day to find out I was with out a job. Great company to work for, NOT! I'm going to cut right to the point. I would like to play your personal chauffer for the upcoming season on tour as you play player/backer. I have a very talented game, and a very sharp mind as to today's equipment. I can play any place on the lane that the shot dictates, and I have even played ball rep for other players in order to help them win. I promise you that I will not let you down. I have wanted an opportunity to do this since I was a child and just haven't been given the chance. Now at the age of 32 and at a crossroads in my life, I'm finding impossibly harder and harder to resist asking someone in your position to do so. A little bit about me... I'm originally from south Florida, I grew up around the Tamarac bowling area working around the likes of Adam Colton in his shop and others. I've been in the PBA since I was 19 and won my first tournament I ever bowled at the age of 17 against a very formidable field of fellow members. I don't have a whole bunch of regional experience but I have made lots of finals in the events that I did compete in. I also am a non-smoker, don't drink, have a spotless driving record and could be very helpful on the road I'm sure. All I'm asking for is just one season to prove myself. I know I can do it. I know I can make it. Just give me the opportunity. I feel that I do need a few months of work to get my A game back into shape since I have taken the last 6 months off to reflect on my passions. I have the desire to get out there, I just don't have the means. This is in now way a joke. I'm very serious. I look at it like this.... Just one second place finish will pay for the entire season.....I know I can win. If your interested please fell free to contact me in any fashion. My cell # is 3xx-xxx-xxxx or email me at the addy given Hi, I am sorry to hear about what happened to you at your Pro Shop. The PBA has a rule against one player sponsoring another. So, there is no way that anything like that could happen! I enjoy the driving, so I don't really need a chauffeur. Sorry. If you are really serious about bowling on tour I would suggest bowling in regional tournaments every chance you get. It would be very difficult for a sponsor to make a decision to back someone without a proven performance record and stats. If I was in the position to sponsor a player I would like to see their results in tournaments, especially in PBA regional tournaments. The way the PBA is restructuring itself, by next year there will be very limited ways for a bowler to get on tour. You might want to put a package together and "sell shares" to get out on tour. There have been several bowlers who have done that. It is sometimes easier to get a bunch of people to put up a smaller amount, than a single person to put up a large one. I wish you well in your goal of getting on tour. Good luck! Dustina August 5, 2003 Elkhart IN Hey im 14 years old and i have a 161 average. my high score is 232. i was just wondering if there would ever be a pba tournament in indiana because i would like to come watch you. becasue your my faveorite pro bowler and i would love to meet you. thank you! Hi Dustina, These are upcoming PBA tournaments on the PBA tour that are fairly close to IN. PBA Miller High Life Open Dates: Oct. 22 - 26 ESPN Finals: Sunday, October 26 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET Hawthorn Lanes Vernon Hills, IL PBA Great Lakes Classic Dates: Oct. 29 - Nov. 2 ESPN Finals: Sunday, November 2 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET Spectrum Lanes Grand Rapids, MI PBA Toledo Open Dates: Nov. 5 - 9 ESPN Finals: Sunday, November 9 from 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Southwyck Lanes Toledo, OH PBA Greater St. Louis Open Dates: Feb. 25 - 29 ESPN Finals: Sunday, February 29 from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Fat Cats Bowl O'Fallon, IL PBA Indianapolis Open Dates: March 3 - 7 ESPN Finals: Sunday, March 7 from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Woodland Bowl Indianapolis, IN I hope you can make it to one of the tournaments. Good luck on your bowling. It sounds like you are doing very well. Raymond July 17, 2003 Fresno CA Hey Walter Ray, I was wondering if you ever come to California and bowl, because i have been bowling for about a year and i watch you on T.V. and would like to get a cance to meet you and see you bowl in person.Thanks Raymond Hi Raymond, I am scheduled to bowl in Fountain Valley, California for the 2003 BPAA US Open on February 2-8. That would be a great tournament to watch. I am also bowling in Reno for two weeks before the US Open which includes the 2003 ABC Masters. Hope you get a chance to get out to one of the tournaments! David June 11, 2003 Cleveland GA MR. Williams Can you tell me if you will be at the Cleveland, GA PBA Regional June 27-29 this year? I looked on your schedule but it does not say that is a confirmed date. Hi David, I am sorry this answer is so late. It got lost in the relay to me. I will be pitching horseshoes this weekend, June 28-29 in Erie, PA. My next regional I am planning on bowling in is in Spring Hill, FL the last weekend of July. Larry June 2, 2003 Norfolk VA Walter Ray, I don't see the Chesapeake Open (June 20-22) on your PBA regional schedule. You bowled last year and I enjoyed watching you compete. Is there any chance you might be here? Hi Larry, My family is having a birthday party for my Dad in California that weekend, so I won't be in Chesapeake this year. I hope you enjoy watching the other pros who will be there. Eric April 24, 2003 New York Mills MN Dear Walter Ray Williams Jr. I am 18 years old and I have been bowling ever since I was old enough to throw a bowlingball. I have thrown 3 300 games my first coming at the age of 15. This yeat I also got to try the sport league where I averaged a 184 and shot a high game of 266. I would like to here your view on being success in bowling as a professional. Hi Eric, To be a truly successful pro bowler you need to be able to make a living throwing a ball or by working in a pro shop. There are about 3000 plus card carrying pro bowlers. But only about 50 make a living off of their bowling. As you can tell, bowling has many different lane conditions of which some are very difficult. To be a successful pro bowler, you will need to be able to be in the top 10% of most lane conditions at tournaments at regional tournaments and the top 25% of national tournaments. The best way to do this is to bowl in as many different and difficult lane conditions as possible. Good luck. Anders April 23, 2003 Denmark Hi Is Walter considering playing som tournaments in Europe in the offseason? Since he can't get any competition i the states he migth consider attending some of the quality tournaments in Europe. Here are some links to tournaments in Europe www.aalborginternational.dk http://www.olympia-bowling.se/ Both member of the Super Series Anders Hansen Denmark Hi Anders, I have plenty of competition in the U.S. on the PBA tour. I will be bowling in many regional tournaments this spring & summer plus many horseshoe tournaments. As of right now I only have a couple of weeks where I don't have any thing planned. I don't have any plans to bowl in Europe, but thanks for the information. Lyle April 4, 2003 Port Jervis NY Hi Walter Ray, I read in one of your responses where you suggested entering a PBA regional as a way for an aspiring bowler to test the waters. I carry a 210 league average and would like to enter one sometime. I am not concerned with the entry fee or scoring poorly but am just worried about doing something wrong that would upset the experienced professionals. As a touring pro who competes in regionals, are there any pet peeves you have about inexperienced non-pros who enter regionals? What can they do to ensure their entry into the tournament is not a distraction to the professionals? Hi Lyle, Probably the thing that irritates the pro bowlers the most is that some non-PBA members don't understand our lane courtesy procedure. The PBA uses a FULL pair of lanes to the left and to the right for lane courtesy. So, if you are on lanes 13 or 14 then you would wait for anyone that was on 11/12 (pair to the left) or 15/16 (pair to the right). Generally, people (not in PBA tournaments) use a two LANE courtesy. So, if you were on lane 13 you could bowl when someone was up on lane 16. That is the most common mistake for inexperienced participants. Another thing that seems to be confusing is what we call "double jumping". Double jumping occurs when a bowler bowls "out of rotation". Before someone on your pair bowls, you need to wait until one person from both the pair to your right and the pair to your left throws a shot. Example: You leave a 10 pin, Mike on the pair to your left bowls and George on the pair to right bowls. Chris on your pair throws a strike. You need to wait until the other 2 pairs of lanes have their bowlers throw a shot. So after Steve bowls on your left and Brian bowls on your right, you pick up your spare. Obviously this doesn't always go this seamlessly. If someone isn't ready due to them waiting for the pair on the other side of them and they give you a go ahead signal, then go ahead and bowl. Of course when it is your turn to bowl you need to do it! Missing your turn can mess up the flow just as quickly as bowling before your turn! This system may seem a bit confusing at first, but after a couple of games you should get the hang of it. Just pay attention to what is going on and you will be fine. Remember that everybody is different and how well they are bowling influences how the react to certain situations. Some players will chat a lot and others won't talk much. Try to take your cues from the others on your pair. If you are trying to make small talk and a player doesn't seem real interested, then maybe you should let them be. Similarly, if you don't want to talk, they should "pick up on it" also. If you are reasonable, then you shouldn't have a problem. Mostly it's just common sense! The most important thing is to "go for it"! Have a great time and enjoy the experience. You may find that you want to participate more often. Good luck. Scott March 18, 2003 Lakewood OH Mr. Williams- I am a fan of bowling and of you especially. There is a couple of questions I wished to ask whenever you get the time. I have been bowling off and on for about fifteen years and solid for about the last six (I am 24 years old at the moment). Due to my job (Police Officer) it is hard for me to bowl in as many tournaments as I would like to. I would love to bowl as a career but am fearful and intimidated to do so in order to having to quit a job which is secure and has a steady income. I was wondering how hard it was for you to get started, and how hard was it to make ends meet at the beggining (Bills etc..). Also, at what point did you realize you were able to do this as a career? Thanks for your time. Scott Hi Scott, I was in college when I started to bowl in tournaments for money. I was living at home with my parents and was able to win money in tournaments. Eventually I lived on my own in very modest accommodations and was able to live off of my bowling while finishing up college. To be a successful professional bowler you would need to be able to bowl very well in local tournaments. If you can get weekends off, I would recommend bowling in PBA regional tournaments to see how you rank against the other pros. To even consider bowling on tour you really want to be able to make the top 16 in over 75% of the regionals that you bowl in. After joining the PBA, you could test the National tour when they are in your area. I would recommend being cautious about quitting your job unless you can get another one. Bowling can be a way to make a living, but only a very small percentage make it as successful pro bowlers. I was lucky in that when I first went on tour I was able to win more money than I spent. This isn't the case for most 'rookies'. Good luck and I hope you are able to enjoy your bowling the way you want. And thanks for doing your current job Jose March 16, 2003 Poughkeepsie NY Walter Ray, I would like to know if you have to have your tour card to bowl in a regionaal tournament. I have been trying to get my dad to bowl in one to challenge himself. Also what is the fee? Hi Jose, You can bowl in a regional tournament as a non member, but a non member may only cash once a year and then must join on their 2nd regional cash. I believe that the fee to bowl in a regional tournament for non-members is $245. The entry fees for members is $195. Regional dues are about $10 per month while the national dues are about $20 per month. You should be able to get more info at www.pba.com. Dan March 9, 2003 Philadelphia PA Hi Walter Ray, This past season, you reached the title match of three majors and your opponents in these matches had a grand total of zero PBA titles. Your success has helped support the argument of those who feel that "the cream still rises" under the new format. Those who feel that it adds an element of luck point to the high number of non-winners who had their "moment in the sun" during the season. Do you feel you can continue to be prolific under this format in the years to come? Hi Dan, I think that even though I bowled very well this season I was also very fortunate. I do believe that in the long run, the better players will get to the TV finals more than the other players. But I still feel that the better players would do better with the 'old' format. I never thought that anybody would get more the 6 TV finals on this format in 20 tournaments and somehow I made it 10 times. I am still stunned that I made it that many times. However, that doesn't mean that I won't try and make that many next year. But if I made 5, I would be happy. Shane March 5, 2003 Hondo TX Dear Walter Ray, I just started consistantly watching pro bowling again for the first time since ABC's contract ran out in '97, i cant believe how much different the atmospere is now than it was then, i personally enjoyed it much more back then when it still looked like the pros were bowling at a bowling alley not a two lane cave. i dont care much for the way they set up every bowling alley to look identical for tv now, maybe i am a little too traditional. What is your opinion on the way the telecast is set up now compared to 5 or so years ago. I would appreciate any reply. Thank you so very much. Hi Shane, It is different bowling in the newer stadiums settings that we have. The only thing I can say negative about it is that there are a lot of distractions because some of the seating is down the lane and in front of the players. I don't agree 100% with the heads of the PBA that the stadium lane setup is better, but I do think that in the case of bowling in a true arena, the distractions are worth it. Nick February 25, 2003 Key West FL Hey Walter I wanted to know how to become a prfessional bowler? What kind of ball should i get? I do throw a hook and where should I get it drilled? What was your highest score when you were 15? You will see me in the pba for sure. I love bowling with a passion. Sincerly Nick Hi Nick, There are many different bowling balls out there to choose from. I would talk to other bowlers and see if they recommend a ball driller. I would listen to what the ball driller recommends, but there may not be any perfect ball for you. The main thing is to practice. I didn't bowl much until I was 17. I didn't bowl over a 200 game until I was 16. To become a PBA member, you will need to average over 200 for 2 years in league. But you will want to be better than that if you want to be competitive in PBA competition. Good luck. Tour Information Q&A [1-20] [21-40] [61-80] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] | ||