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Tour Information Q&A [1-20] [21-40] [41-60] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] Eric March 9, 2004 Roswell GA comments: Hello Walter. My name is Eric and I have been a big fan of yours for some years now. You're an incredible asset to the PBA and I congratulate you on all your hard work. I just have a question that you can hopefully answer or at least give me some guidance on. I have been bowling all my life (I'm 23) for recreational purposes and I'm just now getting a sudden "passion" for the game. I joined a league last year and have been averaging around 200 bowling just once a week. I have been told that is really good for the house I bowl at where the lanes are flooded with oil and there is no "wall" of dry boards to the out side. Basically, my question is, "How does a person take the next step from a league player to a PBA bowler?" I really enjoy the sport, but have certain reservations. I have talked to a lot of people and they keep telling me that becoming a professional bowler is always the second or third career choice because it's too hard, financially, to join the PBA. So, my question is, if bowling requires a person to practice all week long to play in a tournament that weekend, how do people have time for another job? As you can see I have a ton of questions. I know you can't answer them all, buy hopefully you can point me in the right direction. Thanks in advance Eric Hi Eric, When you average 200 for 2 years in league, you are eligible to join the PBA. You can also bowl in regional tournaments as a non-member. But bowling once a week in league would make it very difficult to be very difficult to be competitive in PBA competition. Unless you are very talented, you would need to bowl at least 20-30 games a week (probably even more than that) to be somewhat competitive. Every pro is different, but a lot of them worked at bowling centers to get in the number of games they needed to become really good bowlers. It is difficult for an up and coming bowler to juggle a 'real' job so that they have time to practice and bowl in tournaments. Usually it comes down to the desire that the bowler has. Ron March 2, 2004 State College PA Walter Ray - I was wondering what you thought about the increasing (I think) practice of players trying to alter the lanes during practice before matchplay or before TV matches. I know that's always been done to degree, but is now more obvious to the fan because of Randy Pederson talking about and even showing how Dave Traber tries to burn a spot on the lane with a roughed-up ball. I know you sometimes throw a plastic ball during warmups to try to move the oil slightly, but that seems much less extreme. Do you think the Traber practice should be regulated by PBA rules? And, if so, what do you think would be a practical way of implementing the rule? Also, many players seem to use sports psychologists to help them deal with pressure situations. As far as I know, you have never been one of them. I was wondering if you thought competing in horseshoes from an early age had been a big factor in you developing your mental game to handle pressure situations. Thanks, Ro Hi Ron, I will also use a dull ball in a similar way that Dave Traber does. Some times I will use a plastic ball on a shorter oil pattern to carry the oil down the lane a bit. It seems that more of the guys who really hook the ball don't care for this type of practice as they don't seem to be able to do it as well. During qualifying the crankers usually have a shot that develops after 4-5 games in the middle of the lane. A straighter player like Dave Traber really can't take advantage of the shot that develops in this manner and what he does is create his own during the matches or on TV. I have never really used a sports psychologist even though I have been to a couple of seminars hosted by them. I have always been very competitive and I believe that my horseshoe background helped me be a better bowler quicker due to the similar arm swings. Peggy March 2, 2004 Eaton Rapids MI. DEAR WALTER RAY, My son is 24 years old and he loves to bowl he bowls everynight in a small town of Charlotte . Char Lanes is the name of the lanes , his name is Daniel Lightner, the Hometown Heroics shows he has eleven 300 games and four 800 series in the last 3 years .. What does he have to do to become a PRO Bowler he has bowler with you in Detroit at the Pro Am tournament he love to watch you bowl.. If their is in info on this would you write to me ? His (mom) PEGGY LIGHTNER Hi Peggy, Contact the PBA at www.pba.com. I am sure that they will help your son in becoming a PBA member. Also if he goes to Taylor he could personally ask some of the PBA officials about what he needs to do. But the minimum is averaging 200 for 2 seasons which I am sure that he has done. Good luck to him. Terry February 29, 2004 Ashtabula OH Dear Walter Ray, hi, my name is terry whitehead. i have some questions regarding pba national events and how they are ran. the reason i am asking is because i was thinking of entering the pba world championships. first of all, once arriving at the center, who would be the man i would have to talk to. next, is since i bowl in the wild turkey central region, i have to wear the patch on the back of my shirt. i was wondering since i dont have a sponsor, yet, if that is accceptable. or can i have nothing on the back of my shirt. basically, in a nut shell, i was wondering how things were ran, so if i do enter, i wont screw things up and look like a total fool. i have bowled in a few regionals so i know the basic stuff, and wondered if the national tour was ran pretty much the same. any and all information you can give me will be greatly appreciated. thanks you. and if you ever come back to northeast ohio, you'll be welcomed with open arms. again, thank you very much in advance for any info you can give me. good luck at the world championships. hope to see you there. sincerely, terry whitehead Hi Terry, There is a PBA office at each tournament and I am sure that the officials would be more than happy to help you with any questions about what you need to do. The regional tournaments are run similar to National events, but they have a couple more relaxed rules. Most of those are concerning the dress code. On the National tour you can only wear into the bowling center clothes that you are able to compete in, no jeans, t-shirts, or shorts. I don't know exactly what the rule is on the Wild Turkey patch. I thought that you weren't allowed to wear them on the National tour, but I see players doing it. You can contact the PBA office regarding that. Good luck. Jeff February 29, 2004 Scranton PA How high does ur average have to be in order to become a pro bowler and how old do u have to be cause i am 15 and my dream is becoming a pro bowler when i am 18 or 17 plz get back to me Wayne February 25, 2004 Knoxville TN what r all of the ruquirement to become a pro bowler on tour?? such as education, average, age, etc... Hi Wayne & Jeff, You need to average 200 for 2 years and be at least 18 years old and have a GED (high school equivalence education). Lonna February 17, 2004 Orion MI Hello there! Was wondering if you are going to be at the autograph session in Taylor, Michigan on March 13th. I have been trying to get your autograph on a PBA magazine with your picture on the front cover where I believe it was the first or second time you were player of the year. (So, I've had it for a while.) Glad that your game is back on track. Missed see you on the Sunday telecasts. Good Luck in the future. Lonna Hi Lonna, I am not sure when I will be getting to Taylor, Michigan. I will probably go home to Florida for the week off. It looks like I will be one of the seeded 8 players, so I am probably not needed up in Taylor until the 17th or so. But anything is possible. Victor February 17, 2004 Missoula MT Hello Walter Ray. First off I would like to wish you luck on breaking Earl Anthony's record of titles this year. I have to say that I was a huge fan of Earl Anthony when I was young and learning how to bowl (started at 6y/o). I learned a lot on board adjustments from watching him (the rare times they would show bowling on TV) and still use his same technics to this day. Plus the fact that I also bowl left handed. Anyways, I'd like to ask you a question that I'm sure you've heard a thousands times. What is required to become a professional bowler? I'm now 35 and for the first time have actually thought about going professional. I've spent the last 29 years just having fun with bowling. I've sandbagged, I've held high averages, 200+. I think I've gotten just about every award there is with YABA & ABC. I've got a few 300 games under my belt, one of them being in the State Tournament (Montana). The only thing, that eludes me is that 800 series! What prompts me to ask this question is the fact that I'm getting older now and have never thought of doing it before and the fact that my wife actually came out and asked me why haven't I. (This coming when she gives me a hard time about watching bowling on TV!). For the last 5 years, I've only bowled one night a week and this year hold a 197 average. (I'm trying not to sandbag!). State Bowling's coming up, is that a start? Sorry for the lenghy e mail. I hope I didn't take up too much of your time with some of my rambling. I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, Victor Smolinski Hi Victor, You only need to average 200 for 2 years to become a PBA member. But if you are interested in going on tour then you will have to bowl regional tournaments and be in the top so many players at the end of the season to qualify for the tour trials where 10 players or so will win tour cards. Also the #1 point player in each region will earn a tour card for the next season. The problem is that you live in Montana and most of the tournaments in your region will be in Washington and Oregon. But if you would like to pursue your dream, go for it. And good luck. Nelda February 15, 2004 Baton Rouge LA We are going to be at the PBA Tour television telecast on Feb. 22nd and hopefully catch some of the qualifying finals on the 21st. I read that you stick around after the TV show to give autographs. A couple of friends, plus us, want one........so hope to see you there (p.s.--and hope to see you win it too). We are league bowlers, and since my husband retired January 1, 2004 this is the only PBA tourney we have gone to. Dallas is about 10 hour drive for us, but will be worth it. I have been wanting to go to one for several years, but we do need to go to them close to home. Till next weekend, STRIKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! 10 up 10 down for Walter Ray. Hi Nelda, If I have time I will give out autographs. We are not allowed to give autographs anytime during a set of bowling, but afterward I am usually fine with giving one. Hopefully I will be around for the TV finals this weekend. However, if I happen to win, it might be at least 30 minutes before I am able to give an autograph. Chud February 13, 2004 Pittsburgh PA Walter Ray, glad to see ya back , not that i didnt think you would turn it around or anything, My question for you , I saw you had some problems with people distracting you , im all for fans and public participation , but i think the PBA needs to becarful on who and what kind of people they have sitting right off the lanes, to have a bunch of KIDS right off the lane drove me nuts just watching .I feel that puts you guys in a situation where you try to be professional but in the heat of a game you dont want some kid waving a banner while your making a critical shot. Pba needs to watch this i feel. i had a similar thing happen to me and there is only so much concentration you can do before someone can jar it . Owell thats just me whatcha think :) Hi Chud, Before we started practicing for the US Open TV show I asked who I get to 'kill' when the kids start to move around. The person in charge of that situation is not a bowler. He told me that he talked to the kids and that they wouldn't move around. But adults have trouble sitting still for 2 hours let alone kids. I don't blame the kids, but they are kids and have a very short attention span. Fortunately I was able to reset myself whenever I was distracted. But it would have been nice to not have to worry about a possible distraction when you are trying to win $100,000! Thanks for your understanding as I was hoping that I didn't come across as too much of a fool. Lenny February 7, 2004 Huntington Beach CA How do you get a sponsor? My book is 236 i bowl at foutain bowl i have 3 300 games i have booked ovet 200 the last six years i bowled the us open the last 2 years are the lanes always as bad for you guys as they are at the us open as a amature what tournaments can i bowl Hi Lenny, I really don't know how to get a sponsor. You basically have to be a salesman and sell yourself. I have never had a sponsor but I have had contracts with companies where I endorse their products, such as Dexter. Averaging 236 is nice, but as may have noticed those lane conditions are a lot easier than the tough lane conditions that they have at the US Open. The US Open lane conditions are about the toughest lane conditions that the pros see during the course of the year. Averages are about 10-15 pins lower depending on the player on that lane pattern compared to the 'normal' patterns that the tour usually bowls on. I don't really keep up to date on amateur tournaments as I am not allowed to bowl in them. If you are interested in bowling in PBA tournaments, then contact the PBA at www.PBA.com. There are regional tournaments and you are still eligible to bowl in other events. John January 23, 2004 Wadsworth OH I not getting any younger, being 46 already, and still have always dreamed of being on the tour. Since I averaged 175 when I was ten (1967) until my current four league average of 210 (2004), I have heard rumors of how to become a card member. But they always varied and I never thought I was eligible. Then I wonder if I desirve to try to attain a card, when I have only bowled one 300, one 299, one 296, and never an 800 series. I see all around me 800 series and 298,299,300 games by bowlers under 200 averages. I have kept good statistics of my bowling. I have every game I have ever bowled, dates, running averages, for the past fifteen years or more. I can tell you what three games I bowled on Nov 11, 1999: they were 213, 225, 246, my average at the time was 203 at Colonial Village Lanes in Akron, OH in a Thursday Night Mens league. I question should I pursue a card and I can't find exact information on exactly how to get one? Thanks. Hi John, You do meet the minimum requirements to be a PBA member. That is to average 200 for 2 years. You might want to check out www.PBA.com to see about becoming a PBA member. Going on tour might be a different story since next year it is going to be an all exempt tour. But you will be able to bowl in virtually any PBA regional tournament you wish too plus the ABC Masters, BPAA US Open and the PBA World Championships. Jorge January 19, 2004 Tijuana, Mexico BC How can I entered to PBA tour? Hi Jorge, If you have an average of over 200 then you are eligible for a PBA tournament. Since you are from Mexico they might wave the 2 cash in a PBA regional rule if you really want to bowl in PBA National tournament this season. Next season the only way to bowl in a National tournament is if you were an exempt player. The only option for you to be an exempt player is to be one of the top finishers at the Qualifying tour trials which should be held in late May or early June in Indiana. I would suggest bowling in some regional tournaments first to how the competition is. If you go to the PBA website at www.PBA.com you should be able to find information on the Western Region tournaments. You could either contact the PBA directly or contact the western regional director, Mike Fredericks, about tournaments to bowl in. You can even bowl in regional events as a non member which I would suggest at first so that you can see just how good the competition is. If you are really interested in getting your feet wet, you might have time to enter the BPAA US Open in Fountain Valley, California in the beginning of February. Or you could come up and watch and find out some information. Currently we have 3 players from Mexico who are bowling on tour this year. Good luck. Angel January 4, 2004 Covington GA Walter Ray, I was wondering exactly how does someone go about becoming a professional bowler? My husband loves bowling, and,honestly, he is an exceptional bowler. He has been bowling since age 12, and been on numerous leagues. When he turned 15, he started bowling on adult leagues. Now he is 24 and still wants to persue his dream of becoming a professional bowler. Would you please send me some information on how he could achieve his life-long dream. Thank you, Sincerly, Angel Durden Hi Angel, You can check out the PBA's website at www.PBA.com. But all he needs to do is average 200 for 2 years in league. The dues start at about $10 per month. There are PBA regional tournaments that he can bowl in as a non member if he would like. And if he joins the PBA he can bowl as many regional tournaments as he would like. Check out the PBA's regional schedule on www.PBAmember.com . Good luck to him. Peter December 29, 2003 Sydney Australia Hello Walter Ray.greetings from Australia. Happy New Year 2004 and continued success with all your tournaments. What nostalgia question I have what year did you officially start the PBA I estimate you have been on it now about 22years? Hi Peter, I joined the PBA in the summer of 1980. I bowled 3 national tournaments in 1981 and 5 in 1982. I went out full time on tour in 1983 after I had finished my college classes. So this is my 22nd year on tour. Randy December 22, 2003 Johnstown PA Hi Walter Ray, I have a question for you. What's going on with the PBA? Why don't they just leave it alone? It's my understanding that you might not be able to bowl on tour next year if you don't become exempt. I'm sorry, but that's RIDICULOUS! What is it, the top 50 or something like that? You're the greatest bowler in the world by far, and probably the greatest that's ever lived. Oh well, I just wanted to give you my thoughts on this subject. Thanks, Walter Ray, and good luck in 2004! Hi Randy, You need to direct your comments to the PBA at www.PBA.com . Hopefully I will be among those exempt players for next year. I may not agree with everything the PBA has done in the last few years, but they have increased the prize funds and the future looks good for professional bowlers. I am not sure that the exempt tour is necessary, but the people run the PBA think it will help them market the PBA. I have often told myself that if I am not in the top 50 at the end of a year I probably wouldn't play full time on tour. I am disappointed that the PBA hasn't made very many ways for career players who aren't exempt to be able to bowl in tournaments in the future, but there is one exemption which the commissioner is able to give at each of the all-exempt tournaments. Thanks for the best wishes and hopefully I will get my bowling back in gear. Joseph November 21, 2003 Perkiomenville PA Hi Walter Ray long time fan- question what is your honest opinion of the 2004-2005 exempt field does this help bowling or hurt it ??? Thank you my birth date is a day after yours !!!! Hi Joseph, I don't think that the all exempt field is necessary, especially the way it is going to be implemented. I don't think that it will hurt bowling, but it will make it very difficult for future stars of bowling to become the stars as it will be very difficult to get out on tour. It will also make it easier for players to stay out on tour once they are exempt. Antonio November 19, 2003 Deer Lodge MT Dear Walter Ray and Paige My name is Tony Sposeto, I have been a member of the PBA but no longer had the money to bowl out there anymore. I was just wanting to know if you could give me some insight about how you got started out there and how to go about getting sponsors. I feel that I am good enough to be there but I have no idea who to talk to about these things. If you could please give me some imformation about how to get started I would be greatful. Thank you for your time. Tony Sposeto Hi Tony, Finding someone with extra money who is willing to give it to you is not an easy task. I saved up money from local tournaments to put myself out on tour. Being in Montana, you may not be able to find enough tournaments to do that. In the future it going to be very difficult to get out on tour, due to the restructuring and the "all exempt" field. I would recommend saving money or getting some local friends together to sponsor you at the upcoming tour trials which will be held sometime this spring. The tour trials is a week long event at one location. The top 10 players from that will be exempt on tour next year and guaranteed $32,000 for next year. But many more players will fail at these trials. Good luck, you have a very tough road ahead of you. But if you make it, it can be very rewarding. Aaron October 30, 2003 Cottage Grove OR Walter Ray, First of all, you are my all time favorite bowler and I hope to one day be able to compete against you in a TV Finals. I look up to you like Tiger Woods looks up to Jack Nicklaus. Now with that out of the way, could you please provide some information on just what it takes to bowl on the PBA Tour for those, such as myself, who feel that they can hang with the big boys on the Tour. I myself know the requirements, and I will be eligible for the Tour as of August 1, 2004. I was just hoping that you would be able to enlighten us on the physicality and the mentality that it takes to hang with the boys on the Tour. Thank you very much. Keep up the good work. Aaron Ames Hi Aaron, Unfortunately, being eligible for membership in the PBA on August 1, 2004 doesn't make you eligible for the tour. Next year (2004-5) if you don't have an exemption, all of which will be handed out before June 2004, the only way to bowl a regular tour event is to win one of the two or so spots available each week. Even if you were able to win an event as a non member you wouldn't have a spot in any future events until the next season. The US Open, ABC Masters, and PBA World Championships will still be open to pretty much all PBA members. As of right now, to get on tour in 2005-6, you will have to be either the point leader in your PBA region which would probably go from May 2004 to April 2005 or be one of the top players, 7 as of right now, at the qualifying tournament sometime in the spring of 2005. Or if you manage to win one of the PBA national tournaments you can get yourself into, you will also gain an exemption. Physically bowling is not that demanding, but you should be able to bowl up to 20 competitive games in a day for several days. Being in good physical shape can be a positive attribute, but not absolutely necessary. Mentally, bowling on tour can be tough. Bowling itself is a very frustrating sport due to the fact that good shots are not always rewarded with good results. It always seems like the other guys get all of the breaks. Then there is dealing with nerves. That is tough also and with most players it takes time to become accustomed to pressure. Experience is the best thing you can do for yourself. Bowl in as many tournaments as you can, especially ones that have quality players. And good luck. Jason October 28, 2003 West Frankfort IL When at a tour event either national or regional how many bowling balls are you allowed to use (or have with you)? If there is a limit on how many balls you bring with you on a tour stop how do you determine which balls to bring with you to each event. Sorry if this question has already been answered. Sincerely, Jason Smith Hi Jason, There is technically no limit on the number of bowling balls you can use during competition except for the number of shots that you throw. However, there is currently a limit of 9 balls in the bowlers area during competition and 9 bowling balls in the locker room. So using more than that becomes a bit difficult. Depending on the lane conditions, I will gear my bowling ball selection with that in mind. There is always a practice session to start a tournament to give the players an idea of how the lanes might play. Eric October 29, 2003 Lexington NC How are you doing Mr. Williams. I am a league bowler and have been for a number of years. I contemplated trying to make the transformation from league to professional bowler. I was told that there is certain criteria that one must meet before becomming a professional. If so could you inform me of what it is or who should I contact to find out. Thank you for your time. p.s. Wish you well this season Hi Eric, The only criteria that a bowler needs to become a PBA member is that they need to average 200 for 2 years in league. Other than that, it is a matter of a bowler participating in events in which they are eligible. Going on tour is going to become very tough in future years, but hopefully very worthwhile. You should be able to contact the PBA at their website, www.pba.com. Good luck. Tour Information Q&A [1-20] [21-40] [41-60] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] | ||