INDEX
Tour Information
Tour Information Q&A  [1-20]  [21-40]  [41-60]  [61-80]  [81-100]  [101-120]  [141-160]  [161-180]



Ron April 8, 2006
Manhattan
KS

Hi Walter Ray,
I had a couple of questions/comments.
1. Of course, this week is the TOC. I know you had said at various points that it would not bother you if you never won the TOC. And, of course, there have been a number of outstanding bowlers who haven't won it. For example, Mark Roth.

Do you feel that people put too much emphasis on winning the TOC as a pre-requisite to being proclaimed one of the all-time greats? You know, sort of like you can't be proclaimed a great NFL player without the Super Bowl ring?

2. I know I often think back to a lot of the great TOC's of the past. (I must admit that I always really liked it.) The great players who won it, the decades-long tradition of Riviera Lanes all those years and the same sponsor in Firestone all those years where people just called it "the Firestone," the great crowds, etc.

People often referred to it as the "Super Bowl of bowling." And there was that type of buzz in the air. But, of course, the sponsor has changed several times in the last years, Riviera Lanes no longer hosts it, it was even cancelled in 2001 as I recall, the exempt field seems to reduce the number of Hall of Famers participating, etc. I know I don't look forward to the TOC like I used to. To me, it's just become hardly more than another tournament anymore. Am I the only person who feels somewhat non-plussed by the TOC anymore?

Thanks.

Hi Ron,
The Tournament of Champions used to be the big tournament on the PBA tour with the highest purse and payout. Despite the large first prize, the purse at the tournament of champions is now the 2nd lowest of all national PBA events. The format being single elimination with best of 5 matches with no qualifying make it the type of event which doesn't mean as much to me. I still want to win this and any other PBA event, but if you judge my career by not winning the ToC then oh well.



Scott March 17, 2006
Cincinnati
OH

Hi Walter Ray,
Of all the changes of the "new" PBA made- the change to a regular season to match up with many league seasons seemed like a good idea to me? Do you like current PBA season (Oct-Apr) or did you prefer the individual winter, summer and fall tours?
Thanks,
Scott

Hi Scott,
I didn't mind the calendar year that the PBA used to have. Hopefully some day the PBA will have more events and they can have a summer tour also.



Eric March 6, 2006 Clyde OH Do you have to pay to get into each PBA event or does a sponsor or other source pay for it? Hi Eric, I have to pay for all of my own expenses at each PBA tournament including the entry fees. The only exception to this is special events like the Japan Cup and they still charge an entry fee.

Ernie March 6, 2006
Bloomington
MN

Dear Walter Ray,
Long time bowler, long time fan of PBA (I am 59 yrs old). My question is, why did the PBA change the format of competition? What was the thinking behind limiting the number of bowlers in a given contest? I enjoy your bowling, obviously, but there are other bowlers who just aren't on the tour any more, and I don't know that that is good for bowling. It seems to be a self-fulfilling prophesy in that as a lesser number of bowlers are allowed to compete, there will less bowlers competing. I apologize for the poor wording on this, but I hope you see what I am trying to say. Good luck and I hope to be seeing you for years to come.

Hi Ernie,
I don't care for the elimination formats. The idea of an all exempt tour I have less trouble with except for the way they get those exemptions. I think that the tour trials needs to be at least 2 to 3 times more games. Only having 4 spots every week makes it very difficult for any young player to gain experience on tour. I think that there is only one legitimate reason for a limited 64 man field, every player being on the same squad. But I don't think that reason overshadows the benefits of having larger fields every week.



Douglas February 7, 2006
Mount Dora
FL

Dear Mr. Williams,
Since my question back in September, I have been accepted to the PBA and am a proud, excited member. I hope to see you at some of the Regionals in Florida while the Exempt Tour is on summer hiatus.

To my question...I recently made the trip to see my first national PBA event in Atlanta (hoping to see you in action), but didn't arrive until late Friday night for the round of 8. The match play segments seem very intense, which lead me to an observation:

I would love to if and how you change your mental game when going from qualifying to the match play rounds. Do you still just play your best game with the same mental game as in qualifying, or do you tend to focus on more subtle issues...for example, when it comes to difficult split conversions (Greek Church, 4-7-10, etc), I would imagine that in match play the score dictates as to whether or not you might try to make a difficult conversion more than it would during qualifying. I'd be interested to know what thinking processes change for you when you are going into match play.

Finally, since so many PBA members are in Florida, why are there no national tour stops in FL, and what determines where the national tour stops are from year to year?

I appreciate and thank you for your time. Hope to meet you at one of the South Regionals this summer.
Sincerely,
Douglas Burkett

Hi Douglas,
There is a difference between qualifying and match play, but it still comes down to bowling the best that you can. Certain situations may call for a slightly different strategy, but some players would have different ideas on things. I don't really have enough space to go over all of the possibilities, but I try to make the best decision for the situation.

The PBA decides where the national tournaments will be held. Sometimes a sponsor will want a tournament in a certain area or city. It would be nice to have a couple of tournaments in Florida during the winter tour, but that isn't the case. Good luck in your tournaments.



Scott February 3, 2006
Cincinnati
OH

Hello Walter Ray-
I wondering what you thought of the late 90's format of the Top 8 seeds making into the championship round, with three shootout matches and then the final. People either loved or hated it, curious what you thought of it-
Thanks,
Scott

Hi Scott,
I kind of liked the 8 players on TV. Even though I have made a lot of TV finals, I felt that it be better if even more players could get on TV so that the fans could see them more. The biggest problem was that the TV production crew at that time wasn't able to keep up with the scoring. The other thing was that a player who qualified in 7th or 8th could actually win a tournament. But considering the current format, I guess that last argument doesn't really make a difference. I would like to see a few cameras set up on a couple of pairs to record the last four games of round robin match play which could see up to 16 different players getting on TV! Then you would have non-stop action!



Jim January 13, 2006
Brooklyn
NY

Hi Walter Ray, I have admired you for so many years. May I please ask you this question? I am a retired guidance counselor and cancer survivor and former PBA regionsl member back in the day - I worship bowling. My son Jim Jr, 20 years old, currently has a 225 average in 3 leagues and has bowled two 300 games this season. His great bowling has been under a nice house shot. Since money is tight we're wondering if he has a chance in the upcoming US Open. He bowled in a summer sport shot league and averaged in the 180's. First of all, what is the best way to prepare for the difficult flat oil condition used in the US Open? Secondly, do you think he has the chance to be competitive? I know you are busy and would appreciate an answer. I knew Earl Anthony and you are one of the only bowlers I would root for to challenge his record. God bless you and Paige. Jim

Hi Jim,
I would suggest practicing on a tough sport condition to get ready for any tour tournament, especially a tough condition like the US Open. Averaging 225 in a league condition is nice, but you need to be able to average 200 on a tough sport condition to be competitive in the US Open. Good luck to your son.



Michelle January 13, 2006
Romeoville
IL

Hi Walter Ray,
I recently attended a PBA tournament for the time. I was surprised by close proximity between the players and fans compared to other professional sports. When walking by some of the well-known players, I didn't do anything to acknowledge that I recognized them, even though I certainly did. I hope this isn't considered to be rude. I just can't imagine them having time to speak with or even have a quick "hello" with every fan that they happen to walk by. I would be interested in hearing your opinion. Thanks!

Hi Michelle,
The players normally love to hear words of encouragement from fans. However, sometimes when a player is struggling, conversation isn't always a good idea. Everybody is different and will respond a bit differently, but a quick 'Hello' or 'Glad to meet you' is almost always nice to hear. We all realize that our sport would be nowhere without the kind support of fans like yourself. Generally, most guys will respond well to fan interaction of the positive kind. If you they look really "cranky" you might want to wait until later!



Scott January 3, 2006

How much has the PBA game changed since you originally joined?

Hi Scott,
The game has changed a lot in that there is about 10 times the amount of oil on the lanes. The balls eat of the oil so much faster and the rev rates are about 70% more than when I first came out. When I first came out on tour I hooked the ball about in the middle of the pack. Now I am one of the straighter players. Sometimes that is an advantage and sometimes it isn't.



Mike December 28, 2005
Kasson
MN

Hello again Mr. Williams!
I have been reading through alot of Q and A's here and one question I see here alot is "How do I go about being a pro, I have a 200 avg". well I have worked in the same bowling alley for 13(head mechanic for some of that time) years right out of high school and one thing I really wanted was to go pro eventually.after working on the lanes and learning the inside tricks of lanes conditions for leagues I would have to say this. I am no pro by any meens (avg 210) but I would say that if anyone would want to go pro that they would have to be able to sustain at least 230 avg or more on your avg league shot, thats to be even somewhat competetive if that. I don't think alot of league bowlers realize that bowling centers work very hard to make the bowlers happy, and one way to make them happy is to give them favorable scoring conditions.scratch tournaments however don't do this, they make you REALLY earn your place in the standings.bowling is a great sport and I love it to death BUT it is the one sport that can be setup to keep people comming back.in no way can anyone setup golf,baseball,football,basketball,tennis etc like bowling can be. I am not saying that 200 avg bowlers are not good but if they were all forced to bowl on legal tough shots the number of 200 avg bowlers accross the board would def be less. I hope you post this one the site here.I dopn't want anyone to think I am trying to pop anyones bubble but conditions and competition in league is nothing comapred to the tour where guys are going for 10's of thousands of dollars vs bowling for a 1st place trophy in April.

Hi Mike,
I pretty much agree with you. It is amazing how many good bowlers don't really understand lane conditions.




Scott December 19, 2005
Cincinnati
OH

Hey Walter Ray,
The ESPN TV contract with the PBA expires after the 2006-07 season. Is there any truth to the rumor that PBA is negotiating with ABC Sports? With ESPN carrying the first half of the 07-08 season and ABC Sports picking up the remainer starting in January?
Good luck in the second half!
Scott

Hi Scott,
I have no idea what the PBA is negotiating. They don't tell me much of anything or ask me my opinions. It would be nice to get back on network TV though.



Scott December 5, 2005
Cincinnati
OH

Hey Walter Ray,
I know your not crazy about the current PBA match play format. With the old format, it was based on total pins plus bonus pins from round robin match play to get to single matches for tv- which again is a little bit un-fair. It you could design a PBA event what type of format would you use for the week and what type of format would you use for the 90 minutes your alloted on the telecasts? Just curious, what you think would be the fairest way to determine a champion?
Thanks,
Scott

Hi Scott,
I would try to have open fields. I would use some sort of qualifying rounds and match play round robin with bonus pins for winning the matches. I would make cuts every round. The first round might only be a cut of 25% and then another 25% after the 2nd round. Get to around 48 to 32 players depending on the house size and start match play. Cut to 32 players, 24 and then 16. Personally I think it would be great to have lots of cameras and show the last 3 or 4 games of round robin match play. They could focus on certain pairs where the leaders or name players were bowling and show lots of replays of exciting shots of other matches which happen all the time. It would take a very good TV director to pull this off, but I think that would really help with the fans who want to watch bowling as opposed to more 'fluff'. The bad part about this format is that the title might be decided as a player has run away with the tournament. But then the truly best bowler would win the tournament and not just a lucky good bowler.



Ron November 29, 2005
Manhattan
KS

Hi Walter Ray,
I had several questions:
1. I saw your Thanksgiving report. Is that correct? Do you have to bowl in tournaments on Thanskgiving Day? Is it just another day at the office? I had sort of assumed that Thanksgiving Day, you had off. Kind of a tough schedule...

2. I've been watching ESPN Classic. Of course, these are tournaments over the course of 10+ years. I've seen three 300 games bowled against you and a 299. In fact, when Norm Duke did it, you mentioned the three 300 games against you on TV to Randy Pedersen. At first, I just thought it was just the breaks and it's hard to say someone is snakebitten with 40 titles. But is it just me or is it like you just seem to have really bad luck where everybody bowls great against you? I mean, there's no shame in losing to Norm Duke, but it's like every 200-ranked player suddenly thinks he's Norm Duke or Mark Roth bowling against you. It's like everybody and his mother averages 265 against you on TV.

Have there ever been any statistics compiled about how well your opponents bowl against you, particularly on TV? It's like with any luck, you'd probably have 55 or 60 wins by now. Even the tournaments you win, it seems like you have to bowl like a man possessed to put the nail in the coffin-like against Doug Kent last time. It's a testament to how good you are that you've won so many titles. You know, you really haven't been handed a lot of cheapies. Maybe you need to "accidentally" cough loudly when your opponent gets up to bowl:)

3. Do you prefer to bowl against people who bowl with a similar down-and-in style or against guys with the big hooks? I know it often depends on the particular lane conditions, but I've noticed on TV you seem to sometimes have troubles with the big hookers when they are on their game and the lane conditions favor their shot, but you just seem to absolutely roadgrade the other straight-ball players. (I've already seen you unceremoniously dispatch Butch Soper, for example, on ESPN Classic numerous times with relative ease.)
Thanks. Hope you get 41 soon!
Ron

Hi Ron,
1. We have been bowling on Thanksgiving day for most of the last 20 years or so that I have been on tour. In 2004 we were in Kansas and they didn't have us bowl on Thursday, but we bowled on Wednesday instead. However, football players will compete on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years! If you want to be a professional athlete, which is also being an entertainer, you need to make some sacrifices.

2. I have had some very good scores shot at me, but I have also had a few duds thrown at me. I can't complain since I have more wins than 2nds. And I would never intentionally distract my opponent as I think that is about the worst thing an opponent can do.

It depends on the situation on who I would rather bowl at certain times. The thing I need to do is figure out what is best for me and then do it!



Alan November 25, 2005
Appleton
Wisconsin

Walter Ray, I just bowled in the Masters recently and really struggled.I was wondering where were you playing the lanes and with what balls?

I was in the "D" squad so I wasn't able to watch you but it seemed the folks playing 8 to 4 were most successful.

Hi Alan,
I mostly played between the 1st and 2nd arrows. If you were on the 'D' squad then you had a great opportunity to watch me and any other bowlers who were bowling on different squads unless you were working. Better luck next time! Take care.



Ted November 20, 2005
Oakdale
New York

Hi Walter Ray,
You are a phenomial bowler. I can't believe that you made 150-160 appearances on TV. I saw your 299 game on TV in 1993 at Sayville Lanes on Long Island. I feel bad for you that you didn't get the last strike that game; the pesky 10-pin cost you the game. I was wondering when you and the other pros were coming to Long Island again and also where could I write to Chris Barnes? Please respond when you get a chance. Thanks.

Hi Ted,
I don't know when the tour will be going back to Long Island, but not this season. Chris used to have a website, but you should be able to write to any pro bowler through the PBA.



Dan November 16, 2005
New York
NY

Hi Walter Ray,
I hope you are doing well, and Paige also.
My question is about getting seeded into the super 16 at the World Championship. A couple of years ago, it was the top 8 points leaders. Last year, as you know obviously, it was the top 4 points leaders, plus 4 more earned during that tournament.

Do you know how that is working this season?

Good luck in the remainder of the USBC Masters... you're looking great after the first five games,
Thanks,
~dan barrish

Hi Dan,
I believe that the seeding into the PBA World Championships is done the same as last year, 4 from the points and the top 4 from qualifying. The next 32 players need to win 2 matches to meet those seeded players.



Scott November 15, 2005
Cincinnati
Ohio

Hello Walter Ray! Would you like to see the Wild Card match return to the TV Finals? Also, how would you compare ESPN's coverage of the tour compared to old days of ABC Sports?

Good luck in the Masters!

Hi Scott,
I would like to see the old format return to professional bowling.



Bakhodir September 15, 2005
Nashville
TN

Dear Walter Ray, Did you know about big european tournament the "Viernheim Open 2005" which is taking place in Germany from 10th to 18th September? If yes, why you didn't participate? A couple PBA bowlers are playing there, like; PETE WEBER, MICHAEL FAGAN, TORE TORGERSEN, RYAN SHAFER & etc. I look forward to hearing from you soon Thank you for you attention
Sincerely yours,
Bakhodir Arifov
p.s. http://bowlingcenter-viernheim.de/html/body_results_board2005.shtml

Hi Bakhodir,
The top 16 PBA players were invited to the Japan Cup all expenses paid. It is also an official PBA event in which those players mentioned would have gone to if they were invited.



Douglas September 10, 2005
Mount Dora
FL

Dear Mr. Williams:
I read that you live in Ocala...a quick hello to you from a follower of yours in Mount Dora, FL (about an hour away).
To my question...

I am currently working hard and hope to be able to become a member of the PBA and bowl regional events in the future. However, with regards to the national tour, I was wondering how you feel about the PBA and the use of exemptions.

On one hand I think it is great that the top bowlers are going to be benefited by basically being guaranteed a seed in the 64 (and a paycheck).

On the other hand, if someone is not an exempt player, it seems likely that he/she would have very little chance to make those few remaining spots. I would think this would keep a lot of non-exempt players from entering the qualifiers.

While I do feel that bowlers who have proved themselves to be top performers (like yourself) are more than worthy of an exemption status, I do feel that everyone on the tour should have an equal chance of getting into the top 64 from week-to-week. Even someone who may not normally do well on tour should have an equal chance of cashing even if they do have just one week where they are 'on' their game and get in.

What are your thoughts on this, and what do you think of an idea to reduce the number of exemptions to 20 or 30 people instead. It seems that would be a nice compromise.

Thanks for all the great moments watching you in action and best wishes for a great 05-06 season.
D. Burkett

Hi Douglas,
I understand your sentiments on the all exempt tour. I personally think that there should be more players in the field and that a guaranteed check isn't necessary. I also think that the tour trials should be at least double or triple the number of games currently used. The special event that the PBA has this December for an exemption is pretty much a joke also, but the heads of the PBA think that it will be 'compelling TV' even if the best player isn't the one who wins it. I also don't think that the formats that we use gets the best players to TV every week. That doesn't mean that the players who bowl on TV aren't really good, but they aren't necessarily the best for the week. But it doesn't really matter what I or the other players think. The people at the PBA office seem to like the all exempt fields, the sizes of the tournaments and the formats. So as they like to say, it is what it is.

If you really want to get on tour then I would suggest bowling the regional tournaments full time. If you are able to be the top player in the region then you will advance to the tour. If you aren't able to be in the top 5 or 10 then you probably aren't good enough to compete out on tour anyway. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't try the tour trials, but the regional tour should give you a pretty good indication of how good you really are. Good luck.



Julie August 28, 2005
Mesa
AZ

My family are great fans of yours. I just happened on your site as I was searching something in bowling. My son is almost 18 and has been told by many coaches at Country Club Bowl in Mesa and AMF Bowl in Mesa he should consider going pro. I even have one college in Missouri interested in him. He has bowled against pros and won. Could you please tell me what are the first steps of going pro and who he needs to get in front of to get there. He has an awesome style and release and loves the game. He even works for AMF bowl. Any information would be appreciated.
Thank you
Julie Wemmert
Mother of Tony Silva

Hi Julie,
I would recommend that your son go to college to get a good education. Also, there are many good colleges that have great bowling programs that can help a young player further their game while getting that education. In the meantime, your son may be able to bowl in regional tournaments as a non member. I would contact the PBA at www.pba.com. I know that players under 18 years of age may be able to bowl in regionals, but you need to check with the officials. Bowling in a regional would be a good test for anybody to see how good they are. The PBA wants the non members to meet the average minimum of 200 for 2 years. When the tour comes to the Phoenix area, your son may be able to try and qualify for the tournament.



Kim July 29, 2005
Edenville
MI

Hi. I hate to be negative, but I asked you a question about your match with Wes Malott in Grand Rapids and you replied that he beat you in matches twice. Pba.com's new Bowler vs. Bowler said it's been 3 times. Once in 2002 also. Sorry. (I think I was more crushed to watch you go down defeated that day than you were.)

Hi Kim,
It is hard to remember all of the matches I have bowled and the exact outcome. I do remember that on both occasions that Wes made the TV finals, he beat me to get there. What is odd about that is that he hasn't made it to TV more times. Wes, like many of the other top pros, is a great bowler. I don't expect to beat my opponents all of the time. I figure if I beat them more than they beat me, then I am doing well. But 3 matches doesn't make a career.



Tour Information Q&A  [1-20]  [21-40]  [41-60]  [61-80]  [81-100]  [101-120]  [141-160]  [161-180]



[an error occurred while processing this directive]