Click here to view this message in a browser window. One of the most common questions we’re asked is why do the PBA oil patterns we use in the Sport league in our center sometimes play different during than they do on TV? Well, there are several factors that influence your overall ball reaction besides just the oil pattern and those factors change from center to center, and even from day to day in the same center. The type of lane surface (wood or synthetic, and what type of synthetic) and the age of lane surface will play a huge role in ball reaction. Also, when bowling on patterns such as Cheetah or Viper, where you tend to play close to the channel, how the lanes were installed also will play a role in how much the ball will hook from the outside part of the lane. Add in changes is temperature and humidity in the bowling center, and the different types of lane oil and cleaner used around the country, and you can see a lot of variation in ball reaction. One other thing is the person you are bowling with and how they are playing the lanes. On the PBA Tour, the rev rates are significantly higher than what you’ll see in your Sport league. This usually means that on tour the lanes will break down more, and hook more than what you’ll see in three games of league. Plus, there are more bowlers playing in a similar part of the lane, which helps break down the pattern into a more favorable scoring environment by creating a defined hook spot. If you have bowlers playing all over the lane, the pattern will typically break down at a much slower rate, and can actually get harder. When you add up these variables you can see why there is so much difference in ball reaction on the patterns across the country. What does all this mean? In your Sport league, basically you have an idea of how the patterns are “supposed” to play based on the length and volume of the pattern but you do need to have an open mind and don’t be afraid to try something different if your game plan isn’t working. http://email.bowl.com/acton/rif/14313/s-0232-1512/-/l-002d:50/l-002d/showPreparedMessage?sid=DmhBjTIXm[12/26/2015 4:46:09 PM] There are no “definite” answers when it comes to making adjustments to lane conditions; just because something worked the week before doesn’t mean it will work every time. Sometimes you need to step back and figure out a different solution. As always, let your ball be your guide! Clara Guerrero of Colombia, and Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong claimed victory in their respective events at the 51st QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Las Vegas. On the women’s side, Guerrero defended her title by defeating Team USA’s Shannon Pluhowski, 2-0, in the best-of-three games stepladder finals. The men’s division also saw a sweep in the final round as Hong defeated Jaris Goh of Singapore, 2-0. The World Cup is considered one of the sport’s most prestigious singles titles and featured bowlers from 88 countries, making it the largest event in the sport in terms of number of countries competing. For full results, and for more information about the World Cup, please click here. Leading qualifier Ryan Ciminelli of Cheektowaga, New York, captured his first major title with a 236-223 victory over Dom Barrett of Colchester, England, in the title match of the Bowlmor AMF U.S. Open. Ciminelli dominated the event, taking a commanding 461- pin lead into the stepladder finals. Ciminelli threw a clutch double in the 10th frame to lock out Barrett, and claim the coveted green jacket. For a full recap and standings of the U.S. Open, please click here. Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, always has been a tough competitor. She’s done battle on a variety of athletic fields, but eventually found success and fame on the bowling lanes. http://email.bowl.com/acton/rif/14313/s-0232-1512/-/l-002d:50/l-002d/showPreparedMessage?sid=DmhBjTIXm[12/26/2015 4:46:09 PM] With two USBC Queens title, a PWBA title, a QubicaAMF World Cup title, and more than 30 medals earned during a 12-year Team USA career, it’s clear she knows how to fight and how to win. But it wasn’t until 2008, during a very successful year, that she would come face to face with the most formidable opponent of her career. For the full story about the Hall of Famer’s challenge, and about how that opponent has changed her life, please click here. You think you’re good enough to represent the red, white, and blue? All United States Bowling Congress members have an opportunity to earn a spot on Team USA by competing in the USBC Team USA Trials/U.S. National Amateur Bowling Championships. This year, the event will be held January 2-7, 2016, at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The event consists of five rounds of qualifying, with six games being bowled each round on a different World Bowling lane condition. This demanding schedule truly showcases a bowler’s ability to adapt and adjust to their environment. For more information about Team USA Trials, or to register for the event, please click here. Each year, three outstanding bowling leaders are honored through the USBC National Recognition Awards. Do you know someone in your area who has made a difference in your bowling community or do you think your center owner does a great job running your Sport leagues? Then take a few minutes to submit an application. The deadline is Jan. 1, so don’t delay. A quick look at the awards (download and save the application to fill in electronically): USBC Helen Baker Award (Download application) – Recognizes an outstanding bowling leader who has made invaluable contributions to the local and state associations as an innovator, creator and mentor of adult programs. USBC Joyce Deitch Unity Award (Download application) – Recognizes organizations and individuals who have made important contributions to the overall sport of bowling by being motivators, visionaries, leaders and/or innovators. USBC Proprietor of the Year (Download application) – http://email.bowl.com/acton/rif/14313/s-0232-1512/-/l-002d:50/l-002d/showPreparedMessage?sid=DmhBjTIXm[12/26/2015 4:46:09 PM] Recognizes a bowling center proprietor for his/her outstanding support of USBC local, state and/or national association programs. For two consecutive years, the Bowl for the Cure® Fabulous Four essay contest has sent a group of four women on an exciting bowling adventure topped off by taking part in the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships. This year’s Fabulous Four essay contest, open to women who have been impacted by breast cancer and/or have been involved in supporting the fight against breast cancer, is now underway. To enter, go to BOWL.com/FabulousFour and submit an essay. The essay submission period will close Dec. 16 with entries going to a special selection panel that will include previous Fabulous Four winners along with Susan G. Komen® and USBC staff. Contest winners will be announced in late January. The Fabulous Four winners will receive a five-day trip that will start in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with a tour of Komen headquarters and a special celebration dinner. The group also will go the International Bowling Campus in Arlington for a tour of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, and then receive lessons from the Team USA staff at the International Training and Research Center. The Fabulous Four’s trip then will head to Las Vegas for the 2016 USBC Women’s Championships, where the group will be honored and compete as a team in the opening squad. The Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour will build on the success of its relaunch season by expanding to 14 events, including the return of the PWBA Players Championship, in 2016. The 2016 PWBA Tour will kick off with the PWBA Las Vegas Open from April 28-May 1 at Texas Station in Las Vegas and will conclude with the Smithfield PWBA Tour Championship at a date and site to be announced following the U.S. Women’s Open in August. The PWBA Players Championship will make its return June 23-26 at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley in Green Bay, http://email.bowl.com/acton/rif/14313/s-0232-1512/-/l-002d:50/l-002d/showPreparedMessage?sid=DmhBjTIXm[12/26/2015 4:46:09 PM] Wisconsin, with a $100,000 prize fund and a $20,000 top prize. Open only to PWBA members, the PWBA Players Championship once again will be a major event on the PWBA Tour. Six venues that played host to PWBA Tour events last season are on the 2016 schedule, along with eight new venues. Standard events will continue to have $60,000 in guaranteed prize money per event with a $10,000 minimum first-place prize. The PWBA Tour schedule for 2016 can be found here. Copyright © 2015 United States Bowling Congress http://email.bowl.com/acton/rif/14313/s-0232-1512/-/l-002d:50/l-002d/showPreparedMessage?sid=DmhBjTIXm[12/26/2015 4:46:09 PM] Our address is 621 Six Flags Drive, Arlington, Texas 76011, USA If you do not wish to receive future email, click here. 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