I got asked several times this past weekend either why I don't post more or am I on Bowlspace. So I think I better update this blog and keep things up to date. To those that read thanks and sorry I did not keep up.

Pasco Washington
Northwest Region Amarr Garage Doors Open

It has been awhile and since this event but here goes. This was my first event with Elite equipment after I had a chance to practice with them. We bowled on Viper and I used the Viper ball most of the weekend. I qualified 10th and finished 7th and had a chance at a title. Sunday Bob Davidson started to run away with it but I caught him in the 7th game we were bowling 16 so I felt real good. We took a lunch break and I got sick whatever it was it hit me like a ton of bricks. I managed to get thru the next 8 games but with not a lot of enthusiasm, a couple of games I could barely walk to the line. Whatever it was left me the next day as fast as it came on.

I was very happy with my Elite equipment and with my finishing position.

Next event.

Boise Idaho
Northwest/West Regions Westy's Garden Lanes Open

This event was on Scorpion and I used the Scorpion ball from Elite. I qualified 14th with 172 over and finished the event 12th. Once again my Elite balls did not let me down I am still learning what the equipment will do. And am playing it safe with the pattern balls, but each event is getting better.

I flew to this event and other then dealing with the TSA at the airlines everything went great.

Next event.

Seattle Washington
Northwest Region Redhook Open

This event was on Chameleon and in my own area at one of the centers I practice at. Well even though the PBA experience says lefties love this pattern. I had no idea what to do to score I qualified 46th 198 under and well back in the field.

 

Next event.

Hillsboro Oregon
Northwest Region Four Seasons Open

This event was on Scorpion again and on Wood. I qualified 95 over in 14th. But I was tied with my good friend Dean O Buchanan Jr. We bowled a 1 game roll off and tied at 211 then on to 1 frame roll offs X X, 9 9. Then Dean made a small error and got 8 the loosened up my arm swing and I struck for the win. I finished the event in 10th. I rolled the Scorpion ball again most of the day. I did use the Blue Alien a couple of games as a couple of pair played very different.

Next event.

Renton Washington
Northwest Region Skyway Park Heineken Open

This event is truly in my backyard 6 miles from home. And the pattern was Cheetah, I was bowling 2 PBA experience leagues and averaged better than 230 on the pattern in both leagues. Needless to say I was pumped. I was leading after 5 games and fans were telling me I was going to win. Well the lanes transitioned and I made the wrong adjustment. I finished 107 over but out of the cash in 20th. I used the Viper most of the day. Well I was pretty down for a few hours after this event and went home and did some yard work. However I will learn from this event.

Next event.

Milwaukee Oregon
Northwest Region Dave Husted Open

This event was on Shark and in a center I have not had much luck in. So I almost skipped it but I got some work on the pattern at Secoma lanes and decided to give it a go. I used the Shark and one of my Blue Aliens with the pin under to give a little early roll. Well all of us were surprised the left played very well. I qualified 12th with 20 over and Sunday the lanes played better on the left then they did on the right and I ended up 5th.

Next event.

Wenatchee Washington
Northwest Region Eastmont Lanes Open "RPI Qualifier
This event was our most prestigious event of the year, 2 spots would be awarded for the Regional Players Invitational in Reno. I knew I had to finish in the top 4 to earn a spot and I loved the center and felt comfortable there. I had been bowling great all year and felt I had a good chance. Unfortunately the lanes did not play on the left and none of us got a check so a top 4 finish was not in the cards. Making my first RPI team was one of my goals for the year, I will try harder next year.

Next event,

Northwest Region Tumwater Lanes Open

This event I should of bowled better it was on Viper a pattern I had played well on in practice and on my Experience leagues. But I bowled poorly the practice session things looked good I only bowled a short time in the session. I was battling tennis elbow it did not bother my bowling and as I was not bowling in the pro ams at this event. I made an early day of it. Well Saturday I got the same look I had in the practice session but they transitioned fast and I got lost. I ended up 153 under and just never got comfortable. I could get to the pocket but no carry. Then I tried to force a shot and bingo split. The last game I moved out to 2 board and found a shot I could play. But I was too far gone to get into contention, if I would of made that move in game 5 I think I could of made it back into contention.

I think I let the conditions at the prior event and opinions from another bowler get to me. I hope I learned from this event because I should of bowled better.

Next event next blog

Sorry about he delay in getting this done.  I have been very busy. 

I had dropped ALL of my name shirts off at the letterer to add the Logos for Elite 2 weeks prior they told me they needed 2 weeks.  I called them on Weds 25th and they had lost all my shirts.  I told to please try and find them.  I had some old shirts I could use if I had to.  Good news they found the shirts Thursday morning and got most of the work done by 5pm so I could pick them up. 

 4/27 started early at Sea Tac Airport decided to park the RV until gas prices get resonable.  Got the airport 4:30 for my 6:15 flight.  Wife dropped me off at checkin for SW Airlines.  Even though I weighed my bags at home and I was under by at least 2 lbs.  2 of my bags were now overweight and the bad that I planned to use to move weight to if needed just disappeared down the baggage ramp.  I moved my toiletry kit to my carryon that took care of one bag the other the ticket agent let slide.  Off to TSA kingdom it was controlled kaos even at 5 in the morning.  After a couple of tries I got thru the metal detector.  I met a young man obviously trying to overcome his short commings.  He had my carryon's pulled aside.  "Are these your bags" I told him yes again as I had just told him they were mine when he annouced to the crowd "Who's bag's are these"?...  Well the toiletry bag I pulled out of check baggage could not be carried on the plan because they were liquid.  He would be happy to discard them or I could check them.  He escorted me out of the security area back to ticketing.  I went the same ticket agent that forced me to remove the item.  She checked one of my carryons with the offending toiletry kit and said no charge.  I thanked her and back to security.

 The young boy that escorted me out was now giving someone else the treatment.  I told him to have a nice day as I walked by.  Finally got to my gate with 10 minutes to spare.  Boarded the plan and took a nap woke up in Boise.  Got my rental car and all my baggage made it.  Got to the hotel about 9:30.  The hotel appeared full but the young lady at the front desk said yes we are full but your room is ready Mr Riess.  I got checked in and had a great breakfast Strawberry Pancakes.  I go to the bowl for the practice session and was asked to bowl the pro am.  This pro am was great regular scoring no 9 pin no tap scoring and it was on the burn after practice session.  Well I had a lot of fun.

The practice session went well although not the way I had planned.  I had watched the USBC video on how to play the Scorpian pattern and practiced on it a couple of times at Secoma Lanes.  Well Jason Couch says you can't play this outside of 6.  So I and many of the other bowlers are playing between 6-11.  I was not pleased with the look from their so I took a walk and saw a couple or right handers and 1 lefty playing outside of 5.  I went back to the pair my equipment was resting at.  Chris Warren looks over at me and says "Chuck do you want to get a clue"?  I said sure he tossed one up 2 board and crushed the hole.  I tossed one up 2 and crushed the pins.  I liked the Viper and Chameleon and the Blue Alien balls the best during practice.  On Saturday the Blue Alien did not work the way I wanted I switched to the Viper.  I was 4th off of A squad and 11th after qualifying ended.  The semis had about the same look for me.  It was fairly evident a few of the bowlers were heads and shoulders better then the rest this day.  I did not make the cut for the top 8.  But I got a check, one game was the difference I shot 180 instead of 230.  I had the pleasure of bowling Saturdays Pro Am.  My back was alot soar again and it took awhile to get the sleep Saturday night.  Got the bowl Sunday in time to watch the final match's.  I got out of town with no issues went ahead and checked 4 bags and paid the extra $50. 

Chris Warren won the tournie and Cory Husted came in second both were on top of their games.

Next Stop Sunset in Ballard.