Saturday, 730pm, King of the Hill, Shrewsbury Lanes. $25, bowl 3 games, cut to top 1/2, match play to determine winner. Pays 1:3, winner gets free entry to defend title Dec. 13th.

Sunday, 10am, Roll for the Dough

Riverboat Lanes
$400 first place guaranteed, brackets, high games pots, 50/50 and ball raffles.
Price: $47
Phone: 217-438-9477
Address: 3044 Godfrey Rd.
Godfrey, IL 62035

Happy Thanksgiving! Lots of events around the area, hope you all bowl at least one!

What do you give thanks for in bowling?

Me - it's my dad. Got me started at age 5. Then he, along with my uncle Wally Clark, got me into the hands of Nelson Burton, Sr. at age 10 for lessons.

When I got to college, I repaid my dad when he was trying to fill slots on his Missouri Knights of Columbus teams for the St. Monica Cardinal Ritter Chapter. The were all older and needed some "new blood".

I got my former SLU teammate John Toebben (now there's a name from the past!) to join me. Together, we turned it up a notch for them. Each year, they cashed and were proud to see their name on the tournament results list with $$$ behind it!

My K of C memory was at Airport Bowl. Threw the first 7 in team event, in the plastic era, not an easy thing to do. 8th ball - headed home - then jumped 4" before the pocket. Ugly split - turns out a screw had dislodged from the Brunswick A-2.  I didn't ask for interference, I probably should have. I still threw a great game but to think, a 300 in the state K of C tournament in the plastic/rubber era?

Another Thanksgiving moment for me was the 1976 Vincennes Invitational. Until the big college tournaments at Strike and Spare and St. Clair, This was THE BIG ONE in the country. Vincennes was one of only 3 schools at the time that gave scholarships (the other two were Wisconsin-Whitewater where Tim Tyler went, and SUNY). Vincennes was always strong.

My father wanted to go, so I let him drive. At 4am, I welcomed the break! It paid off. I shot 1947 and won the all events. I shot 693 for singles and won that. I had no chance in doubles - my partner didn't show up! Two bowlers I remember beating that day - Harry Sullins and the late Mike Halwe. That got me on the radar screen and I was named an ACU-I All American honorable mention that year.

I give thanks just being able to bowl today as a raisin. I gave up the game for 12 years. Wish I hadn't. But I don't look back, only look forward.

And I give thanks to be able to put together and edit this forum - and thanks to you for being members - especially Bowlergrif - congratulatiions to Don Griffin for being elected to the Missouri USCB Hall of Fame. A well deserved honor.

And Don, before you let it go to your head, you know what it means to be in a HOF? You're old. They don't let kids into HOF's.

Now it's your turn. Tell us your what you give thanks for about bowling this Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Scott Simon

     New this year the tournament will have 4 flights: A,B,C, and Championship. Anyone has a chance to cash regardless of your average.

     Entry is only $55 per person, brackets, side pots & strike pots available, first place $500.00, based on a full field. This is limited to the first 48 PAID entries.

     FORMAT:  All bowlers will bowl 6 games scratch on 6 different pairs. The top 1/4 advance and bowl 3 more games, all pins carry over. All bowlers that make the cut will cash.

     Sign-up begins at 8:30PM, for more details call JERRY ANDERSON at Red Bird Lanes at 618-337-5840 or e-mail at randyrau@sbcglobal.net. USBC sanctioned.

     Red Bird Lanes 1801 CAMP JACKSON RD. CAHOKIA,IL 618-337-5840

From mebowlingreview

Congratulations to Mark Braun for winning the scratch sweeper at West Park Bowl this afternoon. Braun defeated Craig Sanford 216-212 to claim the top prize of $150.00. Sanford received $125.00 for his second place finish. To round out the top five, Ned Hendrixson was third, Jake Timmins, fourth and Nick Barkman fifth.

The next 4 game scratch sweeper will be held Sunday Dec. 21,2008 at West Park Bowl, Columbia, IL. After the four games you will be cut to the top four for a TV style roll-off.

For more information contact Mike Francois-314-578-0903.

Your group editor bowled and finished 10th. That's what happens when you have one bad game when there's just 4 games to bowl in the qualifier.

The shot was moderately hard, rewarding good shot, penalizing bad ones. I urge everyone in the group to bowl them - the next one is the 21st of December.

Congratulations to Brian Valenta of St. Charles and Jerry Anderson of Dupo, co-winners of the King of the Hill tournament Saturday Nov. 15 at Shrewsbury Lanes.

The 35' Kegel flat oil pattern was the hardest condition I ever bowled. I averaged 171.1, and still made the cut. Brian Valenta said it was harder than the 2008 US Open - an event he finished 9th winning $4500 against the top bowlers in the world! He threw a Blue Dot after his first game to keep the ball in play.

The next King of the Hill at Shrewsbury is Saturday Nov. 29, 730pm, only $25, on a sport challenge shot - great practice and competition, no reason to miss it!

Below is Brian, in his younger days, as the star at National Champion Lindenwood University, 2-time Intercollegegiate Singles Champion.

Congratulations toTerry Jones for winning the Gran Prix Singles title Sunday at Red Bird Lanes in Cahokia. Finalist results are posted - the next Gran Prix Senior event will be Saturday Dec. 13th at St. Charles Lanes, the "Over 50/Under 50" doubles event.

   11/16/2008 GPST-Red Bird Classic - Red Bird Lanes

Bob Marable          247   Chris  Firle        256
Gary  Palas            233   Chris  Firle        205
Terry Jones            223   Gary Palas       222
Bob Wagner           251    Terry Jones      257

1 Jones Terry, St. Louis, MO          $  700.00  2430 243.0  

2 Wagner Bob, St. Peters, MO       $  400.00  2480 248.0  

3 Palas Gary, Decatur, IL                $  300.00  2389 238.9  

4 Firle Chris, Arnold, MO                 $  260.00  2377 237.7  

5 Marable Bob, Pagedale, MO       $  240.00  2377 237.7 

6 Rau Randy, Belleville, IL              $  220.00  2373 237.3

7 Wagner Rick, Burr Ridge, IL        $  200.00  2334 233.4

8 Hodges Denny, Jefferson City, MO    $  180.00  2330 233.0

9 Dube Dick, Evansville, IN                     $  160.00  2311 231.1

10 Hendrixson Ned, St. Louis, MO        $  145.00  2308 230.8

11 Anderson Ken, Fenton, MO               $  130.00  2306 230.6

12 Law Douglas, Florissant, MO           $  120.00  2293 229.3        

13 Brown Joe, St. Charles, MO              $  115.00  2281 228.1            

14 Lau Jerry, St. Peters, MO                    $   80.00  2277 2277         

       Visionary Bowling Ball Winner - Joe Klimtzak, Springfield IL

I don't want to make this a commercial site but will promote rare and special events. The following is 3 days only.

Proprietors and pro shop owners, if you have something worthy for other to know about (such as a rare sale or a ball demo), let 'em know - you can post here - you don't need me to do it. This is YOUR group.

This is for Best Bowling Pro Shops at Strike and Spare, with balls, shoes, accessories, etc. It's Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Friday is noon to 8, Saturday 10-8, Sunday 11-8. I was at the one in 2003 and picked up a couple of things that weren't on shelves anymore. I liken it to a yard sale but everything is new...

The phone number there is (314) 993 5885. Bowl a few games there while your at it. Practice makes perfect :).

 A ten-pin salute to member LEE who posted the photo of NELLY with one of the older bowlers in the city, Sam Fox, 95 years young!

Nelly is an avid bowler - organizes a summer league that I believe bowls at Strike and Spare. I have not bowled it - but plan to do so next summer to show thanks for his support of the great game of bowling!

TIP - when you post a photo - make a blog entry so eveyone knows we have a new photo!

And if you have news regarding anything bowling - post it yourself! That's what this group is all about! This tip is for you Daniel at Best Bowling :)

It finally happened - Sikeston's Jeremy Hunt has qualifies for a PBA national tournament, the PBA Chameleon Open in Taylor, Mi.

You may not know or seen Jeremy, but he is one of the more underrated talents in the Midwest. He's bowled in the St. Louis area for years at various tournaments, most notably those at Red Bird Lanes.

It is no surprise to this bowler and writer that Jeremy qualified. He has a strong versatile game that should get better with time out on the Tour. OK, I'm prejudiced a bit - Jeremy and I are friends, but I have bowled against him and have seen him beat the best.

He just barely made it - beating Rudy Kasimakis by 3 pins for the last pro spot (7 PBA members advanced from the Tournament Qualilfying Round along with the top amateur). But he beat some pretty good players such as Brian "The Chief" Himmler, Paul Koehler, Lonnie Waliczek, Del Ballard. Jr., Tim Mack and Jason Wojnar.

Tim Behrendt from St. Louis was close again - but was 18th, missing by 76 pins.

Jeremy - watch out for WRW. Two straight TV appearances! Say hi to PDW from all of us at the Bi State Bowling Times.

    Hope all is well Scott. Traveling to Florida agin this week. CYA in the Lou someday.

BP

I struggled the 1st and 3rd games, but the 2nd game was all strikes.  I had a couple of shots in the middle of the game that were mid pocket that I thought might leave the 10 pin, but they all carried. In the late stages of the game, I was really concentrating on keeping the ball speed up and getting the ball out on the lane. I thought my second ball in the 10th frame was going to come in high, but it held pocket and came in high flush.  I was rolling a week ball with a strong forward roll over the 1st arrow out to the 2 board.

Just a reminder, Senior Gran Prix Tournament, Sunday Nov. 16 at Red Bird Lanes in Cahokia, 9am. Complete details about Gran Prix Tournaments can be found at: http://www.granprixtours.com/

Congrats to Rich Orf for winning the Gran Prix tournament at St. Charles of the weekend. It was bowled on the hardest of hard conditions, 40 foot flat pattern, like the US Open.

Which gets a BIG salute to tournament director Reynold Blondin. This is the 29th season of Gran Prix Tournaments. What's different and new is that the Regular Division (all ages can bowl) events are all bowled on Kegel Challenge Series patterns, harder than a house shot but a bit more forgiving than the PBA patterns. 

The senior Gran Prix Tournaments still bowl on easier house patterns. I find that ironic - older bowlers complain scores are off the charts with resin reactives, and that young bowlers aren't as good as they were at the same age.

But more often than not, bowlers choose to bowl on the easy china but wonder why, when they go to the USBC national tournament, can't average more than 175.

Reynold Blondin gets 4 hambones (is that 16 strikes in a row?) for providing us the Gran Prix Kegel Challenge Series. You'll have to watch the PBA telecasts to find out what a hambone is, if you don't know.

So how good is this format? Reynold's tournaments are getting 40 entries and more each time. The PBA this year started marketing its PBA experience tournaments. They are a bust - many got ZERO entries and others were just cancelled for lack of interest.

Reynold gets it. The PBA doesn't - although they are trying.

 11/09/2008 GPT-St. Charles Classic - St. Charles Lanes

Stepladder Finals 

Yarbrough Tony          191   Williams Jeff              208
Wedemeier Mike        216   Williams Jeff              203
Flanagan Mike            220   Wedemeier Mike       267
Orf Rich                        216    Wedemeier Mike       180

Bowler, Hometown                                             Prize     10 Games  

1 Orf Rich, O'Fallon, IL                                       $  750.00  2173     

2 Wedemeier Mike, O'Fallon, MO                     $  375.00  2104     

3 Flanagan Mike, St. Peters, MO                      $  250.00  2143

4 Williams Jeff, Cape Girardeau, MO              $  200.00  2034     

5 Yarbrough Tony, Rogersville, MO                  $  180.00  2087 

6 Stiegemeier Dwayne, St. Charles, MO         $  160.00  2027 

7 Rau Randy, Belleville, IL                                 $  145.00  2002 

8 Hendrixson Ned, St. Louis, MO                     $  135.00  1987 

9 Hargrove Brian, Imperial, MO                         $  125.00  1986 

10 Marable Bob, Pagedale, MO                        $  115.00  1973 

11 Patterson Jeffery, Belleville, IL                    $  110.00  1954 

12 Bohannon Tom, Forsyth, MO                       $  105.00  1952 

Top Senior - Wolff Dale, Wildwood, MO (Senior)   $   70.00  1855 
               
           Visionary Bowling Ball Winner - James Propst

           Trio Bowlers Supply accessory kit winner - Troy Goettel  

If Dick Weber were alive today, he'd be cussing up a storm.

That's because the International Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum, located on Dick Weber Lane in downtown St. Louis, closed its doors forever this afternoon forever in the Gateway City.

The closing isn't a surprise - that was announced this summer. Did you know the exact day it was closing? If so, you're more in-the-know that yours truly.

The powers-that-be in bowling closed the door on communication about the Hall of Fame after announcing its move.

I saw no advance notice the exact closing day and found out about it today when in the car, heard Bob Hamilton report it during hourly news on KMOX radio at 4:07 p.m.

The Hall and Museum locked its doors for good in St. Louis seven minutes earlier.

I'm angry. I wanted to go one last time. My mother, who used to bowl years ago, wanted to go before it moved. OK, it's my fault for not picking up the phone a few weeks ago to call and ask their staff the closing day.

But their lack of communication highlights again the problem with bowling - lack of information. Maybe the date was announced. But if it was, it sure was a big secret because it wasn't done enough.

We just ended a presidential election and the biggest complaint is that people were tired of hearing and seeing the same message repeated daily.

Well you know why a message is repeated? To make a person remember. Name a top soft drink. Chances are you'll say Pepsi or Coke. Name a top fast food restaurant. You'll most likely say McDonalds. Name a popular car brand. You'll get a variety of answers for this one, such as long-time GM lines like Chevrolet. Ford, Chrysler, Toyota and Honda will get a lot of mentions. I wouldn't expect anyone to identify Hyundai or Daewoo as a top-of-mind brand recall.

What they all have in common is they repeat their brand name over and over until it is indelibly etched in our memory. Bowling doesn't do that. And because of it, people forget. And when people forget, they don't participate in bowling like they could.

For that, I promise as editor of the Bi State Bowling Times to be more informed then let you know what's going on in the world of bowling.

If there's a positive for the Hall and Museum's move to Arlington, Tx., it's a destination for me when it opens in 2010. I grew up in nearby Fort Worth before moving to St. Louis in 1965. Hopefully my mother will still be alive at 88 to join me on that trip.

Finally, Dick Weber Lane remains on Walnut St. between 7th and 8th St. But is it appropriate for the block to be named after him when there is no bowling monument there?

I have a solution. Erect a small building on the block and put a couple of lanes inside for people to use like a park. Bowling lanes on Dick Weber Lane has a nice sound. And it'll be an infrastructure improvement to the area with Lake DeWitt (named after St. Louis Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt), a.k.a. Ballpark Village, next door north of Busch Stadium - now going on its fourth year behind schedule.

Given that development's well-publicized problems getting off the ground, maybe bowling's problems aren't as severe as we think.

Several St. Louisans bowled the PBA Tournament Qualifying Round (TQR) this week in Hammond, In.

Sikeston's Jeremy Hunt finished 11th, needed just 38 more sticks to qualify but still won $460.  Florissant's Mike Remaklus finished 28th averaging 205.7, former Lindenwood national champ Brian Valenta finished 28th winning $300 while Tim Behrendt finished 32nd, all averaging over 200. Nick Weber also bowled but averaged under 200.

Jeff Carter from Springfield, Il. just missed the round of 32, finishing 33rd and won the basic $1,800, paid to all who made the tournament but did not finish in the top 32 after the first day of official qualifying.

Pete Weber qualified 4th and is bowling Brad Angelo, who won last week's tournament in Omaha. As I write, PDW is down 3-1 to Angelo, must win the final 3 games to advance.

The Seniors are competing in their own event at Hammond. Greg Getzlow and Rod Michael bowled the qualifying but did not advance to the round of 16.

More updates throughout the weekend.

http://www.pba.com/news/feature.asp?ID=946

Witn no tournaments to bowl yesterday, I had a chance to watch live, so I paid attention.

Bowled on the Viper pattern with a Brunswick Anvilane surface, I immediately knew they'd be throwing it straight and hard down the line anywhere from the 7 board out to the 3.

When I saw they were, I was happy that my knowledge and judgement were still good at my advanced age.

Even Wes Mallott and his RPM in the millions was straightening it out as much as he could.

Brad Angelo mastered it, but how with a lower friction synthetic surface such as Anvilane?

The answer: His ring finger release.

Those of you who have bowled the Viper know it can play much like the Cheetah pattern. Those of you who haven't, it's NOT a pattern to hook the ball and cross a lot of board.

But it's also a pattern where you need your ball reaction to make a definitive turn and have to do it yourself instead of relying on the core to do it., otherwise, you'll leave a lot of 10 pins and there were many left in the four matches shown yesterday on ESPN.

The best contrast was Angelo vs. Walter Ray Williams, Jr. Now granted, WRW can score on any surface, probably could win on a parking lot. But WRW didn't have that real good reaction. A swished 2-8. A 7-10. That's the evidence.

Chris Loschetter bowled Angelo in the finals and I honestly thought Angelo's win run would end. I like Loschetter's game, it's solid, square and firm. Whiffing a 10 pin hurt. But Angelo won the match and the tournament far and above it being given to him.

He consciously made sure his ring finger was the last to exit the ball. That gave him the twist hit at the bottom needed for the back end. Remember, your middle finger release provides length and your ring finger give the ball "backend" reaction. That's why you need your ball to fit well and have an experienced and good pro shop professional to layout your equipment.

Mallott, Loschetter and WRW were all focused on getting the ball down the lane without too many boards being crossed. But Angelo did that AND hooked it up on the backend.

Look at the PBA Women's challenge match between Michelle Feldman and Stephanie Nation. Feldman has more revolutions on the ball than half the guys I bowl with. So she tried to cover a lot more boards than the men, and Nation. When she was on, her shots hit like a truck. When they didn't, it was ugly, a 3-6-10, and later, some alphabet soup combination leave (1-2-4-8-10?). It cost her the match. Nation played down the pin and won easily.

Randy Petersen made an excellent observation during the broadcast about Angelo. He said he was working the "inside of the ball" and that was the difference between pros and amateurs. He's right. To control the core, making it static upon release but turn on it's proper axix at the breakpoing, you must precisely work your fingers, middle, index, and thumb release timing. Most amateurs just "sling" it and let their score be at the mercy of the coverstock in relation to the lane surface and oil pattern. You can shoot high games this way on a house shot with the equipment we use today. But on a sport pattern like the PBA Viper, you cannot use this method and average 210 or more.

That's why i believe, contrary to many, that there still is old fashioned skill with mechanics required to come up with a solid ball reaction. I know from personal experience the past 5 weeks that my mechanics have been very strong. I knew which finger to use for inertia, combined with the right hand position, and a good place to start my approach with the right breakpoint mark, and it's resulted in 7 games over 270 with 6 out of 9 series above 700, with one of those below 700 a 698.

So my tip to everyone is this: Make sure you can "feel" which finger is givng the ball more inertial. If it's the middle finger, then you'll have length and not as strong a backend. If it's the ring finger, you'll get more backend reaction and can compensation for a slight drop in speed with a firmer armswing.

The combination of knowing which finger to use for inertia, and combined with the right hand position and finger grip. Did you know there are 5 grips in bowling? If not, this URL is a must read for anyone who wants to add 10 pins to their average.

http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip11.htm

This URL is dedicated to new Bi State Bowling Times member Bowling Dan!

And welcome to good friend bpcomo for becoming a member, and artword, who bowls a PBA experience league, will get better as he does, and you should bowl one too!