Joe, let me give you a few numbers to back up my argument:

During the 05-06 season is was the 47th ranked bowler on tour and my total earnings between the National and Regional Tours was $57,020.00. Take away approximately $25,000.00 in entry fees and travel expenses and that leaves around $32,000.00 profit. Thats not too bad, seeing how there are only 20 National Tour stops and around 20-25 regionals for me to bowl in. First of all that doesnt leave me much time to enter "amateur" or local events. But when i do have a free week or weekend, i would still like to compete in whatever i can find. If the PBA had more events, this would be a non-issue for me.

So far this year on the PGA tour, the 47th ranked golfer has earned $864,176.00. That is for this year through only about 10-12 events. If we competed for the money that the golfers do, you would never see PBA members compete at a local or "amateur" level. But until then even the best bowlers in the world need to supplement their income any way that they can. How can you blame them for that.

The people that complain about things like this are the same people that dont support the Tours or bowling in general. If they would the ratings would be better for the Tour telecasts, the sponsors would start putting up more money, there would be more events to bowl and nobody would be facing these issues.


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Bowl up a Storm,
Jeff Carter
www.stormbowling.com
www.jeffcarterbowling.com

I would pay extra to enter in a tournament if it had The Parker.
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Current Arsenal:
Parker Bohn III
Bohn up a Storm!!!

I like the comparison to the golfers.  You won't see #47 down at the local public links trying to get his team into the three man scramble!!

I don't mean to put myself into Jeff's or any of the Tour Players' class, but I have been a PBA member for coming up 20 years.  I only used bowling as a way to make a living for a couple years in the early '90' when I was unemployed, I wasn't bowling on Tour either.  That is a really brutal way to make a minimal living.

You guys are talking about local stuff, what about the High Roller and stuff like that, I've never bowled one.  Don't allow PBA members.

If the tournament does not allow PBA members and says so, then so be it.  But if they do allow PBA members, then don't bash them for bowling.  Jeff, Robert, or any other member paid their entry fee before starting too, let them bowl.  If you want to bash, tell the tournament directors.
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Mike Austin's Precision Pro Shop
Houston, TX
Drilling and Tech Advice BirdDogbowling.com

Driller to many "Stars" and Tony Melendez too!

"So Many Balls, only ONE drill press!!"

Chuck Norris is the only person to ever count to infinity..........twice!

Went to the local center yesterday with the family to throw a few balls to get ready for a little local tournament this weekend and arrived around 12;30pm. As I walked in, it appeared that half of the center was being used for a tournament and I recognized a few of the regular league bowlers so I started walking down to talk to a few and found out that they were holding a scratch tournament and laid down the 63rd U.S. Open shot. (Yes, they can do that in this house with their machine) The tourney was $89 entry and bowl 8 games across 8 pairs with step-ladder finals to the 5 high total scores. Tourney started at 12:00 and thanks to the wife and her constant tardiness, I missed it. After walking down a little ways, I looked over at the entry/tournament table and Rick (Lawrence) was sitting there so I chatted with him for a few minutes while he told me more about what was going on. He was the tournament director similar to what Jeff Carter does sometimes in his area. I commend them for this by the way. I then noticed that one of our very own and touring professional Chris Johnson (C_J) was bowling so I went over and chatted with him. Also seen the "Experienced Newbie" to the exempt tour, Del Ballard Jr., bowling a few pair down with wife Carolyn watching and supporting him so I went down there and sat and chatted with them also and obviously Del is ultra excited to be back on tour. Observed Del playing straight up 12 with very little swing before migrating inside slowly as the block continued. CJ was "doing his thing" swinging the ball on this tough pattern. AFter 5 Del was +123 and the next behind him was +53. After 7 it became a 2 man show with CJ and Del who eventually made it to the finals. Although I wan't there as I left with the family, Del won by 9 pins (No shame in your game CJ). During the competition, I tried to help another friend of mine who was trying to swing the ball but doesn't have near the hand of CJ by telling him how Del was attacking the shot. He refused to try this method by saying he couldn't throw straight up 12. He continued to average 140 on this shot and he is a normal 200 average house hack with no experience on regional patterns or pro shots at all. The tourney had a good turn out and I am glad other bowlers bowled even with CJ and Del in the field because it was great experience for them. There were a few who were watching and said they were going to enter until CJ and Del came in. For them, I feel for them as they will never be any better until they try. I wish I had known as I would've bowled in a heartbeat and although I have never experienced the US Open shot, I am capable of watching people who are having success and adjusting my game to succeedbased off of my observations. Hopefully, these others who are scared to death of the pros will learn that they are people to and they work extremely hard for their success. If you want to beat them, OUT WORK THEM!!! By the way CJ, there is a Last Man STanding tournament this Sunday at the same center beginning at 10am if you are reading this. Please show up and scare the house hacks off so my odds are raised to 50-50. lol
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Official member of the Texas Express, 2005-2006 BallReviews.com Scratch Doubles Champions!!!!!  

Thanks CJ. Maybe next time bud! Be safe in Florida!
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Official member of the Texas Express, 2005-2006 BallReviews.com Scratch Doubles Champions!!!!!  

I bowled a tourney last weekend in Mechanicsburg (ABC West---home of the Keystone Open). It was a doubles tourney. Ms. Kulick and Mr. Tomek decided to team up and bowl. His home house and her main practice house. 2 professionals bowling on fluff. 33 doubles teams, they didnt make the top 8. Anything can and will happen.
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Only Losers Feel Pressure
www.thetimekillers.com