Author Topic: Thought's about obtaining PBA card (Read 3445 times)

BrunsMike · « **on:** December 29, 2009, 12:39:39 PM »

My gf has been talking to me about me signing up for the PBA membership card. Her reason's are to get my PBA membership while I still can before I regret never getting it. She also want's me to physically go out and do a couple regional's so again, I can say I have been out there regaurdless of how I do.

I wanted to go pro for the longest time. That is still something I would love to do but I learned real quick 3-4 year's ago I don't have what it take's to be competitive, even in a regional event. If I went for this idea, it would be strictly for personal experience with no real set goal's but to go out to the event and bowl to the best of my ability.

I don't know whether I should go for it or not. Basic PBA card membership is $99 for the year, basic entry fee for most regional event's is $400-$650, that's also not including possible hotel cost's, food, and travle expenses.

I just thought this was an intresting topic my gf brought up to me today and thought I would share with you guy's on the forum. Yes I know some of you guy's will probably bash me for even considering, oh well.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
"When in doubt, Pull out" - Rob Stone
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/SearchUSBC/ViewMember.aspx?prefix=552&suffix=12886

i_throw_strikes · « **Reply #16 on:** December 30, 2009, 08:59:56 AM »

the benifits alone more then pay for it dollar games, discount equipment, and a Bowlers Journal every month. figure the price of a game nowadays is closer to 4 bucks and ya get it for 1 save 3 bucks everytime ya go even if you go for a standard membership i think 12 a month hell 4 games ya paid for it think about it that way but it also prevents you from bowling some and most amature tournaments like the hoinkee

r534me · « **Reply #17 on:** December 30, 2009, 10:32:11 AM »

quote:
the benifits alone more then pay for it dollar games, discount equipment, and a Bowlers Journal every month. figure the price of a game nowadays is closer to 4 bucks and ya get it for 1 save 3 bucks everytime ya go even if you go for a standard membership i think 12 a month hell 4 games ya paid for it think about it that way but it also prevents you from bowling some and most amature tournaments like the hoinkee

And at the Nats only two pros per team is allowed.

Crash7189 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 30, 2009, 12:38:21 PM »

I would say no. Some the best bowlers in are area keep a Amateur status. I asked them Why? Some said they can make more money in local tournaments and keep a full time job. They also bowl the large Amateur tournaments, if they had a card they could not bowl in some. I would take what it would cost for 1 regional and invest in some training down at Kegal. You would be amazed how how much it can help. I do bowl with a senior pro who has 5 regional & 1 national title. He said to me stay Amateur and bowl local events I would be better off. He does make money at this, but can not live on it. I do bowl in some tournaments for the experience. To see how I good I really am. Not as good as I think I am.

tc300 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2009, 12:50:16 PM »

way to much money for small winnings.....

Thunder835 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 30, 2009, 01:25:13 PM »

AMEN Brother!

I joined in 1999 right out of junior leagues. I couldn''t wait to get my PBA card. I really thought I was hot sh!t in juniors. As soon as I had my 66 games in with the required 200 average, I obtained all of the required documents needed at that time (3 PBA member signatures, letter of recommendation, average verification) and sent it in. I then proceeded to enter and bowl the first 2 events of the 1999 East Region season and got my @ss handed to me! I think I finished middle of the pack in the 1st, averaging around 190. The 2nd event...WOW...never bowled on soooo much oil before in my life! I made the mistake of shining all of my equipment after the 1st regional because they hooked a lot! Well, lets just say I might have been in the bottom 10 bowlers after it was over! After that tournament, I never bowled a regional again for 10 years. I spent hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars to bowl 2 events.

After 10 years and lots of hard work, more knowledge of the game, equipment, mental game....you name it, I decided to join again this year, 2009. I didn''t expect much, just wanted to see if I could fit in. Well, I bowled all but 2 events this year. Finished top 10 in average, top 10 in earnings and top 15 in points. I couldn''t have asked for a better year after how my PBA "career" started 10 years ago at the age of 19.

All that aside, talk to your family. Talk to people who know your game and know your strengths and weaknesses. Get their opinions. But most of all, ask yourself and be honest with yourself....AND, DON''T REGRET ANYTHING!
--------------------
Track PBA Regional Staff

http://s318.photobucket.com/albums/mm427/thunder835/Track%20Equipment/

Evolutionary. Revolutionary.
People don''t lack strength, they lack will.

Edited on 12/30/2009 2:25 PM

Bigmike · « **Reply #21 on:** December 30, 2009, 06:24:03 PM »

I would say that it depends on what you are trying to do with your bowling and how much do you expect to work at it. I had always told myself that if I was good enough to make a finals, I would join. I bowled 3-4 as a non-member and then made the finals in an event losing to the guy who ended up winning the tournament. It was great as I had him down 2-1 and was about to step on his throat when I 2-10'd and he went right by me the next game also.

I wished I had done it years ago when the regional fields were bigger(more checks) and I had the time to travel. Now I have a daughter who is about to turn 1 and it is tougher to find the time to go do it.

As for what you give up, I went one time to bowl the megabucks in Vegas and it was ok. This was during the hey day of Barnes, Kretzer, Waliczek, etc. Those guys made a living in the 1-2 weeks they were out there. I have bowled the regular Hoinke twice as it is not appealing to me. I like the challenge of crossing the house, figuring out transitions, and making good shots. My location also helps out as central Ohio is no more than 5-6 hours from some of the furthest points in our region.

Whatever decision you make, stick to it and go "all-in" with it. Good luck.
--------------------
"Why don't you call me sometime.....when you have no class" ~~Rodney Dangerfield to Sally Kellerman, his college professor in Back to School ~~1986

Mike Craig - Storm Products Pro Shop staff -Columbus, OH

bowlallthetime · « **Reply #22 on:** December 30, 2009, 06:40:07 PM »

quote:
After some thinking about this topic of whether I should get my card or not I don't think I will. The only reason being is I do several local tournament's every year. Some are just for fun 9 pin sweeper event's while other's are a mix of team event's to Baker double's or team's to scratch high roller's. All of those event's do not allow PBA member's to participate. No point in getting the card because of that. I don't plan on doing more then 1 regional per year if that many. So would it be cool to have the membership, of course, is it worth it to void myself of those other event's in the process, No.

Thank you to all that responded to this post. You all brought up valid pro's and con's. I can live without having the card because I know in my mind that I had the ability to obtain this peice of plastic or paper for the membership and that to me is more then enough.

I will eventually sign up for a regional event. I just need to find one that is close enough and hope I have the money at the time to do it.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
"When in doubt, Pull out" - Rob Stone
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/SearchUSBC/ViewMember.aspx?prefix=552&suffix=12886

You say that knowing you have the ability to get a pba card is good enough. but earlier you said you know you aren't good enough to compete with pba players, even in regionals. To get a PBA card, I believe all you need is a 200 average for 2 years. So really, having the ability to get a card doesn't mean much unless you can compete with pba players. You should try a regional and see how you stack up.

JohnP · « **Reply #23 on:** December 30, 2009, 08:20:34 PM »

Baxfran gave one of the best answers I've ever read on this site, it's all you need to know.

quote:
I stayed away from this site as much as possible, and just focused on my 1971 Dodge Charger Hardtop and took up golf this past summer.

Off topic non-bowling related post follows. Ah, that brings back memories. I had a '68 Charger with a 383 and a '72 with a 318. That 318 must have been the toughest engine Chrysler ever made, I put 135,000 miles on it and sold it to a guy that put another 50,000 on it before he totaled it. I special ordered it, it was Super Blue with a white vinyl top and white vinyl interior and I've never seen another one like it. I still think it's the most attractive color combination I've ever seen. And I wish I had it to play with now! -- JohnP

Baxfran · « **Reply #24 on:** December 30, 2009, 11:09:47 PM »

Thanks for the props John.

I don't envy or admire any of the current exempt players on the PBA tour, including Walter Ray and Pete. Truth be told, I have complete empathy - if not feel bad and sorry - for each and every one of them. I truly think they're exploited. Rather than these guys bowling for real titles in a competitive venue, there are "story lines" developed through some of these formats. That means professional bowling is a form of "entertainment" the players are merely "actors." Meaning, the PBA Tour is equivalent to the NFL, or sadly enough, the WWE.

It's bad enough competitive bowling as a whole - professional, amateur and even the classic leagues and sport pattern leagues - are circuses compared to 10 years ago.

I really believe the Women's series is much more competitive.

And you wonder why bowling isn't in the Olympics...

Tex · « **Reply #25 on:** December 31, 2009, 06:40:30 PM »

I have a card and have had for a long time. A back injury has hurt my ability to bowl for the past 3 1/2 years. I only managed to cash in one regional just before the back went out while bowling our city tournament on some really sticky approaches. I had finally got things going following the cash up with a 2nd place all events at the Southern and earning some good money at the Nationals that year. I love bowling regionals. Nothing really shows you where your game is like bowling on those conditions against that level of competition. I have bowled with Barnes and Mallot for the entire time and all of the tour guys are very good. They do this for a living for a very good reason. Shoe up against them one time. You can always do the standard membership for the lower fee and bowl just a few tournaments a year and get the lower entry fees ($250 instead of $400 if I remember correctly), ball discounts, Bowler Journal subscription and be clasified as a professional for taxes or if that has some benifit for you. I would suggest if you think your game is not that level. Practice, maybe find a good coach, find a PBA league next summer and bowl in it and if the house happens to run the patterns for practice take advantage. If at the end you want to give it a shot, pay the higher fee and try. That is how I got started and decided to go for it. You might even take the route I did. I competed in the state Team USA competitions for several years and had multiple top 10 finishes before I tested the pro waters. Built confidence and introduced me to the grind of rolling a lot of games under the higher competition pressure. Also got lucky and made some connections with guys that went on to the tour later.

Edited on 12/31/2009 7:42 PM

T-GOD · « **Reply #26 on:** January 02, 2010, 05:30:53 PM »

I totally agree with BaxFran. Also, just because you have a card that says you're a pro,doesn't mean you really are one. If you want to have a card that says your a pro to impress people, or yourself, this is not a reason to get one.

Based on your statements that you're not good enough to compete, this should be your clue. =:^D

n00dlejester · « **Reply #27 on:** January 03, 2010, 12:27:32 AM »

quote:
Thanks for the props John.

I don't envy or admire any of the current exempt players on the PBA tour, including Walter Ray and Pete. Truth be told, I have complete empathy - if not feel bad and sorry - for each and every one of them. I truly think they're exploited. Rather than these guys bowling for real titles in a competitive venue, there are "story lines" developed through some of these formats. That means professional bowling is a form of "entertainment" the players are merely "actors." Meaning, the PBA Tour is equivalent to the NFL, or sadly enough, the WWE.

It's bad enough competitive bowling as a whole - professional, amateur and even the classic leagues and sport pattern leagues - are circuses compared to 10 years ago.

I really believe the Women's series is much more competitive.

And you wonder why bowling isn't in the Olympics...

I think having these storylines are a way the PBA is trying to generate some buzz. Having the best of the best compete for the trophy (putting them up on a pedestal) and also creating something tangible for us to grab a hold of.

@BrunsMike: Back to the topic at hand, if you're not feeling it or feel hesitant, then step away from the situation for now. I would still suggest bowling a regional as a guest though. It is a very rewarding experience. If nothing else, you get a 2 hour practice session and an 8 game block to bowl with the best around you're bound to learn a bunch of neat and useful things.
--------------------
Proud Supporter of Rob Stone
Obviously, you aren't a golfer.
Some stayed in the foothills, some washed logs like teeth.

BrunsMike · « **Reply #28 on:** January 05, 2010, 02:23:57 PM »

Once again thank you to all that replied to this post. Sorry for not responding back sooner, I've been taking some big step's in my life with my relationship with my g/f, well now fiance.

I have read each and every response to this post and I agree with the majority of what has been said. It is true that I have said "I'm not good enough to compete". Some of you have already given me a way to deal with that part and I have already went that route which is why I know I don't have what it take's at the current time. Whose to say that I can't enter a regional as a non-member anyway?

To get the card wasn't to impress anyone though I know of a few who would be jealous, the reason why I thought about getting my card was to get it just because. That is not a real reason to get it, that is just like throwing away momey because I wouldn't do much with that card honestly so because of this fact I will not get the card. I can get the same kind of experience entering a regional as a non-member.

What I plan on doing next summer is joining a PBAX leauge. $10 a night for 3 game's with free practice afterward's until closing. 15 week's long, run 1 pattern for 3 week's then change to another. I have bowled this leauge 2 year's now but took a break from it last summer. There is also a PBAx 9-pin sweeper that run's 10 week's long in another house on friday night's. That one is 4 game's long, entry fee of $25 a night all money disbursed same night. The pattern is chosen by that night's winner for the next week. I am already bowling in a house that is rather hard as it is, very old wooden lane's that need replacing or synthetic's installed, with an oil machine that barely work's. Wood lane's with light oil at best equal's very interesting condition's. I started out that leauge with a 110 average, I have since brought it up to a 155 ave since the start of the year. It is a big challenge, friend of mine tried to bowl there last weekend and left the night with a completely different mind set of his game.

BTW, to the person who said if I had to ask on a public forum if I should get my card, that should be my clue right there. Well I posted my thought's on this forum for a couple reason's. I know there are some very good bowler's on this forum who still post, most of them responded with very good advice and I appreciate that. I also posted this on this forum because I thought it was a very original idea and thought it would bring some very good entertainment for other's who might be thinking about the same thing.

Final side note:

Last week I entered a 4 game 9-pin sweeper event. $50 entry fee, scratch bowler's only. Best 3 of 4 game's used for scoring. I thought this was a way to test the water's because the pattern was a sport shot version of the Viper pattern. Practice showed no sign's of life in my game, little to no hook from my equipment. I found the best line for me to be up 3 board with soft speed normal release. I was watching other guy's hook it from a deep inside line. I tried this line during practice and found it to be a very good 10 pin spare shot, not quite the reaction I was expecting. There was a mix of line's being played on the pair I was on. 4 guy's were playing a simliar line I was, most had about the same kind of style and ball rev's as I do. I'm not going to bore you with the full detail's of every game, I will just list the line I was mainling playing and score's.

Game 1: 172 playing up 3rd board, ball break point at 3rd board (morich awesome finish)

Game 2: 189 playing 5th board break point at 4th baord (morich awesome finish)

Moved 1 pair right, found out this pair of lane's were totally different.

Game 3: 215 playing 15th board break point at 8th board (troad pearl)

Game 4: 243 playing 15th board break point at 10th board (troad pearl)

Humbling experince but still not a regional feel, I was able to find a line but not fast enough. Confidence level was very low for the 1st half of the set once I was able to biuld up confidence I was okay. Something I need to work on.

--------------------
Mike Zadler
"When in doubt, Pull out" - Rob Stone
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/SearchUSBC/ViewMember.aspx?prefix=552&suffix=12886

BrunsMike · « **Reply #29 on:** January 05, 2010, 02:53:48 PM »

quote:
I stayed away from this site as much as possible, and just focused on my 1971 Dodge Charger Hardtop and took up golf this past summer.

Off topic non-bowling related post follows. Ah, that brings back memories. I had a '68 Charger with a 383 and a '72 with a 318. That 318 must have been the toughest engine Chrysler ever made, I put 135,000 miles on it and sold it to a guy that put another 50,000 on it before he totaled it. I special ordered it, it was Super Blue with a white vinyl top and white vinyl interior and I've never seen another one like it. I still think it's the most attractive color combination I've ever seen. And I wish I had it to play with now! -- JohnP[/quote]

Off-topic response.

John, I've owned my 71 Charger Hardtop since 2001 or 2002. I can't remember exactly. It's supposed to be a father/son project but it's turned into a son only project. My dad has lost interest in the car but I sure have not and will not. I bought the car from a guy a few hour's north of here for $4500. The car is a 3rd owner vehical now, original owner was a 70 year old grandma who lived in Arizona. Drove it the last 10 year's of her life in AZ. Put on about 16k mile's. After she passed the car went to her oldest grand son who was 55 at the time, he drove the car alot, Put on the rest of the mile's. When I bought the car there was 88,834 mile's on it. The car has just over 89k on it now.

It was an AZ car up until 1984, then the guy drove it in the winter for 8 year's before parking it 1992. It sat for 10 year's unstarted. The body is in overall great shape with minor rust in the rear wheel well's. The alst owner was very helpful, changed every fluid the car use's before we picked it up. He did not start up the car until we got there, I was the one who got to start it up for the 1st time in 10 year's, and the car started right up on the 1st try. Gotta love those classic 318's!

I'll PM you with some photo's of the car. The car is a #'s matching 71 with the exception of a replaced water pump, fuel pump, carburetor, ignition coil, oil pump, and soon to be replaced radiator.

I plan on turning the car into a nice cruizer. Something that I can drive and not worry about too much but I can also take it to car show's.
--------------------
Mike Zadler
"When in doubt, Pull out" - Rob Stone
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/SearchUSBC/ViewMember.aspx?prefix=552&suffix=12886

Author Topic: Thought's about obtaining PBA card (Read 3445 times)

BrunsMike

Thought's about obtaining PBA card

i_throw_strikes

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r534me

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Crash7189

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tc300

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Thunder835

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Bigmike

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bowlallthetime

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JohnP

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Baxfran

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Tex

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T-GOD

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n00dlejester

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BrunsMike

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BrunsMike

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