Nice article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram about Carolyn's exemption. You have to "sign up" to view the article so for the benefit of all the out-of-towners who would have to sign up for a one time view, I'll try to copy the article below:
Bowler takes on the boys
By Adam Williams
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
You could see it in her meticulous preparation.
Carolyn Dorin-Ballard is focused.
And excited.
In the two hours allotted for practice at the PBA Dallas Open on Wednesday night, Dorin-Ballard followed the same pattern for an hour and fifty minutes: Pluck the ball from the ball return with the left hand, grip it with the right. Stare down the pins, dip the shoulder, bend the knees. Take two hard steps, release and follow through.
"I miss doing this," a slightly winded Dorin-Ballard said. "I haven't had a practice round since I was on the women's tour. This is exciting for me to do again, and I'm very thankful that the PBA thought enough of me to give me the opportunity to compete."
Dorin-Ballard, the 2001 Professional Women's Bowling Association Player of the Year, will be competing in her first PBA Tour event today at the Dallas Open. Dorin-Ballard is the first female to receive the PBA Commissioner's Exemption, which awards her a spot in the 64-player tournament.
"She's kind of like the Annika Sorenstam of bowling," bowling legend Walter Ray Williams Jr. said. "I think she's deserving of the chance to play here. Scores here are usually low, which plays to her advantage. She's an accurate bowler, and if she plays well, I bet she'll have a nice tournament."
Dorin-Ballard, who is lives in North Richland Hills, will be the second female to bowl in a PBA Tour event, joining Liz Johnson, who made history by bowling in the 2004 PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic in November.
The PBA Dallas Open begins today at 11 a.m. at Don Carter All-Star Lanes Dallas West. The first round is the Round of 64, in which the top 32 scorers after today's two sessions advance to Friday morning's round.
The Round of 32 begins match play, in which seeded players compete in a best-of-7 format.
"I'm going out there to have fun," Dorin-Ballard said. "If I make it, I make it; if I don't, I don't. But match play is where I excel. So, if I do advance to match play, watch out."
IN THE KNOW
PBA Dallas Open
Through Sunday, Don Carter All Star Lanes Dallas West
Today: Round of 64, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; 5-8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 or $25 for an all-day pass. Tickets available at the bowling center or visit
www.pba.com.
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Adam Williams, (817) 548-5473 awilliams@star-telegram.com
email this print this
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So you like this guy?
Yeah, he treats me sweet -- I met him at a bowling alley. (Matchstick Men)
