Okay, I'm confused.
I just read the results of the Bowling Writers Association of America Bowler of the Year results, and I need some clarification.
I agree that Norm Duke should be the Bowler of the Year. I also agree that Ryan Shafer deserves to be runner-up. But, how in the world did those voting see Chris Barnes as third?
Barnes didn't win a pro event in 2000, yet he finished higher in the voting than Walter Ray Williams Jr., Jason Couch, and Robert Smith.
Smith and Williams both won two titles, with Smith capturing the U.S. Open. Couch, with only one title, captured the Tournament of Champions and became the first player ever to win consecutive T of Cs. Come on, folks, that has to count for something.
I listened to people who I know vote for these bowlers say that it's extremely important that bowlers not only win titles, but also win "majors." Then the result of the voting passes over winners and goes to a guy because he made the television show. If that were going to be the criteria, then Danny Wiseman would make this list every year.
The scribes had seven bowlers to choose from, and six had won at least one tournament. Only Barnes failed to win.
In Barnes' defense, he finished the year with the high average, cashed in 18 of his 19 tournaments, and had 17 top 24 finishes. Barnes had 12 championship round appearances, but he failed to win in any of them.
If you relate that to other sports, it's like being a Cy Young winner or taking the batting title and never seeing the World Series. It's seven seconds on a bull. It's one goal short of a gold medal.* * * *
I'm looking forward to the 2001 PBA and PWBA schedule. Hopefully we will see some innovative programming and more from the stars I missed last year-stars like Mike Aulby, David Ozio, Amleto Monacelli, Pete Weber, Rick Steelsmith, Wayne Webb, and Ricky Ward.
I would like to see Doug Kent peak and David Husted return full time, and it would be great to see Del Ballard Jr. and Mark Roth return.
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Bill Vint's editorial in the December/January issue of Bowling Magazine is excellent, as is the entire issue. I especially enjoyed Rory Gillespie's article entitled Master of the Millennium Part II and Mike Wammes' article on sports cards.
If you haven't seen that issue, ask around. If you have it, share it.
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I had a chance to talk with Win Cockrell, owner of Killeen Bowlerama, who had just returned from bowling in the Senior Masters at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno. He said the Sport condition shot was very difficult, and the new "Twister" pin did not seem to have the reaction of the AMF pin.
"I felt like I was back bowling in the '60s," he said.Win wasn't negative about the condition. In fact, he said, "I'm thinking about putting that shot out on a few of my lanes a couple days each week and let the people practice on it."
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Each year, I host a Hall of Fame fund raiser tournament. I give plaques to first, second and third place and this year we allowed our youth bowlers to participate. Not long after the event started one of the youth bowlers, Josh Herron, came up to me and said he wanted to show his girlfriend the plaque he was going to win. Well, guess what? He won it. Nothing like being able to back up what you're talking about.
Josh is one of those kids you like to be around. He has a great smile, excellent manners, and loves to bowl. This year, he was especially happy because he won the tournament and defeated his Grandfather who was last years defending champ. When he picked up his first place plaque he said, "I'm really happy." So was I.
See you on the lanes.
Don Wright is a member of the Bowling Writers Association of America. Visit his home page.