In this Gold Approach:
New coaching video series on bowlTV with NBA's Chris Paul, pro bowler Chris Barnes
Be sure to check out the "Chris and Chris" coaching video tip series featured exclusively on bowl.com's bowlTV.
Chris Paul -- USBC spokesperson and point guard for the NBA's New Orleans Hornets -- along with USBC Sport Bowling spokesperson and Denny's PBA Tour superstar Chris Barnes illustrate spare shooting, lane play and other techniques in these bowlTV videos.
Also check out the Team USA coaching video series on bowlTV, which covers items such as the pre-shot routine, ball fit, making adjustments and the two-handed delivery.
Watch your mailbox for the latest issue of US Youth Bowler magazine with Chris and Chris on the cover. Turn to page 5 of the print magazine to find out how you can enter the "You be the coach!" video contest.
New Year’s resolutions for your bowling game
by Andy Parker
USBC Silver Coach
Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? If so, did they include any resolutions regarding your bowling game? Here are some you may want to consider.
Purchase a spare ball
If you do not already have a plastic spare ball, buy one. It's a worthwhile investment. If you already have one, learn to throw the spare ball at more than just a corner pin. A common mistakes bowlers make is throwing the plastic ball to hook at the spares. The plastic ball should be thrown to go fairly straight, not to hook. For the most part, that will take the lane out of play, thus increasing the chance to convert the spare.
Videotape yourself
It’s easy to watch someone bowl and see what they are doing right or wrong -- but how do you know what you are doing? Videotape yourself to see how you truly bowl. The findings may surprise you.
Practice
If you really want to improve your game, go out and practice. "Practice" does not simply mean going to the center and throwing the ball. The most effective practices have a purpose. Designate each practice with an area of your game that you would like to strengthen. Work on that aspect until you have accomplished your objective. Adding at least three games of true practice per week can add many pins to your score.
Clean your bowling balls
When was the last time you cleaned your equipment? Bowling balls need cleaning on a regular basis. The easiest way is to purchase a cleaner that is recommended for your bowling ball and then apply that at least every other outing. Never use rubbing alcohol to clean your ball.
Bowl more tournaments
If you truly want to test your skill, get out and bowl more tournaments. There are tournaments designed for every skill level. As you bowl more tournaments, you will become accustomed to adjusting to the differences in the lanes and conditions. I wish I had a penny for each time I've heard a bowler blame the lanes for a poor outing when his or her performance probably would have improved with just a simple adjustment.
Those are a good start for bowlers' New Year's resolutions. Good luck in 2008 and may your strikes be many, your spares covered and your splits be few.
Register online now for the 2008 USBC Youth Open in Detroit
Get revved up! The 2008 USBC Youth Open Championships is coming to Motor City, USA -- Detroit. Compete in the Youth Open while you're in town for the USBC Junior Gold Championships.
This year, Junior Gold participants aren't required to compete in the Youth Open on any certain day or time. You choose what's most convenient for you!
Get your Youth Open team ready -- this event is open to all USBC Youth members and there's no qualifying needed. Just get your team or doubles partner and sign up online. Don't have a partner or a team? Use our sub board to meet up with other bowlers in Detroit and cruise to a victory.
Watch bowl.com in December for changes to Junior Gold Championships
Check bowl.com near the end of December for hot news about changes to the 2008 Junior Gold Championships in Detroit.
Look for changes to the championships format, registration process and practice schedule, not to mention the Junior Team USA selection process and the Bowling This Month Adult/Youth event.
If you haven't qualified yet for the Junior Gold Championships, check out the list of qualifier events in this issue of the Gold Approach to find one in your area. Visit the Junior Gold Championships homepage to read more about the national tournament.
Qualifier Events
AK – Anchorage
Sean Rash Stars of the Future
12/27/2007
Diana Rash, dalprop@alaska.com
CA – Brentwood
Saturday Junior Scratch League
Through 12/22/2007
Natalie Paris, parisn11@hotmail.com
CA – Brentwood
Junior PBA Shot League
Through 12/18/2007
Natalie Paris, parisn11@hotmail.com
CA -- Citrus Heights
Junior Scratch Trios
Through 4/5/2008
Debbie Haggerty, firesidecoach@surewest.net
CA – Dublin
Junior Match Play
Through 5/15/2008
Cheri Ferguson, dublinyouthbowling@gmail.com
CA – Manteca
Manteca Junior Gold Sport
Through 12/15/2007
Dave Clements, coachdaveusabc.@aol.com
CA – Modesto
Scratch Masters Fall 2007
Through 12/20/2007
June Brown, mchenryyouth@aol.com
CA – Modesto
Junior Gold Trio Fall 07
Through 12/18/2007
June Brown, mchenryyouth@aol.com
CA -- Yorba Linda
JST Gold Draft League
Through 12/15/2007
Butch Hesketh, butch@jstbowl.com
FL - Altomonte Springs
Saturday YABA
Through 5/3/2008
Rosemary Corrao, bluerosie25@yahoo.com
FL – Brandon
BCB Junior Gold PBA Experience
Through 5/11/2008
Tom Donlay, bcbcoaching@tampabay.rr.com
FL – Clearwater
Countryside Junior Gold
Through 12/19/2007
Kent Fecke, kfecke1@yahoo.com
FL – Jacksonville
Jacksonville Junior Bowling Tour
5/3/2008
Kathleen Petersen, kathypetersen@bellsouth.net
FL -- Lake Wales
Kegel Youth Point Series
Through 5/15/2008
Ana Koff, aikoff@aol.com
FL – Miami
Keystone Junior Bowlers Tour (Miami Zone)
12/9/2007
Ana Koff, aikoff@aol.com
FL - Orange Park
Thursday Teens Scholarship Scratch League
Through 5/15/2008
Kathleen Petersen, kathypetersen@bellsouth.net
FL – Orlando
Junior Gold Sport
Through 5/15/2008
Lisa Yuknavage, jdcsky22@msn.com
FL -- Ormond Beach
E. Volusia-Flagler Co. Youth Christmas Scholarship
12/16/2007
Gail Roe, glr830@bellsouth.net
FL – Sunrise
MDM Scholarship Winter League
Through 5/15/2008
Jerry Walters, jerry300perfect@aol.com
FL – Tampa
Pin Chasers Veteran's Junior Gold Qualifier
Through 5/15/2008
Paul Mersch, paul101754@hotmail.com
FL – Various
Florida Youth Scratch Bowlers Scholarship Tour
Through 5/15/2008
Mary Loschetter, maree49@aol.com
FL -- West Palm Beach
Palm Beach County USBCY Tournament
2/2/2008 - 2/10/2008
Jeena Tomasheski, pbcyaba@bellsouth.net
GA – Dallas
Paulding Junior Gold League
Through 4/26/2008
Mark Hanke, hankna59@yahoo.com
GA – Dallas
PBC Junior Gold Qualifier
Through 4/30/2008
Jeffrey Halen, halenj@diebold.com
GA – Cleveland
Georgia Youth Bowlers Tour
Through 4/13/2008
Chris Wunch, cwunch@scovill.com
IA – Various
Greater Iowa Scholarship Bowling Tournament
Through 5/11/2008
Eric Littig, littig1@mchsi.com
ID – Meridian
Idaho Junior Gold Qualifier
12/17/2007 - 3/10/2008
Terri Simpson, tisimpson@cableone.net
IL – Rolling Meadows
Illinois Scholarship Bowling Club
Through 5/15/2008
Brenda Caruso, isbcinfo@aol.com
IL – Various
Illinois State Youth Scholarship Tour
Through 2/10/2008
Patti Mauerman, eeyore1@dishmail.com
IN – Indianapolis
Dick Lyke "Grampa Grouch" Scholarship Tournament
1/12/2008
Corky Koch, indyassoc@sbcglobal.net
IN -- North Liberty
St. Joe Valley Association Scholarship Tournament
Through 2/10/2008
Jan Davis, stjoevalleyusbc@aol.com
KS – Various
Greater Midwest Junior Bowlers Tour
Through 5/15/2008
Gary Dilley, gary@dilley.net
KS – Various
Kansas City Open
Through 5/4/2008
Lee Miller, lee.miler11@sbcglobal.net
MA – Westport
Westport Holiday Junior Gold Qualifier
12/22/2007
Rose Marie Tomczewski, rtomczewski@comcast.net
MA – Westport
Westport Junior Gold Classic League
2/16/2008 - 4/12/2008
Rose Marie Tomczewski, rtomczewski@comcast.net
MA – Westport
Westport Junior Gold Qualifier
4/13/2008
Rose Marie Tomczewski, rtomczewski@comcast.net
MD – Fore Meade
JOG Sport League
Through 4/21/2008
Michael Sinek, bowlmikey@aol.com
MD – Baltimore
Central Maryland Travel League
Through 5/4/2008
Jenna Lipnickas, jennalipnickas@hotmail.com
MD – Various
PCA Junior Gold Qualifier
Through 5/15/2008
Randy Perry, bowlingpcamaybe@aol.com
ME – Various
Junior Gold Qualifier
Through 4/12/2008
Norm Grasse, normbowler1@yahoo.com
MI – Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Area Masters League
Through 5/15/2008
Wes Gibson, drhooks@sbcglobal.net
MI – Saginaw
Tri CityYouth Classic Gold League - Year End Tournament
3/9/2008
Ken Sheehan, sheehank@charter.net
MI -- Sterling Heights
Sunnybrook Junior Classic Qualifier
Through 5/3/2008
Laura Dembek, lauradembek@comcast.net
MI – Various
Alro Steel-Michigan Junior Masters
Through 5/10/2008
Jerome Tarabek, jtar2830@yahoo.com
MI – Various
Tri City Youth Classic Gold League - 1st Half
Through 3/9/2008
Ken Sheehan, sheehank@charter.net
MI – Various
Tri City Youth Classic Gold League - 2nd Half
Through 3/9/2008
Ken Sheehan, sheehank@charter.net
MN -- Minneapolis/St. Paul
Twin Cities Youth Masters
Through 12/8/2007
Cynthia Kish, mnavon2002@yahoo.com
MN -- St. Paul
Flahertys Junior Scratch
12/15/2007
Dean Streich, streichone@msn.com
MO – Ellisville
St. Louis USBC Youth Championship
1/19/2008 - 2/3/2008
Dale Bohn, stlbowling@sbcglobal.net
MO -- Kansas City
Heart of America Junior Classic
Through 4/12/2008
Lori Vantrees, tvantrees@aol.com
MO – Various
Greater Midwest Junior Bowlers Tour
Through 5/15/2008
Gary Dilley, gary@dilley.net
MO – Various
Kansas City Open
Through 5/4/2008
Lee Miller, lee.miler11@sbcglobal.net
MT – Various
2nd Annual Montana Junior Bowling Tour
Through 12/16/2007
Christopher Dunbar, dunbar@imt.net
NC – Charlotte
Greater Charlotte USBC Youth All Stars
4/20/2008
Jeanette Pittser, jpittser@hotmail.com
NC – Matthews
Greater Charlotte USBC Youth Championships
3/1/2008 - 3/2/2008
Jeanette Pittser, youthevents@charlotteyouthbowling.com
NC – Fayetteville
Tough Shot Tour
Through 4/8/2008
Don McLemore, toughshotstour@yahoo.com
ND – Fargo
Fargo Moorhead USBC Youth Junior Gold Qualifying Tour
3/9/2008
Jeff York, (701) 282-8159
NJ – Hopelawn
Junior Gold Qualifier at 44th NJ State Youth
Through 12/9/2007
Jeffrey Frye, fryebowling@fryebowling.com
NJ – Lakewood
Sport Matchplay
Through 3/9/2008
Lyle Worsley, ocjba@comcast.net
NJ – Lakewood
Ocean Lanes Scratch Trio
Through 5/10/2008
Karen Derrick, kiderrick@comcast.net
NV -- Carson City
Junior Gold Winter
Through 1/27/2008
Deanne Wass, dmwass300@sbcglobal.net
NV -- Las Vegas
Memorial Scholarship Tournament
12/9/2007
Charles McCloskey, cmaczero@cox.net
NV -- Las Vegas
Southern Nevada Junior Gold Travel Tournament
Through 4/20/2008
Charles McCloskey, cmaczero@cox.net
NV -- Las Vegas
Wipe Out
Through 12/27/2007
Bobby McVey /Bobbi Hovan, rmcvey@coastcasinos.net
NY – Cheektowaga
Junior Gold Qualifier
3/29/2008 - 3/30/2008
Michael Westfield, mwisrrt1@aol.com
NY – Latham
Capital District Junior Gold Qualifier
1/6/2008
Chris Martinek, cmarti2@nycap.rr.com
NY – Owego
Owego Junior Gold
Through 12/16/2007
Michael Fenn, owegobowling@yahoo.com
NY -- Port Jefferson Station
PJB Junior Gold PBA Experience League
Through 5/9/2008
Stacey Zink, pjsportshot@msn.com
NY -- Port Jefferson Station
PJB Junior Gold PBA Experience League 2
Through 2/15/2008
Stacey Zink, portjeffbowl@msn.com
NY -- Port Jefferson Station
PJB Junior Gold PBA Experience League 3
2/22/2008 - 5/9/2008
Stacey Zink, portjeffbowl@msn.com
NY -- Port Jefferson Station
PJB Junior Gold PBA Experience League Tournament
Through 2/15/2008
Stacey Zink, portjeffbowl@msn.com
NY -- Port Jefferson Station
PJB Junior Gold PBA Experience League Tournament
Through 5/9/2008
Stacey Zink, portjeffbowl@msn.com
NY -- Staten Island
Rab's Gold Challenge
5/10/2008
Frank Wilkinson, frankjwilkinson@aol.com
NY -- Staten Island
Rab's Junior Prestige Classic
2/3/2008
Frank Wilkinson, frankjwilkinson@aol.com
NY – Various
Youth Bowlers Tour
Through 5/4/2008
Brad Buckert, bbuckert@aol.com
NY – Warwick
NY/NJ Junior Gold Traveling League
Through 2/24/2008
David Kinney Sr., frln@warwick.net
OH – Dayton
Junior Masters
5/10/2008 - 5/11/2008
E. Alex Talos III, juniormastersday@aol.com
OK – Enid
Oklahoma USBC Youth State Championship Tournament
1/11/2008 - 1/27/2008
Vicki Starr, vsbowl@aol.com
OK - Oklahoma City
State Grand Prix Tournament
4/26/2008 - 4/27/2008
Vicki Starr, vsbowl@aol.com
OK – Sapulpa
Sahoma Junior Pros
Through 1/9/2008
Tommy Gann, okstrike@aol.com
PA – Limerick
Limerick Junior Singles Classic
Through 5/11/2008
Chris Buser, cb@dejazzd.com
PA – Various
Pennsylvania Junior Bowlers Tournament
Through 5/10/2008
Matthew Himmelreich, pjbtcombined@yahoo.com
PA -- Wilkes-Barre/Pittsburgh
Junior Classic Series of PA - Mid Atlantic
12/23/2007 - 12/28/2007
Travis Sparks, tcsparks@ptd.net
PR -- San Juan
Paradise Kids Gold Events
1/19/2008 - 2/23/2008
Cesar Noble, nobleco@coqui.net
PR -- San Juan
13th Youth Jose L. Chegui Carde Tournament
12/26/2007 - 12/30/2007
Cesar Noble, nobleco@coqui.net
SC -- North Agusta
Timothy Spencer Rice Scratch Association Tournament
Through 4/13/2008
Ronald Chrestman, rechr@clemson.edu
TX – Austin
11th Annual Youth Scholarship Tournament/JG Qualifier
3/8/2008 - 3/9/2008
John Osfield, ghcajo@aol.com
TX – Houston
Dynamic Junior Gold-Fall
Through 12/11/2007
Lou Ann Medbury, bowl4fun@windstream.net
VA -- Cedar Bluff
Western Virginia Gold Qualifier
Through 2/17/2008
Tim Altizer, tna10422000@yahoo.com
VA – Hampton
Sparetimes Junior Gold Tournament
Through 5/4/2008
Anne Ray, anneray@cox.net
VA – Various
David Dahms Greater Virginia Junior Gold
Through 5/3/2008
Rick Ketchie, rketchiejr@aol.com
WA – Bellingham
WSUSBC Youth Championships
4/12/2008 - 5/11/2008
Sandra Nelson, wsyaba@comcast.net
WA – Everett
Northwest Youth Bowling Tour
81/27/2008
Donna Martinez, dbbmartinez@comcast.net
WI -- Green Bay
N.E.W. Junior Gold Challenge Series
Through 3/29/2008
Michael Englebert, menglebert@sbcglobal.net
WI -- Green Bay
WI High School Bowling State Championships
3/7/2008 - 3/9/2008
Gary Hartel, bcaw@bowlwi.com
WI – Milwaukee
Wisconsin State USBC YA Scratch Tournament
1/26/2008
Cindi Cwik, ccmanager@jvlnet.com
WI – Various
Junior Bowlers Scholarship Tour
Through 5/18/2008
Chris Tuskowski, ctuskowski@sbcglobal.net
WI – Various
Wisconsin Scholarship Bowling Club
Through 5/15/2008
Richard Kamien, kamienrc@aol.com
WI – Sheboygan
Sean Yonan Memorial Junior Gold Qualifier
3/15/2008
Keith Yonan, kyonan9016@charter.net
WI – Waukesha
2008 WI State USBC YA Championship
2/3/2008 - 4/27/2008
Cindi Cwik, ccmanager@jvlnet.com
WV – Dunbar
Dunbar Bowling Center Junior Gold
Through 1/15/2008
Bill Dougherty, badbowlerbillyd@verizon.net
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