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January 2008

Gold Approach
Solid Gold Tips

Solid Gold Tips

During practice, start with a ball that has a predictable reaction. Your "benchmark" ball will help you determine if you need a weaker or stronger piece of equipment. When you choose which ball to use, don't try to overpower the lane. Explore the entire lane during your warm-up session and determine where the friction is located. Allow the lane to do the work. 
– Kim Terrell, USBC Collegiate spokesperson

Ask a Coach

Ask a Coach

Q:Should I change my release on Sport Bowling patterns?

A:Yes. Sport Bowling conditions require a variety of releases and adjusments at the right time during the game. A good rule of thumb: on freshly oiled Sport Bowling lane conditions, your release should be end over end, letting the ball go smoothly onto the lane to get the ball into an earlier roll. As the oil breaks down and a track develops, more loft and side roll can be applied to get the ball through the heads and down the lane. 

Submit an Ask a Coach question to alyssa.klopatek@bowl.com. It may be featured in a future edition of the Gold Approach.

In this Gold Approach:

Junior Gold Championships athletes can choose squad online

Have you qualified to compete at the 2008 Junior Gold Championships in Detroit this summer? Don't forget to choose your squad time on the Junior Gold homepage on bowl.com on June 1.

This option is only available to you after you submit to USBC the entry form that is included in your finalist packet. Each squad has a limited number of spots, and they are assigned on a first come, first-served basis. While you're on bowl.com, why don't you register for the USBC Youth Open Championships, which is held concurrently with Junior Gold? You'll double your bowling fun this summer.


Practice smarter, not harder

by Andy Parker
USBC Silver Coach

There was an old line that went something like this: How do you get to Carnegie Hall?  Practice, practice, practice. This can also be applied to bowling. How do you develop a consistent approach, release and increase your scores? That’s right: practice.

Practice is one of the most neglected areas of the game today. Practice isn’t just to fix something that isn’t feeling right. It should also be used to increase muscle memory of the things that are "right" and to experiment. There was a time that an advanced bowler would bowl one to three times a week in league and then practice once or twice on top of that. 

Did you know it takes almost 1,500 shots to incorporate a new technique into your game?  That’s a lot of games. If you are only bowling three games a week, it will take almost a year to learn something new. This is where practice is invaluable.

Here are some tips for smarter practices:

  1. Call local centers for practice-lane availability and the price. Many centers offer discounts during off-times.
  2. Inquire as to the time the lanes are dressed. Knowing when the lanes are dressed allows you to vary the practice on different shots. The shot plays much differently on fresh as opposed to dry. You should also consider bowling in centers that you normally don’t frequent to add more shots to your repertoire.
  3. Practice with a purpose. Don’t just go in and try to throw strikes. Work on hand positions, spare shooting, and mental drills to add more skills for competitive play. A good ending drill is to throw three strikes to leave on.
  4. Take all of the equipment to practice that you would take to a competition. A drill to try is to randomly select a different ball on every shot to help you understand how they differ. The goal is to be able to throw the ball confidently on every shot.
  5. Do not worry about the score – focus on what you're learning. Last time I checked, there were no awards given for 300 games in practice.

Incorporate some of these suggestions in practice to see how they work for you. Good luck and keep knocking down those pins!

Junior Gold Championships format changes

Last year's Junior Gold athletes told us what they wanted … and we listened! This year's Junior Gold Championships has a new format with more semifinals games and no day off during the qualifying rounds, plus the addition of match play.

The championships also has a new registration schedule – instead of registering by state, you'll now register by squad. Practice times are assigned to athletes, and the Junior Team USA selection process has been expanded. Take a minute and familiarize yourself with the new benefits so you can take full advantage of everything the tournament offers once you're in Detroit.

Make a note of it …
As of Aug. 1, 2008, Junior Gold annual membership dues will be $30 for new and returning athletes.

Qualifier Events

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 - Los Angeles
NLAC Cathy Wells Memorial Youth Championship
2/16/2008 - 2/24/2008
Diddy Watts
diddyshops@yahoo.com

CA – Pacifica
Junior Gold Pro Challenge Winter 07/08 League
Through 2/23/2008
Tracie Tang
tracie@seabowl.com

CA - Simi Valley
Harley's Junior Gold Tournaments
1/19/2008 - 5/15/2008
Dino Bidwell
dinobidwell@yahoo.com

CA – Various
NCJBT Tournament
Through 5/4/2008
June Brown
bowlerjkun@aol.com

CO – Golden
Golden Bowl Jr. Gold Qualifiers
Through 3/29/2008
Cindy Keily
cjkeily@aol.com
www.goldenbowl300club.com

FL - Altomonte Springs
Saturday YABA
Through 5/3/2008
Rosemary Corrao
bluerosie25@yahoo.com

FL – Apopka
2008 Orlando Junior Doubles
3/2/2008
Gregory Paxson
grorlyba@embarqmail.com

FL – Brandon
BCB Jr. Gold PBA Experience
Through 5/11/2008
Tom Donlay
bcbcoaching@tampabay.rr.com

FL – Jacksonville
Jacksonville Junior Bowling Tour
5/3/2008
Kathleen Petersen
kathypetersen@bellsouth.net

FL – Jacksonville
43rd F.C.B.C. Championship
2/2/2008 - 2/10/2008
Linda Lowman
(904) 771-9238

FL – Jacksonville
Going For Gold
Through 5/12/2008
Roy Margo
bwlr5000@bellsouth.net

FL - Lake Wales
Kegel Youth Point Series
Through 5/15/2008
Ana Koff
aikoff@aol.com

FL – Miami
Greater Miami USBC Youth City Tournament
2/9/2008 - 2/10/2008
Harold Harper
hharper@mdc.edu

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 – Orlando
2008 Gr. Orlando USBC Youth Championships
1/19/2008 - 1/28/2008
Gregory Paxson
grorlyba@embarqmail.com

FL – Tampa
Pin Chasers Veteran's Junior Gold Qualifier
Through 5/15/2008
Paul Mersch
paul101754@hotmail.com

FL – Sunrise
MDM Scholarship Winter League
Through 5/15/2008
Jerry Walters
jerry300perfect@aol.com

FL – Various
Florida Youth Scratch Bowlers Scholarship Tour
Through 5/15/2008
Mary Loschetter
maree49@aol.com

FL - West Palm Beach
2008 Palm Beach County USBCY Tournament
2/2/2008 - 2/10/2008
Jeena Tomasheski
pbcyaba@bellsouth.net

GA – Cleveland
Georgia Youth Bowlers Tour
Through 4/13/2008
Chris Wunch
cwunch@scovill.com
www.georgiaybt.com

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 – Marietta
Marietta Junior Gold Tournament
2/3/2008 - 4/20/2008
Anita Washington
washington229@bellsouth.net

GA – Marietta
Marietta Junior Gold League
Through 3/15/2008
Anita Washington
washington229@bellsouth.net

IA – Various
Greater Iowa Scholarship Bowling Tournament
Through 5/11/2008
Eric Littig
littig1@mchsi.com   

ID – Meridian
Idaho Junior Gold Qualifier
Through 3/10/2008
Terri Simpson
tisimpson@cableone.net
www.meridianyaba.com

IL – Plainfield
Illinois Junior Gold Qualifier
4/5/2008 - 4/27/2008
Patti Mauerman
eeyore1@dishmail.com

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 – Elkhart
Indiana Youth Scholarship Bowlers Tour
Through 4/13/2008
Luise Lesser
llesser@bowlindiana.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
www.sivusbc.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

KY – Louisville
Kentucky State USBC JG Tournament
2/18/2008 - 3/30/2008
Bill Carter
dixiebowl@bellsouth.net
www.kystateusbcyouth.org

KY – Louisville
Ken Bowl Scratch Series
Through 3/2/2008
Douglas Barker
dbarker@bwllarmine.edu

MA - New Bedford
Wonderbowl Junior Gold Classic
1/19/2008
Rose Marie Tomczewski
rtomczewski@comcast.net

MA – Westport
Westport Junior Gold Classic League
1/26/2008 - 4/12/2008
Rose Marie Tomczewski
rtomczewski@concast.net

MA – Westport
Westport Junior Gold Qualifier
4/13/2008
Rose Marie Tomczewski
rtomczewski@comcast.net

MD – Baltimore
Central Maryland Travel League
Through 5/4/2008
Jenna Lipnickas
jennalipnickas@hotmail.com

MD - Fore Meade
JOG Sport League
Through 4/21/2008
Michael Sinek
bowlmikey@aol.com

MD – Randallstown
Youth PBA Experience
Through 4/14/2008
Teresa Tingler
terrytingler@yahoo.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 – Livonia
Greater Detroit Majors League
Through 3/16/2008
Thomas Schmansky
tschman822@aol.com

MI – Saginaw
Tri CityYouth Classic Gold League - Yearend 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
www.mjma.net 

MI – Various
Tri City Youth Classic Gold League, Second Half
Through 3/9/2008
Ken Sheehan
sheehank@charter.net

MN - St. Paul
Flahertys Junior Scratch Singles
4/18/2008
Dean Streich
streichone@msn.com

MN - St. Paul
6th Annual Scratch Match Game Championships
4/6/2008
Dean Streich
streichone@msn.com

MN – Various
Minnesota Junior Bowlers Tour
Through 4/20/2008
Sam Lantto
slantto@yahoo.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 – North Kansas City
USBC Convention Open Junior Gold Qualifier
5/10/2008
Gary Schmit
gary.schmit@bowl.com

MO – Raytown
Greater Kansas City MO USBC Youth PBA Experience
Through 2/23/2008
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

NC – Charlotte
Greater Charlotte USBC Youth All Stars
4/20/2008
Jeanette Pittser
jpittser@hotmail.com

NC – Fayetteville
Tough Shot Tour
Through 4/8/2008
Don McLemore
toughshotstour@yahoo.com,
www.toughshotstour.com

NC – Matthews
Greater Charlotte USBC Youth Championships
3/1/2008 - 3/2/2008
Jeanette Pittser
youthevents@charlotteyouthbowling.com

ND – Fargo
Fargo Moorhead USBC Youth Junior Gold Qualifying Tour
3/9/2008
Jeff York
(701) 282-8159

NJ – Lakewood
Singles Sport Matchplay Tournament
3/30/2008
Lyle Worsley
ocjba@comcast.net

NJ – Lakewood
Ocean Lanes Scratch Trio
Through 5/10/2008
Karen Derrick
kiderrick@comcast.net

NJ – Lakewood
Sport Matchplay
Through 3/9/2008
Lyle Worsley
ocjba@comcast.net

NJ – Lakewood
13th Annual Singles Scholarship Tournament
2/17/2008
Lyle Worsley
ocjba@comcast.net

NJ – Lakewood
13th Annual Ocean County Junior Masters
3/2/2008
Lyle Worsley
ocjba@comcast.net

NV - Carson City
Jr. Gold Winter
Through 1/27/2008
Deanne Wass
dmwass300@sbcglobal.net

NV - Las Vegas
Southern Nevada Junior Gold Travel Tournament
Through 4/20/2008
Charles McCloskey
cmaczero@cox.net

NY – Cheektowaga
Junior Gold Qualifier
3/29/2008 - 3/30/2008
Michael Westfield
mwisrrt1@aol.com,
www.broadwaysportscenter.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 Jr. Gold PBA Experience League Tournament
Through 2/15/2008
Stacey Zink
portjeffbowl@msn.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 Tournament
2/22/2008 - 5/9/2008
Stacey Zink
portjeffbowl@msn.com

NY - Staten Island
Rab's Gold Challenge
5/10/2008
Frank Wilkinson
frankjwilkinson@aol.com
www.rabslanes.com

NY - Staten Island
Rab's Junior Prestige Classic
2/3/2008
Frank Wilkinson
frankjwilkinson@aol.com
www.rabslanes.com

NY – Various
Youth Bowlers Tour
Through 5/4/2008
Brad Buckert
bbuckert@aol.com

NY – Warwick
NY/NJ Jr. 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
2008 Oklahoma USBC Youth State Championship Tournament
1/11/2008 - 1/27/2008
Vicki Starr
vsbowl@aol.com

OK - Oklahoma City
2008 State Grand Prix Tournament
4/26/2008 - 4/27/2008
Vicki Starr
vsbowl@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

PR – Carolina
PR Strike Force JG Qualifying Event
1/19/2008 - 2/23/2008
Hilda Arroyo
garys@coqui.net

PR – Carolina
CYBA St. Valentine Junior Gold
2/9/2008
Juan Castro
jacastro_bowl@hotmail.com

PR - San Juan
Paradise Kids Gold Events
1/19/2008 - 2/23/2008
Cesar Noble
nobleco@coqui.net

SC - North Agusta
Timothy Spencer Rice Scratch Association Tournament
Through 4/13/2008
Ronald Chrestman
rechr@clemson.edu

TN – Clarksville
Jr. Gold Scratch League
Through 4/5/2008
Brenda Thompson Green
bgreen@ebonite.com

TX – Austin
11th Annual Youth Scholarship Tournament/JG Qualifier
3/8/2008 - 3/9/2008
John Osfield
ghcajo@aol.com

TX – Austin
Youth Sport Smash
Through 5/7/2008
Ray Ewell
rewell@worldnet.att.net

UT – Ogden
Northern Utah USBCA Youth Championship Tournament
2/9/2008 - 2/17/2008
Johnna Kolczak
jkolczak16@hotmail.com
www.muusbca.com/youthweb/index.ht

UT - Salt Lake City
44th Annual Juniors City Tournament
2/16/2008 - 2/24/2008
Debbie Wade
wadefam@qwest.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, www.wsusbc.com

WA – Everett
Northwest Youth Bowling Tour
1/27/2008
Donna Martinez
dbbmartinez@comcast.net

WI - Green Bay
WI High School Bowling State Championships
3/7/2008 - 3/9/2008
Gary Hartel
bcaw@bowlwi.com

WI - Green Bay
N.E.W. Junior Gold Challenge Series
Through 3/29/2008
Michael Englebert
menglebert@sbcglobal.net

WI – Milwaukee
Wisconsin State USBC YA Scratch Tournament
1/26/2008
Cindi Cwik
ccmanager@jvlnet.com

WI – Sheboygan
Sean Yonan Memorial Junior Gold Qualifier
3/15/2008
Keith Yonan
kyonan9016@charter.net

WI – Various
Wisconsin Scholarship Bowling Club
Through 5/15/2008
Richard Kamien
kamienrc@aol.com

WI – Various
Junior Bowlers Scholarship Tour
Through 5/18/2008
Chris Tuskowski
ctuskowski@sbcglobal.net, www.jbst.org

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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