In this Gold Approach:
Now’s the time to get a coach
Just as in all sports, coaching is an integral part of bowling. If you want to improve, you need to work with a USBC coach.
When you and your coach work on Sport Bowling conditions, it puts you on the fast track to better bowling. Why? Because Sport Bowling lane conditions, which are more challenging than standard league conditions, force bowlers to rely on accuracy and consistency. Sport Bowling conditions tend to reveal weaknesses in players’ games, which coaches can then help improve.
You can easily find a USBC coach in your area by visiting bowl.com and using the “Find a Coach” function on the top left side of the homepage.
The power of the mind
By Andy Parker
USBC Silver Coach
While we were watching a tournament, my friend made the astute observation that one athlete kept giving herself negative reinforcements throughout the qualifying round. She was telling herself, “Don’t pull the ball,” and “I have to make this ten pin.” Each time, she did what she was trying to avoid. She would pull the ball or miss her target and the results were not pretty. Her self-doubt caused the negative thoughts to become reality.
Has this ever happened to you? How many times have you thought, “Don’t swing this ball,” or “Don’t pull the ball,” and yet you did exactly what you told yourself not to. We plant the seeds of doubt by not having a confident approach. We literally talk ourselves into doing what we are trying to avoid.
So what do you do? Have a plan. Be confident in that plan. Tell yourself you’ve done this many times before. Then execute that plan with confidence. Act like a champion to be a champion.
Sound simple – maybe even too simple? Good! It’s supposed to be that way. The key is keeping a simple, positive, non-cluttered mind and leaving the doubt way behind. The freer the mind is of doubt the more the body is able to perform the task at hand.
This will take practice because human nature is to focus on what not to do as opposed to focusing on what needs to be done. In coaching, we are taught to give positive affirmations of habits to change. Instead of saying, “don’t do” something, we are trained to give the definitive “let’s do this.” Two entirely different approaches, but which one do you think is more effective in changing behavior? The positive, definitive approach wins hands down.
Next time on the lanes, approach the game from a positive perspective and the results may make you a true believer in the power of the mind.
Watch for carpal tunnel syndrome warning signs
Bowlers, like all athletes, are susceptible to injury during practice or in competition. Take precautions and follow common-sense safety rules to cut down on the risk of injury.
The majority of bowling injuries occur in the muscle groups that are used most in the sport – the upper extremities like hand, forearm, elbow, shoulder and back. What’s more, these injuries are seldom instant but instead develop over the course of a few years.
Don’t ignore warning signs of injury or it could lead to big problems in the future. One common bowling injury with subtle warning signs is carpal tunnel syndrome.
CTS is one of the most severe wrist injuries and is caused by compression of the nerve that runs from the elbow to the hand. One of the first signs of CTS is numbness or tingling in the fingers.
As CTS progresses, sufferers may also experience a loss of gripping strength, which could lead to extreme pain and eventual paralysis of the hand. The pain can be so severe that it may even cause sleeplessness.
Anyone who engages in repetitive hand movements is at risk for developing CTS. In bowling, CTS may be caused by poor timing and an improper grip, or even excessive reverse and lateral pitch of the finger holes. Bowlers who have CTS may have problems with a consistent ball release.
CTS should be treated by a doctor – the earlier, the better. Don’t ignore the warning signs of tingling or numbness in the fingers. CTS left untreated can necessitate surgery or even cause permanent paralysis.
Keep your Junior Gold membership current
Your Junior Gold membership must be renewed annually. You will receive a notice in the mail one month prior to your membership expiration date. Don’t hesitate to renew or you may find yourself ineligible to bowl in USBC Junior Gold Championships qualifying events or the national finals.
When you become a Junior Gold member, you automatically are issued a free upgrade to the Sport Bowling membership level as long as you also hold a valid USBC Youth membership. Your Junior Gold membership alone will not secure your eligibility into USBC events.
To renew your Junior Gold membership, download and submit the form located on the Junior Gold homepage of bowl.com or call the USBC membership department at (800) 514-BOWL.
Qualifier Events
CA – Chatsworth
Rocket Jr. Gold VI
11/4/2007
Angelique Zobel-Rodriguez, angel.zobelrodriguez@gmail.com
CA – Manteca
Manteca Junior Gold Sport
Through 12/15/2007
Dave Clements, coachdaveusabc.@aol.com
CA – Modesto
Junior Gold Trio Fall 07
Through 12/18/2007
June Brown, mchenryyouth@aol.com
CA – Modesto
Scratch Masters Fall 2007
Through 12/20/2007
June Brown, mchenryyouth@aol.com
CA - Yorba Linda
JST Gold Draft League
Through 12/15/2007
Butch Hesketh, butch@jstbowl.com
CT – Various
Northeast Junior Scratch Tour JG Qualifier
Through 5/11/2008
Kathi McCaw, kathimccaw@gmail.com
FL - Altomonte Springs
Saturday YABA
Through 5/3/2008
Rosemary Corrao, bluerosie25@yahoo.com
FL – Clearwater
Countryside Junior Gold
Through 12/19/2007
Kent Fecke, kfecke1@yahoo.com
FL - Coral Springs
Broward County USBC Jr. City Tournament
10/27/2007-11/4/2007
Jerry Walters, jerry300perfect@aol.com
FL – Jacksonville
Jacksonville Jr. 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 - Orange Park
Thursday Teens Scholarship Scratch League
Through 5/15/2008
Kathleen Petersen, kathypetersen@bellsouth.net
FL – Orlando
Jr. Gold Sport
Through 5/15/2008
Lisa Yuknavage, jdcsky22@msn.com
CA – Pacifica
Junior Pro Challenge
Through 12/8/2007
Tracie Tang, tracie@seabowl.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 – Tampa
Pin Chasers Veteran's Junior Gold Qualifier
Through 5/15/2008
Paul Mersch, paul101754@hotmail.com
GA – Cleveland
Georgia Youth Bowlers Tour
Through 4/13/2008
Chris Wunch, cwunch@scovill.com
GA – Dallas
PBC Junior Gold Qualifier
Through 4/30/2008
Jeffrey Halen, halenj@diebold.com
GA – Dallas
Paulding Jr. Gold League
Through 4/26/2008
Mark Hanke, hankna59@yahoo.com
GA – Marietta
Marietta Junior Gold
Though 11/17/2007
Anita Washington, washington229@bellsouth.net
IA – Various
Greater Iowa Scholarship Bowling Tournament
Through 5/11/2008
Eric Littig, littig1@mchsi.com
IL - Rolling Meadows
Illinois Scholarship Bowling Club
Through 5/15/2008
Brenda Caruso, isbcinfo@aol.com
IL – Various
Greater Iowa Scholarship Bowling Tournament
Through 5/11/2008
Eric Littig, littig1@mchsi.com
IL – Various
Illinois State Youth Scholarshuip Tour
Through 2/10/2008
Patti Mauerman, eeyore1@dishmail.com
KS – Various
Kansas City Open
Through 5/4/2008
Lee Miller, lee.miler11@sbcglobal.net
MA – Brockton
Brockton USBC Youth Assoc. Jr. Gold Qualifier
11/25/2007
Rosemarie Hamilton, stormpassion56@aol.com
MA – Various
Northeast Junior Scratch Tour JG Qualifier
Through 5/11/2008
Kathi McCaw, kathimccaw@gmail.com
MA – Westport
Westport Holiday Jr. Gold Qualifier
12/22/2007
Rose Marie Tomczewski, rtomczewski@comcast.net
MA – Westport
Westport Jr. Gold Sport Shot
Through 12/1/2007
Rose Marie Tomczewski, ktomczewski@comcast.net
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 – Livonia
Greater Detroit Majors League
Through 11/24/2007
Thomas Schmansky, tschman822@aol.com
MI – Muskegan
Michigan USBC Youth Masters
11/24/2007-11/25/2007
Thomas Schmansky, tschman822@aol.com
MI – Saginaw
Tri City Youth Classic Gold League Mid-Season Tour
12/2/2007
Ken Sheehan, sheehank@charter.net
MI - Sterling Heights
Sunnybrook Junior Classic Qualifier
Through 5/3/2008
Laura Dembek, lauradembek@comcast.net
MI – Saginaw
Tri City Youth Classic Gold League-Year-end Tournament
3/9/2008
Ken Sheehan, sheehank@charter.net
MI – Various
Tri City Youth Classic Gold League
Through 3/9/2008
Ken Sheehan, sheehank@charter.net
MI – Various
Alro Steel Michigan Jr. Masters
Through 5/10/2008
Jerome Tarabek, jtar2830@yahoo.com
MN - St. Cloud
Central MN Jr. Traveling Tournament
8/5/2007 11/4/2007
David Bischoff, granitbowl@aol.com
MO – Arnold
Monday Sport Shot
Through 11/26/2007
Robin Czarnecki, czar300@aol.com
MO – Ellisville
St. Louis USBC Youth Championship
1/19/2008-2/3/2008
Dale Bohn, stlbowling@sbcglobal.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
NC – Matthews
Greater Charlotte USBC Youth Championships
3/1/2008-3/2/2008
Jeanette Pittser, youthevents@charlotteyouthbowling.com
ND – Fargo
Fargo Moorhead USBC Youth JG Qualifying Tournament
11/4/2007
Jeff York, (701) 282-8159
NH – Various
Northeast Junior Scratch Tour JG Qualifier
Through 5/11/2008
Kathi McCaw, kathimccaw@gmail.com
NJ – Hopelawn
Jr. Gold Qualifier 44th NJ State Youth
12/2/2007-12/9/2007
Jeffrey Frye, fryebowling@fryebowling.com
NJ – Lakewood
Ocean Lanes Scratch Trio
Through 5/10/2008
Karen Derrick, kiderrick@comcast.net
NV - Carson City
Jr. Gold Fall
Through 11/4/2007
Deanne Wass, dmwass300@sbcglobal.net
NV - Las Vegas
Wipe Out
12/25/2007-12/27/2007
Bobby McVey & Bobbi Hovan, rmcvey@coastcasinos.net
NV - Las Vegas
Southern Nevada Jr. 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
NY - Port Jefferson Station
PJB Jr. Gold PBA Experience League 1
Through 11/23/2007
Stacey Zink, portjeffbowl@msn.com
NY - Port Jefferson Station
PJB Jr. Gold PBA Experience League 2
11/30/2007-2/15/2008
Stacey Zink, portjeffbowl@msn.com
NY - Port Jefferson Station
PJB Jr. 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
11/30/2007-2/15/2008
Stacey Zink, portjeffbowl@msn.com
NY - Port Jefferson Station
PJB Jr. Gold PBA Experience League Tournament
2/22/2007-5/9/2008
Stacey Zink, portjeffbowl@msn.com
NY – Owego
Owego Junior Gold
Through 12/16/2007
Michael Fenn, owegobowling@yahoo.com
NY – Plainview
Long Island Youth Bowling Tour
Through 11/18/2007
Vito Genova, ezoilwiper@aol.com
NY - Staten Island
Rab's Gold Shootout
11/10/2007
Frank Wilkinson, frankjwilkinson@aol.com
NY - Staten Island
Rab's Junior Prestige Classic
2/3/2008
Frank Wilkinson, frankjwilkinson@aol.com
NY - Staten Island
Rab's Gold Challenge
5/10/2008
Frank Wilkinson, frankjwilkinson@aol.com
NY – Various
Northeast Junior Scratch Tour JG Qualifier
Through 5/11/2008
Kathi McCaw, kathimccaw@gmail.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
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
SC – Simpsonville
Tommy Jones/Golden Lanes Fall Classic
11/10/2007-11/11/2007
Jack Bourgeois, bourgeoisj@sccsc.edu
SD – Various
SDJST
Through 5/15/2008
Sandra Hansen, sdkst06@uajpp/cp
TN – Clarksville
The Pinnacle Junior Gold Qualifier
Through 11/25/2007
Anthony Szeluga, tonybowler@yahoo.com
TX – Austin
11th Annual Youth Scholarship Tournament
3/8/2008-3/9/2008
John Osfield, ghcajo@aol.com
TX – Houston
Dynamic Junior Gold
Through 12/11/2007
Lou Ann Medbury, bowl4fun@windstream.net
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
VT – Various
Northeast Junior Scratch Tour JG Qualifier
Through 5/11/2008
Kathi McCaw, kathimccaw@gmail.com
WA – Bellingham
WSUSBC Youth Championships
4/12/2008-5/11/2008
Sandra Nelson, wsyaba@comcast.net
WA – Everett
Northwest Youth Bowling Tour
1/27/2008
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 – Sheboygan
Sean Yonan Memorial Junior Gold Qualifier
3/15/2008-3/15/2008
Keith Yonan, kyonan9016@charter.net
WI – Various
Junior Bowlers Scholarship Tour
Through 5/18/2008
Chris Tuskowski, ctuskowski@sbcglobal.net
WI – Waukesha
2008 WI State USBC YA Championship
2/3/2008-4/27/2008
Cindi Cwik, ccmanager@jvlnet.com
WV – Huntington
USBC Jr. Gold
12/2/2007
Marshall Tolbert, b.tolbert@comcast.net
WV – Dunbar
Dunbar Bowling Center Jr. Gold
11/11/2007-1/15/2008
Bill Dougherty, badbowlerbillyd@verizon.net |
