Published: January 03, 2008 11:20 am      

Curtis sets new season high

BJ Curtis bowled the best score of this season, rolling a big 299 game and an 824 set in the County League at The Bowler on Dec. 28. Curtis' 824 set topped Jack Burner's recent high of 817 by seven pins. Andy Brenneman was next high at that center, rolling 759/277. Some other big games were scored, including: Mike Oyer's 298 game and 731 set; Cary Lowrey's 289 game and 671 set, and Buck Lease's 280 game and 752 set.

Reuben Collins bowled a 290 game and a 781 set for the week's high at Par-Matt Lanes. Curt Glotfelty was next rolling 708/278.

At Wilson Lanes, Bobby Lannon scored highest for the last two weeks, bowling 719/258. Clay Corbin was next, only one pin back, scoring 718/254.

Vicki Coughlin was the week's top lady bowler scoring 650/235 in the Del's Mixed League at The Bowler. Missy Yates was next high bowling a 571 set.

BJ Riggleman rolled 576/220 and was Par-Matt's top lady bowler for the week. Mary Liller was next high scoring 539/204.

Bill Fairgrieve was the area's top senior bowler for the week rolling 671/245 in the AARP Seniors League at The Bowler. Don Bower also scored well at that center posting a 616/235 score.

Par-Matt's Harold Fike, a senior bowled 618/214.

Josh Oates was the high youth bowler for the week rolling 695/256 at Wilson Lanes. Amanda Greene, also at Wilson Lanes, bowled 687/256. Megan Kyle scored 654/232 at Rainbow Lanes and Melanie Martin bowled 563/203 at The Bowler.

Spare shooting is the most productive area for bowlers who want to improve their averages. Missing a single pin spare costs you a minimum of 11 points, thus you need a double (two consecutive strikes) to make up for that miss in order to get close to a 200 game.

Beginning bowlers usually fail to throw cross alley at seven and 10 pin spares. The other failing by many bowlers is throwing a hooking ball at those same pins. A right handed bowler throwing a hooking ball at the 10 pin has very little allowable lateral miss distance. His argument is that the dry boards on the edges will help the ball ride the proper line to the 10 pin. True only if the ball speed, rotation, launch angle and proper target is correctly executed. Very unlikely that the effect of those variables results in consistent accuracy of the shot.

We need to take advantage of what the professionals know and demonstrate. They throw a straight ball at all of their single pin spares and rarely miss. Practice sessions where you throw your first ball at the seven or 10 pin is an excellent way to get more out of that valuable time on the lanes. Whatever you think is a weak link in your game should determine the most important area for practice. Have a plan before you start and stick to it - it will bring improvement.

Good luck bowling and have fun striking out!

Howard "Pete" Peterson is the Cumberland Times-News bowling columnist.