This past week, I ventured to New York City as well as New Brunswick, NJ for the USBC Masters at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes, the previous site of the PBA U.S. Open.
We bowled three 5-game blocks of qualifying and then the field was cut to the top 63 players and last year's champion Mike Fagan for the double elimination match play finals.
I bowled on A squad and therefore had my first two squads on the fresh oil pattern and finished the last qualifying squad on the "burn squad," where the lanes were not re-oiled.
My first block, I shot games of 214, 230, 200, 225 and 186 for +55, using my Columbia 300 Oath and Enigma as well as my Hammer First Blood. That put me about 30 pins out of the cut to the top 63.
The second block of qualifying, the heads started out hooking more and the backends were a bit tighter, so that made for a bit lower scoring pace. I shot 222, 176, 175, 221 and 233 using my Columbia 300 Enigma, Ebonite Game Breaker and Hammer First Blood. Even though I struggled in the middle games, I was happy with how I finished the block. That put me at +83 overall and about 70 pins out of the cut to the top 63.
Needing a big set in my final block of qualifying, I started out strong with a 246 game. I then hit a couple of rough pairs and couldn't get the ball to quite go through the pins correctly to carry. I shot 195 and 189, which both should have been a lot higher. I finished out the set with a 214 and 236 for +80 on the block and +163 overall. I came up 31 pins short for making maychplay, which ended up taking +194.
Overall, I am very pleased with how I physically bowled. I was having to use my "Z" game for the last two blocks, keeping my speed down and using a different release to get more revs on the ball. Physically, I felt my execution was really good all considering. I never missed a single pin spare and picked up quite a few splits and washouts.
I ended up coming in 78th place overall out of 468 bowlers. I was also the high woman in the tournament.
Prior to the USBC Masters, my husband Drew and I ventured to New York City with Scott Norton and his husband Craig. We spent an awesome few days around the City and had a great Valentine's Day dinner. Here are a few pictures from our trip.
HighLine in Chelsea, an above ground park along the Hudson River
The Empire State Building colored Pink, just for me. :)
Spin New York, a Ping Pong bar in the City
Valentine's Day dinner
Until next time...
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