Missy Bowls 2015 Bahrain Open

This past week, I travelled from Doha, Qatar to Manama, Bahrain to compete in the 2015 Bahrain Open. The format for the tournament was similar to that of last week in Qatar. We bowled two 6-game qualifying blocks and the top 27 in the general standings made the finals, plus the top lady and two top Bahraini bowlers.

I bowled the second squad of the tournament and was very pleased that I shot +93 scratch with very consistent scores. I shot games of 265, 190, 223, 194, 194, and 227 using my Columbia 300 Disorder and N'Sane Antics. The bowling center in Bahrain had 12 lanes and some of the pairs proved to be very tricky. So to be that consistent, I was pleased.

Day two, the lanes played completely different and I struggled to get lined up most of the block. I shot -31 scratch and eventually found success using my Track LX16.  Overall that left me at +63 scratch. In Bahrain, women receive 7 pins of handicap per game, so including handicap I was +146.

We then had two days off to roam around Bahrain and do some sightseeing. On the first day off, I went to Hard Rock cafe, as I collect shirts from all of the ones I've been to. Later, Kelly Kulick and I had the unique opportunity to get signed on to the US Naval base and go to the USO celebrity concert. It was amazing! We got to see Andrew Luck, Wee Man, Miss America and Phillip Phillips to name a few. Phillip Phillips performed a few of his songs and he was incredible!

The next day, we had quite the adventure as we travelled to the Camel Farm.

Later we stopped by the local craft center to watch locals hand-make pottery, shawls, boats, jewelry and more. After a yummy lunch, we then visited the Grand Mosque. We had a very informative guided tour of the gorgeous mosque.

That night, I found out I was on the bubble for the cut. With even one game to go, it was too close for comfort. It ended up coming down to the 10th frame of the last squad before I knew that I has barley squeaked in.

The next day we bowled the finals of the tournament. The finals were separated into blocks of 12 people bowling 6 games, with the top 6 scores then advancing to the next round. The lanes were again different and I struggled to quickly get lined up. I shot games of 177, 182, 236, 194, 225 and 196 for +10 scratch. I ended up just missing the cut by 20 pins. Although I was disappointed, I still had qualified for the finals and all in all it was an ok week.

I am now heading back home for one week before venturing back across the pond for one more World Bowling Tour stop in Munich, Germany. Til then...

Missy Ventures to Qatar for 2015 Emir Cup

This week, I was able to cross another new country off my list, as I ventured to Qatar for the 2015 H.H. Emir Cup. This being my first time in the Middle East, I was excited for the new experiences ahead.

In the Emir Cup, each qualifying squad consisted of two 6-game blocks with three total possible squads to participate in. Here, as in Europe, women receive 8 pins a game handicap. After a very long travel day, I bowled my first block of qualifying the very next day. With jet lag, needless to say I did not have any fun the first six games. The second 6 games, I bowled better shooting +52 scratch, but it would not be enough overall to make the first cut.

So I re-entered and did much better. With the scoring pace being pretty low, I managed to shoot 223, 224, 204, 256, 225 and 224 for +156 and lead the first qualifying block. I used my Columbia 300 Eruption Pro and then my Track LX 16 most of the day. So with my handicap, I shot +204.

After bowling that morning, Kelly Kulick and I ventured to Souq Waqif, an outdoor market full of shops, restaurants and sounvenirs. The market was separated into sections - clothing, material, kitchen utensils, souvenirs, spices, sweets and animals. The place definitely came alive at night, as we ventured back a few times throughout the week to try other restaurants.



The next day, I bowled another 6 games of qualifying. Unfortunately, I had a lot of trouble the first 3 games of qualifying as the lanes played completely different. I struggled shooting 169, 168 and 170. Finally switching balls to my Ebonite Pivot and playing a different part of the lane, I bowled 192, 212 and 193 to end up +60 scratch and +158 with handicap. This was enough to make the first cut, but very disappointing as the top 6 qualifying scores received a bye into the second round of the finals.

After bowling the second block of qualifying, Kelly and I walked along the Corniche with views of Downtown Doha and then bartered for a ride on a traditional wooden boat called a Dhow.

                 

We had the whole boat to ourselves as we coasted along the bay and viewed the amazing architecture of Downtown Doha at night. What I learned that is insanely surprising, is that 10 years ago there was only 1 big building in Downtown Doha and now it is littered with skyscrapers.

The next day, we bowled the first round of the finals. The top 24 bowlers qualified for the finals, plus 4 bowlers from the desperado squad, plus the top 2 Qatari youth bowlers and the top 2 Qatari adult bowlers. The cut took +108 to make the finals. All of the pins were then dropped and we bowled 6 more games with the top 10 scores advancing.

I shot games of 208, 224, 169, 203, 192 and 208 finishing +52 with handicap, which barely sqeaked in to the next round as the final cut number. I used my Ebonite Pivot and Track LX 16 all day.

The next day, we bowled the second round of the finals. Again, all pins were dropped and we bowled another 6 games of qualifying with the top 4 making it to the next round. Starting out strong, I shot 245 out of the gate, but followed it up with 150, struggling on the next pair. I then shot games of 226, 206, 199 and 170 to drop from 7th to 12th the last game. I was definitely disappointed with my finish, but 12th is still not a bad week.

Corniche with a view of Downtown Doha

Souq Waqif

Souq Waqif

Now we travel to Bahrain for the Bahrain Open. Can't wait for the new experiences that await.

Missy on Fox 11 News in Green Bay, WI

This morning, I was featured on the Fox 11 News in Green Bay, WI helping to promote both the USBC Masters and the upcoming USBC Queens event. I had so much fun giving news anchor Emily Deem a bowing lesson as well as discussing both tournaments being held at Ashwaubenon Bowling Center.

Check it out here. 

Missy Wins Tony Reyes Community Service Award

Missy Parkin was selected by the PBA as the 2014 Tony Reyes Community Service Award winner. Missy received her award as part of the 2014 PBA Award Ceremony, which also included the Steve Nagy Award winner - Brett Spangler, Rookie of the Year - Marshall Kent and Bowler of the Year - Jason Belmonte, presented by the PBA earlier this week.

Missy was selected largely due to her efforts in helping to raise over $20,000 for the Baby Reesa Foundation. The Baby Reesa Foundation helps families with children who are born with Krabbe disease, a rare and fatal disease for infants and young children. Missy and husband Drew Parkin held a charity pro-am event which raised a majority of the fundraising efforts. The pro-am featured many of the Columbia 300 pro staff, as well as major league baseball star Skip Schumaker. A silent auction was also held in conjunction with the pro-am event.

This year, the Baby Reesa Charity pro-am event will be held on Friday, June 19th at Bowlium Lanes in Montclair, CA in conjunction with the PBA Regional event held June 19-21. For more information about the Baby Reesa Foundation, click here.

For the full story on Missy receiving the Tony Reyes Community Service Award and to see the other award recipients, click here. 

Missy Wins PBA Women's Challenge

Missy  Parkin defeats Clara Guerrero 266-202 on ESPN to win the inagural PBA Women's Challenge. Missy used her Columbia 300 N'Sane Antics and Oath on the TV show.

Missy qualified in the No. 2 position for the TV show after earning the top spot for the Women in the West Region and then completing 8 games of round robin matchplay to kickoff the 2014 World Series of Bowling.

Ebonite International Staffers - Josh Blanchard, Missy Parkin and Amleto Monacelli

In the unique PBA Challenge TV show, the winner of each Challenge match - PBA50, PBA Women, PBA Regional and Teen Masters then bowled a one ball, low-person out, Knockout Round. Missy competed against PBA50 champion and Hall of Famer Amleto Monacelli, PBA Regional Champion Josh Blanchard and Teen Masters Champion Michael Coffey. Missy defeated the boys, striking in the final round against Josh Blanchard to win the Bonus Knockout Round.

For the full story, click here.                                                                                                                                                                                      

Watch Missy on ESPN Sunday, Jan. 18th at 3pm EST (noon Pacific)

Be sure to Tune in to ESPN to watch Missy Parkin take on Colombia native Clara Guerrero in the PBA  Women's Challenge on Sunday, January 18th at 3pm EST (noon Pacific).

The two-hour TV show will feature 4 total matches:
-PBA 50 Challenge match featuring Walter Ray Williams Jr. vs. Amleto Monacelli
-PBA Regional Challenge featuring Josh Blanchard vs. EJ Tackett
-PBA Women's Challenge featuring myself against Clara Guerrero
-Teen Masters match featuring Michael Coffey vs. Kelly Skalacki

The winner of each match will then bowl a head-to-head 1-ball shootout match.

Tune in for all of the action! #letsbowl

Missy Makes Team USA 2015

This past week, I competed at the 2015 Team USA Trials at the Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

The tournament consists of 5 days in which 6 games are bowled on a different pattern each day for a total of 30 games. This year we competed on the following patterns:
-Tokyo 43'
-Seoul 39'
-Beijing 35'
-Montreal 41'
-Mexico City 45'

After the 5 days of qualifying, the top 3 men and top 3 women automatically earn spots on Team USA 2015. An additional 2 men and 2 women are selected to Team USA based on Team USA Trials. Then an additional 5 men and 5 women are also selected based on resumes. Two men and two women already qualified for Team USA 2015 based on Summer Team Trials.

Here's a brief synopsis of my week at Team USA Trials:
-Tokyo 43' pattern: I shot +63 finishing in 7th place overall on the day.
-Seoul 39' pattern: Shooting games of 218, 247, 265, 190, 210 and 176 for +106 and finishing in 8th place for the day
-Beijing 35' pattern: After a very rough start, I bowled a big last game to end up +33 and end up in 29th position on the day
-Montreal 41' pattern: Having my best daily finish of the tournament, I shot games of 201, 223, 269, 202, 265 and 212 for +172, finishing 2nd on the day
-Mexico City 45' pattern: Not the finish I was hoping for to end out the tournament. Struggled and couldn't really match up finishing 54th on the day

With the unique format of Team USA Trials, your daily finish on each pattern equals the amount of points you receive for that day. Add up all of your daily points for the 5 competition days and compare that with the rest of the field and that's where you finish in the tournament.

Despite my final last day of Team USA Trials, I finished in 6th place overall in the tournament.

I was selected to Team USA 2015 based on my resume and Team USA Trials performance.

Congratulations to Shannon Pluhowsky and Kamron Doyle for winning the 2015 Team USA Trials. Kamron became the youngest to ever win Team USA Trials at the very young age of 16 years old.

For the full story on Team USA Trials and to meet Team USA 2015, click here.