On
Tour with Robert Smith
Vernon Hills, Illinois (Nov.
26, 2007 )
Well, what can I say!!! I would first like to say thank you to all
my family and friends for their support. It means a lot to me and
I really do appreciate it.
Hawthorn Lanes in Vernon Hills, Illinois, is a mid 80's Brunswick
house. So a big tendency here is flying pins and lots of corners,
not exactly my favorite things. But with shark pattern, the length
could either be great or a long day.
Again as previous week, I start out poorly and come strong, sitting
in 38th after the first 7. But really not liking any ball reaction
I have. I tried 2 Sharks, one pin high and one pin down. And both
actually read the pattern fine, but the pins was not good.
The second block I got to talking with Chris Warren and he mentioned
that I should think the opposite way, with weaker balls and let my
hand do the hook. So I grabbed a Cheetah and a Chameleon, the 2 weakest
in Elite's line. Gave them a 1000 grit surface to help read early
oil a little. It was a great look for the pins. Much better carry
and it showed with qualifying 26th.
Now with this week being 'old school' format, I felt comfortable to
make the top 16 for one reason only, no one can try to push me around
in a match, every pin counts now. With the same thoughts as last night,
I took the Cheetah and Chameleon with more surface, and proceeded
to go on a great tear. I went from 26th to 1st in 7 games, slowing
down some to 5th, but extremely happy with the move.
Now the night block for the round robin, I would say was the most
entertaining in a long time. It seemed that every time someone got
to the lead, would lose it the next game. It did this for all 9 games,
with the last game being unreal. I got lost games 6-8 and went from
lead to 5th with one to go and having to bowl PDW. My Chameleon and
Cheetah became too weak to play, and was running out of options on
physical tricks. With the break I grabbed a Green Alien, with surface,
but a much earlier roll at least gave me something different. Great
guess for me, with shooting 279 the last game and making the jump
to the lead. Unreal night and was feeling a gift was handed to me.
The show was probably the best show I have had in some time. I was
confident and comfortable, it’s hard to get both in harmony. But loved
what the guys did to the lanes. They tried to make the middle hook
so much, that my trick was coming into play more and more as the show
went on. With all the guys playing between 15-25 at the arrows, eventually
left for them was going to become a problem, which was obvious in
the semi-final match. Now do I condone what I was doing, no. But out
here I went to that play for the sheer fact I had much area than if
I moved to the gutter, which was last move I wanted to make. The Show
hooked more, lights do it all the time. But with the track in the
middle destroyed, I had to get left. Now I have stood 94 before so
the 65 today was not a worry. My thing was making sure I was slow
enough to get the ball to read. The Cheetah was pin down so early
roll. But in the air it becomes more of a leverage weighted ball.
I threw 9 very quality shots, all I could ask for. Made my spares(always
scary for me on TV).
Great week for Elite and myself. Can't wait to bowl next week in Grand
Rapids on Cheetah Pattern, my favorite of the 5. Maybe back to back?
I will definitely try. Till then, be safe all and take care.
Robert Smith
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