Our Annual Super Bowling Tournament will be on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7th at the Gold Coast from 8:30 am to 12 noon on lanes 1-12. I hope everyone can come so that it will be bigger and better than ever. We have a special guest lined up to come to the bowling tournament that I think will add to the fun and enjoyment for everyone. Due to the overwhelming requests to divulge who it is, I will tell you. The guest is an artist who draws caricatures and will be quick drawing sketches of all the bowlers. Please be at the Gold Coast by 8:30 am so we can get everyone assigned a lane and be prepared to start practice by 8:45. The tournament will consist of 5 games of qualifying with handicap (90% of 220). Two of the games will be 9-pin no tap, although we may include a game with a free strike in frames 3-6-9. The top 3 bowlers after qualifiying will bowl in a step-ladder finals format (2 vs. 3, the winner of that match against #1 for the title). Entry fee will be $20. $5 goes to the prize fund. We'll be giving away several prizes and gifts and will have a few snacks also. Any Junior Bowler who cashes will win a Learn to Bowl.com gift certificate so as to protect their amateur status.

Just a reminder there will be no group bowling class in the afternoon at Sunset Station on Feb. 7th due to the bowling center being closed to the public for a Super Bowl party.
 
Get well soon to Linda Espinoza who just had knee surgery this week. Linda will be helping/hobbling at the Super Bowling Tournament this Sunday. We want her back on the lanes throwing balls soon. Linda has great form and is a former LPBT member.
 
Congratulations again to Josh Glazer for breaking his all time high game record. This time he bowled a beautiful 266 game. Josh has only been bowling for approx. 3 months and already looks like a seasoned pro (most of the time). Great job sir.
 
Congratulations to Mike Reynolds of Pahrump who threw his first 600 series the day after my monthly visit on Jan. 27th. He bowled a 633 three-game series in league which included a 160 last game. After the first two games, it appeared he may roll his first 700 series before ever having his first 600. He almost bowled another 600 the next night after starting out with a 202 and a 201. Great bowling and thanks for the nice phone call and email.
 
Congratulations to Carol Kerlin of St. George Utah who rolled her first 200+ game in league this week. She had bowled a 221 and 223 while practicing, but had never done it in league bowling until now. Her personal best high game of 209 included 5 strikes. Carol is now averaging approx. 150 and has improved a whoppin' 25 pins in less than a year. Very good Carol.

UPDATE: On Feb. 1st, Carol rolled another 200 game that included her all time high series of 535. Carol bowled games of 174, 159, and 202. Your next assignment is to roll a 550 series. Now...BACK TO WORK!
 
The Classroom Spare Shooting Clinic was a great success. Thanks to everyone who came and participated in the spare clinic on Jan. 17th by asking questions and having fun. It's because of people like you that make coaching so enjoyable. You are in an elite field as I estimate only a small fraction of active league bowlers take lessons from a certified coach. I appreciate very much all the people who give me the opportunity to help them bowl better and always try my best to do things that I hope helps everyone accomplish this. Thanks also to those who have sent emails letting me know how much it DID help them. Even though the class went beyond our 90 minutes, I wish we could have gone another hour so that we could go over the actual spare lines one more time. However, don't be afraid to ask questions anytime and we can always continue to work on these things during any private or group lesson. Thanks also to Teri who was a huge help in setting setting up and tearing down the meeting room and did the shopping for snacks. She also baked those delicious brownies that we've become so accustomed (and addicted) to on Sunday mornings at the Gold Coast. More pix are on the Sunset picture page and we're planning to do another class fairly soon based on the many requests we've had...thank you.
 
"Learn to Bowl" is now on Facebook. Although I haven't really figured out how to use it yet...but I will. So if you use Facebook and want to stay connected there, feel free to add me to your friends list. I anticipate there will be a time when it will become more useful and practical.
 

This story came from the Saturday morning Junior Bowling League and should rank up there as possibly the "Coaching Quote of the Year". Several coaches including myself donate our time to help the junior bowlers on Saturday morning. While at Sunset Station, I was watching a young bowler who averages approx. 50 and was struggling to keep the ball on the lane, so I proceeded to go over and give him some advice in an attempt to help him knock more pins down. While I was talking to him he turned away from me so as not to listen to what I was saying.
I asked him if he wanted my help and he replied in a very shrewd tone,
"I don't need any help...I have a Wii".