Bowling Senior Tour - Champions Q&A Part 2

bowlingball.com continues presenting Editorial articles by featuring interviews with Senior Pro Tour Champions recently competing at the South Point Bowling Center in Las Vegas in the 2013 USBC Senior Masters Tournament.

While in Las Vegas recently to cover the Senior USBC Masters Tournament, I had a chance to catch up four select PBA Champions and ask each the same three questions separate from one another. This article is the 2nd in a three Part Series where the four Champion Bowlers are asked a question separately, the same question, with all four responses appearing below.

It was very tempting to only interview the most select “Star Players” on the tour for these interviews. Players such as eventual Senior Masters Champion, Pete Weber. I thought perhaps asking other select players with well-rounded bowling careers might serve us best in getting thoughtful and insightful answers to these questions. Hopefully leading readers to some very useful information.

The four Champions selected were Ron Winger, Barry Asher, John Petraglia, and Randy Pedersen.

Ron Winger, 5 time PBA Senior Tour Champion, was chosen because of his 50 plus years as a competitive professional bowler and because he is likely the most productive Senior Player over the age 70 today.

Barry Asher, a 10 time PBA Tour Titleist and PBA Hall of Fame Player, was selected because he was regarded as one of the best pure players the game has known. Also because he is active in the industry today as a proprietor of a full-service Pro Shop in Fountain Valley, California.

John Petraglia, a PBA Hall of Fame Player, was selected because of his impressive longevity and he has been a former multiple-time President of the PBA, has 14 career PBA National Titles plus several Senior Tour titles to his credit. He has won the Triple Crown of Bowling, and is the only man in history to win PBA Titles in six decades.

Randy Pedersen was chosen because he has insight into the game from two perspectives, as a PBA Hall of Fame Player and a Champion on the Senior Tour in addition to being the TV Analyst for ESPN on PBA Tour Telecasts.

All four players were asked the same three questions as previously indicated. The 2nd question I asked each player is as follows:

“What is the best thing successful Tour Players do that other bowlers do not?”

Here are the four responses to this question:

Winger - “Moving our sighting target a variety of distances up or down the lane to control ball skid distance. These lane adjustments are in conjunction with lateral moves side-to-side on the lanes. The other thing all good Tour Players do is control their ball speed.”

Asher - “Three things come to mind - balance, footwork, and consistent grip pressure. All top players in any era maintain good balance when walking to the liner and delivering the bowling ball. Good footwork and good balance work together and are vital to long range success. Gripping the ball properly and not over gripping the ball causing errant deliveries is the other important thing Tour Players do best.”

Petraglia - “Make spares. Top Tour Players know how to grind on tough lane conditions and realize it is imperative to fill every frame. Good spare shooting is something every amateur bowler should strive for and master.”

Pedersen - “The best Tour Players get their feet moving so they can generate good ball speed. Great bowlers have a great swings. If amateur players could work on anything it would be to develop an effective swing and to match the pace of the feet to that swing.”

These four Champions refer to good balance and effective footwork as essential keys to success. Developing and owning a good swing is also important for success. Each of these tips are related to physical game fundamentals.

Proper use of sighting adjustments and a good spare shooting system are other tips we received from our Champions.

It is clear that none of the tips from these players are anything new or are secret information. These players identify the keys to being successful and never take them for granted. They always go back to fundamentals when they are tuning their games and rely on good swing, footwork and balance basics when in competition.

If any of you feel you are lacking with good swing mechanics or footwork and balance techniques, it is essential you consult an experienced bowling instructor to work on these keys to success. There are really no short cuts to winning. Preparation and sound physical game skills are the answer.

Be sure to look for the next in our three part series where our same four professionals respond to the next question we prepared.

Thank you.

Rich Carrubba

bowlingball.com