| My 2007 Petersen Classic Bowling Tournament Fred Matson PAGE INDEX | PICTURES |
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| On April 30, 2007 I traveled with my bowling buddies and bowled the Petersen Classic for the 15th time. I came well prepared, notice the shoe coverings and waistguard. I knew before by picture was taken that I should put my right foot on the mark on the carpet and tip my hat back. Little knowledge was applied well after that. I came into this tournament with a prior 3-year composite league average of 186 per game. My high average this last year in one of two leagues was 194. My score at the 8-game Petersen Classic this year was 1253. That is a 156 average! 143 points below by high series some years ago, 1396. But that is the nature of this beast of a tournament. It can bring anyone to his or her knees. That is also the beauty of the tournament. It is a real test of skill, both bowling and mind control! High and low average bowlers all compete without handicap for 1st prize estimated at $25,000. And there are many other ways to win based on average, high game, doubles and team and such. Check the Petersen Classic link and then their Current Standings. Here are my scores for the 8 games: 134, 169, 145, 141, 213, 157, 131 and 163. Total score is 1253, a 156 average. You bowl on sixteen bowling lanes, each game on a separate pair of lanes. My first game was 134. No practice shots are allowed in this tournament. For three of the games I had 95 or more in the 5th frame (half-way). I was on a roll. I scored 141, 157 and 131. It is humbling. I cruised in the 213 game, stringing some strikes to overcome some foolish spare errors, on a 240 pace early on. Different weight bowling pins, offset placements and oily and very dry lane conditions mixed are part of the reason I missed spares. Only the best (I don't necessarily mean bowling average best) can overcome these conditions. I am not yet the best. For not much more than $10 per line bowled for the base entry fee, there is no better bowlilng tournament. Add a few dollars and you can participate in all sorts of side events. Bowl good and you can win big. Arrange to Bowl and check all scores of the Petersen Classic held at AMF Hoffman Bowling, just west of Chicago in Hoffman Estates this and every summer.. Return to "Fred Matson, Author of Sort and Sort of a Bowler page: Fred Matson 4, 6 May 2007 |