07/18/2024
Just a quick (maybe) message to all the young bowlers out there who competed at Junior Gold this week. When youre fortunate enough to earn a spot to compete at Junior Gold, you know a few truths before you come out to bowl.
1. Itās a long week and a lot of driving around.
2. You will be bowling a lot.
3. The oil patterns are the most difficult youāve likely ever faced.
4. The competition is the very best in junior bowling.
5. It is a test of your bowling ability, but more important your mental or emotional ability to handle the ups and downs.
The last point is the one that that Iād like to focus on. Knowing all of the other factors listed, it is your mental ability that will allow you to figure out the patterns, make adjustments, learn from your mistakes, as well as handle anything that gets thrown at you. You have to be your own best friend on the lanes. Getting too angry, too happy with yourself, or too down in the dumps will not lift you or your scores to winning heights. There is no more important gift that you can give yourself than to remain in control of your emotions. This will allow you to be relaxed, observant of whatās going on around you, and to remain under control when you need to perform. Too often I see kids and adults alike that beat themselves up over the silliest things and take themselves out of competition. Each shot is an opportunity to learn and treating it as such will take you way farther than treating each shot as a success or failure. There is no success or failure, just learning opportunities that add up to a result. If itās not the result you want, then you have to learn more.
Iām very proud of all of our competitors from Howell Lanes that came out to give it their best. Congratulations to those that make the first cut and letās go out there and do our very best tomorrow with no excuses! Learn from each shot and be your own best friend out there! Itās supposed to be a challenge, but enjoy it and take from it what it gives you whether itās a trophy, some scholarship, or a learning opportunity. Those are all valuable as you move on to your future events!! Good luck to everyone!!