BOWLING
The financial commitment it takes to compete on a PBA regional tour has always put a strain on the professional bowlers still working their way up to the national spotlight.
From equipment to travel to entry fees, participating on a full-time basis presents challenges that are only magnified by the current economic climate.
The situation has grown dire enough that the PBA South Region has had to drop or relocate a couple recent events.
“You used to be able to go to a tournament and count on making a few dollars,” said Mariner Lanes pro shop owner and PBA South Tour member Jason Mahr. “Now you’re taking a chance even going.”
In spite of this, Hernando County will still have its taste of the PBA, as Spring Hill Lanes hosts the 21st annual Spring Hill Open this weekend.
On Friday, the pro-am tournament will take place across four sessions (12:30, 3:30, 6 and 8:30 p.m.), allowing participants to partner with the pros in a 9-pin no-tap format.
The entry fee is $30 ($25 for seniors, $17 for juniors), and Spring Hill Lanes co-owner George Martins said he has not seen a decline in sign-ups.
He actually indicated a rise in out-of-town entires, attributing that to the exposure from the Florida State Bowling Association Championship Tournament held at Spring Hill and Mariner Lanes April 25-July 5.
“I think with us having a long tradition of having (the pros) come here and it’s always around the same time of year, I think we have a lot of repeat people,” Martins said. “Along with new entries that come in from us having the state tournament, that’s made up for some locals not coming this year.”
The actual pro tournament will take place across Saturday and Sunday, with the head-to-head TV-style final set for sometime Sunday afternoon.
This year the field won’t include the big names that have shown up in the past, thanks to the coinciding start of the new PBA World Series of Bowling at the Motor City Open in Taylor, Mich.
Still, PBA South Region Manager Harry O’Neale rattled off a list of accomplished former regional champions expected to attend.
That includes Wesley Chapel resident Tom Daugherty, the defending champ of this tournament who also won in 2006.
Local storylines
This year’s event may not have the star power it did two years ago, when national standouts Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Patrick Allen took part, but it doesn’t lack for intriguing local storylines.
In the 2007 tournament, Mahr authored a script fit for Hollywood, going toe-to-toe with bowlers who usually perform in front of ESPN cameras en route to his first regional title.
This weekend the lanes will be dressed with the same Cheetah oil pattern utilized then, a shot on which the hard-throwing Mahr has had consistent success.
“I’m really not trying to have any preconceived expectations,” Mahr said. “Obviously I’d like to win, but I don’t want to put any extra pressure on me to match that performance.
“I do expect to go far, but things happen. I’ll just try to keep a clear head, bowl good on Saturday and hopefully make it to Sunday. Just one step at a time.”
Mahr has cutback on his regional appearances recently, concentrating more on learning the craft of drilling bowling balls. He ranks 48th in the point standings, having bowled in four events.
Yet at 27 and with a few years in the pro-shop business under his belt, he brings more experience and knowledge to the lanes than he did in 2007.
“It’s been two years,” Mahr said. “I’m a little older, a little smarter. I’ve learned a lot more about the game.
“If I were to win again, it’d be bittersweet. I really want to excel my game on other patterns. But a win’s a win. At the same time, it wouldn’t be as rewarding unless it was on a different pattern.”
He admits he’ll have part of his focus on other local bowlers in the tournament who he regularly helps out, particularly 15-year-old Anthony Caso.
Caso finished third behind Rich Garner and Jay Tinkham in last Sunday’s sweeper, good enough to qualify the young Spring Hill resident for this weekend’s festivities.
“I’m pretty excited about it. I didn’t expect to get into the top three,” Caso said. “…I came in with no expectations I tried to bowl good, maybe get top 10 and have a decent showing.”
As a youth bowler, any winnings he receives will go directly into a college fund. Caso shot a 300 and bowled a county youth record 813 series during the winter season.
Mahr, the only person to roll at 300 at Mariner Lanes at a younger age than Caso, bowled in his first regional tournament at age 14 and has tried to impart some wisdom on Caso this week.
“My first year, I bowled with Norm Duke. That was a nerve-racking experience,” Mahr said. “I was partially star-struck. I was worried about doing the lane courtesy correctly. I was not focusing on the task at hand. That’s what I’ve been preparing Anthony for. I think he’ll be OK.
“…Anthony has got a great mental game. He doesn’t let things bother him as far as attitude, temper. He’s head and shoulder above a lot of kids his age already.”
Caso conceded to some nervousness, but is mostly just looking forward to the opportunity.
“This weekend, I know it’s going to be a lot tougher,” Caso said. “The competition is so much tougher. I’m looking to keep even (at 200) or go plus every game. If I make it to Sunday, great. I’ve got nothing to lose. I’ll just try to bowl good.”
Spring Hill Open Champions
– Compiled by CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.
Year Winner Hometown
1989 D.B. Van Horn Atlanta, Ga.
1990 Jeff Bellinger Columbia, S.C.
1991 Mark Salka Tampa, Fl.
1992 Joe Viscomi New London, N.C.
1993 Bob Handley Tampa, Fl.
1994 Jason Couch Clermont, Fl.
1995 Darin Hays Tampa, Fl.
1996 Darin Hays Tampa, Fl.
1997 Jason Couch Clermont, Fl.
1998 Steve Hoskins Tampa, Fl.
1999 Darin Hays Tampa, Fl.
2000 Darin Hays Tampa, Fl.
2001 Don DuPree Fort Walton Beach, Fl.
2002 Walter Ray Williams Jr. Ocala, Fl.
2003 Roger Bowker Ocala, Fl.
2004 Ritchie Allen Columbia, S.C.
2005 Gary Morgan Atlanta, Ga.
2006 Tom Daugherty Wesley Chapel, Fl.
2007 Jason Mahr Spring Hill, Fl.
2008 Tom Daugherty Wesley Chapel, Fl.
