Well ,  it's been awhile again since my last blog,  sorry about that.

 The year started off pretty well, finishing 9th at the Masters.  I was able to play up the lane and carry the pins pretty well.  Was bowling well, going 3-0 in match play, then I ran into Sean Rash.  He bowled very well and sent me to the losers bracket.  There I had another surprise waiting for me,  Walter Ray.  He ended my run at 9th.  Both Sean Rash and Walter Ray made the TV telecast that week.

The 2nd week we were in Taylor, Mi. Again I was able to play out.  I was plugging right along, taking care of business until I bowled on 21-22 in the night block.  I never struck on 21 and bowled 148.  I had 3 games left, so I regrouped and figured I need about 750 to make the cut.  I bowled 746 or so and just missed.  

 The 3rd week took us to the Buffalo area.  You could pretty much play were you wanted as scores were very high.  I played straight and up the lane of course.  I made match play, qualifying in the 20's someplace.  I face Ken Simard.  I knew I had to get him early, before the lanes opened up for him and he could get comfortable.  I had him 3-0.  In the 4th game, I needed a double in the 10th to win, I left a 4 pin.  Ken jumped all over me at that point.  He bowled 265 and 279 to quickly even the match at 3-3.  The last game was close.  We both were hitting the pocket.  Ken doubled in the 10th to beat me and take the match 4-3.

 Week 4 we headed to Merrillville.  I have had nice runs in Hammond, but this was the other bowling center.  We don't bowl on wood that often, so it was going to be a little different.  Scores were lower due to the fact that we didn't have the hold to the left that we had seen in previous weeks.  Also ,  going from pair to pair was an adventure.  Going straight was going to be better this week, lucky me.  I qualified in a tie with Chris Barnes and Todd Book.  Kind of funny that all 3 of us made the show.  All of my matches were close on Friday.  They all could have went either way, but I was fortunate to advance to the tv finals.  I bowled Todd Book the first game, which was a good break for me. He was nervous, who wouldn't be on your first tv show.  I made a few mistakes and it almost cost me the game, but again was fortunate enough to get past Book.  Wes Malott defeated Chris Barnes, so it was Big Wes in the final match.  I had trouble with the right lane in the semifinal, so I switched balls ( nighthawk pearl ) and it smoothed out the right lane for me.  I also felt that the left lane was hooking a bit more, so I switched to a different ball on that lane as well ( Shiny Heist ).  We both bowled well, but Wes bowled a better game.  I was again fortunate when Wes left the 10 pin standing in the 10th.  That meant that I had won the title.  I can't even describe the feeling when I realized I had won.  All I can say is I hope every bowler who dreams of winning a title, gets to experience that.  It's unbelievable.  

Joy Esterson captured the women's title in an exciting roll off.  She tied with Liz Johnson.  Both players struck out in the 10th to force the tie.  In the roll off,  Joy struck on her first ball, and Liz knocked down 7.  Congrats to Joy.

I am in Vernon Hills now, getting ready for this weeks event.  We also have Thanksgiving this week.  I'll try to write more often,  but I can't tell you how quickly time flies out here.

Haugen