Local rollers learn from sport's best teachers
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 7, 2011 1:48 PM
Clarke Hill can't wait to do it again.
An avid bowler who has rolled several 300 games during his career, Hill and Turbo Grip co-hosted a Lane Play and Ball Motion Clinic this past weekend at the AMF Boulevard Lanes.
The 31/2-hour class drew 20 participants ranging in age from 9- to 85-years-old. Guest lecturer Bob Learn Jr., a former Pro Bowlers Association champion, conducted a one-hour classroom slideshow. Learn, along with 16-time PBA champion Jason Couch, served as instructors for 21/2 hours of on-lane training.
Bowlers learned about the different parts of the oil-slickened lane and what the ball should be doing while it rolls toward the pins. Hill explained a bowler deals with a "skid, hook and roll" each time they release the ball.
"Bob and Jason taught approaches, hand position and most important, timing," said Hill, the owner of King Pin Pro Shop. "It was a great clinic and we plan to do it again, but we haven't set a date. We would like to have a different coach ... maybe Jason Belmonte, who couldn't attend this time due to a previous engagement."
Belmonte, who hails from Australia, is considered one of the world's top ten-pin bowlers. Couch is ranked 24th among the PBA's top 50 rollers of all-time.
-- RUDY COGGINS