PRO-AM

It's not often I get to associate with professional athletes of any stripe. I'm not a sports reporter, and there aren't any professional sports teams in our little corner of Oregon. But there is exactly one professional sporting event, The Earl Anthony Medford Classic. And in case you didn't know, that's a pro bowling tournament. And as fate would have it, our station is a sponsor. And that means I got to participate in the tournament... the pro-am part of it, anyway.

The pro-am teams pro bowlers and people who are really bad at bowling. I fell into the "really bad at" category. But despite my utter lack of talent, I had quite a bit of fun at the event.

Perhaps the coolest thing was seeing a professional sport that hasn't gotten too big for it's own good. Fans were free to walk up to their favorite players, ask for an autograph, and even have a short chat. I was most surprised by the number of young kids who clearly had their favorite bowlers. Bowling never struck me as a sport kids followed, but I'm clearly wrong.

Now I know some of you are snickering at the idea of bowlers at athletes. I must admit, I may have been among the snickering classes just a few months ago. But after bowling three games in a row, well, I've had to change my tune. That's tiring, it really is. My arms, wrist, and shoulders were quite sore after I was done. And that was after three games. The pros play 7 in some days. I shall never mock a pro bowler again.

That's all for tonight. Baby pictures this weekend, and maybe even a return to Faroe Island trivia... assuming I can find any.