Hey everyone!
Even though I just found this post, I had to add my 2 cents worth...and I am used to people giving me evils over my opinions!
I have been bowling since the age of 5. This means that I have been bowling for quite some time. Since that time, bowling has cost my family and I a great deal of money, and in the past I used to bowl in lots of tournaments for very little in prizemoney. I can actually remember bowling in a tournament where I lost money by winning it!
Since then, I have cut back the tournaments because of the costs mainly. Transport, accommodation, bowling fees and food at the bowling centres... it is just not worth it if you don't win everything you enter! I truly believe that certain bowlers are recognised more than others - there should be incentives for loyal bowlers - because otherwise people will tire of this sport very quickly.
I have considered giving up this sport in frustration because it often feels like you are not valued if you are not part of a select few who bowl every day. I know I am not alone in thinking this. The bowlers who consistently bowl every week, every league, every year get jack all in return! After all, these bowlers also support this sport, like those bowlers who travel throughout the state and country.
If you add up the costs (which seems to be the bottom line) you often are very surprised... eg. bowling in a league at the moment:
$24 for 3 games x 40 weeks = $960 per league
and that's WITHOUT practice games!
I know bowling is a expensive sport for a once a week league bowler, but what about the people who go in other tournaments (without sponsors)? I'd hate to think about how much they spend!
I have other sports, and don't come close to the money spent on bowling. Someone mentioned it is only $10 to register for the year - yes, but you still have to pay every week!
I don't know what can be done to save this sport, but somehow costs must be cut - because otherwise the social bowlers will also stop coming... my mates used to have social games on a Saturday night, but at
$14.50 a game, who would?
And I'm not sure if certain bowlers will get annoyed at this, but many people who I know have came up to me and ask me because they know I bowl "Are all bowlers really that up themselves?" I will leave that right there.
Sorry bout the ranting and raving, but hey someone has to say it (don't shoot the messenger
), and maybe there is more to the problem than just tournaments if the social bowlers associate this sport with people like that
After all, it is the social bowlers that build the sport by joining leagues in the first place!
Food for thought...