Home club – Milwaukee Lake Park Lawn Bowls Club
When and where did you first start bowling?
I first saw the game being played while I was on a stroll through Lake Park soon after moving to Milwaukee. I was encouraged to try the game and took the lawn bowling club up on their offer of free lessons on Wednesday evenings in the summer of 2006.
What do you like about lawn bowling? What keeps you coming back?
I like that lawn bowling is played outdoors, requires skill and strategy, has varying levels of competition, and does not hurt my knees. I keep coming back because I like the challenge of each game and really enjoy the camaraderie of the other lawn bowlers.
What brand and model of bowls do you use?
I use Henselite bowls, size 3. They seem to have a standard bias. After qualifying to go to the US National Championships in 2007, I was informed I needed to have “legal” bowls and so this set was loaned to me and later gifted.
What size lawn bowls do you use? – See above
How many sets of bowls do you presently own?
I own one set.
What type of grip do you use? (finger-tip, claw, palm, other)
I suppose I use a finger-tip grip?
How do you initially select your line? (point on bank, spot on green, shoulder-arc of bowl, overall visualization of green, other)
I first watch other people’s bowls to get a general sense of the line and then pick a point on the bank. If I can find a spot on the green, I will use that, too, but not all greens have spots in places I need them.
What game do you prefer to play and why? (i.e. singles-pairs-triples-fours)
I prefer pairs, then singles, then triples. I have never played nor seen fours. There are a number of factors in my reasoning, including my sense of mental engagement, cushion for errant bowls, speed of the game, and player interaction during the game.
What is your goal during trial ends?
I try to figure out my line and the speed of the greens.
In singles, do you usually take the mat or give it away?
I usually take the mat.
In a clutch situation, are you more likely to draw or drive? (assuming both shots could work)
I am more likely to draw.
What self-talk/mantras do you use during a game?
I tell my arm to swing in the line my eyes are seeing.
Do you prefer whites or colored attire for tournament play?
I don’t have a preference for whites or colored attire. As an observer, I like the way it looks when everybody is wearing the same/similar attire.
Which is your favorite bowling green in US?
Lake Park in Milwaukee, WI
What one rule of the game would you like to see changed?
Length of shorts < 2 inches above the knees. I think shorter shorts should be allowed.
What else would you like people to know about you?
The St. Louis Cardinals baseball team rocks! Also, I have the most loving cat in the world. She is a Russian Blue and her name is Gwenny.
List your major lawn bowling accomplishments
2010 – Team USA, North American Challenge
2007, 2008, and 2009 – US National Championships, Central Division qualifier
