The Tribune

WITH two days of competition under their belt, Team Bahamas, if you just look at the scores bowled, is not faring well at the 2019 World Bowling Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada.

However, coach Tyrone Knowles, who heads the delegation, has a positive and different perspective on the seemingly sub-par performance of the team.

Based on the scores, press spokesperson Clayton Gardiner sent a voice note to him expressing "some concerns" about the scores bowled after two days of competition.

In his response, not at all seeking to defend the 'cellar' scores, but understanding that 50 per cent of the four-member Bahamas team happens to be freshman bowlers on the international stage.

Now, this does not necessarily give Cheryl Bevans and Santa Kerr-Richardson a 'pass' but his response (to PR director Clayton Gardiner) helps to explain (and put in context) why we (the Bahamas) have to still stay positive in light of the scores.

Burnside and Culmer are better bowlers than their scores indicate and he believes that all the bowlers will improve on their performances in the trios competition set for Monday at the South Point and Lanes in Las Vegas in the great state of Nevada.

With about 38 countries represented and over 172 bowling athletes on the 'lanes', there may have been some jitters the first couple of days but he believes that day 3 will see some improved scoring by the ladies.

In bowling, strikes are what you 'aim' for, but sparing is the key. Again, this is one of the 'takeaways' the ladies acknowledged and they (the female bowlers) have a new outlook, new disposition about the game and hopefully this (new found outlook) will manifest itself for the remainder of these championships, but more importantly, for future international competition.

According to Knowles, who is also president of the Bahamas Bowling Federation, competition is "stiff and fierce."

The girls (now) see the level of competition and what is required to raise their game. They understand that the Bahamas needs more work if we want to be a force in the sport of bowling, Knowles said.

Bernice Lim (Singapore) led the scoring in squad 1 ( day 1-singles) of competition with a whopping 6 games total of 1,354 pins, which translates into a 225.67 average.

Also bowling in that squad were Burnside and Bevans. They mowed down the pins with total scores of 959 for Burnside and 921 for Bevans respectively.

Burnside finished 83rd and Bevans placed 85th in squad 1. These pinfalls converted to a 159 average for Burnside and 151 average for Bevans.

In squad 2 on day 1 of the singles, Culmer and Kerr-Richardson got their first taste of competition. Culmer amassed 964 pins over six games for an average of 160 for 75th place.

Kerr-Richardson finished the 1st day with a total of 788 pins. Her average was 131 for six games for 83rd place in squad 2.

On Sunday, "challenges" continued for Team Bahamas.

In squad 1 of the doubles competition, the team of Bevans and Kerr-Richardson was able to average just 146.11. Bevans shot 903 total pins over six games, while Kerr-Richardson's total pins equalled 851. That's a 150.50 average for Bevans and a 141.83 average for Kerr-Richardson on day 2. They finished 42nd out of a field of 46 teams in that particular squad. South Korea qualified 1st with bowlers Hyerin Son and Yeonji Lee, who blasted the pins for 1,377 and 1,352 respectively.

Son averaged 229.5 for her six game block whereas Lee was close behind with 225.33. When combined, their average was a solid 227.42.

Later Sunday), squad 2 took to the lanes. In the field of bowlers were the Bahamas combination of Burnside and Culmer. There were 44 teams in their squad. "The scoring woes continued and the Bahamas finished 41st with a combined total pins of 1,856. Culmer did not have a good day 2. 870 over six games on day 2 had to be disappointing for her. That's an average of 145 over six games. She is better than that. Burnside contributed 986 ( 164.33 avg.) to the team effort, but again she would be the first to admit that that score is not reflective of her skills as a bowler.

Their combined average was 154.67. Columbia's Rocio Restrepo and Maria Rodriquez led all bowlers in squad 2. Their combined score was 2,758 total pins. Restrepo averaged 230.17 and Rodriquez was not far behind with a 229.50 six games average. Their combined average was 229.83.

So, as a bowling community, we cannot retreat. There is still work to be done.

Day 3 provides a new opportunity. A new hope. A new purpose. A fresh start.

Knowles will have to decide which three individuals will bowl together for our best showing in trios. Again, he feels like the scores will improve. He has not lost confidence in his team. Knowles said that despite the low scores, the team remains positive and in good spirits.

Can they hit their stride on day 3? Well, that question took centre stage as trios got underway yesterday.

The bowling community and the Bahamas at large will be watching and we certainly wish them well. Go team Bahamas.

Do well.