Joan Taylor reports from the 12th Annual Pro Image Bowling Camp in Rockaway, N.J.
07/06/12
The 12th Annual Pro Image Bowling Camp finished up on July first in Rockaway, N.J. 25 students attended the camp at Rockaway Lanes As this was my twelfth year of coverage, I thought I'd come up with a new angle, that being to focus on the coaches themselves.
The camp itself has made some changes. In fact, every year since the first sessions were held in 2000, the program received annual "tune-ups" and modifications.
William Degnan of Rockaway throws a ball during the 12th Annual Pro Image Bowling Camp held at Rockaway Lanes, the only clinic/camp where three 'gold level' coaches were on hand to work with bowlers. Click on the image to enlarge it. Photo: Bob Karp
For one thing, this year's program was designed for a Summer Master Plan, to get the bowlers ready for the fall-winter season and any tournaments that come up as well. In concert with that was the ongoing theme of "Train Your Brain To Improve Your Game."
Of the campers, there were five females, two lefthanders, two ages 14, and one age 69. Seven were attending their first camp, while at the other end, Eric Gentilella, home from his second year of bowling at Wichita State University, was attending his sixth.
Head coach Fred Borden is 71 but you would never know it to see and hear him. He has authored or co-authored numerous instructional books and produced bowling videos. Even now, he is on the verge of finding a publisher for a new, pending volume.
Coach Fred Borden, one of three 'gold level' coaches on hand to work with bowlers during the 12th Annual Pro Image Bowling Camp. Click on the image to enlarge it. Photo: Bob Karp
There were eight coaches, which means that all campers had group and individual time repeatedly with each coach, working on separate elements of his or her game. It would be easier to suggest that you "Google" Fred to see his miles of achievements, accolades and credentials.
Along with Borden was Jeri Edwards, former head coach for Team USA (as was Fred), and currently working with Puerto Rico's national bowling team.
Of the many experiences that came back to reward Coach Edwards, she cites her "best player who has cerebral palsy." This young girl was standing at the foul line and delivering a ball when she first met Jeri. "She wanted to learn and become a better bowler. Her right side was her stronger side, and she had difficulty maintaining her balance," Edwards said. "So I worked with her game and had her bowling off the 'wrong' foot, but it was best for her.
Coach Jeri Edwards, right, congratulates Pat Latini of Philadelphia after a well thrown ball during the 12th Annual Pro Image Bowling Camp. Click on the image to enlarge it. Photo: Bob Karp
Instead of just standing at the (foul) line and throwing the ball, she now uses a four-step approach. She joined her high school (bowling) team and has had numerous 200 games. She is so brave and powerful. I learned more from her than she learned from me."
Coach John Neral came up from Virginia and took time off his Assessment Specialist job at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to coach. A former math teacher in the Oakland public schools, Neral has been affiliated with the camp for 11 of its 12 years.
He was a student the first year. "I love the sport," he said. "The teacher and the student in me come through with my coaching. I still learn from the classroom sessions as well as from the students and other coaches." Neral recently won a Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) regional title in the Southern Region.
Coach Greg Rottengen, Washington (NJ) is also a retired teacher (eighth grade science, Parsippany school system). "I like working with people. I wanted to get better with my own game so I became a coach." Currently he coaches the Warren Hills High School team and works with the youth leagues at Oakwood Lanes in Washington.
This retiree is at the bowling center five days a week. He remembered one coaching experience where he took one girl from a "conventional" grip, designed for beginners and usually lower-average bowlers, to a "fingertip" grip, used by more advanced bowlers.
She was used to gripping the conventional grip ball and so she did the same with the newly drilled fingertip grip. With her first roll, the ball went flying almost straight up and took out two ceiling tiles.
Coach John Yankanavich is from the Philadelphia area. He was a student for five camp sessions. Gold level coach and co-founder of the camp Ken Yokobosky asked John to become a coach, and with Jeri Edwards' encouragement, he went for his bronze, and later silver level certification. This was his first year as a camp coach and he couldn't decide if he is giving as much as he is getting or vice versa.
Coach Ken Yokobosky, left, works with Tyler Campbell of Egg Harbor Twp. Click on the image to enlarge it. Photo: Bob Karp
The remaining coaches were Al Jones who runs two pro shops and is our famous two-time double-lung transplant Miracle Man; and Chip Vincent who also works in two pro shops.
Somehow Borden, Yokobosky, and Edwards manage to keep their programs fresh and new every time out of the gate. To call it a Labor of Love would be more than an understatement. After three days and countless hours on the lanes you would think the campers would have been exhausted, not to mention nursing sore muscles.
But this year's group had energy and enthusiasm to spare (no pun intended). In fact, the concept of throwing a strike ball was put aside in the afternoon of Day Three in favor of a most challenging concept: to get the lowest score.
What?
Yes; each camper bowled a qualifying game in which he or she was to get the lowest amount of pins possible on 2 balls. Ideally the 7 or 10 pin would be picked off, and then the ball would be placed in the same spot, yielding a 1 for that frame.
But a gutter on the first ball counted as a strike, and on the second ball, counted as a spare. So to roll a high 40s or low 50s game was required to make it to the top six semi-finalists.
Then there was a one-ball roll-off for the two championship round bowlers. Tyler Campbell, Steve Rogers, Duane Griffiths, Robert Yancy, Dennis O'Flaherty and Jennifer Dunklin proved it was more difficult than it looked.
It was O'Flaherty and Dunklin who made it to the final game, again for low score. Camp director Ken Yokobosky set up a pair of lanes with spectator chairs lining the adjacent lanes and simulated TV lighting while he provided running commentary.
A new twist for this year was for each finalist to select a personal coach and assistant coach for the game. Jennifer emerged victorious with a 43 game over Dennis' 70. The runner-up was awarded a new bowling ball and the winner received a "scholarship" into next year's annual camp, valued at $650.
Jennifer said she was extremely nervous but used the breathing exercises she learned from the camp, in addition to controlling her timing.
For people outside the sport who assume that bowlers are on the lower side of social circles, consider that Jennifer is an IT Project Manager. Other professions aside from the high school and college students included a police detective, a nurse and some teachers.
One returning student, Roger Shell, a professional cellist from Manhattan, currently performs in the orchestra for "Sister Act" on Broadway. A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, Shell has performed in many locations and venues including music heard in advertisements.
Because he knows about performing under pressure, the camp asked him to make a presentation to the group about overcoming negativity and boosting confidence in order to deal with such pressures.
At the end of the weekend, he said, "My game got some good tweaks. Jeri (Edward) and Fred (Borden) helped my game. Fred has me rolling the ball really nicely."
Marlene Egan, a nurse from Denville, said, "These three days will help improve my average. I learned at least one new thing from each of the (eight) coaches."
After the thank-you's and e-mail exchanges, a total of 29 "happy campers" left Rockaway Lanes with new or at least sharper mental and physical games. And if you wonder if all the instruction works, it was announced that former camper Ryan Appel recently finished sixth in a PBA Regional tournament.
There are probably many more successes as well, particularly among the high school and college students.
After a short break Ken Yokobosky will start planning the thirteenth annual camp, with even more twists and changes. Jennifer Dunklin is already planning on it!
Column
Eight coaches including three gold level coaches were on hand to work with bowlers
The 12th Annual Pro Image Bowling Camp finished up on July first in Rockaway, N.J. 25 students attended the camp at Rockaway Lanes As this was my twelfth year of coverage, I thought I'd come up with a new angle, that being to focus on the coaches themselves.The camp itself has made some changes. In fact, every year since the first sessions were held in 2000, the program received annual "tune-ups" and modifications.
William Degnan of Rockaway throws a ball during the 12th Annual Pro Image Bowling Camp held at Rockaway Lanes, the only clinic/camp where three 'gold level' coaches were on hand to work with bowlers. Click on the image to enlarge it. Photo: Bob Karp
For one thing, this year's program was designed for a Summer Master Plan, to get the bowlers ready for the fall-winter season and any tournaments that come up as well. In concert with that was the ongoing theme of "Train Your Brain To Improve Your Game."
Of the campers, there were five females, two lefthanders, two ages 14, and one age 69. Seven were attending their first camp, while at the other end, Eric Gentilella, home from his second year of bowling at Wichita State University, was attending his sixth.
Head coach Fred Borden is 71 but you would never know it to see and hear him. He has authored or co-authored numerous instructional books and produced bowling videos. Even now, he is on the verge of finding a publisher for a new, pending volume.Coach Fred Borden, one of three 'gold level' coaches on hand to work with bowlers during the 12th Annual Pro Image Bowling Camp. Click on the image to enlarge it. Photo: Bob Karp
There were eight coaches, which means that all campers had group and individual time repeatedly with each coach, working on separate elements of his or her game. It would be easier to suggest that you "Google" Fred to see his miles of achievements, accolades and credentials.
Along with Borden was Jeri Edwards, former head coach for Team USA (as was Fred), and currently working with Puerto Rico's national bowling team.
Of the many experiences that came back to reward Coach Edwards, she cites her "best player who has cerebral palsy." This young girl was standing at the foul line and delivering a ball when she first met Jeri. "She wanted to learn and become a better bowler. Her right side was her stronger side, and she had difficulty maintaining her balance," Edwards said. "So I worked with her game and had her bowling off the 'wrong' foot, but it was best for her.Coach Jeri Edwards, right, congratulates Pat Latini of Philadelphia after a well thrown ball during the 12th Annual Pro Image Bowling Camp. Click on the image to enlarge it. Photo: Bob Karp
Instead of just standing at the (foul) line and throwing the ball, she now uses a four-step approach. She joined her high school (bowling) team and has had numerous 200 games. She is so brave and powerful. I learned more from her than she learned from me."
Coach John Neral came up from Virginia and took time off his Assessment Specialist job at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to coach. A former math teacher in the Oakland public schools, Neral has been affiliated with the camp for 11 of its 12 years.
He was a student the first year. "I love the sport," he said. "The teacher and the student in me come through with my coaching. I still learn from the classroom sessions as well as from the students and other coaches." Neral recently won a Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) regional title in the Southern Region.
Coach Greg Rottengen, Washington (NJ) is also a retired teacher (eighth grade science, Parsippany school system). "I like working with people. I wanted to get better with my own game so I became a coach." Currently he coaches the Warren Hills High School team and works with the youth leagues at Oakwood Lanes in Washington.
This retiree is at the bowling center five days a week. He remembered one coaching experience where he took one girl from a "conventional" grip, designed for beginners and usually lower-average bowlers, to a "fingertip" grip, used by more advanced bowlers.
She was used to gripping the conventional grip ball and so she did the same with the newly drilled fingertip grip. With her first roll, the ball went flying almost straight up and took out two ceiling tiles.Coach John Yankanavich is from the Philadelphia area. He was a student for five camp sessions. Gold level coach and co-founder of the camp Ken Yokobosky asked John to become a coach, and with Jeri Edwards' encouragement, he went for his bronze, and later silver level certification. This was his first year as a camp coach and he couldn't decide if he is giving as much as he is getting or vice versa.
Coach Ken Yokobosky, left, works with Tyler Campbell of Egg Harbor Twp. Click on the image to enlarge it. Photo: Bob Karp
The remaining coaches were Al Jones who runs two pro shops and is our famous two-time double-lung transplant Miracle Man; and Chip Vincent who also works in two pro shops.
Somehow Borden, Yokobosky, and Edwards manage to keep their programs fresh and new every time out of the gate. To call it a Labor of Love would be more than an understatement. After three days and countless hours on the lanes you would think the campers would have been exhausted, not to mention nursing sore muscles.
But this year's group had energy and enthusiasm to spare (no pun intended). In fact, the concept of throwing a strike ball was put aside in the afternoon of Day Three in favor of a most challenging concept: to get the lowest score.
What?
Yes; each camper bowled a qualifying game in which he or she was to get the lowest amount of pins possible on 2 balls. Ideally the 7 or 10 pin would be picked off, and then the ball would be placed in the same spot, yielding a 1 for that frame.
But a gutter on the first ball counted as a strike, and on the second ball, counted as a spare. So to roll a high 40s or low 50s game was required to make it to the top six semi-finalists.
Then there was a one-ball roll-off for the two championship round bowlers. Tyler Campbell, Steve Rogers, Duane Griffiths, Robert Yancy, Dennis O'Flaherty and Jennifer Dunklin proved it was more difficult than it looked.
It was O'Flaherty and Dunklin who made it to the final game, again for low score. Camp director Ken Yokobosky set up a pair of lanes with spectator chairs lining the adjacent lanes and simulated TV lighting while he provided running commentary.
A new twist for this year was for each finalist to select a personal coach and assistant coach for the game. Jennifer emerged victorious with a 43 game over Dennis' 70. The runner-up was awarded a new bowling ball and the winner received a "scholarship" into next year's annual camp, valued at $650.
Jennifer said she was extremely nervous but used the breathing exercises she learned from the camp, in addition to controlling her timing.
For people outside the sport who assume that bowlers are on the lower side of social circles, consider that Jennifer is an IT Project Manager. Other professions aside from the high school and college students included a police detective, a nurse and some teachers.
One returning student, Roger Shell, a professional cellist from Manhattan, currently performs in the orchestra for "Sister Act" on Broadway. A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, Shell has performed in many locations and venues including music heard in advertisements.
Because he knows about performing under pressure, the camp asked him to make a presentation to the group about overcoming negativity and boosting confidence in order to deal with such pressures.
At the end of the weekend, he said, "My game got some good tweaks. Jeri (Edward) and Fred (Borden) helped my game. Fred has me rolling the ball really nicely."
Marlene Egan, a nurse from Denville, said, "These three days will help improve my average. I learned at least one new thing from each of the (eight) coaches."
After the thank-you's and e-mail exchanges, a total of 29 "happy campers" left Rockaway Lanes with new or at least sharper mental and physical games. And if you wonder if all the instruction works, it was announced that former camper Ryan Appel recently finished sixth in a PBA Regional tournament.
There are probably many more successes as well, particularly among the high school and college students.
After a short break Ken Yokobosky will start planning the thirteenth annual camp, with even more twists and changes. Jennifer Dunklin is already planning on it!
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