I can understand where everyone is coming from. Yes, you should still be proud of shooting a 300 game. For many, it's still a once in a lifetime accomplishment. Something that can never be topped, as 300 is still the highest possible score. But please put in some perspective. Many 300's are not the result of a skilled player having a great night, or a once in a lifetime bit of luck. What this sport has become, is a game of being in the right place at the right time with the right ball. No need to bowl a hundred games a week for year and years, honing your skills until you can repeat shots better that the next guy. In today's bowling, you only need to have a fair amount of 'hand' or the latest and greatest reactive resin bowling ball, and leave the rest up to you local bowling alley proprietor/technician, who ultimately decides whether or not the lanes are conducive to high scoring.
In the 20 year period 1963 through 1982 there were a total of 54 recognised 300 games bowled in Australia.
Since the arrival of wickless oiling technology in Australia, in the period of 8 years spanning 1999-2007 over 1,700 recognised 300 games were bowled in Australia
Who is to blame for this disintegration of our "sport" The answer is simple. EVERYONE!
I am, you are, your proprietor is, your technician is, The Kegel Company is, Brunswick, AMF, Columbia, Track....every last company, organisation and person involved in bowling is equally responsible for this travesty.
Unfortunately it's too late to revert back to the "good old days", But let's not dismiss the history of this sport by saying a 300 is a 300 is a 300. Because deep down inside, we should all understand that it's a different, much easier game that we play today. One that is exponentially different than the sport that the pioneers of bowling played many years ago.
