Last year, I was one of six bowlers from Sea Bowl to participate in the Junior Gold tournament, which is the single biggest tournament for youth bowlers all across the country.

In order to qualify for the tournament, which takes place usually the second week of July, you have to win a spot either through a league or another tournament. Junior Gold spans over an entire week, with the field of almost 2,000 bowlers competing on three different oil patterns. At the end of the week, the top five boys and girls, along with two more of each that coaches pick, make Team USA for the next year. There is a huge amount of pressure. I remember I breathed a huge sigh of relief after I got a spare in my very first shot of the tournament.

The first couple of days are practice, which is a huge help. This is the time to try out all of your different bowling balls and lanes to play. After practice, you have time to sightsee and relax with your friends. Last year, when the tournament was held just outside of Detroit, Michigan, in Auburn Hills, I got to see the Chrysler Museum and Hitsville USA, where I was taken on a tour of the Motown studio. The rest of the time was pretty much spent just bowling, playing cards, and swimming.

The tournament is really tough, both physically and mentally. You have to bowl six games on each of the different oil patterns. On the first day you bowl six games on the cheetah pattern, which is the shortest pattern. The second day you throw on the chameleon, which is a medium length of oil and the one I found to be the most difficult. Finally, on the final day you face the shark pattern, which is the longest pattern. After each game, you have to move eight pairs to your right, which makes it even harder to consistently score the same because by the time you have one pair of lanes figured out you have to move. It was also tiring carrying all of my equipment all over the bowling alley.

The tournament is unlike anything else out there. You are competing against the best bowlers in America and you are bowling with people you have never seen before. This was a good thing because I got to meet some people who I have a lot in common with. You also learn new things, not only from the conditions of the tournament, but also from watching the styles of the myriad other bowlers you are surrounded by.

Bowling is a sport that many people tend to overlook. Very few people take it seriously, and some people don’t even consider it a sport. What people don’t realize is just how big bowling actually is. Not only is it the number one recreational sport in America, but it also has numerous tournaments all over the country, such as Junior Gold, for people who are really serious about bowling to participate in.

This year, Junior Gold will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana, beginning on July 11. As of the time of this writing, I have not won a spot, but I still have two more chances. Junior Gold last year was such a fun and amazing experience, and I am praying with all my heart that I can manage to once again be a part of it.