It Took These Guys Over Two Years, But Areo Dynamic Finally Came Together To Claim Champion Of Champions Event.
The Annual Mesa Metropolitan Team Tournament Was Held On July 17-19 At Beeline Bowl In Payson. 46 Teams Participated This Year
By Michael 'Chip' Begg-Managing Editor The TenPinExpress.Com.-Director Mesa Metro Association
Payson, Arizona - - - When we think of Payson, Arizona. We think of a small conuntry town that is located about two hours north of Mesa, on the Beeline Highway.
When we think of Payson. We think of a small country town that is nestled in the Mogollon Rim with an elevation of 5,000 feet. The Rim itself, is a 200 mile long escarpment, that rises to 7,000 feet.
When we think of Payson. We think of a small country town that is known as 'The Event Capital of Arizona'. It is home to the world's oldest and continuous rodeo that was established in 1884. It is also home to the Beeline Cruise-N-Car Show, and the Payson Mountain High Games.
When we think of Payson. We also think of the Mazatzal Hotel and Casino that conveniently welcomes vistors into town on Highway 87, at mile marker 251.
When the Mesa Metropolitan Association (MMA), thinks of Payson. It thinks of its annual Champion of Champions event that was held at Beeline Bowl during the weekend of July 16-18. This past year the tournament drew 46 teams that made the two hour trip north, to escape the summer heat in the Valley.
When: John Arleo, Bobby Borland, Nick Borland, Kyle Howard, and Barry Smith think of Payson, and Beeline Bowl. It will always be remembered as a bowling center where they won their first tournament together as a team.
"The team has been bowling together as a team for three years, and this is our third full season together. We also bowl on other leagues together, but on seperate teams. Some of us have been bowling on the same leagues for almost six years. We met bowling on the same leagues together," said team captain Kyle Howard, on how these five guys came together as a team. "Bobby and Nick,John and Kyle bowled on a team. And Barry bowled on a team. All on the same league.
"Nick and Bobby also bowled along with Barry and other friends on another league. Kyle and John started bowling subs, but slowly more of a regular bowler on the team," he added. "We have developed a good friendship over the last several years. Sharing the same interests and having similar competitive nature has created a friendship that extends beyond the bowling center. We do things in other areas. We play golf together, have parties together, and go to sporting events."
As far as their occupations are concerned. Kyle is an insurance claims adjuster. Bobby and John are IT Techs. Nick is a student. And Barry is a mechanic at Flipside Lanes. Having a mechanic on your team is a big help, when it comes to figuring out a lane pattern.
"Our team tends to break the lanes down pretty quickly. Recognizing the lane transition is often tough. We help each other out to identify when moves need to be made, or ball changes are needed," said Kyle, on some of the shots they bowl on in the Valley. "We have come to learn each others game pretty well. So, we can make tips and suggestions to help each other out when one of us is struggling. And, even if one is having an off night, there is a very good chance that one of us will be having a great night that helps. We pick each other up very well."
Nick, Bobby, Barry, and Kyle bowl on Tuesday Night at Brunswick Mesa on the same team. Nick, Bobby, Barry bowl on one team. And Kyle and John bowl on another team on Thursday night at Flipside Lanes. Nick, Bobby, Kyle bowl together on a team on Friday at Brunswick Gilbert. While Barry bowls on Monday at Mesa East and on Wednesday at Brunswick Mesa.
"Bowling at different houses teaches you how to adjust to different conditions, and no one house is the same. Each provides different challenges from lane conditions to house environment which challenge you in many different ways," said Kyle, on bowling in a different center each night. "By bowling at different houses, you learn how to adjust to conditions and learn how to maintain focus in different environments that each house and different leagues create."
So, now enter Beeline Bowl. Formerly known as Rim Country Lanes, it is a 16 lane privately owned bowling center. It features Brunswick pinsetters, and the Brunswick 2000 automatic scoring system. It also has synthetic lanes, and includes a bar and snack bar.
"This tournament provides a nice get-a-way for a weekend. It is more than just showing up at a local house for a few hours. This is a nice older house. Its a smaller house that is different than most bowling centers we bowl at more regularly," said Kyle, of Beeline Bowl. "They have made some nice improvements at this house in the last few years. In the past, we experienced many equipment failures. But, these were limited this last year."
They bowled together as a team on the last squad of the tournament, but had a chance to figure out the shot prior to bowling together as a unit.
"A couple of us had the opportunity to bowl on prior squads with other teams. So, we had some knowledge of what the lanes were likely to be like going into our squad," said the captain, on bowling on the final squad. "We did a very good job during practice in breaking the lanes down trying to create a good line for us.
"We felt we had a good chance to win the event, even before we arrived for the weekend. We have the ability to put up some high scores if each of us is on our game," he added. "By the middle of the second game, we knew we were on a pace that could win. We were all bowling very well. We broke the lanes down together to help each other out. And, we were all pretty relaxed and having fun. When we are relaxed and having fun, it tends to lead to success tor the team."
And, they say, they could not have had the success in Payson, without the support of their wives and girl friends.
"All of us have been bowling for a long time. So, family members are familiar with our love for bowling and provide the support for that," said Kyle, who also won an ABT event in 2014. And an MMA event in 2012. "Like any other hobby or interest, you have to plan to participate in the major events.
"Having people that share your same interest and commitment, make it easier to plan major events," he added. "From a weekend get-a-way to Payson for the Champion of Champions tournament. To State and National events."
Congrats also goes out to the Women's Champion - Aucopella. And the Mixed Team Champion - Three Squirrels and Two Nuts.
Mesa Bowling News December 12, 2015