I am asked all the time; What it is really like being a pro bowler out on tour? So, this week's topic is an attempt to answer that question. Being a pro bowler is a labor of love and that is the common bond that connects all players who choose to carry a professional PWBA card (women's tour) or the PBA card (men's tour).

As a male you must carry a 200 average for two years in sanctioned ABC competition and a 190 average for two years in sanctioned league competition for women.

Once you aquire a professional card you are banned from 95% of the amatuer tournaments such as the Hoinke Classic, Hamtramack and most mega buck tournaments etc. Therefore, it is very important that you weigh the pros and cons of becoming a professional bowler or remaining an amatuer who can many times make more money than a lot of top professionals.

Current PBA players like Chris Barnes and Robert Smith made more than $100,000 a year as amatuers before they joined the PBA. In professional bowling, the prize money is much smaller than in just about any other professional sport that I can think of.

My expenses on tour run from a low of about $650 per week when I can drive instead of fly to as high as $1500 when I have to fly and rent a car. Here is an example of two different weeks on tour. Example #1; (inexpensive week) Tournament entry: $250.00; Hotel: $200.00 (split with roommate) Gas: $50.00; Equipment: $100.00; Food: $100.00; Total $700.00. Example #2 (US Open/expensive week)Tournament entry: $400.00 Hotel: $425.00 (no roommate) Plane ticket: $300.00 Car rental: $150.00 Equipment: $100.00 Food: $120.00 Total: $1,495.00

Because your expenses are so high there is a tremendous amount of pressure on you each week to cash and finish as high as possible because you are risking so much money each week. Most of the players on tour including myself have to pay their own expenses so the winnings that you collect are minus your expenses.

Making television shows are the pretty much the only way that you can really make a living after expenses, because you will receive added tv bonuses in addition to your prize money when you make tv. In other words, it is all at the top and the intensity level that it takes to penetrate the top 5 is enormous. (To be continued)

If you have any bowling-related questions or have a problem with your game and could use some advice from a professional bowler, Mrs. Daniels can be contacted one or two ways. Snail mail: Cheryl Daniels, P. O. Box 250014, West Bloomfield, MI 48325. Email address: Cheryl_Daniels@msn.com. Also, please visit Mrs. Daniels' website: www.my.freeway.net/`Shebe.