Brunswick Italia Challenge

You have just released the oil pattern for this years Brunswick Italia Challenge. How does the pattern differ from previous years?

 Both patterns help create multiple patterns, but this year I changed my approach to creating those angles. I think scoring will be similar but with the potential for the different styles to have more control over their own transition, rather than one group eventually dictating how they change. As we see more higher rev-rates, they will usually dictate how they need to play the lanes. I’m expecting this pattern to curb some of that transition control and keep it more fair for all styles. But as Riccardo likes to say…”we will see, we will see”.

Having been in Asti for two years now and seeing how the previous patterns perform, Do they play close to the graph as intended?

 Yes, however, last year was a bit more tricky in the afternoon squads. The temperature was much hotter than the previous year and it did cause some issues with the lanes. And, that was related to the severe storm that flooded the high end of the house just before the tournament started.

When deciding on a pattern for Asti is it mostly your decision or does the chief technician and tournament organizer have some input?

 I will discuss with them about the scoring pace they would like to see. Then I will design the pattern to try and meet that requirement. The first year is always the most difficult since the center environment is new, but after that I can work within the environments specifications. It helps keep my mind fresh and to come up with new ideas. I like the players to have fun learning to play my patterns. It creates an experience for them and that is how they learn and improve their games.

When you arrive in Asti, What preparations do you make before you start to lay the tournament pattern?

 I will not be in Asti for the first weekend. I will be at the inaugural Brunswick Madrid Challenge. I will arrive on Monday 1, July. I will give Riccardo and his staff some direction prior to the tournament. Luisito is an excellent technician and will set up the Brunswick Envoy and put out the pattern.

Obviously I will not ask you for an X marks the spot answer but do you think the players that do not understand lane graphs will find where the correct line is easily?

 That is a great question but here is how it works with different skill levels. Many people do not understand what they are looking at with pattern information. Many players trying to learn put too much emphasis on the shape of the pattern while experienced players like top amateurs and pros really only care about the distance to identify where the breakpoint will be. It helps them with ball choices. However, I do not think it will be to difficult for them to find the correct locations to play based on their style.

How will the pattern hold up to the busy traffic and transition?

 It should be fine. I do not expect to see influential transition down lane. We are using the Brunswick Connect again and the balls typically do not read the carry down. The breakdown will be at a similar rate as it has been in the past.

One last question Pat, It will be long hours as usual as you are the first in and last out of the centre. How do you cope with the long hours especially towards the end of the week and finals day?

 The end is always more difficult, but I have grown somewhat accustom to little sleep in these situations. Occasionally, I will hide and try to catch a short nap. I think you took a picture of me two years ago when I was napping . To me its about the work that needs to be done and not so much how I feel. When we did live TV for Eurosport for the BEC a few years ago, I went 44 hours without sleep. But, when I look at it, I sleep better on the airplanes.

This is to inform you that there has been a slight change which was not updated on the website related to the composition of the 52 finalists.

It will be like the following:

52 players will qualify for the final steps as follows:

A: 2 players from the desperado standing

B: 1 player from the Turbo G6

C: 1 player from the Turbo G5

D: 6 players from a separate standing in the squads conducted on Saturday 29 to Sunday 30 June

E: 6 players from a separate standing in the squads conducted from Monday 1 July to Wednesday 3 July

F: 36 players from the general standing including results from all qualification squads

A player will qualify only once and always from the categories in inverse order (F first).
If a player is qualified from more than one category, the next positioned player from the category not valid for the qualified player, will qualify in his/her place.

Qualification for steps

Players positioned 1-8 in Category F will qualify for the final step 3, seeded 1-8
All other players will qualify for the final step 1

“When I first came on tour I was terrified. It took me a couple of years to get used to the fact that I was bowling against my heroes. My first win in match play was against Pete Weber. That was a hugh moment for me and it lifted me to try harder to make it on tour “

PBA pro Chris Loschetter is the reigning Brunswick Italia Challenge winner and a staff player for Brunswick. Despite not yet winning a full PBA title Chris continues to improve year on year and has embraced traveling to World events in his quest to win on tour. He has a never say die attitude that many young players should take note of and we were delighted to be able to talk with Chris about his career. The interview was conducted during the recent Brunswick Euro Challenge that saw him come close yet again to that elusive first title. Here is what we found out about one of the nicest guys on the professional tour.

When and where did bowling start for you?

Bowling started for me in Florida during the summertime. I was 10 years old and I went with a friend to the bowling alley during our summer break. The bowling center was offering 25 cents a game and I immediately became hooked. For the next few summers my parents would pick me up from work on their lunch hour and take me to the bowling center to practice until they got off work. I got good very quickly because I was practicing for four hour a day during the summer.

It is true, a lot of bowlers owe their careers to the help given to them by their parents, Who else helped shape you into the player you are today?

Well I can say without question that I wouldn’t be where I am today without my parents help. They sacrificed thousands of hours taking me to practice and tournaments and spent a lot of money to do so. I owe them everything. I have had many other great influences over the span of my career that have also helped me get where I am. On the coaching side I started working with a pro in my younger years named Sam Zurich. He developed my game in the early years and was always there to help.

I’ve also worked with other coaches such as Richard Shockley, Bill Spigner, Rick Benoit and Bill Straub at Nebraska where I attended college my first two years. All of these men have shaped my game over the years in a variety of ways. Currently I receive a lot of help from Billy Orlikowski at Brunswick and my coach at home Tom Reid. Tom has helped my in countless ways and I feel blessed to have someone like him in my life. I could go on and on about the people that have helped my in my career. The one things i’ve learned is that everyone needs help along the way and you have to reach out to people to get that help.

Most American kids play many sports, What sports did you play and why did you pick bowling?

I played baseball, basketball and soccer (football). In the end I gave up baseball because I loved bowling so much. I loved bowling because I only had to rely on myself and I thought that was a great feeling. I didn’t have to worry about other people on my team doing good or bad. I loved having the pressure on my shoulders and that is why I embraced bowling as a career.

After School you went to Florida State University and played on their bowling team, What subject did you major in and had you not become a bowler what career path would you have taken?

I majored in Business Administration. I always believed I would be a professional bowler, but my parents always told me to have a back up plan. I went to college in case things didn’t work out as a bowler. If I hadn’t made it I would probably be working at a company somewhere in some type of management position. It was not something I ever wanted to do and I feel blessed everyday that I bowl for a living.

You mention always believing you would become a professional bowler. Do you feel this is one of the key ingredients a player needs to succeed?

I believe determination and belief play a huge factor in making it. I had a lot of friends growing up that were just as talented as I was. The only difference was their lack of perseverance. When I was trying to make it on tour I thought about bowling morning, noon and night. You have to be willing to make sacrifices and keep your eye on the prize if you want to make it in anything. I know the other guys from my age group felt the same way I did. If your focus is divided you will never overcome another person who is 100% committed to achieving their dreams.

You played for Junior Team USA in the early 2000′s, Can you describe the feeling you had when you put on your national team shirt for the first time?

It was awesome to make that team. At that time most juniors in the United States never got to compete against each other on a national level. This was one of the first times I got to see the talent from all over the States. I made a lot of great friends and being on the team was a wonderful experience. I loved representing the United States. Representing something bigger than yourself is exciting and I am glad I got to have that chance.

Becoming a PBA player in 2003 at the age of 23, Were you nervous to be surrounded by so many great players and how long did it take for you to settle on the tour?

It was extremely scary for me when I first came on tour. Being around so many people I looked up to for years was hard. I didn’t know some things like lane courtesy but I learned quickly. It took me about a year or two to really get comfortable on tour. Once I got to know everyone I became much more comfortable in my new environment. To this day I love competing against the greatest. It’s amazing to see what some people can do with a bowling ball. Until the day I die I will always be a fan of the PBA.

Some players hit the floor running on the PBA tour and soon grab their first title, Others like yourself have taken time to settle and search for that first elusive win. You have regional titles under your belt but taking a tour event or major is what you really want, Do you feel this adds pressure to your performances knowing you have not yet won a tour title? and how do you deal with that pressure?

I would say it adds pressure at times. Early in my career I got close more than a few times only to get a lot of bad beats on TV. It’s hard to win when the average in titles matches against you is 265! I’ve seen a lot of guys win titles with 190 or 200 games and it can be frustrating, but I still believe the trials I have faced will benefit me in the long run. When it comes to feeling the added pressure to win I try to overcome it with focus and concentration. In the end all shots are the same and you have to stay focused on your approach and nothing else. Every time I shoe up I feel like I can win and as long as I have that determination I know it will happen one day.

When you were younger and dreaming of being a pro bowler which players did you admire most and when you finally got to play on tour what was the feeling you had when you actually bowled against one of your heroes?

I was a huge fan of the PBA growing up so I liked a lot of players. My favorites were Walter Ray and Norm Duke. I also admire Steve Hoskins, Mike Aulby, and John Mazza along with many others. Now that I am friends with the guys I grew up watching it doesn’t seem like a big deal to bowl them, however, when I first came on tour I was terrified. It took me a couple of years to get used to the fact that I was bowling against my heroes. My first win in match play was against Pete Weber. That was a hugh moment for me and it lifted me to try harder to make it on tour (I wasn’t exempt at the time). It has been an awesome experience meeting the guys I grew up watching. I am truly grateful for the experience.

There is no doubt playing on the PBA tour is the pinnacle for bowlers. The last few years have seen the tour have a more international flavor as World players have joined and had some success. What are your thoughts on international players joining the tour, Has it made the tour a little more competitive?

I love that more international players are coming to the states. The talent in Europe and Asia had increased ten fold over the last 5 years or so. Their presences makes it a lot harder to win on tour and they have truly made the PBA tour a World tour. It has been a great experience making friends from all over the world and I hope more people come to the PBA from overseas.

You may be searching for that first tour win but you have had no problems gaining titles in the World game having picked up the Kuwait Open and two EBT titles in San Marino and the Brunswick Italia Challenge. Has bowling abroad improved your overall game?

Bowling overseas has been a great experience and it has made me a better bowler. The titles i’ve won may not be considered PBA titles but there were more than a few amazing bowlers at all of them. Winning overseas has become harder and harder so I am extremely proud of my titles in Kuwait and Italy. At first bowling overseas was hard because I was not used to the culture and the formats are quite a bit different. It has become easier over the years partly to making new friends and also learning the ins and outs of different countries. I am thrilled that I get to bowl overseas and that I get to experience things that most people never will. It has truly been an honor to compete against so many nationalities and I feel blessed that i’ve had the chance to do it.

Brunswick have seen your true potential and you signed as a staff player, What is it like being part of the Brunswick family?

The Brunswick family is great. I have become close friends with a lot of people in the company. Everyone is easy going and extremely polite. It was always my dream while I was growing up to be a part of the Brunswick team. It makes life a lot easier when the people you work with are so helpful and eager for everyone on the company to succeed.

In the current range of products which ball have you had the most success with and which ball is the go to ball that seems to help you when the lanes are tough?

The two balls that have been helping me a lot lately are the Ringer and the Paranormal Aura. They are a lot different, but each one allows me to play a different part of the lane effectively. I have been favoring stronger stuff lately so I usually go to the Paranormal when the lanes get tough. It’s strong and smooth and that’s what I prefer when the lanes are flatter.

Of all the tournaments you have played, won or come close to winning which one has left a lasting impression on you and why?

My first show will always be the most memorable. I bowled amazing that week and got a lot farther than I should have. Luckily I had Rick Benoit helping me that week to make it through match play. Without his help i’m pretty sure I would have went home a lot earlier. I bowled the round of 8 and the show in an arena, making the experience even more overwhelming. I got so close to winning, but Patrick Allen just bowled too good for me to catch him in the title match. Going from a nobody to making a major show was awesome and I’ll never forget that feeling.

The PBA now seems to be making a big comeback in America and in the World in general, In your opinion what things would you like to do more of or what ideas do you have that would help the brand improve further?

The two things I would like as a player or more tournaments at different houses and more consistent formats. I used to love traveling from stop to stop on tour. Bowling at different houses in different cities made things more challenging, but it also allowed different players to excel week to week. I understand the need for the World Series formats, but I prefer variety. I also like bowling the same format week to week. That is how the old tour used to do it so that is probably why I favor it. I think the more games you bowl the better the show will be. I think that’s why the U.S. Open show is the best every year. The caliber of player on that show is always incredible.

I am by no means a businessman, but I think the tour would improve if the events improved. I feel so many people in the U.S. go to baseball, football, and basketball games for the experience as well as the sport. They like being around groups of people and they like all the extra things that go along with attending a sporting event. I feel if we could visit more cities and attract more people to the actual event then we would acquire more loyal fans.

You have seen many young players on your travels, which ones do you think are destined for greatness?

There are a lot of young players coming up all around the world. It’s hard to say who will make it but I believe we will see a lot more international players coming to the PBA tour in the next 10 years. Two handed bowling also offers the chance for some talented younger players to make it. I see more two handed bowlers every year and they continue to get better and better at the technique. It should be interesting to see who the next group of superstars will be. (I didn’t have a lot of names I could think of for this question. If you want to omit this part please feel free to. I see a lot of younger guys coming up but I don’t have a lot of names I can reference).

For any young player out there that dream about becoming a PBA pro or bowling for a living, What is the best advice you could give them?

I would say to make it that you have to do everything in your power to get better. Practice, seek help from others, and just live bowling each and every day. It takes a lot of sacrifice to become a pro bowler. Everyone on tour has put in countless hours of practice and that is why they are where they are today. You have to put the time in to see the rewards. There is no other way.

And finally Chris, When you are not on tour or bowling around the World what kind of things do you like to do to relax or as an outside the sport hobby?

I am pretty simple. I like to watch movies and read. If I’m not doing that I’m usually attached to my phone. I try to get to the gym everyday also. I realized a couple of years ago that I need to stay in shape if I want to continue bowling. I also like to watch tennis and I’m a huge Chicago Cubs fan. I like to watch most of there games.

We thank Chris for this informative look into his career so far and we wish him luck in the events he plays in in the future. It is only a matter of time before he claims his first PBA title.

Chuck Gardner talks tenpin

“I would say the greatest bowler I have ever worked with on regular basis would be Walter Ray Williams JR. The most professional player I have ever worked with is Parker Bohn III. ”

Pro player, Coach, Proshop operator, Proprietor, Director of Coaching and Tour Support for Columbia Industries and now PBA tour rep for Brunswick are just some of the positions Chuck Gardner has held in his bowling career. He can always be seen helping the Brunswick and DV8 staff players in PBA and World events and commands respect from legends such as Walter Ray Williams and Parker Bohn III. Known to many in the World and on social networks as Chuck on the truck he is a coach who is happy to help anyone who wants to improve and it was a pleasure to be able to interview a man who is a driving force behind the Brunswick brand. Here is what we found out about him.

How did you first get involved in bowling?

My family bowled they were league bowlers

What was the first ball you owned and which ball in your opinion has been the best Brunswick and non Brunswick balls ever made?

My first ball was a White Dot. I feel the Versa Max is best Brunswick ball I have ever thrown. Probably the best non Brunswick ball would be the Heat.

As a young player yourself who helped you improve in the early days and what piece of advice stuck with you most?

I really never had much coaching when I was younger but did get some help along the way from Mo Pinel and Del Warren. The one piece of advice that has always stuck with me is take one shot at a time.

You have quite a resume which includes Pro player, Coach, Proshop operator, Proprietor, Director of Coaching and Tour Support for Columbia Industries and now PBA tour rep for Brunswick. Of all the positions you have held which one gave or gives you the most satisfaction?

I feel every position I have ever had was to get me ready for the one I currently have. I feel I have the number one job in all of bowling. I work with the best people in our industry and love every part of my day.

Having been around a lot of great players in your time in the sport, Which one stands out as the best or most professional?

I would say the greatest bowler I have ever worked with on regular basis would be Walter Ray Williams JR. The most professional player I have ever worked with is Parker Bohn III.

Working with legends like Walter Ray and Parker would be a dream for most coaches but what is it about them that makes them different to other players?

It is a dream for sure and the thing that makes them different than many other players is they never feel they are out of it. If a pencil can get them there they feel they can do it.

Not only do you get to work with legends but you help some of the most exciting young players in our sport like Ronnie Russell, Chris Loschetter, Brian Valenta and PBA player of the year Sean Rash as well as Tom Hess, Ryan Ciminelli and Mike Machuga among others, How do you go about matching them up to conditions considering they have such diverse styles of play?

That is the toughest part of my job for sure. It is really not the matching of the equipment since we have such great product it is more about matching strategy and personalities. That is also the most fun part of my job.

The Brunswick Italia Challenge enters its third year and two Brunswick staff players have claimed the titles in the first two editions. Can you give us an exclusive on which Brunswick staff players will be in Asti this year trying to make it a hat-trick of wins?

Right now I would say we will probably have both past Champions there this year Ronnie Russell and Chris Loschetter. I would say joining them will be Tom Hess and Parker Bohn. Due to the holiday a couple guys that would usually come will probably not make the trip.

We met last year in Asti at the Brunswick Italia Challenge and my lasting impression of you was how passionate you are to help your staff players and I could see it in your eyes the way you live every shot for them while looking how you can make their next shot better. I noticed how just a simple tap on the back or quiet word helped them improve. With players so talented and knowledgeable is it difficult to give them advice or do they understand an extra pair of eyes can see what they don’t see?

Thanks I am really glad you could see and feel my passion for our players. I love these guys and really try to treat them like family so that makes every shot huge for them and myself. I think most of them completely understand that a set of knowledgeable eyes are valuable. It is just getting them to have total confidence in the moves and advice so they make a great shot when making a big change. Some of our staff are better at that than others but I also believe they have all improved as we have had more success as a team.

Now Brunswick staff players and the PBA stars are traveling more to international events, Has this improved them and does playing international events give them an added dimension to their game?

I think the travel has made them a little more diverse since they have to make more adjustments with their game than equipment since they have less access to balls overseas because of luggage restrictions.

You are much traveled now and work hard wherever you go but what things do you like to do to relax?

I love to be on the lake on my boat with my wife and my dog. We have a place on a beautiful lake where we just love to be.

Social media is now a big part of peoples lives and something you have embraced in a big way. Has this become a good tool for you when giving advice to your players and when promoting the Brunswick Brand?

Yes it is a great tool but I really wish people would contact me through my Brunswick E Mail when they have very long questions that are Brunswick related. chuck.gardner@brunbowl.com

Back to your players and one in particular, Sean Rash is one of the most exciting players of our generation and has the potential to become a bowling legend. What things do you try to work on with him to take him to the legend level?

Sean is a very gifted and hard working young man. He already has two Majors including the Masters and the Tournament Of Champions. My number one goal with Sean is to get him comfortable winning on a regular basis and to physically keep his tempo slow and keeping perfect balance.

As well as the Brunswick brand you coach players from the DV8 brand also. Obviously you have a great experience of ball dynamics and layouts, With the sport and equipment advancing all the time is it difficult to keep up with the latest technologies?

Yes it can be difficult from time to time but it also something I enjoy doing learning and teaching are my passions.

Your coaching skills have been used to great effect in the USA and beyond, You visited and coached Brunswick Team England in the last couple of years, How did you rate them and did any players impress you?

I have enjoyed that very much and will be doing it again at the end of June this year. Several of them are very talented but if I were to chose just one I would have to say Verity Crawley. She really impressed me very much. Enough that I contacted my dear friend Del Warren who is the coach at Webber University in Florida to tell him about her. She now attends Webber and is a great player for their Team

Speaking of being impressed, The World has many up and coming stars of the future, Of the ones you have seen or coached who do you think could become the next big thing?

That is a very tough question since there are so many variables. Like what happens to lane conditions , do they get with the wrong coach , do they commit to the wrong ball company or do they just not work as hard as they should. The other thing is just how well does the Pro Level of bowling do in the future. We have lost a few people very recently because of concern about making a solid living that could have been the next big thing. The person that really comes to mind is Andrew Koff. He studying at Duke University and with the very tough load there has very little time to bowl.

Finally Chuck, A chance for you to sell the brand a little. Why should people consider throwing Brunswick or DV8 equipment?

Number one we have the greatest company in the world standing behind each product we sell. Next we have the best R&D team ever in the world of bowling. They work so hard to bring the largest variety of product for all of the different players in the world.

We also have a legendary heritage to follow for many years greats like Dave and Judy Soutar, Dave Davis, Johnny Petraglia, Parker Bohn III and now Sean Rash. These are people that have never even been with another company in their lives. What does that say about the people and the company. I will retire from this company and will never be with another ball company in my lifetime.

We thank Chuck for his time in speaking with us and we wish him and his players luck in the events they play in Europe and the World this year and in the future. If you have a problem with your bowling or ever need information on the Brunswick brand search for him on Facebook or email him at chuck.gardner@brunbowl.com

What was it about the Brunswick Italia Challenge made you decide to enter?

This tournament is on my summer holiday so it is easy to be there, And the prizes are very good.

What do you think about the format for the 2013 edition of the tournament?

I like this format very much. I really like the round robin.

Will this be your first time in Asti for the B.I.C or have you played the event before?

No no I was there also on previous year…. So it will be my second time….!!

If you don’t win the tournament yourself, which players do you think will be favorites to win?

I think Ronnie Russell is very good in this bowling center …. But also other high class players like Osku Palermaa, Sean Rash and other PBA guys have also the opportunity to be champions.

 What was it about the Brunswick Italia Challenge made you decide to enter?

The tournament is during my holiday from school and the prizes are good.

What do you think about the format for the 2013 edition of the tournament?

It is a bit different than what we normally see. There’s a BIG advantage to qualifying in the top 8. I like that they make a cut and then let half of the pins continue to make the next cut. I like doing a short round robin for the title.

Will this be your first time in Asti for the B.I.C or have you played the event before?

I played last year, so this will be my second time.

If you don’t win the tournament yourself, which players do you think will be favorites to win?

I hope to give the other guys a run for their money, but the guys I will be looking at are the PBA guys. Loschetter won last year and Ronnie Russell has a great look in Asti, but players like Sean Rash, Osku and Dominic are hard to not put on a list of favorites.

What was it about the Brunswick Italia Challenge made you decide to enter?

I`m really happy every Year to come to Italy for a Tournament. I’m half Italian and very proud that they organized a tournament like this.

What do you think about the format for the 2013 edition of the tournament?

I like very much this format, It’s a little bit different than what we normally see but I think it’s great and that they should not change it.

Will this be your first time in Asti for the B.I.C or have you played the event before?

This will be my third time.

If you don’t win the tournament yourself, which players do you think will be favorites to win?

I think it will be one of the Brunswick pro staffers, Rash, Loschetter or Russell but do not forget the Europeans like Osku, Martin Larsen, Thomas Larsen or Paul Moor.

Dear Friends,

the 3rd edition of well known and established Brunswick Italia Challenge will take place from June 29th through July 7th, still at the wonderful Red and Black Bowling/Restaurant/Casino in Asti Italy.

With over 300 partecipants in the last edition, Brunswick Italia Challenge is one of the most partecipated tournaments on EBT tour !!

Total Prizemoney has been raised up to € 51.600 with 52 finalists to compete for the top prize of € 10.000.

24 Squads available starting from Saturday 29 June through Saturday 6 July..

Registrations will open tomorrow, Wednesday 6 February..