We use the time between the practice session and the Pro-Ams to prepare the equipment the individual bowler will use that week. The bowler will then work out the equipment and, if given the opportunity, will try and use it during the Pro-Am to get comfortable with the fit and reaction. While the Pro-Ams are going on, it is not uncommon to find bowlers on the empty pairs practicing for the next day of competition. It is never known how busy practice day will be for a tour rep. That night while back in my room, I find my mind occupied with ball reaction and lane strategy until I drift off to sleep.
Bowlers compete all day long with breaks between squads.
We get no breaks. That is the challenge. They not only bowl differently, they read lanes differently, they communicate differently, and they have different tools that they use to follow the transitions. The second day of qualifying is very similar to the first except that the excitement and tension is at a higher level and the challenges are amplified. Each squad has six more games of qualifying before the field is cut to the top 24.