AN INTERVIEW WITH PBA TOURING PRO, MIKE WOLFE By Steve Lindsey, 8/31/09 A little something different this month, a Q&A with gentleman bowler, Mike Wolfe.   In my opinion, Mike Wolfe is probably one of the most approachable players on the PBA Tour today. He is popular with not only the fans, but with his touring opponents as well. His bowling style is gracefully aggressive and his footwork is some of the smoothest you will ever see.   Born October 5th, 1976, the 32 year old right-hander took an early interest in the game and according to his bio on PBA.Com, he had bowled two 300 games by the age of 12. As his game improved he became a "professional amateur" from the ages of 15-25. In 2001 Mike joined the professional ranks and has since scored sixteen PBA 300 games, has 4 PBA Tour Titles, and 5 PBA Regional Titles. He was ranked 33rd for the 2008-2009 season, averaged 213.59, and earned $59,140. Mike has won a total of $457,956 as a touring pro in 161 events, cashing 134 times, making match play 71 times and the TV finals 10 times.   Mike lists his toughest opponents as Steve Jaros and Chris Barnes. His pick for favorite actor is Denzel Washington.   Mike currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky, with his beautiful wife Abby Kraft Wolfe.   I had the opportunity to meet Mike at the Weber Open at Fountain Valley bowl and spend a few minutes discussing his footwork. He was as kind and attentive as one would hope a PBA star would be to a fan and fellow bowler, especially when you consider the grind the players were experiencing on a very tough condition. Recently, I again made contact with Mike and he graciously agreed to the following internet interview.   Q1: What are your plans when your touring days end? Answer: "Not really sure yet, I have a couple pro shops in the Louisville area, so maybe expansion may be possible." ... Q2: Are you involved in any coaching clinics? If so, will any be California?  Answer: "I run lessons through the pro shop, but no clinics to speak of." ... Q3: California seems to be lagging behind other states when it comes to bowling, especially in Southern California. Why do you think the state has such a lack of interest?  Answer: "That would need to be taken up with the governing body of your local association I would think." ... Q4: Sports bowling is here to stay and appears to be the way of the future. Do you see a day when the USBC will do away with today's current minimum oil requirements, choosing sports patterns instead?  Answer: "I would think the USBC will work to rate each bowling center like golf does with each course and establish a rating system to better judge playing environments, rather than put guidelines to oil requirements. Only the future will tell, I really have no idea." ... Q5: Who has been the most influential person in your bowling career, and why?  Answer: " My parents have always been a huge part in my career. They were avid bowlers when I was a kid and were there every step. Jim Pope was the first coach I had that helped with the basics and spare shooting, he was very avid about the importance of making spares. Chad Murphy from C300, is the current coach that has helped the most...." ... Q6: As you observe bowlers many different styles, what in your opinion is the most critical and most common mistake in their approach?  Answer: "Most people follow their pushaway with their shoulders instead of letting it swing like a pendulum ( aka John Jowdy teaching). That causes steep angles with the arm swing and late timing reducing your window for release." ... Q7: Other than doubles, do you believe the PBA will ever have one or two Team Events in the future?  Answer: "I think the PBA will entertain some new ideas for tournaments in the future. The players really liked the doubles tournament and mentioned a trio tournament. The PBA has many things in the works and a lot of new ideas, maybe one will be more team oriented tournaments." ... Q8: Aside from the men on the PBA Tour, the nationally recognized "young guns" in the female ranks have definitely made a statement, resulting in a positive impact in our junior programs. Who do you believe is the most dominant and versatile female player today, and why? Additionally, name two female players we should definitely keep our eyes on?  Answer: "Easily the most dominant is still Carolyn Ballard, The most versatile, I really don't know, probably Lynda Barnes now that she qualified, I'm sure she gets it from the hubby....Stephanie Nation will continue to get better and better and be more of a force than she already is I think. Depends on how the new patterns play this year."   Q9: Who is the biggest prankster on the PBA tour? Answer: "We don't do much of it anymore, but Dino Castillo and Tommy Jones always enjoy the occasional joke or two."    Q10: What are some of the comments or attitudes that bother you the most when you reading bowling blogs and forums?  Answer: "Its a shame most people ridicule Barnes for his tv experiences, not knowing how good that guy really is and how much of a crap shoot 1 game on tv is...And everybody gets quick to be negative about change and new ideas before they play out." ... Q11: I recently posted a two part article about sandbagging. What are your feelings on this subject and how do you personally handle a situation involving a clear case of sandbagging?  Answer: "I believe the structure of the sport is the reason for sandbagging, I don't approve of it, but it makes sense...most all local tournaments are geared to the lower average bowler, those divisions pay more, why wouldn't they pay for the scratch division and entice people to get better instead of throwing off to keep their handicap?????? I understand payouts are based on entries, but people follow where the money is best, if scratch divisions or tournaments paid more, you'd see a lot more people practicing..."    Q12: Like many, I endorse the idea of increasing the cost of USBC Sanction Cards by $1 to support the PBA. What is your opinion about such a proposal?  Answer: "I agree, I don't understand why all the higher powers in this industry work so hard to disagree with each other (PBA,USBC,BPAA..ETC) NOBODY is on the same page."   Q13: What has been the biggest disappointment in your bowling career? Answer: " Finishing 2nd at the Japan Cup and taking too long to really learn how to bowl the correct way, not that I do it now, but I have a much better understanding."  Q14: Name a few outstanding regional players who are not interested in going on tour, but have the talent to succeed if they did?  Answer: "Don't really follow the regionals, but I'm sure there is more than I have room to type..."   Q15: If you were a youth director for the Junior Gold Program, what would you stress the most from your coaching staff? Answer: "Spare shooting, being able to play straighter if that's something somebody struggles with, knowing the equipment from top to bottom, inside and out..."   ... Young, talented, the versatile Mike Wolfe continues to be a force to contend with on the PBA Tour. With a bright and profitable future ahead of him, he can rest assured knowing the best is yet to come, and fans like myself will always be there to offer support and encouragement. In closing, I want to extend my thanks and heartfelt gratitude to Mike for allowing me the opportunity to have this interview. Simply put, he's just a class act! ... *For additional information on Mike Wolfe and other PBA Tour players, visit www.pba.com ...     Steve Lindsey ARTICLE ARCHIVES