Well at literally the last second I decided to go down to Houston Texas to play the Bullshooter Regional there. My original plans were to go out to Philly to play steel but I backed out a few weeks ago as my arm needed rest from the tennis elbow I had. I had the weekennd off and felt like playing since my arm was feeling good.
I knew it be a good test as this regional is the largest in the country and tons of good players in Texas. So I used some of my airmiles and booked a ticket Thursday night to arrive Friday afternoon in time to play. Man they were not lying when they said there would be a lot of players... the room was full for the blind draw event Friday night.
Well I entered and drew a really nice guy from the Houston area and we started to get on a good roll. I started a bit slow for not really throwing much but by the end I was firing on all cylinders. This was my first event using my new set-up of TRiNiDAD Barrels and FIT Flights... went well as we ended up 3rd in the event but the bad part was it end for us at 4am!!!!! If you can believe it?!? I had not played a event like this in a LONG time so forgot how late they go...well I had the Pro Doubles in the am starting at 10am so was not going to be much sleep to be had.
I played with Donnie Ram, he informed me he had won this event like 4 years in a row and he was looking to make it 5 years ;) so the pressure was on. Was not sure how it would go with barely having any sleep but it worked out ok....I started to get really comfortable with the new set-up and hit 14/16 starts to our double in/ double out event with 132!! CRAZY!!! I just had so much confidence on the start it was automatic...well with starts like that we made sure Donnie got his 5 years in a row ;)
The next event I had was the Pro/AM Doubles Cricket... I had not had a partner when I showed up but met this nice guy Jason that had been really interested in my cricket strategy Friday night...after going over it for a bit we played a few people and he did very well with it so I asked if he wanted to play with me and gladly he did.
We started the event about 8pm and we finished it at 410am winning the event over two guys who was their first time in the event as a pro/am team. They played very well for first timers and I am sure I will see the newly deemed pro again soon. Two super late nights in a row??? Ugghhh Sunday am was going to be a rough one and Singles was first.
Well I could not get up and by the time I did it was 9:45 with a start at ten... I played a very good player out of the gates by the name of Dan Moore... a close battle but a few missed chances to win and Dan came out the victor. I battled back to the semis but lost out... Was good to see Dan maintain great form and seal the event with him being the Victor!
Met a lot of great people and the event helped me to speed up my practice to get back on full form. Elbow feels so good I will start to throw everyday again and ease my way back into it so as not to flare up the tendonitis. Next event is the BLue Bonnet back in Houston actually but will be a steel event this go around.