About the Event
what is "the gathering?"
Originally called The Ball Reviews Official Gathering, it started in 2003 as a way for some of the more rabid members over at BallReviews to meet face to face and do some bowling. It's an event put on by bowlers for bowlers to bowl and enjoy bowling. It is not limited to members of any specific web site, discussion forum, or other organization. It just so happens the Gathering was originally organized through BallReviews.com. Anyone who likes bowling or bowlers or bowling instruction is invited. Over the past couple of years it has evolved to include not only BallReviews members, but members of other online bowling communities, local bowlers, international bowling students, friends, and family. Participants do some bowling, start new friendships, do some bowling, talk about bowling, bowl, compare equipment, do some bowling, have some dinner, bowl, enjoy some tasty beverages, bowl, and spend some time around other people who like to bowl.
who
The event is hosted by Ron Clifton. If you don't know Ron Clifton, he's MagicCarpet on ballreviews.com (and several other notable bowling forums), a nationally known coach, inventor of Ron C's Magic Carpet, and a regular writer for Bowling This Month magazine. His exposure has grown quite a bit in the last two years, but he still hosts and looks forward to the Gathering every year.
The magic of the Gathering is in the people involved. According to Ron Clifton, the center's staff gets excited a couple of weeks before the Gathering every year. There are not enough good things to say about the Creekside Lanes staff and the way they treat the bowlers and friends. Gathering participants are treated as part of the Creekside Lanes family instead of outsiders who are invading their center for a weekend. They also participate in the Gathering events as much as they can.
The participants come from all walks of life and backgrounds. First-year participants tend to be a little bit shy at first, but when you consider that everyone is there because they like to bowl, it gives everyone a common ground. Friendships form and good times are had. In 2007, two gentlemen made the trip from Italy. Though they didn't speak much english, they certainly liked to bowl, and that translated beautifully. Some people, like Joe Falco and Kevin Palmer, are a little more outgoing than the rest and make everyone feel welcome. There have been 30-40 participants the last couple of years, but the number continues to grow.
Maybe you're thinking "my spouse won't want to go". Well, somehow the non-bowling spouses have as much fun as the bowlers. This is as much a social event as it is a bowling event. There is not a better group of people to meet.
what
Saturday afternoon is the official Gathering event dubbed The Bragging Rights Tournament which features three games across 3 pairs each with a different, challenging condition. It's handicapped and as the name implies, all about the bragging rights. Most people just have fun with it and enjoy the camaraderie of the us (the bowlers) versus them (the pins).
Friday night, the lanes hosts a scotch doubles tournament. Most of the Gathering crew bowls that as well.
Toma and Nooster (BallReviews Screen names) have arranged golf outings for earlier (Wed, Thu) in the week in the past.
There's an organized group dinner on Saturday afternoon right after the bragging rights tournament. Strider (BallReviews screen name) and his wife have hosted a Texas hold 'em tournament, billiards tournament, cook-out, and home-brew tasting session at his home the last two years on Saturday night.
On Sunday, Ron Clifton usually does some pro bono coaching work with those who ask and are still in town.
Throughout the weekend, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, there's always someone from the group bowling. Ron puts aside a set of lanes specifically for the group.
when
See the official events section for planned dates and times. The dates for the event are planned at the previous year's events. It is usually a weekend during the summer.
where
This year, as in previous years, the event will be hosted at Creekside Lanes in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
of note
One of the local hotels near the bowling center sponsors the event by provide a group discount rate. Ron makes up commemorative T-shirts and gives away door prizes. Lineage is reduced for the entire weekend for Gathering bowlers. Ron and his coach-in-training Andy give help and advice on the lane wherever they can. There's general question and answer session before the bragging rights tournament where we're allowed to pick their brains or ask those nagging bowling questions.
Hope to see you there!