For the second straight year Ryan Reid will be representing Canada against the top amateur bowlers in the world.
The Richmond resident and manager of Lucky 9 Lanes in Riverport is heading to Las Vegas in November for the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup. The 54th annual event showcases the top amateur 10-pin bowlers with national champions from as many as 90 countries.
Reid broke through a year ago at the Canadian finals in Winnipeg to qualify for the prestigious event. This time he took advantage of his defending champion status to bypass regional and provincial qualifying and repeat last month in Edmonton.
He overcome a slow start on Saturday to qualify third for Sunday’s “stepladder” playoffs. He defeated Manitoba’s Sobotkiewicz (227-191) then took a pair of games from Alberta champion and hometown favourite Matt Dammann by scores of 245-190 and 234-226. The World Cup qualifier took place at Gateway Lanes.
“I’ve been there probably five or six times and they hosted the finals three years ago also. The centre is awesome and the staff is great but I usually don’t perform well there on Saturdays where Sunday I love for some reason. That was the case again this year,” said Reid.
“I was sitting somewhere between 150 to 200 pins behind the leaders after Saturday. I knew it could go either way but also how the different pattern (from the past) would be more favourable to myself on Sunday as well.”
A year ago, Reid poured plenty of preparation into an event he had never won. This time it was a much different scenario thanks to becoming a father for the first time in late May, along with work-related projects.
“I should have been more prepared. My son is 12 weeks old today. Bowling had taken a backseat. It was work and then getting home. I just left it up to the powers to be this year and whatever came of it,” continued Reid.
“I wouldn’t have been disappointed not winning because of what happened last year and all the changes in my life since but I still went there with the goal of winning.”
He does admit it will be a more intense approach now leading up to his second World Cup appearance. He was 10th a year ago in Mexico and the goal is to be in the top eight.
Reid says the trip to Vegas will feel more like home in a city he has competed in before while a large contingency of family and friends is planning on making the trip south for the week-long event. It will take place at Sam’s Town — a 56-lane centre that is located about 10 minutes off Vegas Strip.
“I was more nervous than I thought I would be a year ago. My goal is to still be in the top eight and then re-evaluate from there. It would give be a chance of being in the top four which is shown on national tv,” he added.
Reid’s preparation for worlds will include a Pro-Am event in Montreal early next month.
