Too late for hubby to bowl professionally?

Question

My husband just turned 26 this month. His biggest passion in life is bowling. He bowled for years when he was a child and teen, and wanted to do it professionally, but lost sight of that dream. He's been a blue collar laborer for most of his adult life, but is unhappy and desperately wants a new career-in bowling! Last night we had a talk, and he thinks that it's too late to do this. I told him it's never too late to go for your dreams. We don't have much money, and he thinks it takes a lot to be a pro bowler. Is anyone a bowler or know enough about bowling to tell me how possible this is? Thank you!

Answer 1

http://www.pba.com

The PBA.  That's a good place to start.  Click the "Join PBA" link near the top to read all about it.  If you have a 200 average, you can get a PBA card.

Well, the reality is that it's hard to make money from bowling.  It's not something you do for a steady source of income; being a professional bowler doesn't automatically mean fame and comfortable income, the way it does in other pro sports.  Still, if you're among the best in the world at it, there's money to be made, in winnings AND in endorsements.  He could try some PBA regional tournaments, or even enter a PBA Tour stop when they come to your area!

It's not as if he's just picked up bowling; he's done it for years.  That makes things a bit easier.  Still, it takes a crazy amount of hard work, or an incredible week of good luck, to cement oneself as an exempt PBA bowler.  Only the "exempt" players are guaranteed income, that's $2,000 a week minus travel costs, hotels, and so forth.  Even being an exempt tour player, with guaranteed income, is not exactly "living comfortably."  The ones who can do that are the ones that WIN on tour, and win with some frequency.

There's certainly nothing like following a dream and doing something you love!  However, this has to be done sensibly, and the risks have to be considered.

My advice?  Get in touch with some actual PBA members.  They post all the time on the PBA.com Message Board (under "Interactive").  There's also another poster here on Yahoo! Answers who will likely give you a first-hand perspective, see if he finds this question.

Again, consider participating in a few leagues, and practicing often on the side.  Get a VERY good coach.  Enter some regionals, or see if you can find a PBA Experience league in your area.

One thing to consider; I attended last year's PBA Tour tournament on Long Island.  I saw 56-year-old local bowler Gary Shultis qualify for the tournament, along with 62-year-old Norm Ginsberg.  On TV, I watched Tom Baker win the 2004 PBA World Championship not long before his 50th birthday.  I've seen Senior Tour member Dale Eagle make the ESPN finals in a couple of tournaments...tournaments on the regular tour, almost winning them in his 60s!

If you stay in bowling, even if you don't leave everything else behind and try to make your way on tour now, there's still plenty of time.  Keep bowling.  Keep working, but also keep bowling.  Do a league or two on the side.  Join some weekend tournaments.  Maybe bowl a tour stop or two.  There are ways to stay in bowling without leaving everything else behind.  When you get good enough, and you're ready to compete with the "big boys," the Tour will be waiting.  Unless it goes bankrupt.

No matter what, best of luck all around!

Answer 2

well 29 is kinda old as far as pros  but he may be able to train outhers as he has a passion its still possable