A chat with PJ Haggerty
August 28, 2009
HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. - Columbia 300’s social marketing team recent had the chance to interview PBA star PJ Haggerty, and they used Facebook to do so. On the Columbia 300 Facebook forum, fans were asked to submit questions for PJ to answer.
This gave the fans an opportunity to tap into Haggerty’s experiences as a top-level bowler, and the questions they posed were impressive. Over 40 questions were submitted, and 13 were selected to be answered. Questions ranged from experiences at the collegiate level to equipment, tournament preparation, and goals for the future.
“The Columbia 300 Facebook forum gives fans of our brand the opportunity to interact directly with the company,” explains Chad Murphy, Columbia 300 Brand Manager. “We’re able to communicate with our fans about our products and events, and more importantly, over 4400 bowlers are able to tell us what they think about the products and about our brand. It’s been a great and fun way to talk more about bowling, and through that dialog, we hope to improve our products and our sport.”
For that reason, PJ Haggerty was an excellent choice to interview. Haggerty, of Clovis, CA, has been a member of the PBA since 2007. While he finished second in the 2008 PBA Regional Invitational, his highest Tour finish was 17th in 2009 Bayer Earl Anthony Medford Classic. Overall his career stats are impressive: 35 Tour events, cashing 23 times and making match play six times; two Regional titles; 2007 Team USA and three-time Junior Team USA member; twice Collegiate Bowler of the Year with Fresno State; and twice Two-time National Collegiate Bowling Coaches MVP and first team All-American.
The interview is recorded below:
Columbia 300 - You were a very successful Junior and Collegiate bowler, how much of what you learned as a junior and collegiate player have you attributed to your success thus far?
PJ - My junior days were successful because I think the patterns we bowled on were much easier than what we bowl on now. I was used to bowling on house patterns and easier conditions. Bowling on those conditions probably created bad habits that I had to learn to get rid of later. College was a different story because we saw some of the toughest lane conditions possible. College made me a better bowler not only because of learning how to score when the conditions are hard. My success also comes from the coaches I had in college. Working with one or two coaches for four years made me a much better bowler.
Columbia 300 - You bowled well at the USBC Open Championship this year. What balls were you primarily throwing?
PJ - During nationals I threw a Full Swing and a Power Swing. The Full Swing had some surface on it and the Power Swing was polished. They complimented each other very well.
Columbia 300 - What was the moment that made you decide that you wanted to become a professional bowler and had you not done this what would you be doing?
PJ - When I decided to go to college for bowling was the moment I wanted to take it more seriously. I knew I had to get my education first though, so I decided to do both. Bowling is my main focus right now and will be until I physically can’t bowl anymore. If I wasn’t bowling I would probably be working in the bowling industry somewhere.
Columbia 300 - This is a two part question. First, what does it feel like to finally have all of your hard work, effort and dedication pay off and allow you to compete against the best bowlers in the world? Two, what do you think was the key to the successes that you have had so far and to approaching the new challenges ahead?
PJ - 1) It feels great to have my hard work and dedication pay off, I can’t describe the feeling. Bowling against the best in the world is a lot of fun and so challenging at the same time. These guys are unbelievable and I would like to consider myself one of those guys too. 2) One key to my success is staying mentally focused and reading some good mental books. Even just watching sports and individual athletes can help me focus and be more driven.
Columbia 300 - Like you said, the mental game in our sport is so important for success. What have been your biggest obstacles since you decided to take on a full-time PBA Tour schedule, both mental and physical?
PJ - I feel good both physically and mentally. Mentally and physically the hardest part is dealing with the ups and downs of tour. Some days I feel like I have it figured out and other days I have had no clue what was going on. Making the roller coaster a smooth ride is the hardest part. Every week is a grind out here because these guys are so good. Every block, every game, every frame is key, all week long. It’s a long but short seven tournaments here in Detroit, they go so quick and you don’t have much room for mistakes.
Columbia 300 – At the World Series of Bowling the arena bay has played much tougher due to the amount of friction on the old worn synthetic surface. How do you plan to attack that bay the next time you’re on it?
PJ - The arena bay is definitely much tougher and has a lot more friction. The next time I make it there, I will plan to use weaker balls, but still continuous, not flippy. Pair to pair that side is very difficult so there is really no way of keeping track of some characteristics of that side. It also depends on who I am bowling, if I am bowling a big hook guy, I will plan to stay farther right and not play in his traffic. If I am playing a straighter guy, I will try to stay left of him and have him create hold for me.
Columbia 300 - What are some of the challenges from last year to this year?
PJ - From last year to this year, the field size has grown for the month of August to 72 exempt players and now they are cutting to 28 instead of 32. That is 8 more exempt guys fighting for 4 less spots. This is only for the first half of the season but it makes it much tougher because everyone out here is a great player.
Columbia 300 - Who in your mind is the best player in the world right now, and why?
PJ - Chris Barnes is the best player in the world right now. When we bowled against each other in match play I bowled really well and got crushed by 100 in 4 games. He is repeating shots better than anyone and playing smarter than anyone right now. He is really tough to beat and also someone who is willing to help the young guys out which is nice.
Columbia 300 - How are you attacking the new patterns? What has shown the best success?
PJ - The new patterns are tougher and much lower scoring. Making spares and bowling smart has shown the most success. The equipment I have the most confidence in have been the balls I have been using the most.
Columbia 300 - What balls are currently in your arsenal and layouts?
PJ -
Resurgence - 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 below ring finger with a shift and hole down
Resurgence - 5 1/4 x 4 1/2 approximately 3 inches above bridge no hole
Freeze - 4 1/2 x 5 no hole
Freeze - 5 x 4 1/2 with hole on axis
Full Swing - 4 1/2 no hole
Full Swing - 5 1/2 x 5 no hole
Full Swing - 5 1/2 x 4 1/2 with hole on axis
Bedlam - 5 x 4 1/2 no hole
Power Swing - 5 x 5 no hole
Power Swing - 4 1/2 x 4 hole down
Power Swing - 5 1/2 x 5 no hole
Columbia 300 - How do you recover from a split or open frame?
PJ - A split or an open frame is a time to learn. Whether it was a mistake, the wrong ball, or a weird pair of lanes, it’s always a time to learn and make better choices.
Columbia 300 – What are your expectations on the season and goals you have set for yourself?
PJ - My goals for this season are to make match play every week, get better, smarter, sharper, quicker with my moves, and win matches. I will let the rest take care of itself.
Columbia 300 – PJ, thanks again for taking the time out tonight to answer these questions for us and the fans. You bowled well today on the Scorpion Championship making the round of 28 and we know you have an early start time tomorrow so we wish you good luck!
PJ – The pleasure was all mine, and thanks to all of the fans who wrote in their questions on Facebook and also thanks to you guys for the great products.
Based in Hopkinsville, Ky., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. The company’s consumer product brands include Ebonite, Hammer, Robby’s, Columbia 300, Track and Powerhouse™. Its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
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