Rags to Riches - Tom Smallwood
November 29, 2009
This time last year, Columbia 300 staff member Tom Smallwood was facing a what-am-I-going-to-do-now situation.
Like many Michiganders, the 31-year-old Saginaw native was laid off when General Motors lost approximately 40 percent of its value in less than a week. On Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, General Motors announced that it had posted a $4.2 billion loss and officials fully expected to run out of cash before the end of the year. As a result, the car maker would “idle” 3,600 hourly workers. The following Monday, GM stock closed at $2.92 for the first time since April 1943.
For Smallwood, GM’s woes brought on an opportunity. A six year member of the Professional Bowlers Association and a two year member of Columbia 300’s pro staff, the married father of a 2-year-old daughter competed previously when his work schedule would allow it. GM filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy helped clear his schedule considerably.
“I was trying to figure out when to take vacation time so I could bowl a few tour stops, when I heard the announcement that the World Series of Bowling was going to be in Detroit,” he said. “After the lay off, vacation time didn’t matter so much any more.”
Although he had been a good bowler, Smallwood said he had never considered a professional bowling career until the lay off. It is a decision his wife, Jennifer, fully supports, he said.
“If you’re ever going to do it, now is the time; so go out and practice,” she said.
The practice paid off, big time.
Smallwood earned his exemption to the PBA by finishing third in the tour trials held in June. From there it’s been a whirlwind ride, as he landed a spot on the television finals of the World Series of Bowling Scorpion Championship and the upcoming World Championship show in a couple of weeks LIVE on ESPN.
Smallwood’s success is somewhat astounding, according to traditional bowling standards, because he doesn’t use his thumb on release.
“My ball speed is very slow,” he said. “When I was a kid; I tried throwing with my thumb, and I would throw it about 2 miles per hour and couldn’t hook the ball. At about age 15 I decided to try bowling without using my thumb and it paid off. I still had a slow ball speed, but I gained a big hook,” Smallwood said.
With his unusual style of bowling, Smallwood said he prefers the Columbia 300 Power Swing because of its versatility.
“I’m a full roller and it’s a real advantage and I tend to strike a lot in leagues. The Power Swing is very controllable and smooth on all lane patterns,” he said. “It’s generally my go-to ball.”
During the Scorpion Championship television finals he used the Columbia 300 Loud NoiZe and the Cool NoiZe, because the Scorpion pattern varies so greatly from a typical house pattern, Smallwood said.
“The Scorpion pattern is much flatter; there is no hold in the middle of the lane,” he said. “You can never miss left. You have maybe a board, but not three or four. The Loud NoiZe is very clean through the front.”
As the lanes began to break down, Smallwood switched from the polished Loud NoiZe to the Cool NoiZe, to gain more traction on the lanes once the friction became unmanageable. Unfortunately, Smallwood threw several bad shots that did not work in his favor.
Although the match was hard-fought, Smallwood dropped the match to two-handed Australian bowler Jason Belmonte, and ended with a third place finish.
That’s not the last to be seen of Smallwood.
Smallwood’s story is one of local-boy-makes-good during a time when good news is rare, and as a result, he has quite a following. Every match he bowled during the World Series of Bowling was in front of a friendly crowd cheering on the hometown boy.
“Every game I bowled, all month long, there were at least two or three people behind me cheering me on,” Smallwood said. “It was nice to hear the cheers and have the crowds going nuts for me. I’ve had phone calls and emails form allover the US and it’s been really fun. We created a Facebook page so I could talk to some of these fans directly. I’m excited about what the future holds.”
When it comes time to head to Wichita for the World Championships in December, Smallwood will have a rock star-like posse to bring the hometown cheer of the Great Lake State to the plains of the Sunflower State and hopefully the momentum to go along with it.
While winning the World Championships would be an incredible addition to his whirlwind story, Smallwood is keeping his goals reasonable.
“My goal is to be in the top 10 this season,” he said. “Obviously to win would be a bonus, but to make top 10 is my ultimate goal this season.”
Smallwood has a bright bowling future, according to Columbia 300 Brand Manager Chad Murphy.
“I’ve watched Tom bowl for a number of years he is a fun guy and an incredibly talented bowler,” Murphy said. “Columbia 300 is very proud to have him on our staff.”
— The World Series of Bowling World Championships will be air live on Dec. 13, at 1 p.m. EST on ESPN. Check your local cable provider for channels.
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