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Parker Bohn III- Most Improved Player of the Year I know it does not make much sense to give somebody with 30 titles the most improved player of the year award but. Parker really understands ball reaction and hand positions better now than he ever has. I spent much of the last two years shaking my head wondering what Parker was doing and asking myself why. This year I was very impressed with his choices and options. I don't want him to take this award and think he is now done learning. I mean 30 titles and a most improved player of the year honor don't make a career. Mika Koivuniemi - Most Consistent Player of the Year This year was a good one for Mika but at the same time one of the most frustrating. I don't need but a couple fingers to indicate the number of weeks Mika didn't have a look during the practice session that looked like he could win the tournament. The frustration comes from the fact that the next day and the rest of the week never looked like practice day. Even when he made the show his look was never as good as it was during the practice session. Everything we did or Mika did it was impossible to match up to the superior look he had during practice. It got to the point that I suggested Mika not attend practice sessions because of the challenges of trying to achieve the same look he had during practice. It has a adverse mental effect on a player when they spend time trying to accomplish the look they know could win the tournament. Through all of that Mika battled hard every week and without a doubt was the most prepared staff member I worked with. Brad Angelo- Come Back Player of the Year You would have had to of been there to understand. Brad was in a funk at the beginning of the year. He had injured himself and had placed expectations on himself that were at a higher level of pressure. Brad just was not himself. This was the case through much of the year. Just as the pressure was mounting and the year was taking the look of a down year Brad collected himself and regained what makes him such a great player. It is impossible to avoid the expectation of fans and self. But that can not effect the performance of a player. You are only as good as your last tournament and it is important that a player understands what gives him the edge. Brad found out some of his driving forces and by the last quarter of the season I could see Brad Angelo was back. Michael Fagan- Most Gifted Player of the Year Michael is known for his ability to hook the ball but in a couple years he will be known for his ability to do the extremes. Michael has all the tools he needs to play either gutter. Michael is as special a talent as there is on tour, that doesn't mean he is ready to take up yearly rankings in the top 10. We still have to get the fear out of him. Knowing how good he is is part of the process. We can believe it all we want but my boy has got to believe it himself. No cloud no matter how dark should be able to slow him down- (just teasing Amanda) Tom Baker- Work Horse of the Year Take a break Tom you bowled too much this year. No professional bowled as much as Tom did this year and after 30 plus years on tour I could see the effects several times throughout the year. Nathan Bohr-Most Confused of the Year Nathan is a very talented player who had higher expectations at the beginning of the year than were realistic. The tour is that much different. I have taken different approaches with different players. Some I allow to develop as much on their own as possible while others need more attention. Nathan's game and confidence is as strong as it needs to be if we were to bowl on higher friction environments. Unfortunately I have not seen that in the years I have been on tour. If Nathan is to succeed at the level he desires, he will have to add tools to his bag. I spent a lot of time with Nathan this year trying to clear up pictures and have a better understanding of why he was and wasn't succeeding. I knew it would confuse him but when I sat back and thought about it I decided that his progress will be much faster if we get the confusion over as fast as possible. As soon as it looked like it was too much to handle I would back off a little and look for the right time to move along. I will say that the job is not complete but it is easy to see that Nathan's recognition and adapting skills have improved dramatically. We will see Nathan again the kid is a great worker.
Sean Rash-Race Horse of the Year The kid has what it takes to win. I love his attitude about the game and it is obvious he loves the ball in his hands. Right now he is a one trick pony that is anxious to get out of the starting gate. We are going to have to do some work in teaching him to get out of the gate at a more even pace and stay focused on the finish line not the scoreboard. His upside is very promising and to gain a victory out of the TQR in his first season is only an example of his potential. You will come out ahead if you place a bet on this stud.
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