
My title is Eric Martinez, and I’m the pinnacle of product testing for Bowling This Month. Each month, my workforce and I review new bowling balls launched to the market. With the Columbia 300 model not too long ago introduced for retirement, that is my first article for BTM outdoors of my commonplace ball evaluation template, and it’s a thanks to Columbia 300 for its service to the bowling business during the last seven many years.
I used to be not too long ago inducted into the Larger San Antonio Bowling Corridor of Fame, and in getting ready my induction speech, I discovered myself revisiting recollections which might be a lot brisker now than they usually can be. What follows is a private reflection on a model that performed a significant function in my bowling life. My story as a bowler and professional store operator can’t be instructed with out Columbia 300.
My dad and mom used to document PBA bowling for me and my youthful brother on the VCR. Youthful readers will in all probability must ask AI what a VCR is. I nonetheless keep in mind watching Marshall Holman throw a Wine U-Dot, and guys like Amleto Monacelli, Marc McDowell, and Robert Lawrence hooking the lane with a Black U-Dot.
My first “actual bowling ball” was a charcoal gray Columbia 300 White Dot with a traditional grip. I used to be principally self-taught rising up, however I had a really big-name coach who was keen to assist, Mr. Joe Vito Buenrostro. He pulled some strings and received me my White Dot by way of considered one of his learn-to-bowl camps. From there, it was time for my first fingertip grip, and Joe’s suggestion was the Black Shadow. Bowlers who have been round then will do not forget that the Black Shadow was a reskin of the Black U-Dot. That is the ball that basically taught me to turn into a bowler.
I did analysis within the early days of the web and figured it was time for a next-generation reactive resin bowling ball. I had two relations who have been members of the San Antonio Hearth Division, and as …