My main focus starts with my kids. I have two children (Kaitlyn, 13 and Trey, 6) that are the center of my world. Kaitlyn is a very accomplished dancer already, with dreams of Performing Arts School as well as the big stage someday. Trey is your typical 6 year old boy…loves baseball, wrestling, and recently has found a love for bowling. Spending time with them is my ultimate release, and it’s what I enjoy most. Recently I’ve discovered a love for fitness. Although it started more out of necessity than desire, due to some serious health problems that I’d been dealing with for most of the last 20 years - I needed a lifestyle change. With the help of a good friend, I’ve been able to “re-shape” my body and mind for the better. This newfound love for fitness has helped me physically and mentally, and created new opportunities for my future.
I grew up in the lumber and building business, but always had a love for bowling. My Mother bowled professionally for few years, and my Father has always bowled as well. I always thought my future lied in Professional Bowling, but I chose to go the family business route and run our lumber yard instead. In the meantime, I got involved with drag racing and building competitive show cars as a hobby, but bowling was always still there. Finally, in 1999, I decided to join the PBA, and that was the springboard to where I am now.
I’ve always been a realist….I understand where my talent level is. I may never be a top 10 player, like a Norm Duke or a Pete Weber…but I guarantee you that I will work as hard as anybody to accomplish whatever I can. My goal was always to win a PBA National Championship, and I was very fortunate to achieve that goal in 2009. Now, no matter what happens, nobody can ever take that away. Whether I win 1 or 100 titles, my kids will always call me Daddy….and that’s what matters most.
Jeff won his first PBA Tour title in by capturing the 2009 GEICO Plastic Ball Championship. He has two other championship round appearances, both in the 2006-07 season, his first as an exempt bowler. One of those finals appearances came in the 64th U.S. Open where he lost to Pete Weber, 267-192. Jeff was named the 1999 PBA Midwest Region Rookie of the Year and the 2005-06 PBA Midwest Region Player of the Year. He earned his first career exemption by leading the 2005-06 PBA Midwest Region point rankings. He owns 12 PBA Regional titles. Jeff also holds the USBC record for highest league average 261.74.
Career PBA 300 Games: 22
| Season | Events | Cashes | Match Play | TV Finals | Titles | Avg | Earnings |
|---|
| 2010-2011 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
220.29 |
$2,125.00 |
| 2009-2010 |
18 |
17 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
212.23 |
$38,710.00 |
| 2008-2009 |
19 |
19 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
212.93 |
$60,327.50 |
| 2007-2008 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
209.76 |
$6,250.00 |
| 2006-2007 |
19 |
19 |
9 |
2 |
0 |
217.23 |
$66,652.00 |
| 2005-2006 |
20 |
15 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
212.98 |
$34,935.00 |
| 2004-2005 |
18 |
14 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
218.66 |
$27,870.00 |
| 2003-2004 |
19 |
12 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
212.97 |
$20,110.00 |
| 2002-2003 |
17 |
10 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
211.83 |
$16,750.00 |
| 2001-2002 |
10 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
212.38 |
$10,000.00 |
Recently I have created a greater awareness for my physical conditioning. With multiple injuries and illnesses the last couple seasons I have put forth more focus on my body and how it works. My weekly routine is pretty complex. While we’re not in competition my workouts include:
Mon – Cardio, Quadriceps, Abs
Tues – Intense Cardio, Chest, Triceps, Hamstrings, Abs
Weds – Cardio, Back, Biceps, Calves, Abs
Thurs – Intense Cardio, Shoulders, Abs
Fri – Cardio, Light Chest, Light Triceps, Light Biceps, Abs
Sat – HIIT Training (High Intensity Interval Training)
Sun – Rest
During competition week I have to adjust my workouts to fit into the hectic PBA schedule. I may cut back on some of the lifting and focus more on core training and cardio. I will lift more on off days than competition days. I use a stretching routine every morning whether I’m bowling or not, but I always stretch right before competition. My focus areas are my hips, groin, hamstrings, and calves. My upper body seems to get loose fairly easily, so I stretch more in my legs than anything else.
My practice routine is very simple. During the off season – I just don’t. Several years ago I practiced 4-5 hours a day, every day. I found myself wearing down before the season even started. I really don’t bowl very much during the off season; but I start preparing a few weeks before a season or a swing is about to start. Once the season gets going, I usually practice quite a bit. I only practice with a game plan, and only when I have something to actually work on (which is quite a bit with me). I’m very lucky to have my coach, Chris Schlemer, with me on the road. We spend a few hours on the off days getting plenty of work in. I don’t really have a certain time of day that I like to practice, but I try not to practice more than 15-20 minutes without short breaks. To me, in order to stay fresh mentally, it’s important to limit your time. You can bowl for 4 hours, just not all at once. I also use music when I practice; it relaxes me and helps to block out the outside distractions.
1. You have bowled all over the world. What is the best country you have ever bowled in excluding the US? The only country outside of the US that I've competed in was Japan at the 2007 Japan Cup. It was an unbelievable experience and something I will never forget!
2. Do you have any interesting superstitions or routines you go through before, during, or after bowling? What is the most interesting superstition or routine you have seen from another bowler on tour? I really don’t have any superstitions or routines. I really don’t think that way in any aspect of my life. I have routines, but nothing that I stick to religiously. My favorite superstition that I've seen is Ryan Shafer needing specific numbers in the serial numbers of the balls that he drills. That one cracks me up!
3. What is the best advice you have for a teenage bowler looking to make a career out of bowling? Start with high school programs and then head off to the college ranks. It is good to experience team bowling and the competition at those levels first. Also, make sure you get a good education to have something to fall back on. Bowling is about more than just physically throwing a bowling ball, so other skills are a big benefit.
4. When do you know when you need to change bowling balls? Usually the lane tells you when it's time. If you're watching your ball reaction throughout the entire lane, you'll know. That is one of my weakest points, knowing when it’s my ball reaction and not me. It's a constant struggle for me to improve in that area.
5. If you had one piece of advice for bowlers trying to elevate their game to a higher level, what would it be? A good spare game never goes into a slump. It can carry you through the rough times. My advice would be to develop a strong spare game and continually work hard to make sure it stays strong. Then as you elevate other aspects of your game, you won’t have to worry about your spare game.
6. How do you block out distractions around you during tournament play? I've always been one to pay attention to what’s going on around me. You can learn a lot about how the lanes are playing, who is having success, what types of balls are working, as well as the scoring pace. Everybody is different. Some people don’t want to know, but I've always looked at it as a challenge.
7. What is one valuable life lesson that you learned while on the PBA Tour that you believe would benefit most people? Unfortunately, I didn’t learn this until recently, but I now value my health more than anything. I spent the past few years dealing with illness and injuries, and I wish I had that time back. Fitness has now become more important to me now more than ever both at home and on the road. The key is to take care of yourself, eat a smart diet, and get some workouts in when you can. Take care of your body and your physical game will be more consistent. You also will be more likely to avoid injury.
8. Are there any particular songs or bands that you listen to before you bowl to help you get pumped up? I'm a huge Van Halen fan. Of course that is pretty obvious. When I'm practicing at home or on tour, I always have my Ipod playing; usually with my Van Halen playlists going.
9. If you got to choose a superhero ability, what would it be? Captain America was my favorite superhero growing up. I would want to be just like him.
10. What or who got you started in the sport of bowling? My parents both bowled when I was growing up. My Mom bowled professionally for a while. It was just natural for me to pick it up. I was fortunate to be around some great bowlers and coaches when I was younger, so that really helped me develop and reach new levels.
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