One constant for USBC Sport Bowling spokesperson Chris Barnes on his ongoing bowling journey has been top notch coaching.
“I may have received more top-quality coaching than any other United States player,” said Barnes, 36, a five-time Team USA member and six-time winner on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour. “It's my biggest advantage.”
During his formative years, Barnes’ late father, Phil Barnes, laid the foundation by teaching his son the basics of the sport. Wayne Sanders, an accomplished bowler and youth coach in Topeka, Kan., took Barnes under his wing and became his coach as the right-hander competed in youth leagues.
Once at Wichita State University, Barnes was guided by legendary coach Gordon Vadakin and Pat Henry. Vadakin and Henry helped Barnes take a big step by teaching him about lane play and how to vary releases and mental aspects of the sport.
On the PBA Tour, Barnes is learning to master bowling equipment, ball reaction and advanced lane play.
Perhaps his most significant coaching influence came when Barnes was a Team USA member from 1994-97. (He qualified for the 1998 team but resigned his position to turn professional.) It was during those years that head coach Fred Borden and assistant coach Jeri Edwards had a great impact on the young phenom. Barnes credits Borden with helping him refine his entire bowling game and Edwards with teaching him the finer points of the mental and physical game.
“I received terrific coaching from Fred and Jeri,” said Barnes. “They helped me improve my game a tremendous amount. They helped me grow up and become a better person.
With that superior coaching behind him, Barnes highlighted his Team USA stint by winning two gold medals in the 1995 Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and four golds in the 1997 Federation Internationale des Quilleurs American Zone Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
How much does Barnes believe in coaching? He and wife Lynda Norry, a eight-time Team USA member, both are certified coaches through USBC Coaching. Chris is a Silver level coach and Lynda is Bronze.
“Coaching is the most important aspect of any sport,” said Chris. “There is no sport where players get significantly better who didn't have good coaching. It's probably the least utilized aspect of our sport. If you've never had a lesson, I strongly recommend that you work with a USBC Coaching certified coach.”
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