While competing at 2018 U.S. Open, Anderson reflects on breakout year
October 28, 2018
WICHITA, Kan. - What a difference a year makes.
Andrew Anderson of Holly, Michigan, is having a banner year on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour and will represent Team USA next month at the World Bowling Men's Championships in Hong Kong.
He has made his way into the discussion for PBA Player of the Year and is eyeing his second major championship of the season this week at the 2018 U.S. Open.
But, if you asked him if he expected all of this back in January, the answer begins to explain how the hard work and dedication started to pay off for the 23-year-old right-hander.
"If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that I'd be going into the U.S. Open with a chance at player of the year and traveling to Hong Kong to represent Team USA, I probably would have laughed," Anderson said. "I had a lot to prove this year, though, and I'm not done yet."
After experiencing a few growing pains during the 2017 PBA Tour season, Anderson felt he could start fresh in 2018 , beginning with the United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials in Las Vegas.
"I was very dissatisfied with 2017," said Anderson, a two-time Junior Team USA member. "As the year went on, the bowling didn't change that much. I really wasn't having ups and downs - just a lot of mediocrity. I wasn't happy about it by any means, but Team Trials in January served as a fresh start for me."
Anderson had a slow start at The Orleans that week, but he finished strong and was selected to the adult team for the first time.
With added confidence from his selection to Team USA, Anderson wasted no time escaping mediocrity on the PBA Tour.
He made his first career television appearance at the PBA Tournament of Champions, finishing third, and just missed making the show at the Go Bowling! PBA 60th Anniversary Classic.
Despite the strong start in his first two events of the season, Anderson experienced a hiccup in his rise as he was not selected in February's PBA League Draft.
"Looking back at it now, I'm thankful for it, but at the time I was very upset and disappointed," Anderson said. "I put myself in that position, though, so I blame nobody but myself. I felt worthy of being picked, and it definitely fueled the fire leading into (USBC) Masters in April."
The Masters was the third major of the season, taking in place at the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse, New York. Anderson had no plans of being denied in the Salt City as he rolled to a 7-0 record, capturing his first career title by defeating Alex Hoskins of Brigham City, Utah, in the championship match, 213-199.
"I was out to get everybody," Anderson said. "Walking into the Masters, I wouldn't have been happy to leave without the title. From the start of practice, I was in another zone. My mental approach went from trying to prove something to knowing it was time to get it."
Anderson claimed his second title of the season in June at the PBA Xtra Frame Greater Jonesboro Open, and his final stop before the U.S. Open resulted in three additional championship-round appearances at the PBA Fall Swing in Owasso, Oklahoma.
He finished as the runner-up at the PBA Wolf Open and PBA Tulsa Open, and claimed fourth place at the PBA Bear Open.
While he was racking up the top-five finishes in Oklahoma, he still was looking ahead to his time this week at Northrock Lanes.
"I walked into Tulsa with the idea that I was preparing for the U.S. Open," Anderson said. "My eyes have been on the U.S. Open for a few months. I'm very happy with how I bowled and thrilled with how it went in Tulsa. I'm better prepared now because of it, and it gave me a lot of confidence for this week."
Entering Sunday's final round of qualifying at the U.S. Open, Anderson started the day in 12th place with a 3,385 total through 16 games.
Although Anderson knows the implications this week holds in determining the player of the year, he's keeping his sight set at the task at hand.
"To come into this tournament with a chance at that is all you can ask for, and I believe I've done a really good job of solidifying my spot," Anderson said. "Last year at this time, I had one stepladder appearance and had never bowled on TV. It's been crazy how this year has gone. But, I'm trying not to think about it too much this week, because I'm trying to win my second major and take it one step at a time."
After his time in Wichita is complete, Anderson's final major event will be donning the red, white and blue for Team USA at the World Bowling Men's Championships from Nov. 24-Dec. 5.
The United States will enter the South China Athletic Association Bowling Centre as the defending champion in the coveted five-player team competition.
While there was disappointment for not being selected by a single team in February, the phone call from Team USA head coach Rod Ross ended up being a surprise for Anderson.
"Even though I've had an incredible year, I still didn't think it was enough to be picked for this team," Anderson said. "Everyone on that team is just so talented. It gives me a lot of confidence moving forward that the coaches and program have trust in me. I think I can speak for just about everyone that we're going there with something to prove as a team, and I can't wait for it."
When the calendar turns over to 2019, Anderson's ascension to becoming one of the top bowlers on the planet no longer will be in question. As long as he continues on his path, nobody should be questioning it for a long time.
"I don't have the highest rev rate, and I'm not the most powerful player," Anderson said. "I try to get it done with what I have, and I think this year has shown that."
Andrew Anderson of Holly, Michigan, is having a banner year on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour and will represent Team USA next month at the World Bowling Men's Championships in Hong Kong.
He has made his way into the discussion for PBA Player of the Year and is eyeing his second major championship of the season this week at the 2018 U.S. Open.
But, if you asked him if he expected all of this back in January, the answer begins to explain how the hard work and dedication started to pay off for the 23-year-old right-hander.
"If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that I'd be going into the U.S. Open with a chance at player of the year and traveling to Hong Kong to represent Team USA, I probably would have laughed," Anderson said. "I had a lot to prove this year, though, and I'm not done yet."
After experiencing a few growing pains during the 2017 PBA Tour season, Anderson felt he could start fresh in 2018 , beginning with the United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials in Las Vegas.
"I was very dissatisfied with 2017," said Anderson, a two-time Junior Team USA member. "As the year went on, the bowling didn't change that much. I really wasn't having ups and downs - just a lot of mediocrity. I wasn't happy about it by any means, but Team Trials in January served as a fresh start for me."
Anderson had a slow start at The Orleans that week, but he finished strong and was selected to the adult team for the first time.
With added confidence from his selection to Team USA, Anderson wasted no time escaping mediocrity on the PBA Tour.
He made his first career television appearance at the PBA Tournament of Champions, finishing third, and just missed making the show at the Go Bowling! PBA 60th Anniversary Classic.
Despite the strong start in his first two events of the season, Anderson experienced a hiccup in his rise as he was not selected in February's PBA League Draft.
"Looking back at it now, I'm thankful for it, but at the time I was very upset and disappointed," Anderson said. "I put myself in that position, though, so I blame nobody but myself. I felt worthy of being picked, and it definitely fueled the fire leading into (USBC) Masters in April."
The Masters was the third major of the season, taking in place at the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse, New York. Anderson had no plans of being denied in the Salt City as he rolled to a 7-0 record, capturing his first career title by defeating Alex Hoskins of Brigham City, Utah, in the championship match, 213-199.
"I was out to get everybody," Anderson said. "Walking into the Masters, I wouldn't have been happy to leave without the title. From the start of practice, I was in another zone. My mental approach went from trying to prove something to knowing it was time to get it."
Anderson claimed his second title of the season in June at the PBA Xtra Frame Greater Jonesboro Open, and his final stop before the U.S. Open resulted in three additional championship-round appearances at the PBA Fall Swing in Owasso, Oklahoma.
He finished as the runner-up at the PBA Wolf Open and PBA Tulsa Open, and claimed fourth place at the PBA Bear Open.
While he was racking up the top-five finishes in Oklahoma, he still was looking ahead to his time this week at Northrock Lanes.
"I walked into Tulsa with the idea that I was preparing for the U.S. Open," Anderson said. "My eyes have been on the U.S. Open for a few months. I'm very happy with how I bowled and thrilled with how it went in Tulsa. I'm better prepared now because of it, and it gave me a lot of confidence for this week."
Entering Sunday's final round of qualifying at the U.S. Open, Anderson started the day in 12th place with a 3,385 total through 16 games.
Although Anderson knows the implications this week holds in determining the player of the year, he's keeping his sight set at the task at hand.
"To come into this tournament with a chance at that is all you can ask for, and I believe I've done a really good job of solidifying my spot," Anderson said. "Last year at this time, I had one stepladder appearance and had never bowled on TV. It's been crazy how this year has gone. But, I'm trying not to think about it too much this week, because I'm trying to win my second major and take it one step at a time."
After his time in Wichita is complete, Anderson's final major event will be donning the red, white and blue for Team USA at the World Bowling Men's Championships from Nov. 24-Dec. 5.
The United States will enter the South China Athletic Association Bowling Centre as the defending champion in the coveted five-player team competition.
While there was disappointment for not being selected by a single team in February, the phone call from Team USA head coach Rod Ross ended up being a surprise for Anderson.
"Even though I've had an incredible year, I still didn't think it was enough to be picked for this team," Anderson said. "Everyone on that team is just so talented. It gives me a lot of confidence moving forward that the coaches and program have trust in me. I think I can speak for just about everyone that we're going there with something to prove as a team, and I can't wait for it."
When the calendar turns over to 2019, Anderson's ascension to becoming one of the top bowlers on the planet no longer will be in question. As long as he continues on his path, nobody should be questioning it for a long time.
"I don't have the highest rev rate, and I'm not the most powerful player," Anderson said. "I try to get it done with what I have, and I think this year has shown that."