Interview with Rhino Page
02/03/09
PBA Interview
By Joan Taylor for Bowlingdigital.com
Rhino Page, 2008's PBA Rookie of the Year is now in his "sophomore" year on the tour. By winning his first title, the Go RVing Classic in Norwich Connecticut on March 9, he not only became exempt for the 2008-2009 tour, but also became a player in the 2009 H&R Block Tournament of Champions. Looking back on the last 12 months, Rhino had many thoughts.
Rhino Page standing next to his life size cutout at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas. Click on the image to enlarge it.
"The year that I had last year was a highlight in itself. Winning in Norwich sealed the deal. Having the honor of being named Rookie of the Year, capping the year with winning in Thailand (gold in doubles with Patrick Allen and Team, silver in All Events, and bronze in Trios as well being part of that was special. That put the icing on the cake. This year, after struggling, to win on an oil pattern in Baltimore that wasn't my favorite was also a highlight."
The biggest difference for Rhino between playing as a rookie with the TQRs and being a PBA champion "is pretty simple. I don't have to bowl those seven games just to get into a tournament any more. I'm guaranteed a paycheck every week. That's big. When you miss a TQR you lost a lot of money that week with expenses, hotel, travel and six days to do nothing until the next tournament. Realistically you lost $1,000 especially if you're not rooming with anybody."
By the same token, even when he went through his TQR days he was able to make good money. "I was set up with a nice bowling ball contract. Just being part of the Storm bowling family gives me great pride, and being able to work with them in the off season is great." But who made more money—the amateur Rhino or the professional Rhino? "The pro beat me by a mile."
As far as sponsors go, Rhino feels they are "the most important part of surviving as a professional. It's your guaranteed paycheck considering we have 32 weeks of off time."
Rhino had said on the PBA website that the bowling center was his second home. "And it still is," he says. "When I am home, I spend time at the bowling center whether I'm bowling practicing, teaching kids or just hanging out with friends. But my other second home is the golf course. It's something I'm not good at but I enjoy. It takes my mind off everything and takes me outdoors. It's a great outlet for me."
In addition to golfing during the non-touring months, Rhino gives clinics and bowls in tournaments. In fact, Norwegian proprietor Asbjörn Haugen invited Rhino to bowl in his 2009 Evje International Open tournament in Norway, and Page accepted.
For people who want to be professional bowlers, Rhino encourages them with "Live your dream. If you dedicate your heart and mind to something, there's no limit to how far it can take you. I am living proof!"
On the left, Rhino with his parents, Karen and Richard Page.
To international bowlers thinking about joining the PBA, as Mika Koivuniemi did, Rhino cautions that "the TQRs are a tough way to go. The PBA really does have the best bowlers in the world. These guys are really good. My advice is for bowlers to come prepared. Make your spares. Have a good knowledge. Come out here open-minded. It's a whole different deal with oil patterns, and being on the road. You have to think fast. If you're not open-minded, as the block (of bowling) goes on, the players out here break the lanes down differently."
A typical week on the tour would consist of Sunday and Monday being travel days. "Most stops are 500 to 1000 miles apart. If the weather is warm enough, we try to play some golf on Mondays. Tuesday is laundry day or we just hang out. Wednesdays will start official practice and some pro-ams. If you bowl the Wednesday pro-ams you don't have to bowl the Saturday ones.
Then the grind starts with 14 games of qualifying on Thursday. To make the top 32 out of 64 sounds easy, but it's not. Normally Thursdays are a mental grind. If you're fortunate enough to make it, then Friday is match play day. It could be only 4 games in the best of 7 or 18 games in round robin, which makes for a very long day. Saturday is pro-am day if you don't make the TV shows. Then Sunday is hopefully a shot at a title."
Rhino is still a member of Team USA and distinguished himself in Thailand when his team tied the Korean team and a two-frame sudden death rolloff followed. Rhino thought the team would want Tommy Jones to bowl the pressure shots, but they all picked … Rhino Page.
"I could feel their confidence in me." He rolled spare, then two strikes and 9 for the victory. "I was so happy that I was able to come through for the team. There is no defense in this game. I wasn't just representing myself; I was representing my team mates and my country. My coaches were there who were with me when I was 17 and a head case with a bad attitude. Over the last 7 years they helped me to become the player I am today."
For those not in the know, Rhino's legal first name is Ryan, which caused a travel problem prior to the tournament in Thailand. "A couple of nights before going to the tournament, I noticed my tickets were in the name of Rhino Page. Well, they couldn't be used because when you present your identification at the airports, the name has to match the name on the ticket exactly. They had to book the flights all over again. My buddy Hoff (Billy Hoffman) said that the new tickets were in a class that was eligible for an upgrade, so I flew there in Business Class. I think that's why I bowled so well, thanks to Hoff."
What are Rhino's goals now that he's already been named Rookie of the Year and has two professional titles under his belt? "I still want to win ten titles, and I would then be eligible to be in the PBA Hall of Fame. I am hungry now. I want to win. I would love to be Bowler of the Year. That would be my lifelong goal."
How has success affected Rhino? "It hasn't affected my life, but I am recognized more now. I feel I can make a positive impact on people's lives by encouraging them and helping them out which I love doing."
When this article was completed, Rhino finished second in his first H and R Block Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas.
"It was nice to have a good week. It's a major title and any time you have a chance to win a major, it's neat. After missing three cuts it's nice to be back and be competitive especially with this field of champions."
Contact Joan Taylor at joaness@ptd.net
Rhino Page standing next to his life size cutout at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas. Click on the image to enlarge it.
"The year that I had last year was a highlight in itself. Winning in Norwich sealed the deal. Having the honor of being named Rookie of the Year, capping the year with winning in Thailand (gold in doubles with Patrick Allen and Team, silver in All Events, and bronze in Trios as well being part of that was special. That put the icing on the cake. This year, after struggling, to win on an oil pattern in Baltimore that wasn't my favorite was also a highlight."The biggest difference for Rhino between playing as a rookie with the TQRs and being a PBA champion "is pretty simple. I don't have to bowl those seven games just to get into a tournament any more. I'm guaranteed a paycheck every week. That's big. When you miss a TQR you lost a lot of money that week with expenses, hotel, travel and six days to do nothing until the next tournament. Realistically you lost $1,000 especially if you're not rooming with anybody."
By the same token, even when he went through his TQR days he was able to make good money. "I was set up with a nice bowling ball contract. Just being part of the Storm bowling family gives me great pride, and being able to work with them in the off season is great." But who made more money—the amateur Rhino or the professional Rhino? "The pro beat me by a mile." As far as sponsors go, Rhino feels they are "the most important part of surviving as a professional. It's your guaranteed paycheck considering we have 32 weeks of off time."Rhino had said on the PBA website that the bowling center was his second home. "And it still is," he says. "When I am home, I spend time at the bowling center whether I'm bowling practicing, teaching kids or just hanging out with friends. But my other second home is the golf course. It's something I'm not good at but I enjoy. It takes my mind off everything and takes me outdoors. It's a great outlet for me."
In addition to golfing during the non-touring months, Rhino gives clinics and bowls in tournaments. In fact, Norwegian proprietor Asbjörn Haugen invited Rhino to bowl in his 2009 Evje International Open tournament in Norway, and Page accepted.
For people who want to be professional bowlers, Rhino encourages them with "Live your dream. If you dedicate your heart and mind to something, there's no limit to how far it can take you. I am living proof!" On the left, Rhino with his parents, Karen and Richard Page.
To international bowlers thinking about joining the PBA, as Mika Koivuniemi did, Rhino cautions that "the TQRs are a tough way to go. The PBA really does have the best bowlers in the world. These guys are really good. My advice is for bowlers to come prepared. Make your spares. Have a good knowledge. Come out here open-minded. It's a whole different deal with oil patterns, and being on the road. You have to think fast. If you're not open-minded, as the block (of bowling) goes on, the players out here break the lanes down differently."
A typical week on the tour would consist of Sunday and Monday being travel days. "Most stops are 500 to 1000 miles apart. If the weather is warm enough, we try to play some golf on Mondays. Tuesday is laundry day or we just hang out. Wednesdays will start official practice and some pro-ams. If you bowl the Wednesday pro-ams you don't have to bowl the Saturday ones. Then the grind starts with 14 games of qualifying on Thursday. To make the top 32 out of 64 sounds easy, but it's not. Normally Thursdays are a mental grind. If you're fortunate enough to make it, then Friday is match play day. It could be only 4 games in the best of 7 or 18 games in round robin, which makes for a very long day. Saturday is pro-am day if you don't make the TV shows. Then Sunday is hopefully a shot at a title."
Rhino is still a member of Team USA and distinguished himself in Thailand when his team tied the Korean team and a two-frame sudden death rolloff followed. Rhino thought the team would want Tommy Jones to bowl the pressure shots, but they all picked … Rhino Page. "I could feel their confidence in me." He rolled spare, then two strikes and 9 for the victory. "I was so happy that I was able to come through for the team. There is no defense in this game. I wasn't just representing myself; I was representing my team mates and my country. My coaches were there who were with me when I was 17 and a head case with a bad attitude. Over the last 7 years they helped me to become the player I am today."
For those not in the know, Rhino's legal first name is Ryan, which caused a travel problem prior to the tournament in Thailand. "A couple of nights before going to the tournament, I noticed my tickets were in the name of Rhino Page. Well, they couldn't be used because when you present your identification at the airports, the name has to match the name on the ticket exactly. They had to book the flights all over again. My buddy Hoff (Billy Hoffman) said that the new tickets were in a class that was eligible for an upgrade, so I flew there in Business Class. I think that's why I bowled so well, thanks to Hoff."What are Rhino's goals now that he's already been named Rookie of the Year and has two professional titles under his belt? "I still want to win ten titles, and I would then be eligible to be in the PBA Hall of Fame. I am hungry now. I want to win. I would love to be Bowler of the Year. That would be my lifelong goal."
How has success affected Rhino? "It hasn't affected my life, but I am recognized more now. I feel I can make a positive impact on people's lives by encouraging them and helping them out which I love doing."When this article was completed, Rhino finished second in his first H and R Block Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas.
"It was nice to have a good week. It's a major title and any time you have a chance to win a major, it's neat. After missing three cuts it's nice to be back and be competitive especially with this field of champions."
Contact Joan Taylor at joaness@ptd.net