Without A Pro Tour, Life Goes On for Macpherson

There is no question that Wendy Macpherson is one of the greatest women bowlers of all time, winning the distinction of being named Bowler of the Decade of the 1990's. Her career began with a stunning victory as an 18-year-old winning the U S Open in 1986, and she never looked back.

By the time the PWBA Tour ceased operation in 2003, Macpherson had accumulated 20 pro titles, including five majors. She was named Rookie of the Year after winning the Open, and went on to earn Player of the Year honors four times.

Macpherson owns 10 PWBA records, including all-time leading earnings of more than $1.2 million, and an amazing 102 career television appearances, making her perhaps the most recognized woman pro by fans everywhere.

In 2006, Macpherson won the USBC Open Championship Singles competing against thousands of the best male bowlers in the land, and in 2009, she takes her rightful place in the USBC Hall of Fame.

It was in Reno, Nevada just before the induction ceremony that Jim Goodwin took the opportunity to 'catch up' with what has been happening in Wendy's life "post PWBA."

Here is what Wendy had to share with the Bowling News Network:

 

Let's talk about the transition from a full-time touring professional bowler for 20 years to what has been happening since 2003 when the PWBA Tour ceased operation.

Sure – As you know, my first love is to bowl; to be a bowler. I love to compete. It makes my heart beat. I love everything about it. Since 2003, the lack of women's tournaments has been disappointing with no tour to bowl in, but in the past few years, there has been a little more for the ladies with the addition of the Women's Series to the PBA Tour. But it's still nothing like the 25 – 27 weeks per year we had for many years, and I miss that competition.

We understand you have made several trips to Japan to bowl?

Yes. A couple of years ago, I joined the Japanese Pro Bowlers Association, and I've been going back-and-forth bowling in about 7-9 tournaments a year in Japan. I take about four or five trips per year of about 2-3 weeks each trip. It's a fabulous time. I'm learning a new culture, and it takes care of my bowling fulfillment and gets my heart beating and all of that I really enjoy.

Have you learned the language?

I would love to learn it, but it is difficult. Our friend Susie Reichley [also a USBC Hall of Famer] has helped me a little, and she speaks it fluently, but it took her four years of living there to learn . . .so, maybe in about 20 years I can have a real conversation. Just when I think I am understanding a few things, its time to come back to the States.

Have you been able to make money bowling there?

Absolutely. A few dollars. It's an expensive thing to do. Airline tickets are expensive, and I need to pay a translator, but I do live with a family when I'm there, so that helps.

Do you have any sponsorship for the trips to Japan?

A little bit, but it is still very expensive, and I absorb most of the cost myself.

Are you still on a ball company staff?

I am. I'm still with Columbia 300. Some of the tournaments, its just not possible to make expenses, so I choose not to go, but it has been the experience of a lifetime; learning the culture. The home I live in Shizuoka overlooks Mount Fuji. I have my own room, and I'm able to leave things there for my next trip. They are a great family, and have made it my second home. They are super-supportive of my career and my adventure over there.

Has your husband Nick been able to go with you?

About a year-and-a-half ago he came for a couple of tournaments, but with the economic state we are in now, we have to work, and we do what we need to do to make a couple of dollars.

Do you still work with Brad Edelman and his High Roller tournaments?

Yes. I've been doing that since 1992. When I moved to Las Vegas in '91, I approached Brad and told him I would love to be a part of the High Roller staff. I saw it as an opportunity to be involved in the sport without physically throwing a ball, and I really love it. When I work those tournaments, my days are very calm, cool and collected. I am not emotionally involved – I didn't just bowl 300 followed by a 140 game, so the days are great because I am not bowling, but I am seeing others enjoy the sport. It has been a really great thing to be involved in.

And you and the High Roller staff are also involved in the Military Tournament?

Yes we are. I have great admiration for everybody in the service. These are good people who have risked their lives to defend our country, and I've met a ton of people through the two events that run in January and August. They are wonderful people. In all the years I bowled on TV, many of them saw me, and now I get to know them. It's been wonderful.

Tell us about the experience of winning the USBC Singles.

You know what, Jim – I can't put it in words. I'll never forget a quote of Pat Costello when I won the 1986 U S Open. She said, "It will be a little while before you realize what you have actually done." I'm now three years past winning that 2006 event, and I've been down to Cashman Center in Las Vegas a few times this year, and I always think like 'Wow, I have an Eagle in this historic tournament.' I just can't believe it happened. And it happened on a weekend that came after I had not bowled for three months because I had been caring for my father, who had just lost his battle with cancer. I hardly got dressed or left the house for three months after we lost him. I flew to Corpus Christi on the day he was cremated.

We all know how close you were to your dad – will your thoughts be of him when you accept your Hall of Fame plaque?

Absolutely. And my mother. My mother was one of the greatest ever, and it's been so many years - she passed away in 1992. . .so many people didn't really get to see her true colors. She was just an angel. As the years went by, due to the circumstances, my father and my sister Blair and I really got to know each other. We were all we had, and my father was just a great man. One of the saddest things I'm facing in this whole Hall of Fame process is not having them here with me. But nothing was left unsaid. I know that he wanted to be with me and stick out his chest and be proud and involved, but it just didn't work out that way. When I got the call from president Boje, I cried. I cried for a week. I didn't want to be a part of the ceremony. I was more sad than happy, but since January, I now see it in a different light. Now, I am very excited, and very happy, and very honored to be here.

Now, you have entered the politics of bowling as a new member of the USBC Board of Directors. How hard is politics compared to bowling?

Bowling is still harder. Politics is simply doing what you believe in; and maybe understanding why other people do things, and maybe changing your mind, or not changing your mind. Bowling is far more difficult than that. I'm excited about it, because it is a whole other avenue of bowling for me, and something else I can do without throwing a ball.

We remember that you were usually very outspoken when it came to politics in the PWBA – will that carry over to USBC?

I had my opinions, and like a lot of people, I think I've gotten more opinionated as I've gotten older. I just have such love for the sport of bowling. If I can do anything to help the sport, I will love being a part of it.

For some of us, it seems like yesterday that you won the U S Open at age 18, and now at 41, you are still young enough that you have many years to add to your career in bowling – does it seem that way to you as well?

I'm Hopeful. Some days, I feel a little older, but there are days when I can hardly believe I'm not still 18 and that so many years have gone by. Some days, I wake up with joints aching, and I know how many years it has been.

Are you still hopeful that a real Women's Pro Tour will return?

I can't have anything but hope. I'm biased. I only know one type of tour. I only know one type of format. I only believe one way – so I'm biased. I believe the way we did it with the multiple games and the lane conditions – bowling the U S Open on A, B, and C squad without ever running the lanes is the way to go. I don't think we need to bowl on fresh oil every time we bowl. I don't think we need to allow people to get lucky to win a match to advance. I think the best bowler in any given tournament should win. That is not happening under the formats that are being done now.

Carolyn Dorin-Ballard told us she does not consider the PBA Women's Series titles equal to her PWBA and LPBT Tour titles – do you feel the same?

Absolutely I do – not even close. I asked Jim Dressel recently what the writers thought. Do I have 20 or 21 pro titles? As an example, I watched Liz Johnson win her first U S Open title in Indy grinding it out for 56 games morning, noon, and night; and then I watched her bowl 14 games and about five more on TV to win the same thing. They just don't compare – but the record says she has two U S Open titles. But one is far more significant in my eyes than the other. One was on a format that I have a hard time giving any credibility to. I believe in change, but I think there can be change that is a lot different, that could still keep the integrity of a professional title.