1986 PBA Brunswick World Memorial Open: George Branham III vs Ryan Shafer

On September 26th, 2010, Ryan Shafer won the PBA Parkway Lanes Eastern Regional event. In commemoration of this achievement, I have opted to post his very first televised match. He and George Branham III both made their first telecasts in this event. Here is the semifinal match of the 1986 Brunswick Memorial World Open. Ryan was a lad of 20 years of age while George was 24!

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• PBA
• bowling
• sports
• Ryan-Shafer
• George-Branham-III
• Palatine

[BowlingDiseased]

Mr. Shafer is probably the best bowler I have ever been around, especially in the last 5 years bowling regionals. His versatility, and knowledge of the game are unmatched in the east region. He is also the nicest of the 'exempt' PBA bowlers I have ever met. If he had just a little bit better luck on TV he would have about 15 titles now and a 1st ballot hall of famer

[irishpogi]

@BowlingDiseased Well put Lou!

[MELONHEAD8458]

then you shouldn't be criticizing none of them or the way they throw the ball. If you've won a National Tour title or multiple PBA Regional titles,then maybe you can make comments like "he no longer pushes the ball so far up and have the hesitation between steps. The bottom line,"YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK PRETTY AND SMOOTH TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS SPORT. I myself have a high backswing but I pick up 84% of my spares and I've won 10 Sport shot Scratch tournaments. Just a small % of my achievements.

[irishpogi]

@MELONHEAD8458 No one was criticizing Ryan. We were just making a comparison of his bowling style now and then. All wolf did was provide an observation.

[SonWayward]

wonder if Ryan could have done that for a number of years... a lot of effort going into that shot!

[irishpogi]

@SonWayward Ryan was just 20 years of age when he made TV for the first time. As we age, we all need to make modifications. I actually think Ryan's game is more repeatable now a days.

[GStricke]

Ahh yes, the Firebolt.

[jusrushem69]

Do you have the championship game on tape? Love to see it

[sommerssmith]

Ryan Shafer's delivery looked like he moved his head all over the place, a lot more than Walter Ray Williams, Jr. By the way, could someone post the 1987 A-C Delco?

[ridna660r]

@BowlingDiseased I had the pleasure of bowling against Ryan last Tuesday. Im pretty proud to say i tied him for points that night too!

[0007123451]

I think Ryan's form originally was meant to be an emulation of Mark Roth's. They both look very similar.

[Icandrum2]

shafer really modified his style in recent years. ive never seen his push away like that before!

[SmooveLefty]

Shafer had a horrific style of delivery back then.

[MELONHEAD8458]

I have a legitimate gripe and it's not meant to offend anybody. There's way way too many 160 to 170 average bowlers who have never done worth a DA*@ in the Sport,that are so quick to critcize and bash these pros and they need to get somewhere and shut the hell up. That's all I'm saying and it's the truth. 80 TO 85% of what usually leaves my mouth is the truth and not my opinion. I'M A PERSON WHO'S BEEN KNOWN TO TELL IT LIKE IT IS!!! I understand what you are syaing to irishpogi.