Pin Gods

Running time: N/A

The American Dream. We all live it. We all learn it. But very few truly have the ability to achieve it. That's one way of looking at it at least. Tony, Anton and Bob have a different viewpoint, as they enter into the big-time world of the Professional Bowlers Tour to compete against the greatest in the world and achieve their claim to immortality. But how does one survive a four month, 8,000 mile "coast-to-coast marathon" of cheap motels, cockroach-ridden diners, bad-hair days and the backstreet bowling alleys of Middle America? Persistence. Larry Locke's Pin Gods takes a tour through the private and not-so-private lives of these three bowlers as they compete against 200 others whose goal is also to take the place of current reigning champion Walter Ray Williams, one of the 10 - 20 bowlers in the world who can make their living through a bowling career. Competitive? You bet. We didn't mention that it takes about $15,000 out of each bowler's pocket just to compete for four months, or that of the small percentage who actually make money back for placing, only a handful may actually break even or see a profit. Why do it? You may say, "It's in their blood." But what Pin Gods reveals is how each bowler has their own reasons and their own incentives for the turmoil they put themselves through. And Larry Locke effectively and beautifully shows us it's not always about the money. --Mike Rabehl