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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Mail Tribune 100, Feb. 3, 1916 ... Critics pan Gov. Brown's minimum wage proposal at hearing ... Police ID missing teen who fell into ocean at Cape Kiwanda; video of rescue effort ... Mail Tribune 100, Feb. 3, 1916 ... Critics pan Gov. Brown's minimum wage proposal at hearing ... Police ID missing teen who fell into ocean at Cape Kiwanda; video of rescue effort ... Voss' dismal season takes a positive turn By TIM TROWER,Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By TIM TROWER,Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 16, 2004 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 18, 2010 at 2:41 AM By TIM TROWER,Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 16, 2004 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 18, 2010 at 2:41 AM » Social News Commentary Being one of the top 50 pro bowlers in the world hardly seemed like a chore to Brian Voss. If a chef can boil water and an accountant can do simple math, Voss could meet the criteria that would earn him a spot on the all-exempt Professional Bowlers Association Tour next season. It didn't seem like a big deal at all, Voss said Thursday after the first session of qualifying in the Medford Open at Lava Lanes. I figured, even if I had my worst year, I'd still make it. What he didn't plan on was putting that premise to the test. Never in my life did I figure I'd be where I am now, said the Hall of Famer from Atlanta, who, despite 22 career titles, finds himself on the outside looking in with less than half the season remaining. — What so far has been his worst season in a long, long time took a turn for the better when he emerged as the early leader here with a nine-game pinfall of 2,103. The total carries over to today, when the top 64 qualifiers roll another nine games to determine the 32 match-play entrants. Not since the first couple of events of the season ' when Voss made the finals in the Japan Cup, then followed it up with a round-of-16 appearance in the Banquet Open to start the regular season ' had he enjoyed such success. Since then, he said, all I've done is miss cuts. Well, not exactly, but he's not far off, either. Voss, 45 and in his 21st season as a full-time member of the tour, came into this week having cashed in only half of his 12 tournaments and having made match play in just three of them. He is 73rd in the points standings and has earned only & 36;15,440. This from a man who ended last season ninth in the world point rankings, has surpassed & 36;2 million in earnings and has eclipsed & 36;100,000 in season earnings nine times. He makes no bones about how poorly he's performed and how much it will hurt him if he doesn't get back on track. When you invest as much time and work in a career as he has, the prospect of a forced retirement isn't something taken lightly. To avoid it, he must win a tournament or be among the top 50 in points at season's end. Not so much financially, but my career is on the line here, said Voss. I can't imagine what it would be like not to bowl next year. There was no magical component, no arduous practice schedule, no great revelation that led to this breakout showing, which included a 299 game in which he left the 10 pin. He admitted to doing some soul searching, some thinking about what it all means to him. Voss' frame of mind was thrown for a loop early last year when he and his wife went through a divorce, which was finalized in July. It was a difficult period that created a weird feeling that still lingers, he said, and it may well have had an impact on the way he bowled. You can't bowl unless you're happy, said Voss. I don't care how good you are, you just have to be happy. His soul search may have reached its zenith during the 2& 189; weeks the tour had off over the holidays. He quit smoking, put his tennis shoes on again to resume a running regimen and recommitted himself to work hard at staying youthful, if there is such a thing. He's watching what he eats, stretching, working out, doing what he can. There are days when he wakes up with the kinks that come with age, but on the whole, his outlook has improved. Voss, who said one thing he didn't do a lot of during the break was practice, isn't ready to proclaim himself back in form based on one nine-game session. When you go through weeks of not bowling good, he said, it eats away at your confidence, and that's not something you can turn on and off. There's a process you have to go through. Part of it was qualifying so well. Another part will be match play, which he hasn't taken much part in of late. I've had slumps before, said Voss. I've been through this, but you could always be patient and work through it. There's no more patience left. It's got to happen in the next nine weeks. Of course, a victory here would solve a lot of issues. Winning right now is everything, said Voss. It would be a huge relief. It would take a huge burden off me. And put him out there next year where he belongs. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail By TIM TROWER,Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By TIM TROWER,Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 16, 2004 at 2:00 AM Updated Dec 18, 2010 at 2:41 AM » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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