One-On-One with Brandon Sullivan: Big Win
At 8 years old, his father took him to County Club Lanes in his hometown of Sacramento, CA. He recalls his father being a good bowler, but the family wasn’t particularly serious or passionate about the sport at the time. It wouldn’t be until about 30 years later when his relationship with bowling truly began. And if one ever wonders if they can achieve and accomplish things in the sport of bowling after picking up the game later in life, and achieve success in a short period of time, just talk with Brandon Sullivan. I had a chance to do just that and I asked Brandon about his bowling journey.
“In the summer of 2022 my now wife Jennifer Sullivan, my best friend TJ, and I joined a bowling league at Diablo Valley Bowl. It was there that my passion started for bowling. I quickly realized house balls hurt my hand, so I purchased my first ball, a Brunswick Rhino, and some shoes. When I saw I could get a ball to hook, I was hooked. At the same time my middle son Lukas started bowling as well. Watching him bowl and grow as a bowler has been very inspiring. I knew that I wanted to be able to share bowling with him. Something I never really got to do with my father for any length of time.”
When Brandon becomes inspired by something he goes all out. He was determined to learn and do whatever he could to improve his game.
“When I say I was hooked, it’s been crazy since that point. I consume knowledge for anything I’m passionate about at an almost inhuman rate. I read blogs, watch videos, and I have a coach I see almost weekly at Paddock bowl. I learn about bowling balls, lane patterns and anything else I can learn each day. I also practice religiously. At least 10 games a week, ideally more. I approach the game very methodically. I plan on going to Mark Baker Bowling Camp in the future too. I also go to different alleys to see the topography differences and see how different house patterns act. Anything to be better. As I said I don’t view myself as a good bowler, I just go out and do my best.”
Brandon would practice after league every week and many times during the week. He watched YouTube videos on how to bowl, read many books, and a bit of coaching. He worked extremely hard. People thought he was sandbagging which made me mad since I witnessed his transformation. He is also an incredibly nice guy.
-Renee Matsutani
Successes were starting to pile up for Brandon and success breeds confidence. I asked Brandon about a few of his successes and about some of the local bowlers that he admired.
“My first ‘high roller’ tournament at Clayton Valley Bowl that I bowled in was a fond memory competing against people I knew and coming in 4th place overall and cashing in my first time out was amazing.
Another fond memory was when I competed against one of the best bowlers I’ve ever bowled with or against in a position round in my second high roller tournament. I had to bowl against Kurt Reisinger. I was so caught up with bowling against him I didn’t realize I had beaten him scratch. He said, ‘it’s tough being so inspiring’, jokingly of course, but he has no idea how right he was, I love watching him bowl.
Allen Ables, and Nick Lunghi, are also huge inspirations to me. Luke Chapman is always fun to watch and compete against and even though he is half my age I look up to him a ton for his skill and consistency.”
In just a year’s time since discovering his love and passion for bowling, all the work and dedication to learning and improving his game paid off on league night, February 23rd, 2023, and he struck perfection. I asked Brandon about this special night and accomplishment, and how his first 300 game unfolded.
“On the day of my 300 game, it seemed like a pretty ordinary day. The one change is I took a nap that day. I had been tired previous weeks during bowling and wanted to avoid that. Starting the game in warm up I noticed my line was holding really well. I was lined up on 25, and throwing over 12 and throwing my favorite ball, the Zen. Earlier in the week practice with my teammates, they said ‘you aren’t a robot, you can’t throw over the same line every time’. While it wasn’t a challenge per se, I may have taken it as one.
A few moments from this game stands out to me. Frame 6 stands out because it was my first ever 6-bagger. Frame 7 was huge because my friend TJ asked me how I was doing and I told him, I’m focusing on my breathing, that’s all. That’s when I think everyone started realizing I was so zoned in. I was just trying to stay calm. Frame 8 was my only bad throw. I missed my line by 2. I threw over 14 and the ball labored to get back, but it did, and gave me a light mixer strike. At this point, I still didn’t think 300 was possible. It seemed impossible. Frame 9 it was silent all around me and I noticed no one coming near me anymore. Going into the 10th frame, I was shaking, but my first strike was flush. The second strike in the 10th was a light mixer and the third was as ‘pocket’ as possible. As soon as I saw the pins fall my eyes filled with tears and I fell down. I had been perfect at something for the first time in my life. I heard so many people cheering and clapping, it was so validating. It also gave me something to strive for again. I shot another 5 strikes in a row the next game to put me to 18 in a row, my personal best.”
Brandon’s interest, dedication and commitment to bowling continues to grow. His knowledge of the game keeps expanding. His goals and aspirations are also growing as he has his eyes set on competing professionally.
“My investment and interest in bowling continues to grow all the time. The higher my average grows and the more bowling experiences I have, always leaves me wanting more. I honestly love the sport. The environment and challenge always pushes me to improve. At Clayton Valley Bowl we are lucky to have a pretty great community of people, it makes it easier to want to be there. Recently, I bowled my first ‘sport shot’, the ‘Dragon’ pattern, and it was so humbling and fun. There is talk of a PBA experience league for the summer, I absolutely want to do that.
I recently bowled at the 2023 Summer Jubilee tournament at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, NV. The Jubilee tournament was amazing. From the moment you walk into the stadium you can feel the weight of everything you are doing. The National Bowling Stadium is like nothing I’ve ever seen for a sporting event, at least not that I’ve played in. Walking through the museum of bowling and going up to the actual stadium and seeing the 80 plus lanes is awe inspiring. I bowled with my current teammates from CV Bowl, TJ Jennings, James Evanson, as well as my wife, Jennifer. I want to bowl in every house I can for more experience.
I own 18 bowling balls, just so I have an answer for any situation. I’m addicted to the sport, nearly. I want to go to Mark Baker bowling camp at some point. My goal is to achieve a 220 average and bowl in some PBA Regionals. I started with a 127 average 15 months ago. Currently, in my scratch league I’m sitting around 205.”
Brandon loves to learn so he can keep improving his game but even if he’s struggling he’s glad for others if they are doing well. If someone asks for help, Brandon will be the first one to offer assistance as he genuinely wants those around him to do well.
-Jennifer Sullivan
I asked Brandon what tips he might give bowlers looking to improve their game.
“We are all different, you should approach the game the way you are comfortable approaching it. For me, it’s a lot of repetition and coaching. Work on your mental game, bowling is about math and keeping your head in the game and minimizing distractions. While saying that, have fun! The bowling community is an awesome one. I’ve met many great, interesting, intelligent, helpful people. Keep making goals and get some coaching if you need to. No one that bowls at a high level, learned everything alone. Coaching from someone can go a long way towards helping develop your game.”
Brandon recently started a YouTube channel to document and feature his bowling. But he has other hobbies too, not to mention a very active family.
“I still enjoy video games, but mostly socially with longtime friends. My family and two dogs keep me busy. My eldest son is 19 and a busy growing adult with work and college. My middle child, 14, is also a bowler. He’s bowling so well lately, and I couldn’t be more proud. He’s getting closer and closer to a 170 average. My youngest is a social kid that loves a little of everything, currently he’s playing soccer. I also have my unborn son coming in December. My family keeps me quite busy. I work as a bartender. My life is very full and fulfilling.”
Brandon Sullivan is a great example of no matter when in life you discover your passion for something, such as a love for bowling, if you dedicate yourself to it and put in the work, you can accomplish your goals and even achieve perfection. The most important thing to Brandon is crystal clear, and that’s sharing his love for bowling with his family.
“The most special memory of bowling for me was bowling with my son Lukas, in the Junior/Adult championships. We were both new to the game and just went for the experience. We both bowled well for where we were at with our games at the time, but the Big Win for me was him asking me to bowl with him. He could have bowled with his stepdad who is a pretty good bowler, or his grandpa who is an outstanding bowler, but he chose me and wanted to have fun and have that memory with me.”
