When I caught up with USBC Certified Silver Coach Chris Burnett for my first official lesson as a nearly 50-year-old bowler, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve bowled most of my life and, like many people my age, I’ve developed my own way of doing things. The game has given me plenty of memories and milestones, but the truth is, my body does not move the way it did in my twenties. I asked Chris why someone at my age would even bother taking a lesson. His answer was simple: because bowling is a lifetime sport. “It’s never too late to start getting coaching,” he said, pointing out that no matter your age or background, you can always get better. He told me about a local bowler who only has one leg, yet through practice and a little coaching has turned himself into an outstanding competitor. For Chris, that is what makes bowling unique. You can adjust, adapt, and improve for as long as you are willing to learn.

What stood out during my lesson was how Chris approached change. He didn’t try to rebuild everything I had done for decades. Instead, he looked for adjustments that fit my body now. A looser swing, a different rhythm in my steps, small refinements that could help me throw the ball better without fighting my own mechanics. He explained that coaching an older bowler means balancing the habits of the past with what is physically possible in the present. As he put it, this is still an athletic sport, and the body has limits, but that does not mean the bowler cannot keep improving.

The conversation moved beyond mechanics into the mental and physical preparation that so many of us overlook. Chris reminded me that bowling is as much mental as it is physical, quoting the old line that sports are “eighty percent mental.” He recommends that bowlers study the mental game, read books like The Inner Game of Tennis, and watch online resources that focus on confidence and visualization. At the same time, he stressed the importance of physical care. Stretching, fitness, and healthy routines, he said, are what allow players like Norm Duke and Amleto Monacelli to have long, successful careers. Listening to him, it became clear that good coaching is not just about how you throw the ball, it’s about how you prepare yourself to throw it year after year.

When I asked what bowlers should look for in a coach, his advice was simple: comfort. “You want to work with someone you feel comfortable asking questions of,” he said. “The worst kind of coach is one who insists there is only one way to bowl.” He lit up talking about the variety of styles he has seen, from backup balls to unusual releases, each of them successful in its own way. “The right way,” he said with a smile, “is your way.”

Chris’s love for coaching shows most vividly in his work with youth bowlers. Through The “R” Kids program he has helped create opportunities for young athletes to learn, compete, and grow. At a recent camp, kids were challenged with difficult lane patterns and learned how to adjust, something that builds both skill and character. Chris could hardly pick out standouts because, as he said, there were too many to name. The excitement is growing, and the program is set to expand again this fall with even more opportunities.

At the same time, Chris is making a mark at the college level as the head coach of the Oregon State University bowling program. He is building a team that is on the rise, with solid new talent and, for the first time, the possibility of fielding a full women’s roster. Right now the program is self-funded, and Chris himself volunteers his time simply out of love for the sport. OSU is working toward official club sport status, which would bring funding and stability, but until then, Chris and his athletes are pushing forward on determination and commitment alone. “We need places for kids to bowl at the next level without leaving Oregon,” he told me, and he is determined to make sure that happens.

To help support that vision, Burnett is hosting a fundraising event on October 12 at Mt. Hood Lanes. The day will feature a youth clinic and a classroom session on the mental game from respected local coach Gary Yamasaki. It is an opportunity for the community to step up, support young athletes, and invest in the future of Oregon bowling.

Spending time with Chris Burnett made one thing clear. Coaching is not just about strikes and spares, it is about finding confidence, building resilience, and giving bowlers of all ages the tools to succeed. Whether it is a nearly 50-year-old taking his first lesson, a youth just starting in the game, or a college athlete chasing big dreams, Chris is there to guide the way forward. And with programs like The “R” Kids and Oregon State University bowling under his leadership, the future of the sport in this state looks brighter than ever.