Team USA will be loaded with professional talent when it competes in international play this season.

In August, the World Tenpin Association voted to allow professionals to compete alongside amateurs at the events.

Joining the men's team are PBA stars Sean Rash, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Parker Bohn III, Tommy Jones, Patrick Allen and Chris Barnes. Women professionals on the team are Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Liz Johnson, Kelly Kulick, Kim Terrell, Diandra Asbaty and Wendy McPherson.

I guess this falls in line with what the Olympic Games have done in allowing professionals to compete. Although I am glad that the USA teams will be bolstered by the pros, I have never liked the mixing of professional athletes and amateurs.

The teams will compete in August at the World Championships in Thailand.

I have been getting a lot of reaction to my odd facts trivia, so here is another one: Mike Daugherty of Ohio and Bill Chestnutt of Illinois hold the USBC record for highest sanctioned game rolled without throwing a spare or strike. What was their score? Answer at the end of the column.

• <b>Brad Buckley</b> led all bowlers in the Buckhorn League with a 268 game and 751 series. Others who bowled well were Carl Ealy 237 (681), and Rich Atkison 188 triplicate.• <B>Mike Kelly Auto League: </B>Kurt Weaver 259 (740), Bob Popson 279 game, Ed Michael, 270 game, Ron Kummer 267 (704).• <B>Fox's Pizza Den:</B> Bobby Eppinger 278 (760), Tom Fennell 278 (688), Tim Connell 235 (661).• Linda Massucci rolled her second 600 series of the season, a 622, leading all bowlers in the Women's Major League at Family Bowlaway. Massucci's high game was 226.• Linda Smith topped all bowlers in the Coins League with a 211 game and 531 series.

A relaxed arm swing begins with a relaxed grip. To get a feel for what a relaxed grip is, try this method.Get in a comfortable stance on the approach, with the ball waist-high and your ball-side foot a little bit behind your sliding foot.With your fingers inserted in the ball, squeeze it as hard as possible for 7-10 seconds. You should feel tension in your arm, shoulder, and hand. Relax your grip and feel the difference.Try this the next time that you feel as though your release is not as clean at the foul line.

Sean Rash, 25, became the youngest USBA Masters champion, defeating Steve Jaros 269-245 to win the Masters event at Miller Park, home of baseball's Milwaukee Brewers. Jaros was looking to be the first No. 4 seed to win the Masters title.The PBA heads to Michigan for the Motor City Classic. ESPN will televise the finals on at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Daugherty and Chestnutt each rolled a 90.

The Butler County Bowling Association county tournament will be held the next two weekends at Freeway Lanes in Zelienople. Squad times are at 2 p.m. on Saturday and at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.Ron Willison is the bowling columnist for the Butler Eagle.