States next Wednesday for a month-long tour which will see him competing in five professional tournaments.

Included in these are three events connected with the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) regular and senior tours and Hayward will be looking to get amongst the money as he rolls with such greats as Earl Anthony and Dick Webber.

His first stop is Cleveland, Ohio where he will meet up with traveling partner American, Eugene Blackwood and compete in a National Black Bowling Association (NBA) tournament on February 13.

After that there are stops in Toledo, Ohio for the $300,000 Bud Light hall of Fame Championships, Pennsylvania ($150,000 Flagship City Open), Oklahoma ($200,000 ABC/PBA Senior Masters) and Florida (National Senior Bowlers Tour) before Hayward returns on March 26.

"Right now I'm feeling very good about my form and looking to have my best year on the tour,'' said Hayward, who boasts personal bests of a 299 game and 702 series. "Mentally I'm better than ever. I've accomplished a lot of things that I set out to do therefore my mental outlook is really good.'' Hayward's best finish was 10th in 1990 at the Buffalo Open but he regards a meeting with Anthony as one of his most memorable moments.

"In 1991 in Toledo I was crossing with Earl Anthony and to average 234 for one block was the best bowling I'd ever done at that time.

"And then to have him congratulate me at the end was a great moment.'' Anthony went on to win that tournament while Hayward came 44th, earning $1,100 for his efforts.

Of his playing alongside such bowling greats Hayward said that he "admires them for their greatness, but on the lanes they're just another bowler''.

In all the spry Bermudian has played in over 50 overseas tournaments since turning pro 15 years ago. His best year was 1987 when his earnings totaled $15,000 from eight tournaments.

Ironically Hayward only took up the sport when he was recruited as a `last gasp' replacement on the Lucas House team which had found themselves short of one player.

Much has happened since that time when all he knew was that he had to put three fingers in the ball and find a way to roll it down the lane, hoping to knock over a few pins.

Hayward has gone on to represent Bermuda at several international competitions including the 1974 World Bowling Cup and as a member of the FIQ team which traveled to England in 1975. Most recently he won the NBA Peachtree tournament hosted on the Island in 1988.

Said Hayward: "I found it (bowling) very challenging and once I find something challenging I stick with it.

"Of all the things I've tried, bowling is the only thing I have not been able to master.'' ON TOUR -- Quinton Hayward.