If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

It's an old adage, but one Gary Sutton has stood by for much of his bowling career.

The right-hander, from a technical standpoint, has always finished on the wrong foot.

Throwing right-handed, Sutton's right foot is also his slide foot, when for most people it would be their left.

“I've always done that, since I was four or five,” said the 22-year-old. “I always threw right-handed, I kicked a soccer ball with my right foot, I did everything with my right side. My parents never picked up on it and by the time they did I was just comfortable doing things that way. I've tried to do things regularly, but for me it has never really worked.”

While his approach may be out of the ordinary, it doesn't seem to have inhibited his game.

Sutton was an avid bowler from an early age, starting at Starlite Lanes and sticking there through much of his junior career.

“I loved bowling,” Sutton said. “It was something fun to do on Saturday mornings and I've just done it all my life.”

Through his junior years, Sutton piled up some impressive accomplishments, earning two 300s and an 800 series by the time he was in 11th grade.

“When I was in eighth grade I got a 299,” Sutton said. “But really I think that helped get the nerves out and made it easier to bowl the 300s.”

As a junior bowler, Sutton was also fortunate enough to be part of the Youth Bowler's Tour, which allowed him to travel and compete with other youth bowlers across the state.

“You earned points and scholarship money,” Sutton said. “That was a lot of fun, bowling against other kids and in new houses, things like that.”

Sutton also won the Junior Masters in 2002.

Two years ago, Sutton made the jump to the men's leagues, but as a full-time student at SUNY Oswego, he has had less time to focus on bowling, but has been an occasional sub on his father's team at Rainbow Lanes on Friday nights.

But he has found time to try his hand at The Citizen Masters.

Last years, Sutton said he missed the cut by about 20 pins, but this year he made the field, bowling a 636.

“I wasn't bowling too well the first few weeks,” Sutton said. “I got by. But (Sunday) at Cedar House I was bowling pretty good, but my opponents were just bowling better.”

With an impressive run, Sutton isn't too concerned about his irregular approach.

“I've always wondered, you know, would I bowl better if I didn't do things the way I do,” Sutton said. “But I've bowled pretty well so far.”

With his Masters run over, Sutton will be focusing on school again, student teaching for the remainder of the semester and graduating in May.

“I'd like to be a teacher,” Sutton said. “Maybe a high school guidance counselor someday. I might go and get my masters in counseling one of these days. Right now that is where my focus really is.”

But once he gets settled into his life after school and into a career, Sutton said he plans to find more time for the game.

“It is something I've always really enjoyed,” Sutton said. “Whenever my dad needs a sub I'm there. So once I have a regular job and everything I definitely want to get back into bowling a little bit more.”