Michelle Feldman attracted little attention last week bowling in Auburn's annual city tournament at Cedar House Lanes, not a big deal for the former Professional Women's Bowling Tour star.

For the past two years, Feldman has quietly enjoyed her job as co-manager and bowling coach at Falcon Lanes, a house owned by her grandfather, Gary Feldman. That commitment has taken the sting out of the events five years ago, when a lack of funds caused the PWBT to abruptly slam its doors shut, effectively ending Feldman's pro career.

Once again on solid ground, Feldman, 32, on Thursday will step back onto the national stage - without a hint of reluctance - competing in the Pepsi Viper Championship in Omaha, Neb. It's the first of seven Women's Series stops presented by the United States Bowling Congress during the Denny's PBA Tour. It brings together 16 qualifiers from the recent Women's U.S. Open, and it could be a very good fit for the woman whose life is centered squarely in Auburn.

“I'm having more fun bowling now than I've ever had; I'm more relaxed,” she said. “Before, it was a job. I don't have to go out and make $5,000 so I can pay my mortgage or make my car payment. My future is at Falcon Lanes.”

During her 11-year run on the PWBT, Feldman made nearly a dozen TV appearances each season. She enjoyed life on the road, hanging with tour buddies she called “my second family.” And it was always special when news reached home that she'd made the finals of a tournament.

“My grandpa would jump in the car and come to see me,” said Feldman, winner of 10 titles.

All these years later, her resolve is still intact. She failed to make an ESPN telecast in the inaugural four-event Women's Series last season as difficult lane conditions kept her frustrated. This time around, she hopes more opportunities and fresh motivation will spell success.

“There's always the incentive to do better,” the talented right-hander said. “I would like to make a TV show on an oil pattern I hate, like Cheetah. That would be nice. Just to say ‘all right?'”

Still, her thoughts remain on home. She'll attend the Nov. 8 Auburn Hall of Fame induction of her grandfather, which “I wouldn't miss for anything,” she said, and two days later practice begins for the Auburn High bowling team, which she will help coach as often as time allows over the next few months.

She also looks forward to a home-field advantage when the Women's Series lands in Cheektowaga, a Buffalo suburb, on Dec. 3.

“That will be cool because a lot of the new friends I have met at Falcon Lanes want to come down and watch me bowl. They've never seen a tour event,” she said.

Feldman has high expectations, but knows she'll still have her job to come back to.