Hall of Famer Martha Burton dies

August 10, 2006 — A local legend is gone: NCAUSBCA Hall of Famer Martha Burton died August 7, 2006.

Burton, born in 1913 and a District resident, was the perfect example of a woman who lived the vision of bowling for a lifetime. She began bowling in the early 1930s when blacks were banned from membership in the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC). She had no problem overcoming those boundaries, though, and after WIBC dropped its "Caucasian Only" rule in 1950, she bowled in 35 WIBC Championship Tournaments, served as a delegate for 37 years, and was a president and director of the Washington, D.C. Area Women's Bowling Association (WDCAWBA) for more than 40.

Burton became involved in the organizational aspects of tenpin bowling while bowling in the National Bowling Association. She served as secretary and president of the Greater Washington Bowling Senate and was a national junior director. She chaired the national TNBA Hall of Fame and was the eastern representative of the national TNBA junior program.

Burton began a 12-year stint as a member of the WDCAWBA board of directors in 1951 and then was third vice president for eight years. She served as association president for eight seasons (1971-72 to 1978-79), during which time membership reached an all-time high of over 43,500. She also was a president of the Vir-Mar District YABA and a youth director at Bowl America Glassmanor, where she was known as "Mrs. Bee."

She was a member of the Virginia State Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame and was a northern director of the Virginia State Junior Association.

In 1997, she was elected a WIBC member emerita, becoming the first non-WIBC board, non-staff member to be so honored.

Other honors include:

• Life Membership (WDCAWBA).
• President's Award (WDCAWBA).
• Life Membership (TNBA)
• Certificate of Merit (TNBA).
• Mary L. Wilkes Award (TNBA).
• Certificate of Appreciation (Arlington, Virginia Optimist Club)

August 8, 2006 — Nation's Capital Area USBC Association (NCAUSBCA) Hall of Famer Ron Dailey recently lost his left hip and leg due to cancer, the NCAUSBCA office has learned.

Dailey, who joined the then-Nation's Capital Area Bowling Association board of directors at the start of the 1979-1980 season, became a vice president in 1987 and served as the association's president in 1992-1993. Following his term of office, he remained active with the board and just last February was elected a director of the new NCAUSBCA.

Dailey also is active with the Southeast Bowling Association, where he currently is a vice president.

Despite his numerous contributions to local and regional bowling, he perhaps is best known as the individual responsible for the delivery of BOWL Magazine to bowling centers and other locations in Virginia for approximately the past 20 years.

Additional information on Dailey will be released here as it becomes available.

"Guru" returns to "Phantom Radio"

July 19, 2006 — Gary "Guru" Parsons, who operates World Class Pro Shops in Hyattsville and Camp Springs, Md., recently returned as a guest on "Phantom Radio," the popular radio talk show.

Topics discussed included:

• A quick review of Bowl Expo.
• IBPSIA and its quest for more education.
• His thoughts on the all-time greats.
• Some of his coaching tips.
• How he teaches talented youngsters with pro aspirations.
• Who he thinks tomorrow's leaders will be.

In addition, the July "Trivia Contest" begins with this show.

Wolfe earns PBA exemption for 2006-2007

June 4, 2006 — Richard Wolfe of Vienna, Va., tonight earned a PBA exemption for the 2006-2007 season by placing ninth in the Denny's PBA Tour Trials in Hammond, Ind. The 39-year-old left-hander averaged 222.64 for 45 games.

Mark Scroggins of Amarillo, Tex., placed first in the event with a 228.91 average, and Kelly Kulick (224.04) of Union, N.J., became the first woman to earn a season's exemption by finishing sixth.

The other players who earned an exemption included Michael Haugen Jr. (228.42) of Las Vegas, Jim Pratt (226.42) of Glendale, Ariz., Chris Hayden (226.40) of Orlando, Fla., David Tessman (224.64) of Tampa, Fla., Chris Johnson (223.67) of Garland, Tex., Patrick Girard (223) of Canada, and Del Ballard Jr. (222.42) of N. Richland Hills, Tex.

June 1, 2006 — The Nation's Capital Area USBC Association begins operations today at its offices in Largo, Maryland.

The three longtime local associations that agreed earlier this year to merge—the Nation's Capital Area Bowling Association, the Washington, D.C. Area Women's Bowling Association, and the Vir-Mar District Junior Bowling Association—have been dissolved in name but the staffs of each organization will remain through July 31 and essentially continue to operate separately and perform normal end-of-season functions, including the preparation of a published listing of bowler averages for the 2005-2006 season.

Thus, there will continue to be numerous references to "NCABA" and "WDCAWBA" and "Vir-Mar District" throughout the summer, but as the 2006-2007 season approaches, more attention will be paid to the letters of the alphabet that will unite all certified area men, women, and junior bowlers: NCAUSBCA.

Gallo defeats Petraglia to advance at PBA Senior Manassas Open

Free admission for all Tuesday sessions

By Bob Cosgrove

April 24, 2006 — Frank Gallo Jr. (left) of Lanham, Md., tonight defeated PBA Hall of Famer Johnny Petraglia 3-2 in a best-of-five games match in the Round of 32 at the PBA Senior Manassas Open at Bowl America Manassas in Virginia.

After dropping the first game 204-199, Gallo, who considers himself the world's greatest deaf bowler, topped Petraglia in the next two games, 234-179 and 216-195. Gallo had a chance to win in four games, but after getting the first strike in the tenth frame, he failed to double and lost 206-202.

Petraglia, who was inconsistent all evening, changed balls in the fifth game, but it was to no avail, and he lost decisively, 215-165. In fact, after leaving the 3-7-9 split in ninth frame to seal his fate, the legendary left-hander tossed his second shot right-handed, missed all three pins, and was heard to say that this was the one ball that reacted the way he thought it would.

Gallo will meet Bill Argenbright of Fisherville, Va., Tuesday at 8 a.m. in another best-of-five competition.

Meanwhile, two local Virginians—Richard Holmes of Luray and NCABA Hall of Famer Lee Brosius of Centreville—remain in contention and will compete Tuesday. Holmes qualified eighth and was seeded into the Round of 16. He will face the winner of the Gary Hiday (Indianapolis)-Richard Nardozza (Clearfield, Pa.) contest. Brosius, who in the 14th spot was the highest qualifying amateur, will meet Michael Henry of Brunswick, Ohio at 8 a.m.

Local cashers included No. 34, Ronald Smith (right), Clinton, Md., $800; 37, Andy Werner Jr., Gaithersburg, Md., $800; and 73, Charles Dasenbrook, Alexandria, Va., $600 (Super Senior prize).

Match play, which will take place beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday, will continue until about 5 p.m., by which time the field will be reduced to the four players who will compete for the $8,000 top prize starting at 7 p.m. Admission is free to all sessions.

USBC reviewing New York youth bowler's two 900 series

GREENDALE, Wis. (March 30, 2006) — Two 900 series submitted for approval by a New York teenager continue to be reviewed by the United States Bowling Congress.

Both series by Robert Mushtare, 17, were submitted to USBC as having been rolled in pre-bowling sessions in the Pine Plains Junior/Senior League at Pine Plains Bowling Center in Fort Drum, N.Y., on Dec. 5, 2005 and Feb. 19, 2006, respectively.

USBC administratively rejected a 900 series by Mushtare submitted as having occurred in November during a pre-bowling session in the same league at Pine Plains Bowling Center. That decision was based on the fact that the league was not certified and that Mushtare was not a USBC member at the time the score was bowled. The administrative decision was appealed by Mushtare and ultimately denied by the USBC Legal and Legislative Committee.

Eight approved perfect three-game series have been rolled in the 111-year history of certified league bowling. Cincinnati-area bowler Lonnie Billiter Jr., 24, recorded the latest approved 900 series on Feb. 13 in the Bergeron Memorial League at Fairfield Lanes in Fairfield, Ohio. Billiter, a right-hander, became the first person to bowl a USBC-approved 900 series since Darin Pomije of New Prague, Minn., on Dec. 9, 2004.

March 7, 2006 — Bowl America Manassas will host the PBA Senior Manassas Open from April 21-25. Defending champion Ray Johnson is scheduled to appear along with other top seniors, including PBA Hall of Famers George Pappas and Dave Soutar, 2005 PBA Senior Tour Rookie of the Year Tom Baker, 2004 PBA Senior Manassas Open winner Don Sylvia, and several area professionals.

Three events will take place prior to the official start of competition on Sunday, April 23 at 8 a.m.:

• March 24-26: Bowl America Senior Scratch Sweeper
  
• April 21-22: Bowl America Over/Under or Over/Over Doubles Scratch Tournament
  
• April 22: Bowl America Youth/Adult/Senior Pro-Am No-Tap Tournament
  

The pros will bowl eight games each on April 23 and 24 (squads at 8 a.m and 1 p.m.), after which players qualifying in spots 17-32 will compete in best-of-five match play action Monday at 7:30 p.m. On Tuesday at 8 a.m., the previous night's winners will join players in positions 9-16 in similar match play competition, after which eight survivors will compete with the eight highest qualifiers.

The eight remaining players then will bowl best-of-five matches to trim the field to those who will compete Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in best-of-three contests in the Round of 4 and ultimately the Round of 2 to determine the 2006 PBA Senior Manassas Open champion, who will pocket $8,000.

"Guru" returns to "Phantom Radio"

February 22, 2005 — Gary "Guru" Parsons, who operates World Class Pro Shops in Hyattsville and Camp Springs, Md., recently appeared as the guest on "Phantom Radio," the popular Internet talk show.

Topics Guru discussed included:

• Why bowling has gone into a decline.
• How the industry can turn it around.
• The merger between IBPSIA and the BPAA.

Hall of Famer Disbennett dies

November 30, 2005 — Nation's Capital Area Bowling Association Hall of Famer Robert Disbennett died on November 24. He was 86.

Disbennett served as association president in the 1967-68 season, and he was elected into the NCABA Hall of Fame in 1978. He continued to serve on the board for many years until slowed by poor health.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 3 from noon until time of service, 1 p.m. at The Forest Memorial United Methodist Church, 3111 Forestville Road, Forestville MD 20747. The interment is private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the church.

Disbennett Hall of Fame bio

NCABA Championship Tournament
official final standings

June 13, 2005 — Below are the official final standings of the 60th annual Nation's Capital Area Bowling Association Championship Tournament that took place at Bowl America Shirley (team event) and Bowl America Woodbridge (singles & doubles).

Please contact Tournament Director Ray Brothers at the NCABA office (301/499-1693) if there are any questions.

• Team Event
  
• Scratch Team Event
  
  
• Singles Event
  
• Scratch Singles Event
  
  
• Doubles Event
  
• Scratch Doubles Event
  
  
• All Events
  
• Scratch All Events
  
  

(If necessary, click here to obtain the free Adobe Reader to view the standings.)

After Week 3

• Team Event
  
• Scratch Team Event
  
  
• Singles Event
  
• Scratch Singles Event
  
  
• Doubles Event
  
• Scratch Doubles Event
  
  
• All Events
  
• Scratch All Events
  
  

After Week 2

• Team Event
  
• Scratch Team Event
  
  
• Singles Event
  
• Scratch Singles Event
  
  
• Doubles Event
  
• Scratch Doubles Event
  
  
• All Events
  
• Scratch All Events
  
  

After Week 1

• Team Event
  
• Scratch Team Event
  
  
• Singles Event
  
• Scratch Singles Event
  
  
• Doubles Event
  
• Scratch Doubles Event
  
  
• All Events
  
• Scratch All Events
  
  

Orlando selected to host 2006 USBC Annual Meeting;
Broyles elected vice president for 2005-06

BATON ROUGE, La. (March 16, 2005) — The first United States Bowling Congress Annual Meeting will be held April 19-23, 2006 in Orlando, Fla., following approval by the USBC Board of Directors at meetings at the Sheraton Baton Rouge. All activities will be held at the Orange County Convention Center.

“We considered a number of cities and went with Orlando because of its numerous attractions and family atmosphere," said USBC President Michael Carroll. “We also wanted to find a destination that had not previously held an American Bowling Congress Convention and Women'S International Bowling Congress Annual Meeting."

The initial USBC Annual Meeting will focus on education and information. Through a series of workshops and networking opportunities, the estimated 4,000 delegates will have ample chances to learn ways to help them in their state and local areas. Information on topics such as the state of the organization, bowling trends and opportunities to talk directly with will USBC leadership will be provided. There also will be recognition for achievements on and off the lanes.

It will be the first convention where any USBC member can speak on the convention floor. There will be legislation on league and tournament rules, but no legislation concerning bylaws or election of board members at the meeting. The first opportunities for delegates to vote on those issues will be at the 2007 USBC Annual Meeting.

In other board news:

• Sylvia Broyles, Spring Branch, Texas, was elected USBC vice president for the 2005-06 season. She succeeds USBC's initial vice president, Sam Lantto, on Aug. 1. “It was not something that I anticipated because I felt I had retired," Broyles said. “But I'm glad I can use my background to further help the organization. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with (President) Michael Carroll."
• USBC Director Kevin Dornberger resigned his post effective March 1 after taking a position on the USBC staff. President Carroll is accepting applications from anyone interested in filling the position.
• The board learned that USBC application to become bowling's national governing body would be discussed by the United States Olympic Committee Board of Directors at its April 29 meeting.

Del Warren to appear at Capital Plaza

January 15, 2005 — Two-time PBA champion Del Warren, a Gold level USA Bowling coach who is the president of Track International and its chief ball designer, is scheduled to offer bowling lessons at AMF Capital Plaza on Sunday, January 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Spots are limited, and the sessions will last 45 minutes.

For any bowler who takes a lesson and then buys any Track ball, the $25 lesson fee will be applied to the ball purchase. If the bowler buys a second ball (a mid-price Track ball), an additional $25 will be deducted from that purchase. Any bowler who signs up for a lesson and then purchases two Track balls ultimately will receive a free lesson from one of the great bowling coaches in the world today and have $50 taken off the price of two balls.

Also scheduled to appear is Brian Pursel, a former ball designer for Ebonite and a Silver level USA Bowling coach.

Contact World Class Pro Shop (301.322.9530) or Bowlers World (301.449.6868) to reserve a spot. Space is limited. Youth Invitational bowlers will be given special consideration.

GREENDALE, Wis. (January 7, 2005) — On Nov. 11, 2004, the United States Bowling Congress Equipment Specification and Certification Committee met to implement a change that will help control the sport of bowling for many years to come. The change involves the Radius of Gyration (RG) Differential.

This bowling ball specification, which can be found on page 13 of the Equipment Specification manual on bowl.com, changes the maximum RG Differential from 0.080 inches to 0.060 inches by Feb. 1, 2005.

"In more bowling-friendly terms, bowling ball flare and entry angle will be controlled," said USBC Senior Technician Jim Jaryszak, who is charge of bowling ball testing.

All bowling ball manufacturers have been notified of this change. Previously released balls that have been approved will remain approved (grandfathered in). Any re-release of a previously approved ball will have to be submitted for testing and meet the new specifications.

"We have been looking at making this change for quite some time," said USBC Director of Research Neil Stremmel. "This is a big step for our merged organization under the new USBC, and we plan for this to be part of some big picture changes in the future."

The USBC Specifications and Certification testing facility, opened in 1977, is an 8-lane center in a climate-controlled building where team members regulate and standardize bowling equipment by concentrating on pin and product testing, research work, bowling center certifications and lane dressing inspections. The staff also provides lane-conditioning support for a variety of tournaments and Sport Bowling events. The Specifications and Certification team consists of engineers, technicians, and support staff.

Since the mid-1980s, Specifications and Certification has also been approving products for international competition such as the World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) and the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ).

On February 1 of this year, the maximum RG (radius of gyration) Differential of bowling balls will be changed by the United States Bowling Congress from 0.080 inches to 0.060 inches. The change was initially reviewed on Nov. 11, 2004, by the USBC Equipment Specification and Certification Committee, which now has approved the change, which it says "will help control the sport for many years to come."

According to the official USBC release, this bowling ball specification can be found on page 13 of the Equipment Specification manual on Bowl.com. What does it mean? "In more bowling-friendly terms, bowling ball flare and entry angle will be controlled," said USBC Senior Technician Jim Jaryszak, who is in charge of bowling ball testing.

All bowling ball manufacturers have been notified of this change. Previously released balls that have been approved will remain approved (grandfathered in). Any re-release of a previously approved ball will have to be submitted for testing and meet the new specifications.

When asked for a comment, one expert in the ball industry said, "That change definitely is going to cut down bowling ball flare, and the ball is going to be more stable as it rolls down the lane. Anytime you can stabilize the ball, you put more of the skill factor back in the hands of the bowler."

"We have been looking at making this change for quite some time," said USBC Director of Research Neil Stremmel. "This is a big step for our merged organization under the new USBC, and we plan for this to be part of some big-picture changes in the future."

Walter Ray Williams Jr. elected to ABC Hall of Fame

GREENDALE, Wis. — In his first year of eligibility, American Bowling Congress Masters champion and 40-time Professional Bowlers Association Tour titlist Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., has been elected into the ABC Hall of Fame.

Selected on 116 of 125 ballots, Williams was the only candidate on the regular ballot who received the 70 percent majority required for election.

Williams won the 54th Masters conducted in Reno, Nev., in January 2004 after finishing second the previous year. Having competed in 20 Masters, he holds a 210.8 average, which ranks sixth on ABC's lifetime average list.

"Twenty years ago I never thought I would have accomplished what I have in bowling," said the 45-year-old Williams. "Now, I'm wondering when it's going to stop.

"Obviously it's a tremendous honor to be inducted into the ABC Hall of Fame with the sport's all-time greats. I consider myself fortunate to still be bowling competitively and be able to enjoy this honor."

Williams' 40 career PBA Tour titles ranks second behind the late Earl Anthony, who won 41 titles plus a pair of ABC Masters championships. Williams is PBA's all-time earnings leader with more than $3.4 million and he has won at least one PBA Tour title in 12 straight seasons.

Williams has earned a record seven Bowling Writers Association of America Bowler of the Year honors and shares the record of six PBA Player of the Year crowns with Anthony. Elected to the PBA Hall of Fame in 1995, Williams also won PBA's Harry Smith Point Leader Award six times and George Young High Average Award five times.

Williams will be inducted into the Hall during ceremonies March 17 on the ABC Championships Tournament lanes at the River Center in Baton Rouge, La. He will be joined by fellow Hall inductees Todd Savoy of Superior, Wis., (non-pro category), Bob Chamberlain of The Villages, Fla. (veterans category) and Steve James of Fox Point, Wis. (meritorious service) who were elected by the ABC Hall of Fame Board in October.

Established in 1941, the ABC Hall of Fame is the third oldest in sports preceded by baseball and golf.

Ashley becomes 5th VP; Coleman advances to 4th

December 4, 2004 — At its monthly meeting today at Bowl America Fairfax, the NCABA board approved the nomination of Director Robert Ashley (left) of Chantilly, Va., to serve as the association's fifth vice president. Meanwhile, Michael Coleman of Reston, Va., who formerly held that position, has become fourth vice president.

These moves took place following the Dec. 1 resignation of Fourth Vice President Larry "Bud" Smith of Dunkirk, Md., who soon will move to South Carolina.

It was announced at the meeting that Directors Noel Dysart of Silver Spring, Md., and Lee Johnson of Midland, Va., will be candidates for fifth vice president for the 2005-2006 season at the NCABA Council of Delegates Meeting Feb. 27 at the Willow Tree Inn in Gaithersburg, Md.

GREENDALE, Wis. — American Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Tommy Tuttle of King, N.C., died Nov. 29 after a long battle with cancer. He was 75.

Elected to the ABC Hall of Fame in 1995, Tuttle was an accomplished competitor in the ABC Championships Tournament and on the pro tour in the 1960s. He was a member of the Thelmal Lanes team that won the ABC Tournament Classic Team title in 1965. In addition, he had 10 other ABC Tournament top 10 finishes and held a 201 average for 25 ABC appearances.

Another one of Tuttle's memorable achievements was a second place finish in the 1964 All-Star Tournament in Dallas. He led the field by almost 400 pins, averaging 218 for 108 games, only to lose in the championship match to fellow ABC Hall of Famer Bob Strampe.

The three-time PBA Tour titlist earned two North Carolina Bowler of the Year honors (1964, 1965) and was a member of the Central Piedmont and North Carolina Bowling Association Halls of Fame.

Memorials may be made to Hospice to Stokes County, P.O. Box 10, Danbury, N.C. 27016. He is survived by his wife Virginia, son Terry, daughter Donna Tuttle-Olm, and three grandchildren.

A reminder to all NCABA members that Friday, December 3 is the deadline for nominations for the NCABA Secretary of the Year Award. Nominations must be no longer than one page and should explain as completely as possible why the individual should be considered for the award.

The winner will be announced at the association's annual Council of Delegates Meeting at the Willow Tree Inn in Gaithersburg on Feb. 27, 2005.

All nominations should be mailed to the NCABA office at 9315 Largo Drive West, Largo MD 20774-4755.

League officer advisory
on new banking requirements

As you organize your league this season and arrange for its bank account, you are going to encounter additional requirements at the financial institution. Procedures that have existed for some time and previously were overlooked to some degree have been reinforced by the Patriot Act and are now being enforced by the financial institutions.

Years ago, the Internal Revenue Service and the American Bowling Congress agreed that bowling leagues would be considered "tax-exempt" under the umbrella of the national organization. This agreement classifies the league as a business organization, and under the Patriot Act requires the financial institution to obtain from the league the following:

• 1. Name of the business—the league name.
• 2. A federal identification number—obtained from the IRS.
• 3. A physical address—that of the league president.
• 4. A telephone number—that of the league treasurer.
• 5. Type of business organization—a tax-exempt bowling league.
• 6. Identification of the league officers on the signature cards by Social Security number and a photocopy of their driver's license so that their names can be run through the Chex system.

The requirements for bonding of the league officers are on pages 71 to 73 of the Playing Rules book for 2004-2005, and they necessitate two signatures and the mailing of the bank statements to the league president. Enforcement of these requirements is in the audit committee of the league because the banks make no effort to monitor the signature requirements.

(Businesses in Maryland are required to register with Maryland State Department of Taxation, and thus league officers in this state may be asked about this. There are some exemptions for registering for tax-exempt organizations, and efforts are being made with the Office of the Maryland Secretary of State to obtain a blanket exemption for all bowling leagues within the State of Maryland because the leagues do not own any personal property that would be taxed under state and county laws.)

— George R. Sook

NCABA Hall of Famer George R. Sook is the president of "S" Services, an accounting and tax firm in Bowie, Md.

Mini Eliminator notebook

By Walt Steinsiek

LAS VEGAS (July 10, 2004) — Storm DeVincent of Pembroke, Fla., captured the $25,000 top prize at the Mini Eliminator Match Play Shootout Finals on Friday at The Orleans, tossing a 266 game against five other qualifiers.

The 49-year-old DeVincent began by rolling three strikes, opening in Frame 4 after leaving the 4-10 split. He then went off the sheet with eight strikes to defeat No. 2, Scott Monteleone, New Orleans, La. (255), $12,500; 3, Art Brown, East Lansing, Mich. (240), $8,000; 4, Chad Nelson, Owatonna, Minn. (232), $7,000; 5, David Haynes, Las Vegas (204) $6,000; and 6, Derek Sapp, Keokuk, Ia. (183), $5,000.

Rod McLean, formerly of Baltimore and now a Las Vegas resident, qualified for a chance to win $25,000 in the Senior division on Sunday.

WIBC Queens airs today on ESPN2

June 6, 2004 — The finals of the 2004 Women's International Bowling Congress Queens telecast is scheduled to air today from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on ESPN2. A re-airing of the program is scheduled on the same network for Wednesday, June 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Four NCABA members reach match play
at Bowl America Manassas

May 19, 2004 — NCABA Hall of Famer Greg "The Doctor" Goetz of the District is among four area players who have reached match play at the PBA Senior Manassas Open currently taking place at Bowl America Manassas.

Scott Leonard of Herndon (3,232 for 16 games), Richard Holmes of Luray, Va. (3,219), Goetz (3,213), and Vincent Mullally of Sterling (3,197) will continue today in "best-of-five" matches in the Round of 32 beginning at 9 a.m. Sucessful players will advance to the Round of 16 at 1 p.m., and the Round of 8 will occur immediately after.

Best of three matches will occur in the Round of 4 that begins at 7 p.m. and the championship match that immediately follows.

Bob Handley of Winter Park, Fla., currently leads with 3,499. Defending champion Don Sylvia of Discovery Bay, Calif., qualfied for match play with 3,205.

NCABA Hall of Fame nominations due May 1

The Nation’s Capital Area Bowling Association’s board of directors annually meets to honor those individuals worthy of special recognition for outstanding contributions, achievements, and services rendered to the sport of tenpin bowling in the Washington, D.C. area by election to the NCABA Hall of Fame.

All members of the NCABA have the privilege of submitting nominations for election to the Hall of Fame.

Nominations must be submitted in a one-page letter and contain the full name of the nominee, his background, and the reasons for his nomination. The letter must be signed and received no later than May 1 to be considered in the current year.

The category (Meritorious Service or Bowling Achievement) for which the candidate is nominated must be indicated.

Nominations to the NCABA Hall of Fame are open to all bowlers and non-bowlers who, by their efforts, have furthered the interests of the game of bowling in the Nation’s Capital Area. Any person (league officer, proprietor, sponsor, association officer, director, press/radio/TV personality, etc.) who has demonstrated long-term or significant contributions is considered suitable for nomination/election in either of the following two categories:

• Meritorious Service – (1) Promotion that created growth of the game; (2) Obtained recognition of the game; (3) Promoted public acceptance of the game; and (4) Service to bowlers.
• Bowling Achievement – (1) Bowling achievement and image.

Send all nominations to: NCABA Hall of Fame Committee, 9315 Largo Drive West, Suite 110, Largo, Maryland 20774-4755.

NCABA's Terry Wiley scores perfecto at ABC Tournament

RENO, Nev. (March 30, 2004) — A paint salesman from Vienna, Va., became the second bowler in three days to shoot a perfect game at the 101st American Bowling Congress Championships Tournament.

Terry Wiley, 41, put together 12 strikes in the first game of singles, completing just the sixth 300 game so far in this year's Tournament. He followed it up with games of 206 and 222 for a 728 series.

"My last 300 was probably three, four, or five years ago," said Wiley, who has 13 previous perfect games. "It's been a while, so this feels good." Wiley said his nerves got to him after his first game in singles, but he managed to keep his composure.

"It took me a couple of frames in the second game to come back down," Wiley said. "I'm pretty proud of myself though."

Wiley had knee surgery the day before Thanksgiving and has only seen limited action on the lanes since. He was just given the green light by his doctor to bowl the nine games in the tournament the Friday before he left for Reno.

"I had to ice it last night," Wiley said. "It's sore now, and it's going to be a long flight home, but I'm not worried about it."

Wiley had 558 in team and 617 in doubles for a 1,903 all-events.

Reno notebook (3/18)

RENO, Nev. (March 18, 2004) — Despite the apparent demise of the Professional Women's Bowling Association, there will be at least one episode of topflight female bowling on national television this year and next.

At a press conference during the 70th annual convention of the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino, WIBC's Jan Schmidt today announced the signing last night of a contract between WIBC and ESPN2 that will put the WIBC Queens tournament on the cable network in 2004 and 2005 on a tape-delayed basis.

The 2004 WIBC Queens Tournament, presented by Reno Tri-Properties, will open May 15 and run through May 19 in Wichita, Kan., at Northrock Lanes. New for the 2004 WIBC Queens and Senior Queens Tournaments will be weekend qualifying, which will be held on Saturday, May 15 and Sunday, May 16. The WIBC Queens tournament is open to all WIBC members, amateur and professional, and offers the opportunity to bowl with some of the best women bowlers in our sport.

* * * *

At a BWAA breakfast this morning hosted by Storm Products, the company announced that it will present a scratch team event this summer in Nevada with a $50,000 top prize.

"We've got a slightly different format," said tournament director Brad Edelman in announcing the Storm Team Masters that will be contested Aug. 22-27 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno. "Once the five best players team up together, no one else wants to bowl. We're trying to limit teams to players from the same state or the same association."

The $700 entry fee per player covers team and singles competition, a room at the sponsoring Eldorado Hotel and Casino for the week, and a Storm bowling ball.

* * * *

The automatic pinsetter will be the subject of a program on the History Channel this fall. ... AMF's Web site (amf.com) later this month will introduce an extensive history of its World Cup tournament, which began in 1965. ... Frank Barnhart of St. Louis was elected BWAA president for 2004-2005 this afternoon. He will succeed John Falzone of Rockford, Ill., on May 1.

— Bob Cosgrove

Reno notebook (3/17)

RENO, Nev. (March 17, 2004) — NCABA Hall of Famer Walt Steinsiek was the 2004 recipient of the Remo Picchetti Humanitarian Award presented by Columbia 300 during the company's annual dinner for members of the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) at the Eldorado Hotel and Casino. ABC and PBA Hall of Famer John Jowdy, who served as a pro tour representative for Columbia for many years, made the announcement to a surprised Steinsiek.

"I froze for a second," said Steinsiek, who had created the caricature for noted writer Dick Evans, who later was roasted by Dick Weber, Chuck Pezzano, and other friends and colleagues. "I had no idea it was coming."

The award honored the former Laurel, Md., resident who now lives in Micco, Fla., for his dedication and unselfish contributions to the sport of bowling.

* * * *

Earlier in the day, Steinsiek, in his role as chairman of BWAA's Cartoonist Award, announced that Jim Davis, creator of the popular "Garfield" comic strip, was the winner for 2003. The award was announced at a luncheon hosted by Steve Sanders and Pinacle Events, sponsor of the 10th annual award. YABA Executive Director Jim Zebehazy accepted the award on Davis' behalf.

Sanders discussed his failed bid to obtain the Professional Women's Bowling Association from John Sommer, explaining that television was a critical part of Sanders' plan for the tour's success but that ESPN, in actions that did not reflect what had taken place during agreements in 18 previous years with the women's bowling group, proposed a contract that would have placed taped-delayed telecasts on the lower-rated ESPN2 and also made unreasonable financial demands.

According to Sanders, ESPN expressed that other parties were interested in televising women's professional bowling, but nothing was made clear to him.

Meanwhile, Sanders announced that changes, such as the creation of a "True Amateur" division, have been made to improve his Mini Eliminator event July 3-11 in Las Vegas.

In a related matter, former PWBA regional director Jim Goodwin discussed his new Ladies Classic Tour organization, which will hold approximately 25 scratch events for women bowlers across the country beginning Apr. 16-18 in Port Arthur, Tex. Information can be obtained from the tour's new Web site.

— Bob Cosgrove

For the record

March 1, 2004 — The Zip Code for the new office of the Nation's Capital Area Bowling Association and the Washington, D.C. Area Women's Bowling Association that appears in the February/March 2004 issue of BOWL Magazine is incorrect. The correct Zip Code is 20774-4755.

The information was provided to the publication after the move to Largo and obviously after the magazine went to press.

As noted elsewhere, new phone and fax numbers for the associations will appear on this site when available. They are expected this week.

WDCAWBA to host National Girls & Women in Sports Celebration

The Washington, D.C. Area Women's Bowling Association will be conduct its annual participation in the National Girls & Women in Sports Day at AMF Alexandria on Feb. 8.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. with bowling starting at 11 a.m., and the event will feature fun, food, and prizes. Teams must be comprised of one woman and one female child between ages 3 and 18. Competiton includes two games of scotch doubles in five age divisions.

Call WDCAWBA at 240/695-1985 for additional information or to confirm a reservation. Walk-ins will be accepted.

Hall of Famer Luther Jr. brought local bowling
to "outer areas"

Austin "Butch" Luther Jr. of Waldorf, Md., who helped bring bowling in the Nation's Capital Area to regions beyond the immediate vicinity of the Capital Beltway, died December 25, 2003 at Civista Medical Center in La Plata, Md. He was 81.

Luther (at far left with son Austin "Butch" Luther III at the October 2003 NCABA/WDCAWBA Hall of Fame Induction Celebration), came to this area from Troy, Ohio in 1963 and became a member of the board of directors of the Washington City Tenpin Bowling Association (WCTBA), as NCABA was then known. After leaving the board, he brought bowling to the "outer areas" in the mid-1970s by building both Lord Calvert Lanes in Huntingtown, Md., and St. Charles Bowl in Waldorf.

On the lanes, he had a high average of 201, with a high game of 279 and a top series of 767. His 745 handicap total (700 series scratch) earned Luther the WCTBA singles championship in 1965.

Super Bowl Mini wide open for new stars

Dozens of top players have turned pro

The Super Bowl Mini Eliminator Tournament is the number one all-amateur event in the world, and when the 3rd Annual Super Mini rolls in Las Vegas at the Gold Coast Bowling Center February 1-8, hundreds of top bowlers from all over the globe will compete. With dozens of top players from past events now in the pro ranks and no longer eligible, the 2004 Super Bowl Mini will be more competitive than ever before.

With great bowlers, the so-called "professional amateurs" like Brad Angelo, Tim Mack, Brian Kretzer, Patrick Allen, Mike Machuga, and Chris Johnson no longer eligible, the Super Bowl Mini will see a new crop of stars emerge and get the big checks. Many International stars have also turned pro—players like Mika Koivuniemi, Jouni Helminen, Arturo Quintero, Tori Torgerson, Roberto Silva, and Anders Ohman will no longer compete. All of these great bowlers took home a substantial amount of the Super Bowl Mini’s $1 million payout in past events. Now, all those prizes are up for grabs to a new crop of top amateurs.

The Super Bowl Mini Eliminator drew a record 4,555 entries in 2003, and with increased guarantees in 2004, the event will likely set new records for entries and prizes. First place is now guaranteed $30,000, with $15,000, $10,000, $7,500, and $5,000 for second through fifth. In addition, 150th place is guaranteed a minimum of $750, and there will be at least 80 prizes of $1,000 or more.

The Brunswick Super Bowl Mini Eliminator is a three-game scratch qualifying event with four separate divisions, including three age divisions—39 and under, 40-49, and 50 and over. The fourth is a special division for bowlers of any age who average 205 or under. The 205 and under division is the Mini’s fastest growing division. There are also special prizes for women and super seniors (age 60+). The entry fees are only $150 for the first entry and $100 after the first with no limit on squads bowled. One of every 12 paid entries in each division will advance to the finals, and one of every six will cash. Estimated total payout is over $1 million.

The Super Bowl Mini Eliminator is a Pinacle Events Tournament presented by Brunswick, the world’s leader in bowling, and sponsored by Coast Casinos, Kegel’s Million, DynoThane Shoes, Turbo 2-N-1 Grips, Bowling This Month magazine, and KR Strikeforce. Entry brochures are now available, and there are five easy ways to enter:

• By mail.
• By fax.
• On-line.
• Toll-free by phone.
• Walk-in at the Gold Coast Center.

For more information about the Super Bowl Mini, call the toll-free Mini Hotline 1-877/900-MINI, or visit the Mini Eliminator Web site.

NBC's "Ed" on the move

November 26, 2003 — The Web site tvguide.com reports this week that NBC's "Ed" will move to Fridays at 9 p.m. during the months of January and February. The series currently airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

KEGEL’S MILLION TOURNAMENT FEBRUARY 13-MAY 23, 2004

Five-player teams built bowling

Will the 4,000 mark be reached
to set new ABC record
and claim the Kegel’s $1 million bonus?

When the famous Budweiser Beer team rolled their incredible 3,858 in St. Louis in 1958, sportswriters declared that it was an insurmountable record; that it would stand forever, or at least longer than Joe DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak in baseball or Byron Nelson’s 11 consecutive tournament wins in golf. Of course, those writers had no idea that the sport of bowling would experience a technical revolution before the end of the 20th century. So has golf, and baseball to a lesser extent, yet DiMaggio’s and Nelson’s records still stand, while the Bud’s mark has fallen to number six on the bowling record list.

In 2004, when the all new Kegel’s Million Team Tournament rolls in Florida February 13-May 23, look for the Budweiser’s number to drop even further. The current record is 3,905, set by the Print Mark Industries team in Pennsylvania in 2001. In 2004, dozens of the best teams in bowling from around the world will roll in the Kegel’s Million Tournament with a goal of rolling a 4,000 team series, and if it happens, that team will earn a $1 million bonus, a lot more than the few thousand dollars earned by the famous beer company teams in the 1950s.

Thanks to tournaments like the ABC and WIBC Nationals and international team competitions like the FIQ and collegiate bowling, five-player teams have remained a vital part of the sport of bowling. Individual competition is great, but winning as a team and rolling a record is the most exhilarating experience for any bowler. Even pro champions like Chris Barnes and Kim Terrell have said their fondest memories in bowling came as members of winning teams in college or on Team USA.

Will the new record be set in 2004 during the Kegel’s Million, and will a team take home the big bonus? In the words of event promoter Steve Sanders recently—“Absolutely.” And Kegel CEO John Davis said, “I would not be surprised if more than one team eclipses the 4,000 barrier.” These knowledgeable people are confident the bonus will be won because they understand the environment and the level of talent of today’s top players.

The Kegel’s Million Team Tournament was created to provide a stage for bowlers to take their talents to the limit. Conditions in the ABC/WIBC sanctioned event will be as close to perfect as they have ever been anywhere in the world. This is only possible because the event will be held in a bowling laboratory—the incredible all new state-of-the-art Kegel Training Center in Lake Wales, Florida near Orlando. All technical aspects and factors of the sport will be ideal for high scoring.

“The world has not seen easy lanes until now,” said Davis.

Already, some of the best professional and amateur bowlers around the world are forming teams for the Kegel’s Million event, and starting February 13, 2004, they will be gunning for the new record. If they get it, each player will not only earn a place in the record book—they will go home with a very heavy bank account.

Kegel’s Million is an ABC/WIBC sanctioned scratch five-player team tournament with a $50,000 Guaranteed Top Prize sponsored by more than a dozen industry companies. There will be 12 weekend qualifying events leading up to a $150,000 Grand Championship Finals on May 22-23, 2004. Each weekend will have its own guaranteed top prize of $5000 with a 1:6 cash ratio. Teams may consist of any combination of men or women. No more than two team members may be a professional bowlers and no more than one may be a professional national titleholder. No more than one player may be a national team member within the past three years (Team USA, Team Sweden, etc.) unless there are no professionals on the team; then two are allowed. Singles and Brackets are also offered as optional events. One hundred percent of the Team and Singles prize money will be returned until all guarantees are met. All players must be ABC or WIBC sanctioned. Membership cards will be available for purchase at the tournament site. Bowlers must be a minimum of 16 years of age, and non-USA residents are subject to a 30 percent tax deduction from all prizes unless the country is exempt and proper forms are provided.

For more information about the most exciting new team tournament in the sport of bowling, Kegel’s Million, or to obtain entry brochures, call one of the toll-free hotlines 800/280-2695 in the USA, or the International Kegel hotline 863/734-0200. Information can also be found at Kegel’s official event Web site.

Anthony Chapman team wins
National Mixed Championships scratch title

GREENDALE, Wis. (November 3, 2003) — For a team with a pair of former international competitors, the trip from Upper Marlboro, Md., to Reno, Nev., for the Storm National Mixed Championships must have felt like a short trek across town.

Former Team USA member and 1992 National Amateur Champion Anthony Chapman (left) and former Team Puerto Rico bowler Cristina Kortright joined with Janine Jones and former Intercollegiate Bowling Championships titlist William Ripley to win the mixed scratch team title on the final weekend.

The Storm National Mixed Championships, which were presented by the American Bowling Congress and Women's International Bowling Congress, completed a seven-weekend run on Oct. 26 and crowned champions in 22 divisions.

The mixed scratch champions posted a winning score of 2,611 on the second to last day of the tournament.

"This was a lot of fun," said Chapman, who met his fiance Kortright on a bowling trip to Venezuela. "We didn't have the pressure of bowling for our countries, but that didn't mean we were taking it any less seriously."

Although Chapman's team traveled nearly 2,600 miles to compete at the National Bowling Stadium, it was a local team that won the mixed Handicap team division.

Kevin and Janet Foley teamed up with Pat and Teri Foley to shoot 2,890, which also came on the final weekend.

But it wasn't as easy as just going and bowling. Finding time to get everyone together took some effort for the Reno-area bowlers.

"We had to hurry up and try to figure out when we could bowl," said Kevin, whose brother is Pat. "We're both in and out of town so we had to pick a time when we could all get together."

Once they did get together, the family made a dent in the final standings as members of the Foley clan took home titles in two other divisions.

Teri, along with her son Ryan, won the adult-youth Handicap doubles event with 1,522. Patrick Foley Jr. and family friend Larry Cooper won the adult-youth doubles scratch event with 1,330.

Other notable winners were current Team USA members Stacy Werth and Diandra Hyman and 2002 Team USA member Kari Schwager. Along with winning women's scratch singles, Hyman joined Schwager and Joseph Beben to win scratch open trios. Werth won scratch mixed doubles with her husband Scott.

For more information and complete National Mixed Championships standings, visit nationalmixed.com.

Unofficial Storm National Mixed Championships Final Results
National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nev.

• Mixed team: Handicap — Kevin Foley, Janet Foley, Teri Foley, Pat Foley, Reno-Sparks, Nev., 2,890. Scratch — Janine Jones, Cristina Kortright, Anthony Chapman, William Ripley, Upper Marlboro, Md., 2,611.
• Mixed doubles: Handicap — Judith Ting and George Marques, Van Nuys, Calif., 1,624. Scratch — Stacy Werth and Scott Werth, Rocklin, Calif., 1,385.
• Singles: Men's Handicap — Tomas Licsuco, Van Nuys, Calif., 834. Men's Scratch — Blain Wong, Rohnert Park, Calif., 770. Women's Handicap — Jerri Williams, Newark, Calif., 800. Women's Scratch — Diandra Hyman, Chicago, 722.
• Mixed open trios: Handicap — Tomas Licsuco, George Marques, Luis Boone, Van Nuys, Calif., 2,263. Scratch — Diandra Hyman, Kari Schwager, Joseph Beben, Chicago, 2,009.
• Senior doubles: Handicap — Greg Hockenson and James Garriott, Reno, Nev., 1,464. Scratch — Greg Hockenson and James Garriott, Reno, Nev., 1,365.
• Senior singles: Men's Handicap — Ray Pinlac, Sacramento, Calif., 820. Men's Scratch — Dave Hewitt, Fremont, Calif., 758. Women's Handicap — Patricia Lynn, McConnellsburg, Pa., 755. Women's Scratch — Sheila Stormo, Campbell River, British Columbia, 574.
• Adult/youth doubles: Handicap — Teri Foley and Ryan Foley, Sparks, Nev., 1,522. Scratch — Patrick Foley Jr. and Larry Cooper, Sparks, Nev., 1,330.
• All-events: Men's Handicap — George Marquez, Whittier, Calif., 2,480. Men's Scratch — Leonard Ruiz, Upland, Calif., 2,161. Women's Handicap — Wendy Renslow, Discovery Bay, Calif., 2,245. Women's Scratch — Wendy Renslow, Discovery Bay, Calif., 2,038.

Patrick Healey Jr. joins
Storm Staff of Champions

October 28, 2003 — Storm Products has announced that PBA Champion Patrick Healey Jr. has joined its PBA Touring Staff of Champions. Healey, Mexico City, Mexico., won his first career title at the 2002 PBA Greater Kansas City Classic in Blue Springs, Mo.

Healey's first PBA telecast came as an amateur when he placed third in the 1995 Tournament of Champions. In his first season on the PBA Tour in 1998, he qualified for two championship round finals while only competing in less than half of the tournaments. In 1999, he qualified for three more television finals and cracked the top 25 in yearly earnings in just 20 Tour events.

"I am thrilled to join the Storm staff," said Healey. "I am looking forward to a successful future throwing Storm equipment. Storm has always been on the cutting edge, and I am very happy to be a member of the Storm Nation."

Healey joins Pete Weber, Robert Smith, Ryan Shafer, Randy Pedersen, Brian Himmler, Brian Kretzer, Eric Forkel, Dennis Horan Jr., Hugh Miller, Jimmy Johnson, Kevin Mitchell, Ritchie Allen, David Ozio, Jim Tomek, and Tim Mack on its Professional Touring Staff of Champions.

PATRICK HEALEY JR. — PERSONAL FACTS

• DOB: 10/9/1968.
• Bowls: Right.
• All-American at Wichita State University.
• Voted U.S. Amateur of the Year in 1991, 1992, and 1995.
• Joined PBA: 1998.
• Titles: 1.
• Career Earnings: $341,673.

October 27, 2003 — A memorial program has been established for NCABA Hall of Fame member Sylvester "Syl" Sobanski, who died October 23.

It was Sobanski's wish that instead of flowers for his rememberence, gifts may be made to St. Aloysius Catholic Church, where they will be directed to projects he sincerely believed in. Make your memorial gift to St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 921 2nd Street Northeast, Hickory, NC 28601 (phone: 1-828/327-2341). Please indicate "Sobanski Memorial."

Fellow NCABA Hall of Famer Pete Santora reports that services will be held Tuesday, October 28 at 11 a.m. A 7 p.m. prayer service at St. Aloysius Catholic Church will take place this evening.

Sobanski, a former vice president and general manager of Bowl America, Inc., served as president of the Metropolitan Washington Bowling Proprietors' Association and held many positions with the Maryland and Virginia BPAs. In addition, he was active in committee work with bowling and tournament activities, especially with youth bowlers.

He was elected to the NCABA Hall of Fame in 1992.

Sobanski Hall of Fame resume

National Bowling Forum & Bowling Incorporated boards seeking director-at-large for 2004-05

GREENDALE, Wis. (September 3, 2003) — The National Bowling Forum (NBF) and Bowling Incorporated (BI) Boards of Directors are seeking a director-at-large for 2004 and are now accepting nominations for the position. The deadline for nominations is June 1, 2004.

The purpose of this position is to bring a fresh perspective to the boards while supplementing the background, knowledge, and expertise of the founding member directors. The new director-at-large's term will begin Aug. 1, 2004, and continue for three years. Remo Picchietti, current director-at-large on both boards, completes his term on July 31, 2004.

The boards continue their efforts to forge partnerships among the participating industry leaders while striving for unity for the good of the industry. The boards participate as an integral part of meetings and forums with partnering industry leaders from American Bowling Congress, Bowling Proprietors' Association of America, Women's International Bowling Congress, AMF, Brunswick, Multi-Unit Bowling Information Group, USA Bowling, Young American Bowling Alliance, Professional Bowlers Association, Professional Women's Bowling Association, Strike Ten Entertainment, and BI Shared Services. These meetings are the only action forum that brings industry leaders together to ensure bowling's growth in the sports/entertainment marketplace through unified leadership and strategic direction.

The NBF oversees national industry marketing through Strike Ten Entertainment. It also is the focal point, coordinator, and catalyst for elements within the industry sharing their strategic direction through the joint industry planning group/shared strategic initiative process. Additionally, the NBF provides for an ongoing idea exchange forum for the technology leaders in the bowling industry.

BI's primary responsibility is oversight of the $13 million Bowling Inc. Shared Services operation at Bowling Headquarters in Greendale, Wis. The ultimate goal of both organizations is to foster an increase in all forms of membership and drive more traffic to bowling centers.

Please submit all résumés and credentials for the director-at-large position to Jack Moran, Chairman, Nominating Committee, at Roseland Bowl, 4357 Recreation Drive, Canadaigua, NY 14424, via E-mail at morjohn@frontiernet.net or by phone at 716/394-5050.

Pereira-Johnson duo wins
600-700 Scratch Doubles Tourney
at Dale City

Doubles

1. Karla Pereira, Alexandria, Va. (614) / Chris Johnson, Woodbridge, Va. (746), 1,360, $1,200.
2. Sue Allen, Great Falls, Va. (602) / Barry Wallace, Woodbridge, Va. (746), 1,348, $600.
3. Carla Sessions, Woodbridge, Va. (599) / Ricky Wallace, Woodbridge (740), 1,339, $400.
4. Debbie Wolfe, Vienna, Va. (575) / Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va. (721), 1,296 $200.
5. Mike Herman, Woodbridge, Va. (666) / Joy Esterson, Annapolis, Md. (628), 1,294, $160.
6. Tiffany Franklin-Bell, Fredricksburg, Va. (601) / Harold Haycraft Jr., Dale City, Va. (691), 1,292, $120.

Women's Singles

1. (tie) Stacey Gonzales, Alexandria, Va., and Tiffany Franklin-Bell, Fredricksburg, Va. (632), $75.
3. Joy Esterson, Annapolis, Md. (628), $40.
4. Carla Sessions, Woodbridge, Va. (627), $30.
5. Katie Gillon, Manassas, Va. (621), $20.
6. (tie) Lisa Rand, Alexandria, Va., and Debbie Wolfe, Vienna, Va. (615), $10.

Men's Singles

1. (tie) Barry Wallace, Woodbridge, Va., and Chris Johnson, Woodbridge, Va. (746), $75.
3. Ricky Wallace, Woodbridge, Va. (740), $40.
4. Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va. (721), $30.
5. Doug Knoth, Jr., Alexandria, Va. (712), $20.
6. Gregory Turner, Lanham, Md. (701) $10.

(August 21, 2003) — Tournament Director Ray Brothers today announced that prize checks for the 58th annual NCABA Championship Tournament held at Bowl America Chantilly and Bowl America Falls Church have been mailed.

Unsuccessful appeals by three disqualified bowlers to the ABC Rules Committee and later the ABC Legal Committee had delayed the prize check mailing.

ABC signs as title sponsor
of 2003-04 ABC Teen Masters Tour

GREENDALE, Wis. (July 2, 2003) — The American Bowling Congress has entered into an agreement with Killer 'B' Promotions to become the title sponsor of the 2003-04 ABC Teen Masters, a youth bowling tour that awards scholarships and introduces young bowlers to demanding Sport Bowling lane conditions.

The first of 16 regional qualifiers will be held in October and conclude in March. Two bowlers from each qualifier earn a berth in the ABC Teen Masters Championship Finals, which will be conducted May 28-31 in Milwaukee.

Approximately $100,000 in college scholarships is expected to be awarded through the regional qualifiers and the championship finals. The winner of the championship finals will earn a $10,000 college scholarship and the prestigious Alfond Cup. In the six-year history of the Teen Masters program, more than $300,000 in scholarships have been awarded.

"This event is attractive to ABC because it features our future members competing on Sport Bowling lane conditions," said Ed Baur, ABC Group Executive for Tournaments, Communications, and Marketing. "All of the events are sanctioned by the Young American Bowling Alliance, and the funds are allocated through the YABA SMART program. We're excited about the potential."

Open to all youth bowlers ages 13-19, each regional event features six games of qualifying on a Sport condition with the top qualifier earning an automatic berth in the championship finals. Bowlers who qualify second through ninth advance to a best-of-three single-elimination bracket with the winner of that segment also earning a berth in the championship finals.

Sport lane conditions place an emphasis on accuracy, consistency, and the ability to read and adjust to changing lane conditions.

The unique championship finals will feature the elite field of 32 finalists competing in six games of ranking competition—three on a short Sport condition and three on a long Sport condition. All 32 finalists are then seeded into a best-of-five match play bracket also conducted on a long and short Sport condition.

Scholarships are awarded on a 1:8 ratio at each qualifier, and all bowlers advancing to the championship finals will earn scholarships.

"We're excited to have ABC as the Teen Masters' title sponsor," said Killer 'B' Promotions President Gary Beck. "The partnership will result in increased college scholarship awards for youth bowlers and serves as an excellent platform for ABC to promote Sport Bowling to its future members."

The Teen Masters entry fee is $89. For entry forms and additional entry information, call 434/823-2695 or click here.

2003 - 04 ABC Teen Masters Tour Schedule

• Oct. 4 - Cedarvale Lanes, Eagan, Minn.
• Oct. 11 - Suburbanite Bowl, Westmont, Ill.
• Oct. 25 - Bowl-ero, Lakewood, Colo.
• Nov. 1 - New Great Valley, North Versailles, Pa.
• Nov. 15 - Don Carter's West, Dallas, Texas
• Nov. 22 - Super Bowl, Erlanger, Ky.
• Dec. 6 - Maple Lanes, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Dec. 13 - Vestavia Bowl, Birmingham, Ala.
• Dec. 28 - Texas Station, North Las Vegas, Nev.
• Jan. 17 - Hollywood Bowl, Portland, Ore.
• Jan. 31 - Seminole Lanes, Seminole, Fla.
• Feb. 7 - Annapolis Bowl, Annapolis, Md.
• Feb. 21 - St. Charles Lanes, St. Charles, Mo.
• Feb. 28 - Fountain Bowl, Fountain Valley, Calif.
• March 13 - Pampa Lanes, Warren, Mich.
• March 27 - Roseland Bowl, Canandaigua, N.Y.
• May 28-31 - Championship Finals, Olympic Lanes, Milwaukee, Wis.

WIBC announces new Women in Leadership
conference dates

GREENDALE, Wis. (June 17, 2003) — The Women's International Bowling Congress will once again host its acclaimed and respected Women in Leadership conference series. The two new dates and locations are as follows: Sept. 12-14 in Minneapolis/St. Paul and Oct. 10-12 in Albuquerque, N.M.

These conferences offer women bowling leaders the opportunity to expand their knowledge and improve interpersonal communications while re-energizing and enhancing their associations.

The purpose of the workshops is to bring women leaders together to educate, motivate, and offer encouragement that enables them to embrace the challenges of leadership and reap the rewards of self-confidence. Conferences will offer participants the skills, ideas, and tools necessary to help women achieve their personal and association goals.

Registration is $25 and includes lunch, a participant workbook, registration gift, and all workshop materials. Discount: Register four attendees for the price of three, only $75 – save $25.

Registrations may be made via telephone, fax, mail, or online at bowl.com. For more information or to register, call 1-800/514-BOWL. Fax registrations to 414/421-8560. Mail registrations should be sent to: WIBC, Customer Service Center, 5301 S. 76th St., Greendale, WI 53129.

Local bowling leaders provide feedback
on ABC's future at Top 20 association leadership conference

GREENDALE, Wis. (June 4, 2003) — Obtaining feedback from local association leaders on the American Bowling Congress' future as a bowling governing and membership organization was the goal of the Top 20 Association Leadership Conference conducted by ABC May 30-June 1 in Milwaukee.

Vice Presidents Ronald McGregor (left) and Bill Grover represented NCABA at the conference.

In light of votes earlier this year by both ABC and Women's International Bowling Congress delegates who rejected a plan to merge into a single membership organization—the United States Bowling Congress—ABC called on association officials from its largest associations to provide input on the role of associations and how the organization as a whole should move forward in the future.

Regarding the USBC, the associations provided input on what they felt needed to happen to make a single membership organization become reality. While the associations were generally in agreement that the formation of a single membership organization was best for bowling, they did feel more work needed to be done in areas such as bylaws and dues structure, optional merger at the local level, requiring both ABC and WIBC delegate approval for merger, and election of the board by delegates.

Among other topics covered during the three-day conference were: Overview of ABC's strategic plan and shared strategic initiatives within the industry; feedback on potential new programs; identifying the challenges of large associations; providing improved service, and developing a communication plan for local associations.

"The local associations' input will be critical for our future planning," said ABC President Alton Forbes. "It will be crucial to work closely with our associations as we explore our options and move forward."

In attendance at the Leadership Conference were representatives from the following associations: Greater Detroit, Chicago, NCABA, Eastern Long Island (N.Y.), Denver, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia, Southern Nevada, Citrus Belt (Calif.), Cincinnati, Buffalo (N.Y.), Milwaukee, Indianapolis, St. Paul (Minn.), Rochester (N.Y.), Toledo (Ohio), and Phoenix. These associations have a combined membership of approximately 311,000, which is just over 18 percent of ABC's total membership of nearly 1.7 million members.

"I believe this is an important step in preparing ourselves for whatever lies ahead," said New York Bowling Association President Martin Michel. "The bottom line is that we need to continue to work to improve our service to bowlers, and getting feedback from the associations is an excellent way to do that."

Maryland's "Country Gals" move into top spot
in WIBC Tournament Division 2 team event

"Country Gals" of California, Md., took over the lead May 14 in the Division 2 team event of the 2003 Women's International Bowling Congress Championship Tournament in Reno, Nev.

Mary "Tang" Mitchell, captain Sandy Biehler, Donna Martin, Martha Chesley, and Margaret Taylor combined for 2,790 to move past "Left-Overs," New Lebanon, Ohio, which briefly led with 2,696.

Chesley led the team with 676 including a division-high 279 game. Martin, a substitute who lives in Choctow, Okla., was next with 545. Taylor, Great Mills, Md., added 533; Biehler, California, Md., had 520; and Mitchell, Hollywood, Md., had 516.

American Bowling Congress asks industry partners to renew effort to unite bowling organizations

GREENDALE, Wis. (May 13, 2003) — The American Bowling Congress Executive Board has extended an industry-wide invitation to renew the sport's efforts to unite under a single membership structure.

ABC's overture to the bowling family was outlined during a weekend conference call to ABC's board of directors by ABC President Alton R. Forbes of Chesapeake, Va.

"In the aftermath of rejections of the proposed United States Bowling Congress plan of merger by both the ABC and Women's International Bowling Congress delegations, ABC has met with all interested industry groups to consider our next course of action," Forbes said. "The conclusions among all of the organizations were unanimous: There must be only one membership organization in the future, and working together to achieve that objective will be much more productive than the alternative."

As a first step in that direction, Forbes said ABC has proposed its industry partners review the existing plan of merger starting in June and consider a course of action. Forbes said the other industry leaders have agreed to talk to their respective boards about the creation of a panel to discuss issues pertinent to the plan of merger.

The plan of merger, developed after more than two years of discussion and debate, would have resulted in the largest merger of non-profit sports organizations in American history. While the YABA and USA Bowling boards unanimously endorsed the merger, ABC delegates voted against the plan, 628-630, in Knoxville. In Reno, a simple majority of WIBC delegates twice voted for approval - 1,486-1,153 and 1,459-855 in a reconsideration vote the following day—but neither organization could muster the two-thirds majority required for adoption.

"Despite the rejection, a considerable number of ABC and WIBC delegates recognized the need to combine our sport's resources," Forbes added. "The rejections were based upon objections to specific provisions within the plan, not about the single membership organization concept.

"Therefore, it makes abundant sense for all of us to sit down, reexamine the merger document and see if we can resolve those differences. Because it affects everyone within the industry, we believe everyone should participate in a united effort to gain approval for the plan. Before any organization takes action that might result in irrevocable damage, it's worth spending a few more months to do the right thing."

Don Johnson dead at 62

May 4, 2003 — Don Johnson died last night, reports Frenchy Latourneau, publisher of the Ten Pin Alley newspaper in Las Vegas, Johnson's hometown. Johnson, who earlier called a friend to report he was not feeling well, was 62.

"The Kokomo Kid" had 26 career PBA titles, and he was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1977 and the ABC Hall five years later.

He perhaps will be best remembered for winning the 1970 Firestone Tournament of Champions in Akron, Ohio with a 299-268 victory over Dick Ritger. Johnson dropping to the approach after his twelfth toss when the 10-pin failed to fall is one the game's most memorable moments.

April 15, 2003 — Joe Tremper last night recorded 299-278-297/874 in the Men's Continental league at AMF Laurel to establish a new NCABA series record. The score topped the previous high of 869 (279-300-290) performed by NCABA Hall of Famer Larry Wallace Sept. 26, 2000 at AMF Fredericksburg.

Tremper, 30, a Laurel resident, this season has scored an 836 series along with two perfect games and a pair of 297s in the Men's Continental. He will receive the American Bowling Congress Award of Merit should his series not be topped by a fellow NCABA member through the end of the 2002-2003 season on July 31.

Local instructor Bob Pendergraft remembered

On February 14, 2003, local instructor Bob Pendergraft died after suffering a heart attack. He is remembered by WDCAWBA Hall of Famer Sue Allen:

Bob was a bowling instructor and bowler in this area for the past 10-12 years. His involvement in the sport of bowling focused on teaching people how to bowl better.

He made a tremendous impact on the bowling community, both locally and nationally. He will be deeply missed.

UPDATE: Funeral arrangements set for 10:30 a.m. Friday (Feb. 28) at Quantico National Cemetery.

Las Vegas' Texas Station selected
to host 2004 USA Bowling National Amateur Championships

February 13, 2003 — USA Bowling has announced that Texas Station Hotel, Las Vegas, Nev., has been awarded the 2004 National Amateur Championship Tournament. The tournament will be conducted Jan. 4-9, 2004 at the Texas Station Bowling Center.

Deadline for direct entries is Monday, Jan. 5, 2004 at 11 a.m. For more information, call Linda Johnson at 719/636-2695.

Silver Spring assistant manager George Browne dies

February 5, 2003 — BOWL Magazine Online has confirmed that George Browne, assistant manager of Bowl America Silver Spring, died last night of a massive heart attack. He was 67.

Browne, who previously served as center manager, had open heart surgery several years ago, and he was scheduled to take a stress test today.

Browne was an active tournament bowler, and he participated in two leagues this season, the Thursday Trios at Clinton and the Bolling Mixed Doubles at Potomac Lanes.

A memorial service will occur Saturday, Feb. 8 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Bowl America Silver Spring. Additional details will be released here as they become available.

Charlotte selected as site
for 2007 WIBC Championship Tournament
and Annual Meeting

GREENDALE, Wis. — The Women's International Bowling Congress Executive Council approved the invitation from Charlotte, N.C., to be the site of the 2007 WIBC Championship Tournament and Annual Meeting.

The WIBC Tournament, the largest participatory sporting event in the world for women, will draw approximately 45,000 women to Charlotte. A city known for its economic and commercial activity, Charlotte has all the advantages of one of the nation's most rapidly growing areas and will serve as a great backdrop for the tournament and convention.

"WIBC is excited Charlotte will be hosting our 88th Championship Tournament," said WIBC Executive Director Roseann Kuhn. "Charlotte is a great city, with much to offer WIBC bowlers. The 2007 event should be fun for the city, our bowlers, and their friends."

The tournament, which changes locations each year, has been held in cities nationwide, including: Milwaukee; Indianapolis; Reno, Nev.; and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The first WIBC Championship Tournament was held in St. Louis in 1916, the same year WIBC was founded.

The WIBC Championship Tournament attracts bowlers from every U.S. state and Canada, as well as international participants from Bermuda, Japan, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere.

Upcoming WIBC Tournament and Annual Meeting locations include Reno, Nev., in 2003; Wichita, Kan., in 2004; Tulsa, Okla., in 2005; and back to Reno in 2006.

Former GWBS leader dies

December 8, 2002 — Warren Hughes Sr., a past president, life member, and Hall of Fame member of the Greater Washington Bowling Senate, died earlier today as a result of an automobile accident yesterday.

Mr. Hughes is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Jean Keys Hughes; sons Warren Alexander Hughes Jr. and Derrick Vincent Hughes Sr.; grandsons Derrick Vincent Hughes Jr. and Lance Christopher Hawkins; a very devoted daughter-in-law, Donnetta Hawkins, and a host of other relatives and friends. The viewing will be held Friday, December 13 from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. at the Union Wesley AME Zion Church, 1860 Michigan Ave. N.E. The interment will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

PWBA star to visit Capital Plaza

November 7, 2002 — Professional Women's Bowling Association star Kim Terrell has confirmed her appearance for an Ebonite Demo Day at the new World Class Pro Shops at AMF Capital Plaza Dec. 7 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Terrell, the 2002 WIBC Queens champion who recently won the PWBA Rollers and Pro Bowlers special event in Mesa, Ariz., currently is third in earnings on the PWBA Tour with $63,587.50, sixth in points (9,885), and eighth in average (211.61). The right-hander from Antioch Calif., a member of the Ebonite Pro Staff, also has recorded two perfect games on tour this year.

World Class Pro Shops opened last weekend with visits by world-class bowling ball gurus Del Warren, president of Track, Inc., and Mo Pinel, CEO, designer, and manager of R&D for MORICH Enterprises, Inc.

For additional information, contact Royal Howard or Eddie Curtis at 301/322-9530.

Invitational centers announced

October 16, 2002 — St. Charles Bowl in Waldorf will host the final round of the 2003 VIR-MAR-DISTRICT YABA Invitational Scratch Singles Tournament. The center last hosted the finals in 1993.

The schedule:

• Round 1 — Jan. 18 (2 p.m.) at Bowl America Falls Church.
• Round 2 — Jan. 19 (1 p.m.) at AMF Shady Grove.
• Round 3 — Jan. 25 (2 p.m.) at AMF Centreville.
• Round 4 — Jan. 26 (1 p.m.) at Bowl America Fairfax.
• Round 5 — Feb. 2 (TBA) at St. Charles Bowl.

For the record

September 10, 2002 — Carolyn Jozwiak's name was inadvertently excluded from the list of members of the Washington, D.C. Area Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame on page 10 of the current issue of BOWL Magazine.

Jozwiak was inducted last year along with Pallie Berry, Quintenna Boone, and Berlin Myers.

Southern Bowling Writers Association
honors Dorin-Ballard

At a recent Professional Women's Bowling Association
event in Las Vegas, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard received
awards from the Southern Bowling Writers Association—
represented by two of its past presidents,
Walt Steinsiek (left) and Jim Wyckoff—for being named
SBWA Bowler of the Year for 2001.
In addition to receiving a plaque,
Dorin-Ballard is shown holding an illustration done
by Steinsiek, who will be inducted into the
NCABA Hall of Fame in October.
(Photo by Jim Goodwin)

BOWL Magazine contributing writer John Jowdy (left), a Hall of Fame member of the American Bowling Congress and the Professional Bowlers Association, a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America, and one of the world's leading bowling instructors, recently released his first book entitled Bowling eXecution.

Human Kinetics, which published the book, prepared an official release (PDF, see below) that includes a brief summary, the table of contents, and an order form. The company also has similar information on its Web site.

The book is also available on the amazon and Barnes & Noble sites.

"Jowdy's Journal" has regularly appeared in BOWL Magazine since 1992.

Adobe's free Acrobat Reader program may be used to view Portable Document Format "PDF" files. Click on the following icon to download Acrobat Reader:

Bob Hennessy dead at 80

May 3, 2002 — NCABA tonight announced that Bob Hennessy, who officially served the association and its members for 34 years, died earlier today after succumbing to cancer at age 80.

Mr. Hennessy joined the association's board of directors in 1965 and advanced to the presidency for the 1973-74 season. After becoming assistant secretary and editor of BOWL Magazine in 1976, he served as association secretary from 1979 to 1987. He then served as treasurer until his retirement for health reasons in 1999.

He was elected to the NCABA Hall of Fame in 1977 and the Virginia State Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1992. He recently was elected to the Southeastern Bowling Association Hall of Fame and was scheduled to visit Florida next month for the induction ceremony.

The viewing will take place Sunday, May 5 at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Road in Oxon Hill, Md., from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 pm. Funeral services will be held the following day at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, 2315 Brinkley Road in Oxon Hill, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow the services.

Executive Director Ray Brothers announced tonight that the NCABA office will be closed Monday in memory of Mr. Hennessy.

Storm's Pete Weber to participate on golf's Celebrity Players Tour

Storm staffer Pete Weber is scheduled to take part in the Celebrity Players Tour's Stan Humphries Celebrity Classic from Wednesday, May 1 through Sunday, May 5 in San Diego. Weber will join fellow PBA Hall of Famer Marshall Holman in the golf competition. Weber is currently the most popular bowler on the planet. "PDW" has appeared on several nationally televised sport shows in the past few months.

The Celebrity Classic presented by Toyota consists of a two-day Celebrity-Amateur Tournament (May 2-3) and a two-day 36-hole celebrity competition (May 4-5) for a $250,000 purse. Event and ticket proceeds will benefit Children's Hospital and Health Center in San Diego.

"I think this is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me and I think it's pretty cool for the new PBA to get this kind of exposure," said Weber. "I've always wanted to play on this tour and Ken Reitz (former third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals) has been working hard for years to get a spot for me."

Other notables scheduled to compete include: Alan Thicke, Goose Gossage, Eric Dickerson, Steve Bartkowski, Gary Carter, Randy Cross, Mike Eruzione, Marshall Faulk, Rick Rhoden, Jerry Rice, Mike Schmidt, Ray Romano, Bruce Jenner, Neil Lomax, Emmitt Smith, and Jim McMahon.

The Celebrity Players Tour was organized to provide a competitive format for athletes, entertainers, and other celebrities in an arena that was different than the field in which they became famous. It's competitive golf for prize money. Current and former stars compete while providing millions of dollars for charity and a wonderful venue to entertain corporate guests that participate in the pro-ams and gala parties.

NCABA's Darwin Wimer tosses 299 game at ABC Tourney

BILLINGS, Mont. (April 19, 2002) — Darwin Wimer knew it wasn’t perfect, but he was hoping it was good enough.

Wimer, an NCABA member from Millersville, Md., missed a perfect game this afternoon in the 2002 American Bowling Congress Championships Tournament at MetraPark Expo Center, falling one pin short for a 299 game. He left the 6-pin on the 12th ball of his first game of Regular Doubles.

“I knew I missed the spot as soon as I let it go, but I was hoping maybe I’d get lucky,” said a smiling Wimer of his 299 game, the 11th 299 of this year’s tournament. “I pulled my arm up on the release. I didn’t let it go smooth.”

Wimer followed his 299 with games of 180 and 182 for a 661 Doubles series, then finished with a 598 series in Regular Singles.

ABC/Brunswick World Team Challenge
returns to Baltimore April 20-21

Celebrating its 10th season, the American Bowling Congress Brunswick World Team Challenge continues to evolve, providing those that have a passion for team bowling an opportunity to showcase their skills among the best in the nation.

The Team Challenge returns to Country Club Bowl in Baltimore April 20-21 for the sixth stop on the 14-city 2002 tour.

Since its inception in 1992, the Team Challenge has provided ABC members with an innovative team bowling experience and the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in prize money. The winners of each qualifier earn a berth in the Grand Championship, which will be conducted in Las Vegas in November.

The Team Challenge combines traditional five-player competition with Baker Scoring System match play that requires each member of the team to roll two frames in one game to combine for one score.

"With the decline in the number of team tournaments available to bowlers over the years, the Team Challenge fills a void for bowlers who crave for team competition," said Tournament Director Tom Boedecker. "If you are looking for a unique team tournament experience and you like action, then bowling in a Team Challenge qualifier is an experience you don't want to miss."

In 2001, more than 640 teams entered 15 regional qualifiers with the hope of qualifying for the Grand Championship and ultimately earning the title of match play team champion. Along the way, more than $900,000 was paid out through prize funds and side events at the regional level and the Grand Championship.

Each qualifier consists of six traditional team games for all teams on Saturday, leading to a modified Baker match play structure on Sunday. For the Baltimore event, competition begins at 9 a.m. on April 20 and 21, with the championship finals getting underway at approximately 1:30 p.m. on April 21.

One out of four teams will cash and advance directly to a Baker match play round on Sunday. Saturday's qualifying scores will be dropped, and all teams will start even for the Baker round.

When a field has more than 32 teams, the top four teams from qualifying will be seeded into the Baker match play round on Sunday. All other cashing teams will bowl 10 Baker games, with the top four joining the four seeded teams for the final Baker match play round.

Entries are still available for the Baltimore event. For entry information, contact Tom Boedecker, tournament director, at 1/800-514-2695 ext. 3415 or visit bowl.com.

Pete Weber to appear on Fox Sports Net

April 2, 2002 — ABC/PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber is scheduled to be a guest on Fox Sports Net's "Best Damn Sports Show Period" on Monday evening (April 8).

PBA President/CEO Steve Miller disclosed this today during a "State of the PBA" conference call with members of the bowling media.

— Bob Cosgrove

BWAA Convention notebook / March 14

BILLINGS, Mont. (March 14, 2002) — The Bowling Writers Association of America's Collegiate Committee has narrowed the list of candidates to the top eight in both the Men's and Women's Divisions in their balloting for the 2002 Collegiate Bowler of the Year Award, sponsored again this year by Columbia 300.

Ballots were received from all corners of the U.S., and the members of the committee weeded through and narrowed their list. These 16 bowlers will now go through one more vote, with the top point-getter from the committee receiving the Bowler of the Year Award and a $1,000 scholarship. Bowlers 2 through 5 in the voting will be named "Runners-up," and each will receive a $125 scholarship. Bowlers 6 through 8 will receive "Honorable Mentions."

All 16 bowlers will receive appropriate recognition at the welcoming dinner of the Intercollegiate Bowling Championships, which will be held April 17 in Buffalo, N.Y.

Here are the candidates and their school representation (in alphabetical order):

WOMEN'S DIVISION

• Melissa Belinder, Cal-State Fullerton
• Joy Esterson, Morehead State
• Amber Gazverde, Central Missouri State
• Shannon Pluhowsky, Nebraska
• Kari Schwager, Nebraska
• Jocelyn Stutz, Erie Community College
• Katie Verbil, Wichita State
• Brandi Wolfe, Arizona State

MEN'S DIVISION

• Nathan Bohr, Wichita State
• Andrew Cain, Arizona State
• Chris Hester, Morehead State
• Beau McVey, Wichita State
• Bill O'Neill, Saginaw Valley State
• Sean Rash, Wichita State
• Derek Sapp, Western Illinois
• Ed Smaglik, Purdue

* * * *

Marc D'Errico, an outstanding bowler at the University of Kansas and an outstanding writer in the Rochester, N.Y., area, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the Bowling Writers Association of America.

"We started the BWAA Collegiate Scholarship program three years ago in an attempt to honor young writers who also enjoy bowling," said BWAA President Fran Deken. "Young Mr. D'Errico fits that mold perfectly, and it's an honor to award him the 2002 BWAA Scholarship."

Hosgood leads Regular Singles
at ABC Tournament

BILLINGS, Mont. (March 14, 2002) – Leroy Hosgood of Bowie, Md., used a 788 three-game series to take the Regular Singles lead at the 2002 American Bowling Congress Championships Tournament at MetraPark Expo Center Wednesday afternoon.

Hosgood, a retired Washington D.C. firefighter and current owner of a pro shop, rolled games of 263, 246, and 279 to overtake former leader Larry Eide of Sioux Falls, S.D., who rolled a 784 score just 24 hours earlier.

Hosgood shot a 522 series in doubles play and a 606 in the team competition for a 1,916 all-events total.

“I didn’t shoot very well in doubles, so in singles I tried to stay through the ball cleanly,” said Hosgood. “I knew I had to get my hand through the ball and to the target.”

Although he struggled in the doubles event, Hosgood said he found the same comfort level he had last night in team play.

“I felt pretty good during my team competition,” he said. “I shot along the same lines during my singles game, but got locked in a little better today I guess.”

Hosgood, who lives just 20 miles from the Pentagon in Washington D.C. said that he has a lot more appreciation for the sport of bowling since the tragedies that occurred on Sept. 11.

“Sept. 11 is still very hard for me to swallow,” he said. “It makes getting to come to Billings and take over the Regular Singles lead that much more special. I know I’m one of the lucky ones that still is able to compete and enjoy the sport of bowling.”

BWAA Convention notebook / March 13

BILLINGS, Mont. (March 13, 2002) — Pete Weber reminded attendees at tonight's American Bowling Congress Press Party that his induction into the ABC Hall of Fame Thursday evening is taking place in the wrong year.

Speaking via videotape at the function—he currently is competing at the PBA's Battle At Little Creek in Virginia Beach, Va., since "bowling is my job"—Weber said that while he was honored to be elected to the ABC Hall and gave special credit to his family and noted instructor and fellow ABC and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer John Jowdy, his 2002 induction "is happening a year late."

Weber, whose brilliant on-lane career has been marked by numerous conduct violations and suspensions by PBA, complained publicly last year after failing to garner enough votes to gain admittance to the ABC Hall.

The legendary Dick Weber, a PBA Hall of Famer who was inducted into the ABC Hall of Fame in 1970, will accept the ABC honor in his son's absence.

* * * *

Ball talk — Brunswick officials today revealed that their company will slow the delivery of new high-tech bowling balls to distributors and pro shops. Its previous "new ball every six weeks" policy that was build around a concept of "spinning the merry-go-round so fast that no one could catch up to us" has been hindered by the decline in the number of bowlers who purchase the high-priced (and high-margin) balls. The new schedule will allow time for proper promotion of the equipment as well as better training for pro shop employees.

Brunswick ball designer Ray Edwards gave a lengthy but informative presentation about the changes in bowling balls over the past quarter century and particularly their effect on today's game. Among his conclusions:

• Bowling balls are different today than they used to be.
• They are better designed and span a wider range of reactions.
• This allows more bowlers to use equipment that allows them to play the game they way they want to and demonstrate their unique skills.
• Scores have increased—partly through better equipment options but primarily through changes in the bowling environment.
• Today's bowling balls change the oil the same way they always have; the difference is that the most aggressive balls sense the changes in the oil more rapidly.

* * * *

Pro/collegiate event — The Professional Women's Bowling Association and College Bowling USA have announced a partnership on the creation of a unique event that will be part of PWBA's upcoming Spring Tour. The PWBA Women's Collegiate/Pro Doubles Challenge will be held May 28-June 2 at Cherry Bowl in Rockford, Ill. The event will feature the top women professionals bowling alongside top collegiate players from around the country and will be highlighted by a live televised ESPN final on Sunday, June 2.

"College Bowling USA is excited to be partnering with the PWBA for this very unique event," said CBUSA director of collegiate bowling Brian Graham. "This event will expose collegiate bowlers to the next level of bowling while also giving them opportunities to compete for college scholarships."

The event will have a maximum field of 160 participants, with an entry deadline of May 1. The entry fee for collegiate players is $100, which will go toward the estimated $20,000-plus in total scholarships to be awarded at the event. The collegiate bowler who wins the tournament will earn $5,000-plus in scholarships.

For additional information on the PWBA Women's Collegiate/Pro Doubles Challenge, contact College Bowling USA at 800/514-2695 ext. 3402 or the PWBA at 815/332-5756.

* * * *

BWAA news — Lyle Zikes of Arlington Heights, Ill., today was elected president of the Bowling Writers Association of America for a one-year term beginning May 1. He will succeed Fran Deken of Reno, Nev., who will return to PWBA as its national tournament director. ... Pittsburgh's Dan "Big D" Glus will become executive director May 1. Mike Hennessy of Bluffton, S.C., surprised many members yesterday when he announced his retirement at the end of his term.

* * * *

College poll — The Wichita State University men and University of Nebraska women earned the top spots in the third National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association poll of the 2001-02 season.

— Bob Cosgrove

BWAA Convention notebook / March 12

BILLINGS, Mont. (March 12, 2002) — During a PWBA luncheon this afternoon for members of the Bowling Writers Association of America, PWBA President John Falzone announced that Dana Miller-Mackie of Albuquerque, N.M., and Jeanne Naccarato of Tacoma, Wash., will be inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame this year.

Voted on by a panel of distinguished bowling writers, industry personnel, and current Hall of Fame members, Miller-Mackie received 25.2 percent of the ballot, while Naccarato earned 21.2 percent. An induction site has not been named yet, but both new members will be honored sometime this fall.

Other bowlers who were considered included Pam Buckner, Cheryl Daniels, Carol Norman, and Virginia Norton.

"Dana Miller-Mackie and Jeanne Naccarato are two of the PWBA's most decorated professionals," said Falzone. "For two decades, these ladies have represented the sport of bowling with grace and class while performing at the highest level."

* * * *

Falzone fumes — Meanwhile, Falzone blasted Bowlers Journal International editor Jim Dressel for comments made in his February "Bowlitically Incorrect" column entitled "This Is Progress?" in which Dressel chastised PWBA and its leaders for the organization's failing to grow over the years.

Writes Dressel, who was not present at the luncheon: "[PWBA] struggles to get 50 entries for most of its tournaments, pays a paltry $2,000 more to its typical champion than it did two decades ago, and is $2 million in debt as an organization. I just don't see the progress. Either this group suffers from poor management, or women's pro bowling can't be sold....

"What the organization doesn't have is the professional sophistication a thriving sports group needs. While [PWBA CEO] John Sommer and John Falzone are tremendously nice guys, they just don't think like professional sports promoters, but like bowling proprietors."

Falzone stated that he never before has answered negative press about PWBA, but Dressel's comments "cut too deep." Falzone proceeded to quote several statistics about PWBA increased prize funds over the past several years and then listed the salaries in several women's sports, noting, for example, that the average female soccer player made $40,000, the average wage for a WNBA star was only $32,000, and pro softball players made $30,000 tops. In addition, the $1.2 million in PWBA Tour sponsorships sold thus far in 2002 was the highest in all of bowling.

After pointing out that four professionals attending the luncheon (Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Kim Terrell, Kelly Kulick, and Wendy Macpherson) together took home over $450,000 last year, Falzone closed with the following: "These women have more class in their little finger than [Dressel] has in his whole body."

* * * *

More PWBA — PWBA marketing director Jan Schmidt noted that the PWBA ratings on ESPN this year were .37, which meant the tour telecasts appeared on average in approximately 300,000 homes. The U.S. Open in December had a rating of .58, which was equal to over a half-million homes. ... When questioned about PWBA's ability to deliver for sponsors, Schmidt said: "Our industry has not emphasized the professional aspect of our sport." ... PWBA will have about 75 regional events this year. ... PWBA player Rachel Perez of San Marcos, Tex., also appeared at the luncheon.

* * * *

Cartoonist award — Walt Steinsiek, whose "Cartoon of the Week" is a fixture on this site and whose work regularly appears in BOWL Magazine, received a most pleasant surprise during the luncheon. The originator and only chairman of the nine-year-old PWBA Cartoonist Award had just finished announcing that Lola Goelet Yoakem was the first female winner of the award when Falzone suddenly approached the microphone, announced that Steinsiek was co-winner of the 2001 award, and presented him with a beautiful plaque.

Steinsiek broke up the audience when, after realizing that he had walked away from the podium with Falzone's pen, turned and said, "Jim Dressel told me to take it!"

— Bob Cosgrove

Last chance to enter
Virginia State Tournament
at Bull Run and Chantilly

Entry deadline for the 50th annual Virginia State Tournament is midnight, February 27, 2002. A printable entry page and a copy of the rules are among the entry form pages available below for this competition, which this year will take place at Bowl America Bull Run and Bowl America Chantilly.

These forms appear as Portable Document Format "PDF" files, and Adobe's free Acrobat Reader program can be used to view them. Click on the following icon to download Acrobat Reader:

• Click here to view the front page.
  
  
• Click here to view the tournament entry page.
  
  
• Click here to view a copy of the rules.
  
  
• Click here to view a map of Northern Virginia.
  
  

After making your selection, Acrobat Reader, if properly installed on your system, will automatically load and import the form chosen, which you then may print.

In youth news from the Greater Washington Bowling Senate (GWBS), the Silver Hill Strikers of Marlow Heights, Maryland are five-time Eastern Regional champions as well as back-to-back Anthony J. Roberts National Champions. The team, consisting of Angelo Lyles, Renee Parker, Crystal Waters, and Anthony Wheeler, won the Anthony J. Roberts Championship by defeating Cincinnati of the Central Region 910-865.

From left, Anthony Wheeler, Renee Parker, Angelo Lyles,
and Crystal Waters (Photo by James Snow)

• Angelo Lyles, 17, is a junior at Surrattville High School. A bowler for 10 years, he currently averages 182. He has recorded a perfect game and has a top series of 660. His hobbies include baseball, basketball, and fishing.
• Renee Parker, 22, a junior at Morgan State University, has bowled for 16 years and carries a 165 average. She has a high game of 289 and a series best of 650. She surfs the Internet in her spare time, creates web pages, and hangs out with friends. Renee also enjoys traveling to see family and watching game shows.
• Crystal Waters, 20, a junior at Howard University, has bowled for 12 years and averages 159. Her high game is 267, and her best series is 728. Crystal enjoys school and being with her friends.
• Anthony Wheeler, 21, a junior at Morgan State University, has bowled for 11 years and carries a 184 average. His individual bests are a 289 game and a 746 series. Anthony, who won the B Division of the 1997 VIR-MAR-DISTRICT YABA Invitational Scratch Singles Tournament, also enjoys watching tennis and spending time with friends.

Each of the team members received championship jackets from Jeannie Malone, GWBS junior coordinator.

Online entry forms available
for NCABA/WDCAWBA 600-700
Scratch Doubles Tourney

February 9, 2002 — A printable entry page and a copy of the rules are available below for the NCABA/WDCAWBA 600-700 Scratch Doubles Tournament, which will take place February 16-17, 2002 at Bowl America Falls Church.

These forms appear as Portable Document Format "PDF" files, and Adobe's free Acrobat Reader program can be used to view them. Click on the following icon to download Acrobat Reader:

• Click here to view the tournament entry page.
  
  
• Click here to view a copy of the rules.

After making your selection, Acrobat Reader, if properly installed on your system, will automatically load and import the form chosen, which you then may print.

Funeral arrangements set for Henry Ford

November 9, 2001 — Funeral arrangements have been announced for NCABA Hall of Famer Henry Ford, who died November 7. The viewing is set for 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, November 11 at the DeMaines Funeral Home, 520 South Washington Street in Alexandria (at the corner of South Washington & Gibbons Streets).

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the INOVA Mt. Vernon Auxilary, 2501 Parker's Lane, Alexandria VA 22306.

Hall of Famer Henry Ford dies

November 8, 2001 — The NCABA office announced the death yesterday of Hall of Famer Henry Ford. Ford, who served as association president during the 1968-69 season, suffered a massive stoke in September and had been in poor health for a long time.

Ford was elected to the NCABA Hall of Fame in 1972. In addition, he was a life member.

Update: 2001-2002 Lane Directors /
Service Reps

October 15, 2001 — An update is available to the "2001-2002 Lane Directors/Service Reps" list that appears on page 17 of the August/September issue of BOWL Magazine. (Please note that this updated list appears as a Portable Document Format "PDF" file, and Adobe's free Acrobat Reader program can be used to view it. Click on the icon below to download Acrobat Reader.)

Click here to view the updated version of the "2001-2002 Lane Directors/Service Reps" list. (Acrobat Reader, if properly installed on your system, will automatically begin loading.)

NCABA adds three directors to board

Mayes named sergeant-at-arms; McGregor is new webmaster

September 9, 2001 — At its monthly meeting today, the NCABA board of directors approved the appointments of three individuals by President Thomas Allen to serve as association directors:

• Thomas Daniel of LaPlata, Md.
• Robert Haase of Centreville.
• Kenneth Owens of Woodbridge.

Haase and Owens will serve two-year terms ending July 31, 2003, while Daniel's one-year appointment ends July 31, 2002.

President Allen also appointed Director Darron Mayes (left) of Fort Washington as sergeant-at-arms and Vice President Ronald McGregor (right) of Temple Hills as webmaster of ncaba.org, the association's web site.

In other news from the meeting:

• Nominating Committee chairman Vince Jozwiak asked that individuals interested in running for an association directorship at February's annual meeting must submit a resumé via E-mail to chairman Jozwiak or by regular mail to the NCABA office (4710 Auth Place, Suite 465, Camp Springs MD 20746-4202) no later than October 31, 2001.
• Technology chairman Scott Gielda (right) reported over 300 leagues now submit their awards through ncaba.org and that last year 60 percent of all award requests were submitted online. He projects 75 percent of NCABA's leagues will submit award requests online this season. Secretaries who want to submit award requests online should contact Director Gielda, and he will be happy to assist you.
• Tickets are now available for the NCABA/WDCAWBA Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, which will take place October 27, 2001 at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington. For ticket information, please contact the NCABA office (301/899-5978), the WDCAWBA office (240/695-1985), Steve Graves (301/942-3135), or Cheryl McGraw (703/799-0841). This year's Hall of Fame inductees are Pallie Berry, Quintenna Boone, Carolyn Jozwiak, Berlin Myers, and Roger Tarr.
• September 17 is the entry closing date for the Virginia State Seniors Tournament that runs three weekends beginning September 29-30 at AMF Fredericksburg.

Lemerise wins scratch marathon
at Fort Meade

August 25, 2001 — Rob Lemerise of Catonsville, Md., averaged 192.7 this afternoon to win the $400 top prize at the 10 Game Scratch Tournament held at The Lanes at Fort Meade. The event, sponsored by Faball USA, LLC, was conducted on the challenging Sport Bowling lane condition, which officially debuted locally on the military base this summer.

Dan Rideout of Glen Burnie, Md. (1,919 total) placed second and collected $200, while Alexandria's Derek Payne (1,887) took home $150 for third.

Notebook — Dean Ryan, manager of The Lanes, disclosed that at least two all-women teams are expected to bowl in the upcoming Sport Bowling league on Monday evenings this fall. The league's organizational meeting will take place Monday, August 27 at 8 p.m. Contact Ryan at 301/677-5541 for additional information. ... NCABA Hall of Famer Larry O'Neill, who returned to the lanes this summer at The Lanes and was among today's competitors, revealed rumors of his pending retirement have been greatly exaggerated and that he will in fact compete in the (Bowl America) Duke Mixed Classic league on Thursday evenings this fall. His teammates will include fellow Hall of Famer Jim Lewis.

— Bob Cosgrove

Past President Dan Venor dies

August 3, 2001 — NCABA has learned that Past President and Life Member Dan Venor died this past Tuesday at Walter Reed Medical Center. He served as NCABA president during the 1987-88 season.

Relatives and friends may call at the Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West in Silver Spring, tomorrow from 1 to 2 p.m., after which a service will be held. Interment will take place August 21 at Arlington National Cemetary.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Montgomery County Unit, 11331 Amhearst Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20902.

Area bowlers perform well at WIBC Tournament

July 2, 2001 — WIBC has released unofficial results of its recently concluded annual championship tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and several local bowlers were among the highest finishers:

• The "Together Again" team from Waldorf captured first place in Division 1 competition with a 2,780 total, just two pins ahead of the "On The Go Girls" from Largo. (See story below.)
• J. Diane Stevenson of Temple Hills, a member of The Honeygirls Bowling Club, recorded a career-high 605 series in Division 3 Singles competition to finish second, seven pins behind Helen Wolf of Lebanon, Ind. Stevenson also placed 13th in the All Events category with a 1,561 total.
• Raynell Hinton (1,586) of Hyattsville placed sixth in the Division 3 All Events.
• Sue Dobbs (565) of Charlotte Hall, Md., placed ninth in Division 3 Singles.
• Charline Graham of Alexandria and Ittylene Neal of Springfield (1,161) placed 13th in Division 1 Doubles.
• Jacqueline Wilson (1,661) of Alexandria placed 14th in Division 2 All Events.

Waldorf team new leaders at WIBC Tournament

June 16, 2001 — In their first national participation, the "Together Again" team from Waldorf took the lead yesterday in Division 1 competition of the Women's International Bowling Congress Championship Tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Their 2,780 total topped the 2,778 recorded by the "On The Go Girls" from Largo.

The new leaders consisted of Anna Morrill, St. Augustine, Fla. (569 series); Lorna Guzman, Lusby, Md. (576); Sharen Kinney, Waldorf (515); Lori Bobish, La Plata, Md. (509); and April Saunders (captain), Waldorf, 611.

"On The Go Girls" take lead
at WIBC Tournament

June 4, 2001 — After the "On The Go Girls" of the Washington, D.C. area came, bowled, and left, they were the new leaders of the Division 1 team event with a score of 2,778. Their series included the highest team game bowled in the division, a 988, along with 854 and 936. They bypassed former leaders "Styles Unique" of Tonawanda, N.Y., by 36 pins.

Leading the way in scoring was captain Nancy Gray of Largo, Md., who rolled a 685 series. She was followed by Washington, D.C. bowlers Loretta Best (559) and Shirley Briscoe (536), then Janice Rickard, Temple Hills (514), and Gloria Brown, Forest Heights (484).

The group bowls in the same league during the season but not on the same team. They have traveled as a team to the national tournament for over 10 years, starting in Tampa.

"This is the best we've ever done," Gray observed. "We all work for the U.S. Postal Service, and I guess you could say that we work together and play together." The combination works well for this team.

First trip to ABC
has good results for "Goodladies"

May 19, 2001 — Denise Harris (left), Waldorf, Md., and Tanya McGregor, Clinton, Md., moved into fifth place in Classified Doubles with 1,203 yesterday afternoon at the ABC Championships Tournament in Reno, Nev. The pair, shooting 385, 403, and 415, was part of a group of seven teams—five men's teams, called the "Goodfellas," and two women's teams, the "Goodladies," who made their first appearance in the ABC Championships Tournament.

Goodfellas Bowling Club, organized by President Sterling Procter Jr., Forestville, Md., and Vice President David Brooks, Clinton, Md., started with the gentlemen's fathers, who would travel to different tournaments. "Our fathers used to travel to different tournaments when we were younger, but when we became young men they introduced us to the tournaments," Procter said. "A couple of years ago we came up with the name Goodfellas because we were all good guys and we added the women (Goodladies) a year later."

The group performed pretty well for their first year of ABC Championships Tournament competition. "We just wanted to get a taste of the ABC Tournament shot," said Brooks. "The local centers put out more of a house shot, but here you have to really be a shot maker. It's much tougher."

Despite not knowing what to really expect for their first time out of the gate, the group did all right. "We didn't have any high or low expectations for ourselves," said Brooks. "We just wanted to get an indication of how good we are. Overall, we did average with the exception of the women's teams, which did really well. Denise and Tanya are in fifth in Classified Doubles."

Harris, a 185-average bowler, shot 197, 222, and 248 for 667. "I've been bowling for 26 years," said 45-year-old Harris, "and I didn't think we'd bowl up to our potential today because we were both hurting. I have tendinitis in my right hand that caused me a lot of trouble last night in Team, but it was better today." Harris continued her good bowling in Singles, shooting 187, 211, and 236 for 634 and a 1,781 All Events total.

Tanya McGregor rolled 188, 181, and 167 for 536. The 38-year-old carries a 169 average and has only been bowling for five years but is sometimes hampered by knee problems. "I actually bowled better last night in Team (563), but I'm happy with our score," said McGregor. She also had 515 in Singles for 1,614 in All Events.

The Classified Team division is for five-person teams with averages of 900 or less, doubles teams with 360 or less averages and individuals with a 180 or less average. This year there will be approximately 3,000 Classified Teams out of the more than 16,000 teams that will compete for more than $4.2 million in ABC Tournament prize money.

Next year, the group is already looking forward to going to Billings, Mont., for the 99th ABC Championships Tournament. "When we go to Billings (Mont.), we just want to try and stay competitive," said Procter.

Mr. Bowling comes to Reno

May 8, 2001 — NCABA member David Bowling of Odenton, Md., participated in the 2001 ABC Championships Tournament at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., on Sunday. An avid bowler for the past 26 years, you could imagine that Bowling has had to bear quite a few jokes over the years.

"It started in grade school with people saying things like 'hey, bowling ball' or 'bowling pin,'" said the 40-year-old. "Today the jokes are a little different. Some of the guys call me 'Dave Tennis' and jokes like that."

Bowling doesn't know the exact origin of his name, except for the fact that it's of English descent. But what he does know is that with a name like Bowling, you better live up to it especially when you come to a tournament like this.

"I definitely feel a little bit of pressure," said the 219-average bowler. This year, Bowling shot 473 in Singles, 540 in Doubles and 619 in Team for 1,632 All Events, but feels that coming to the tournament isn't just about his scores. "I like the competition and that's why I come here," said Bowling, "but I also love the ambiance and the opportunity to travel and see new places. That's the real reason I come."

Bowling and his wife Carla, who have son David, 9, and daughter Alyssa, 5, had to be careful in naming them. "We were all set to call our daughter 'Ally' but we realized that may not be such a good idea," said Carla.

On a more serious note, Mr. Bowling's love of the sport makes him very concerned about the future of the sport and the ABC. He feels that with the popularity of golf (Tiger Woods) and sports like it, bowlers like him need to continue to support and help to redefine the sport of bowling.

Date change for 600 Club T of C

April 17, 2001 — The date for the VIR-MAR-DISTRICT YABA 600 Club Tournament of Champions was changed after the April/May issue of BOWL Magazine had gone to press. The event will take place Saturday, April 21 at noon at Bowl America Duke.

Tournament Director Tom Dale recently announced that scholarships will be awarded at this tournament.

Two teams win $250 bonus
as NCABA Championship Tournament begins

March 31, 2001 — Two teams earned a $250 bonus during today's opening ceremonies of the 56th annual NCABA Championship Tournament at AMF Laurel.

Prior to the start of the 10 a.m. squad, the 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-pins were set on each lane, and each of the 32 teams, starting in order with the leadoff bowler, had to knock down the pins in the order called by Tournament Director Ray Brothers. If the four pins were converted in the correct order, the fifth (anchor) bowler then was asked to roll a strike (on a lane in the center of the house) for the team to win the $250.

The Potomac Area Men's fivesome consisting of Michael Andrejack, William Marshall, Clayton Stone, Timothy Lancaster, and anchor Thomas D. Dale performed the task, as did the "Young Bucks" team of Amir Zargarian, Jason Brown, Douglas Kidwell, Pera Limtrakul, and anchor Elvin Davison. (Zargarian, Kidwell, and Davison formed part of one of the two teams that won the bonus last year at AMF Clinton.)

In the morning action, left-hander Ronnie Angles recorded the top series in the team competition with his 758 on games of 268-279-211.

Doubles and singles action is taking place at Crofton Bowling Centre.

Joe Norris Memorial Fund established

The family of the late American Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Joe Norris has requested that memorial contributions can be made to the Joe Norris Memorial Fund, c/o San Diego Bowling Association, 4400 Palm Ave., Suite B, La Mesa, CA 91941-6524.

Louisiana school seeks bowlers;
scholarships possible

Karen Couvillon, bowling coach at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, would like to hear from area junior bowlers with a minimum average of 190 who may be interested in bowling for the school.

Coach Couvillon, who can be reached at Southern University and A&M College, Athletics - Bowling Team, P.O. Box 9942, Baton Rouge, LA 70813 (phone: 225/771-3170), would be happy to discuss possible scholarships with potential recruits.

Director Rodger Bourne recovering
from "mild heart attack"

February 28, 2001 — Director Rodger Bourne of Frederick, Md., is recovering at home from a "mild heart attack" suffered during the NCABA Council of Delegates Meeting February 25 at Fort Belvoir.

Bourne, who has served NCABA members since 1985, is a lane director at AMF Shady Grove and Bowl America Gaithersburg.

Reutell and Strickland win
600 Club Doubles Tournament

February 11, 2001 — Michael Reutell (623 series) of Clinton and Greg Strickland (610) of Waldorf combined for a 1,233 team series to win the VIR-MAR-DISTRICT 600 Club Winter Tournament held this afternoon at Fort Belvoir Bowling Center in Virginia.

Patrick Jeffries (643) and Richard Farley (588) of Alexandria combined for a 1,231 team series to earn second-place honors, while the Woodbridge duo of Josh Skidmore (644) and Dionte McCormick (541) bowled a 1,185 team series to earn the third-place award. Bobby Moore (663) of Arlington and Roberto Ramos (517) of Alexandria tallied 1,180 to earn the fourth place award.

The high team game award went to Skidmore (277) and McCormick (193) for their 470 total. Farley (245) and Jeffries (210) earned the second high game award with a 455.

Bowlers with the top 10 individual series also qualified for the Tournament of Champions, which will be held April 29. The qualifiers:

• 1, Moore, 663.
• 2, Skidmore, 644.
• 3, Jeffries, 643.
• 4, Reutell, 623.
• 5, Strickland, 610.
• 6, Stephen Goins, Lorton, 608.
• 7, Ronald Thompson, D.C., 598.
• 8, Mark Potter, Temple Hills, 592.
• 9, Farley, 588.
• 10, Shaun Minick, D.C., 578.
• 11, Neal Miskell, Waldorf, 574.
• 12 (tie), Nathan Bolden, Baltimore; Robert Drake, Manassas; and Dominic Lawrence, D.C., 565.
  
  (Moore, Reutell, and Farley qualified at previous tournaments.)

High individual games bowled during the tournament:

• Game 1 — Moore, 247.
• Game 2 — Skidmore, 277.
• Game 3 — John Foradori, Alexandria, 239.

The next 600 Club Tournament will be held April 8.

Any youth bowler who has bowled a sanctioned 600 series in the VIR-MAR-DISTRICT YABA is eligible for membership in the 600 Club. Any questions should be directed to Tom Dale, YABA 600 Club, 10 Hulvey Drive, Stafford, VA 22554-3816 (phone: 540/659-1263).

Hall of Famer scores perfect game

February 6, 2001 — NCABA Hall of Famer Mark Glover last night tossed a 300 game in the Dale City Monday Men's league at Bowl America Woodbridge.

Glover, a Woodbridge resident who entered the Hall in 1994, used a Brunswick Speed Zone en route to recording a 763 on games of 300-236-227.

AMF University to close

January 31, 2001 — AMF announced today that it is closing AMF University Lanes in Adelphi, Md., within the next few weeks. The company has no plans to close any of its other 27 centers in the Baltimore-Washington market.

Roland Smith, AMF president and chief executive officer, said that the decision to close the center was purely economic.

"Over the last two years, the league bowler base at University has declined by half, precipitating large operating losses," said Smith. "After studying the situation, we felt that the trends were likely to continue, so we felt we had to make the tough decision to close. We're committed to finding alternatives in the area for all the remaining league bowlers before we set the final closing date in February.

"Just like every retain chain, AMF must pay close attention to the operating results at each of its individual units. And again, like any retail chain, we are going to close individual units that we feel are likely to continue underperforming. These are always difficult decisions because we don't like to disappoint any of our customers, but we have to do what's right for the overall business."

Smith noted that AMF's refinancing was not a factor in the decision.

"The whole point of our refinancing is to build a more successful, profitable AMF in the future," he said. "Contrary to all the rumors, we have no plans to sell centers, and we have no plans for mulitple closings. Our focus is on growing our U.S. center business, not diminishing it."

WDCAWBA extends tournament deadline

January 29, 2001 — The Washington, D.C. Area Women's Bowling Association has announced that the closing date for entries for its 56th annual City Tournament has been extended to Friday, February 9, 2001.

The previous closing date for this event, which will be conducted in its entirety at Parkland Bowl in Forestville, Md., was February 1.

For additional information, contact Tournament Director Tena Boone or call 240/695-1985.

ABC/WIBC Joint Diversity Committee
looking for volunteers

The American Bowling Congress/Women's International Bowling Congress Joint Diversity Committee is seeking volunteers to visit local and state/provincial associations and spread the message of creating diversity among members.

The committee was created to build awareness and sensitivity to the unique similarities and differences of people in order to diversify the membership and leadership of ABC and WIBC.

The committee is looking for strong presenters who can commit to traveling three to four weekends a year to visit and present diversity-related issues to associations. Preference will be given to those candidates familiar with diversity issues.

Interviews will take place Feb. 2, 2001 in Atlanta. Bowling Headquarters will make all travel arrangements. Volunteers will receive training March 17, 2001 at the ABC Convention in Reno, Nev.

Those interested in volunteering should contact ABC Operations Manager Pete Dargiewicz (phone: 800/514-2695 extension 3216) or WIBC Director of Services Sheila Nyren (extension 3256).

For the record: Senior Tournament prize list changes

Carol Gaither, director of the recently concluded NCABA/WDCAWBA Senior Tournament, announced some changes in the prize list that supercede the list published in the December/January issue of BOWL Magazine:

• Women's 70 & Over All Events: Louise Brunson placed second and earned $23; Eula Clark placed third and earned $15.
• Men's 55-59 All Events: John Abbott placed fourth and earned $11.

Maryland Eastern Shore overpowers field
at MEAC Championships

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) dominated competition at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Bowling Championships held Nov. 10-11 at AMF University.

UMES's Lori Rumping, named the tournament's most outstanding performer, captured top honors in the singles (639 series), doubles (with teammate Rebecca Palmer, 1,184 total), and the all events (1,745) divisions. Rumping also led her school to a 593-pin victory over North Carolina A&T State University in the team event. Other UMES team members included Victoria Gay, Krista King, Fathiyyah Salaam, Jennifer Hayes, and Coya Dix (who did not bowl).

Victoria Gay (622) of UMES and Natalie Maynard (584) of Morgan State University placed second and third, respectively, in the singles event.

Gay and teammate Krista King (1,099 total) finished second in the doubles, followed by the Howard University duo of Lillibeth Jones and Crystal Waters (1,094).

The top five finishers in the all events determined the All Tournament Team:

• Lori Rumping, UMES (1,745).
• Lillibeth Jones, Howard (1,706).
• Victoria Gay, UMES (1,678).
• Rebecca Palmer, UMES (1,652).
• Krista King, UMES (1,614).

Competing MEAC member institutions (and their total pinfall) included: University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne (9,618), North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro (9,025), Florida A&M University, Tallahassee (8,546), Morgan State University, Baltimore (8,479), Howard University, Washington, D.C. (8,329), Hampton (Va.) University (8,221), South Carolina State University, Orangeburg (7,872), Coppin State College, Baltimore (7,255), Norfolk (Va.) State University (7,091), and Delaware State University, Dover (6,795).

Funeral arrangements set
for Hall of Famer's mother

October 12, 2000 — NCABA sadly reports the passing of Ella Mae (Harrison) Magruder, mother of NCABA Hall of Famer Ron Holt. She died early yesterday after a lengthy battle with cancer.

BOWL Magazine Online received a copy of the death notice, which appears below.

Magruder, Ella Mae (Harrison)

On Tuesday, October 11, 2000, at her home in Lothian, MD, loving and devoted mother of Clarence Harrison, Cecilia Queen and Ronald Holt, loving and devoted grandmother of LaRae Anderson, Damian Queen, Tiffany and Kristen Harrison, Camille Holt and Candice Brown; 2 daughters-in-law, 3 sisters-in-law, 1 brother-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews, all who loved her very much. She is also survived by other relatives and friends that loved her deeply. Friends and family may view at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 14908 Main St. Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 on Saturday, October 14, 2000 from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment immediately following at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, MD. Entrusted by Pope Funeral Homes, 5538 Marlboro Pike Forestville, MD.

NCABA releases revised
All Events prize list

June 12, 2000 — NCABA tonight released a revised All Events (Handicap) prize list for its 55th annual Championship Tournament. The list now posted properly reflects the distribution of prize checks mailed last week to team captains.

Captains of All Events cashers whose prize checks differed from the accompanying prize list will be mailed a copy of the corrected list.

Clinton man makes Top 10
at ABC Tournament

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — "What do you mean I'm in eighth place?" remarked a surprised Anthony Newman Sr. of Clinton, Md., when he was asked if he would have a few minutes to speak with the media at the 2000 Sandia/Casino Championships. Newman's 665 series in the Classified Singles division landed him in a tie for eighth place spot on Friday, May 19.

"The lanes are always tough here at the ABC Tournament," said Newman. "I just stuck with the same line and started putting the ball out a bit farther. I had no idea that my 665 would put me in the Top 10."

A 178-average bowler, Newman rolled games of 255, 201, and 209 (665) in singles. Combined with his other series of the tournament, 556 (team) and 585 (doubles), the 49-year-old just missed the Top 10 in Classified All Events by 12 pins, finishing with 1,806.

Newman, who is known as "Super Sub" to his friends, started bowling in 1968. "I didn't bowl in any particular league this year," he explained. "I am a full-time substitute. I put in 72 games this year, and on February 4, rolled my first career 300 game."

The Classified Division is for teams with averages of 900 and under, for doubles teams with averages of 360 and under, and for individuals averaging 180 and under. Over 53,000 bowlers are competing for $2.8 million in prize money in this year's championships.

Hall of Famer Jack Horner dies

May 17, 2000 — NCABA has learned that John J. "Jack" Horner, who served as association president during the 1976-77 season, died yesterday of a heart attack. He was 76.

Services for Horner, an NCABA Life Member and Hall of Famer, will take place at the McMillan Small Funeral Home, Highway 17 Bypass, 67th Avenue North, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Director Calvin Ingram dies

Director Calvin Ingram died May 7 after a lengthy bout with cancer. He joined the NCABA board in 1989.

The viewing will take place Saturday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Contee AME Zion Church, 903 Division Avenue, N.E., in the District. The funeral will immediately follow.

Season ends but streak doesn't at RTR Classic

May 8, 2000 — The streak again continued this past Friday in the RTR Classic at AMF University.

Kelly McNeal tossed his second perfect game in the league this season en route to an 856 series, as the RTR Classic closed 1999-2000 with 20 ABC honor scores—and at least one in each of the last five weeks.

The complete RTR honor score list:

800 SERIES

• Kelly McNeal, 856 (5/5/00).
• Bobby Hall II, 814 (11/26/99).
• York Rankin Jr., 813 (4/7/99).
• Louis Pugh, 802 (12/17/99).

300 GAMES

• Graylon Clagett (9/3/99).
• York Rankin Jr. (12/17/99) and (4/7/00).
• Otha Lewis (2/18/00).
• Bobby Hall II (2/18/00).
• A. Nehru Ali (3/4/00).
• Steven Burrell (3/31/00).
• Kelly McNeal (4/14/00) and (5/5/00).
• Nancy Bell (4/21/00).
• Edrick Bracey (4/29/00).
• Norman Smith (4/29/00).

299 GAMES

• Arlen Holmes (3/4/00).
• Norman Smith (3/25/00).
• Alphonso Gabriel (4/14/00).
• York Rankin Jr. (4/29/00).

Anne Grover memorial service set for Wednesday

May 1, 2000 — A memorial service will be held Wednesday (May 3) for Anne Grover, wife of NCABA Fifth Vice President Bill Grover, who died April 27. It will take place at 10 a.m. at the Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 South Kings Highway in Alexandria.

Lewis tops Duke for PBA regional title

NCABA Hall of Famer Jim Lewis of Waldorf topped two stepladder opponents, including 1994 PBA Player of the Year Norm Duke, to win the Douglasville (Ga.) PBA Southern Region Open on April 16.

Lewis, the second seed entering the championship round who earlier tossed a perfect game, defeated Mitch Beasley of Little Rock, Ark., 235-223 before conquering Duke, a resident of Clermont, Fla., 193-170 in the finale to capture the $2,500 winner's share. Duke settled for $1,300.

In earlier competition, Beasley bested both Don Best Jr. of Pensacola, Fla., 279-219 and PBA Hall of Famer Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., 269-174. Beasley earned $1,200; Williams, $1,100; and Best, $1,000.

NCABA loses a friend

April 12, 2000 — The Nation's Capital Area Bowling Assocation was saddened to learn of the death last night of Maxine Hagaman of Arlington, wife of Hall of Famer Charles E. Hagaman. She was a strong supporter of many association functions and will be missed.

NCABA bowlers perform at Colonial Williamsburg Tournament

March 12, 2000 — The 300th Colonial Williamsburg Tournament opened this weekend, with four teams from the Nation's Captial Area taken tops spots in the Top 10. Currently in third Place is Nation's Capital with a 2,742 pin count, consisting of Marcus Poindexter, Ronald Taylor, John Wolfe, and Ron Willard. Also leading the way from our area was Tim Carte of Laurel, with his first ever 800 series. His 812 scratch and 879 with handicap totals are in first place.

Tournament deadline extended

March 9, 2000 — The entry deadline for the 55th annual NCABA Championship Tournament has been extended, Tournament Director Ray Brothers announced today.

The new deadline, Monday, March 20, will allow time for those individuals who have waited until now to put together teams for competition that will take place April 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, and 29-30 at AMF Clinton (team event) and AMF Seminary (doubles and singles).

Those with questions on this event can E-mail Brothers or call him at the NCABA office at 301/899-5978.

Hsu and Woo to compete
in Tequila Rose national finals

NCABA members David Hsu and Richard Woo have won an all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas, where they will represent Virginia in the Tequila Rose National Doubles Tournament March 25-26 at The Orleans. The duo earned the trip by capturing the state finals February 13 at Bowl America Shirley, where Hsu scored a colossal 1,077 on games of 267-267-243-300 and Woo tallied 835.

The prize fund in Las Vegas is $60,000, and the winning team among the 40 finalists will take home $10,000.

Marlow Heights to host Round 4 of Invitational

February 1, 2000 — This Saturday at 2 p.m., AMF Marlow Heights will host the fourth round of the 31st annual VIR-MAR DISTRICT Invitational Scratch Singles Tournament (lineage cost: $8). AMF Waldorf originally was scheduled to host the round, but the ice storm forced a cancellation.

The fifth and final round is scheduled to take place Sunday, Feb. 6 at Bowl America Bull Run beginning at 1 p.m.

Broken water main closes NCABA office

January 27, 2000 — The NCABA office has closed for the day after it was learned that the building in which it is housed has a broken water main. The office, located in Suite 465 at 4700 Auth Place in Camp Springs, Md., is expected to re-open tomorrow.

Francomano group purchases
area pro shop

January 8, 2000 — A familiar face is back in the local bowling business: NCABA Hall of Famer Jerry Francomano is part of a group that recently purchased The Strike Zone Professional Bowling Store in Vienna.

Francomano and his partners—former touring pro Tom Laskow, the immediate past president of the International Bowling Pro Shops & Instructors Association who is a lead instructor for its certification programs, and former Strike Zone manager Jim Colley—will operate "T & Js' Bowl Mart." The new enterprise, claims Francomano, will offer the area a "different concept"—a bowling store that features professional services.

"I'm sure that many customers will want to take advantage of our professional services," he said.

Francomano, who currently serves as IBPSIA president and, since 1995, dean of the organization's certification/education program, recently was named "Pro Shop Operator of the Decade" by International Bowling Industry magazine. He is a "Shop Talk" columnist for Bowlers Journal International.

Additional information about T & Js Bowl Mart will appear in upcoming advertisements in BOWL Magazine.

— Bob Cosgrove

White, McMillan score consecutive perfectos

Bruce White and Robert McMillan recently rolled consecutive 300 games at AMF Fredericksburg, reports Deborah Johnson, secretary of the Friday Nite Early Mixed league.

On Dec. 14, White recorded back-to-back 300s in his second and third games en route to an 824 series in the Rappahannock Men's league. Three days later, McMillan strung together 24 strikes in his first two games in Johnson's league. He finished with an 814 series.

Ironically, McMillan accomplished his amazing feat against White's team. What are the odds on that?

18th annual NCABA/WDCAWBA Senior Tournament

Outstanding Achievements

Two area teams top nation
in scoring in 1998-1999

November 24, 1999 — Assistant Executive Director Larry "Bud" Smith today announced that two NCABA teams recorded the highest games in the nation in their category for the 1998-1999 season.

A 1,301 game rolled Oct. 24, 1998 by "No Limit Soldiers" in the Potomac Masters league at Bolling Air Force Base led the country for teams consisting of four men and one woman. Team members included Raymond Armstrong (289 game), Kevin Wilkins (239), Samaris Moton (215), Darnell R. Bell (268), and E. Maurice Moton (290).

Meanwhile, a 1,296 game scored Feb. 12, 1999 by "FUBAR" in the Lost Weekenders league at Bowl America Shirley set the pace for teams having three men and two women. The team consisted of Robert Mosser (297), Candy Grimsley (256), Dawn Fay (268), Ernie Grimsley Jr. (258), and Kevin Myers (217).

Members of both teams will receive plaques from the American Bowling Congress to honor their outstanding accomplishments.

Assistant Executive Director Smith requests that secretaries review ABC Rule 54, "Inspection And Reporting Procedures," so that the association is properly notified when high scores are rolled and deserving bowlers receive their awards.

Morgan's Maynard big winner
at MEAC Championships

Natalie Maynard of Morgan State University (MSU) won three events and was named the most outstanding performer at the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Bowling Championships held Nov. 12-13 at AMF University in Adelphi, Md.

Maynard captured the singles event with a 578 series and teamed with Venita Bostick to take top honors in the doubles competition with their 1,149 total. Her 1,662—578 in singles, 558 in doubles, and 526 in the team event—easily won the all events. Maynard also earned the top spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Bridget Hill of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore placed second in singles with 542. Danielle Burke of Hampton (Va.) University (533), Phillis Hamilton of Florida A&M University (FAMU, 529), and Norfolk (Va.) State University's (NSU) Sheila Davis (528) and Kelleye Buckingham (527) completed the top six singles spots.

Meanwhile, Qiana Simmons & Venita Bostick of MSU finished second in the doubles event with 1,128. They were followed by Courtney Smith & Shala King of North Carolina A&T State University (A&T, 1,052), Bridget Hill & Lori Rumping of UMES (1,028), Crystal Bailey & Beittany Powers (A&T, 1,020), and Sheila Davis & Kelleye Buckingham (NSU, 964).

In the team event, A&T placed first with 9,072. The school's margin of victory was 469 pins over UMES, which tallied 8,603.

MSU (8,433) took third place and was followed by South Carolina State Uuniversity (7,792), Howard University (7,760), FAMU (7,570), Hampton (7,354), NSU (7,340), Delaware State University (6,907), and Coppin State University (6,119).

Joining Maynard on the team were A&T's Courtney Stith (1,640) and Crystal Bailey (1,627), Sabreenia Hill of Morgan State (1,619), and Kellye Buckingham of Norfolk State (1,584).

Lillibeth Jones of nearby Howard University led her school with a 503 series in singles. She was followed by Natasha Anoka (419), Tiffany Barthwell (418), Lashana Pace (400), Toni Hurt (398), and Shani Moore (305). In doubles, the Jones & Barthwell duo scored highest with 926, ahead of Hurt & Anoka (890) and Pace & Moore (762).

Competing MEAC member institutions included:

• Coppin State College, Baltimore.
• Delaware State University, Dover.
• Florida A&M University, Tallahassee.
• Hampton University.
• Howard University, Washington, D.C.
• University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland.
• Morgan State University, Baltimore.
• Norfolk State University.
• North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro.
• South Carolina State University, Orangeburg.

Bowl America introduces "Rolling Rewards Plus" to encourage student achievement

Bowl America, owner and operator of 13 bowling centers in the Washington metropolitan area, has introduced "Rolling Rewards Plus," extending the company's effort to encourage students from local elementary, middle and high schools, and colleges to reach their academic potential.

Bowl America's "Rolling Rewards Plus" comes on the heels of last summer's highly successful "Rolling Rewards" program, which for the third straight year gave thousands of students a free game of bowling for every "A," "O," or equivalent grade on their final report card.

"Rolling Rewards Plus" will follow a similar procedure. Students bring their final 1998-99 school year report card (with at least one "A," "O," or equivalent grade) into any Bowl America center and fill out an "I Can Do Better" Pledge Card which confirms their commitment to work as hard as they can to improve their grades. They then will receive a "Rolling Rewards Plus" coupon book, filled with coupons for free bowling, refreshments, and other discounts.

"The extension of our 'Rolling Rewards Plus' program reconfirms the company's commitment to provide incentives for students to achieve in the classroom," said Bowl America General Manager Irv Clark. "Last year, we awarded free games to more than 20,000 students throughout the area. 'Rolling Rewards Plus' will encourage the same hard work and dedication all year round."

Students must present the original report card at the time of redemption at Bowl America; no photocopies or duplicates are accepted. The offer is limited to the student whose name appears on the report card and is not transferable. Students may participate at all area Bowl America centers through April 30, 2000.

For more information, call Bowl America Programs Director Jeff Dittmer at 703/941-6300.