international bowling industry april 2013
DESCRIPTION
The World's Only Magazine Devoted Exclusively to the Business of Bowling.TRANSCRIPT
6ISSUE AT HAND
Back to School 2.0By Scott Frager
8SHORTS
• BPAA makes it easy–a grassroots handbook
to affect legislation• Bowl Expo’s show
up and win incentive• Reno welcomes
new 44-lane“temporary” center
Compiled by Patty Heath
16CENTER STAGE
Turning the Ordinaryinto Extraordinary
At The Lanes Bowland Bistro, bowling, food
and the art of foundobjects converge.
By Anna Little
20COVER STORY
The BPAA DeliversBowling 2.0
With the new Bowling 2.0program, the BPAA, along
with its partner USBC,has developed a practical
method designed to bringnew league bowlers
to your center.By Jackie Wyckoff
CONTENTS VOL 21.4
16
32
THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
IBI April 2013
PUBLISHER & EDITORScott Frager
[email protected]: scottfrager
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERChris Holmes
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTGregory Keer
OFFICE MANAGERPatty Heath
CONTRIBUTORSFred Groh
Patty HeathAnna LittlesMark Miller
Jackie Wyckoff
EDITORIAL DIRECTORJackie Fisher
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTIONDesignworks
www.dzynwrx.com(818) 735-9424
FOUNDERAllen Crown (1933-2002)
12655 Ventura BoulevardStudio City, CA 91604(818) 789-2695(BOWL)
Fax (818) [email protected]
www.BowlingIndustry.com
HOTLINE: 888-424-2695SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy ofInternational Bowling Industry is sent free toevery bowling center, independently ownedpro shop and collegiate bowling center inthe U.S., and every military bowling centerand pro shop worldwide. Publisher reservesthe right to provide free subscriptions tothose individuals who meet publicationqualifications. Additional subscriptions maybe purchased for delivery in the U.S. for $50per year. Subscriptions for Canada andMexico are $65 per year, all other foreignsubscriptions are $80 per year. All foreignsubscriptions should be paid in U.S. fundsusing International Money Orders.POSTMASTER: Please send new as well asold address to International Bowling Industry,12655 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA91604 USA. If possible, please furnishaddress mailing label.Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2013, B2B Media,Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprintedwithout the publisher’s permission.
MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:
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32PROFILEBowling’s GlobetrotterA look at the long andcolorful career of the one,the only, Paul Lane.By Fred Groh
40SPECIAL REPORTFrom Swings to SparesPro golfers MarkCalcavecchia and JeffSluman share theirpassion for bowling.By Mark Miller
54REMEMBER WHENMiller High LifeBy Patty Heath
44 Showcase
46 Datebook
47 Classifieds
Cover photo and TOC photocourtesy of Ron De Roxtraand Kelly Bednar.
6 IBI April 2013
THE ISSUE AT HAND
By the time you read this, I’ll have headedto Arlington, TX, and the IBC to go back toschool for the first time. That’s right, it’sbeen 24 years since graduating college thefirst time and I’m finding myself going backto school: the 5-day BPAA Bowling CenterManagement School. Or, as Icall it “College 2.0.”
This time, rather thangiving my loving mom anddad a kiss and hug beforemaking the relatively shortdrive to the University ofKansas, I’ll have given Jackieand the kids the hugs and kisses.
As I write this column, I am excited to begathering with a group of professionals, who,like me, are always striving to improve. Ihave no idea who my classmates will be norwhat their industry experience might include.There could be freshmen, sophomores andeven bowling doctorates sharing and learningfrom each other. The anticipation builds asthe days draw closer. I don’t think it’s toomuch of a leap of faith to acknowledge thatanyone willing to invest so much in ongoingeducation shares the common bond for thelove of the business and the sport of bowling.
This commitment to ongoing education did
not come lightly. There’s a significant cost for tuition and, likemy alma mater, room and board aren’t included. Adding to thestress is knowing that the time spent away from responsibilitiesat the office and center do not go away for this student body eventhough we are away from our centers.
While at College 2.0, I’m sure I’ll get the latest insights,concepts and scoops behind IBI’scover story this month: Bowling 2.0.Reading the article so thoughtfullycrafted by IBI’s own talented JackieWyckoff gives me a boost ofadrenaline in anticipation of itssuccess. Is the International BowlingCampuses’ latest effort, Bowling
2.0, the very curriculum needed to teach the industry how torecruit new league bowlers? From the testimonies of fourrespected proprietors, it seems as if Bowling 2.0 holds greatpromise for our collective future.
As for my re-education, I promise to report on my experiencesin Texas. I can only hope that by placing my number oneinstructor, Bart Burger, on the cover, hewon’t have any problem choosing ateacher’s pet at the bowlingmanagement school.
– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHERAND [email protected]
�THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com
Back to School 2.0
April showers bring May flowers or, as they say on the web, April postings bring new ideas.Signing up in April on IBI Online showers you with choices. Window shop through the
Groups; check out what is happening. The group Beyond Bowling is seeing a lot of actionand members. Why?
There is a plethora of videos. Partial to Tom & Jerry? “Bowling Alley Cat” from 1942 isjust fun to watch. Prefer something more educational? How about the highest viewed video,“IBI Webinar—Bowling 2035.” Browse through all the listings; there is something there you’llwant to view.
News? See what is happening in the U.S. and around the world. And, the Forum givesplenty of space to read and respond to what has been posted.
Showers do bring flowers and being a member of IBI Online brings a shower of ideasjust waiting for you to discover. The blooming is up to you. Go online or sign in now!www.bowlingindustry.com is waiting.
8
SHORTS
IBI April 2013
The upper snow valley of Colorado will once again have bowling. Mark Reecesigned a lease on approximately 6,000 square feet of subterranean space. Reecesaid he has received zoning approvals from the town of Snowmass Village and willsubmit a building permit application. He hopes to open by summer.
The vision will be a boutique operation of eight lanes, gourmet food, couches ina family oriented environment. The space has had many reincarnations, a movietheater, a stage theater and a ballroom, but Reece feels this is the perfect spot fora center as the space is rectangular and long. “I can’t wait,” he adds.
The old Nags Head Bowling Center on the Outer Banks in North Carolina hasreopened as OBX Bowling. Jeff Meads, an experienced bowling operator andproprietor, has leased the renovated space. A new grill has been added along withnew lighting, new tables and chairs and a spruced up main counter, which havebrought new life to the now climate-controlled facility. More than $225,000 beeninvested thus far has in cosmetic and operating improvements.
Kings has expanded once again. This time, Orlando, FL, will offer up Kings-Lanes,Lounge, Sports for public fare. Two separate spaces called The Royal Room and the KingPin Room will be available for private parties and 22 lanes will be in use for the public.Currently under construction, the opening is scheduled for sometime in the spring.
Similar to other Kings locations, there will be a dining room, a full bar and a largeoutdoor patio with large open doorways leading inside. Outside will be a bocce ball court.
EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS& NEW BEGINNINGS
It has come to our attention that the addresson the memorial page for John Davis in theMarch issue of IBI was incorrect. To honor thememory of John Davis, the founder of the KegelCompany and a leader in the bowling industry,donations should be sent to the InternationalBowling Museum & Hall of Fame at the followingaddress. It should be noted that one-hundredpercent of the proceeds will be applied to thepreservation, organization and research ofhistorical bowling documents and artifacts.
IBM/HF621 Six Flags DriveArlington TX 76011
Davis Donation Correction
TWO IS BETTERTHAN ONE IN RENO
The U.S. Bowling Congress’ Open and theWomen’s Championship will be arriving in Reno at thesame time! Even in a city known for bowling andhome of the National Bowling Stadium, this can bea problem. However, ingenuity is the mother ofinvention and thus, a new, temporary center is beingset up at one end of the Reno Sparks ConventionCenter. It will be a state-of-the-art, 44-lane center withpro shops, concessions and offices says USBCProduction Director Greg Moore. It will also have ahuge electronic score board stretching the length ofthe lanes.
The new center arrived in town in more than 30trucks loaded with material, the lanes, the pinsetters,and 14,000 pins, all waiting to be put together. Mooreand his crew have a little more than 40 days toassemble it. Other than the walls and the roof, it is likebuilding a brand new bowling center.
“This is as complex as any project gets,” saysMoore, “in part because of the electrical demands thatare much different than if you’re building a house ora building.” Besides the electronic score board,there’s the detail work of leveling the lanes.
While “temporary,” it will be up and running forawhile. Once the competition is over this summer, itwill remain available for other tourneys and a TVshow. Then next spring, it will host the women’schampionship again.
The goal is April 12th when a now empty space willbe ready for competition.
GKM International, LLC has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office for its Profit Platform�. A portable andexpandable platform designed specifically to allow bowling centers toeasily transform their uneven lane and gutter areas into a flat surface forspecial events, this patent will now allow GKM to invest more resourcesto develop strategic partners.
The company states that being able to multi-task the lane area, whichis typically 60-70% of a center’s total square footage, comes at a perfecttime as every center is looking to increase revenue and maximize space.
The Profit Platform� is manufactured in the USA using recycled plastics.The product is currently being used by over 40 bowling centers in the U.S.and Japan.
PROFIT PLATFORM®
The Profit Platform® gets a Patent
10 IBI April 2013
SHORTS
As always, bowling centers across the U.S. are involved in supportingcommunity philanthropic activity. Bowling is one sport that includeseveryone and everyone comes out to bowl and support charitable works.
Biddle Bowl, Wyandotte, MI: For the 6th year, through the generosityof Biddle Bowl’s customers, the Wyandotte Goodfellows’ “No Childwithout a Christmas” campaign was a success with $2,500 being raisedfor the cause.
Keglers Bowling Center, Manawa, WI: The Manawa Area Chamberof Commerce held its annual Bowling Tournament to raise funds to helpsupport the Chamber which helps promote local businesses.
West Valley Family Bowl, Tracy, CA: Abigail Hickman, 9 years old,turned her love of competitive bowling into a fundraiser for the Tracy Animalshelter. “I really love to bowl,” she said to correspondent Anne Marie Fullerof the Oakland Tribune. “My high game is 175 and my average is 108. Ihope people will donate a lot of food, toys and money for the animalshelter.” Her goal is $1,500.
All Star Lanes, Kenner, LA: To celebrate Super Bowl 2013, the 8thannual NFL Foundation Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic was held toraise money for local charities. Many football greats attended and playerssigned special bowling pins.
Thunder Alley, Dickson, TN: Students of the Future Farmers ofAmerican at Perry County High School and students from the TennesseeSchool for the Blind (TSB) participated in a bowling tournament. The goalwas to help finance the construction of a two-lane bowling facility forstudents at TSB.
Dale’s Weston Lanes, Weston, WI: The event was 2013 Bowl for Kids’Sake which helps Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin raiseabout one-third of its annual operating budget. The theme was Big Scare;participants dressed up in their favorite Halloween costumes while bowlingwith friends and family.
Main Bowling Center, Greensburg, PA: 20th Annual “Bowling forDisaster Relief” Tournament was held over two days and provided anopportunity for corporations, small businesses, members of the medicalcommunity and school clubs to have fun while pitching in to support localdisaster relief efforts.
Lewisville Lanes, Lewisville, TX: Sports celebrities from the DallasCowboys, Texas Rangers and many others came out to bowl withcommunity members to benefit CureDuchenne. Duchenne is a progressivemuscle-wasting disease that impacts 1 in 3,500 boys.
Pin-o-Rama, Utica, NY: The Children’s Miracle Network held its22nd annual Bowling for Miracles Bowl-a-thon. All proceeds weredesignated for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals division Luke’sHealthcare in Utica.
AMF Bowlero, Milwaukee, WI: The annual Beastly Bowl-a-Thonhelped raise funds for the Zoological Society’s program, “Sponsoran Animal.”
Owego Bowl, Owego, NY: “Build It Bowl” offered 24-lanes of bowlingto help raise money for Tioga County Habitat for Humanity.
Brewster Lanes, Reedsburg, WI: Proceeds for the 13th Annual 9-PinBowling Tournament and Steak Feed will go to “Angel on My Shoulder”to continue to provide assistance for cancer patients and their families.
GO
OD
WIL
L C
EN
TR
AL
The first Veterans Bowling Tournamentwas created for U.S. troops returninghome from battlefields in Europe andAsia in 1946 and was conducted on theWhite House bowling lanes with PresidentTruman conferring awards.
Sixty-seven years later and goingstrong, the 2013 tournament took placethroughout the VA Medical Centersystem in March and was coordinatedthrough recreation therapists on site at thedifferent facilities. This year’s eventincluded nine separate divisions based onhospital size, as well as physical and agelimitations. There were also two divisionsfor electronic bowling.
67TH ANNUALVETERANS BOWLINGTOURNAMENT
LETTER TO THE EDITORA Cautionary Tale
I read Mark Miller’s article, “TenpinDinosaurs,” in the February issue. As apro shop owner for 27 years, I have runinto all kinds of issues. I think it isprudent to point out that when you havea business in your home, there is somehomework you need to do to insurethat you won’t get stung down the line.
Cities and states have rules thatgovern where and how a business canbe set up, and the IRS is very specificabout what can and cannot be done fortax purposes. Be sure the licenses,compliances, insurance coverage andzoning regulations have been studied.
I know that rules vary, but it is wiseto know what you’re up against.
Dale UnderwoodSpare Time Sports, Waldorf, MD
PEOPLEWATCHING
Tracy Sarris, president, has officiallyannounced the launch of herprofessional service company INOVAthat specializes in providingmanagement and marketing servicesfor non-profit associations and for-profit businesses. Formerly of IALEIprior to its merger with IAAPA andthe last two years with Alpha-Omega
Amusements & Sales, Sarris stated, “…it has always beenmy goal to build INOVA to a point where I could utilizemy time and experience to offer consulting services to helpclients move their businesses forward.”
Industry clients currently include: Quik n’ CrispyGreaseless Fryers, Laserforce International Laser Tag andAlpha-Omega Amusements & Sales.
Brunswick Bowling announced thepromotion of Michael Postema whowill now be responsible for new centerdevelopment, focusing on non-traditional bowling venues. He hasbeen with Brunswick since 1991 andhas held various positions both in the Brunswick homeoffice in Muskegon and in field sales for 14 years in theMidwest.
The Midwest sales position will be handled by ChrisKakavas. Postema will report directly to Kurt Harz, vicepresident sales, and Kakavas will report to Dan Borgie,director of sales, Eastern region.
12 IBI April 2013
SHORTS
Tracy Sarris
The BPAA feels bowling proprietors need to be aware of potential laws and actionsthat will affect their businesses. Across the country, state legislatures are engaging indebates over key proposals like alcohol or soda tax hikes, high minimum wage rates andignition interlock mandates to name a few. These types of topics play a major role in thebowling business and affect the way business is run.
The BPAA with Berman and Company has put together a grassroots handbook,Government Affairs: The Basics, to help center owners become aware of the how they canplay a part in influencing the laws and regulations that most affect their bottom line.Knowing why and how to become involved in the political process is the key. The handbookhas been created to provide tools and resources to engage in the public policy process. Forfurther info, contact the BPAA or Carson Putnam, [email protected].
Michael Postema
The Bowling Foundation inArlington, TX, announced that aspart of its continuing effort to helpenhance the lives of others through
the sport of bowling, the Foundation awarded six grantsin the form of mobile bowling equipment to schools andorganizations across the country. The Mobile BowlingEquipment program annually helps schools, parks andrecreation departments, youth groups, disabled anddisadvantage service groups and other organizationsteach students the lifelong sport of bowling.
The grants are awarded in the form of bowling kits(valued at $1,200 each) which include six carpetedbowling lanes, rubberized balls and pins and aninstructional DVD to assist coaches and teachers. NancySchenk, president of The Bowling Foundation, said it isalways a joy to award these grants. “Bowling is anAmerican pastime and one of the few sports you can doyour entire lifetime.”
An organization is eligible to receive funding onceevery three years.
Schools receiving the grant in 2013:Genesee Area Focus Fund, Flint, Mi; Farmingdale PublicSchools, Farmingdale, NY; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Charter School, New Orleans, LA; Sally Potter School,Lake Forest, IL; Westwood Elementary School, DePere,WI; and Tusculum Elementary School, Nashville, TN.
BPAA Handbook on Legislative Action
THE BOWLINGFOUNDATIONAWARDS GRANTS
IBI April 201314
SHORTS
“Do you feel lucky?” No, Clint Eastwood is not holdinga gun to your head. The BPAA has just announced a veryexciting opportunity for bowling proprietors to win a$100,000 Bowling Center Makeover! All BPAAdomestic, non-military member centers inattendance at the 2013 Bowl Expo thissummer in Las Vegas are eligible to win.
“As a bowling proprietor myself, I knowthe significant impact that a simple renovationcan have on a bowling center’s bottom line,” saidBPAA President Cathy DeSocio. “By offering this $100,000prize, our proprietors will have a chance to enhance theguest experience in their center for years to come, and
more importantly, increase their profit margins long-term.”In addition to the monetary prize, the winning center will
also receive a complimentary review of center performanceand BPAA staff will implement a complete overhaul of
programs and services at the winning center. There willalso be two full-tuition waivers to an upcoming
Management School at Bowling University (a$2,998 value); complete access to BowlingUniversity’s online training catalog ($3,100);website hosting and unlimited updates for
one year ($780); and a multi-day operationsreview performed by an industry expert ($3,600).
Do you feel lucky? A trip to Vegas never seemed moreenticing. Visit www.bpaa.com , www.bowlexpo.com or call(800) 343-1329 for additional information.
In a press release by PRLEAP.com, ConcreteSoftware, developers of mobile games, and theProfessional Bowlers Association (PBA) have releasedPBA Bowling Challenge on the Google Play store.
Concrete Software has partnered with the PBAtwice before to create games which allow playersto bowl against PBA greats like Pete Weber, WalterRay Williams, Jr. and Mike Fagan. Their mostrecent outing takes that winning formula further with improved graphics,updated physics, and a robust tournament system.
“Playing PBS Bowling Challenge is like watching the PBA on TV—veryaddictive,” said PBA Commissioner Tom Clark.
PBA BOWLING CHALLENGE UPDATE
WATCHMedia
Comedian Chris Hardwick’s Nerdist Industries and AMC have announceda multi-platform deal. Included in this arrangement is a development dealwith Nerdist to take the YouTube program, All Star Celebrity Bowling, anddevelop it as a potential series for the network.
The web series features the casts and crewsof popular shows, such as The Walking Dead,Breaking Bad, the Conan O’Brien Show andMad Men, facing off at a bowling center.
It is expected to start off as a special onAMC. [See one segment on IBI Online which shows Conan
O’Brien and his pals bowling against the Hardwick team.
Go to www.bowlingindustry.com and then scroll down to videos and enjoy.]
AMC LIKES “THE NERDIST”
IN AND AROUNDBRUNSWICK
In a press release, Brunswick Bowlingannounced that it has partnered withDinghong Bowling to expand its coveragein China. Dinghong will service the mainlandChina market as a distributor of capitalequipment to modernize or build bowlingcenters, as well as for after-market andconsumer goods.
Dinghong Bowling was founded in 1996with the first introduction of bowling to China.It operates seven centers and is very prominentin growing the sport.
“Dinghong brings strong, operationalexpertise and business background, along withthe desire to educate those who wish to alsoexpand the bowling industry in China,” saidGary Smith, vice president of international sales.
Brunswick partnering with MC Bowling hassecured a GSA (U.S. General ServicesAdministration) contract which gives Brunswickthe ability to accept GSA orders for capitalequipment, parts and supplies, including lanemachines.
Military bowling centers will work directly withBrunswick sales representatives and coordinatepurchases with MC Bowling. Military-basedcenters ordering after-market parts and supplieswill work directly with MC Bowling.
Once-in-a-Lifetime Prize
16 IBI April 2013
CENTER STAGE
A city in Massachusetts turns to a well-established restaurant group to open a
boutique bowling experience.
By Anna Littles
The art Of good food
and good fun
17IBI April 2013
CENTER STAGE
or over 11 years Bobby Byrne Management has owned and
operated three very successful restaurants in the city of
Mashpee, Massachusetts. As a company, they have a unique
vision and mission statement from the founder himself:
“We make the ordinary extraordinary. Our method, and
indeed our madness, is using language and artifacts.” This was in
reference to the pubs and restaurants for which they are famous. So, when
the city was looking to add a bowling alley in the Mashpee Commons
outdoor mall, they approached Bobby Byrne Management. President and
owner Jeff Moore “made the ordinary extraordinary.” The result, on
January 16, 2013, The Lanes Bowl & Bistro opened, a boutique bowling
experience that is an art form unto itself.
F
Jeffrey Moore (left) with wife Andrea
and business partner Bobby Byrne.Jeffrey Moore (left) with wife Andrea
and business partner Bobby Byrne.
To helm this newadventure, Moore tapped one of
his best managers for the job, Zeph Dannewitz.Dannewitz was responsible for the overall design of the newventure. He consulted Jeff’s wife Andrea, and she had an unusualvision; she imagined “Al Capone’s basement.” From there theywent with the industrial style of that era. And with the facility beingan old supermarket, it was a perfect fit. The other part of thedesign inspiration came from their photo gallery exhibit, PinsetterBoys. The exhibit features black & white photos from the earlyyears of the sport.
The 10 bowling lanes feature large monitors for viewingsports and videos and the walls another on-going and revolvingart exhibits. The masking units use the old pinsetter boy images.Dannewitz is clear to point out that the bowling alley “may besmall, but we take bowling seriously.” They also take greatfood, drink and entertainment seriously. It’s what makes themstand out. “There is nothing like that on Cape Cod. We are veryunique,” and Dannewitz is quick to add that along with the visionto open up a boutique style bowling alley, they wanted the foodto be just as important as the bowling.
While the company’s other three restaurants offer anAmerican-type menu, executive chef James O’Shea set up adifferent menu for The Lanes Bowl & Bistro. They went Italianwith pastas, paninis and pizza. This is not your average pizza:the menu declares it as “Industrial Strength Pizza!”
The demographics are solid: during the week it’s a family
affair where kids have a greattime and where birthday parties dominate
the weekend days. However, when Friday and Saturdaynight hit, it’s 21 and older, where the bistro turns into a nightclubscene with local bands and solo performers.
Another unique component that sets them apart is theircommitment to recycle, reuse and be green. This follows theirvision statement on using artifacts as a language to reveal thesoul of The Lanes Bowl & Bistro. Many of the bistro fixtures andart installations are created out of recycled materials. Forinstance, they feature a light fixture that is made out of recycledpull tabs; a partition drape is made out of burlap coffee bags;a piece of wall art made from discarded film reels; and an oldbike wheel has been repurposed as a bar clock.
As for their bowling equipment, they use string pinsettersmanufactured by AMF. These pinsetters are going to be thetrade standard in the future, as they use 75% less energy. Thisenergy efficient equipment falls within The Lanes Bowl &Bistro’s aim to be a green establishment.
With an Earth friendly commitment, in a nice comfortablesetting, wonderful bar, fresh hand crafted drinks, and great food,The Lanes Bowl & Bistro has revealed its soul, and it’sextraordinary! ❖
18 IBI April 2013
CENTER STAGECENTER STAGE
Anna Littles, a screenplay and freelance writer andproducer originally from the Bronx, New York, now residesin Santa Monica, California. You can see her work onYouTube, IMDB, or on her website at [email protected].
20 IBI April 2013
COVER STORY
Photo provided by Ron DeRoxtra ad Kelly Bednar.
Carolyn Dorin Ballard, USBCDirector of Coaching and
Certification, and BPAA's VicePresident of Business
Development Bart Burger, deliverBowling 2.0 straight to yourcenter with a learn-to-bowl
program along with marketingand point of sale materials.
Carolyn Dorin Ballard, USBCDirector of Coaching and
Certification, and BPAA's VicePresident of Business
Development Bart Burger, deliverBowling 2.0 straight to yourcenter with a learn-to-bowl
program along with marketingand point of sale materials.
21IBI April 2013
COVER STORY
n the mid-1960s, bowling and learn-to-bowl classes were the ultimate and all that wasswell and swanky in the participation sports world. Everybody who was anybody, fromFred Flinstone to Uncle Milty came to play and learned the basics of the game in theirlocal “alley.” Can we do it again nearly a half-century later? “Absolutely!” says Bart Burger,BPAA Vice President of Business Development. And Bowling 2.0 was born.
The new Bowling 2.0 is a four-week comprehensive learn-to-bowl program developedin a joint effort between the BPAA, Strike Ten Entertainment (STE) and the USBC. It is designedto be the feeder system to create new league bowlers. The full blown Bowling 2.0 promotionwas rolled out at the BPAA mid-winter Summit on Monday, January 28 in San Antonio, Texas.The obvious value of the program is evident in that nearly 150 member centers haveordered the kit.
Burger explained that the target demographic is the brand new adult bowler, those nearly200 million Americans who identify themselves as non-bowlers. “Teaching someone to bowlin four weeks is good. Rolling them over into a league in week five is great. We need togo from good to great,” said Burger, and theBowling 2.0 program will give proprietors thetools to do just that.
Bowling 2.0 was the brainchild of the BPAALeague Development Committee. During hisfirst committee meeting in Reno, NV, in June of2012, Al Blough, proprietor of Berks Lanes inRedding, PA, voiced his concern that the industry
With the new Bowling 2.0 program,the BPAA partners with the heavy-hitters of the USBC deliver a plan
to drive in new league bowlers.
With the new Bowling 2.0 program,the BPAA partners with the heavy-hitters of the USBC deliver a plan
to drive in new league bowlers.
IBy Jackie Wyckoff
22 IBI April 2013
COVER STORY
was in dire need of a learn-to-bowl program. He recalled huge successes in the1970s by using coaching pioneer Fred Borden’s programs to create newleague bowlers.
The Committee reviewed past USBC and BPAA programs, including the1990s era The Special Sport Learn-to-Bowl Program and the 2002 kids’program Bowling Rocks. They decided they didn’t really need to reinvent thewheel, just spiff up the hubcaps and tighten the lug nuts. Bowling 2.0 wasdeveloped to appeal to the more active lifestyles of today’s families.
The program was fast-tracked and with the collaboration of BPAA, USBCand STE, the end-product is a stunning accomplishment. The kit containseverything a center needs to run a successful learn-to-bowl program, includingproprietor guide, coaches guide, weekly lesson plans with DVD, color and blackand white flyers, table tents, posters and a 3’ x 6’ banner. Proprietors are alsoencouraged to download an email template, a website ad and a 30-secondpromotional video. All of the marketing and point of sale materials arecustomizable and available for a small fee to BPAA member centers.
David Barden, chairman of the BPAA League Development committeesaid, “This program is truly an industry initiative. I believe that it can have a hugeimpact on more people bowling more often and having more fun.” Thecommittee was involved with program review as it was being developed, andas it evolved, Burger would send out draft pieces for review and feedback. It’sno surprise the end product is a huge success as the committee is a veritablewho’s who in the bowling biz, including Albert Blough, Rick Braden, AndrewCain, Ted Hoffman, Collin Kerschner, Mary Krahe, Bill Mann, Kathleen Perry,Jim Stubler and Bill Wammes.
“We know that the students are not going to go through this program andthen immediately join a traditional league,” said Barden. “However, they mayjoin a short season league, go bowling casually more often and possibly getmore friends and family to go bowling because they are getting better andenjoying it more. We also felt that there are many existing league bowlers thatcould use some help. With the difficulty in the retention of first year leaguebowlers, we thought this program could help that situation.”
Kathleen Perry, proprietor of Easton Bowl, a 24-lane traditional center inEaston, MD, is the poster child for the program. Perry was excited to beasked to test the program but was concerned there would not be enough timeto properly develop it. After consulting with center manager Tammy Hatfield,they decided to push ahead to beta test Bowling 2.0 and scheduled their firstclass to start on January 11, 2013.
In mid-December of 2012, Perry and Hatfield received promotional materials
and personalized them with the center logo andinformation. Their market was adults over 18 thatdidn't know how to bowl or were not able tokeep the ball on the lanes. They met with thecenter staff and developed an incentive programfor their employees for signing people up for thefour week class. “We watched and if someonedidn't know how to pick a bowling ball or had lowscores, we would go speak with them,” said Perry.“By the start of our program we had 60 newpeople signed up. Tammy developed a log sheetfor us to contact each sign up. The first contact wasa phone call within 48 hours, and then we sent anemail on designated dates, second phone callswere made and of course a follow up with thepeople who signed up but didn't show. The firstweek we had 39 bowlers in class, week two weadded five new bowlers for 44. The students
The Coaches Guide lays out theweekly lesson plans whichinclude a handout as well as thevideo lesson and follows a simpleprogression to “graduation” toleague bowling. Plans focus on:
Proprietor Al Blough ofCHB Sports, Inc. inSinking Springs, PA,says that, “Using theprogram will givepeople a reason tochoose bowling whenhe or she decides howto spend theirrecreation time.”
WEEK 1IntroductionPlaying Field
Four-Step Approach
WEEK 2Posture
Arm SwingTargeting
WEEK 33-6-9 System
Key PinsAlignment
WEEK 4Fundamental Finish
Pro ShopBowling Terminology
Week 5 will be for turning yourstudents into league bowlers andlifetime customers. Or as Burger
puts it, “Going from good to great!”
loved the class, and the DVDs were well received.”The success of the program is evident in the results. Perry and Hatfield never
discussed league bowling with students during the first two sessions. On week threethey placed the flyers on concourse tables and started asking if the students wouldlike to bowl in their 10 by 10 League where each bowler receives their own bowlingball. “Of the 44 students enrolled in Bowling 2.0, we lost four before the end of theprogram for various reasons. Of the remaining 40 bowlers, we rolled 32 into our newleague and most of them pre paid so they could order their bowling ball for the startof league. We are in week four of the league and not one person has dropped out.”
“Bowling 2.0 makes perfect sense, because it provides an opportunity forbelonging. It gives new bowlers the chance to learn to bowl and join the club,” saidRobin Williams, director of marketing for Holiday Lanes in Bossier City, LA. “Our centermanager Bill Mann became involved in the BPAA League Development committeeand I was on the BPAA Action Committee, both of which were instrumental in thedevelopment process of Bowling 2.0. We wanted to help make this program a successand decided to implement it at Holiday Lanes,” said Williams. Holiday Lanes is a 44-lane hybrid center with 36 traditional and 6 boutique lanes.
Williams contends that the program virtually sells itself. “We started promotingthe Bowling 2.0 program to the public on February six, with planned classes onWednesdays beginning March 27. We had over 30 registrations in the first day andby February11 announced a second class on Sundays to begin on March 17.”
Williams has been working email, social media and website promotions, includingusing the 30-second promotional video, on the Holiday Lanes website. The rest ofthe staff at Holiday Lanes has pitched in and has done an excellent job in promoting
in-house registrations. “Our leaguecoordinator Paula Hadwin and center managerBill Mann really created a buzz within thecenter, going lane by lane with promotionflyers. Our customer service reps were takingregistrations as fast as they could,” saidWilliams. “The program initially was notdesigned for kids, but we had such anoverwhelming response that we madeallowances based on what the demandbecame. We currently have 82 bowlersenrolled with 51 signed up for the Sunday classand 31 for Wednesdays. The ages range from7 – 73 with sixteen of the sign ups in theSunday class under the age of eighteen. We
24 IBI April 2013
COVER STORY
Kathleen Perry, proprietor of Easton Bowl inEaston, MD, carried out the first beta testing ofBowling 2.0. Perry reports, “The students lovedthe class, and the DVDs were well received.”
David Barden, chairman of the BPAA LeagueDevelopment committee said, “This program istruly an industry initiative. I believe that it canhave a huge impact on more people bowling moreoften and having more fun.”
26 IBI April 2013
COVER STORY
anticipate over 100 registrations for the twoupcoming sessions. We offer the program asa free service to our bowlers. To add value, weestimated the cost of the program andpromoted it as having an approximate value
of $146, and we indicated that the program was limited to the first 60 people whichcreated a sense of urgency in sign-ups.”
Williams goes on, “The BPAA did a fabulous job in the development of thisprogram which is proving to be successful. It’s definitely worth incorporating intoyour center. We are excited about the prospect of the way Bowling 2.0 is shapingup at Holiday Lanes. It’s making bowling available and fun for people to learn tobowl. Bowlers are actually thanking us for providing the program and are lookingforward to becoming more knowledgeable of the game of bowling.”
The initiator of the program development, Al Blough, started his first class at BerksLanes on January 29 with twelve students, all of whom joined a league followingcompletion of the Bowling 2.0 classes. Blough’s company, CHB Sports, Inc., whichincludes Berks Lanes, Heister Lanes and Limmerick Bowl, plans to use the programcontinuously throughout the year to add bowlers to their league base. “I think everybowling proprietor should use this program. Our industry has neglected to teachbowling and instead relied on bumpers to entertain our bowling guests. Using thisprogram will give people a reason to choose bowling when he or she decides howto spend their recreation time. They will have an idea what to do in the bowling center:how to hold the ball, how to execute the push away, how to go through the stepsand properly release the ball. They will have an idea on how to make a spare or strike.In other words have FUN. Maybe not everyone will join a league but there is a goodchance they will become a regular customer.”
The program is so well developed that everyone agrees it is quite simple to run.The kit is complete and the materials will accommodate up to 50 students.
continued on page 30
Robin Williams, the “Marketing Maven of HolidayLanes” in Bossier City, LA, contends that the newprogram virtually sells itself and has been a greatsuccess converting the Bowling 2.0 participantsinto league bowlers.
30 IBI April 2013
COVER STORY
Jackie Wyckoff, who started bowling in 1968, is a San Francisco (CA) BayArea native, avid Giants fan and gourmet chef. She was President of theBowling Writers Association of America, 2009-2011. Wyckoff has workedand volunteered in the bowling industry since 1972 with jobs includingCenter Manager, USBC (WIBC) Association President and Writer andPromoter for all things Bowling. She was a PWBA Regional Player withseveral state and local titles to her credit.
Proprietors may copy classroom and point of salematerials for continuing classes.
The instruction DVD is a marvel with the prologue andepilogue by Bart Burger. Carolyn Dorin Ballard, USBCDirector of Coaching Certification and Developmentspearheaded the video project and does a great job asthe friendly and knowledgeable host with newly mintedUSBC Gold Coach Stephen Padilla as the CoachingSpecialist. IBC (International Bowling Campus) staffmembers act as the students.
Herman Glenn, USBC Director of EquipmentCertification and Specifications, makes a cameoappearance discussing lane surfaces. “The reason forthe lane surface section was to give the casual bowlerinsight into the different lane surfaces, what they arecalled and what they do, and to take notice of whattype of surface is in their center,” said Dorin Ballard.“We felt it was important information for the newbowlers’ arsenal.”
Dorin Ballard explained that the curriculum wasdeveloped and the instruction video was compiled tofollow and more succinctly explain the printedmaterials. “You are always positive about what you areworking on, but it comes down to marketing and
promotion of the program. The proprietors really made this program apriority, and now we are seeing the benefits. Teaching the casual bowlerto knock down pins while learning the fundamentals is opening the doorto a whole new group of lifelong bowlers.”
Kathleen Perry notes, “There is a real added value in having the USBCCoaching staff doing the video classes. They explain the process simplyand they made it exciting and easy for new bowlers to understand.”
“The USBC coaching staff adds prestige to the video and the programin general,” said Al Blough. Lesson Week One is around fifteen minuteslong, Weeks Two and Three videos are each slightly over eleven minutes.Week Four is just over nineteen minutes and ends with an introduction tothe International Bowling Campus, Training and Research Center andBowling Hall of Fame and Museum. “Having the pros coaching on the DVDgives real credibility to the sport of bowling,” added Robin Williams.
With the proven success of the program, it appears to be on track tobecome an industry standard in creating new league bowlers for years tocome. Now the only question left to answer is when do you start yourcenter’s Bowling 2.0 Learn to Bowl Program? ❖
continued from page 26
32 IBI April 2013
PROFILE
omehow there was always a team of people supportingmy efforts,” Paul Lane says in his smiling British accent.“People around me that were excellent at what they doand usually filling in the gaps in areas I did not excel in or did not enjoy.”
But there has to be more to explain this man’s remarkable 60-year careerin bowling, even if you believe in luck and think you’re a lucky person. Which he does,on both counts.
Even if he was, as he says, “sort of an accidental tourist,” going from one part of theindustry to another with someone never failing to point the way when he needed it.
Even if he is, as he also says, a B-type personality, an optimistic, practical man whoknows how to shrug his shoulders instead of letting the world drag him down.
Lane has one of the richest résumés in the industry, after all: pro bowler for AMF, clinicinstructor, manager of the World Cup, talent scout and signer of pros, director ofmarketing and marketing services for AMF, bowling ambassador to five dozen countries,
key figure in the formation of the NationalBowling Council of Japan, recipient ofthe Queen’s Jubilee Medal for hiscontribution to British sport, consultant,raconteur, collector of jazz, connoisseur offine cigars... Also, 20-year writer for IBI onall things considered about sales,promotion and PR in the bowling centerand the pro shop.
We were warned. “If you were to summe up in a description, it wouldn’t reallybe me,” Lane told us when we broachedthis story.
But that’s only because we’d run out ofenergy before we finished the description,Paul.
� �Lane did not like the countryside or the
small inn that his mother ran there, in theeast of England and about an hour northof London. The village had no trafficpassing through it because if you drove tothe end of town, you were in marshland.
Born and reared in the city, and goingeverywhere as a teen-ager with asketchbook in hand, he wanted to getback to London and attend commercial artschool. But he had to fill a few monthsbefore classes started, so on January 4,1954, he dropped in at the U.S. Air Forcebase in Mildenhall, a few miles away,
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33IBI April 2013
PROFILE
where he heard they were hiring civilians. “When I said I wanted a job, a burly
tech sergeant with a cigar butt stashed inthe corner of his mouth eased himselfout of his chair, pointed out the windowto a hanger-like building down the street,and said: ‘Bowling alley.’ I had no ideawhat [that] was.”
He stayed for six years, starting as apinboy and progressing to janitor,shellacker of lanes, snack bar assistant,front desk receptionist, manager of the proshop, and center manager. He also woundup managing the bowling at anotherUSAF base five miles away.
Inevitably he threw a bowling ball oneday and discovered to his surprise, as wellas everybody else’s, that he was a naturalbowler. There had been nothing athleticin his background. “I just seemed togravitate to it. My arms and legs seemedto sort themselves out. By the secondtime I bowled, with nobody giving meinstruction, I started making adjustments[to] what felt right, and it worked.”
So impressive was Lane as a bowler that when half of a two-manexhibition team touring UK military bases for AMF fell sick and wasunable to play at Mildenhall, Lane filled in. AMF’s promotionmanager asked him if he could finish out the remaining half-dozenbases on the tour.
The year was 1959—the same year Lane ordered probably thefirst automatic pinspotters in the UK, which introduced him tosome of the AMF executives, and met Dick Weber at a contractsigning with AMF in London. A few months later AMF invited
Lane to attend the grand opening of the first commercial bowling center in the UK, AMF’shouse at Stanford Hill. A few months after that, he received an invitation that could nothave surprised observers: would he like to join the company as an instructor andexhibition bowler, in time for the opening of AMF’s second UK center?
“I found a sketch I did the other day, from 1953 or something,” Lane reflects. “I thought
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1. Lane conducting a ball drilling/pro-shopseminar for military personnel at a U.S. AirForce base in England (circa 1975).
2. Paul Lane outside St. Basil’s Cathedral(in Moscow’s Red Square) while makinga goodwill visit to the Russian Ministryof Culture (circa 1977).
3. The cover of the French publication,Sport Bowling. Lane appeared with DickWeber on a Merv Griffin show in 1966,which was filmed at the Bowling de Parisbowling center in Paris, France(Dick Weber in the circle while Laneis in action in the background).
1
2
3
I wasn’t that good. But I can’t do itnow. It’s gone. I’ve no feel for it atall.” There were no regrets, though,leaving commercial art neither nownor then, once he had found hisfooting in bowling.
For the next three or four yearshe attended and gave exhibitions atmore than 100 grand openings inthe UK, bowled on more than 40 TV shows, and anchored or didthe color commentary for a similar number. In 1963, Lane coppedthe Paris International Championships, a satisfying come-from-behind victory that awarded him the Freedom of the City,presented by the Paris mayor. These were heady days for bowlingin the UK and Europe as well as the U.S.
“There were so few bowlers that averaged 200”—hisaverage—“that ABC’s yearbook used to publish [all of them in]three pages at most,” Lane remembers. “In those days you hada bowling ball like a lump of granite. Nothing sophisticatedabout [the game] at all.”
He came to the attention of George Lord, managing directorof AMF UK. Lane’s exploits were writing a de facto field manualfor promotions. Why not invite him to join the promotionsdepartment as assistant manager at AMF headquarters in London?In the mid-1960s, Lane hung up his bowling shoes.
He became involved in every promotion AMF did. He putpromotions together, ran tournaments and an awards programfor high-scoring bowlers, and got known as a man who wastask-oriented, who took a hands-on approach to every assignmentand, as he says, minimized problems by turning them intoopportunities.
“I think of luck as positive thinking—bearing in mind thatpositive thinking has no effect unless it’s followed up bypositive action,” he believes. In 1968, he had a largeopportunity to be positive.
AMF established a chain of UK centers that year, HumberBowling. Lane’s boss, George Lord, assumed Lane would movewith him to the new assignment but by an oversight, forgot to
make Lane an offer or even to tell him about the move.“So,” Lane says, “I stayed put.”
“Bob Conor, who was head of AMF International atthe time and headquartered in London, came by my officeand was surprised to see me there. When I told himwhy, he said, ‘Good,’ and within a few weeks, I was on
my first major international trip.” Conducting clinics and instructionprograms and teaching instructors, he stopped in Hong Kong,Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Lebanon and Iraq on thatfirst trip. By the time he left AMF, he had worked in more than60 countries.
He relishes airports, although “not so much anymore, with allthis security stuff.” He gets “pumped up anytime I go anywhere,”whether or not he’s been there before, but Japan and SoutheastAsia are special. They are “so different” from the West and fromone another, he observes.
“Love the food in every one of them. I used to go to somepretty remote places. Never got sick. I always put that down togoing native, not trying to find a steak or a hamburger in a smalltown in China. I think local food exists for a reason. It’s part of theclimate; everything about it is right. Eat the local food, you’re allright—or at least I was,” and he laughs.
Ensconced in the International division of AMF, Lane becamethe director of marketing and marketing services for the division.He describes his job as “boiling down to a sort of ambassadorialrole” with AMF distributors and the AMF offices and their adagencies in various countries. He also staged the first PBA Tourstops in Europe (Paris, 1982; Crawley, England, 1983) and metone of his closest friends since the ’70s, Dick Ritger.
“The best instructor there ever was. He was a protégé of[Frank] Clause and Bill Bunetta but he took everything to sucha high level after that. We did lots of tours all over Europetogether—Dick on his own, Dick with Cheryl Robinson, Dick withJay and Cheryl Robinson together. I was the tour manager butI toured with them as well.”
34 IBI April 2013
PROFILE
1. Lane conferring with Rudolfo PerezSanchez (former president of BolichesAMF Mexico) while planning the 24th AMFBowling World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexicoin 1988.
2. Lane and his wife of 43 years, MinisterJoan Lane, at the 24th AMF Bowling WorldCup in Guadalajara, Mexico, 1988.
3. Lane and Nick Keppe (ManagingDirector of Bowltech U.K.) at the ZOTPinsetter Parts booth during a trade show.
1
2
3
36 IBI April 2013
PROFILE
Also in the cast was Dick Weber, one of AMF’s pro staff, which Lanewould manage from 1981 to 1990. Lane says he learned more aboutbeing an ambassador from Weber than from anybody.
“He was the ultimate. I guess he was a bit of a ham. He wouldadmit to it. He had that ability to remember names, or makepeople believe he remembered them; it seemed like he always did,to me. He had an inborn ability to be gracious, and bags ofpersonality. Pretty good public speaker. Loads of charisma. Hehad everything. I never tried to emulate him,” Lane continues. “Inever tried to emulate anybody. I learned I’ve got to be me. We’vegot to be ourselves. So few people are.”
Why?“People think they have to conform, I think. Was it Emerson who
said the world whips you for nonconformity? Just being yourself is aform of being a nonconformist today, in the modern world.”
Weber was an original, as was Victor Kalman, from whom Lane tookover management of the World Cup in 1971. Kalman was flamboyant,in contrast to Lane’s immensely likeable but more “properly British”demeanor. “I knew it would be a mistake to emulate Vic’s style, andhad to simply knuckle down and get the job done.”
Much to the company’s satisfaction, he did, because he stayed on
to manage 18 of the first 25 World Cups and never failed tobe fully sponsored. “The terms were: in the host country, AMFshould not put their hand in their pocket, and weaccomplished that every single year. I don’t think they coulddo that today. Too hard because of the economic climate.”
When the tournament was over, Lane would sit and edita custom video package for every country that wanted thecoverage. “With today’s media technology it’s laughable, butit wasn’t laughable then. [Getting] 8-12 countries a year totake a package of highlights, customized so it featured theirplayers, was a big deal. We once got news coverage in 36countries [through] a news agency in England. In its day, thatwas monumental.”
� �In 1982, Al Spanjer, director of advertising and promotion
for AMF U.S. operations wanted to take early retirement.According to Lane, Spanjer nominated a couple ofreplacements to the division president, who were refused.Then Spanjer recalled trips he had made to Japan with Lanein the late ’70s to help organize the National Bowling Councilof Japan. Spanjer was a key man in the National BowlingCouncil in the States and he and Lane drew from thatexperience to bring Japanese proprietors, bowler associationsand manufacturers together for the purpose of promotingJapanese bowling. Lane made eight or nine trips to Japanover 18 months, all but two of them on his own. Now readyto retire, Spanjer proposed Lane for his replacement.
Woody Woodruff, number-two man in the U.S. division,flew to Paris, where Lane happened to be, and offered himthe job. In January 1983, Lane moved to the U.S.
Now responsible for U.S. marketing for AMF, the only thinghe stayed involved with internationally was the World Cup.He did all the prep work during the year leading up to theevent, then sent in a team to run it. AMF brought him backto run the 24th in Guadalajara, Mexico, and the 25th inDublin personally.
The day after he left AMF in 1990, the first telephone callwas from Dick Weber.
“I heard you left AMF.”“Yeah.”
1. Lane conducting a school for instructors atthe Four Seas Bowling Center in Kowloon,Hong Kong (circa 1970).
2. Paul Lane receiving the BETS (BowltechEuropean Trade Show) 1997 LifetimeAchievement Award from Hans Krol,President Bowltech International, in Made,The Netherlands.
3. It looks like Lane is threatening NASAastronaut, the late Neil Armstrong, at an AMFsales meeting in 1981, but the conversationwas more cordial than it would appear.
1
3
2
38 IBI April 2013
PROFILE
“Have you heard from Eddie?” Weber meantEddie Elias, founder of the PBA.
“No.”“Oh, you will. Stay in touch.”Lane put the phone down and it immediately rang again.“Hey Paul, it’s Eddie. I heard you left AMF. Good. We need some help.
I’ll send you an airline ticket.”Lane flew out to Akron, OH to talk with Elias and spent the next 18
months or so visiting ad agencies in New York, Los Angeles and Chicagoto pitch the Senior Tour.
“That was when I realized what a terrific salesman, what a wonderfulperson Eddie Elias [was]. The guy was a genius, because it was thehardest thing I ever did in my life. He had ‘stickability,’ I guess. Myrespect for him when I tried to do some of the stuff he did just went sky-high.”
Marketing and promotions advice, strategies and projects havefollowed in the years since then with Ebonite and Master Industriesamong other clients. Currently Lane works with ZOT Pinsetter Parts in Denver.
� �The part of his life he missed most after he retired from AMF was, “oddly enough,
corporate structure. Most people can’t wait to get out of it.” But for Lane, there wasalways a network of people “to cover all the bases. You could do anything.” And as anindividual, he was never held down by the corporate culture, he says.
Indeed, it was liberating in his case. Approaching his retirement date, he didn’t havethe status of permanent resident that would have permitted him to continue living inthe U.S. AMF brought in an immigration lawyer who had been in the State Departmentand knew his way around. The lawyer obtained an extension for Lane’s visa, next toimpossible to get at the time, and then the “green card” of the permanent resident non-citizen. Lane estimates AMF spent $25,000 on his behalf. “They promised me I wouldhave a green card before I left [the company], and I did.”
He made a seamless adjustment to life in another country, only missing traditional
English clothes and the delectable Cubancigars he could buy in England.
“I don’t like plans,” he offers at onepoint. “I think plans are limiting.” Isn’trunning the World Cup full of planning?“My philosophy about that is: don’t workout the plan, let the plan work itself out.”
What’s the best thing about traveling?“New experience. Growth.”
How do you want to be remembered?“As someone who never tried to bluff hisway out. There’s no growth in bluffing.”
Talent is in the man, obviously:organizing, managing, communicating,improvising in unexpected situations. Hisrise in one of the biggest bowlingcompanies and his adventures worldwideprove it. He’s known people who havehelped him by pointing the way. But thereis also an itch in him to do more, be more,grow more.
He even leaves open the possibility ofre-locating. It would be “somewherenew,” he says—Asia perhaps—althoughat age 74, he doesn’t think it’s highly likely.
“Always think about moving forward,never going back,” Paul Lane says.
It is a life’s motto for some of us. ❖
Fred Groh is a regular contributorto IBI and former managingeditor of the magazine.
Lane strolling alonga typical market in
Tokyo, Japan, circa 1984.
hen professional bowlers need timeaway from the lanes, they oftentake to the links. For Mark
Calcavecchia and Jeff Sluman, the exactopposite sometimes is true. Each weremultiple winners when they were on theProfessional Golfers Association tour andtoday they make their living on the PGAChampions circuit. But both developed alove for bowling as youths, a passion thatcontinues today.
Calcavecchia learned the game from fatherJohn, who managed Hillside Lanes in hometownLaurel, Nebraska, for several years. “I bowled a lot,played basketball and shoveled snow,” the 52-year-old said.”There was not much else to do in the winter there. I just loved the sport.I enjoyed our eight-lane alley. I bowled five or six games before anyone gotthere. Some days I'd bowl 15 or 20 games."
By age 13, the young Calcavecchia had a 185 bowling average. Soon after,however, his father's health concerns prompted the family to move toFlorida. While he didn't like it there at first, the move did allow Calcavecchiato concentrate more on his golf game, including at the University of Florida.
He went on to win 13 Professional Golfers Association Tour events andthe 1989 British Open and captured his only Champions Tour title in 2011.After becoming a successful golfer, he and his family settled in the Phoenixarea where his son Eric bowled in youth leagues, averaging nearly 130 byage 11. “We tried to do stuff indoors there in the summer to get out of theheat,” Calcavecchia said.
Calcavecchia bowled whenever he could at Phoenix-area centers witha high game back then of 289 and high series of 675. “I can tell in the first
40 IBI April 2013
SPECIAL REPORT
two or three shots if I have it,” he said. “If not,I try to make my spares and shoot 185. If Ido have it, I can get well over 200.
After he and his familyrelocated to Tequesta, Florida,Calcavecchia's wife Brendainsisted that two regulationbowling lanes be built in thebasement of their home.
“We had finished the plans on ournew house and the building was in the middle of
construction when I went to him and said, 'You needto change the plans. I want to add two bowling lanes,'”she told Laury Lively of the PGA Tour staff. “I was
serious. (The builder), though, thought I was crazy.”The Lanes at Villa Nahar, as the Calcavecchias
affectionately call them, come completewith a rack of bowling balls and about 40pairs of rental shoes. “Our neighborswere sure that addition to the house had
to do with golf, maybe a place for Mark topractice,” Brenda said. “Sorry, we won'thave a practice putting green at our house.But we do have two bowling lanes.”
While his whole family enjoys the sport,it's Dad who seems to get the most pleasure
out of his lanes. "It's usually me and my drunkfriends," said Calcavecchia, whose high game on
his home lanes is 254. “My lanes are tough.” He nowaverages around 205 and Brenda about 150. Maybemore important, however, is their work on a 2010charity initiative put on by the PGA Tour wives calledShake, Rattle & Bowl held in conjunction with theHonda Classic.
The 54-year-old Sluman also was an avid youthbowler who later had a lane
put into the
W
By Mark Miller
Mark Calcavecchia
42 IBI April 2013
SPECIAL REPORT
Hinsdale, Illinois, home he and wife Linda are currently trying to sell. Heoriginally built it for daughter Kathryn, now 14. In addition to the bowling lane,he had a full arcade installed. “The only mistake I made was not putting intwo lanes,” he said.
Sluman started bowling at age 5 in bowling-crazy Rochester, New York. Byage 10, he was averaging 171 and rolled a 771
series as a teenager. Working at DeweyGardens Bowling Center was even his
first job. But he stopped bowlingcompetitively in college at FloridaState University in order toconcentrate on golf.
Winner of six PGA titles includingthe 1988 PGA Championship andfour Champions Tour events, Sluman
said there are basic similaritiesbetween two of his favorite sports.
"You have to have tremendousconcentration for those three, four or five
seconds when in bowling you are rolling it downthe lane or in golf hitting a shot," he once said. "You have to be able to relaxin between shots. And in the pros, both are individual sports."
Sluman believes another difference is that technology has changed bowlingmore than golf. Because of that, he had a suggestion to make things fairer for
everyone in professional and major amateurbowling events, something that would prove newfor the bowling purists to debate.
"I would make them have to state the ball theywould use," Sluman said. "That's what they did onour tour. You have to use one ball the wholeround. Say we start with a Titleist Pro-V. You haveto use that the entire round."
Sluman and Calcavecchia aren't the only progolfers who love bowling. PGA Tour player ChrisDiMarco also has a lane in his Orlando, Florida,home and Champions Tour player Ken Greenrolled 300 games in 1996, 2001 and 2005 beforehaving a leg amputated in an RV accident in 2009.
Maybe it’s the respect for skill mingled with thefun of competition that puts bowling at the top ofthe list for pro golfers as well as other sportsprofessionals. ❖
Mark Miller is a freelance writer fromFlower Mound, Texas. He is the nationaland Dallas-Fort Worth bowling writer forExaminer.com and a columnist for theBowling News Network.
Jeff S
luman
44 IBI April 2013
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46 IBI April 2013
DATEBOOK
APRIL14–19BPAA Bowling UniversitySchool for Center Managementwww.bowlinguniversity.net800-343-1329
21–2371ST AnnualBBIA ConventionBeau Rivage Resort & CasinoBiloxi, MS Info: 800-343-1329
MAY6-10Brunswick Training ClassesGS Series Pinsetter800-937-2695 [email protected]
13-17Brunswick Training ClassesVector Scorer Maintenance800-937-2695 [email protected]
JUNE10-14Brunswick Training ClassesGS Series Pinsetter800-937-2695 [email protected] Training ClassesVector Scorer Maintenance800-937-2695 [email protected]
23-28Bowl Expo –“Go for the Gold”Las VegasConvention CenterInfo: Drew Guntert800-343-1329 x [email protected]
JULY15-19Brunswick Training ClassesGS Series Pinsetter800-937-2695 [email protected]
18-20BPA of the Carolinas/GeorgiaConventionSea Trail Resort, Sunset Beach, NCwww.bpacga.com
22-26Brunswick Training classesVector Scorer Maintenance800-937-2695 [email protected]
OCTOBER14-18Brunswick Training ClassesGS Series Pinsetter800-937-2695 [email protected]
CLASSIFIEDS
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EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details(248) 375-2751.
NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment.Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
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ITEMS WANTED
“WANTED TO BUY” Older BowlingShirts. Paying $5 - $25 for button front shirtswith embroidery or ink lettering on the [email protected] (866) 312-6166.
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
FOR SALE: 20 ea. Wells-Gardner 28”monitor boards for Qubica automatic scoring.$200/ea. – in working order when removed.Call Autumn Lanes (828) 286-9149.
FOR SALE: 12 lanes 82/70s. MP Chassis,Hump Back Ball Returns. Spare Parts. 6 SurePics. 28 lanes AS-90 scoring. Wood lanes &approaches. ALL WORKING. Best offer. Call(317) 745-6247.
Brunswick AS-80 scoring: over 32lanes, complete package with extraparts. Excellent condition. $6,000 ormake offer. Could be sold by the lane orindividual parts. Contact Bill Henderson,Clearview Lanes (717) 653-1818.
FOR SALE: 16 pair 36” Frameworxoverhead monitors. $500/pair includeshanging brackets. Available May 25.Call Jason @ (816) 322-0488.
CENTER FOR SALE
NEW YORK STATE: Thousand Islandregion. 8-lane Brunswick center w/ cosmicbowling, auto scoring. Established leagues+ many improvements. $309,000. Call Jill@ Lori Gervera Real Estate (315) 771-9302.
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA: One ofthe top five places to move! Remodeled32-lane center. Good numbers. $3.1mgets it all. Fax qualified inquiries to (828)253-0362.
GEORGIA: busy 32-lane center, realestate included. Great location in one offastest growing counties in metro Atlanta.5 years new with all the amenities.Excellent numbers. Call (770) 356-8751.
CENTRAL MINNESOTA: 6-lane center.Owner retiring. $99,[email protected]. (320) 760-3377.
EQUIPMENT WANTED
LANE MACHINES WANTED. We willpurchase your KEGEL-built machine, any ageor condition. Call (608) 764-1464.
CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIEDS
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BUY SELL
AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENT COMPLETE PACKAGES WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE
PARTS INVENTORYALL AMF BUMPER PARTS, XS Q-BUMP,
DURABOWL AND GEN II IN STOCK
Danny & Daryl TuckerDanny & Daryl TuckerTucker Bowling Equipment Co. Bowling Parts, Inc.609 N.E. 3rd St. P.O. Box 801Tulia, Texas 79088 Tulia, Texas 79088Call (806) 995-4018 Call (806) 995-3635Fax (806) 995-4767 Email - [email protected]
www.tuckerbowling.com PROPRIETORS WITH AMF 82-70S.S. & M.P. MACHINES
Save $$ on Chassis & P.C. BoardExchange & Repair!
A reasonable alternative forChassis and P.C. Board Exchanges
MIKE BARRETTCall for Price List
Tel: (714) 871-7843 • Fax: (714) 522-0576
CLASSIFIEDS
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CENTER FOR SALE
WASHINGTON COAST: 8-lane AMF centerwith automatic scoring & snack bar. Ownercontract to buy business for $150,000 and/orlease to buy. Good league [email protected].
CENTRAL IDAHO: 8-lane center andrestaurant in central Idaho mountains.Small town. Only center within 60-mileradius. Brunswick A-2 machines;Anvilane lane beds; automatic scoring.(208) 879-4448.
NE MINNESOTA: Food, Liquor &Bowling. Established 8 lanes between Mpls& Duluth w/ large bar, dining room,banquet area. Two large Stateemployment facilities nearby. High sixfigure gross. Call Bryan (218) 380-8089.www.majesticpine.com.
EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA: 6-laneBrunswick center, bar & grill, drive-thruliquor store in small college town. Also, 3apartment buildings with 40 units, goodrental history. Call (701) 330-7757 or(701) 430-1490.
SOUTHWEST KANSAS: well-maintained8-lane center, A-2s, full-service restaurant.Includes business and real estate. Nice,smaller community. Owner retiring.$212,000. Leave message (620) 397-5828.
16-lane center in Southern Coloradomountains. Great condition. 18,000s/f building w/ restaurant & lounge.Paved parking 100 + vehicles.Established leagues & tournaments.$950,000 or make offer. Kipp (719) 852-0155.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS: PRICED TOSELL!! 8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, fullservice restaurant, pro shop. Plus pooltables, karaoke machine & DJ system.Asking $125,000.00 with RE. (217) 351-5152 or [email protected].
NW KANSAS: 12-lane center, AS-80s,Lane Shield, snack bar, pro shop, game &pool rooms. See pics andinfo @ www.visitcolby.com or contactCharles (785) 443-3477.
SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN: 8-laneBrunswick center w/ bar & grill & manyimprovements. Established leagues &tournaments. Six figure gross. Ownerretiring. Serious inquiries only. Call & leavemessage @ (608) 767-3136.
CLASSIFIEDS
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AMF and some BRUNSWICK PC boardrepair/exchange. 6-month warranty, fastturnaround. Call or write: WB8YJF Service
5586 Babbitt Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054Toll Free: 888-902-BOWL (2695)
Ph./Fax: (614) 855-3022 (Jon)E-mail: [email protected]
Visit us on the WEB!http://home.earthlink.net/~wb8yjf/
POSITION WANTED
Seeking General Manager position—West Coast, Nevada, New Mexicoand/or Southern region. 40 years in theindustry—owner, GM & District Manager.Familiar with F&B, marketing, special eventsand youth programs. Has served on theIndiana BPA Board of Directors for 4 years.Resume and references available. RudyHinojosa (317) 590-5499 or email:[email protected].
SERVICES AVAILABLE
Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring BallRepair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-255-6436 or Jayhawkbowling.com.
See a list that will help centers fill lanes w/1200+New Bowlers, Birthday Parties &Corporate Outings that generate $15,800—a 600% ROI from 4 payments starting at$378. Visit mcprs.bmamkt.com or call(888) 243-0685.
AMF 5850 & 6525 CHASSIS. Exchangeyour tired or damaged chassis for anupgraded, rewired, cleaned, painted andready-to-run chassis. Fast turnaround.Lifetime guarantee. References available.CHASSIS DOCTORS (330) 314-8951.
MANAGER WANTED
Don't miss your chance to grow withan Industry Leader! Looking forExperienced, Service-OrientedGeneral Managers for our U.S.bowling retail center locations.Please check us out atwww.brunswickcareers.apply2jobs.com for more details on our currentopenings. Act Now! Apply Today!
FACILITY MANAGER OPENING: AMFDeer Valley Lanes, Phoenix, AZ! Strongmanagerial experience and competency withBrunswick machines required. AMF offerscompetitive pay, bonus program, 401k with acompany match, and a medical/dental/visionbenefit package. Email your resume toRandy Bustillos at [email protected].
LEASE/OPTION TO BUY
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (Susanville):10-lane center with restaurant—14,000 s/fbldg. on 2.35 acre parcel. Flexible terms.Contact Lori Johnson, Lester Company,(831) 722-2741 or lori@lestercompany.
MICHIGAN-SOUTH CENTRAL: Largecenter with late model equipment. Strongleague base plus high-volume franchise. REincluded. Sandy Hansell (800) 222-9131.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI: 8-lane familyowned center w/ snack bar & large gameroom. 10-year-old AMF equipment. Only centerin the county. Email: [email protected] inquiries only please.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS: Fully remodeledFEC—12 lanes, bar, restaurant, mini golf, gokarts, batting cages, big arcade! Hugefacility. Big summer business. Busy year-round! 40 years in community. $3.5M. Call(847) 363-8799
CENTERS FOR SALECLASSIFIEDS
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Michael P. Davies (321) 254-7849291 Sandy Run, Melbourne, FL 32940
on the web: bowlingscorer.com email: [email protected]
AS80/90 • BOARD REPAIR • FrameworxSERVICE CALLS WORLDWIDE • PRE-SHIPS • WE SELL
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CallDAVID DRISCOLL& ASSOCIATES
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•Keys & ComboLocks for allTypes ofLockers.
•One weekturnaroundon mostorders.
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CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-700-4KEYINT’L 530-432-1027
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MINIATURE GOLF COURSESIndoor/Outdoor. Portable/Pre-Fab. Black
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"Bowling Center Construction Specialists"
�New Center Construction �Family Entertainment Centers�Residential Bowling Lanes�Modernization�Mini Bowling Lanes�Automatic Scoring
Toll Free: (866) 961-7633Office: (734) 469-4293
Email: [email protected]
CONTACT BRIAN ESTES
54 IBI April 2013
REMEMBER WHEN
e all know bowling is, was and always has beenthe means to a good time!
This ad uses bowling to show the high life –Miller High Life! It’s all there—camaraderie, skill
or lack thereof, and FUN! Like the beer, it’s the champagneof recreation.
Now, the next question is WHEN? What year? What
decade? There is no date so we are left to sleuth it outourselves. Clues? Many: the label on the bottle which haschanged over the years; the scoring stand; our “star” bowler’sclothes along with his friends’; and the use of the term“alleys.” What do you think? 1930s? 1940s? 1950s? I’mleaning toward the 1940s. Agree? Email me your thoughts:[email protected]. ❖
DATEUNKNOWN
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