international bowling industry february 2012

4

6ISSUE AT HANDBe My Valentine

By Scott Frager

8SHORTS

Brent Dyer gets promotedBowling in Kabul

Boyd Gaming Corp. of NVRewards Good Students

Expansions, Openings,New Beginnings

16 OPERATIONS

Is it Time to Dumpyour Old ATM?

Bringing your ATMinto ADA compliance

By Mark Miller

20INDUSTRY NEWS

So Long!The final sale of the oldUSBC headquarters in

Wisconsin brings outa lot of emotion

By Mark Miller

34

CONTENTS

26COVER STORYWe Love Bowling!Still in love with thebusiness of bowlingafter all these yearsBy Jackie Wyckoff

34CENTER STAGEThe Perfect MatchCalvin Linton falls headover heels for Atomicand Action BowlsBy Fred Groh

46REMEMBER WHEN1950sThe Saturday Evening Post“Covers” bowling

32 Showcase

36 Classifieds

44 Datebook

VOL 20.2

THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING

IBI February 2012

20

26

PUBLISHER & EDITORScott Frager

[email protected]: scottfrager

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISINGChris Holmes

[email protected]

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTGregory Keer

[email protected]

OFFICE MANAGERPatty Heath

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTORSFred Groh

Patty HeathMark Miller

Jackie Wyckoff

EDITORIAL DIRECTORJackie Fisher

[email protected]

ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTIONDesignworks

www.dzynwrx.com(818) 735-9424

FOUNDERAllen Crown (1933-2002)

13245 Riverside Dr., Suite 501Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

(818) 789-2695(BOWL)Fax (818) 789-2812

[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,13245 Riverside Drive, Suite 501, ShermanOaks, CA 91423 USA. If possible, pleasefurnish address mailing label.Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2012, B2B Media,Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprintedwithout the publisher’s permission.

MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:

6 IBI February 2012

THE ISSUE AT HAND

I must admit I’m not really familiarwith Saint Valentine and how he cameto be known as the patron saint oflovers. But I sure do hope he boughthimself some shares in Hallmark Cardsor Hershey’s Chocolates.

This month, we dedicate our issueto all the lovers out there. Ifyou love God, family, country,friends, fellow mankind andpuppies, every other issue ofIBI is for you. But if you loveyour industry, I mean trulylove the bowling business,this issue is really for you!

For the past few years now, we’vetried to put this cover story together.For one reason or another it never gotpast the flirting stage. This year oureditorial director, Jackie (my wonderfulwife), took this project under her wingto make it happen and get it done.

And, our not-to-be-confused-with-my-bride, feature writer Jackie Wyckoffdid an amazing job capturing the loveand passion men and women fromaround the industry have for ourbusiness and sport.

When I’m on the road or meetingsomeone for the first time, there is

always one “pick up line” I can use to break the ice: “What do youlove about the bowling industry?” This query never lets me down. Ialways get an amazing array of answers and always get folks in thetalking mood.

So, what do you love about the bowling business? The customers?The staff? The livelihood? Fellow proprietors? Industry friends?

I often hear how fortunate we are to be in the business of fun. Thisis a true and genuine feeling fromthose lucky enough to be in the trade.I’ve learned the bowling business isa lot like a long lasting relationship.In any given minute, it can be filledwith love and happiness, and then thenext can foster a sense of frustrationlike none other. Every human emotion

is covered in any given bowling work week.How often do we really take the time to express our feelings in words

and share them with others– the people we care about?Please share your valentine message to the industry by logging onto

www.BowlingIndustry.com and clicking the forum question devoted tolovers. You’ll find my heartfelt message there.

No offense to Hallmark or Hershey’s, butthere’s no chocolate bar big enough norgreeting card cute enough to express the wayI feel about bowling.

– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHERAND [email protected]

Will you be my mine?

CONGRATULATIONS go to Frank Wilkinson, the winner of IBI’s online center photopromotion! By sharing photos of Rab’s Country Lanes, Frank is the recipient of a FULLregistration to Bowl Expo 2012 in Reno, NV.

Want to be a WINNER? Invite your industry friends to become members. Remember,joining is FREE.

Just click the INVITE button once you are online and follow the prompts. Easy peasy.For every person you invite who joins, you have an opportunity to win a FULL

registration to Bowl Expo in June. The more people you invite and who join, the betteryour chances to win. The deadline is January 31.

Just one more way IBI keeps bowling’s business people up-to-date and involved inthe industry of bowling.

�THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com

8 IBI February 2012

SHORTS

Back in the DaySay Hannibal, MO, and the first thing

that comes to mind might be MarkTwain’s endearing characters Tom Sawyerand Huckleberry Finn. But did you knowthat bowling got a good start in Hannibalas well?

The 1911 opening of the HannibalYMCA building, now long gone, was afine and splendid affair. According to theHannibal Courier Post, ground wasbroken for the new Y on July 18, 1910,and over $75,000 was raised for thebuilding in 10 days.

Included in the amenities were twobowling “alleys.” They were installed bylocal carpenters with the aid ofrepresentatives of the Brunswick-Baike-Collender Co. of Chicago. Both wereregulation alleys with pine beds, “whichmakes the fastest alleys in the world.”

Now here’s the nostalgic part. TheYMCA charged five cents per game andpool table rental was 20 cents per hour.Ah, the good ol’ days!

Every football bowl competitionneeds an icebreaker before theaction begins. Thunderbowl BowlingCenter in Allen Park, MI, was thevenue bringing Purdue and WesternMichigan universities together beforeLittle Caesars Pizza Bowl. ThePurdue-WMU bowl-off was a greatway to showsportsmanshipand have funbefore meetingon the gridiron.

Thunderbowlhas 90 lanes with arcadesand helped create a night of spiritedand good natured sportsmanship.Information and logo courtesy ofwww.mypolishtimes.com and Jacek Urbanczyk.

Bowling before aBowl Game

Brent Dyer, longtime US Bowling staffer, has been promoted to senior vicepresident. According to Daroll Frewing, company CEO, “Brent’s been dynamite,earning the respect of our customers, our field staff, office staff and factory team.”

Dyer will manage all manufacturing responsibilities while working hand-in-hand with US Bowling’s sales team. Dyer’s new promotion will allow both Darolland David Frewing, company president, to focus on company growth and newproduct development.

“While we dominate onnew center starts,” DarollFrewing states, “we haven’tconcentrated much onmodernization and capitalimprovement jobs. We’realso going to create astrong, new product line tooffer the bowling industry.Brent comes from a greatbusiness background andis a great leader. We’reextremely proud of hisaccomplishments.”

US BOWLING’S DYER GETS BUMP UP

Left to right: David Frewing, Brent Dyer and Daroll Frewing

10 IBI February 2012

SHORTS

Million dollar Lanes in Williston, ND, said goodbye to 1995 and hello to 2012 with a new point-of-salesystem, flat screens for the lanes, and cutting edge scoringsoftware by QubicaAMF. Owners Bryan and Sheila Goehring haveinvested $200,000 in renovations including new hardwood flooring.

Bryan Goehring said, “We’re just spending money on thethings inside first.” Customers now have an interactive experienceand can choose between twelve different animated themes.

Bowling is alive and well in Mount Kisco, NY, and Grand Prix New York is helping with a new 19-lanebowling center within its 118,000-square-foot indoor kart racing and entertainment facility.

Spin Bowl, which opened in November, features electronic scoring, lane-side couch seating, televisionscreens and club lighting with revolving strobe fixtures. Wes Snyder, installation foreman of BrunswickBowling, said the center will be good for all types of players.

Nat Mundy, a founder and vice president of sales and marketing for Grand Prix, said, “This is a familyentertainment center, and what we are doing is adding high-end bowling to the mix.” One of the goals wouldbe to host league play and championship games and to encourage team sport bowling at local schools.

After 35 years of operation without renovation, Ute Lanes Bowling Center in Fort Duchesne, UT,is about to get a reincarnation with a projected re-opening in March 2012. Renovations will include 12 updatedlanes, a full-service restaurant and meeting center with Wi-Fi access. Forrest Cuch, CEO of the Ute TribalEnterprises stated that funding for the $1 million project came from the Ute Tribe Business Committee andthe architectural design and construction portions were awarded to Richard VanLeeuwen Constructionout of Salt Lake City.

Lewiston, MN, now has a new bowling center after L.A. Lanes went out of business a year and a halfago. Dawn and Kent Glover saw a growing need for entertainment in Lewiston and hope that Glover’s SpareTime will fill that bill.

It was a big project Dawn said. “It was tear everything up, replace just about everything, and we’restill finding little things that need to be tweaked here and there.” Their first event will be a bowlingtournament whose proceeds will go to the Ronald McDonald House. High fives to the Glovers!

Bartlett Lanes of Memphis, TN, will get a makeover in the form of new lanes, more food, games anda new name with a $3 million expansion and renovation expected to be completed in the summer of 2012.

The center’s new name will be Andy B’s Bowling Center, named for owner Andy Bartholomy whoseBartholomy Bowling Centers owns the center and also Winchester Bowl in Memphis plus three centersin Oklahoma and three in Missouri.

12 new lanes will bring the total lanes to 44 with an additional 13,000 s/f of space for parties, and anexpanded game room with pool tables. The renovated center will employ 30 new permanent employeesfor a total of about 60.

EXPANSION, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGSThe Strikers, a new center is up

and running in Shawr-e-Naw, aneighborhood located in Kabul,Afghanistan. After eight months ofconstruction, the bowling venueboasts 12 lanes, a restaurant, and isowned by two Afghan-Canadianbrothers and their sister.

AMERICAN BOWLINGIN KABUL

Bowlers enjoy bowling in Kabul.Photo credit: Jonathan Saruk

The bowling centers at Gold Coast,Sam’s Town and the Suncoast, whichare part of Boyd Gaming Corporation ofNevada, have established a Making theGrade program. Students with A’s andB’s can receive free games of bowling.Every A entitles a student to two freegames of bowling and one free game forevery B.

The program is open to all elementary,middle and high school students. Therequirements to participate are a reportcard and registration in Kidz Klub, a freebowling rewards program.

“A” IncentiveNevada centers supportacademic achievement


SHORTS

Want to keep those little ones involvedwhile eating their Happy Meals? Bowling“Pinguins” is the latest in McDonald’s keep‘em busy activities on the Happy Mealcontainer. Aficiandos can also get virtualbowling shirts and balls for their mPal.

MCDONALD’S GAME

WATCHMedia

Nextwave Multimedia, an independentdeveloper, via GamesPress and Gamasutra,has made available its latest bowling game.With six levels of play with in-app

purchases, Bowling Wizards brings “concealed surprises,magic and daring challenges.” Fantasy abounds with theEvil Wiz and the Bright Lord along withBowlons and Pines and you, the player, takingon the task of restoring peace and harmonyto the world. It is available through AppleiTunes, the Android Market, Nokia Store, andMac App Store.

NEW APP - BOWLING WIZARDS

CTA Digital offers a nearly full-sizedbowling ball including a wrist strap to give yourWii game a “reality” feel. The rest is up to you.One caveat might be to hold on tight!

WII BOWLING BALL

QubicaAMF Worldwideannounced the release of thenew Xli EDGE Pinspotter.Advancements include thepatented EDGE PerformanceLift and a new Pin Distributor Cam.

Backed by extensive research, the company states the XliEDGE is designed to make business easier for proprietorsand technicians by solving the most prevalent market problemsincluding the increasing operating costs of old machines andrising safety concerns. The EDGE Video Training Tool aids instaff training and support.

Neil Pennington, product manager of performanceequipment for Qubica AMF Worldwide, says “We are veryexcited about the introduction of the Xli EDGE. It is our mostadvanced pinspotter ever… .”

XLI EDGE ARRIVES

Spring of 2012 will be the launch for Kegel’s new division and product line, Kegel Pinsetter Parts,focusing on parts for A-2 and GS pinsetters. Over the past seven months, Kegel has created an eliteteam of pinsetter mechanics to assist with R&D and future technical support. Don Agent, a formerpinsetter mechanic and an employee of Kegel for 16 years, will be leading the project.

A new facility has been established for this new line which is dedicated solely to the productionof parts and includes a state of the art machine shop and a staff of highly skilled machinists.

The first introduction will be a catalog of 40 common replacement parts for the A2 pinsetters.According to Kegel, “each and every part in this catalog will have been modified or improved fromits original design, whether through simple improvements, use of completely new materials, or radicalre-design of the way the machine operates.

KEGEL’S NEW PINSETTER PARTS DIVISION

Ebonite International announced the promotion of BrianHickey to Vice President of Operations. Hickey, formerly

Director of Quality and Manufacturing,has nearly twenty years of tenure atEbonite. His new position will add theareas of Materials/Purchasing,Scheduling and Distribution to his currentresponsibilities managing plantoperations.

“Brian has always been anoutstanding employee dedicated toEbonite International’s success,” said

Randy Schickert, CEO. Hickey was involved in the acquisitionof additional brands, including Columbia 300 and Track,and the recent move of pin production from Mexico toHopkinsville. He was also credited with nearly threeconsecutive years of a workplace safety record.

PEOPLEWATCHING

Brian Hickey

OPERATIONS


f your bowling center or pro shop has an automaticteller machine, you may need to upgrade or evenreplace it to meet new federal regulations taking effect

March 15. The U.S. Justice Department's 2010 Standards for

Accessible Design of Automatic Teller Machines and FareMachines require that all ATMs be equipped with voice andBraille instructions and set low enough to comply with theAmericans with Disabilities Act . That means they must beaccessible to people with sight or hearing disabilities orin wheelchairs.

"The voice instructions are the biggest part of the newregulation," said Kurt Duhn, general manager of ATMNetwork, a Minneapolis company that sells and servicesATM machines to industries including bowling. "You haveto make it so people can plug in their own headphones."

Talking ATMs have been around since the first installationin San Francisco on Oct. 1, 1999 with about 100,000 installednationwide, primarily in banks. "Certain models can beupgraded and some can't based on their age. It's like acellphone. Soon after you buy it, there's already a newmodel to replace it," Duhn said. "The newer the model, theeasier and less expensive it will be to meet the guidelines.

"There are easy ways to retrofit for Braille includingadhering stickers which will make you compliant. Braillestickers cost $5-10. Voice command upgrade kits varyfrom $200 to $1,000.You can get a new unit for under$2,500. If you need a $1,000 repair and it does anybusiness at all you are better off buying a new one."

Because new units are Internet ready, Duhn said theycan save the $40-60 a month in telephone charges older

IBy Mark Miller

Kurt Duhn, General Manager of ATM Network based in Minneapolis.


OPERATIONS

Mark Miller is a freelance writer from FlowerMound, Texas. He is the national and Dallas-FortWorth bowling writer for Examiner.com and acolumnist for the Bowling News Network.

machines require. Plusnew technology not onlyfeatures color screens, butalso space to selladvertising and recoupeven more of the costs."For a good locationmaking a lot of money, it'sa no-brainer," said SargonGivargis, president of LosAngeles-based Credit CardIndustry Inc. which hasabout two dozen bowlingclients. "If it's in a locationthat doesn't generate a lotof transactions, like $100a month, it's a veryexpensive decision."

Givargis said it will costabout another $500 to

remove and recycle old machines. But considering the alternative, in most casesit's still a good deal. Duhn and Givargis said the penalties for non-compliancecould be more than $50,000 plus additional money from any civil lawsuits.

"We've heard from some merchants who have said 'I'll take my chances.I'm on Main Street in a small town and nobody will come here,' " Duhn said.

"We're trying to persuade them to do it anyway."While the rules were published in the Federal

Register on Sept. 15, 2010 and took effect March15, 2011, compliance is required by March 15,2012. You may be liable even if you don't ownthe machine.

The Justice Department actually has had aregulation dating back to 1995 requiring ATMsbe “accessible to and independently usable by”visually-impaired people. But the vagueness ofthe regulation, especially the "independentlyusable" part, has prompted many to even skipBraille instructions. Givargis said many ATMschanged about five years ago to meet creditcard company anti-identity theft encryption rules.He added that smart card reader regulationsare on the horizon but that today's technologyalready complies. ❖

Sargon Givargis, president of Los Angeles-based Credit CardIndustry Inc.


INDUSTRY NEWS

he final chapter of the United States Bowling Congress' move to Arlington,Texas, was written two days before Thanksgiving when the organizationclosed on the sale of the former Bowling Headquarters in Greendale, WI

to Walmart. Public records indicate the property sold for $4 million, well belowthe $7-9 million real estate people said it was worth when it went on sale in 2008,just months before the nation's economy tanked. It also was less than thenearly $5.4 million overall cost to complete the complex in the 1970s.

“I am glad we were able to get the deal done, particularly since selling acommercial property is very challenging in this economy,” said USBC ExecutiveDirector Stu Upson. "The proceeds from the sale will be put into reserves forfuture reinvestment into programs and initiatives." Even though USBC reportedcombined losses of more than $6.2 million in 2008-09 and 2009-10, Upson saidthey were unrelated to the property not selling then. "Our budget doesn't includeanything from the sale of property," he said. "The losses were all operational."

Greendale and the region lost a national headquarters and its more than 200well-paying jobs but will benefit from the extra property taxes a profit-makingcompany like Walmart will pay. Not so for USBC. "They got stung," saidGreendale Village Manager Todd Michaels. "They basically did it at the worsttime. Nobody could foree that. From our standpoint they paid for their decision."

Michaels said Walmart is demolishing the former USBC headquarters andresearch and testing facility to make way for a 100,000-square-foot store and383-space parking lot in the back and middle of the property and two separatebuildings for other retail businesses in the front. "It will be similar to a regularWalmart," Michaels said. "Take a super Walmart and shrink it by 50 percent.It will not be like the speciality shops we mostly have here. We're a retaildestination so it fits."

Demolition was expected in lateDecember or early January with Walmarthoping to have the new store open in 2012.

"It was a piece of history," said RogerDalkin, USBC's executive director from2004-07 and American Bowling Congressexecutive director back to 1989. "Thatbuilding was synonomous with the homeand capital of bowling. We were proud ofit. I enjoyed that. I couldn't wait to go there.The building stood for what we stood for.When the wrecking ball swings, some ofthe old employees will try to be there to cryon each others' shoulders."

That will officially end the Milwaukeearea's identity as the national symbol of thesport dating back to 1907. The Greendaleproperty opened in 1972 when the formerAmerican Bowling Congress moved fromanother Milwaukee suburb and the Women'sInternational Bowling Congress relocatedfrom Columbus, OH. "The real reason for themove with WIBC was the two organizationsdecided they could save some money bybeing in the same building," said JackMordini, who worked for USBC and ABC fornearly 40 years and was the only person towork at the old Bowling Headquarters from

T

SO LONGNEIGHBORBy Mark Miller

Sale of old USBC property ends long chapter of bowling in Wisconsin.

SO LONGNEIGHBOR


INDUSTRY NEWS

when it opened to when it closed. "Growing up in Wisconsin, I was very proud to

have in my hometown the place that providedservice for up to eight million bowlers. Being abowler, I was proud bowlers looked to Milwaukeeat least for the administrative side of the sport."Bowling Headquarters later became home to theYoung American Bowling Alliance, USA Bowlingand Bowling Inc. which merged with ABC andWIBC to become USBC on Jan. 1, 2005. MostUSBC operations moved to Texas in November2008 with the Greendale call center remainingopen through Dec. 31, 2009. The old complex hadbeen vacant since then. "ABC and WIBC decidedit made sense to go together since they did virtuallythe same things and both were non-profits," Dalkinsaid. "ABC and WIBC had similar missionstatements. USBC and BPAA have different missions and touproot an entire organiation and staff and relocate a completeheadquarters it needed to make sense financially to do it.There had to be a huge financial package to move the staff."

There were incentives such as nearly $700,000 from aTexas fund to attract new businesses and Arlington waivingthe first 10 years of property taxes both of which have been

honored according to Upson. Dalkin said when he was askedto retire in July 2007, the Greendale building had been paidoff for many years and annual expenses ran only about$800,000 including $250,000 for property taxes. "If we hadstayed in Greendale, we could have put in a couple milliondollars and stayed there a long time," Mordini said.

According to Dornberger, it cost $8 million to purchase theArlington property, $4 million to build the InternationalTraining and Research Center, $3-4 million to move USBCemployees and equipment and $1 million in miscellaneouscosts. Even with BPAA paying for half the property and ITRC,it still cost USBC about $10 million to make the move. "Theproperty was appraised at $5-6 million," said Dornberger,USBC's chief operating officer from July 2007 until Upson tookover as executive director in 2009. "I told them they shouldn'tspend that kind of money but the proprietors felt stronglyabout that building even though there were a lot of otherbuildings available in DFW. I even had a list prepared but theyhad their minds made up. "We were moving 1,200 milesaway so it didn't matter to us where in the area we movedbut being next door to their old building apparently wasimportant to the proprietors."

Dalkin said he had a similar persuasion from BPAA. "Everytime I visited Texas, (former BPAA Executive Director) JohnBerglund would tell me we should buy that building withthem," Dalkin said. "I always asked why should we move 200employees to Texas when they could move 30 to Wisconsinand we'd give them a wing of our building for free. "He saidhe would do it since he was from Minnesota but there was noway he could convince his board of directors to do it becausethere was no way they'd ever move into USBC's building."

Berglund reiterrated that in an early 2008 USBC staffmeeting when he called Milwaukee a second-tier city thatBPAA would never pay to move to even though his

organization would have saved millions. It became apparent the proprietors' strongdesire to be together with USBC only at 621 Six Flags Drive was far more importantthan any financial considerations. "The leaders never saw this as a financial savings,"Dornberger said. "It was to create a partnership, nothing more and nothing less. Itwas a partnership situation, and you have to listen to the partners."

With USBC's move away from its sports roots to concentrate on growingmembership and money, some industry people believe the partnership has shiftedtoo much toward the proprietors.

"I would agree with that assessment unfortunately," Dornberger said. "I thinkBPAA has more influence over USBC than they had because the USBC board won'tstand up," Dalkin said. "It's become more important to what BPAA wants." "Theevolution of the game, which is what you call it now because it's not a sportanymore, I'm not surprised by it," Mordini said. "It's the way the game has beensold. Before it was bowling centers where the sport was played. Now it's FEC's (familyentertainment centers) where bowling is just part of the entertainment. It's beensold as a recreation for 25-30 years so I'm not surprised it's gone that way."

One reason stated for USBC's move from Wisconsin and the InternationalBowling Museum and Hall of Fame's relocation from St. Louis was to create a high-profile International Bowling Campus in Arlington's entertainment district. Thegoal was to be a tourist destination amidst bowling's larger and more well-knownneighbors. How well has that worked? "Being located in the entertainment districtcertainly has been good for the sport because of the high profile entities here likethe Cowboys, Rangers and Six Flags," Upson said. "Yes, the Museum has been belowexpectations but as we are here longer and people know they can experience that


INDUSTRY NEWS

I think it will improve. The TrainingCenter has been doing really well. We'revery pleased with that."

Despite the financial challenges andpolitical heartache it caused in somequarters, Upson believes the move wasthe right thing to do. "Not selling thebuilding until now really has nothing todo with it," he said. "The fact theindustry is working so well together frommy perspective, it was the right move."Even some critics think some kind ofmove from the Midwest was inevitable.

"In the end any place in the Sun Beltwould have been better in the longterm than the Rust Belt and that's nota knock on Wisconsin or Ohio or anyother states in the north," Dornbergersaid. "It's the way the economics ofbusiness are going in this country.Places like Texas offer no income taxesand limited business regulations."

That's one of the reasons thebowling industry looked so strongly atthe Orlando, FL, area at the start ofthe century. The proposed WorldBowling Village was to feature a 60-lane bowling stadium to host majorevents plus headquarters for 300employees of the sport's majororganizations. In need of funding fromthe state of Florida to make it happen,the deal died in legislative committees.Too bad, Dalkin said, because that tohim would have been great for bowling."Florida made sense if the legislaturehad passed the deal because they weregoing to give us the Village as a non-profit as part of economicdevelopment," he said. "Arlingtondoesn't make sense. To move anduproot so many people, it could havebeen done with much less problem inMilwaukee. But the powers that be sawit differently. That was their opinion." ❖

Mark Miller is a freelance writerfrom Flower Mound, Texas. He isthe national and Dallas-Fort Worthbowling writer for Examiner.comand a columnist for the BowlingNews Network.


COVER STORY

round 500 BC,Confucius said “Choose ajob you love and you will never

have to work a day in your life.” Good advice. Icertainly took it. Steve Jobs put a more modern spin on it inhis commencement address to the 2005 Stanford Universitygraduating class. The icon of Apple told the graduates, “You’vegot to find what you love. And that is as true for your work asit is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of yourlife, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what youbelieve is great work. And the only way to dogreat work is to love what you do. If you haven’tfound it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As withall matters of the heart, you’ll know when you findit. And, like any great relationship, it just getsbetter and better as the years roll on.”

He should have just told them to find a job inthe bowling business. Really! Bev Van Blair, proprietor ofCardinal Lanes, a 20-lane center in Newton, IA, says “What Ilove most about the bowling business is that it allows for a lotof diversity in the different aspects of the business and thegame. You can work with different customers, personnel,finances, coaching, parties and business groups. It’s different

every day. The game itself is the same butcan be played on so many different

levels and is enjoyed on each ofthose levels whether recreation,

league, tournament or sport

competitive levels.”We love our business. We love our jobs. In

a recent survey on Facebook, 56% of the people inthe bowling business responded that they “love” their job

while another 31% said they are “very satisfied”. This is in starkcontrast to a 2010 survey by Cigna Health which indicated that65% of the general workforce does not get a “sense ofsatisfaction” from going to workeach day.

“There are many

people involved in thebowling business, whogenuinely want to grow thepie rather than fight over the same shrinking piece,” explainsBrett Spangler, PBA Tour rep and staff manager for MotivBowling. “These people are so different than those youencounter in other industries who would rather hamstring youbecause you are perceived as a threat. Bowlers are incrediblypassionate people and it is a joy to work with them everyday. There is little that I do in life that makes me feel betterthan enabling someone to succeed where they have previously

struggled.”Mark Sabatine, PBA laneman, a.k.a. “The

Lane Doctor”, says that working with the bestbowlers in the world is challenging as well asextremely fulfilling. This dichotomy is not unusualin the industry. Many of our challenges are alsothings we love. In today’s economy figuring out

A

What I love most aboutthe bowling business is that itallows for a lot of diversity in

the different aspects of thebusiness and the game.

Bowlers are incrediblypassionate people andit is a joy to work

with them every day.

By Jackie Wyckoff


COVER STORY

a new way to meet expenses can be a challenge. But findingthem is another thing we love about our business.

Glenn Hartshorn knows about turning a challenge into apositive. When he left his position as Director of AutomotiveSales for International Paper Company, he was bound to a threeyear non-compete clause which included all of the auto industryand all forest products… in his home state of Michigan!

Hartshorn set up an interview withJay Buhl and Eric Berry of AMF

just outside the Detroit MetroAirport to discuss how he

might find a home in thebowling business. Theinterview was going wellwhen they all noticed thatit was really quiet andthat no planes were

landing. They flipped onthe TV mid-interview to

discover the horrificevents that hadunfolded while theywere engaged inconversation on thatearly morning of9/11/2001. At that

point the interview was over but Hartshorn’s career in thebowling business was just about to get started. After a five-yearstint with AMF and a period with US Bowling,Hartshorn now has his own center consultingbusiness. What he loves most about the business ofbowling is the wide range of knowledge and skills.“Walk into any center in the U.S., on any givenleague night, and you can find CEOs bowling withcar mechanics, bookkeepers bowling with salespeople, precision machinists bowling with lawyers.Anything you want to accomplish in this business canbe done by the customer base when you learn to tap into thatwealth of diversity and talent.”

In analyzing data collectedby the Gallup organization,

enhancing employees’psychological healthresults in theeconomic health ofthe business. John

Snyder, proprietor ofThunder Bowl Lanes inAlpina, MI, and currentPresident of the BowlingProprietors Associationof America says the wayto keep your staff happyin their job is to empowerthem. “My customers arethe life blood of thecenter’s existence andthe same goesfor our staff. The onerule we have is the staffcannot tell a customerthat they don’t know. They are empowered to make sure thecustomer is taken care of.” Empowering staff members givesthem a sense of ownership in the business which makes themhappy. This translates to loving their job.

Beth Standlee, owner of TrainerTainment agrees. Hercompany trains center staff and as the name implies, it is“entertainment training.” They make the job fun – as it shouldbe. We are in the business of providing fun to our customersand therefore we should have fun – LOVE what we do and ittranslates to every aspect of the business.Standlee is devoted to the successof the businesses she serves.“At the heart of things, my

company is a company that wants to help. Webelieve that training, sales, and great guest service must be thecornerstone of any bowling organization that is going tosurvive in this economy. Our sole goal is to provide relevant,fun training that produces serious results, and we are alwayslearning all along the way.”

Across the boards (pun intended), industry executives agree– we � our bowling jobs! Kathleen Perry, BPAA board memberand proprietor of Easton Bowling Center in Easton, MD,

agrees, “This career path has been great,” shesaid. “How many people can say they have fun atwork and love doing their job?”

Willie King, past president of NorthernCalifornia Bowling Centers and director at

We believe thattraining, sales, and

great guest service mustbe the cornerstone of any

bowling organization

Working with thebest bowlers in the worldis challenging as well as

extremely fulfilling

How many people cansay they have fun at workand love doing their job?

My customersare the life blood of the

center’s existence

Boardwalk Bowl in Santa Cruz, CA, explains how it allstarted for him. “My first job was as the janitor. I wasa sophomore in high school and at 4 a.m. I’d ride my

bike down to the bowl, andstart cleaning dirty

ashtrays. Yuck!Thankfully, we

don’t havesmoking inbowling anymore [at leastnot in

California].These days I can

walk into anybowling center,go up to thefront desk andintroducemyself, and the

owner or manager will be right out to see me and talkshop. It’s an amazing experience working in thisindustry.”

David Prange works at the USBC OpenChampionships Tournament and is a board memberof the Bowling Writers Association of America. He toldus that “I have left the bowling business a few timesbut it hasn’t been for a long time. I keep comingback to where I am the most happy.” It’s true – onceyou work in the bowling business you are spoiled forworking life. Jim Sturm, executive director of BowlingOperations for Reno’s Tri-Properties (Eldorado, SilverLegacy and Circus Circus) said, “Working in bowling

is like a drug. Themore you

work in

the business the more you desire its challenges.”Joan Romeo, president of The Marketing Team and mom to USBC

Hall of Famer Robin Romeo says, “I know it’s a cliché but it’s becauseof the people I’ve had the privilege of meeting that makes this the bestbusiness in the world and I love my job!” Bob Thomas, operationsmanager at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, says his favorite partof the job is being afforded the opportunity to work on so manydifferent types of projects within the industry. The stadium hosts eventsfrom national tournaments to local non-profit fundraisers. Jim Chambers,proprietor of Cloverleaf Family Fun Center in Fremont, CA, noted that“I read somewhere that only 2% of people say they get to go to work.I’m one of those 2%.” And Ted Hoffman Jr. who has been active in everyaspect of the business since 1948 sums it up pretty well when he said,“We are a family.”

Ted’s comments hit home with many of us in the industry. We are a“Bowling Family.” From the players who bowl on the same night, to thefriends who bowl in the same league, to our teammates, to the PBAPlayers we aspire to emulate, we are allfamily. We love each other, and we

love what we do every day.Mark Twain said, “Work and play are words used to describe the same

thing under differing conditions”. Those of us who “work” in thebowling business often times find those lines blurred. We love ourjobs, we love going to the “office,” we love our co-workers andcustomers and even love our competitors. Almost universally we lovethe fact that we can “play” in our work. Who needs a sweetheart onValentines Day when we have our job? ❖

Jackie Wyckoff, who started bowling in 1968, is a San Francisco (CA) Bay Areanative, avid Giants fan and gourmet chef. She was President of the BowlingWriters Association of America, 2009-2011. Wyckoff has worked andvolunteered in the bowling industry since 1972 with jobs including CenterManager, USBC (WIBC) Association President and Writer and Promoter for allthings Bowling. She was a PWBA Regional Player with several state and localtitles to her credit.

COVER STORY

It’s an amazingexperience workingin this industry.

We are allfamily. We love each

other, and we love whatwe do every day.

...favorite part ofthe job is being affordedthe opportunity to workon so many different

types of projects withinthe industry.

It’s because of the people I’vehad the privilege of meeting thatmakes this the best business in the

world and I love my job!30 IBI February 2012

32

SHOWCASE

SEAT REPLACEMENTSGKM Int'l Inc. manufacturer of the SmartSeat has reported a surge in sales of theSmart Seats for AMF Concept 90 settees.Unsightly cracks and holes can developand present a sharp hazard to customershowever Smart Seats cover these areasmitigating liability and restoring the seatto look like new... fast and easy. For more information call310-791-7092 or visit www.gkmintl.com or [email protected].

PERMA FASCIAPRODUCTSOur Perma Fascia Products serveboth practical and cosmeticpurposes. From custom ballracks to updated approach areas, Langlo will fulfill yourcenter’s needs. We also offer a glow-in-the-dark option. Inaddition to our fascia, we manufacture USBC approved HDPEreplacement parts, flat gutters, pin deck edge boards, kickplates, and much more. For additional information, please callDon Lundgren at 800-553-6606.

IBI February 2012

INTERACTIVE LANESSeeing is believing! Add moreexcitement with our new interac-tive show on your lanes or pooltables by bringing the game tolife! Images of flames, fishes, stars or more follow your balldown the lanes entertaining your customers. Flames flitterafter your pool ball. Check out our website for video of thisamazing interaction of an old time game being revitalizedwith today’s technology and contact Twelve Strike the leaderin innovation for today’s technology. www.twelvestrike.comor calling 562.984.6240.

VIDEO SYSTEMQubicaAMF introduces a NEW version ofits Multi Media System (MMS). Poweredby HD technology, the new system offersexceptional visual quality, automaticcontent switching, video advertising with sound, picture inpicture and scrolling price menus. The system is fully upgrad-able available for BES and Bowland Scoring Systems andConqueror Universal installations. For more informationcontact your local QubicaAMF Sales representative or visitwww.qubicaamf.com.

MASKING UNITColorfully and unmistak-ably decorate yourcenter with Brunswick's newly redesigned masking units, sureto capture bowlers' attention and heighten the all-aroundsensory experience. Massively vibrant, high-quality printedpanels cover adjacent pinsetters with continuous graphicsthat dramatically energize your center. Brunswick’s maskingunits have intense glow effect with long-lasting accurate color.Choose from hundreds of Brunswick designs or customdesign your own. For more information, visitwww.brunswickbowling.com/products/masking-units.

ALCOHOL SAVINGSAlcohol Controls has earned anunblemished reputation forproviding the bar industry withquality, cost-effective, LOSS PREVENTION PRODUCTS forover 20 years. These affordable investments help manage-ment reduce beverage costs and increase revenues. Withouteffective controls, waste & theft inevitably spiral out ofcontrol. Protect your liquid assets with Alcohol Controls. Call800-285-BEER (2337) or visit www.alcoholcontrols.com.

FOG EFFECTSJust in time for the busy GlowBowling season, Industrial Lightingand Sound offers a wide variety offog machines and fog juice tocomplement your lane light show.Featured here is the Fog Storm 1200HD. It features Electronic Thermo Sensing (ETS): electronicheater stays hot at all times with no warm-up time betweenfog blasts. Its large cooper tube prevents clogging. Visitwww.industriallightingandsound.com check out all availableproducts.

INCENTIVE VACATIONSVacation Adventures Internationalhas been providing incentive vacationsfor more than 25 years. Trips include aBahamas Cruise Excursion (cruise &land package) and Air/Resort packages to Aruba, Cancun,Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas and more from just $99!Vacation Adventures can help you increase your bottom line!Call today and SAVE an additional 20% (888) 448-3980 oremail [email protected].


he story must have begun with aninspiration on somebody’s part. How elsecan you explain duckpins in 1928 in

Indianapolis, 500 miles from the Atlantic seaboardwhere the game was born and grew up?

Bowlers could choose to roll duckpins ortenpins on the center’s eight lanes, the pathwaysin the two games being the same size and pinboysbeing more versatile than pinsetting machines.Everything was on the top floor of a four-storybuilding a mile and a half from downtown,

planned for entertainment, shopping and professional services.When Linton Calvert bought the Fountain Square Theatre Building in 1993,

the lanes had been closed for 36 years, the second and third floors had beenvacant for 31, and the only tenant was a ground-floor thrift shop.

The buy was something of an inspiration on his part.In 1981 the owner of eight hair salons and five beauty schools in the city,

Calvert was making enough money to indulge himself and buy the last 12-lane tenpin center in Indianapolis, he says. “My own little bowling alley, kindof my own little toy.”

It wasn’t a terribly big deal when the center “basically never mademoney. It was just kind of a fun thing. So I said, I’m going to have fun, do agame of fun, and duckpins was just that.” He converted the place toduckpins in 1986.

As a young man, Calvert had worked in a tenpin center in the city andas a Navy man he had been a very good tenpin player. “I went out to bowlone day while I was stationed at Norfolk [Virginia] and they told me Icouldn’t use my ball there. They had this little bitty ball.” He tried thegame anyway, shot three games of 100+ (“a heck of a score in duckpins,”he later learned), and liked it.

Duckpins drew him to the Fountain Square Theatre Building in an historicalsection of Indianapolis. Duckpins, and thinking that he and his wife couldfix up the building and live in it, Calvert says.

The rest of the refurbishment followed, one inspiration after another: onthe ground floor, two restaurants, a bar and a banquet hall he runs, and severalsmall businesses to whom he rents space; on the second floor, his offices andhome; a 12-unit boutique hotel he built on the third floor; another restauranton the roof; and an additional seven lanes of duckpin in the basement.

“As we completed one thing, we said let’s do something else. There wasno plan initially other than the bowling alley and our home.”

In his new purchase, Calvert acquired a property that had “a lot ofcharacter left.” Maybe an eye for structure that led him to study architecturefor two years at Purdue was another source of inspiration; perhaps workingas a builder with his grandfather, a building contractor, yet another. But Calvertdecided to refurbish his building to keep its vintage personality. “I thoughtI could buy character—maybe not as old, but that complemented thecharacter that remained.”

On the fourth floor, he retained wood bowler seating, wood scoring tables,and masking made of bent plywood, all manufactured by Brunswick in thelate ’20s or early ’30s. He named the venue Action Bowling.

When the basement flooded in 1997, another thought: he decided toremove the rotted dance floor and replace it with more duckpins. Seven lanesthis time because the gas and water meters blocked the space that an eighthlane would have needed.

At the same time, the bowling centers in the city that had been built inthe ’50s and ’60s, bowling that Calvert had grown up with, were closing. Soanother idea. “I went to those bowling alleys and bought parts and piecesfrom five that closed.” Result: ’50s-authentic bowling, à la Brunswick, in thebasement of his building to complement the ’20s-’30s theme on the fourthfloor. He calls it Atomic Bowling.

Calvert tried running leagues as he had at his tenpin center, but concludedthat duckpins isn’t as agreeable to them. “This is a more challenging game.

TBy Fred Groh

ThePerfectMatch

CENTER STAGE

LINTON CALVERT SUCCESSFULLYMATCHES A CANDLEPINAND A TENPIN CENTER,ALL UNDER ONEHISTORIC ROOF ININDIANAPOLIS.

Fern and Linton Calvert.

35IBI February 2012

CENTER STAGE

ON THE 4TH FLOOR IS ACTION BOWL

The paddle-like device leaning against the wall is a Brunswick-Balke-Collander scoreboard, used before theintroduction of scoring tables. It stood between the lanes or against the wall during play and dates from before 1920.

1 2 3

1. The scoring table is a lecturn-like oject in from of the three-unit Brunswick seating.

2. The top of the ball return unit used to have ashtrays and a chalk reservoir to assist the bowler's grip.

3. The original 1928 masking unit is bent plywood on a wood-backed frame and curves outward about 16 inches.


It’s fun but it’s not like bowling and shooting 200. You have to be prettyseriously into it. Leagues never materialized very well.”

Today’s bowling business at Fountain Square is almost all corporate andparty. It was running “lickity-split every single day” until the downturn of ’08,which has slowed the business somewhat.

Calvert’s duckpin machines, by the way, are from Mendes, Inc. of Canada.String machines manufactured since the 1990s, they yield less pin action thandid the old Sherman non-string pinsetters, which are no longer made. Byway of illustration, Calvert offers, his highest duckpin game is 191, shot in

Fred Groh is a regular contributor to IBI andformer managing editor of the magazine.

CENTER STAGE

IN THE BASEMENT IS ATOMIC BOWL

Five tenpin centers in the city, opened in the 1950s and ’60s, were sources for basement equipment. Brunswick was the manufacturer.

1 2 1. Masking uniy consistsof a plastic face ona wood frame.

2. The seating is maple, matching Action Bowlon the 4th Floor, but Brunswick had slimmed theslats since the 1920s.

The score table originally held two ashtrays, but theywere removed because the house is non-smoking.Between them was a dish for water where bowlersmoistened their hands to grip the ball in the 1950s and '60s.

In the background area, diners are seated and served.The food is brought from the restaurants in the building.

a tournament in the early ’90s; his highest scoreon a Sherman, at his own center, is 156; his beston a Mendes is 136. ❖

Photos courtesy of Linton Calvert.

37IBI February 2012

CLASSIFIEDS

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details(248) 375-2751.

USED BRUNSWICK PARTS, A2 partsand assemblies. Large Inventory.www.usedpinsetterparts.com.

NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment.Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.


CLASSIFIEDSEQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Pinsetter Parts New from ALL majormanufacturers. HUGE IN STOCK inventory.USED Brunswick Scoring parts, AS90cameras, processors, lane cables,monitors, and PC boards. Order online @888SBIBOWL.com or (888) 724-2695.The Mechanics Choice!

FOR SALE: 24 HPL synthetic lanes,foul line forward; 16 lanes BOSSscoring w/ BOSS desk only. (712)253-8730.

FRAMEWORX SCORING: Sold by thelane or spare parts. 68 lanes completesystem including 4 registers & back office.Contact Bill Rossman @ Parkway Bowl(619) 448-4111 or [email protected].

EQUIPMENT WANTED

LANE MACHINES WANTED. We willpurchase your KEGEL-built machine, anyage or condition. Phone (608) 764-1464.

17 inch Magic Score tabletop monitors.(419) 668-9933.

CENTERS FOR SALE

UPSTATE NEW YORK: 8-lane center/commercial building built in 1992.Synthetic lanes, new automatic scoring,kitchen and room to expand! Reduced tosell @ $375,000. Call (315) 376-3611.

CENTERS FOR SALE

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 WISCONSIN: 12 lanes, autoscoring, Anvilane synthetics, 82-70s. Greatfood sales. Yearly tournament. Attached,large 3 bedroom apartment w/ fireplace.$550K. (715) 223-8230.

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.

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.

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.

SOUTHERN INDIANA (close toIndianapolis): 18-lane Brunswick centerwith lounge, liquor license & movietheater on 4+ acres. Turnkey business.Owner retiring. Great investment! (765) 349-1312.

NORTHWEST LOUISIANA: 12-LANEBrunswick center. REDUCED TO SELLNOW! Includes auto scoring, glowbowling, pizza, large dining area & videopoker. Good income. Long Lease. Greatopportunity. Call Mike (318) 578-0772.

39IBI February 2012

CLASSIFIEDS

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

NEW KEYPADS • FRONT DESK LCD MONITORS

2021 Bridge StreetJessup, PA 18434570-489-8623www.minigolfinc.com

MINIATURE GOLF COURSESIndoor/Outdoor. ImmediateInstallation. $5,900.00 & up.

"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


CLASSIFIEDS

MARSHALL ELECTRONICS• Electronic Scoring Repair• AMF Accuscore Plus• Curtain Wall Chassis - $285

• Foul Units• Chassis Boards• Brunswick Scoring

We repair all types of monitor boards.Call for a complete price list.

593 Loxley Drive, Toms River, NJ 08753

732-240-6554 • 800-782-9494www.merepair.webs.com

ForFLORIDA CENTERS

CallDAVID DRISCOLL& ASSOCIATES

1-800-444-BOWLP.O. Box 189

Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737AN AFFILIATE OF

SANDY HANSELL & ASSOCIATES

CENTERS 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CENTERS FOR SALE

IDAHO, Rigby: 8-lane center withBrunswick A-2s; refinished wooden lanes;assets $85,000; lease $1,200/month.BRING ALL OFFERS! (208) 535-9905, www.arthurberry.com.

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].

CENTRAL ILLINOIS: Major MSA – 12-lane center, 13K s/f, brick front, new roof,4.2 developable acres, includes restaurant& lounge. Asking $575,000 w/ RE. CallTom Thompson (309) 264-8011 or email:[email protected].

SOUTHERN IDAHO: Profitable, Well-Maintained, Family Oriented Bowling Center.12 wooden lanes w/ AMF 82-70s, Qubicascoring, Cosmic Bowl & automatic bumpers.Food/beverage (58% of revenues); openbowling (37%). Asking $360,000 includesRE. Call Dave, Arthur Berry & Co., (208)639-6167.

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN: LARGEcenter. Priced at severe discount due tounique situation. Excellent physicalcondition. Solid revenue. Perfect turn keyopportunity. Contact (248) 252-1427 [email protected].

MINNESOTA: 8-lane Brunswick center w/liquor license. Good condition. Greatopportunity. $99,000. Call Ray, XtremeTrophy Properties, (218) 790-1468.

NE NEVADA: New 2001. 16 lanes, 19,200square feet, 1.68 acres paved, sound &lighting, lounge w/ gaming, arcade, fullservice snack bar & pro shop. Call (775)934-1539.

GEORGIA: 32-lane center – strongleagues & good demographics in suburbanAtlanta. Leased building with opportunityto expand. Jetbacks, synthetics, Accuscoreall in good condition. Call Ken Paton (503)645-5630.

WISCONSIN: Three centers from 16 –48 lanes. Must sell. Great opportunities.Broker: (262) 901-1333.

SOUTHERN NEVADA: Excellentopportunity for qualified person! 8-lanecenter with AMF 82-70s, Twelve Strikescoring. $60,000 for business andequipment only. Long term lease available.Building being remodeled. Call Steve (702)293-6072; cell (702) 414-5321; email:[email protected].

41IBI February 2012

CLASSIFIEDS


CLASSIFIEDS

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

CENTERS FOR SALE

MICHIGAN, Lake Odessa: 12-lane centerwith updated AMF scoring, 82-70 pinsettersand full-menu restaurant & bar.Indoor/patio seating across from publicbeach. R&E. Owner retiring. Call Patti @Freshwater Properties (616) 260-6500 [email protected].

SERVICES AVAILABLE

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$278. Visit mcprs.bmamkt.com or call(888) 243-0685.

Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring BallRepair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-255-6436 or Jayhawkbowling.com.

AMF 65-25 CHASSIS: Conversion,Repair, Replace & Exchange. Includesrewiring, requested repairs, conversion toMK 30 board system and convertingchassis to new PR system whereapplicable. Cash customers—buy 3, getone FREE. TOTAL SATISFACTIONGUARANTEED! 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!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

OPERATING PARTNER WANTED! PA ORNJ. Experienced, skilled and energeticperson looking for a challenge. Full-service,Entertainment Facilities. Must have greatcustomer service skills, smile and ability togrow business. Own a piece of the Rock! Sendresume to: [email protected].

POSITION WANTED

Seeking managerial position:EXPERIENCED manager/district manager ofsingle & multiple unit centers; specializing inturn around centers; great customer serviceskills, inventory and payroll controls and P &L controls. References and resume availableupon request. Email:[email protected] or leave message@ (817) 232-2219.

Former center owner with 15 years all aroundexperience as GM, league promoter, A-levelBrunswick mechanic, scoring system installerand lane technician. Well suited for manypositions. Call Mitch at (808) 443-3868.(818) 789-2695

SELL YOUR CENTER

43IBI February 2012

CLASSIFIEDS

Orange County Security Consultants

•Keys & ComboLocks for allTypes ofLockers.

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CLASSIFIEDS

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/

The leading source for real estate loans with low down payments

Ken Paton(503) 645-5630

[email protected]

We could not have gottenWe could not have gottenour loan without him.our loan without him.

Max Cook and Fred KaplowitzMax Cook and Fred KaplowitzNorth BowlNorth Bowl

Spokane, WASpokane, WA

BUY SELL

AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENT COMPLETE PACKAGES WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE

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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

DATEBOOK

MAY31 – 6/32012 Hall of Fame Extravaganza(BPAA & USBC)Red Rock Casino Resort & SpaLas Vegas, NVDavid Garber, 702-495-4249;[email protected]

JUNE3-5Kansas State BPA AnnualMeetingChateau on the Lake, Brandon, MO Mary Thurber, 913-638-1817

24-29BOWL EXPO 2012Silver Legacy, Eldorado & CircusCircus, Reno, NVTrade Show: Reno SparksConvention Ctr. 800-343-1329www.bowlexpo.com

258th Annual Bowl Expo KaraokeContest Presented by TheLighting StoreEldorado Showroom, Reno, NVCJ Fox, 888-746-54383email:[email protected]

JULY20-22Independent BowlingOrganization ShowBavarian Inn Lodge,Frankenmuth, MIScott Bennett, [email protected]

30 – 8/1BCA of Michigan“STRIKING SIXTIES,”Convention and Trade ShowSoaring Eagle Casino/Resort,Mt Pleasant, MIKen Prokopec, 630-235-7794

ixty-two years almost to the month and from the copy belowaddressing the cover, it appears that not much has changed …between the sexes that is. Lanes have improved quite a bit and our

pin monkey is long gone, but the jockeying for supremacy reigns supreme.Unfortunately, we cannot see the smile on her face; it would tell a lot. ❖

S1950


REMEMBER WHEN

international bowling industry february 2012

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