bowling industry magazine 04/12
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The World's Only Magazine Devoted Exclusively to the Business of Bowling.TRANSCRIPT
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6ISSUE AT HANDThe Next Frontier
By Scott Frager
8SHORTS
• 43rd Hoosier Classic• A peek at U.S.
Women’s Open venue• BWAA Virtual
Youth Challenge• Bowling in Brunei
16PROFILE
The Ladies’ ManJohn Losito useda combination of
innovation and hard workto breathe new life into
the U.S. Women’s Open2011 Event.
By Fred Groh
22COVER STORY
Gerald Paluzzi welcomedhis new flagship center
Northcliff Lanes and theQAMF World Cup.
By Paul Lane
35
CONTENTS
32WHAT BOWLINGMEANS TO MEMike Leong has spent a longand successful career servinghis community throughbowling. His standout: theannual Kops and Kids Day.By Anna Littles
35OPERATIONSBowling Boot CampHow Rockaway Lanes in NewJersey successfully executesan intensive youth bowlingexperience.By Joan Taylor
46REMEMBER WHEN1941 Collier's Weekly enticesreaders with a bowlingcouple
37 Showcase
38 Classifieds
45 Datebook
VOL 20.4
THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
IBI April 2012
22
32
PUBLISHER & EDITORScott Frager
[email protected]: scottfrager
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISINGChris Holmes
EDITORIAL CONSULTANTGregory Keer
OFFICE MANAGERPatty Heath
CONTRIBUTORSFred Groh
Patty HeathPaul Lane
Anna LittlesJoan Taylor
EDITORIAL DIRECTORJackie Fisher
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
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 April 2012
THE ISSUE AT HAND
19 years is a long enough time tobe “successful” in any one business,right? Or, is it just the warm up period?
I recall the first day I walked throughthe doors of Bowling Industry magazine(International was added later.) Thefirst day was hard andthe subsequent weeks,months, years and nowdecades seem to keepgetting harder.
It’s tough to believethat after almost 20 years,I keep finding ways tocomplicate and shake up my life all inthe effort to achieve “success.”
Since 1994, I’ve been doing mybest to keep the industry aware of allthe news and trends while celebratingthe people and places that make upour trade through IBI magazine.
In 2006, a business opportunitypresented itself. I was hired to managethe Bowling Centers of Southern CAproprietors’ association. This new jobcreated a new level of responsibilityand effort. Working so closely with agroup of active, vocal and progressiveproprietors also gave me a newappreciation for the amount of hard
work and effort it takes to be successful in the bowling business.Flash forward six years, and I’m as happy as ever with my career
in the bowling industry. The responsibilities are great. The work is tiring.The rewards, thankfully, have been plentiful.
So much so, I still want more. I want to continue to find ways tobecome more involved and more engaged. And, I found a way to do
just that.I am not able to share, just yet, how my
path crossed with this opportunity, but withnext month’s issue, I will.
Until then, I would like to leave you withthe following quote loosely attributed toBranch Rickey (the baseball coach who isknown for breaking MLB’s color barrier by
signing Jackie Robinson and drafting Roberto Clemente.) The quote is inscribed on a piece of marble stone and was recently
given to me by my father-in-law, Robert Fisher. He has always had thispiece on his office desk, and now it is proudly displayed on mine.
“Success is that place in the road where preparation and opportunitymeet, but too few people recognize it, because too often it comesdisguised as hard work.”
I hope that in the months ahead, we will beable to share with each other our visions ofsuccess and how we all intend to achieve it.
– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHERAND [email protected]
The Next Frontier
Attending Bowl Expo? Still trying to decide? Check out IBI online and see what others think.We have reposted a Forum question posted by cary Richmond last year to which 49 peoplegave reasons and views.
Kristy Morse said, “My brain goes into over drive and I get excited about bowling all over again.Being a part of Bowl Expo guarantees me an energetic launch into the new bowling season!”
For IBI, it is a time to touch base with friends and clients and to see all the new innovationsthat make this industry so exciting.
Read what others have said, include your own ideas and expectations for this year. That’swhat IBI online is all about!
Do it by May 1 and become eligible to win a FREE, FULL registration ($350 value). Don’t.See you there!
�THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com
8 IBI April 2012
SHORTS
San Francisco proper is having a fine romance with bowling. Twoseparate groups opened new centers, nearly doubling the number of lanesavailable within the city limits.
An old warehouse is home to Mission Bowling Club, a snazzy, boutiquesix- lane house, plus a restaurant and full bar which opened March 19.
The second new center is Lucky Strike which opened March 9. TheLucky Strike chain is in 13 states and Canada. Again, the venue is boutiquewith 12 upscale lanes along with a bar, restaurant and private partyspace. It seems that nightlife, bowling and good food and drink aredefinitely in demand.
If all goes as planned, Rigby’s Family Fun Center, a $4 million, 40,000-square-foot family fun center with skating, bowling, laser tag, arcade gamesand a food court offering pizza, carnival-style food, wraps and healthy optionswill open in April in Warner Robins, GA. According to a regional manager, therewill also be areas suitable for business team-building in the bowling suite andlaser tag maze. The facility is expected to employ from 65 to 100 people.
“Eat, Bowl, Play” describes the experience Main Event Entertainmentis bringing to Katy, TX. It is the 11th location for the Dallas-basedfamily entertainment company. Katy Ranch Crossing will be designedto have up to 750,000 square feet of retail, medial and restaurant spaceand, as with each Main Event location, will be anchored bycontemporary bowling lanes. The project spans five years and will beginin early 2012.
Karen Pullman’s Pro Shop and Bowling Center will have a completemakeover. Seven Peaks purchased the Sandy, UT, center with plans todevelop a fun center. In addition to bowling, Seven Peaks Fun Center willinclude a two-story laser tag floor, indoor miniature golf and a fullarcade. The remodeling will not interfere with business and the centerwill remain open during construction. This will be the company’s fifthentertainment venue.
EXPANSION, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS
10 IBI April 2012
SHORTS
One of the latest fashionaccessories for spring is thebowling bag. It comes in avariety of styles to afford usewith casual ware as well as amore classic look. Both Lanvinand Chanel are offering their takes on this trendy and
versatile bag made with the bestleather and calf leather andengraved with couture details.However, if observed closely, notsure that one could schlep abowling ball.
TRES CHIC: LANVIN VS CHANEL
WATCHMedia
Where? Brunei, just north of Malaysia and Borneo inSoutheast Asia. According to Brunei NEWS, bowling hasbecome the latest craze to hit the country due in part tothe opening in November of 2011 of Megastrike Bowllocated in the Airport Mall. With 22 lanes, this state-of-the-art facility and first of its kind in the Sultanate offers familyentertainment along with coaching, cosmic bowling andservices for corporate functions. There is a 50s themed dineras well.
Managing Director, Major (Rtd) Sharifah Hazlina SyedElham who is one of the first military women in the RoyalBrunei Armed Forces is in partnership with her husband andher sister and brother-in-law. Her children also help run thecenter. “It’s all about family values here,” she said. “Foranyone who is looking for something that the whole familycan do together, think ‘bowling’.”
BOWLING CRAZEHITS BRUNEI
Roxbury Lanes does more than afford bowling to itspatrons. For night owls, a vast menu of Asian fare isavailable until 4 a.m. Home to a bowling alley, a sportsbar and a casino called Roxy’s, it is being touted as theplace to find great Chinese food in the Greater West
Seattle Metropolitan Area. A seat at the counter andan order of chicken fried rice, General Tso’s chickenplus a dish consisting of bok choy, mushrooms andwhite rice can be a great way to cap a night/morningof bowling!
ROXBURY LANES TOUTS MORE THAN BOWLING
The Bowling Writers Association of America, BWAA, is, afterweeks of testing, launching a new tournament for youth bowlers.Teaming up with VirtualTournaments.com, BWAA has developedan all new, ongoing, weekly tournament called the Virtual YouthChallenge, where youth bowlers from ages 8-20 with verifiedaverages anywhere in the world can have fun while earningscholarship awards toward higher education.
“We are very proud to launch this new event for youth bowlers,”said BWAA President Jim Goodwin. “Our Pezzano ScholarshipCommittee chair Joan Romeo and our Virtual TournamentCommittee chair Brandy Padilla have been working together withScott Scriver at VirtualTournaments.com for months to write the rulesand put this all together. We are very excited about the long termpotential of this event, and we encourage everyone in the industryto get behind this effort to boost youth bowling.”
Youth bowlers will compete using their league scores in twoage divisions—8 through 12 and 13 through 20. Youths bowlingin adult leagues will not be eligible. All averages must be verified.The Virtual Youth Challenge is a simple “Highest Over Average”event with a handicap of 90% from the highest average enteredeach week. One of every five entries each week in each divisionwill earn scholarship awards that will be deposited into theirSMART account within 30 days. For more information visit www.VirtualYouthChallenge.com.
BWAA LAUNCHES VIRTUALYOUTH CHALLENGE
You might want to put this in a tickler file for next St. Patrick’sDay. Irish Road Bowling takes you out of the bar and places youon a highway or road, preferably without cars.
This rollicking game dates back to17th Century Ireland and isa mix of bowling and golf. It requires teams of four, a 28 ounceball or “bullet” and some chalk. The idea is to guess how far youcan throw the ball. Where the ball stops is where chalk is used to“mark the spot.”. This is repeated for a mile and a half, with theteam with the least number of throws deemed the winner.Betting, of course, is encouraged!
Irish Road Bowling is BetterThan Green Beer
12 IBI April 2012
SHORTS
February was themonth; Western Bowl,Indianapolis, was theplace; and Backhaul DirectHoosier Classic was theevent. 78 men’s teamsand 53 women’s teamsparticipated in the 43rdHoosier Classic which is
dubbed the longest running collegiate bowling tournament in thecountry.
Integral to this year’s success were Backhaul Direct, official titlesponsor; Columbia 300,official ball manufacturer,presenting sponsor andFriday night eliminator titlesponsor; Kegel, official lanemaintenance provider;High 5 Gear, officialmerchandise provider;along with official CPAKatz, Sapper & Miller, LLPand consulting firm KSM Consulting, LLC. Crowne Plaza IndianapolisAirport was the hotel host.
Tournament partners included HP Hood, All-Star Bowl, Royal PinLeisure Centers and Braden Business systems.
HOOSIER CLASSIC IS 43AND GOING STRONG
Men’s Championship Team
Women’s Championship Team
The location of the Coen Brothers’cult film, “The Big Lebowski,”where The Dude spent a lot of his time bowling, was HollywoodStar Lanes in Hollywood, California. The bowling center opened in1960 and was “the” spot to bowl for 43 years. In 2003 it wasknocked down to make room for an elementary school. To paytribute, Steven Foster’s Lucky Strike Hollywood purchased laneseven which now serves as a bar top along with some ofthe vintage signs and retro items.
Another famous, celebrity bowlinghangout was HollywoodLegion Lanes also inHollywood. When it wasdismantled in 1985, one half ofthe lanes went to JohnnyCarson’s house in Malibu for aracquetball court and the otherhalf went to George Lucas for oneof his projects.
I DIDN’T KNOW THAT!
NEW OWNERS FORLUCKY STRIKE–KC
Michael Ducat and Paul Barkley have purchasedthe Lucky Strike facility in the Power and LightDistrict of downtown Kansas City, MO. Togetherthey also own Strikers Family Fun Center in Sunrise,FL. Sandy Hansell and Associates, Inc. served as thebroker in the transaction.
Groundbreaking outdoor lane renderings for the U.S.Women’s Open were unveiled March 6 at a pressconference held at the Eldorado Hotel Casino Showroomin Reno. This preeminent global competition in women’s
bowling will be playedin Reno with the historicfinals to take place onVirginia Street under theiconic Reno arch and willbe broadcast nationallyon ESPN2.
A one million dollarprize to any competitorwho rolls a perfect 300
in the championship match has been offered. Attendeesat the news conference included Steve Johnson, executivedirector of the BPAA and several of the Open’s sponsors:Ebonite International; City of Reno; and Silver LegacyResort Casino.
“There is no better brand in professional sports than theU.S. Open, and every year we challenge ourselves to setthe bar just a little bit higher, “ said Johnson. “This year’sevent will mark a number of industry firsts including thefirst-ever women’s outdoor global bowling competition andthe introduction of a brand new senior women’schampionship.”
It should be notedthat in 1997 the AMFBowling World Cup wasnot just staged outdoorsbut was staged at theGreat Pyramid of Gizawith the Great Sphinxlooking on. There’ssomething about theout of doors that makes events memorable!
Sneak Peek –2012 U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN VENUE
Rendering of the outdoor lanes to beused at the U.S. Women’s Open
1997 AMF World Cup bowlers’ viewpoint.Photo taken by Len Charney.
14 IBI April 2012
SHORTS
GOODWILL CENTRAL
The sport of bowling, interestingly, is the vehicle forother major sports leagues’ philanthropy. It is the levelerthat everyone enjoys.
At the Jon Jay Celebrity Bowling Challenge held at LuckyStrike Lanes in Miami Beach, knocking home runs wasreplaced by major league baseball players knocking downpins, and strikes were the evening’s goal. Over 200 peopleincluding 20 big leaguers from a variety of teams helped raisean estimated $25,000. The proceeds from the event will goto Chapman Partnership, the private sector partner of Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust, to provide housing; food;health, dental and psychiatric care; and job training for 756men, women and children in the greater Miami area.
This was Jay’s first charity event and, successful at best,it certainly won’t be the last.
The Philadelphia Penguins showed their skills off the iceat the fourth annual “Pens & Pins” Charity BowlingTournament held at Crafton-Ingram Bowling Lanes. Theevent was organized and run by the Penguins WivesAssociation, with all proceeds including funds collectedfrom an auction and baked goods, being donated to theMake-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania andSouthern West Virginia. $54,000 was raised.
Fans were dispersed into teams among the lanes withPenguins players as celebrity team captains. Marc-AndreFleury is a repeat participant. “It’s been great,” Fleurysaid. “We get a chance to meet the kids and have somefun with them.”
Celebrities and major league baseball players joinedforces to help The Eddie Guardado Foundation and ACT
Today! (Autism Care andTreatment Today!) at theirSTARS & STRIKES CelebrityBowling Tournament benefitingchildren with autism. The event,held at Bowlmor Lanes inTustin, CA, raised $130,000.
“My wife Lisa and I aretouched that so many ballplayers and celebrities joined us in our mission of helpingchildren with autism receive the care and treatment theyneed,” said Eddie Guardado, 2-Time MLB All-Star and ACTToday! board member.
More than 400 guests and a host of MLB players andtelevision and film personalities participated. It was a“home run!”
Big events are splashy but equally as many smallerevents continually support all sorts of good causes:
Buena Lanes, Ventura, CA: local cancer patients throughBowl for the Cure
Spare Time Lanes, Kennewick, WA: 16th JuniorAchievement Bowling Classic
Plaza Lanes, Washington, IL: Easter SealsWestbrook Lanes, Brooklawn, NJ: 6th Bowling for
Bassets—hounds, yes!Southern Lanes, Bowling Green, KY: Big Brothers
Big SistersFour Wisconsin centers joined forces to host a benefit
for colon cancer research: Dream Lanes, Prairie Lanes,Schwoegler Park Towne Lanes and Ten Pin Alley.
Bravo to all!!!
Event host Eddie Guardado, MBLAll Star, and actress Sasha Pietersefrom “Pretty Little Liars”
BOWLING IS THE GO-TO CHARITY GAME FOR OTHER MAJOR SPORTS
Relief Fund to aid Doug Cottomof Ross Cottom Lanes
One of the powerful tornadoes to hit southern Illinois destroyed thehome and belongings of Stacy and Doug Cottom, owners and operatorsof Ross Cottom Lanes. Doug was also injured and is undergoingrehabilitation in Herrin. The Harrisburg tornado was one of the mostpowerful to hit the area in many years and took seven lives.
Chris Swanson of BMA Marketing and Steve Ludwig of Salem Bowlhave sounded the alarm to the bowling community to help these bowlingneighbors. The Doug & Stacy Cottom Relief Fund + Benefit has beenestablished in an attempt to aid the Cottoms in this time of need. Forinformation to go http://cottom.bbnow.org.
Applications are being accepted for the BowlingWriter’s Association of America’s Chuck PezzanoScholarships awarded annually to worthy students whoare high school seniors, vocation school seniors or currentcollege students who are not over the age of 25 duringthe year in which the awards are presented. Requirements for or questions regarding eligibility maybe directed to Joan Romeo at [email protected]. Toapply, go to the BWAA web site at BowlingWriters.comand click on Scholarships. Deadline is May 15.
PEZZANO SCHOLARSHIPAPPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED
16 IBI April 2012
PROFILE
teve, are you crazy?”John Losito had been chairing BPAA’s tournament committee
for about six months, following a couple of years as a committeemember. BPAA executive director Steve Johnson had called, saying, “Ihave this idea.”
“How do you expect to get 300 entries in a women’s professionaltournament when there’s no longer a pro tour and no easy channel ofgetting to those women?” Losito asked him. That was what Johnsonhad just broached.
After losing money on the U.S. Women’s Open the two preceding
years, USBC had decided to drop it. That was early in2010. When BPAA learned of the decision, Johnsondidn’t for a second consider letting it go.
“We’re just going to do it,” he answered Losito.“We’re going to make it happen.”
There was one proviso. Johnson didn’t think theOpen should be a tournament, but an event.
“It’s to showcase the best women athletes we have,[and] ‘U.S. Open’ is a huge brand. Millions [are] spentin all industries building that brand,” Johnson says. “Tolet that brand disappear I think would have potentiallybeen a disaster for our industry, as long as it made goodbusiness sense for the BPAA—and for the industry,because the BPAA has to look out for the industry.”
Johnson believed it “made perfect sense,” andLosito—20-year PBA member, Philippine nationalcoach in 1994, host of the National Special Olympicslast year—thought Johnson’s vision was do-able
And yes, “It’s the ‘U.S. Open’ for us, for bowling,”Losito ruminated. “All the great sports have them, sowhy shouldn’t we? It’s not just ‘come in and bowland we’ll see who wins’.”
So his charge for what would be called Bowling’sU.S. Women’s Open, in Losito’s words: “to create anatmosphere, a feeling of the prestige” that an eventshould have if it’s called a U.S. Open.
Johnson’s enthusiasm was contagious. “Very easyto buy into very early, and it spread like wildfireamongst our committee.” The members quickly foundthemselves asking whether this or that move would“elevate” the tournament. Would this or that optionmake it more a premier event, less just anotherbowling competition?
“We discussed it as a committee over and over,”Losito recalls. “Kept throwing out there ‘we’re notrunning a tournament, we’re running an event’ to tryto build some of what women’s bowling has beenmissing: something to strive for and to make [it] special.”
This was besides organizing BPAA’s other majorcompetitions at the time, the North Pointe InsuranceGroup $100,000 High School Singles Tournament andthe International Family Tournament, for which Lositohad ultimate responsibility on the committee as well.
USBC pitched in for the Open right away, puttingtogether a list of players from the Queen’s. Bowlingmedia figures including publishers Jim Goodwin ofStars & Strikes and Lisa Vint of Windy City BowlingNews spread the word and netted more names. Stateassociations joined the promotional bandwagon. NewYork bought six entries; Illinois together with WindyCity Bowling News, 12.
John Losito, the chair of the U.S. Women’sOpen Event in 2011, integrates his personalvision into the planning and success of thisnewly revamped tournament.
“S
John Losito
Theladies’manBy Fred Groh
18 IBI April 2012
PROFILE
Meanwhile, Losito was chairing a committee he had trimmedfrom more than 30, when he took the position, to half that. Itwasn’t a lack of patience on his part with members who did notreport for meetings or conference calls, Losito says, simply that“I want people that are going to commit.”
He brought in two young people under 21 “because Ibelieve in helping to develop youth and encourage the future.”He added Lynda Barnes to the board, its first player. “Wewanted her expertise as a player. I’m not a woman professionalbowler, so it was helpful to have her insight.”
High-profile industry vets on the committee including SonnyFrantz, John Sommer, and Jack Moran (who preceded Lositoas tournament committee chair) lent their advice.
So did Howard Baum, past member of the committee forten years and six-year chair in the ’80s and ’90s. He twicehelmed the Women’s Open. His daughter, Nancy Schenk, hasbeen a BPAA board member for several years along withLosito. She introduced the two men.
“I encouraged him, more than anything else,” Baum says.“I told him, ‘Put your foot down, make sure all the rules aregood, and promote the tournament.’”
Losito brought in only one person specifically for the Open:the assistant manager at Losito’s Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln,NE, Shawn Herout. He programmed the scoring.
For his part, Losito was the project “coordinator”—his
concept of what a committee chair does. A channel for thethoughts and experience of the other committee members, isanother way he puts it.
“I watched John do this,” reports BPAA president JohnSnyder. “He did a hell of a job not not-pressing. He pressed itall the way through and he got that committee to do exactlywhat they needed to do. He usually thinks it out soup to nutsbefore he even makes the first move and he’s not afraid tomodify and change. The people he picked ended up workingout in spades, because he knows what he needs.”
He also innovated. “We automated the event. Instead ofhaving score runners and people carrying clipboards, we let thescoring system handle the whole thing, which made that partof it much easier to do.” Losito laughs that he was drawing onexperience at his own center. “I try to automate every singlething in this building. The less I have to do, the better it is, andif there’s a computer that will do it for me, why not?” Helaughs again.
Not that occasional questions weren’t raised here or there.At first, there had been some skepticism about several of hispersonnel selections. And a few cocked an eyebrow about thelane condition because “it didn’t seem like a traditional pattern.”
Early on, the committee had agreed with Bob Reid ofEbonite, whose brands were the title sponsor, that the patternwould not be difficult, but the specific choice was the
20 IBI April 2012
PROFILE
committee’s decision. Developed by Gus Falgien of Kegel, it was 39 feet with23.38 units of oil and similar in shape to a Christmas tree. It was tested atKegel and at the centers of Losito and committee members Jack McCarthyand Scott McLaughlin.
“We made the format long because we knew we were going to err onthe side of easy,” Losito explains. “‘Easy’ is a relative term. We knew theywere going to be playable and scoreable but we thought for sure that overthe long period of time, it doesn’t matter if [the condition is] tough or easy,the better players are going to rise to the top.” (For 2012, the condition willbe somewhat tougher.)
For his part, Losito says the media side of the Open could have been bettermanaged. He speaks of not listing the competitor’s city and state or countryalong with the standing. “Nothing major, just nuances. We had focused on
making the event as smooth as possible for thecompetitors, not realizing about the media side.We’re going to try to improve on that this year.”
Snyder adds that some have queried thebottom-line outcome of the Open. When they do,he answers that if he were looking at the samenumbers on his own P&L, “it would be a positiveswing of [about] a million-three.” This comparesto a loss about the same in 2008 and again in2009, he says.
The Open may produce bigger dividends thandollars and cents, though. Had BPAA let theOpen drop, “I think we’d lose a piece of ourselvesas a sport,” Losito offers.
“We no longer have a women’s pro tour andI think the industry needs to, and in some casesalready has, pulled together to try to provideopportunities for women. There are not a lot outthere any more.”
That’s the way Losito thinks he will rememberthe 2011 event. He had the opportunity to“develop and coordinate the largest U.S. Women’sOpen in history at a time when the industry hadchanged, with less opportunities out there.”
That may make it even more memorable forhim than the field of players it drew—the largestso far. Baum remembers fields around 240. In2003, 267 players competed. Steve Johnsonwanted 300. Losito and company came close: 286.
“I thought if we got 200 we would have beenphenomenally successful. I didn’t expect to getto 286. That shocked me.”
A pleasant shock, as was getting word that forhis “above and beyond” work helming thetournament committee, with an emphatic nod fordirecting the organizing of Bowling’s U.S.Women’s Open, John Losito is being honoredwith the BPAA President’s Award for 2011. Thecitation will read “The President’s Award ispresented to an individual (proprietor/manager)judged to have given exceptional support and/ormade significant contributions to the associationin the eyes of the current BPAA president and theAwards Committee.”
The honor will be presented at Expo in June. ❖
The lanes for the finals of the 2011 Bowling’s U.S. Women’s Open at the 50-yard line of CowboysStadium in bowling’s home town, Arlington, TX. A crowd of 8,017 watched Leanne Hulsenberg ofRoseville, CA best Lynda Barnes, Kelly Kulick, Liz Johnson and Shannon O’Keefe. The date was June30. Photo by Hero Noda.
Fred Groh is a regular contributor to IBI andformer managing editor of the magazine.
22 IBI April 2012
COVER STORY
fter the 25th Annual QubicaAMFBowling World Cup closed in Dublin,Ireland in 1989 (also the end of my
tenure at the helm of this prestigious event),the late Barry James, a journalist who hadcovered every event in the series to date forReuter’s, asked me, “What single thing standsout that has made virtually every QubicaAMFBowling World Cup to date a huge success?”I admit I had never considered it, but theanswer came to me as clear as a bell. “Nationalpride,” I replied.
National pride at all levels: from the hostproprietor, the host bowlers’ association, thelocal organizing committees, the variousgovernment departments for sport and fortourism, the national airline of the host country,the official hotel, the local sponsors and the
By Paul Lane
A
Cover story photos courtesy of Hero Noda
Gerald Paluzzi catches abreather in his office.
Continued on page 26
COVER STORY
local media, and above all the local fans whoturn out in droves to see the assemblage ofthe world’s best bowlers.
I believe this to still be true today. Last year’s QubicaAMFBowling World Cup, the 47th annual in the series (November30 – December 7, 2011) revolved around Gerald Paluzzi, thehost proprietor and QubicaAMF’s distributor in South Africa,who previously hosted the 29th tournament in 1993 at his 24-lane “Let’s Go Bowling—Northcliff” center in Johannesburg.
Apart from building a new center to host the tournament,Paluzzi lined up the Minister for Sport and the Minister forTourism to officiate at the opening and closing ceremonies, arrangedextensive TV coverage, which was also packaged for internationaldistribution (including potentially to ESPN), built the support team necessaryto manage the tournament, ensured that every bowler, supporter,international journalist and bowling official was taken care of, and establisheda media center for local and visiting international news journalists.
Accommodations for the 47th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup werein the fabulous Montecasino Entertainment complex in the upscalesuburb of Fourways, to the north of Johannesburg. Paluzzi described theMontecasino complex as a dream location and said, “The three hotelswe chose –the Palazzo, Sunsquare and Southern Sun – are all part of thiscomplex and all close to one another. The complex includes not justrestaurants, coffee shops and swimming pools but multi-screen cinemas,shops, a casino and more. There is even an outdoor bird garden.”
“I was so impressed with the complex when I visited,” commented Anne-Marie Board, QubicaAMF’s Bowling World Cup Manager. “The SouthernSun hotel group pulled out all the stops for us, and I know that all who cameenjoyed their stay here.” Paluzzi also organized a day trip towards the endof the tournament for the competitors, international journalists and guestswith the option of visiting Soweto and/or a lion and rhino park.
The tournament was once again held at Northcliff, but it’s a brand newcenter. Paluzzi offered to build it when he heard that QubicaAMF waslooking for a venue for last year’s tournament. The old Northcliff, whichwas located in the basement level of a strip mall of retail shops, closedten-years ago. The new center is located in the old site, as theinfrastructure of the basement level was still intact. However, the new
26 IBI April 2012
The front desk at NorthcliffLanes is sleek and stylish.
The new bowling lanes and concourse are sleek, stylish and functional.
facility is a far cry from the old, featuring the latestequipment and state-of-the-art technology such asQubicaAMF’s 90XLi Pinspotters and Bowland, asuperior management and Conqueror Pro Bowlerfriendly computerized system, SPL Lanes, glow-bowlinglight and sound systems, and bumper bowling. Allnew, modern designs throughout the various venueswithin the center include the entrance, receptioncounter, the lounge and snack bar, full service pro-shop,and a modern, smartly furnished concourse.
The new Northcliff center brings the number ofcenters owned and operated by Paluzzi’s companybrand, Let’s Go Bowling South Africa, to eleven, withone of them operating as a franchise under the Let’sGo Bowling brand name.
Presently there are 29 centers in South Africahousing 298 lanes. The first center opened in 1953, aBrunswick manually operated center with pinboys atthe Casa Blanca Road House in Johannesburg. Thecenter has since closed, but today they still celebratethe center with the annual Casa Blanca ClassicTournament which is held at Let’s Go BowlingBrightwater Commons center in Johannesburg.
A young Gerald Paluzzi, who was working inpurchasing for RTT Telecommunications at the time,got his first taste of tenpin bowling from legendary
Annale's Café is a tribute to Gerald's late wife.
COVER STORY
28 IBI April 2012
COVER STORY
South African proprietor Walter Schock. He was hookedand his ambition was to become a part of the industrysomehow, someday. He once applied for a job with AMFbut was turned away after being informed that his hairwas too long and he didn’t meet the image criteria forthe position they were looking to fill. Little did they knowat the time that he would later become a customer, theproprietor of a chain of centers, and a successfulQubicaAMF distributor, who today has equipped 85%of the centers in the South African marketplace.
Let’s Go Bowling South Africa is a family run business,with Paluzzi’s son Justin serving as the Food & Beveragemanager for all of the centers and the general managerfor the new Northcliff center. His daughter Jessica is thepromotions and marketing manager for the group. Paluzzi’s otherdaughter Lisa is a hot shot bowler who has represented SouthAfrica several times in the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cupand who has at least one sanctioned 300 game to her credit.
While the price of bowling may vary slightly from center tocenter, the maximum price is South African Rand (SAR) 50.00(approx $6.25 USD) with an average of SAR 27.50 (approx$3.50 USD). Paluzzi says his pricing is slightly higher thanmost other centers in the marketplace, on par with movies, lessexpensive than golf, and more expensive than tennis. Openplay accounts for 80% of the business, 15% league play, and
5% party bowling.He tells us that, while old style leagues with 36-week long
seasons still exist, corporate team building is a substantialsegment of his business and focus. This corporate team buildingis called “action bowling.” Here’s an edited version of how actionbowling is described on their website (letsgobowling.co.za):
“Action Bowling” — Smash the pins, yell, scream, “toy,toy” and do whatever it takes to knock pins down, sodon’t delay enter your team into an ACTION BOWLINGsession today. We have changed the face of a “dreary” startof the week to an action packed activity for all employees,colleagues and associates. All it takes is for you to get four“players” to take up the challenge to represent yourcompany in your action bowling team.
“This is a far more popular and easier program to sell thanconventional league play, and we are typically able to fill the laneswith repeat or new teams at the end of each session,” saysPaluzzi. It’s far less intimidating than trying to sell a 36-weekcommitment. It’s a better fit for today’s lifestyle.
Northcliff, which opened its doors for the first time for theQubicaAMF Bowling World Cup, offers an annual joiningfee/membership equal to about $120.00 USD, which includesa ball, bag and shoes, a membership card, and preferentialpricing with discounts throughout the year. The annual renewalwill be circa $70 USD. This program is also offered at Let’s GoBowling centers that have pro-shops.
With regard to instruction, Paluzzi said, “With the excitementof a new center and the media attention it enjoyed locallythrough the tournament, we anticipate being overwhelmed withnew bowlers. Initially, therefore, all of the staff is geared up togive instruction to beginners. Outside of that, instruction isoffered at 150 Rand ($19.00 USD) per hour. The pro-shop staffmanages all paid instruction.”
The primary thrust of the marketing effort is by email (70%)followed by telemarketing (20%) and 10% by fax. The mostsuccessful league building promotion has proven to be
The billiards room at Northcliff Lanes provides another open and inviting space.
COVER STORY
30 IBI April 2012
COVER STORY
recruiting by employees who have direct contact with customers. Let’s Go BowlingSouth Africa has more than 68,000 contacts in their database, broken down bycenter as sport, recreation and corporate customers. This number is increasing dailyas they never miss an opportunity to add new contacts to the list.
Employee recruitment, selection and training is critical to the success of Let’s GoBowling South Africa whose goal is to provide an environment that’s conducive to familyfun and entertainment as well as to the development of the sport. And it’s all drivenby customer service. This aspect of the business is managed by the company’s humanresource department, which manages new-hire training, department-specific trainingand presentations by outside consultants.
One management philosophy that this writer has found to be typical of most
successful proprietors is that everydepartment at Let’s Go Bowling has itsown Profit and Loss (P & L) statement sothat the department managers knowtheir costs, have their own budgets, andcan therefore have the information theyneed to be responsible for making theirindividual departments profitable. AtNorthcliff, for example, bowling, pro-shop, lounge and snack bar are alloperated as separate cost centers.“There’s no other way the departmentscan have accountability,” says Paluzzi.
On a personal note, Paluzzi dedicatedthe 2011 Qubica AMF World Cup to thelife and memory of his dear wife, Annale,who tragically passed away in a caraccident on June 9th, 2011.
The bowlers from 90+ countries (onemale and female bowler from each) willhave arrived in South Africa, bowled,and gone home by the time this storygoes to print. Everyone who attended willhave taken home memories of thiswonderful location and the national prideof its people which they will reminisceabout for many years to come. ❖
Paul Lane is former Director ofMarketing and Marketing Servicesfor AMF Bowling, Inc. He has beenthe director of 18 AMF World Cups, anofficer in national and internationaltrade associations, and a pro bowlerduring a career that spans more than60 countries and 50 years.
Gerald welcomes the world to the QubicaAMF World Cup during theopening ceremonies.
The QubicaAMF World Cup Champions 2011: Jason Belmonte (Australia) &Aumi Guerra (Dominican Republic).
32 IBI April 2012
WHAT BOWLING MEANS TO ME
ne day Mike Leong asked himself, “What is it I do?” Thatwas 25 years ago when Mike stepped into the positionof General Manager of Serra Bowl, a bowling center
outside of San Francisco. As GM, it wasn’t long before he foundhimself coming into contact with over 500 people a day. Mikeexplains that he “realized that once you start working with thepublic, you are actually doing community service.” His job as
General Manager positioned him in an environment that facilitatedfun. It gave him great fulfillment “that people had a good timewhen they walked through the doors to the bowling center.”
That revelation sparked a passion that expanded Mike’svision to serving his community on a much higher level. Twentyyears ago, Mike looked around and noticed that more and morekids were growing up in tough circumstances. When these kids
Serving His Community
By Anna Littles
O
Mike Leong long ago realized that working at a bowling center doublesas community service. Armed with this knowledge, he set out tocreate a lasting program where police officers and kids meet in afriendly environment that fosters mutual respect and understanding.
Mike Leong, farright, is celebratedand recognized for
his communityservice during
Kops and Kids Day.
34 IBI April 2012
WHAT BOWLING MEANS TO ME
participate for a great cause. For eachstrike rolled, a turkey is donated to thelocal food banks as well as to SaintAnthony’s for those in need. This pastThanksgiving, they donated 1202turkeys!
As a culture we tend to focus onpeople’s awards and accomplishments.And Mike Leong has a plethora of both.A passion for the sport of bowling hasgarnered him many awards and this pastsummer, on July 16, 2011, Mike wasinducted into the San Francisco UnitedStates Bowling Congress Hall of Fame.Oh yes, he is a great bowler and lover ofthe sport.
But what stirs his heart and bringsthe greatest fulfillment to his life, isserving his community and impactingthe lives of children for the better. Andwhat greater job could there possibly be,than a job where you get to serve up funevery day of your life! ❖
Anna Littles, a screenplay andfreelance writer and produceroriginally from the Bronx, NewYork, now resides in Santa Monica,California. You can see her work onYouTube, IMDB, or on her websiteat www.alittleLA.com.
RECENT TURN OF EVENTSgot into trouble, it usuallywas the first time theyencountered a police officerand it often ended up beinga negative and sometimesdangerous experience.
Mike was moved to turnthat negative experiencearound to a positive one andlaunched the program“Kops and Kids.’ It startedwith only four police officerswho gave of their time tobowl with Serra Bowl’s Junior
League. What Mike learned from that first event would change lives forever. Mikediscovered that it wasn’t only the kids who needed to have a fun, safe and positiveexperience of police, the police themselves needed to have a similar experience ofthese children. Today, the “Kops and Kids” program hosts over a 1000 children withhundreds of police officers from San Mateo to South San Francisco and everywherein between. Joining the “Kops and Kids” are local chiefs of police, mayors, firefighters,even paramedics. This huge event takes place on a Sunday afternoon early in the monthof June and runs from 10am till 4pm, and a good time is always had by all.
Mike’s center also participates in the national campaign “Kids Bowl Free.” Thisprogram is part of the “Say no to drugs and yes to bowling” campaign and it runsfrom May 1st to Labor Day.
No one is left out of Mike’s vision to help children in need. “Fun Day” is a programthat hundreds of children who have physical and cognitive disabilities can participatein for a whole week. And this program usually runs in August.
Finally, there’s the “Turkey Bowl,” an annual event for the whole community. It takesplace the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Families, celebrities, the San FranciscoGiants' Cheerleaders along with their mascot join the fun. They all come out and
Serra Bowl, known for 24-hour bowling, galactic laserlights, Karaoke nights and freegames for kids all summer, haslost its lease on its space. Thebowling alley recently wrote onFacebook: “Unfortunately SerraBowl has lost our lease and willbe closing on April 15, 2012. Wewould like to thank all of ourwonderful customers who haveshared their lives with us overthe past 51 years.” It’s sadwhen centers close their doors,but it’s even sadder when doorsclose due to a reason beyondthe proprietor’s control. We willmiss you, Serra Bowl!
Mike Leong, second from left, pulls off another successful Kopsand Kids Day at Serra Bowl.
35IBI April 2012
OPERATIONS
he summer of 2011 marked the eleventh edition of athree-day annual Bowling Boot Camp at RockawayLanes, Rockaway, NJ. The center gave up three full days
of business while retaining staff to run the control counter, oilthe lanes in different patterns, provide refreshments (continentalbreakfast and full lunch were provided with registration), andbe on hand in the pro shop for the campers who may havegotten swollen fingers from intense hours of bowling. Thedesk personnel were instructed to hand out free game couponsto outsiders who came in during camp hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)to bowl, a “rain check” if you will. This not only eased thedisappointment of having to come back later or on another day,but also gave the lanes a feel for how many people returnedwith the coupons.
Richard Mark, Vice President of Rockaway Lanes, says, “I seethis as exposure for us and for bowling. [Through the camp] weprovide a venue for bowlers to get the level of expertise that’snot available in the sport. People see that Rockaway Lanes isoffering teaching and coaching for those three days. We alsooffer additional exposure for bowlers and fans by hosting a PBAregional tournament. By giving out the free game coupons topeople who can’t open bowl during camp days, we are tellingthem we haven’t forgotten them. We actually hope for goodweather, too,” Mark jokes, “so that we don’t have to turnaway a high number of people.”
Mark gets back a lot of information about the bowlingboot camp and the center in general. He hears positive remarksabout the top-level coaching, and he is thrilled by that. “Ihave no problem continuing the camp (and the PBA regionaltournament) to gain exposure for the sport. We put these
events in people’s hands to give them working knowledge. It’simportant for the local bowling community to see theprofessional side of the sport, too, as they might in golf or othersports,” says Mark.
Ken Yokobosky originated the concept of hosting BowlingBoot Camp in Rockaway 11 years ago. He is not only a goldlevel certified coach and PBA member and regional title holder,but he is also co-owner of two pro shops, including Pro ImagePro Shop at Rockaway Lanes. “I always had to drive to Ohioto visit with my coach, Fred Borden. Over the course of severalyears before I became a gold level coach, I drove to see himor drove others to have time with him. I realized it would begood to have something locally (in NJ), so we took the showon the road instead of taking people out there.”
“Locals” came to the camp from New Jersey, New York,Pennsylvania, Delaware, and even Puerto Rico and SouthAmerica. Some boot campers become regular customers,visiting the pro shop for equipment and for follow-up coaching.Yokobosky feels the pro shop actually benefits from the three-day session because, “During the camp people purchase itemsfrom our pro shop. One of the things we do in the camp is gripanalysis, and then we make suggestions. People try new gripsor modify their existing grips. We also do an ‘arsenal’ analysis.So if anything, we get instant new business.”
This year the camp featured 10 certified coaches includingfour golds: Fred Borden, Jeri Edwards, Gordon Vadakin andYokobosky, all former Team USA coaches. “You can’t find thatnumber of coaches in one center anywhere for an average of45 campers, or a one in five ratio, coach to student,” Yokoboskysaid. Additionally, over all three days, all of the coaches rotatedon the lanes throughout the entire center, so each student hadtime with each coach, covering many aspects of his or her game.“This is what I call a physical game camp. So we added our pro
T
HUT! TWO!THREE! FOUR!ROLL THE BALLAND GET A SCORE!Learn how Rockaway Lanes in NewJersey successfully executes anintensive youth bowling experience.
By Joan B. Taylor
Ryan Shafer discusses the game with sports psychologist Dr. Dean Hinitz
36 IBI April 2012
OPERATIONS
shop employee, coach Chip Vincent, going from lane to lane to resurfacepeople’s bowling balls with a ‘surface management station.’ He sandedthe balls, from rough all the way to smooth grit so they could see howmuch their ball reaction would change. I tell people you can have aLamborghini, but if it has bald tires and you are driving on a slipperysurface, it won’t be worth anything. Without that traction, no engine willhelp you out. Altering the surface of your ball can impact so much morethan say moving your pin placement,” recounted Yokobosky.
Planning for the three day event starts almost a year in advance,because it’s a tremendous undertaking. First, all the coaches need tobe available on the same weekend. That alone is a big challenge, as oneof the four gold level coaches is coaching for a national team, so shedoesn’t have much flexibility. Once the date is set, Yokobosky negotiateswith local hotels to get special rates for the coaches and out-of-towncampers. The manuals need to be written and printed: the camp isdifferent every year, therefore, they can not be recycled from year to
year. Food preparation for the weekend is necessaryas the camp provides breakfast and lunch for allcoaches and campers. Arrangements have to bemade with the bowling center for lane conditioning,with alternate lanes getting a house shot or sportshot. Yokobosky contacts each of the bowling ballcompanies to see if they want to be part of the campin some form. Advertising the weekend with brochuresis also a large task, while all past attendees arecontacted to give them the first opportunity to signup. Finally, staff uniform shirts are designed andordered.
During Bowling Boot camp, a sports psychologistand/or a PBA professional comes in and works withthe campers. In earlier camps, Dr. Eric Lasser and Dr.Dean Hinitz have had interactive presentations. Prossuch as Jason Couch, Ryan Shafer, Pete Weber, ParkerBohn III, Rhino Page, and Walter Ray Williams, Jr. areon hand to answer questions, do some coaching,and participate in a challenge match at the end of thethird day with one lucky camper.
If a center or pro shop would like to produce its ownBowling Boot Camp, Yokobosky suggests “Start outsmall. Have one feature coach, one lead instructor andone gold level coach. Put a minimum of one coach oneach pair of lanes and no more than six bowlers perpair. This is the most effective.”
For Yokobosky, it’s not about selling moreequipment; it’s about giving back to the sport heloves. “While I am in the pro shop business and wouldlove to sell equipment, I try to encourage the campersto look into resurfacing their existing bowling balls. Fora little under $10 we can help them. All of that leadsto loyal, trusting customers. And for $25 we can usespecially-made ovens to extract oil from the ball. Ofcourse,” Yokobosky laughs, “if they still want to buynew equipment, who am I to stop them?”
Already the planning has begun for the twelfthannual Bowling Boot Camp (June 29-30, July 1, 2012).Thus, Yokobosky and nine coaches, and Rich Mark andhis staff at Rockaway Lanes are sacrificing three daysonce again to give something back to bowling and totheir bowlers. And if the existing campers keepreturning and new customers are generated, wellthat’s just icing on the cake! ❖
Joan Taylor is a multi-award winning bowlingwriter based in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
Ken and Laurie Yokobosky with their sons and pro Walter Ray Williams, Jr.
The pro coaching staff for Bowling Boot Camp.
37IBI April 2012
SHOWCASE
ENERGYMANAGEMENTSummit Energy is proudto announce its new partnership with the BPAA. SummitEnergy is the recommended and approved provider of energymanagement and procurement services for the association.Summit recommends all BPAA members, whether in a newenergy contract or one set to expire, contact Summit now toevaluate their needs. To get started with a free assessment orfor more information, contact Paul Gear at (512) 670-6399 [email protected]. Visit Summit online atwww.summitenergy.com.
LANE MACHINEThe Envoy lane machine is a state-of-the-art system that is simple tooperate. It has the ability to createany shot your bowlers expect anddelivers industry-leading perfor-mance with Brunswick’s Direct+ conditioning system forpattern consistency. It features an easy-to-read, color displayto customize patterns that work. Envoy’s FlexPower systemgives the choice of two types of battery power or AC opera-tion. For more information, contact Brunswick’s AftermarketProduct Specialist or visit brunswickbowling.com.
FUNDRAISERHELPERAsk most bowling personnelwhat the Profit Platform® is usedfor and they'd likely answer "tostage profitable Bands on the Lanes parties." Well, that'sright but did you know that many times they are also placedin the middle of large Bowling Centers like Woodland Bowl inIndianapolis during Super Bowl Week to showcase fundraiserslike the NFL Charities Event? For more information contactGKM Int'l at 310-791-7092 or visit www.profitplatform.biz.
QUALITY FURNITUREVenue Furniture’s Bowling Furniture Line isdesigned around its high quality bowler’ssettee seating. In addition to bolt downchairs and stools, Venue also offers chairheads to fit your existing bolt down furni-ture. All of the bowler’s settee seating is also available inmatching barstools, swivel barstools and standard chairs sothat you can coordinate your concourse and other areas ofthe center to match the bowler’s settee. Visit www.bowlingfurniture.com.
BALL ASSISTEREqualizer Bowling is a disabilityaid, training and rehabilitationdevice for bowling. It reduces anyshoulder stress and weight whileimproving a straight line approach.This device was invented by aperson with a disability to bring thejoy of bowling back into many people's lives. USBC approved.Prices starting at $139.95. Contact Jerry Hagemann [email protected] or call (863) 216-8908.
HELPFUL LADDERLooking for a great option to provide saferpinspotter accessibility for your maintenancestaff? The Ladder Assembly (part number 612088 201) by QubicaAMF contains a LadderAssembly, a Ladder Handrail, and all thehardware necessary to install the kit on your 82-70 or 82-90series pinspotter. This kit replaces the existing handrails withones which extend behind the pinspotter and attach to aladder which bolts firmly to the floor. Visitwww.qubicaamf.com for more information.
EVENT SOFTWAREBrunswick’s Event Host Manager isthe first special event softwaredesigned specifically for the bowlingindustry. It will streamline the eventmanagement process and create amore consistent customer experienceto drive customer satisfaction andcenter profitability. For more informa-tion, go to brunswickbowling.com/products or contact yourBrunswick Rep at 1-800-YES-BOWL or 1-231-725-4966.
SALES TRAININGTrainerTainment brings you salestraining that enhances promo-tions, events, birthday partyprograms, team building, and all other company and groupoutings within the Bowling and Family Entertainment Centerindustries. The philosophy is simple: deliver fun training thatyields serious results for the clients. These proven systemshave consistently helped the clients improve their bottomline. Call (817) 886-4840 or log onto www.trainertainment.nettoday to find out what TrainerTainment® can do for you.
38 IBI April 2012
CLASSIFIEDS
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REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details(248) 375-2751.
NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment.Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
39IBI April 2012
CLASSIFIEDS
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40 IBI April 2012
CLASSIFIEDS
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE
FOR SALE: 24 HPL synthetic lanes,foul line forward; 16 lanes BOSSscoring w/ BOSS desk only. (712)253-8730.
FOR SALE: 18-lane bowling equipment:Brunswick A-2 pinsetters, lockers, ballpolisher, auto scorers. Make offer.Barber Realty Co. (334) 872-0478.
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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.
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.
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.
41IBI April 2012
CLASSIFIEDS
42 IBI April 2012
CLASSIFIEDS
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SOUTHERN INDIANA (close toIndianapolis): 18-lane Brunswick centerwith lounge, liquor license & movietheater on 4+ acres. Turnkey business.Owner retiring. Great investment! (765) 349-1312.
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.
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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.
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].
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.
43IBI April 2012
CLASSIFIEDS
SERVICES AVAILABLE
Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring BallRepair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-255-6436 or Jayhawkbowling.com.
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See a list that will help centers fill lanes w/1200+ New Bowlers, Birthday Parties &Corporate Outings that generate $15,800—a600% ROI from 4 payments starting at $378.Visit mcprs.bmamkt.com or call (888) 243-0685.
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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].
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.
IDAHO, Rigby: 8 lanes, Brunswick A-2s;refinished wooden lanes, snack bar, manyupgrades throughout. Dropped to $65,000.Long term lease. VERY MOTIVATED!! (208)535-9905; www.arthurberry.com.
SOUTH CENTRAL NEBRASKA: CleanRETRO 8-lane bowling center, lounge, food,liquor store & established leagues. Call (402)224-4725.
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44 IBI April 2012
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MECHANIC WANTED
For 82-70 pinsetters with FrameworXscoring. Frankfurt, KY. Daniel (502) 875-3610.
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!
APRIL5Steltronic One-Day ScoringShowcaseSalt Lake City, UTFor location and info:[email protected]
21-2470th Annual BBIA ConventionHilton LaJolla Torrey PinesLaJolla, [email protected]
25Steltronic One-Day ScoringShowcaseDenver, COFor location and info:[email protected]
MAY2, 9 &16Steltronic One-Day ScoringShowcaseIn order of dates: Detroit, MI;Milwaukee, WI; & Charlotte, NCFor info: [email protected]
7-11Brunswick European PinsetterTraining SessionsGS Series & Vector ScoringHungary. For info email:[email protected]
21Illinois State BPA Board ofDirectors MeetingMarriott Hotel & ConferenceCenter, Normal, ILBill Duff – [email protected]
21-23BCA of Ohio Convention & TradeShowCrowne Plaza, DublinPat Marazzi, 937-433-8363
31 – 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, Branson, MO Mary Thurber, 913-638-1817
23Pairings Party – Bowl ExpoEldorado Hotel Casino, Reno, NVPre golf tournament mixer forteam selectionsInfo: 888-649-5585www.bowlexpo.com
24Bowl Expo Golf Tournament8 a.m. Wolf Run Golf Club7 a.m. transportation fromEldorado HotelInfo: 888-649-5585www.bowlexpo.com
45IBI April 2012
CLASSIFIEDS
ForFLORIDA CENTERS
CallDAVID DRISCOLL& ASSOCIATES
1-800-444-BOWL3800 Lake Center Loop,Suite B1, Mount Dora,
FL 32757-2208AN AFFILIATE OF
SANDY HANSELL & ASSOCIATES
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.
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
DATEBOOK
ublications seek material, photos, and illustrators to create covers that pull inreaders. Sometimes it’s to highlight a topic found inside, but often it is just apicture that charms and is identifiable to all.
Here, in January 1941—before war will darken the mood—we see the ever constant,through the ages, scenario:man versus woman; boyversus girl. She is energetic,focused and pixy cute. Evenher hair flies up in a heart asshe “strikes” the first blow.He is ready, amazed and onthe way to being smittenor humiliated. (I prefer thesmitten.) We, the reader,chuckle, pick up themagazine and begin toturn the pages.
What better activity tospotlight the competitionof the sexes thanbowling. In 1941, with5004 certified centersand climbing, ABCmembership hit 746,000with 127,705 womenboasting membership inthe WIBC. ❖
1941
46 IBI April 2012
REMEMBER WHEN
P
The artist, Vernon Grant, illustrated the covers of over 17 magazines between the 1930s and 1950s.His whimsical characters and gnomish figures caught readers’ attention second only to Norman Rockwell.You might not think you know him, but his legacy lives on in his creations of the Kellogg’s SNAP!CRACKLE! AND POP! Of course, you know him!
