CONTENTS
VOL 20.8
THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
PUBLISHER & EDITOR Scott Frager frager@bowlingindustry.com Skype: scottfrager
6 ISSUE AT HAND
22 COVER STORY
Olympic Madness
Reigniting the Dream
By Scott Frager
Can the bowling industry finally win a spot as an Olympic sport? By Mark Miller
8 SHORTS • Murrey International's Jim Galloway remembered • Lucky's Entertainment opens in Daytona Beach • Poker Ride benefits American Wheelchair Bowling Association • Brunswick promotes Gary Smith to VP of international sales
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31-41 BEYOND BOWLING SPECIAL SECTION • BEC Champ Main Event • Interview with Charlie Keegan • FEC/BEC Welcome to our world
Picasso of Pins
14 PHOTO ESSAY
Mechanic Polo Arellano doesn’t just love pins, he turns them into works of art 34
By Robert Sax
Photos by Hero Noda and Chris Holmes
54 REMEMBER WHEN 1954
18 PROFILE
A New Beginning for Bowling
A Dream Deferred
By Patty Heath
After a successful career with Brunswick, Don Klackner takes on the challenge of proprietorship By Anna M. Littles
44 Showcase 45 Datebook 46 Classifieds 42
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EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Gregory Keer keer@bowlingindustry.com
OFFICE MANAGER Patty Heath heath@bowlingindustry.com
Patty Heath Chris Holmes Anna M. Littles George McAuliffe Mark Miller Hero Noda Robert Sax
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jackie Fisher fisher@bowlingindustry.com
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION Designworks www.dzynwrx.com (818) 735-9424
FOUNDER Allen Crown (1933-2002)
42 OFF THE CLOCK
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holmes@bowlingindustry.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Compiled by Patty Heath
Bowl Expo: The people, the place, the products
DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Chris Holmes
12655 Ventura Boulevard Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 789-2695(BOWL) Fax (818) 789-2812 info@bowlingindustry.com
www.BowlingIndustry.com
HOTLINE: 888-424-2695 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy of International Bowling Industry is sent free to every bowling center, independently owned pro shop and collegiate bowling center in the U.S., and every military bowling center and pro shop worldwide. Publisher reserves the right to provide free subscriptions to those individuals who meet publication qualifications. Additional subscriptions may be purchased for delivery in the U.S. for $50 per year. Subscriptions for Canada and Mexico are $65 per year, all other foreign subscriptions are $80 per year. All foreign subscriptions should be paid in U.S. funds using International Money Orders. POSTMASTER: Please send new as well as old address to International Bowling Industry, 12655 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA 91604 USA. If possible, please furnish address mailing label. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2012, B2B Media, Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the publisher’s permission.
MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:
THE ISSUE AT HAND
Olympic Madness Back in 1994, when I first began in bowling, there was significant effort by the industry to push bowling into the Olympics. There were countless human and financial resources thrown behind the lofty goal. It was billed as an industryuniting undertaking. And, many of the industry’s major power brokers joined the effort. Who wouldn’t want bowling to be a part of the Olympic sport movement? Gaining entry as a worthy sport would bring considerable prestige and proof positive that ours is a legitimate sport. Once and for all, the world would welcome us and we could hang our hats alongside track and field, soccer, basketball, sailing, swimming and Judo. At the time, I saw something wrong. Actually, I saw many things wrong. Not with our sport and not with the concept of the Olympic dream. My major issue was all the bickering back and forth within the industry. It became clear to me early on that some of the personalities involved became drunk with the power and the idea of the Olympic lifestyle. There were large expenditures: extensive world travel and extravagant dining and entertainment expenses as our leaders attempted to woo the Olympic Selection
Committee. That, to me, seemed out of line for our industry. Then, there was political infighting between the U.S. and overseas Olympic bowling search committees. There was even infighting amongst overseas groups. Who “owns” bowling? Who would lead the charge and deliver us into the “Promised Land?” In my humble opinion, the whole process was corrupt. And the bribing scandal in the 2002 Salt Lake City site selection committee proved as much. This month, Mark Miller explores in-depth the history of bowling’s involvement in the Olympics. I was both fascinated and stunned by the story. One thing that hit me like a ton of bricks was a small photo provided as part of our research of the 1936 Berlin games’ U.S. Bowling Team in full uniform standing tall showing Nazi salutes. As soon as I saw this photo, my mind immediately went to the dark side of Olympic history. For example, first and foremost, there was the 1972 Munich massacre of nine Israeli athletes. Then, the countless doping incidents and the entire loss of amateur-only players, completely turned me off. Would I like to see bowling in the Olympics? Of course. Would I trade that for a new era of power brokers being sucked into the Olympic black hole? Not a chance.
– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR frager@bowlingindustry.com
THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com Each day new members arrive online. As our numbers climb, we want to direct your attention to some of the sections which might be of interest to you. The bowling business is fraternal in nature and varied in scope. While keeping in tune in general is important, focusing on YOUR area of interest is vital. Bowling Industry online is aware of all the specialties. That is why we encourage you to take a look at GROUPS. State EDs and Presidents gather together. Members who are involved and/or curious about the emerging bowling hybrid, the Bowling Entertainment Center (BEC), sign on to Beyond Bowling. Candlepin bowling proprietors? Pro shop owners? NAIR members? Bowling manufacturers? Find your niche and get on board. Not a member? Start today. Sign up and then go to GROUPS on the home page. We’ll be looking for you.
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SHORTS
PEOPLE WATCHING Brunswick Bowling Products announced the promotion of Gary Smith to vice president of international sales. Smith has been with Brunswick since 1988 in various technical and sales positions. Most recently, Smith held the position of director of marketing of Gary Smith capital equipment playing a key role in developing sales relationships, sales tools and the training and development of the worldwide sales force. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Smith was formally educated in Intelligence Operations and Analysis, followed by extensive education in sales and marketing at the University of Wisconsin, Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management and Thunderbird School of Global Management.
There is No Limit to Bowling Art John Patten loves bowling. In his workshop in Lincoln, Nebraska, he transforms his passion into beautiful pieces of bowling artwork. “The art I create is made out of real bowling lanes and pins,” states John on his website. John’s company, Bowling Art Works, welcomes special orders as well as his own works which include plaques, shelves, clocks, tables, and bar stools to name only a few. Celebratory Birthday chair.
John Patten showing his bowling table at a state fair. 8
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Media
WATCH
PRADA GOES BOWLING Runway aficionados take a peek at Prada’s women’s Cruise/Resort 2013 collection. Miuccia Prada gave a salute to bowling with a two-tone, button-up, short-sleeved shirt and leather bags similar to those used to carry bowling balls.
”STRIKER,” THE MOVIE Possibly not another Lebowski film, but one never knows how cult films begin. Wisconsin filmmakers Daniel Scherer and Brian Kline invite you to watch their 12 minute short, “Striker,” plus a one–hour documentary on how it was made on Wisconsin Public Television. As the program Director’s Cut states, Scherer and Kline “take you where few dare to go in the world of rock music, the bowling alley!” The scenario? Warrior Squadron, an 80s heavy metal hair band, and its frontman Danny “Striker” Scherer vie with Wisconson bowling legend Bruce Martin as Mr. X in a bowling showdown, which is “extremely satisfying and has never been experienced in the bowling universe.” Maybe. However, once you watch it, you will, for sure, have the song “Striker” floating around your brain. Awesome! You can view the clip at www.bowlingindustry.com under “Videos.”
REMEMBRANCES Murrey International announced the passing of Jim Galloway, 56, May 13 from a stroke. Galloway started at Murrey International in 1987 and worked the phone order parts and supplies sales desk. Bill Snoberger, sales manager, shared that “Jim had quite the phone routine. Bowling centers would call to place an order and end up with a side ache from laughing at his jokes and his impressions. Jim was also a master of voices. In recent years he worked with Ken Del Conte of the Southern California based Del Conte bowling family doing voice-overs and acting in Ken’s plays and movies. With Jim, you called to place an order and got the comedy show for free. He would take your order as Richard Nixon, John Wayne or some 90-year-old man and keep a straight face during the entire phone conversation.” “He was quite the character and will be sorely missed by all,” Snoberger said. Galloway is survived by his daughter Natasha and son David.
SHORTS
Turnabout’s Fair Play Usually it’s a bowling center or bowling group or association helping out those in its community. However, on July 15 it was a Hiram, OH, company, Pirate Printing, who sponsored the fourth annual Poker Ride to benefit the American Wheelchair Bowling Association. This Poker Ride has four stops with riders pulling a card at each stop. When the bikers reach the end, they pull one more card. The best hand receives a prize and the worst hand receives a funny prize. If a rider wants to swap out a card, they can buy an additional card for $10. The ride began at Pirate Printing in Hiram and ended at The Cove Bar and Grill in Dallas, GA. Money raised from the ride will go toward sponsoring regional American Wheelchair Bowling Association events and tournaments. Last year Larry Jernigan, owner of Pirate Printing, said that 100 people participated in the ride raising $4,500.
OPENS IN KANSAS CITY Pincurean Entertainment Group owners Michael Ducat and Paul Barkley announced the formal opening of Z Strike Kansas City. The center was purchased in February and went through a complete rebranding to Z Strike, including a completely new menu, signage, marketing and new programs for kids, families and corporate parties. “We are excited to enter into the upscale, boutique bowling segment. We believe this will be the first of several Z Strike centers around the country,” Ducat noted. The center is located in the Power and Light Entertainment District in downtown KC and, according to Barkley, it will appeal to a broader demographic with corporate parties, families and nightlife and concert crowds. Pincurean Entertainment Group also owns centers in Florida and is currently reviewing opportunities for additional acquisitions. 10
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EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS Pinstripes, a bowling/bocce and bistro entertainment and dining site, is expanding. Sears Holdings Corporation is leasing part of its parking lot at Oakbrook Center mall in Chicago to the venue which should open in the fall. Pinstripes not only offers bowling lanes and indoor-outdoor bocce courts but also offers banquet space for wedding receptions and parties. Currently it has locations in Northbrook and South Barrington. The deal marks the latest in Sears’ efforts to sublease portions of its properties to other retailers.
Ontario, Canada’s Bingemans, a dining, entertainment and convention facility, has announced a major expansion of its FunworX indoor playground building in Kitchener. According to TheRecord.com, Bingeman’s president Mark Bingeman said a Boston Pizza restaurant plus a Kingpin Bowlounge with 28 lanes will be included. The construction will start late this fall and will be completed next summer to coincide with the 75th anniversary year for Bingemans.
A Revolutions bowling complex will be added to the shops of CityPlace in Palm Beach, FL. Bruce Frank, the owner of Frank Entertainment Companies of Jupiter who has Revolutions Entertainment complexes from New York to Florida, has stated that the new CityPlace complex will provide the “missing component” in family entertainment for the area.
As of May, Spariens has opened its second location in Charleston, SC, which is called Sparians at River Bowl Charleston. The location was previously Twin River Lanes and Matty’s Sports Bar which experienced major renovations in early 2012 and renamed River Bowl & Bistro before coming under the Sparians umbrella. Chris Angel, Managing Partner, expressed the company’s excitement with this new venue. “The bowling boutique concept is geared towards fun loving adults, families and groups to provide a fun, interactive experience in a comfortable atmosphere that is different from the traditional alleys of the past.”
Lucky’s Entertainment, a 50,000-square-foot indoor family entertainment center, had its grand opening June 15th in Daytona Beach, FL. Included in the space are a full-service restaurant, three bars, a lounge and large outdoor deck along with 14 QubicaAMF bowling lanes Looking down the lanes at Lucky’s. with SPL Glow Track Lanes, DuraBowl Bumpers and BES (Bowler Entertainment System) and Conqueror Pro Management System. Six lanes will be available for private and group events. Co-owner Carmen Malhotra, a former attorney and restaurant owner from New York City, commented, “Whether you’re 50, 25 or 10, this will be a place you can go and have fun with the whole family. …This will be something nice and positive for the community.” Lucky’s Game Room features 50+ of the latest redemption, video and novelty games including Lazer Frenzy and Qubica-AMF’s Highway 66 mini bowling. There is something for all ages!
SHORTS
GOODWILL CENTRAL Even with summer family vacations and lots of outdoor activities, centers and their customers still find the time to assist their communities and people in need. Here are some charity events that step beyond the usual. The American Association of Zookeepers Detroit chapter held a Bowling for Rhinos at Thunderbird Lanes in Troy, MI. The bowl-a-thon was directed to benefit the conservation of endangered rhinos. King Pin Lanes in Cambridge, OH, welcomed the Guernsey County Humane Society and its Paws-Claws & Hooves Bowling fundraiser. Included were a Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle. Ben, a 12-year-old jack mule accepted rides for the Guernsey County Dog Shelter. Lew Smith, owner of King Pin Lanes, helps Ben, the mule, as Birgit Jackson of Paws-Claws & Hooves takes a ride.
A Rock Star-themed bowl-a-rama with wigs, spandex and high heels helped BRIDGE, an organization helping youth with disabilities, in Hudson, WI. Held at the Hudson Bowling Center, the event raised around $18,000 to support ongoing programs for year-round day-service in the St. Croix River Valley. Best Buddies, a nonprofit volunteer organization founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, creates opportunities and integrates employment and leadership
development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lucky Strike Lanes South Beach welcomed the Miami Business Buddies for an evening of bowling, cocktails and networking. Two Wilsons use bowling as an avenue for charity. George Wilson of Buffalo Bills football fame goes back to his hometown, Paducah, KY, to support awareness of childhood obesity. At Cardinal Lanes, he hosted “Family Night Bowling Event” with all proceeds benefiting the George Wilson Foundation. Angels left-hander CJ Wilson uses his off-time to raise money for charity and the patients of the hematology clinic at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, CA, and homeostasis and thrombosis center at Children’s CJ Wilson (right) with Hospital Los Angeles. While he was Robert Champagne and his son Micah. with the Texas Rangers, Wilson cofounded his CJ Wilson’s Children’s Charities with Robert Champagne whose son Micah has severe hemophilia and Aspergers syndrome. Now with the Angels, Wilson held his first Southern California event, “Bowl Strikes” at Anaheim 300 bowling center.
MAPLE FAMILY CENTERS WINS CYBER BATTLE “Let your fingers do the walking” has been replaced by “Google it.” In this day and age of using the internet to do just about everything from answering a trivia question to finding a place to go bowling, see a movie or have dinner, domain names are very important. Maple Family Centers, a Long Islandbased, family-owned chain of five bowling centers, discovered just how important when they purchased Rockville Centre Lanes, Inc. (RVC Lanes). The sellers had no web presence and www.rvclanes.com was owned by a competitor bowling center in nearby Baldwin. Up to this point, all was fine. However, what was not fine by RVC’s new owners was discovering that internet users typing in rvclanes.com were taken to the Baldwin 12
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center’s site instead of being redirected to RVC Lanes. According to the press release issued by Maple Family Centers, when polite requests and cease and desist correspondence didn’t get results, RVC Lanes sued. It took two years and a lot of money but a settlement was reached. The Baldwin center agreed to transfer the rvclanes.com domain name and other related domain names to RVC Lanes and make a settlement payment. While a victory for Maple Family Centers, more importantly, it serves as a cautionary tale for other centers to be mindful of domain squatting. “It is illegal to mislead consumers. You can’t trick people and have them go to another site,” said John LaSpina, president of Maple Family Centers.
PHOTO ESSAY
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PHOTO ESSAY
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PHOTO ESSAY
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PROFILE
Don Klackner beside his giant bowling mural.
By Anna M. Littles
D
on Klackner is from a small town in Wisconsin. As a young boy he grew to love the sport of bowling and started bowling in leagues at 13. As he puts it, he simply “enjoyed the atmosphere.” It wasn’t long before that enjoyment grew into a dream of owning a bowling center. That dream was put aside a year after college when he applied for a job at Brunswick. As a general manager for Brunswick, he enjoyed and loved his work. Twenty seven years later, it all ended. At 50 years old, Don found himself out of a job and forced to join the ranks of the unemployed. He looked for work and had a couple of offers but with very low pay. The process had him questioning his self worth. Even though he had excellent experience and a strong skill set, at the end of the day Don, like millions of Americans who have found themselves in similar situations, asked the hard 18
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questions: what is life experience, an excellent work history and strong skills worth these days? He did not just let those questions wrangle him; he stepped out and joined a networking group. Along with the hard questions, he learned some hard lessons; employers are not open to hiring workers 50 years and older regardless of their qualifications. Don realized it was time to reinvent himself. Through his networking group, he attended the workshops and entrepreneurialship sessions they offered. At first he was not keen on starting up a new business, but the process reignited a dream put aside many years ago. When an opportunity presented itself for him to own his own bowling center, a new chapter opened up in Don’s life. It was titled “Olivette Lanes,” where a well established business in a great location became
PROFILE Olivette Lanes maintains a clean and manicured appearance.
Don, night manager Bruce Kleger and food and beverage manager Ashley Tooley.
the answer for a man with excellent work experience and strong skills. After 10 months of being unemployed, the opportunity of returning to an atmosphere that he loved and enjoyed as a business owner was too good to pass up. Olivette Lanes is a family friendly, smoke–free facility that has a strong league and corporate events business. Their walk-in traffic is growing strong and this summer Olivette Lanes will be participating in Kids Bowl Free. Don plans on using this as a launching pad for other youth programs to follow. Don is very happy with his business. What’s next are plans to upgrade his equipment while
The bar and restaurant at Olivette Lanes has a homey, relaxed atmosphere. IBI
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PROFILE Entrance to Olivette Lanes.
maintaining the wonderful retro feel that Olivette Lanes offers. Another goal is to put a strong management team in place, ensuring the future of his business when he retires. With two kids in college and one starting high school, he might be able to mine the talent he’s looking for amongst his own household. Don learned a lot about himself. He learned that opportunity is not found on a web site or in a newspaper. He strongly states that “You find it by talking to other people. . . Take chances, re-invent yourself, network; there are a lot of people who can help you get to your next opportunity. The good news is that the opportunities are out there. You’ve got to find them, and sometimes it takes longer than you’d like, but you will find it.” The scary part is facing the unknown. One thing we know that’s certain, unemployment is tough; making a dream deferred come true. . . priceless! ❖
Anna Littles, a screenplay and freelance writer and producer originally from the Bronx, New York, now resides in Santa Monica, California. You can see her work on YouTube, IMDB, or on her website at Anna@alittleLA.com.
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COVER STORY
By Mark Miller
W
ith more than nine million people competing in leagues and tournaments in the late 1970s, bowling was unquestionably the biggest participation sport in the United States and arguably in the world. Since then it has clearly lost such high status. Membership in the United States Bowling Congress now is below two million for the first time in 60 years. Meanwhile, there are more than 3.3 million competitive soccer participants and well above five million softball players in the U.S. alone. While bowling's decline has been attributed to a wide variety of changes in American society, the grassroots growth of soccer and softball has largely occurred since the U.S. hosted major worldwide events like the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 1996 Olympics (which included softball for the first time), and the 1999 and 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup for soccer. All provided considerable mass media attention which attracted casual sports fans and non-soccer and softball corporations to their bandwagons. Golf is hoping for a similar resurgence when it returns to the Olympics in 2016, more than a century after it last was a medal sport. With more than 4.7 billion people viewing the 2008 Beijing summer Olympics (70 percent of the world's population), it's no wonder golf sees the London
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summer Olympics as a golden opportunity. “The Olympics are seen as the most significant driver of the growth of the game around the world,” Golf Channel President Mike McCarley told the Wall Street Journal. “If we want to grow golf globally, this is the best shot,” said David Fay, former executive director of the U.S. Golf Association and a member of the International Golf Federation that was behind that sport's Olympic promotion. Bowling desperately needs that same type of global exposure and has already made one major (and what many people feel too expensive) push to gain Summer Olympics medal sport status. While those efforts resulted in an Jerry Koenig, former Chief Executive Officer of USA Bowling and one of the main proponents of getting bowling in the Olympics in the 1990s and early 2000s.
COVER STORY
BOWLING'S OLYMPIC EFFORTS HAVE BEEN MANY
Olympic exhibition in 1988 and opportunities to impress International Olympic Committee officials at several ensuing Games (see sidebar), bowling still is on the outside looking in. That last initiative was led and primarily funded by the Olympic Effort Group that included the American Bowling Congress, Women's International Bowling Congress, Bowling Proprietors' Association of America and the Brunswick Corporation. With most of the individuals previously involved either deceased or no longer involved with bowling, new entities and people would be needed to rekindle the movement. Enter the Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs, World Tenpin Bowling Association
Kevin Dornberger, current head of the FIQ and World Tenpin Bowling Association.
Bowling first had a close encounter with the Olympics in 1936 when an international tournament in Berlin, Germany, was conducted at the same time as the Olympics. But it was not an official part of those Games or any others until 1988 when it was an exhibition sport in Seoul, South Korea. Efforts to even get to that stage began in 1963 when bowling first applied to the International Olympic Committee to be considered a sport, something that took until 1979 to achieve. They continued in earnest in 1970 led by then-American Bowling Congress Executive Secretary-Treasurer Frank Baker, who later served as president of the sport's worldwide governing body, the Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs, from 1977-83. Another past ABC leader, Roger Tessman, took over at FIQ in 1984 and that same year, the United States Olympic Committee granted ABC and the Women's International Bowling Congress Group C membership status. Earning such status gave the sport extra clout as it petitioned Olympic leaders to consider adding bowling to its program. With the help of other industry leaders, most notably Brunswick Corporation Chairman of the Board Jack Reichert, all the hard work paid off in 1986 when the Korean Olympic Committee chose bowling as an exhibition sport for the 1988 Summer Games. While bowling truly enjoyed its chance to show itself to the world in Seoul, it wanted to take the final step toward ultimate recognition. Signs that it might took place in 1987 when the USOC upgraded bowling to Class A status beginning in 1989. This occurred after the Pan American Sports Organization approved bowling as a medal sport for the 1991 Pan Am Games eight years after being a Pan Am exhibition sport. This also gave bowling the same voice and vote on USOC policy decisions as other major sports and entitled the sport to be eligible for USOC grants for training and international competitions. And it allowed bowling to begin competing in the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1989. Another key development was the formation of the United States Tenpin Bowling Federation in 1989. Previously, ABC and WIBC shared the USOC spot with one voice/vote between them. USTBF changed its name to USA Bowling in 1992 with Jerry Koenig as its executive director. While not having any official status after 1988, bowling remained in front of Olympic officials at several ensuing Games. In 1992 in Barcelona, Spain, a 16-lane center was built by Brunswick in the Olympic Village where the 15,000 athletes from 90 countries could directly try bowling's athletic challenge for free. The center, staffed by the world's top amateur players, also hosted a special bowling event for handicapped athletes. Bowling also made its presence known at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta on the student union lanes on the Georgia Tech campus which served as the Olympic Village. In addition to the World Amateur Championships being held there, the lanes served as a recreational center and learn-to-bowl facility for other athletes and Olympic officials. There also was a bowling tournament for Olympic officials at a bowling center near the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, paid for by Japanese bowling organizations. At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, bowling officials were present to spread the bowling gospel. Unfortunately bowling's efforts lost steam later in 2002 when the IOC decided to cap the number of Summer Olympic sports at 28 and only add sports if others were dropped. While baseball and softball were removed, golf and rugby were added. Bowling, along with ballroom dancing, surfing, billiards, squash, water skiing and racquetball were rejected. With people like Baker, Reichert and Tessman deceased and Koenig long out of the sport, it's up to Kevin Dornberger and the FIQ/WTBA to start over. Tessman, who died last year, liked to call the journey to full Olympic recognition as a relay race. He'd most likely say the baton has been passed to a new generation of leaders to try to do what he and his peers could not. IBI
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COVER STORY
The officials present when it announced bowling was granted exhibition status for the 1988 Olympics. From left were: Sonny Frantz, BPAA President; Helen Baker, WIBC President; Roger Tessman, ABC Executive SecretaryTreasurer; Jack Reichert, Brunswick CEO; and Joe Dahl, ABC President.
and Kevin Dornberger, president of both organizations. After learning the lessons of the past and knowing what's expected in the future, he knows getting into the Olympics might be bowling's last chance at worldwide sporting respectability. “There is a changed mindset with the IOC,” said Dornberger, the Arlington, Texas, resident who has been WTBA's president since 2007 and FIQ's president since last September. “Before it was who do you bribe. Now you sit down and learn the good, bad and ugly. It's been very open and candid. The IOC has been very transparent of the issues. They said we don't have the visibility, sponsors, governance and youth development that we need to have. They want sports that are played, publicized and sponsored.” Which brings us back to soccer and softball. Their efforts to bring major events to the U.S. and subsequent growth particularly at the youth levels have resulted in everything bowling seeks to become. That includes the potential for more people to visit bowling centers, pro shops and coaches for practice, equipment and advice. “We haven't talked specifics but there's no question sponsorship is huge like at the Super Bowl,” Dornberger said. “They don't want to add sports that are played in a basement.” The IOC wants to add sports that generate buzz by keeping fans engaged from the minute they arrive at the venue until after they leave. Dornberger cited his hometown Dallas Mavericks pro basketball team that features entertainment like dancers, drummers and music when play is stopped to keep peoples' attention. “The Photo taken at the 1936 bowling exhibition in Berlin, Germany just before that year's Olympics.
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COVER STORY WTBA created an alliance so that PBA members can participate and earn PBA titles on the WBT. That means top pros now can compete for titles worldwide. “If we can grow the tour, if we can get to be an international entity by 2013, it 1988 Olympic exhibition gold medalists Arianne Cerdena of The Philippines, and Kwon Jong Yul of South Korea.
1988 Summer Olympics, from left: Men's Coach Bob Mills, Mark Lewis, Debbie McMullen, and women's coach Carol Miller.
WTBA has to work on that,” he said. “We can't have an hour for re-oiling. People will leave. We have to appeal to people who aren't bowlers. Even when you build lanes on a street (like at this year's U.S. Women's Open in Reno), it's still bowling. It's only a bowling tournament.” Bowling's major worldwide exposures before 2011 were the WTBA World Championships held every two-to-four years but often in obscurity outside the bowling world. To try to change that perception, Dornberger and the WTBA created the World Bowling Tour. What began with nine total events last year has nearly doubled in 2012, all designed to bring world-class competitive bowlers to the ends of the earth. “The tour is by far our most important asset,” said Dornberger, who previously championed the effort to allow professionals into WTBA events. “There are 15 stops scheduled for 2012 with the help of the PBA. By 2013, our goal is global TV for 15-20 events with global sponsorships that aren't bowling related. It's aggressive but you have to be aggressive.” To make each event even more special, the Professional Bowlers Association and
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will be satisfying and sufficient,” Dornberger said. “We want to bring events that pay $100,000.” Dornberger has been pleasantly surprised by the response received throughout the world, but especially by people interested in global bowling outside the U.S. “If we can get spectators, media and sponsors, that would move us forward in the eyes of the IOC and the sport,” he said. Creating the World Bowling Tour was just one major initiative. Another was changing FIQ's governance structure. Until last September, it had separate volunteer presidents for the organization overall and its WTBA and World Ninepin Bowling Association divisions but no employees. After determining that wasn't what was best for the sport, the organization restructured with paid WTBA and WNBA presidents who
COVER STORY added the duties of chief executive officer and treasurer. It also deemed the FIQ president would be either the WTBA or WNBA president with Dornberger elected to that position for a four-year term. For Dornberger, it meant going from spending 10 percent of his time as WTBA volunteer president to a full-time job, his first since stepping down as United States Bowling Congress chief operating officer in 2009. “In 2011, I probably spent 150 days on the road Members of Team Colombia congratuating Clara Guerrero on setting a record for all-events at the 2009 WTBA Women's World Championships.
Competitors in the 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival in Oklahoma City, OK.
Bill Poff, who won four medals in bowling's inaugural appearance in the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1989 in Oklahoma City, OK.
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Photo of bowling's participants in the 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival in Oklahoma City, Okla.
to develop relationships which you have to do for partnerships,” he said. “I couldn't have done that when I was at USBC.” With the World Bowling Tour and new governance firmly in place, the next initiative is youth development. Again, bowling would like to follow soccer and golf where their successes have been fueled primarily by large increases in youth participation. After seeing athletes compete in the World Cup and Olympics, young boys and girls have flocked to the pitches and diamonds to try to become the next big stars. “We need to develop the sport at the grass roots sport level, not at the recreation level, not at the national team level but in between,” Dornberger said. “We need schools teaching them. The American [business] concept of things is not really what we want for the worldwide concept. Getting the sport into school systems around the world would be big. In some Team USA winning the gold medal in the team event of the 2010 WTBA World Men's Championships in Munich, Germany. Pictured, from left are: Rhino Page, Tommy Jones, Patrick Allen, Wes Malott, Chris Barnes and Bill O'Neill.
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Shannon Pluhowsky celebrating her gold medal in the Masters competition of the 2011 WTBA Women's World Championships in Hong Kong.
Men's 1988 Olympic gold medalist Kwon Jong Yul of South Korea.
areas [of the world] bowling is babysitting, something to keep the kids off the streets.” But in other parts of the world, bowling is considered a “real” sport. Dornberger reports, “Scandinavia is as advanced an area as any of the countries. There's no question bowling is a sport. The same in the Philippines. Bowling is in sports centers there, not in bars.” To help develop youth bowling like that elsewhere, Brunswick established a $50,000 grant for federations. It's quite possible the money will initially be used outside the United States. “My concern for the U.S. market is you have to have recreation to keep the building open, but you can't ever forget the sport is the cause of the activity,” Dornberger said. “You have to have a path that is not about fads and a niche so I don't know if it is possible to go down a path from recreation to sport in this country. I understand the proprietor view worrying about keeping their doors open. Ideally you are looking long term but maybe they can't. FIQ/WTBA is looking at a future which may not be how they look at it in the U.S. Our [FIQ/WTBA] long-term view is we must start new youth programs that emphasize the sport environment instead of a baby-sitting environment. The proprietor aspect is where is their growth going to come from if not through the reemergence of the sport?” So what are bowling's Olympic prospects? Zero for this year in London or in 2016, but Dornberger said the IOC may add a sport in 2020. “Nothing will have the impact on the U.S. and the world as getting in the Olympics,” Dornberger said. “It's up to us. If we do get in and are successful, it will make for major advancements for the sport.” ❖
The Royal Bowling Center in Seoul, South Korea, where the bowling in the 1988 Olympics was held. 30
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Mark Lewis in the Olympic Village at the 1988 Olympics at Seoul, South Korea.
Mark Miller is a freelance writer from Flower Mound, Texas. He is the national and Dallas-Fort Worth bowling writer for the Examiner.com, a columnist for the Bowling Network News, and, most recently, the author of the upcoming book "Bowling: America's Greatest Game.”
By Mark Miller
GOING BEYOND
It's Unanimous:
Main Event Scores Big in the BEC World. The Texas-based chain has mastered the business of the BEC, from bowling to redemption to food. And they just keep on growing. s you approach the entrance of the building, you’re pretty sure this place has something to do with entertainment. And once inside, there's no mistake to be made. Combine a sports bar, video/game arcade, pool hall, restaurant, nightclub, laser tag arena, mini-golf course, coffee shop, snack bar and oh yes, bowling, and you have the family-friendly success that the Dallas area-based Main Event Entertainment has become. “We've made bowling fun,” said Director of Marketing Amy Johnson. “We don't want to take ourselves too seriously. If you are worried about the lanes being oiled right, which they may not be, this may not be the place for you. Everybody works incredibly hard, especially our general managers. We have a kitchen to operate and have bowling and have lots of games. We need two or three people at each location to fix the games and to handle the prizes for the points we give away.” Since 1998, the family entertainment center chain has been bringing good fun, food and bowling to major
A
The arcade is filled with the most up to date and profitable games.
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Texas metropolitan areas like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Lubbock and its 10th location in San Antonio that opened April 26. “I can't tell you how amazing San Antonio is,” Johnson said. “It has elevated lanes and soft seating. It has the indoor gravity ropes suspended above the video games. It's doing phenomenal.” Main Event is doing so phenomenally, it is opening new Amy Johnson, Director of Marketing locations in Katy and Stafford for Main Event. outside Houston in December and plans expanding outside Texas for the first time in 2013 with six locations to be announced. Since 2008, Main Event Entertainment has been a subsidiary of Australia-based Ardent Leisure Group. After the retirement of original owners Dave Smith and Neil Hupfauer, Ardent brought in leadership from outside the bowling industry, like
The lanes at the new Frisco location are the centerpiece of operations.
The redemption area at the Frisco location is bright, airy and organized.
Outside looking in, the redemption area Winners Circle is enticing.
Johnson from Dave and Busters, President and Chief Executive Officer Charlie Keegan from Applebees and Chief Financial Officer Doug Novak from Pepsi. “They brought us in to redefine the company,” Johnson said. “Our job was to re-brand the company and focus the consumer on fun. We use various media to emphasize fun.” Each location features between 45,000 and 100,000 square feet with 22-32 bowling lanes, laser tag, interactive games, food and beverage, meeting and event space and free Wi-Fi. But each also can tailor its offerings and workforce (generally 100-150 employees) depending on area demographics. For example, Austin features a rock-climbing wall while Frisco includes gravity ropes suspended above the mini-golf course, a smoothie bar and a high-end pizzeria. “Unlike traditional centers where the general manager can make decisions, everything comes from here,” said Johnson at the company's new Plano support center corporate headquarters. “If they want to change something, they have to go through here. You have to do that for consistency and branding. We have a very wide demographic but we focus on families. It all depends on our area demographics.” Smith and Hupfauer, investment bankers who first delved into the bowling business in the early 1990s at Fun Fest in nearby Addison, started the Main Event brand. They opened the first Main Event in Lewisville, about 20 miles north of La Bella’s Pizza is a comfortable and convenient place to get a meal inside Main Event. IBI
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The billiard area in Main Event’s Frisco location includes two electronic shuffleboards. In a creative effort to optimize space and maximize the fun, a ropes obstacle course is suspended above the mini-golf holes.
Main Event partnered with Intercard to create a state-of-the-art cashless debit card system that can be used throughout the facility.
Dallas. It remains essentially the same as when it opened though it's hard to tell, as it is bright, clean and colorful, definitely not your father's bowling center. “They were great business leaders,” Johnson said of Smith and Hupfauer. “They operated the chain for 10 years, did very well, sold it and retired.” Smith and Hupfauer opened their second location in 1999 about 10 miles away in Grapevine, near Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. In 2001, they expanded to Plano and in 2004 started in Fort Worth. They finally ventured outside of DFW in 2005 to Shenandoah (north of Houston), Austin in 2006, and Webster (south of Houston) and Lubbock in 2007. While Smith and Hupfauer were quite successful, Johnson said their business model emphasized bowling and typical bowling food like hot dogs and pizza. Once Ardent took over, that all changed. “What we were getting from our customers was they were going somewhere else to eat like Chili's or Friday's,” Johnson said. “Within a year, we redefined 36
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the menu and re-branded cafes with table top menus. Within three years our food revenue became greater than bowling and we've had double-digit growth the last two years. We had to work very, very hard. We saw an opportunity. You shouldn't have to leave and come back if you put your name on the bowling waiting list. Instead of going to the Chili's next door, now you can do it all in the building.” Other changes included elevating the bowling lanes and putting lights around them and creating separate dining rooms. The combined formula must have worked as the Dallas-Fort Worth American Marketing Association named Main Event as its 2011 Marketer of the Year. Customers pay for many amenities by the hour at rates that vary depending on day and time. Glow golf and laser tag go for $5-$7 while billiards and shuffleboard are $8-$14 and bowling $19-$29 for up to six people. Games range from 50 cents to $3 with most between 50 cents and $1.50. Among Main Event's most popular offerings are the limitedtime-only value packages available five times a year based on the seasons. Currently there is a Summer FUNpass where youth can play all day for $15.95 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and $17.95 from 5 p.m.-close. Other packages are available for post-prom/graduation parties, youth group events, birthday parties, corporate team building, youth lock-ins, end-ofseason team celebrations and Monday nights. There are also summer youth fun camps and a few weekday leagues in fall, winter and spring. “Traditional centers have leagues; we have fun bowling leagues,” Johnson said. “They are fun and social
The aquatic-themed glow mini-golf is a big draw for Main Event.
and generally last eight weeks and you get a commemorative bowling ball. We call them our 8 for $8 leagues, $8 per person for 8 weeks. Fun leagues have been big for us.” Johnson said 75% of Main Event's business is from walk-ins. The rest consists primarily of business group events for companies like Frito-Lay, Dell, J.C. Penney's, the Cotton Bowl and Texas Motor Speedway. To be closer to many company headquarters, Main Event moved last November from Carrollton. While corporate events keep the Main Events busy during weekdays and fun leagues on weeknights, birthday
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parties and families do the same on weekend days while older teenagers and parents occupy the weekend nights. “Like most FECs, we do our best on the weekends which means a wait list,” Johnson said. “While they wait they will play games or go eat. It's essential to have other things so they stay in the building. The average time our customers are in our buildings is three hours. “The kids see games and they go play. People come now just for the rock climbing in Austin or the ropes course in San Antonio.” While the food and entertainment keep people in the Main Event buildings, they normally aren't what initially attracts them. “Bowling is still the No. 1 reason they come and it's still our anchor but now they will stay longer,” Johnson said. “We have multiple ways to try to bring a good experience to our guests. We want to be a place for everyone.” ❖
Mark Miller is a freelance writer from Flower Mound, Texas. He is the national and Dallas-Fort Worth bowling writer for Examiner.com and a columnist for the Bowling News Network.
ENGAGING INTERVIEW
A Few Minutes with Charlie Keegan, CEO of Main Event The head of Main Event shares some business insights. Main Event was one of the earliest adapters of the Bowling FEC and hybrid models. When did the first Main Event open and what is the concept today? The first Main Event opened 15 years ago. Neil Hupfauer, one of the founders of Main Event, was not only one of the first people in the industry to identify the opportunity in recreational bowling, he was also one of the first to go out on a limb and create a concept exclusively designed for the recreational bowler. A pioneer and visionary, Neil created a concept that is very relevant today. Although we have updated the prototype since, the concept remains largely the same.
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When you joined the company in 2006, did you identify any opportunities to improve the original organization and concept? Some research we conducted at the time indicated there was an opportunity with our food and beverage. Specifically, if we were to improve our food and beverage offerings, along with our table service, guests indicated they would come more often and stay longer. This has been a central theme in our strategy for the last several years. Although we still have work to do, the strategy has been paying off for us as we now are getting credit for these improvements from our guests.
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So you are actively evolving your business. What drives your thought process in considering adding new entertainment and attractions? We are data driven with our decisions and so the challenge for us is how to measure new venue performance. Where we can, we try to test our concepts in one center before rolling them out across our system.
3
If the three core elements of the Main Event experience are bowling, game room, and food and beverage, explain the synergies. The simple way we look at it is “people come for the bowling and stay for the F&B and games�. That is how we market and that is how the business flows. Within each
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element, however, we employ a number of tactics to optimize spend and control dwell times. Any future evolutionary steps on the drawing board? Our latest prototype we recently opened in San Antonio was a major evolutionary step forward for us. We are pleased with how the format is performing, and it is the model we Charlie Keegan will be driving forward with over the next few years as we accelerate development. 5
6 Where do you see the Bowling Entertainment Center concept in five years? The bowling industry, in general, is going though some segmentation now, which in our view is very healthy. There are some exciting new concepts emerging, which is great for the industry.
How would you advise a new BEC developer on the top 3 pitfalls to avoid? We are not in the consulting business but we can report we have made our fare share of mistakes: Not doing enough homework around site selection, getting too aggressive with pricing and listening to too many consultants (and not enough guests) are a couple of mistakes that we have made. 7
The top 3 opportunities to embrace? We are very bullish on recreational bowling and bullish on our own business model. We think food and entertainment bundling is on trend, as we have seen in theatre concepts around the country. We also think there is a move to quality in retail and entertainment experiences and therefore, it is important for our centers to have an above market, aspirational look and feel. â?– 8
By George McAuliffe
BEC/FEC BASICS
Welcome To Our World! ne of the premises of Beyond Bowling is to be a forum to communicate what is happening in the brave new world of Bowling Entertainment Centers. Any time you enter a new world, there’s a learning curve. Like natives everywhere, the world of family entertainment is inhabited by all kinds. There are different opinions on the best way of doing things. Which laser tag brand is best for the project? How to design a playfield? How many games to equip the game room with? Which games to select? Which debit card system is best? As consultants in family entertainment, we naturally recommend retaining someone with experience to join your team and help you to navigate. A good consultant returns their fees many times over in upfront cost savings, ongoing sales generation, and by helping the newcomer avoid costly mistakes.
O
Consultants When selecting a consultant, ensure up front that the consultant will be working for you. In return for their fee you have the right to expect that the consultant will do everything in their power to get you the best deals. Ask about their ethics policy and get a written copy. Many consultants do not have direct operating experience in the areas they advise on. Look carefully at their background and experience operating. Any FEC today is a major investment and should be subject to due diligence. Selecting a consultant certainly qualifies here. Check references.
The game mix is key to redemption arcade profitability.
entire game room, taken as a whole. Too often one hears: “that game paid for itself in 6 weeks!” This is misleading. “Wait a minute,” you might say, “if a new game brings in $1,000 per week for 6 weeks and cost me $6,000. I did get my $$$ back in 6 weeks!” Right? Wrong! That new game cannibalized some portion of its revenue from the other games already in the room. What really matters is the new sales which the new game generates. It’s also of utmost importance to reserve some dollars for new game purchases. Select games based on a formula that includes game sales, ranking, purchase price, expected resale value, payout level, and the ability to generate incremental sales to the room. .
Other Decisions Buying Games Many owners shop games and attractions based on what they like at the trade shows. This is a common mistake. Whether purchasing for an entirely new gameroom or buying new for an old one, check actual performance from trusted sources. Your distributor, your consultant and fellow operators are all examples of such sources. Business social media sites are another source as their discussion groups air a wide range of views. We hope to grow the Beyond Bowling discussion group on IBI’‘s website at bowlingindustry.com as a clearinghouse for good info. Game rankings tell a story, but only part of the story. The main objective when buying new games is to add sales to the
There are always new ideas out there, and people promoting them. I’m a believer in the old maxim “if you think you know everything, you can’t learn anything.” That said, I’ve seen a lot of theories based on nothing more than gut instinct or superficial analysis of the costs and benefits. Trying new ways of doing business, testing ideas, and participating in the continuous evolution of the family entertainment center over the last 34 years, I’ve learned the value of testing assumptions and looking hard at the numbers for answers. So there’s a taste of a few considerations in the world of family entertainment attractions. I hope you will be joining in the discussions. ❖ IBI
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OFF THE CLOCK
By Robert Sax “
I
t’s my life,” says Polonio “Polo” Arellano, a veteran lane mechanic, about his work. A former construction worker, Polo had no bowling experience when he arrived in Los Angeles in 1975 from Mexico. Drawn by the hope of a better life in America, Polo, then 20 years old, toiled for a while in restaurants as a dishwasher until his brother-in-law got him a job as a night janitor at a bowling center in East Los Angeles. That simple but fortuitous move was the beginning of a career that’s still going strong more than 35 years later. When the center’s manager discovered Polo’s talent with machinery, he had his mechanic begin teaching Polo the skills necessary to maintain and repair the center’s lane machines. The manager soon offered Polo a job as a lane mechanic. Polo was reluctant at first, accepting only when the manager assured him he could have his old job back if it didn’t work out. It was a promise the manager didn’t have to keep. A few years later the center closed and Polo was transferred to another center. He has gone on to work at many other bowling centers around Los Angeles as a mechanic, and currently works in the San Fernando Valley. He enjoys the work and it has provided steady employment, allowing him and his wife to raise a family of ten children. None of his children have followed him into the bowling business however. One son tried working in a bowling center as a teenager, but “he didn’t like it,” says Polo, smiling. An energetic man with a ready smile and a charming personality, Polo is well known in the front of the house as well. Like many mechanics, he knows the whole operation and is always willing to help out where needed. He also enjoys mixing with the customers. He doesn’t bowl much himself, and then mostly to check the performance of the machines, but he’s studied many bowlers over the years. He’s eager to share his knowledge, and often stops to give customers tips on their technique. “I like to help people bowl better,” he says. Dedicated to his job, Polo is a shining example of the hard-working 42
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mechanics that do so much to make our industry successful. As the front of the house becomes more sophisticated, with fancy audio-visual systems and digital equipment, many customers must assume that similar technology resets the pins and returns the balls. However in “the back” where the venerable Brunswick and AMF machines thrum and rumble, “it’s the same as in 1975” says Polo. It’s the sometimes knuckle-busting toil and the considerable knowledge and ingenuity of mechanics like Polo that keep everything running smoothly. Mechanics must be good with their hands and need excellent hand-eye coordination. Those are also skills possessed by artists, so it’s not surprising that Polo is a talented artist who likes to relax by painting. What may surprise you is his choice of medium- bowling pins! A few years ago, a customer at Polo’s center was drawing cartoon characters on a sketch pad between frames. The manager noticed his work and asked if the artist would paint some old bowling pins to be used as prizes for the center’s junior bowling
Polo and a happy customer.
OFF THE CLOCK league. “We gave him two crates of pins to decorate,” says Polo, “but he never came back.” Intrigued by the idea, Polo decided to try his hand at painting some pins. His first work was a painting of Pluto, Mickey Mouse’s dog. Although he had never painted before, it came naturally to the native of Zacatecas, the Mexican city famed for its long folk and fine art tradition and many museums. Encouraged by the result, Polo made a few more, gave them away to kids at the center, and continued to paint. Another thrilled customer with his Sponge Bob bowling pin. Soon he was hooked. Polo estimates he has painted more than 400 pins to date. His favorite subjects are cartoon characters including Mickey Mouse, Popeye, the Simpsons, SpongeBob SquarePants, Scooby-Doo and El Chavo del 8, a popular Mexican animated series. Because “The Valley” is home to many of these popular shows, Polo has met some of the producers who create them. “One of the people who works on “The Simpsons” was in my center. I showed him one of my Simpsons pins and he liked it so much he bought it from me,” says Polo, who is modest about his work.
“The man wanted me to sign the pin, but I said no because I didn’t create the character.” Although one of his daughters has urged Polo to sell his work online, he mostly paints the pins as a hobby. He has done some commissioned work for birthdays and other celebrations but isn’t in it for the money. “I charge enough to pay for my paints,” he says. There is one important project on the horizon, however. Polo’s wife wants him to paint enough pins to decorate the tables at the upcoming quinceañera party of his teenage daughter, but with more than 20 tables, it’s a big order. Still, nothing seems too hard for the energetic and enthusiastic Polo, who seems to find all work a labor of love. So it’s a good bet that his party guests will be vying to take home his latest work as a souvenir. ❖
Robert Sax is a writer and PR consultant in Los Angeles. He grew up in Toronto, Canada, the home of five-pin bowling.
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SHOWCASE ON-LANE REDEMPTION
Your center will offer more FUN and EXCITEMENT with the new Ticket Depot! Whether you already have redemption games or are looking to cash in on the popularity and growth of redemption games, if you have Vector scoring, Ticket Depot is right for you. Bowlers are rewarded with tickets based on their score, spares and strikes. Ticket Depot is available for centers with Vector Plus version 5. For more information, contact your Brunswick Representative, call 1-800-YESBOWL or 1-231-725-4966.
RIGHT SHOT
Make sure your bartenders portion every liquor shot to the amount YOU want the customer to receive, not the heavy shot size often poured to solicit bigger tips! Provide consistency to the taste of mixed drinks and drastically reduce liquor costs by controlling over pouring. Posi-Pour spouts are also available with larger corks to fit wide neck bottles like Patron & 1800. DON’T GET “SHOT” TO DEATH! Learn more about this profitable opportunity online at www.AlcoholControls.com or call 800-285-2337.
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TRAINING WEBINARS
New Center Consulting has teamed up with AK MicroSystem's 20+ years of management systems experience to do the unimaginable in the bowling industry: new scoring running alongside existing scoring, all controlled by one modern management system. With a Touch Desk 3 management system operating the existing scoring in your center, you can now add Touch Score 3 New Scoring one pair at a time. Call Glenn for details at 248-375-2751.
UNIQUE TROPHIES
If you spend your free time down at the lanes, a bowling trophy from Far Out Awards is perfect for you! Every bowler loves beer, and this trophy has it all! Bowling trophies are hard to come by, especially one that doesn't look like a cheap little league award. This bowling trophy also makes a great bowling gift or a league award. Each bowling trophy comes with free custom engraving, so you can engrave any personal message you want. Visit www.faroutawards.com for more information.
DATEBOOK
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
JANUARY 2013
4 BCA of Ohio Executive Board Meeting Embassy Suites, Columbus 2700 Corporate Exchange Dr. Pat Marazzi, 937-433-8363
12 – 16 IAAPA Attractions Expo Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL 703-836-4800; iaapa.org/expos
27 – 31 BPAA Summit Hyatt Regency, San Antonio, TX www.bowlexpo.com
14-17 East Coast Bowling Centers Convention Revel (www.revelresorts.com) Atlantic City, NJ For info: www.eastcoastbowl.com 800-343-1329 ext. 8451
14-15 BCA of Ohio Fall Seminar & Meeting Embassy Suites, Columbus 2700 Corporate Exchange Dr. Pat Marazzi, 937-433-8363
IBI
15-19 Brunswick European Pinsetter Training Sessions GS Series & Vector Scoring Hungary. For info email: Siggi.Hill@brunbowl.com www.brunswick.com
JUNE 23 – 28 BPAA Bowl Expo Paris Hotel, Las Vegas www.bowlexpo.com
24 – Dec 2 48th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup Sky Bowling Centre Wroclaw, the City of Bridges, Poland Anne-Marie Board, amboard@qubicaamf.com IBI
Official magazine of the convention
17 – 19 ENADA Roma 2012 Rome Email: expo@riminifiera.it 22 – 24 Southwest Bowling Proprietors Ideas Share Crowne Plaza Hotel, Arlington, TX k.miller@texasbowlingcenters.org IBI
28-30 West Coast Bowling Convention Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa Las Vegas Sandi Thompson, NorCal Bowling 925-485-1855 29 – NOV 9 A-2 Pinsetter Maintenance School QC Family Entertainment Center Moline, IL For info call Frank Miroballi 540-325-7684 or email Frankm1441@aol.com IBI
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CLASSIFIEDS
EQUIPMENT FOR SALE REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details (248) 375-2751. NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-2556436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN
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CLASSIFIEDS AMF and some BRUNSWICK PC board repair/exchange. 6-month warranty, fast turnaround. Call or write: WB8YJF Service 5586 Babbitt Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054 Toll Free: 888-902-BOWL (2695) Ph./Fax: (614) 855-3022 (Jon) E-mail: wb8yjf@earthlink.net Visit us on the WEB! http://home.earthlink.net/~wb8yjf/
SELL YOUR CENTER OR EQUIPMENT
FAST! (818) 789-2695
AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENT COMPLETE PACKAGES WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE PARTS INVENTORY ALL AMF BUMPER PARTS, XS Q-BUMP, DURABOWL AND GEN II IN STOCK
SEL L
BUY
Danny & Daryl Tucker Tucker Bowling Equipment Co. 609 N.E. 3rd St. Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-4018 Fax (806) 995-4767
Bowling Parts, Inc. P.O. Box 801 Tulia, Texas 79088 Call (806) 995-3635 Email - daryl@tuckerbowling.com
www.tuckerbowling.com
PROPRIETORS WITH AMF 82-70 S.S. & M.P. MACHINES Save $$ on Chassis & P.C. Board Exchange & Repair! A reasonable alternative for Chassis and P.C. Board Exchanges MIKE BARRETT Call for Price List
Tel: (714) 871-7843 • Fax: (714) 522-0576
We could not have gotten our loan without him. Max Cook and Fred Kaplowitz North Bowl Spokane, WA The leading source for real estate loans with low down payments
Ken Paton (503) 645-5630 www.kenpaton.com kpaton@kenpaton.com IBI
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CLASSIFIEDS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE FRAMEWORX SCORING PARTS: Priced to SELL. Sold by the lane or individual parts. Quantity discounts. Contact Bill Rossman @ Parkway Bowl (619) 448-4111 or email: bill-r@nd-inc.com. 32+ lanes Brunswick AS-80 scoring. Complete package +extra parts. Excellent condition. Will sell by lane or individual parts. Make offer. Bill Henderson @ Clearview Lanes (717) 653-1818. FOR SALE: 11 ea. 28� Fenice monitor boards for Qubica automatic scoring. In working order when removed. $250.00 ea. Call Hillcrest Lanes (419) 675-6214.
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CENTER FOR SALE
CENTERS FOR SALE
TEXAS, LUBBOCK: 32-lane center close to university. A-2s, AMF scoring, synthetic lanes. Includes bar, grill, arcade & additional income producing RE. Strong adult/youth leagues, college classes & open-play traffic. Seller motivated. Contact: bowlingcntr4sale@aol.com.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN: 12 lanes, auto scoring, Anvilane synthetics, 82-70s. Great food 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 and info @ www.visitcolby.com or contact Charles (785) 443-3477.
UPSTATE NEW YORK: 8-lane center/ commercial building built in 1992. Synthetic lanes, new automatic scoring, kitchen and room to expand! Reduced to sell @ $375,000. Call (315) 376-3611.
SOUTHWEST KANSAS: well-maintained 8-lane center, A-2s, full-service restaurant. Includes business and real estate. Nice, smaller community. Owner retiring. $212,000. Leave message (620) 397-5828.
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA: One of the top five places to move! Remodeled 32-lane center. Good numbers. $3.1m gets it all. Fax qualified inquiries to (828) 253-0362.
NEW YORK STATE: Thousand Island region. 8-lane Brunswick center w/ cosmic bowling, auto scoring. Established leagues + many improvements. $309,000. Call Jill @ Lori Gervera Real Estate (315) 771-9302.
GEORGIA: busy 32-lane center, real estate included. Great location in one of fastest growing counties in metro Atlanta. 5 years new with all the amenities. Excellent numbers. Call (770) 356-8751.
CLASSIFIEDS MINIATURE GOLF COURSES Indoor/Outdoor. Immediate Installation. $5,900.00 & up.
"Bowling Center Construction Specialists" New Center Construction Family Entertainment Centers Residential Bowling Lanes Modernization Mini Bowling Lanes Automatic Scoring CONTACT
2021 Bridge Street Jessup, PA 18434 570-489-8623 www.minigolfinc.com
BRIAN ESTES
(866) 961-7633 Office: (734) 469-4293
Toll Free:
Email: build@capitalbowlingservice.com
www.CapitalBowlingService.com
SERVICE CALLS WORLDWIDE • PRE-SHIPS • WE SELL
AS80/90 • BOARD REPAIR • Frameworx NEW KEYPADS • FRONT DESK LCD MONITORS
Michael P. Davies (321) 254-7849
291 Sandy Run, Melbourne, FL 32940 on the web: bowlingscorer.com email: mike@bowlingscorer.com
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CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE 16-lane center in Southern Colorado mountains. Great condition. 18,000 s/f building w/ restaurant & lounge. Paved parking 100 + vehicles. Established leagues & tournaments. $950,000 or make offer. Kipp (719) 852-0155. CENTRAL IDAHO: 8-lane center and restaurant in central Idaho mountains. Small town. Only center within 60-mile radius. Brunswick A-2 machines; Anvilane lane beds; automatic scoring. (208) 879-4448. EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA: 6-lane Brunswick center, bar & grill, drive-thru liquor store in small college town. Also, 3 apartment buildings with 40 units, good rental history. Call (701) 330-7757 or (701) 430-1490. NE MINNESOTA: Food, Liquor & Bowling. Established 8 lanes between Mpls & Duluth w/ large bar, dining room, banquet area. Two large State employment facilities nearby. High six figure gross. Call Bryan (218) 380-8089. www.majesticpine.com.
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August 2012
CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE
NE NEVADA: New 2001. 16 lanes, 19,200 square feet, 1.68 acres paved, sound & lighting, lounge w/ gaming, arcade, full service snack bar & pro shop. Call (775) 934-1539. CENTRAL ILLINOIS: PRICED TO SELL!! 8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, full service restaurant, pro shop. Plus pool tables, karaoke machine & DJ system. Asking $125,000.00 with RE. (217) 3515152 or toms-uvl@sbcglobal.net. SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN: medium/large center in excellent physical condition. Strong revenue. Due to unique situation, priced at only $469,000. Perfect turnkey opportunity. Email: bowlingcentersales@gmail.com or Contact (248) 252-1427. CENTRAL MINNESOTA: 8-lane Brunswick center, 18,000 s/f with restaurant, game room & banquet facility for 400. REDUCED TO $225,000. Turnkey operation averaging $250,000+ last five years. Call Dave or Cindy (320) 843-4040; cell (320) 808-6521.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN IBI
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CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE GEORGIA, Vadalia: 16-lane center. Low down payment; assume a SBA 4.75% interest loan. Will carry 2nd note on half of down payment. For additional info fax qualified inquiries to (912) 537-4973 or email lmfastfoods@yahoo.com. INDIANA METRO: Well-established large center with late-model equipment. Strong location, recently remods. Real estate incl. Sandy Hansell (800) 222-9131.
CENTER FOR LEASE FOR LEASE: 16-LANE Brunswick center. Includes snack bar, game room, pro shop. Great potential—needs some TLC. Willing to work with leasee. Call Bill @ (870) 523-3638.
SERVICES AVAILABLE Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring Ball Repair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800255-6436 or Jayhawkbowling.com. See a list that will help centers fill lanes w/ 1200+New Bowlers, Birthday Parties & Corporate Outings that generate $15,800— a 600% ROI from 4 payments starting at $378. Visit mcprs.bmamkt.com or call (888) 243-0685. AMF 5850 & 6525 Chassis: 5850 chassis owners—we can now help. Exchange your tired or damaged chassis for an upgraded, rewired, cleaned, painted & ready-to-run chassis. Fast turnaround. Total satisfaction guaranteed with prices owner friendly. References available. We make sick chassis better! CHASSIS DOCTORS (330) 314-8951.
SELL YOUR CENTER
(818) 789-2695
SELL YOUR CENTER
(818) 789-2695
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CLASSIFIEDS MANAGER WANTED Don't miss your chance to grow with an Industry Leader! Looking for Experienced, Service-Oriented General Managers for our U.S. bowling retail center locations. Please check us out at www.brunswickcareers.apply2jobs.c om for more details on our current openings. Act Now! Apply Today!
POSITION WANTED
MARSHALL ELECTRONICS • Foul Units • Electronic Scoring Repair • Chassis Boards • AMF Accuscore Plus • Curtain Wall Chassis - $285 • 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 • 800-782-9494
www.merepair.webs.com
Seeking managerial position: EXPERIENCED manager/district manager of single & multiple unit centers; specializing in turn around centers; great customer service skills, inventory and payroll controls and P & L controls. References and resume available upon request. Email: schronce.tony@yahoo.com or leave message @ (817) 232-2219. Former center owner with 15 years all around experience as GM, league promoter, A-level Brunswick mechanic, scoring system installer and lane technician. Well suited for many positions. Call Mitch at (808) 443-3868.
LOCKER KEYS FAST!
SALES POSITION WANTED: 25 years experience; specializing in open bowling. References available. May work on commission. Kevin Malick (863) 602-4850.
•Keys & Combo Locks for all Types of Lockers. •One week turnaround on most orders. •New locks All types
All keys done by code #. No keys necessary.
•Used locks 1/2 price of new
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN
E-mail: huff@inreach.com FAX YOUR ORDER TO US AT:
530-432-2933
For FLORIDA CENTERS Call DAVID DRISCOLL & ASSOCIATES 1-800-444-BOWL 3800 Lake Center Loop, Suite B1, Mount Dora, FL 32757-2208 AN AFFILIATE OF SANDY HANSELL & ASSOCIATES
CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-700-4KEY INTʼL 530-432-1027 Orange County Security Consultants
SELL YOUR CENTER OR EQUIPMENT
FAST! (818) 789-2695 IBI
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REMEMBER WHEN
1954 O
ne might say that in 1954 bowling was in its early stages. There were 7,062 certified ABC centers and 2,419 BPAA centers. Membership in the ABC was 1,741,000 and the WIBC 22,842. In ten years those figures would skyrocket. 1954 was an era where cars were flashy T-Birds and men were hockey players without helmets and face masks. Sports Illustrated began its premiere year, and its third issue showed the “New Look in Bowling.” Little could that unhappy pin boy foresee what was to come. In actuality, bowling was on the verge of going huge! Glitz and glamour were just around the corner. There was a lot of huge that year. The Tonight Show debuted; Elvis recorded his first record, “That’s All Right;” and Bill Haley introduced us to “Rock Around the Clock.” Then there were the real huge…baseball’s Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, and Willie Mays plus boxing’s Rocky Marciano. In bowling it was Hank Marino, Bowler of the Half-Century, and All-America’s team: Don Carter, Tony Sparando, Joe Wilman, Buzz Fazio, Ed Laubanski and Bill Lillard. All in all it was an exciting time. ❖
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