IBI December 2014

CONTENTS

VOL 22.12

6 ISSUE AT HAND

22 INDUSTRY NEWS

Xmas Comes Early to Vegas

Let’s Talk FEC The newest industry conference, where experienced owners and operators will share best practices in an open forum.

By Scott Frager

By Pamela Kleibrink Thompson 16

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

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Scott Frager frager@bowlingindustry.com Skype: scottfrager

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER David Garber garber@bowlingindustry.com

OFFICE MANAGER Patty Heath heath@bowlingindustry.com

CONTRIBUTORS Carolyn Dorin-Ballard Patty Heath Pamela Kleibrink Thompson Mark Miller Robert Sax

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jackie Fisher

8 SHORTS

fisher@bowlingindustry.com

28 COVER STORY

• Will new scoring for the game get us into the Olympics?

• Self-expression in San Fran • Pin Action – a good read

Betting BIG on Bowling Michael Gaughan’s South Point Hotel and Casino invests millions to lure bowlers to Las Vegas.

By Mark Miller

By Patty Heath

ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTION Designworks www.dzynwrx.com (818) 735-9424

FOUNDER Allen Crown (1933-2002)

12655 Ventura Boulevard Studio City, CA 91604 (818) 789-2695(BOWL) Fax (818) 789-2812 info@bowlingindustry.com

www.BowlingIndustry.com

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36 WHAT BOWLING MEANS TO ME The One-Way Ticket

16 FEATURE

A bowling legend recollects how one decision changed the course of her life.

The Tough Road to Glory

By Carolyn Dorin-Ballard

The National Bowling Association celebrates 75 years of activism… and fun.

By Robert Sax

40 Showcase 42 Classifieds 47 Datebook

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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 2014, 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

Xmas Comes Early to Vegas Who wouldn’t be delighted by an early holiday present from Santa Claus? Since most centers don’t have fireplaces, I’m not exactly sure how Santa would drop off our gifts, but then again, what does it really matter?

This past month, Las Vegas was treated to a present of grand scale: a $35 million, 92,000-square-foot, 60-lane tournament bowling center, built by Michael Gaughan’s South Point Hotel and Casino.

With a 360-seat viewing area, over 700 lockers and a squad room than can comfortably seat 350, Mr. Gaughan and team have provided bowlers in Las Vegas with the ultimate holiday gift. Like flying reindeer capture the imaginations of kids of all ages, the new facility will draw bowlers by the tens of thousands annually.

South Point Bowling Plaza, as the center has been named, does not come without its share of detractors and concerns. In Las Vegas, no significant project comes without a touch of controversy.

But at the Oct. 30 media day, there was nothing but smiles from the visionaries who dreamed this facility and built it from the sandy desert floor up.

Besides amazing hi-definition video screens that span the lanes over the masking units in this 60-lane, split-lane facility, and some very sophisticated noise- and vibration-dampening, the center is straightforward in its functionality. Nothing gaudy, nothing over-the-top as Las Vegas can be. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for the designers, builders and visionaries to refrain from adding layers and layers of window-dressing for dressing’s sake.

But the Plaza was built for tournament play by people who understand tournament play.

During media day, it was announced that the facility already has significant bookings for 2015 and 2016 and for at least 310 days in 2017.

Take a look at this month’s cover story. Mark Miller gives us an exclusive look inside South Point Bowling Plaza and shares some of the controversy surrounding it.

It must have been hard for Santa to deliver this particular present. Las Vegas, the industry and bowlers have to give Messrs. Gaughan and Claus a huge hand for imagining and delivering big!

– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHER AND EDITOR frager@bowlingindustry.com

4THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com When was the last time you went online? IBI Online? If you haven’t visited in a while, there is lots to see, including new videos and a nice nod to Jack Fine, Canadian proprietor and bowling industry leader, who passed away in August.

The groups are growing with Laser Tag and Beyond Bowling being recently added. Whatever your niche, there is a group for you. Maybe more than one. Membership has topped 2,320. Are you among that number?

Be sure to check out the interesting thoughts of Jim Osdale, Jackie Fisher and Andrea GageWerren under Blogs, and, of course, the 2,500 posted photos and ads looping on the homepage.

IBI Online is worth a daily visit. Join now at www.bowlingindustry.com.

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GOODWILL CENTRAL

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The holidays are for giving and centers practice this not only in December but throughout the year by supporting causes in their communities and nationwide.

Plano Super Bowl in Plano, TX, was the venue for two very successful fundraisers in 2014. The first event, in May, was for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF), managed by Lynda Barnes. Lynda and her husband, Chris, whose son Troy is afflicted with juvenile diabetes, organized and MC’d the event, raising $60,000. This past October, the center, its staff and Senior All Star Bowling Association held a member-ladies doubles tournament with 48 teams raising funds for JDRF. This event garnered $18,000 which put the total for the year at $78,000.

A night of crazy, glow bowling dubbed Bark & Bowl, was held at Plaza Lanes in Highland, IN, to raise funds for Humane Society Calumet Area which is a nonprofit organization helping shelter animals.

Another Indiana fundraiser was the Terre Haute Firefighters Bowling Association’s Strike Out the Burn bowling tournament at Vigo Bowl.

Since its inception in 2009, the tournament has raised $46,000 for Hoosier Burn Camp. The camp offers, at no charge, a safe and supported environment for burn survivors.

The Brain Injury Association of Ohio hosted its Bowling for Brain Injury event at two centers, AMF Sawmill Lanes in Columbus and Wickliffe Lanes in Cleveland. Donations raised go to the state organization whose mission is to be “The Voice of Brain Injury through Help, Hope & Healing.”

The American Warrior Initiative raises money throughout the country to assist disabled veterans adjust to their lives after the military.

In November Trindle Bowl of Mechanicsburg, PA, accepted the call and held Bowling for Heroes.

Thruway Lanes in Cheektowaga, NY, was the site of a Star Wars -themed bowling fundraiser to benefit Summit Educational Resources, an organization offering autism programs which help raise awareness and acceptance of autism.

What is your center doing? Email Patty Heath at heath@bowlingindustry.com.

December 2014

Media

WATCH

‘JUST GOTTA GET IT OUT’ Yes, Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant played Brooklyn Bowl! It was a rare club date, but as the iconic singer shared, he “can’t get enough” of performing. He decided to play the center after hanging out there following his performances at the BAM, Brooklyn Academy of Music.

JUST HANGING OUT Celebrity is high on the social radar and Pinz Entertainment Center in Los Angeles is a go-to spot.

In early November, a relaxed evening of bowling was on the agenda for Nick Cannon, actor, comedian and DJ; Amber Rose, model turned actress; Blac Chyna, model and fashion designer; and rapper Nelly. While fun was the goal of the evening for Cannon, Rose and friends, rumors were the result, wondering whether Cannon and Rose were heading to being an item. All that is known for sure is that bowling is fun and everybody enjoys an evening out at a bowling center.

BOWLING BOOK CORNER A great holiday gift for the bowler/reader in your family, Pin Action by Gianmarc Manzione. The sub-title really says it all: “Small-Time Gangsters, High-Stakes Gambling and the Teenage Huslter Who Became a Bowling Champion.”

This non-fiction book transports the reader to 1960s Brooklyn and a dingy bowling alley, Avenue M Bowl, where after-hours and early mornings held drama, money and sometimes tragedy.

It was action bowling with head-tohead matches between kids who made as much in a night as their fathers made in a month.

The stories are non-stop and the stakes were high.

SHORTS

Is Scoring the Path to the Olympics?

“If curling can be an Olympic sport, why can’t bowling?” blogged Marissa Payne of The Early Lead, a sports blog, on Washingtonpost.com.

World Bowling president Kevin Dornberger feels the reason might lie with image. “People still see it [bowling] as a recreation where you have a few beers and it is a wonderful social experience. But,” according to Dornberger, the head of the sport’s governing body, in an interview with USA Today, “there’s also an elite competitive side, and being in the Olympics would open up incredible opportunities in terms of visibility and appeal.”

World Bowling, along with the International Olympic Committee, feels one way to change the perception of bowling is to revamp the scoring system. They feel confusion over scoring makes bowling difficult to follow. A different approach to scoring was experimented with during the World Bowling Tour Finals held in November at the South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas.

Explained by the PBA, the new system emphasizes winning the frame, similar to golf’s Ryder Cup which emphasizes winning a hole. This will reduce the length of time

and complexity of scoring required to complete a two-player match. It will also eliminate the 300 game.

In a nutshell: The new game consists of 12 frames in which each player will throw one shot. If Player A gets a higher pin count than Player B, that bowler will win the frame. If both strike, the frame will be tied. If neither strikes but each has the same pin count, both will try to convert the spare. If both are successful, the frame will be a tie. Otherwise the player with the higher pin count after two shots will win the frame.

Scoring for the match will reflect who has won the most frames. All-square means the match is tied. At the point one player has won more frames than frames remain, e.g. three up after 10 frames, that bowler will be declared the winner.

If the match is all-square after 12 frames, the tie will be broken using the single-frame format until the tie is broken.

The result of this experiment during the Tour finals was not available at press time. Breaking with tradition is never easy.

“I love tradition, but it’s vital that we become an Olympic sport,” said Dornberger. “If we have to be dragged into the 21st century to do that, I’m okay with that.”

IN REMEMBRANCE TRAGEDY STRIKES OHIO CENTER Machinery is always to be respected. It is in moments of doing the job one always does that tragedy can strike.

David Geiger, 53 of Cincinnati, OH, lost his life in a freak accident at Northwest Lanes in Fairfield. Authorities say Geiger was trapped in the pinsetter after his clothes became tangled in the machinery and pulled him in. OSHA is investigating.

Geiger had worked at the center for four years. Jason Vandermark, a general manager at the center said, “David was a great guy. He was known well throughout the bowling community--a hard worker, always willing to help out. It’s a tragic situation.”

It is a reminder that, especially with machinery, safety is not to be taken lightly.

IBI sends its condolences to the Geiger family.

Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, but this San Franciscan wears his sport on his car.

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December 2014

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SHORTS

SHORT SHORTS Update: More than Halfway Through In May, 2013, nine-year-old Natalie Savant of San Antonio, TX, started on her selfproclaimed journey to bowl in every state in the contiguous U.S. In February 2014, IBI caught up with Natalie on ABC’s morning television show, Live with Kelly and Michael, which was in state #29. As of this past July, #38 was reached at Brattleboro Bowl in Brattleboro, VT. Natalie has aspirations to be a PBA member someday.

However, the immediate carrot is a college scholarship. This is by far not the only goal for this little over-achiever. According to her mother, Ginger, she has a list of goals while a junior bowler: bowl her first 200 game; average 150 in league play; place in the top 10 at Junior Gold; and become a member of Junior Team USA. Natalie Savant is truly an ambassador of bowling and an inspiration as to what you can accomplish if you set your mind to it.

Plan Ahead It is not too soon to think about next year’s Bowl Expo or the year after that or the year after that. Expo for 2015 will return to Las Vegas at the Paris Hotel; for 2016 it will stay in Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort; and in 2017 it will visit Nashville at the Opryland Hotel.

There will be a new wrinkle in 2015. The $349 registration fee will include all events. The trade show will move from Wednesday and Thursday to the last two days, Thursday and Friday.

USBC Partners with Brunswick Bowling USBC has named Brunswick Bowling the exclusive equipment provider for the USBC Open and Women’s Championships starting in 2015 and running through 2024. This is the longest contract in USBC Championships history.

Stipulated in the agreement, Brunswick will provide GS-X pinsetters, Pro Lane synthetic lanes, ball returns and the new Sync scoring and management system.

“We are very proud to continue our long-time relationship with bowlers across the country through our partnership with the USBC,” said Brent Perrier, president of Brunswick Bowling Products.

Chad Murphy, USBC executive director, shared, “The USBC Open and Women’s Championships give our members an event in a world class venue and this long-term partnership with Brunswick ensures state-of-the-art equipment is part of it.”

The Gutter Is Back in Business Not to give support to Ebola mania, it is nice to see that the regular customers of The Gutter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn have come out to support their quaint center. A bar with eight vintage bowling lanes and two stages which host great bands, The Gutter had been closed due to Dr. Craig Spencer’s visit prior to being diagnosed with Ebola after returning from a stint with Doctors Without Borders in West Africa.

The bowling alley was thoroughly cleaned and given an all-clear from health officials. Bowlers love their hangouts, and this one did not suffer from an over-reactive clientele staying away.

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EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS At press time, Rip Van Winkle Lanes in Norwalk, CT, was scheduled to reopen this month as Bowlmor Lanes. Shared by Richard Lee, writer for GreenwichTime, Bowlmor touts the reborn 38-lane facility as “Connecticut’s first-ever boutique bowling alley,” which includes a laser tag arena. The space has an interesting background. It started life as an airplane hangar and later became a skating rink. It then transformed itself into a tenpin center. Rip Van Winkle manager Steve Bartek noted that Bowlmor will not host sanctioned leagues; its target audiences are families and adults seeking a weekend night out.

As posted by Olivia Pulsinelli, of the HoustonBusiness Journal, Dallas-based ShowBiz Cinemas plans to nearly double its number of theaters in Texas, adding three new locations in the Houston area.

Two of the locations, Baytown and northeast Houston, will have 14 lanes of bowling each, along with the movie screens. The company also has an additional 34 screens and 44 bowling lanes under negotiation and expects to make official announcements soon.

POLAND HOSTS The 50th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup was held Nov. 1-9 at 24-lane Sky Bowling Center in Wroclaw, Poland. 158 players from 88 countries – 86 men and 72 women – registered to compete.

Twenty of the center’s 24 lanes were used. Live streaming on Bowl.com’s BowlTV was provided

by USBC. Sky Bowling Center is also set to host the 2017 World Games.

The Sky Bowling Center is on the third floor of the Sky Hotel in Wroclaw.

Glass walls separate the audience from the players’ area.

FEATURE

A TOUGH ROAD TO GLORY TNBA Celebrates 75 Years of Activism

By Robert Sax

T

he long struggle of black Americans for civil rights went down many roads. One of them was made of oiled pine and had 10 pins at the end of it.

It took a dedicated organization of black bowlers 11 years to break the color bar in bowling. Founded in Detroit in 1939 as the National Negro Bowling Association (NNBA), it is known today as The National Bowling Association (TNBA). In May 2014, the spiritual and sporting heirs of those founding activists gathered in Detroit to celebrate the group’s 75th anniversary.

In 1939, bowling was extremely popular in Detroit and other Midwestern cities. Tens of thousands of Detroiters bowled regularly at local lanes, but only if their skin color was white. The major sanctioning bodies, the American Bowling Congress and Women’s International Bowling Congress, had clauses in their constitutions that restricted membership and affiliated bowling alleys to whites only.

Prior to the TNBA’s founding, the only blacks allowed in white-owned bowling centers worked as pinboys, janitors and custodians. But interest in playing the game was high

TNBA's 75th anniversary poster.

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amongst the many blacks who had migrated to northern cities and joined the working class. They enjoyed the primarily working-class sport for the same reason as whites: bowling offered fun and social recreation at an affordable price.

Summer Cherland, a historian at University of Nevada Las Vegas, has studied the civil rights movement and its effect on sports, including bowling. “We see a rise in bowling in the interwar period because Americans, black and white, had a little more money and they would spend it on all sorts of amusements. Bowling was one of those,” Cherland says.

WINNING A PLACE

By the late 1930s, blacks were playing in their own leagues and competitions. In 1939 Cleveland hosted the first black national bowling tournament with teams from Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, Toledo and the host city.

But blacks were often relegated to improvised or substandard lanes. Despite a ready market, black entrepreneurs found it difficult to get financing to build their own lanes, and few new centers were completed before the early 1940s. In the meantime, it was hard

Bowling during World War II.

William “Bill” Rhodman.

FEATURE to find enough places to hold tournaments.

J. Elmer Reed, a black businessman and bowling enthusiast in Cleveland, established the Cleveland Bowlers group in 1932 and built the United Recreation Center, the first black-owned bowling alley in the country. He negotiated stealth venues using his connections in the white business community. He would arrange for the owners of segregated alleys to close their places “for repairs” so that black teams could bowl in after-hours league tournaments.

As membership in black bowling leagues boomed, Reed and his colleagues realized that they could not build lanes fast enough to meet the demand. They decided that they needed a national organization to fight for the right of blacks to bowl anywhere they wished. The group’s 22 founders met in a nightclub in Detroit on Aug. 20, 1939 to establish the NNBA. Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit and Toledo were home to the first chapters, known as “senates.”

While the majority of its members were black, NNBA also welcomed other groups excluded from white-owned bowling alleys, including Asians, Hispanics and Native Americans. To reflect its multicultural membership, the association changed its name to The National Bowling Association in 1944.

During World War II, many black servicemen and women were introduced to bowling on American military bases, which boasted 4,500 lanes. “Bowling became extremely popular among African-Americans after World War II,” says Wayde Broughton, TNBA’s historian. “The military bases really pushed it. It was the best social recreation you could get.” When they returned to civilian life, they still wanted to bowl.

ABC (AND WIBC) AT LAST

The interest in bowling continued to spread and so did bowling centers owned or operated by black Americans. In 1942, boxing champion Joe Louis and a group of black investors built the 20-lane Paradise Bowl in Detroit. In Toledo a 13-member group built Belmont Lanes, and Atlanta, GA got its first black-owned center, the Auburn Bowliseum.

In Los Angeles, Nate Moreland, a Negro League baseball player, owned the Central Bowling Academy. By 1950 black Americans owned bowling establishments from the Atlantic to

Allen Supermarket team with William Rhodman.

TNBA great Charles Bedell circa 1950.

J. Elmer Reed

the Pacific.

But the ABC and WIBC restrictions still rankled black bowlers. In the same period, activists were challenging the color bar in baseball, track and field and other sports. TNBA joined with other organizations, including the NAACP and the United Auto Workers’ “Fair Play for Bowling Committee,” utilizing boycotts, demonstrations and their own tournaments to call attention to the issue. “In the period 1939-1968 there was quite a lot of community

TNBA great J. Wilber Sims.

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FEATURE owner of a supermarket chain. The Allen Supermarket team placed 72nd and won $600 in prize money.

LIKE FAMILY

TNBA board meeting, 1944.

leadership occurring,” says Cherland. “[TNBA] was a very prominent group.”

The fight for “equality in bowling” resulted in the ABC and WIBC removing the restrictive clauses from their constitutions in 1950. TNBA continued its fight, especially in the Southern states, through the civil rights era and into the mid-1970s, when de facto segregation of bowling alleys ended. (In 1978 Reed became the first black elected to the ABC Hall of Fame.)

In May 24, 1951, at St. Paul, MN, black bowlers competed for the first time in the ABC national tournament. The team was from Detroit and was sponsored by Lafayette Allen, a bowling writer and

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Over the years TNBA has continued to grow its membership, which spread across the country with the historical migration of black Americans from the South. In 2014 TNBA has more than 22,000 members nationwide, who belong to more than 100 senates.

As befits its motto, “Sportsmanship, fellowship and friendship,” TNBA thrives on the social and competitive nature of bowling. Its adult programs include league bowling competition plus regional, national and celebrity tournaments.

It also maintains a hall of fame and scholarship and charity programs.

TNBA’s junior bowling program has more than 2,800 members between the ages of six and 22. Its events include league bowling competition, four regional tournaments and a national junior championship tournament. A scholarship program provides more than $10,000 per year in grants to young bowlers who are high school graduates and entering a vocational school, trade school or college.

Annette R. Samuels, executive director of TNBA, typifies the dedication of its membership, some of whom have belonged for more than 60 years.

She has worked for TNBA for more than 27 years, even relocating from New York City when the organization moved its headquarters to Cincinnati in 2005.

Although TNBA members are serious competitors, Samuels describes them as “a family” off the lanes. “We’re not strangers to anyone. If you were to come to our convention, you would immediately be made to feel like family,” says

FEATURE Samuels. “I can go anywhere in the United States and call [a member] and if I need something they will come to my aid, no matter what it may be.”

THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN TO DETROIT

The 75th anniversary convention was held May 22-June 1, 2014 in Ann Arbor, MI, near Detroit. More than 10,000 people participated in the convention. Multiple tournaments were held at five area bowling centers including Colonial Lanes, Plum Hollow Lanes, Skore Lanes, Super Bowl, and Thunderbowl.

Since the group’s inception, serious competition mixed with fun has been the hallmark of TNBA tournaments. “Trash talk,” the African-American tradition in which creative insults and boasts are used to try to intimidate an opponent, plays a prominent role. “It’s no fun if there’s no trash talk’” says Samuels. “[It’s about] you beating your opponent and having fun beating your opponent.”

The Margaret S. Lee Battle of the Sexes, another fundraiser, pitted five-member men’s or women’s teams against each other. Samuel believes this may be the most hotly-contested event of the tournament. “If you really want to hear some trash-talkin’,” says Samuels, “you have to attend the Battle of the Sexes.”

Junior bowlers faced off at a fun fair, which raises funds for the scholarship programs, and the Anthony J. Roberts Championship Rolloff. The AJR brings together the Division I handicap team champions from each TNBA regional tournament to determine a national champion.

Fun is paramount at the TNBA convention, which includes several non-bowling events including luncheons, dinners, and a gospel music festival. Chief among them is the King and Queen Coronation Ball, which recognizes the top male and female fundraisers of the year. The king and queen are crowned and then begin a year as goodwill ambassadors for TNBA, visiting all the regional events.

LOOKING AHEAD

While Samuels honors TNBA’s past, she also measures the group’s success in the achievements of contemporary black bowlers. “You really didn’t have at one time many pros who were African-American. Now we’re definitely on the rise,” she says. Thanks to

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December 2014

Fuller Gordy team winners.

TNBA’s leadership and activism, “AfricanAmerican bowlers are just as competitive [as other bowlers] because they have more opportunities than they did back then.”

Those opportunities have led to outstanding achievements by black bowlers. In April 2014, Amos Gordon of Colorado Springs became the first bowler in the state of Colorado to roll a 900 series. If approved by the USBC, Gordon’s score would be only the 25th USBC-approved 900 in history.

In professional bowling, Billy Oatman of Chicago was PBA Rookie of the Year in 2006-07, the first black bowler to win that title. In 2008, the first matchup of black players for a professional title in the history of bowling occurred at the U.S. Women’s Open. Kim Terrell-Kearney of Grand Prairie, Texas defeated Trisha Reid of Ohio, 216-189, to win her second Open.

Given its many achievements at age 75, TNBA could be excused for resting on its laurels. But Samuels and her organization continue to work hard for the future. “Our goal is to continue to provide our services to our members, and to continue to help our youth to become productive adults,” she says. “If we want to be around for another 50 years, we have to get our young members involved.”

As long as there is bowling, you can bet that TNBA will be around. ❖

Robert Sax is a writer and PR consultant in Los Angeles. He grew up in Toronto, Canada, the home of five-pin bowling.

INDUSTRY NEWS The Three Amigos are, from left, Rick Iceberg, Ben Jones and George Smith.

By Pamela Kleibrink Thompson

LET'S TALK FEC

Leaders share what's now, what's next in family entertainment amily entertainment centers are gathering places, but in February leaders in the industry will have a gathering of their own.

“Most conferences are really aimed at people starting an FEC business but no quality forum exists currently focused on leadership. This conference is for decision makers,” shares George Smith, a co-founder of Face 2 Face Entertainment Conference (F2FEC).

“Four years ago, two friends and I first got the idea to bring the best of the best together because by sharing information we can improve the business both in political and financial arenas. There have been very few innovations in the FEC business for decades. Much of it is derivative of early progenitors such as Chuck E. Cheese and what worked in the entertainment marketplace.

“The FEC business is unique. We want to create a forum where experienced owners and operators can share best practices and have face-to-face interaction to keep up with the challenges of the industry.”

The inaugural Face 2 Face Entertainment Conference is scheduled for Feb. 24-26 at the Point Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix. It is designed as an educational conference to benefit all family entertainment center professionals,

F

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including manufacturers, suppliers and operators in all segments of the industry including bowling centers, traditional family entertainment centers, roller and ice skating rinks, trampoline parks, water parks, hybrid parks and specialty entertainment center attractions.

Family entertainment center industry veterans Rick Iceberg, Ben Jones, and George Smith—known as The Three Amigos—have teamed up to stage a comprehensive FEC conference experience.

The trio are veteran operators industry supporters and active volunteers with 95 years combined experience in family entertainment.

Iceberg is owner and president of C.J. Barrymore’s, a large amusement center with indoor and outdoor attractions, with a strong corporate event and party base, in Clinton Township, MI (Detroit) for 40 years.

Jones, with 20 years as an FEC owner/operator, also has experience with 18 startups and 27 years as an entrepreneur, and is currently an FEC Specialist and Senior Lender at Live Oak Bank headquartered in Wilmington, NC. He is an experienced trainer, speaker and event planner.

With more than 30 years experience in the entertainment and amusement business, Smith is president of Family

INDUSTRY NEWS

Entertainment Group, Barrington, IL, a coin-operated games and attraction operator with more than 90 locations in 14 states.

When asked about the relationship of The Three Amigos, Ben Jones answered, “We have tremendous respect for each other’s talents and we really enjoy working together.”

Smith added, “Our approach is different, our styles are different, our industry experiences different, and yet we align on the basics and come together on common goals, big ideals and hopes for the entertainment industry.”

The three men spearheaded the 2013 FEC Phoenix Conference under the auspices of IAAPA, but “we feel that we only got it 70% right,” reflects Rick Iceberg. “We can do better, do more, and we can create a better experience and value for everyone attending.”

After their success there, the three decided to create their own independent, stand-alone FEC conference event and return to Phoenix for its debut. “Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort has great venues and the right mix of amenities which are so important for stimulating great conversations, and we have the space with freedom and flexibility to hold meetings, social functions and bar time in multiple locations, both indoors and outside,” shared Jones.

The three planners are pledging that the new FEC event will be “Bigger, badder, bolder, better and different.”

Jones notes, “To us, bigger doesn’t mean numbers.

Bigger for us is bigger centers and a bigger breadth of genres. The point of differentiation for F2FEC is that we 24

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are designing the conference for leaders in the industry. We will have new speakers, new topics and new perspectives.”

Iceberg adds, “The F2FEC is all about building relationships in a casual setting. Sessions will be short and to-the-point by industry experts. We will not have any long, boring speeches that don't have relevance to our industry. It will be about industry people sharing among industry people and finding ways to grow the business.”

Sessions at F2FEC will be presented in 17-minute stints similar to “TED-style” presentations inspired by the Sapling Foundation’s popular technology, entertainment and design conferences. Sessions will focus on best practices and trends.

Complementing the TED-style talks, table talks and “group think” open forums will sustain a highly engaging atmosphere.

Keynotes and debates will alternate with group meals, entertainment, receptions, and prizes to enliven the conference.

“By combining genres and sectors, and fostering camaraderie and idea-sharing among high-level professionals, F2FEC will be able to drive business growth and needed change,” stated Jones. “Someone who isn’t current, who doesn’t hit the ‘refresh’ button, is hurting the industry.

We want to develop leadership qualities in our attendees. This conference is not for everyone. We can be exclusionary to the benefit of the attendees. We want senior level professionals to talk about some of the things that are never discussed at other FEC conferences.”

“The F2FEC will be a gathering of the best operators in the country,” promises Iceberg. “We have one goal—make more money.

We will share knowledge and experience.”

F2FEC is an independent, philanthropically-produced conference open to all entertainment industry supporters. Membership or affiliation with specific organizations or trade associations is not required for attendance, exhibition, or sponsorships.

“There is no other event for experienced FEC professionals, and to keep it independent of any organizations we are subsidizing the F2FEC out of our own pockets,” Smith comments.

Iceberg is excited about bringing different genres of the industry together to create more innovation. "Bowling is what totally changed my complex. Without bowling my center wouldn't be anything what it is now. Bowling is a great industry to add to an entertainment center."

For more information about F2FEC, contact the organizers Rick Iceberg at (810) 444-2222, mail@cjbarrymores.com; Ben Jones at (248) 371-0700, benrjones@comcast.net; or George Smith, (630) 2408261, geosmith4756@gmail.com.

For more information about Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, go to http://www.tapatiocliffshilton.com. ❖ Pamela Kleibrink Thompson lives in Idaho. In addition to writing, she is a career coach and scenario role player for peace officer training.

Pamela worked as a production manager on the Emmy Award-winning animated series The Simpsons, where she bowled regularly with members of the crew. She speaks on career issues at conferences all over the world. You can reach Pamela at PamRecruit@q.com.

COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

By Mark Miller

W

ith 680 lanebeds in just 15 centers, it could be argued that Las Vegas already is the Bowling Capital of the World. So what does an area with nine facilities each with 56 or more lanes need with another bowling establishment of that size?

A permanent place to hold major tournaments, that's what.

It's why Michael Gaughan, owner of the South Point Hotel and Casino that already features a 64-lane bowling center, spent $35 million of his own money on a building that includes a 60-lane stadium, in partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Las Vegas Events, and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).

Called South Point Bowling Plaza, it opened to much fanfare Nov. 1-2 with the taping of the PBA World Series of Bowling VI. That was nearly nine months ahead of schedule, something that made South Point bowling operations director Mike Monyak extremely proud.

“It made my wife happy because it was giving me gray hairs,” Monyak said.

“We caught a lot of breaks on the early part of the project with the concrete pourers and steel pourers and everywhere else. The weather held up and there were no down days.

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COVER STORY

“Once we realized we'd be done early we thought, ‘Let’s open Jan. 1.’ Then once we thought that, we figured, ‘Let's go for the whole thing and have it ready for the PBA's World Series of Bowling TV shows.’”

The facility features 30 lanes on either side of an elevated 50-feet-wide concourse set high enough so spectators can easily see bowlers and scoreboards on both sides.

The sound and lighting systems also have been designed to make the place both spectator- and tournament-friendly.

“I go through moments of 'Wow, this is really neat' and then another moment of 'What have I gotten into?’” Monyak said of his 92,000-square-foot baby. “It's an idea that Mr. Gaughan and I have kicked around for the last 10 years and this time the idea fell into a time slot and a niche where it was needed and just all came together.

“Combining the center with the Priefert Pavilion beneath us for equestrian events (that opened in June), all worked out for us all the way around. And by bringing USBC here so many times over the next nine years or so helps the city out as well. There's no way we can accommodate all the hotel rooms needed to host these events.”

Monyak said reports that South Point can only house 27% of attendees are high, adding to the benefit other properties should enjoy. While some properties aren't happy with the arena being built elsewhere in town, Monyak quelled rumors of public money helping pay for the project.

“This is all being paid for by Mr. Gaughan,” he said. “The money that people keep misrepresenting is the money that Las Vegas Events is giving USBC to subsidize its lineage (which USBC receives from all host cities). It's no different than any other city they've ever gone to.”

A major reason the venue happened was USBC’s agreeing to bring its Open and Women's Championships to South Point a combined seven times between 2016 and 2024. An additional 40 bowling events and conventions promised over a dozen years made it even easier for Las Vegas Events to put up $5.6 million.

“Las Vegas and the new world-class bowling stadium at South Point Hotel and Casino offer the perfect backdrop for the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships and Women’s Championships,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president and chief executive officer of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “Las Vegas’ relationship with the USBC began back in 1973 when we hosted the Women’s Championships [at the old Showboat]. Since then, we’ve hosted many USBC events 30

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over the years [at Showboat and the Cashman Field Center] that have brought hundreds of thousands of visitors to Las Vegas and generated tens of millions of dollars for our local economy.

“We’re very excited to welcome the athletes and their legions of loyal fans to Las Vegas through 2024 and provide them with an experience found nowhere else. This is a strong partnership that leverages the proud heritage of bowling and a stateof-the-art, multi-million-dollar tournament facility with the excitement and energy of Las Vegas. That’s a winning combination.”

Monyak strongly believes other Las Vegas-area bowling properties should benefit rather well because bowlers will stay where there are bowling lanes.

“I want all of us to be successful,” Monyak said. “I also want Reno to benefit from us building our events up. The Stadium in Reno is a beautiful facility. It is an excellent facility that deserves the respect of every Ryan Growney, general manager of South Point Hotel and Casino.

COVER STORY bowler that has a USBC card. It's a shame the numbers are going down there.”

Monyak believes the new South Point Bowling Plaza has the potential to help USBC reverse its declines in participation for its Open and Women's Championships.

“We also know Vegas is a creature [unto] itself,” he said. “It's not about me, Mr. Gaughan or South Point. It's Vegas, and Vegas draws. If we can build the numbers of the events and that residual goes into Reno, as far as I'm concerned we've done our job. That's the whole idea to make this event be better and better.”

But USBC will not be the only game in town. Monyak said about 120 days of events already are planned for 2015, “a good operating window for the first year.” In 2016, when USBC's rotation begins with the Women's Championships, he expects to be busy 220 days. Then in 2017, buoyed by the USBC Open Championships, the Plaza will host events for more than 300 days.

Among the other events scheduled for 2015 are the Teen Masters and PBA World Series of Bowling.

“I'm looking forward to the bowlers coming here,” Monyak said.

To ensure bowlers feel right at home, Monyak enlisted his staff to help decide on South Point Bowling Plaza's amenities.

“My entire staff here at South Point all got together and literally listed all of our gripes of places we've been,” Monyak said. “We fixed the majority of problems and took VIP onlookers and the press view the opening festivities from the stands.

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into consideration what do we want to see and I'm fortunate that a lot of my staff here are bowlers and we put down what we'd like to see and incorporated it into the center.”

What are some examples?

“The bowlers area behind the pair is literally wide open,” Monyak said. “Normally when one bowler comes off the approach and the other is at the ball return getting ready to take a practice shot, you have to turn sideways to get past each other. Two guys my size can go by each other without having to turn sideways.

“The settee is designed for business. It is not a social settee. That's the reason there's no open play, there's no leagues. It's like someone mentioned, and I've used this phrase a lot: ‘You don't play softball at Yankee Stadium.’”

Monyak said USBC and Brunswick worked together to create a strong scoring system while Brunswick has integrated into the arena's Daktronics system for overhead scoreboards.

“It is strictly designed for competition,” Monyak said. “It's not a social center at all. There's chairs for the players to sit but there’s no tabletops in the settee area. We did the floor in two colors in the settee area.

A lighter color indicates where you bowl from, this is business; and a darker area is where you walk and where you store your bags.”

That's in contrast to the South Point Bowling Center that opened more than a decade ago for league and recreational bowlers.

“It is not designed to do the kind of tournaments I will be doing in here,” Monyak said. “It was designed for heavy league, heavy open play, heavy sweepers. And we've done okay with it but now we have a facility that lends

COVER STORY scoreboards will show the action. But there will not be any down-lane seating.

“We're looking to make the shows more like they were in the ’80s where everyone sat behind the bowlers,” Monyak said. “The bowlers were the prime thing you watched. Nothing was around them. They were the focal point.”

If the many competitive bowlers passing through South Point Bowling Plaza agree, Monyak believes he and his staff will have done their jobs.

“For us here we're looking forward to the reception of the bowlers and we're hopeful that they Frank Zhao (left) and the top Chinese PBA players are honored to meet Gary Smith (center) of recognize that we took into consideration what Brunswick Bowling. bowlers want,” he said.

“Everybody's come together on this project, not just one person or a couple of people that's gotten together. itself to those bigger events.”

We're looking forward to the bowlers' perception of it. Our goal Some big events that have been held in the bowling center is that the bowlers receive it well and I think they will.” ❖ will stay there rather than move to the arena because they are more social in nature. But any event with television will be in the new stadium. The World Series of Bowling previously taped its shows on specially-installed lanes in the property's exhibit halls Mark Miller is a freelance writer, editor, and public relations since the center isn't designed for television like the new arena. specialist from Flower Mound, TX. He's the author of Bowling: America's Greatest Indoor Pastime available at Amazon.com or Televised shows will be filmed on lanes 23 and 24 which will directly from him at markmywordstexas@gmail.com. allow use of the entire seating area on the first 30 lanes. For those on the low end who can't see the pins, the overhead

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WHAT BOWLING MEANS TO ME

THE ONE-WAY TICKET

By Carolyn Dorin-Ballard

B

eing the mom of a 10 year old, I can’t escape the fact that choices that we make in life have consequences. Our choices shape us, and when I look back on the choices I have made, they all together put me right where I am today. I often reflect back on the times when I had a choice to go another way, and I can’t imagine who I would be or what I would be doing if a different choice had been made.

One story I use no matter the audience, I call “One- Way Ticket.” I use it to help others, especially high school and collegiate bowlers who are just starting out, realize their potential.

I was blessed to be a part of a strong community that was involved in education for generations. My sister Cathy and I were immersed in my mother’s political world, and we have served our community since we were eight years old, from serving pasta at spaghetti dinner fundraisers, to singing at fundraisers, to selling raffle tickets door-to-door. It’s a life lesson to be a part of something you know will impact people’s lives and make a difference.

My mom was on the board of education for as long as I can remember, so Cathy and I knew the importance of education. Going to college was on my radar, but I wasn’t sure my grades would get me in.

I was an okay student in high school, but I had terrible study habits. I was the one that crammed the night before the test. After graduation, I

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WHAT BOWLING MEANS TO ME went to business school and didn’t really care for it, so decided to enroll in community college. If I raised my GPA I knew I could go away to college. My mom was shocked that I was trying to raise my grades because going away to school was never discussed.

After raising my grades, I took my parents to dinner to tell them that I had applied to West Texas State University and had been accepted. WTSU had the number-one bowling team in the country at the time, and that was what I wanted to do: bowl collegiately.

After some discussion, my mom laid down the law. She said, “Here is what we will do. We will buy you a one-way ticket and you must stay for the whole semester. If at the end of the semester you are unhappy, you don’t have to go back. But you have to stay the whole semester.” This was just the motivation I needed.

At that moment all I could think was what a big decision I would have to make. But I knew I could do this. In the end, I definitely made the right choice and was successful. I went to class every day, (I couldn’t imagine wasting my parents’ money!), and made the dean’s list. Yes, the dean’s list, something of which I am extremely proud. I worked on my study habits and loved my major, communications, with a minor in public relations.

The lesson I learned is that if you truly believe in something,

you can succeed. All I ever wanted to do was bowl, and to bowl I had to keep up my grades. I was willing to learn the new skill of “how to study” in order to be able to do the thing I loved most, bowl.

One of the greatest things I love about Dorin-Ballard, far left, with her #1 collegiate bowling is that you don’t team, West Texas State University. have to be the smartest or the best. Many of the greatest bowlers became who they are because of their passion, desire, heart, and pure love of the game.

It is with commitment, dreams and hard work that we succeed.

Anyone—I mean anyone—can do what I did. You just have to believe that dreams do come true! ❖

Carolyn Dorin-Ballard is a professional bowler with 22 national titles and is a USBC Hall of Famer. Mrs. Dorin-Ballard recently joined Turbo Grips as manager of their professional and amateur staff and events. She is mom to 10-year-old Alyssa and wife of Del Ballard Jr. When Mrs. Dorin-Ballard isn’t working or bowling, she and her husband run Ballard’s Bowling Academy.

Eliminate rental shoes, increase profits and enhance your customers bowling experience

• Bowl in your own shoes. •Great for parties & events.

Your customers will enjoy bowling in their own street shoes. Our research revealed they would even bowl more often!

Bowling Buddies Shoe Covers come in 3 sizes that will fit 97% of all shoe sizes. Visit our website to purchase a sample box and give them a try.

WWW.BOWLINGBUDDIESSHOECOVERS.COM

1-855-COVERS-0 Patent Pending: 61-642.067

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TRADE SHOW NEWS

WEST COAST SHOW A Silver Strike in Reno

The lineup, aka 10 past presidents of Nor Cal Bowling Centers (the Northern California association), organizer of the show.

A Words for attendees at the trade show from Tim Gregory of Shock Top Brewing Co.

“10 across 10” tournament at the National Bowling Stadium kicked off the West Bowling Coast Bowling Convention, Oct. 19-21, hosted at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno. How the new EMV credit card technology will affect proprietors, success with teenage employees, and the serious profit potential in a wine-by-theglass program highlighted education at the show. Principal sponsors this year included Brunswick QubicaAMF, Shock Top Brewing Co., CleanSource supply distributor, and Herzog Insurance Agency. ❖

Ryan Foley, Epic Wines & Spirits, whose seminar briefed proprietors on the money in wine.

“10 across 10” tourney at the National Bowling Stadium.

Susan and Jim Decker of Rohnert Park.

He is a Nor Cal past president.

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SHOWCASE FURNITURE

Venue Furniture for bowling furniture and wall elements.

The HEADPIN sofa series is specifically designed for the bowlers’ settee and can be built in many shapes and styles. It can be arranged in a lounge-style setting with coffee tables or in a dining configuration with dining-height tables. With a complete line of high-quality bowling furniture, a design package can be created specifically for your center at a affordable price. For more info go to BowlingFurniture.com, email sales@VenueFurniture.us or call 855-55VENUE.

MINI BOWLING

LASER TAG

QubicaAMF’s Highway 66 Mini Bowling system has just been enhanced. Now available in eight, new attractive themes to match your center, “wow” your customers and keep them playing longer.

It also offers the ultimate in quality and hassle-free maintenance and operation. Proudly made in the U.S.A., QubicaAMF has taken mini bowling to a whole new level. Highway 66 is an exciting, casual alternative for customers of all ages. Learn more by visiting www.amusement.qubicaamf.com.

Jonesboro Bowling Center is home to one of the latest Lasertron offerings. Lasertron offers turnkey packages which include professional design services as well as the laser tag equipment, LED arenas, new facades and a complete POS solutions. By making space available within an existing center, laser tag can become a profitable attraction bringing repeat players back into the center and to the attraction. For more information about how laser tag can enhance your center, contact Ann.kessler@lasertron.us or visit www.lasertron.us.

BOWLING PINS

SCORING REPAIRS & UPGRADES

Linds World Impex has provided quality bowling products since 1919. Its bowling pins, approved by USBC, offer durability and reliability. All Linds pins, mini and standard, have a one-year warranty against manufacturer defects and a lifetime warranty on base separation. Pins come in white, glow white, red, yellow, orange, silver and gold. A custom birthday pin is also available. Go to www.linds.com/pins.html for more information or call 800-950-4568.

NOVELTY PRODUCTS

Sierra Products’ website, NoveltyBowlingStuff.com, is the perfect stop for birthday party packages, tournament sales, league prizes, glow bowling nights, and snack bar sales. Most products can be personalized with your center name or event name. Call 800-900-7695 for more information or visit www.NoveltyBowlingStuff.com.

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SPECIAL FLOORING

GKM International has been awarded a second patent for its Profit Platform®, an innovative, portable and expandable platform designed to allow centers to transform their lane and gutter area into a flat surface for special events. A perfect way to increase revenue and maximize ROI per square foot.

Manufactured in the U.S.A. using recycled plastics, the Profit Platform® is being used by over 60 bowling centers in the U.S. and Japan. For more info call 310-791-7092 or visit www.profitplatform.biz.

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New Center Consulting, Inc.’s Touch Desk III and Touch Score 3 received a big response and many new customers at Bowl Expo due to its increased capabilities, new features, affordable options, and expanded tech support. The goal is scoring repairs and upgrades in “piecemeal” fashion to save expense and offer additional support. The lowest-cost path to new scoring. The new Tech Support hotline is 239-244-9464; new Tech Support email is Help@TouchScoreSupport.com. Additional info can be found at 248-375-2751.

CUSTOMIZED SCORING SYSTEMS

Twelve Strike, takes each customer’s needs into account. Steve Goldie, owner of Pismo Bowl, Pismo Beach, CA, opted for a solid, black pedestal onto which he could affix adhesive signs as needed. “From the first day, our customers have stepped right up to the new touch screen format and operated the new system with ease,” says Goldie. 24/7 tech support and talking with a real person were also important benefits. For more info on products and services visit www.twelvestrike.com or call 562-984-6240.

CLASSIFIEDS

LOCKER KEYS FAST! •Keys & Combo Locks for all Types of Lockers.

•One week turnaround on most orders.

•New locks All types •Used locks 1/2 price of new

All keys done by code #.

No keys necessary.

E-mail: huff@inreach.com

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN

CALL TOLL FREE

1-800-700-4KEY Orange County Security Consultants

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN

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MINIATURE GOLF COURSES Indoor/Outdoor. Portable/Pre-Fab. Black Light/Traditional/Pro Putter.

202 Bridge Street Jessup, PA 18434 570-489-8623 www.minigolfinc.com

CLASSIFIEDS Felix Erickson Co., Inc. Strike Zone © Family of Lane Products Strike Zone© Next Generation LC 5 gal case $105 Envi-Cide II Disinfectant Shoe sparay 12/15 oz $87.95 Solve-It © Orange Foam Cleaner 12/18 oz $69.95 FESI Solve-IT © Ball Wheel Liner 22’ $90 NEW RM 107 Rubber/Cork Wheel Liner $29.95/Roll 070-006-757S Smooth Dist. Belt w/ lacing $35 ea.

000-024-604 Gray Ball Lift Belt $195 ea.

Exclusive Phenolic Kickback Plates Front F128D 16” x 33” $88 ea.

Rear F129 19” x 23 3/4” $88 ea.

NEW F131T 16” x 40” $125 ea.

All plates include screws and instructions 800-445-1090 (F) 609-267-4669 festrikezone.com Resurfacing - Repairs - Supplies

ARE YOU A FAN OF BOWLING? www.Facebook.com/BowlingFan

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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) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Get Redline Foul Lights at www.joystickscoring.com or call Werner @ (888) 569-7845. Sold exclusively in Canada

by JD Bowling Services (800) 346-5781.

Home of Bowlingtrader.com, your FREE buy & sell site.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE MISC: rebuilt Brunswick power lifts $750, “as is” $550; 20 factory A2 pinsetters, $500/ea.—must take all; original Anvil dot and arrow panels; 30 AMF HPL lanes, full, approach, pindeck; Phoenix lane machine $3500; reconditioned Gloss Boss $2500; 24 lanes AMF Excel scoring; plastic AMF capping; AMF bumper/gutter; 30 ea. 27” granite-cased Steltronic monitors $50 or all $1,000; wood lanes. COMPLETE LANE PACKAGES. (719) 251-1616.

EQUIPMENT WANTED LANE MACHINES WANTED. We will purchase your KEGEL-built machine, any age or condition. Call (608) 764-1464.

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.com for more details on our current openings.

Act Now! Apply Today!

NEEDED: GM for mid-sized Kansas City center. Proficiency with computer skills, business management & marketing skills.

Aggressive promotion needed. Partnership available for right person. Email resume to upyouralley3257@yahoo.com.

SERVICES AVAILABLE Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring Ball Repair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800) 255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN

AMF 5850 & 6525 CHASSIS. Exchange your tired or damaged chassis for an upgraded, rewired, cleaned, painted and ready-to-run chassis. Fast turnaround.

Lifetime guarantee. References available.

CHASSIS DOCTOR (330) 314-8951.

CENTERS FOR SALE OKLAHOMA: 16-lane center with laser tag, arcade, snack bar, lounge. Only game in town. Must see—fully remodeled & beautiful.

Needs a bowler to build very potential business. Owner will carry to viable investor.

(719) 215-1616.

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CLASSIFIEDS

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOWLINGFAN

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CLASSIFIEDS CENTERS FOR SALE TENNESSEE: Recently remodeled 16-lane Brunswick A2 center with AS-90 scoring, Large game & billiard room. 3 party rooms.

Full-service snack bar w/ pizza oven.

Opportunities available. Includes RE – lease or purchase. Would like to move quickly.

Phone Curtis @ (501) 580-1452.

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.

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.

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

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

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SEL L

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 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 46

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CENTERS FOR SALE LARRY DOBBS APPRAISALS. (214) 6748187. Bowlingvaluations@yahoo.com.

SOUTHWEST KANSAS: Well-maintained 8lane center, A-2s, full-service restaurant.

Includes business and real estate. Nice, smaller community. Owner retiring. $212,000.

Leave message (620) 397-5828.

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) 351-5152 or toms-uvl@sbcglobal.net.

NEW YORK, Lowville (home of QubicaAMF pin production): new, established 12-lane QubicaAMF center with all amenities including soft-serve window, state-of-the-art kitchen, bar & arcade. 16,640 s/f building with parking 150+. (315) 376-3611 or (315) 486-4325.

TEXAS: 24-lane center with limited competition and good upside. Building & equipment in good condition. Real estate included. Owner retiring. Ken Paton (503) 645-5630.

MISSOURI (east of Kansas City): 8 lanes.

Excellent building. Divorce forces sale. All offers considered. (816) 415-9186.

NEW ITEM AMF Chassis Plug Access Door. Easy access to work on chassis plugs. $9.99 ea. Nationwide AMF service.

Visit TheBowlDoctor.com or call (608) 381-9276.

DATEBOOK

JANUARY 2015 2-7 Team USA Trials The Orleans Las Vegas, NV Tennelle Milligan (817) 385-8226 USBCTeamUSA@bowl.com

11-15 BPAA Bowling Summit Hyatt Regency San Antonio San Antonio, TX (800) 343-1329 www.bpaa.com/bowlingsummit

12-16 Brunswick Training GS-Series Pinsetter Maintenance Muskegon, MI (800) 937-2695, Option 2 www.brunswickbowling.com/ service-support/training

19-23 Brunswick Training Vector Scoring Maintenance Muskegon, MI (800) 937-2695, Option 2 www.brunswickbowling.com/ service-support/training

20-22 Foundations Entertainment University Phoenix, AZ Randy White (816) 931-1040

22 BCA of Ohio Executive Board Meeting Doubletree Hotel Columbus, OH Pat Marazzi (937) 433-8363

28-29 Birthday University Hilton Garden Inn Orlando, FL Frank Price (919) 387-1966 fprice@birthdayuniversity.com

13-18 ITC (Intercollegiate Team Championships) Northrock Lanes Wichita, KS www.bowl.com/tournaments

FEBRUARY

19-20 BCA of Ohio Fall Seminar & Meeting Doubletree Hotel Columbus, OH Pat Marazzi (937) 433-8363

2-8 USBC Masters Tournament Ashwaubenon Bowl Green Bay, WI (800) 514-BOWL (2695) bowlinfo@bowl.com www.bowl.com/Masters

MAY MARCH 9-13 Brunswick Training GS-Series Pinsetter Maintenance Muskegon, MI (800 937-2695, Option 2 www.brunswickbowling.com/ service-support/training

16-20 Brunswick Training Vector Scoring Maintenance Muskegon, MI (800) 937-2695, Option 2 www.brunswickbowling.com/ service-support/training

24-26 AAMA-AMOA Amusement Expo Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, NV www.amusementexpo.org

4-8 Brunswick Training GS-Series Pinsetter Maintenance Muskegon, MI (800) 937-2695, Option 2 www.brunswickbowling.com/ service-support/training

11-15 Brunswick Training Vector Scoring Maintenance Muskegon, MI (800) 937-2695, Option 2 www.brunswickbowling.com/ service-support/training

13-19 USBC Queens-Sr. Queens Ashwaubenon Bowl Green Bay, WI (800) 514-BOWL (2695)

JUNE APRIL 1-2 Birthday University Chicago, IL Frank Price (919) 387-1966 fprice@birthdayuniversity.com

10-11 Birthday University Raleigh, NC Frank Price (919) 387-1966 fprice@birthdayuniversity.com

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REMEMBER WHEN

It’s in the Bag G arlands, ribbons, snow, a red velvet suit, and a bag full of bowling gifts, another charming holiday card shared by bowling writer Chuck Pezzano.

The year? Timeless.

We at IBI wish you all the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of Holidays. â?–

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