E-dition No. 1,013 • Friday, July 27, 2018
Editor: Bob Johnson (bjibob@aol.com)
Washington Center Declares War on ‘Tweakers’
The sign may have used the less-common spelling of the key word, but the message was loud and clear: “OPEN SEASON ON TWEEKERS.”
The message appears underneath the giant pin sign outside Aztec Bowl in Olympia, Wash., and was put up by proprietor Dan Brathoud to call attention to the problems his center and others in the area are being forced to confront.
“We’ve been dealing with quite a bit of crime and garbage and people taking dumps on our property,” Brathoud told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson. “We’re pretty fed up with this thing. We’ve called the police on several occasions, we have people taken out and trespassed on a weekly basis, and, you know, we finally just were fed up.”
Heroin users have snuck into the center’s restroom, shot up and left needles behind, and also have kicked out the wall of an out building, leaving needles behind there as well. A large homeless encampment a few blocks from the bowling center has changed the neighborhood, Brathoud says, and he now walks employees out to their cars at the end of their shifts to make sure they’re not approached.
Is the provocative sign working? Since it went up, Brathoud says problems have subsided to some degree.
“We’re a clean and family-friendly environment around here, and we’re not going to take any B.S. from people who try to make it otherwise,” Brathoud told KIRO.
TurboTech Collegiate Expo a Big Success
“It is hard to believe that we’ve wrapped up our eighth Collegiate Expo,” said Turbo President Lori Mraz. “Our team works hard all year long getting ready and listening to the feedback from our students, parents and college representatives to ensure a meaningful and rewarding event, and this one here in Texas will certainly be remembered as a very special year.”
The 2018 TurboTech Collegiate Expo was held at AMF Cityview Lanes in Fort Worth July 8-11, just days prior to the USBC Junior Gold Championships in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It attracted 163 student athletes from 32 states, including students from Aruba, Finland and Mexico. Thirty-five colleges participated and offered information on their academic and bowling programs, along with the scholarships available for students.
The primary purpose of the Collegiate Expo is to give young bowlers and their parents a chance to meet and talk with college coaches about the possibility of bowling at the college level after high school graduation. An Audition Tournament was held on the final day of the event in which students wore different colored jerseys by grade level so the coaches could easily identify their eligibility status.
Logo Infusion, one of more than a dozen industry sponsors, presented the tournament and added $500 in scholarship awards this year. The winners were Melanie Katen in the girls’ division and Roberto Perez in the boys’ division. Perez attended the Expo after winning his spot in the Copa Mexico event sponsored by Turbo partner QubicaAMF Mexico.
Another major attraction for students and parents was the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the best bowlers and coaches in the world — members of the Turbo Coaching Staff. This year’s line-up included Del and Carolyn Ballard, Lindsay Boomershine, Tom Carter, Jason Couch, Anne Marie Duggan, Paul Fleming, Rob Gotchall, Liz Johnson, Tim Mack, Billy Murphy, Randy Pedersen, Shannon Pluhowsky, J.R. Raymond, Chris Sand, Mike Shady, Jordan Vanover and Del Warren, along with featured presenters Dr. Dean Hinitz, Chuck Gardner, Brad Hagen, Susie Minshew, Gary Sparks and Randy Stoughton.
Coach Brad Hagen of Sam Houston State University presented a new seminar titled, “Reality Check: Are You Ready for College Team Competition?’ which was very well received. Coach Del Warren’s “Mastering Transition” was popular with students, and Coach Gary Sparks continued to help parents and students navigate the world of college bowling by explaining NCAA, NAIA and USBC Collegiate programs.
“Every year, the Turbo Collegiate Expo seems to find new ways to innovate its message and mission,” said Hagen. “It was a great honor being a part of this event. It elevates an experience unlike any other and gives students valuable exposure which is not only meaningful and everlasting, but defines their futures.”
USBC Gold Coach Susie Minshew presented a new program called, “Coaching Ability.” It was aimed at giving college coaches in attendance unique coaching tools to help their students learn more clearly and quickly. The always-popular sports psychologist, Dr. Dean Hinitz, again shared insights into the mental game and offered a special “Wake Up” segment that got everyone’s attention. Kegel Coach Randy Stoughton presented his “Venus v. Mars” segment with tips on preparing male and female athletes for bowling completion.
Collegiate Expo VIII also supported bowling charities. This year, student jerseys were adorned with the logo of the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), and raised $800 through the sale of event photos. Turbo will match that amount to make a $1,600 contribution to BVL later this year.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside some of the best technicians and professionals in the sport,” said Mraz. “It is a very rewarding experience for everyone who is passionate about our sport.”
TurboTech Collegiate Expo IX is scheduled for next summer in Detroit. Online registration will be available in December.
The eighth Expo was sponsored in part by Ballard’s Bowling Academy, Bowl4Life, 900 Global, Bowlers Journal, bowlingball.com, Brunswick, Classic Products, Columbia 300, Dexter Shoes, DV8, Ebonite, Kegel, Kids Bowl Free, KR Strikeforce, Logo Infusion, Motiv, On the Ball Bowling, PBA, Roto Grip, Storm, Track, UCanBowl2, Metro Detroit USBC Association and XBowling.
It’s a Busy Summer in the Bowling Business
For those who work in the bowling business, summer can hardly be considered the off-season. Many people have extremely busy travel schedules as they attend events such as BPAA’s International Bowl Expo, the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructions Association Convention, distributor shows across the country, collegiate expos, etc.
And let’s not forget that there are three pro tours — PBA, PWBA and PBA50 — in action, with most tournaments having ball company reps on hand to assist the bowlers who represent their brands.
On the competitive side, the 2018 World Bowling Youth Championships will get underway this week at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., and the PBA and PWBA will once again come together for Donna Conners’ Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles at Copperfield Bowl in Houston.
For a World Bowling Youth Championships preview from the perspective of Junior Team USA, go to: http://www.bowlersjournal.com/junior-team-usa-ready-for-2018-world-youth-championships/.
To learn more about the mixed doubles tournament affectionately known as “The Luci,” go to: http://www.bowlersjournal.com/world-class-field-set-for-19th-annual-pba-pwba-storm-striking-against-breast-cancer-mixed/.
Here’s a detailed look at upcoming business-focused events, courtesy of BJI’s sister publication, Bowling Center Management. Please note that dates and details are subject to change, so you should always inquire before making travel plans.
* July 30 — BPAA Bowling University Facebook Marketing Boot Camp, hosted by BCA of Florida, Hammock Beach Resort, Palm Coast, Fla.; bcaf.us
* July 30 — Bobs’ Business Trade Show, Chicago; bobsbusiness.com
* July 31 — Ace Mitchell Trade Show, Waterloo, N.Y.; acemitchell.com
* July 31 — BCA of Florida Board of Directors Meeting, Hammock Beach Resort, Palm Coast, Fla.; bcaf.us
* July 31-Aug. 2 — BPAA Bowling University Management School, hosted by BCA of Ohio, Site TBD; 937-433-8363
* July 31-Aug. 2 — BPAA Bowling University Management School, hosted by Idaho State BPA, Boise, Idaho; nick@bpaa.com
* Aug. 1 — Idaho State BPA Board of Directors Meeting, Holiday Inn Express, Boise; isbpa.com
* Aug. 2-3 — Bowlers’ Supply Inc. Trade Show, York, Pa.; bowlerssupply.com
* Aug. 2-4 — Kegel Training Center Summer Camp: Elite Physical Game Characteristics, Kegel Training Center, Lake Wales, Fla.; kegeltrainingcenter.com
* Aug. 2-5 — Jayhawk Bowling Supply Pro Shop Training Class, Lawrence, Kan.; jayhawkbowling.com
* Aug. 4 — Steve Cook’s Bowling Supply North Trade Show, Citrus Heights, Calif.; 800-640-2695
* Aug. 6 — Bobs’ Business Trade Show, Red Wing, Minn.; bobsbusiness.com
* Aug. 6 — Steve Cook’s Bowling Supply South Trade Show, Riverside, Calif.; 800-367-4232
* Aug. 6-7 — Brunswick Envoy Lane Machine Training, Muskegon, Mich.; brunswickbowling.com
* Aug. 6-8 — Creative Works LaserTAG 360, Indianapolis, Ind.; lasertag360.com
* Aug. 6-9 — Kegel Training Center Championship Mental Game and Lane Play Techniques, Kegel Training Center, Lake Wales, Fla.; kegeltrainingcenter.com
* Aug. 6-17 — Precision Pinsetter Service Brunswick A-2 Pinsetter Maintenance School, QC Family Entertainment, Moline, Ill.; 540-325-7684 or frankm1441@aol.com
* Aug. 7 — Webinar: Ask the Expert — Conqueror Pro POS; qubicaamf.com
* Aug. 8 — Classic Products Trade Show, Seattle, Wash.; classicproducts.com
* Aug. 8-9 — Island Bowling Supply Trade Show, Foxwoods Hotel and Casino, Mashantucket, Conn.; peter@islandbowlingsupply.com
* Aug. 8-10 — New York State BPA Summer Meeting, Hotel North Woods, Lake Placid, N.Y.; nysbpa@aol.com
* Aug. 9 — Lomar Bowling Supply Trade Show, Russell, Kan.; lomarbowling.com
* Aug. 10-12 — USBC Silver Coaching Course, Kegel Training Center, Lake Wales, Fla.; kegeltrainingcenter.com
* Aug. 11-12 — USBC Bronze Coaching Certification Weekend: Silva Lanes, Albuquerque, N.M.; Fountain Bowl, Fountain Valley, Calif.; Fresno State University, Fresno, Calif.; Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley, Green Bay, Wis.; Kegel Training Center, Lake Wales, Fla.; Westside Lanes & Fun Center, Missoula, Mont.; Lanes, Trains and Automobiles, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Holiday Bowl, Oakland, N.J.; Daffodil Bowl, Puyallup, Wash.; Strikers Family Sports Center, Rock Hill, S.C.; University Bowl, San Antonio, Texas; Sport Bowl, Sioux Falls, S.D.; All Star Lanes, West Jordan, Utah; and Northrock Lanes, Wichita, Kan.; bowl.com
* Aug. 13-17 — Brunswick GS Series Pinsetter Maintenance School, Muskegon, Mich.; brunswickbowling.com
* Aug. 14 — DiLaura Brothers Trade Show, Sterling Heights, Mich.; 800-322-5091
* Aug. 15 — Kentucky BPA Annual Meeting, Superbowl of Erlanger, Erlanger, Ky.; bradleyopen@gmail.com
* Aug. 16 — Webinar: Tapping Into Corporate Dollars With Six Easy Things; qubicaamf.com
* Aug. 22-23 — TrainerTainment Advanced Sales Conference; trainertainment.net
* Sept. 8-9 — Buffa Distribution Trade Show, Montreal, Canada; 800-263-4072
* Sept. 10-12 — BPAA Bowling University Management School, hosted by Louisiana BPA, Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown, Baton Rouge, La.; kelly@bpaa.com or paterm@bellsouth.net
* Sept. 13 — TrainerTainment Webinar: How Core Values Can Help Improve Company Performance and Alignment; trainertainment.net
* Sept. 18-19 — Alabama/Mississippi BPA Education and Meeting event; Biloxi, Miss.; almsbpa.com
* Sept. 24 — Washington State BPA Season Kick-off Meeting, Hotel Interurban, Tukwila, Wash.; 206-762-6752
* Sept. 25 — BPAA Bowling University Digital Marketing Boot Camp, hosted by Indiana BCA, Monarch Beverage, Indianapolis, Ind.; scott@indianagobowl.com
* Sept. 25-27 — IAAPA Euro Attractions Show, Amsterdam, Netherlands; iaapa.org
* Sept. 30-Oct. 5 — School of Entertainment Center Management, International Bowling Campus, Arlington, Texas; kelly@bpaa.com
No Waiting Game for 2018 ‘BJ’ Champion
A benefit of bowling on the last day of a tournament that spans many months is that one does not have to endure the wait to see if their score will hold up.
Mitch Hupé of Towanda, Kan., had only hours to wait to see if he was going to be the Open Singles champion at the 2018 Bowlers Journal Championships Presented by the United States Bowling Congress. He bowled early on the final day of competition and rolled games of 257, 257 and 279 for a 793 series.
The longtime member of Team Canada and a 2015 Intercollegiate Team Championships titlist with Wichita State topped the longstanding mark of 791, set by Jason Bowles of Strongsville, Ohio, on March 24, the second day of the 107-day event.
Hupé will receive $8,000 for the victory, and he headlines a talented group of champions this year at AMF Strike ‘N Spare Lanes, located just a short distance from the Oncenter Convention Center, which hosted the USBC Open Championships from March 24-July 8.
The 23-year-old right-hander, who also is a Regular Team champion at the Open Championships (2016), claimed an additional $1,000 for topping the Dual Entry standings, too. The special no-cost feature at the Bowlers Journal Championships includes all competitors who choose to use their three-game totals for singles and doubles at the same time.
“I wanted to put up a good score but wasn’t necessarily chasing the lead,” said Hupé, whose set helped him to a third-place finish in Open Doubles with Kevin Bienko (653) with a 1446 total. “I started the last game with a spare, so I had a long way to go. Luckily, I got the first strike in the 10th.
“Our main focus coming out here is performing well at the Open Championships, and we could have done better there, but I’m very happy to win the Bowlers Journal.”
For a full report on the 2018 “BJ,” go to: http://www.bowlersjournal.com/wild-finish-concludes-2018-bowlers-journal-championships/.
Business Briefs…
* Big Al’s continues to expand, with its fifth location earmarked for the Northern California community of Milpitas. The entertainment center will encompass 46,812 square feet and feature 18 bowling lanes, a 6,650-sq.-ft. arcade, a restaurant, a sports bar, two other bar areas, and outdoor patio with a grill and fire pit, and a game lounge called the BoardRoom. It will join other Big Al’s locations in Ontario, Calif.; Vancouver, Wash.; Beaverton, Ore., and Meridian, Idaho. Read more about the Milpitas location, which plans a February 2019 opening, here: https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/07/23/big-als-sports-bar-bowling-center-and-arcade-okd-for-milpitas/.
* Pop ’N Pins in Preston, Idaho, has new owners who already are transforming the facility with the introduction of an Hawaiian restaurant (called Island Bowl Grill) and an arcade. Plans for the future include the addition of a miniature golf course. Read more about the owners and view the center’s vintage Brunswick masking units here: https://www.hjnews.com/preston/news/island-bowl-opens-in-pop-n-pins-bowling-alley/article_8ee84418-8f7b-11e8-b2db-5f6fafbe77cb.html. For a look at the restaurant’s menu, go to: https://popnpins.com/island-bowl-grill.
* August has been declared “Bowling Month” in Rio Rancho, N.M, by Rio Rancho’s Mayor, Gregg Hull. The designation was made in recognition of the 35th anniversary of the Tenpins and More bowling center, and the upcoming New Mexico Open tournament, which this year is an official World Bowling Tour points event.
* QC Family Entertainment in Moline, Ill., was the scene of an attack on an employee last Thursday night. A rowdy group of approximately 15 was bothering other guests at the Quad Cities venue, and an employee asked them to settle down. As video surveillance revealed, the group reacted violently, attacked the employee, and fled the scene. The employee suffered serious facial injuries, and three others reportedly were injured. Patrons stepped in to stop the fighting. Read more and view the surveillance video here: https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/illinois/article215414075.html.
* Although Tiki Lanes in Lancaster, Ohio, has been put up for sale, its owners are assuring local bowlers that the center will remain open, and their intent is for the business for remain a bowling center. The center opened in 1962 with 32 lanes, and expanded to 42 lanes in 1972. Read more here: https://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/story/news/local/2018/07/25/tiki-lanes-bowling-alley-remains-open-but-up-sale/832786002/.
* A third bowling-based concept in the same basic footprint will soon be coming to Destiny USA in Syracuse, N.Y. In October 2013, an entertainment venue called Revolutions opened. It closed in January 2017, replaced by All-Star Alley & Tavern. Now, that venue is closing to make way for Apex Entertainment Center, which will include bowling, bumper cars, laser tag and virtual reality attractions. More: https://www.syracuse.com/destiny-usa/news/index.ssf/2018/07/all-star_alley_tavern.html.
* The All Saints Bowling Center, located below the gym at the St. Joseph School in Haverhill, Mass., has been closed indefinitely by the All Saints Parish, which closed the school in 2017 and now hopes to lease the property. There was still plenty of business at the center, including leagues, clubs, birthday parties and group outings. The future of the bowling center will depend largely on the outcome of the search for a building tenant. The school opened in 1888. Read more here: http://www.eagletribune.com/news/haverhill/st-joseph-s-to-be-leased-bowling-alley-closed/article_95b182e4-1c55-520d-8c96-e07dbcaf198a.html.
* Police in Gwinnett County, Ga., are looking for Willie James Rivers, who allegedly robbed a metropolitan Atlanta motel and bowling center. You can view a photo of the suspect here: https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/bowling-alley-employees-chase-out-gunman-after-robbery-police-say/797136460.
* A new episode of “State of Repair” pays homage to the bowling center mechanic, shining the spotlight on Joe Martinez of The Gutter in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can view “The Pinsetter King” here: http://www.studiodaily.com/2018/07/state-repair-pinsetter-king/.
Other News You Can Use…
* Michael Haugen Jr. defeated Bob Learn Jr., 247-246, in the title match to win the PBA50 River City Extreme Open Presented by Ebonite in Monticello, Minn., for his second title of the season and third of his career. Haugen, the 2017 PBA50 Rookie of the Year, became the first two-time winner this season and further tightened his grip on the PBA50 Player of the Year points lead with four tournaments remaining in the season. Report: http://www.bowlersjournal.com/haugen-becomes-first-two-time-titlist-of-2018-pba50-season-with-pba50-river-city-extreme-open-win/.
* Final day coverage of the PBA50 South Shore Open from Olympia Lanes in Hammond, Ind., is being streamed live by PBA’s online bowling channel, PBA Xtra Frame on FloBowling, all day today. After match play is completed, the top five players will advance to the stepladder finals at 7 p.m. Central.
* The 2018 U.S. Open will feature the use of four lane patterns and the oiling of lanes before each squad when the event takes place Oct. 24-31 at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kan. A different pattern will be used for each of the three qualifying rounds, and a fourth pattern will be used for the Cashers’ Round, match play and the live stepladder finals, which will be televised on CBS Sports Network. Patterns will be posted at the tournament venue no later than the start of the practice session. Bowlers will be allowed a maximum of 10 bowling balls, two more than in the 2017 event. More: https://www.bowl.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?id=23622331633.
* Rhino Page, who ended a six-year singles title draught with two victories including the 2017 U.S. Open, has been selected winner of the 2018 Best Bowler ESPY award in fan voting conducted by ESPN. Rhino ended Jason Belmonte’s three-year ESPY winning streak. More: http://www.bowlersjournal.com/rhino-page-wins-best-bowler-espy/.
* Team USA Head coach Rod Ross has announced the eight players who will represent the United States at a trio of upcoming international events.
Sydney Brummett, Liz Kuhlkin, Missy Parkin, Shannon Pluhowsky, Shannon O’Keefe and Jordan Richard will be the first to take to the skies when they travel to the 2018 Pan American Bowling Confederation Women’s Championships in the Dominican Republic, Sept. 22-29. Longtime team members Kelly Kulick and Danielle McEwan then will head to Rio De Janeiro for the PABCON Champion of Champions event, Oct. 18-26. The team’s time on the road will conclude at the Sam’s Town Bowling Center in Las Vegas, where O’Keefe will compete individually at the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup, Nov. 4-11. More: http://www.bowlersjournal.com/team-usa-womens-roster-set-for-pabcon-world-cup/.
* If you can budget at least $1,834 per month (plus utilities and parking) and don’t mind occupying a space spanning between 543 and 616 square feet, you can live in a luxury apartment building in downtown Chicago — complete with mini-bowling. Read more about the Alta Roosevelt apartment tower and its various residence configurations and rent amounts here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-re-0729-apartment-hunt-20180724-story.html.
* On the other hand, if you’d rather have a little more space to stretch out, there’s a luxurious estate for sale in La Jolla, Calif. It features more than 10,000 square feet of space in a main house, guest cottage and game room, the latter featuring a two-lane bowling installation. The list price: $19,888,888. Take a tour of the property here: https://patch.com/california/lajolla/luxurious-la-jolla-estate-bowling-alley-home-theater.
* The guest this week on Phantom Radio is Southern California Bowling Hall of Famer Larry Gray, who shares memories of the days when the Professional Coast Bowlers organization regularly attracted fields of 120 to 160 bowlers for its monthly tournaments. The Phantom also shares a great story about serving as tournament director for the three-organization (PCB, PBA Western Region and Professional Central California Bowlers) extravaganza held at Showboat Lanes in Las Vegas. To listen to the interview, go to: https://kegel.squarespace.com/phantomblog/2018/7/25/larry-gray-phantom-radio.
* CONTACT: Please send business news, event information, etc. to Bob Johnson at bjibob@aol.com. For breaking business news, visit bcmmag.com or bowlersjournal.com, and “Like” Bowling Center Management and Bowlers Journal International on Facebook. BJI Cyber Reports are now archived at bcmmag.com.
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