E-dition No. 1,028 • Friday, November 2, 2018
Editor: Bob Johnson (bjibob@aol.com)
U.K. Bowling Chain Names New CEO
Ten Entertainment Group, a United Kingdom-based operator of bowling entertainment centers, has appointed Dr. Duncan Garrood as its new chief executive officer.
A search for a successor to Alan Hand had been underway since June when Hand announced he would depart the company on Nov. 14. Garrood will step into the CEO’s seat on Dec. 15.
Garrood comes to Ten Entertainment from Bill’s Restaurants, a chain of 80 U.K. eateries with 3,000 employees.
Bill’s was founded in 2001 by Bill Collison, and features breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea-time menus. Ten Entertainment operates 43 centers, making it the second-largest bowling operator in the U.K.
Machuga, Farber and Pilon Signed by Ebonite
Mike Machuga, Matt Farber and Kurt Pilon have been signed to the Pro Staff of Ebonite International.
“With the additions of Machuga, Pilon and Farber, we welcome a couple of players [Machuga and Pilon] back home to Ebonite, while adding yet another extremely talented younger player in Matt Farber,” said Rob Gotchall, Ebonite’s Manager of Players and Performance.
“We continue to grow our strong staff program here at Ebonite International through many different avenues, and we feel these three individuals will be great additions to our family on and off the lanes,” Gotchall added.
Long-time NorCal Publisher Red Pfeiffer Passes Away
From the 1960s into the 1990s, if there was a major bowling event taking place in Northern California, you could count on Red Pfeiffer to be there. Pfeiffer passed away on Aug. 5. He was 90.
Pfeiffer was best known as the founder of the Bowling World newspaper, which he published from 1967 to 1991. The thick paper carried tournament and league news from all over the northern half of the Golden State, and was supported by dozens of bowling centers, tournament promoters, pro shops and other industry members.
He also was involved in the publication of other periodicals, including the YABA NorCal Junior Bowling newspaper, the ARC newspaper (a communications tool for the American Recreation Centers chain), and California’s Golden Nugget (for the state women’s association).
Pfeiffer’s media involvement wasn’t limited to print. He was both a television and radio broadcaster for various bowling-related events, and for a time hosted the “Make-Believe Ballroom” radio show. When an emcee was needed for a bowling banquet, Pfeiffer often got the call.
He was involved in philanthropic activities as well. As the founder of the Rosie Duval Memorial Tournament at Albany Bowl, he was able to raise more than $8,000 for the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.
Pfeiffer was enshrined in the halls of fame of the Diablo Men’s Bowling Association, Diablo Women’s Bowling Association and Alameda County Men’s Bowling Association.
Condolence cards may be mailed to: Mrs. Fred Pfeiffer, 59 Mariposa Ct., Danville, CA 94526. His obituary may be viewed here: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/eastbaytimes/obituary.aspx?n=frederick-pfeiffer&pid=189842141.
Rudy Hinojosa, One of Bowling’s ‘Nice Guys,’ Passes Away
If you needed a two-word definition of “nice guy,” you couldn’t go wrong with: Rudy Hinojosa.
The veteran bowling center operator died on Tuesday morning. His passing was announced on Facebook by his wife, Peggy Dyer Hinojosa.
“Many of you know Rudy and many of you think you know Rudy because of all of the Facebook postings and pics,” Peggy wrote. “He’s the kind of guy that never met a stranger. He loves people and it shows in all of his pics.
“It’s with great sadness that I tell all of our friends and family that [the] love of my life and my best friend passed away this morning. I was so proud to be his wife. He was the kindest, sweetest man I’ve ever met. My heart is broken and I will miss him, but I have so many great memories of our time together…
“I just hope there is a great big bowling center and margaritas waiting for him!!”
Hinojosa managed centers in several states over the course of his career, including an extended stay at Westbrook Bowl in Garden Grove, Calif. He was known for getting to know his customers, which he accomplished by walking the concourse during every league session.
A few other Facebook posts:
* John Taylor: “I don’t know anyone who did not like Rudy. He was known as ‘Mr. Sunshine’ in Southern California. I will miss him. He worked for me in four different states and we attempted to purchase numerous bowling centers as partners. RIP, Rudy. The world is not as nice without you in it.”
* Gordon Murrey Jr.: “Rudy will be missed. What a great, huge personality that was always upbeat and would make you smile. RIP, Rudy.”
* Bill Snoberger: “Rudy was such a great guy. When people said it can’t be done, Rudy said, ‘Watch me.’ One of the greatest promoters of all time. He will be missed.”
* Carey Tosello: “The bowling world has lots of nice people, but Rudy would be at the top of that list! One of the kindest persons I ever met. RIP, my friend.”
A Good Reason to Go Cashless With Your Games?
Pierce County, Wash., deputies have arrested a man suspected of stealing $17,000 in quarters from area arcade games.
The man was arrested while seated at a driving game at Paradise Village Bowl in Parkland, Wash., on Monday night. Center employees spotted the man trying to steal quarters from arcade games with a screwdriver, and called the police.
The man was cuffed and found to be in possession of some tools, a wig, and more than $70 in quarters.
Police later spoke with the owner of the arcade games, who reported that about 68,000 quarters had been stolen from his games over a period of time.
The 31-year-old suspect was booked on charges of second-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of heroin, and warrants for violating a domestic violence protection order and escape from community custody.
Inc. Includes Creative Works on ‘Fastest Growing’ List
Creative Works has made Inc. magazine’s list of the “5,000 Fastest Growing Companies in America.”
“When you consider over 90% of businesses don’t make it to the 10-year mark, it’s a humbling accolade that shows our strength, determination and perseverance through 21 years, not only as a company, but as a team that puts their heart and soul into their craft,” said Creative Works’ founder, Jeff Schilling.
Creative Works has always maintained a goal of creating powerful emotions and memories through immersive attractions, but the company’s impact goes beyond its products. With years of experience in the laser tag industry, Creative Works started the LaserTAG360 educational event in 2011 to provide operators with tips and education on how to successfully operate their own laser tag attraction.
Creative Works also raises funds each year for the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help deliver a memorable experience to a child facing a critical illness.
“Having the ability to give back in special ways has been very rewarding,” Schilling said. “We are proud to be able to give back in a multitude of ways and make a difference in people’s lives both inside our business and the community that surrounds us.”
Bud Light Tops List of Alcohol-Related Sports Sponsors
Alcohol and sports have partners in sponsorship for decades, with some of the world’s most lucrative deals belonging to the sector.
Annually, 30 of the world’s leading alcoholic beverage brands spend an estimated $764.5 million on sports sponsorship. There are 281 active deals, 89% of which are with beer brands, according to Sportcal, part of the GlobalData Group.
Sportcal’s latest report, “Sponsorship Sector Report: Alcoholic Beverages, 2018,” analyzes the activity of 30 of the biggest alcoholic beverage brands to track the latest trends and forecast where this may lead to in future. The report reveals that the top 10 alcohol beverage brand spenders account for 55.5 % of the 281 deals and 87.6 % of the estimated $764.5 annual sports sponsorship spend.
Soccer is responsible for almost half of the 281 active deals, with the European region and its individual teams accounting for the majority of the sector’s total sports sponsorship spend.
The top 20 spenders:
1. Bud Light
2. Heineken
3. Budweiser
4. Amstel
5. MillerCoors
6. Moet & Chandon
7. Carling
8. Bavaria Beer
9. Veltins
10. Wolf Blass
11. Estrella Damm
12. Carlsberg
13. Miller Lite
14. Corona Extra
15. Modello
16. Mahou
17. Guinness
18. Bitburger
19. Coors Light
20. Greene King
Business Briefs…
* Wauwatosa, Wis., may soon be home to a new type of “sport” if Bryan MacKenzie can get his business concept approved by the city. “Footbowl” or “fowling” is played by two teams with one to five players per team, and each team takes turns tossing a football at the other team’s bowling pins. The game is won by knocking down all 10 pins. “Our vision is to create a go-to destination for events, parties, date night or just an evening out with friends that comes at a great value to our customers while generating a sustainable profit, the filing said. More: https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/west/news/wauwatosa/2018/11/01/fowling-mixture-football-and-bowling-proposed-wauwatosa/1845008002/.
* The winning centers that emerged in the 34th annual Bowlers Journal International Architecture & Design Awards make one thing resoundingly clear: The bowling industry’s trend toward establishments in which the sport shares the spotlight with an array of other entertainment options shows no signs of slowing down. View all winners in the November issue of BJI, and check out a list of winners here: http://www.bowlersjournal.com/explore-our-winners-in-the-34th-bji-architecture-design-awards/.
* A grease fire in the kitchen of Hub Lanes in Hattiesburg, Miss., caused extensive smoke damage that will keep the center closed for an unknown period of time. The center addressed the closure and clean up on its Facebook page: “Clean up starts Thursday morning at 9 a.m.! We will know more each day, as the process goes, how soon we will reopen. There is no time frame as of this moment — four weeks or five weeks are just rumors…”
* When the owners announced that Colonial Lanes, which had been serving residents of Orlando, Fla., for six decades, would be closing in May, patrons were outraged. Now, a plan has been announced that will keep part of the center alive. City officials now say that the facility will re-open with 16 of its wooden lanes intact, joined by new upscale amenities, a performance stage, meeting rooms and a four-story self-storage business.
* The six-lane bowling alley in Sibley, Iowa, has new life with new owners. Jesse and Cassie Kruger took over the business on Aug. 20 from longtime owner Daryl Wasmund, and have since implemented a new menu. Burgers — made from beef ground on the premises — have been a big hit, as have the cheese balls and wings, as well as the Saturday morning breakfast menu. Formerly known as Merry Lanes and Alley 7 Lounge, the center has been renamed reBar Lounge & Lanes.
* Mike Schutz, the owner of Yokayo Bowling Center in Ukiah, Calif., is fighting the impending demise of his business in a unique way: through the heart. While customers and local businesses already have gathered 6,000 petition signatures urging the building’s owner to sell the property to Schutz, the proprietor is trying to contact the development company’s family members. He wants each of them to visit the center while Special Olympics participants are practicing, so they can feel the level of energy and excitement that is generated by the activity. “Too many cities in this country have lost important community businesses because of greed,” Schutz said in a Facebook post. “We cannot let our community be added to this list. Our emotionally charged community needs to hear from you.”
* Cedar Lanes will not be relocating to a maintenance building on the property of the Royal Oaks Golf Club in central Pennsylvania. The state’s Commonwealth Court has ruled in favor of neighbors who feared that intoxicated patrons of the 20-lane center would cause security issues and “further degrade the agricultural area.”
Other News You Can Use…
* England’s Dom Barrett won four matches Wednesday on his way to claiming the 2018 U.S. Open, including a thrilling one-pin victory over top-seed Jakob Butturff in the title match, 207-206. The 33-year-old right-hander became the third foreign-born player to win the U.S. Open, joining Finland’s Mika Koivuniemi (2001) and Canada’s Francois Lavoie (2016). He earned the $30,000 top prize and coveted green jacket presented to the champion. Full report: https://www.bowl.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?id=23622332032.
* The guest this week on Phantom Radio is former PBA Tournament Director and long-time BJI contributor Johnny Campos. The topic: Celebrities met while he was working for the PBA, including Jimmy “J.J.” Walker, George Foreman, Michael J. Fox, Dan Marino, Jose Conseco and Muhammad Ali. To listen to the conversation, click here: https://kegel.squarespace.com/phantomblog/2018/10/31/johnny-campos-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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