E-dition No. 1,097 • Friday, February 21, 2020
Editor: Bob Johnson (bjibob@aol.com)
Jensen Re-joins Storm in New Asian Territory Position
Tyler Jensen is returning to Storm Products as the Chief Business Development Officer in Asia. In his new role, Jensen will maintain the company’s international relationships in Asia and Australia, while directing sourcing for products for Storm Products, Roto Grip and Global Manufacturing.
“The territory has grown too big for one person to handle,” Bill Chrisman, Chief Executive Officer of Storm Products, said. “I’ve been searching for many years for someone who has the desire and knowledge to assist Robert Dong. Tyler enjoys traveling and fostering relationships with the international community. We have come to an agreement and will work together to continue to grow the expanding territory.”
Jensen’s experience in the industry began when he opened a pro shop at age 16, dedicated himself to servicing his customers and mastering the craft.
He later became a PBA member and has collected 15 PBA Regional titles to date.
In 2005, Hall of Famers Del Ballard Jr. and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard asked Jensen to manage their first bowling store, Ballard’s Bowling Solutions. Jensen visited Storm Headquarters for the first time that same year, and was offered the opportunity to work as a Storm Regional Sales Manager for the South Central Territory.
He spent 12 years building relationships, educating bowlers about products, and visiting pro shops throughout the territory. Then in 2017, Jensen was chosen to serve as Vice President of Dexter Bowling, and spent the next three years overseeing all parts of the business.
“I’m thankful to Dexter and HH Brown for letting me experience every aspect of manufacturing, marketing and management of such a strong brand,” Jensen said. “I’m also honored that Mr. Chrisman trusted me to bring me back onto the team. I’m very excited. I have spent a lot of time building relationships domestically and internationally. I look forward to expanding those to many more.”
In addition to sourcing and managing relationships, his responsibilities will include tournament, staff, special events and creating new business for the territory. He will work closely with Dong to continue the growth of the brand in the Asian bowling community.
PWBA Will Again End Season at Richmond Raceway
The 2020 PWBA Tour Championship will take place at the Richmond Raceway Complex for the fourth consecutive year, with QubicaAMF to once again build out four lanes for the event.
The event is set for Sept. 7-9 at the historic Old Dominion Building at the Richmond Raceway Complex. The final major of the PWBA Tour season is part of Richmond Raceway’s NASCAR Playoff Race Week.
BowlTV will livestream qualifying rounds Sept. 7-8, and CBS Sports Network will provide live coverage of the semifinal rounds and title match on Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. Eastern.
In addition to building the lanes for the tournament, QubicaAMF returns as a title sponsor on the 2020 PWBA Tour. The QubicaAMF PWBA Players Championship will be held Aug. 19-23 at Seminole Lanes in Seminole, Fla. This is the third consecutive year QubicaAMF has been the title sponsor of that event.
“QubicaAMF is proud to continue its involvement with the PWBA Tour, which gives women bowlers from throughout the world the opportunity to compete at the highest level,” QubicaAMF Chairman Pat Ciniello said. “Our sponsorship of the PWBA Players Championship and building the lanes for the PWBA Tour Championship are part of our commitment to the sport and helping to showcase these outstanding athletes.”
QubicaAMF’s United States division is headquartered in Richmond. The company became a title sponsor of the PWBA Tour in 2017.
Richmond Raceway first played host to the PWBA Tour Championship, which brings together the top 16 performers of the season, that same year. PWBA members who win a PWBA Tour event in 2020 will earn a spot in this year’s event, with the remaining spots in the field filled through the PWBA points list.
Bowling once again will be a major part of Richmond Raceway’s fall race weekend as Go Bowling returns for the third consecutive season as the entitlement sponsor for the fall NASCAR Xfinity Series race. The Go Bowling 250, the NXS Regular Season Championship race, is set for Friday, Sept. 11, “under the lights” at Richmond Raceway.
H5G Brands Expands Player Staff
H5G Brands, the official jersey provider of the PBA since 2013, has expanded its staff, including a new group of representatives on the PBA50 Tour headlined by PBA Hall of Famer Walter Ray Williams Jr.
Also joining the H5G Brands family are 2019 PBA Playoffs winner Kris Prather; PBA Tour title winners Ronnie Russell and Mike Wolfe; PBA members John Furey and Joe Paluszek; PBA50 Tour competitors Tom Carter, Scott Greiner, Bob Newman, Gary Faulkner and Joe Ciach; PBA/USBC Hall of Famer Doug Kent; PWBA member Jodi Ellis-Scheerer, and amateur Mike Eaton Jr.
Another key addition to the H5G Brands staff will be PBA and PBA50 Tour Rep Fancy Williams, who will assist staff members on site as well as assisting with the PBA merchandise booth that is now under H5G Brands’ management, H5G President Todd Molbeck announced.
The H5G Brands team now includes representatives throughout the sport. The new H5G representatives join an existing group that includes AJ Johnson, Andrew Anderson, Brent Boho, Francois Lavoie, Sean Rash, Tommy Jones and Wes Malott on the PBA Tour; Danielle McEwan, Diana Zavjalova, Diandra Asbaty, Elysia Current, Jen Higgins, Lindsay Boomershine, Liz Johnson, Stephanie Schwartz and Sydney Brummett on the PWBA Tour; and Lucy Sandelin, Felicia Wong, Jasmine Snell, and Jeff and Stacie Hartsfield in the amateur ranks.
Lisa Ciniello and David Kellerman Join BVL Board
The Bowlers to Veterans Link has announced that Lisa Ciniello of Bonita Springs, Fla., and David Kellerman of Georgetown, Texas, have joined the BVL Board of Directors, effective immediately.
“We are pleased to add two incredible business leaders such as Lisa and David, who have used their voices to champion veterans and active-duty military,” said BVL Board Chair John LaSpina. “Their dedication to BVL has been unwavering, and they both bring a dynamic perspective to help us position BVL for exciting growth.”
Longtime Board member Walter Hall of Pasadena, Md., will transition to Director Emeritus.
“I can never say enough about Wally’s tremendous contribution to BVL and the bowling industry, and we are fortunate we will still have access to his insight and passion,” LaSpina added.
Ciniello is the Vice President of Bowling Management Associates, a Bonita Springs, Fla.-based bowling entertainment company. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the company, including human resources, payroll administration, league banking, food-and-beverage, training, and marketing for the five-center chain. The BMA centers are traditionally among the top three of fundraisers for the BVL, highlighting the long history of commitment to BVL by Lisa and her husband, Pat.
“It truly is an honor and a privilege to join the BVL Board of Directors,” said Ciniello. “I’m so appreciative of our military men and women who have served or are in service to our nation, and feel this is one way I can give back.”
Ciniello, a life-long bowler, previously was in the banking industry for many years. She joined her husband in the bowling business in 1994, and also serves on the BPAA Food Committee and has been involved with the Multi-Unit Bowling Information Group and the FEC20 Group.
Kellerman is the co-owner of Mel’s Lone Star Lanes in Georgetown, Texas. Over the past year, he made headlines with his Kilroy’s Appalachian Trail Hike for Veterans. The nearly six-month, 2,192-mile hike through the 14 states that encompass the Appalachian Trail has raised more than $100,000 for BVL — the largest individual fundraiser in the charity’s history.
“BVL is such an enduring charity which helps brighten the lives of veterans and active-duty military who protect our freedoms every day,” said Kellerman. “I’m honored to serve on the BVL Board.”
Kellerman is a graduate of the University of North Texas (BBA, 1985) and the University of St. Edwards (MBA, 1990). He currently serves on the executive board of the Texas Bowling Centers Association and is a board member of the Greater Austin USBC Association.
In 2019, Kellerman was named the first recipient of BVL’s Helen Duval Award, which recognizes individuals who provide outstanding and dedicated service to BVL. He has received several other accolades, including BPAA Texas Bowling Proprietor of the Year, Texas USBC Proprietor of the Year, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Large Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year, and the Sertoma Club of Georgetown Service to Mankind award. Kellerman and his wife Melanie reside in Georgetown and have three grown children.
The BVL Board of Directors now includes Chair John LaSpina of Long Beach, N.Y.; Ciniello; Karen Jost of Turnwater, Wash.; Dennis Hacker of Perryville, Mo.; Keith Hamilton of Park Ridge, Ill.; Kellerman; and Tim Minard of Dacula, Ga. Emeritus members are Elaine Hagin of Castro Valley, Calif., and Hall.
Since 1942, BVL has provided more than $52 million in grants to VA hospitals and clinics to fund recreation therapy and programs for America’s veterans and active-duty service members. BVL is bowling’s oldest and own charity and is consistently acknowledged for efficient and effective programming delivered with extremely low overhead. It has been recognized as one of “America’s Best Charities” by Independent Charities of America, earned a “Top-Rated” Nonprofit distinction from GreatNonprofits, and also is a member of the Combined Federal Campaign (#93325). For more information on BVL, click here: www.BVL.org.
PINSTACK Expands Into Austin, Fourth Texas Location
PINSTACK Austin, an entertainment and dining destination from Entertainment Properties Group, Inc., is officially opened on Wednesday at the Tech Ridge Center, a Regency Centers (Nasdaq: REG) property.
With three successful locations in Plano, Las Colinas/Irving and Allen, Entertainment Properties Group, Inc. said it is ecstatic to expand in a fast-growing city like Austin.
“We look forward to bringing our growing concept to the North Austin community, offering a variety of experiences from bumper cars to bowling,” said Mark Moore, CEO of the company. “We know the PINSTACK experience will fit right in with all of the great food, beverage and entertainment options this city has to offer.”
PINSTACK is an upscale, state-of-the-art bowling and active entertainment destination. In the 50,000-sq.-ft. space, guests can enjoy VIP bowling experiences, bumper cars, a laser tag arena, and a six-lane, LED-lit rock-climbing wall. The massive game room features the latest video games, arcade classics and virtual-reality technology. PINSTACK Austin also will feature a Giant Foosball table.
In addition to entertainment, the Austin location will provide guests with a chef-inspired restaurant, serving modern American classics such as Whole Hog Pizza, the PINSTACK Signature Burger, Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich and Mac & Cheese Pops, as well as vegetarian-friendly options like The Beyond Meat Burger.
PINSTACK also offers full-service bars featuring an extensive cocktail list, wine and local beer on tap from Real Ale, Hops & Grain and Revolver. Weekly specials include Wine Down Wednesdays and a weekday happy hour.
PINSTACK’s monthly chef specials will focus on Texas farmers and purveyors, and the special through March is Braised Short Ribs with Poblano Cheddar Grits and Roasted Vegetables.
PINSTACK Austin welcomes parties and corporate events of all sizes, with separate indoor and outdoor dining and private entertainment areas complete that include AV capabilities for corporate and business-related needs.
YES Says ‘Yes’ to 4 High Schools in 3 States
High schools in Kentucky, Louisiana and Minnesota have been selected to receive a $2,500 grant for their bowling programs through the Youth Education Services (YES) Fund.
Administered by International Bowling Campus Youth Development, the High School Grant Program annually provides up to four grants to high schools to start a new bowling program or to assist existing programs in need of financial assistance because of budget cutbacks or other changes.
The schools selected to receive grants this year are:
* Paducah Tilghman High School, Paducah, Ky.
* Warren East High School, Bowling Green, Ky.
* St. Augustine High School, New Orleans, La.
* Sibley East High School, Arlington, Minn.
The YES Fund is a joint initiative of the BPAA and USBC. It is supported by Bowling.com, Brunswick, Columbia 300, Ebonite, Hammer, QubicaAMF, Roto Grip, Storm and Track.
Business Briefs…
* Kegel will be hosting a webinar next Thursday, Feb. 27, on understanding your lane machine. Topics to be covered by Vice President of Sales Gus Falgien and Technical Sales Specialist Doug Dukes include daily, weekly, monthly and annual maintenance; how adjustments impact the way your program sheet reads versus how it plays; whether a problem can be traced to the pattern or the machine, and more. The webinar will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern. To register, go to: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/l9p8lay?utm_source=Upcoming+Training+Center+Events&utm_campaign=Webinar+Email&utm_medium=email
* A new “arcade and bowling bar” called The Eleanor in Silver Spring, Md., may not be the first bowling location to offer caviar among its menu items, but it’s certainly one of the few. Among the menu items at the facility, scheduled to open on Monday, Feb. 24, is a raw-bar item called Chips & Caviar, which will be served with sour cream ranch. The cost: $35. The Eleanor will include five mini bowling lanes, more than a dozen arcade games, multiple outdoor patios, and 20 beers on tap. Take a look at the bowling area, as well as the Chips & Caviar, here: https://dc.eater.com/2020/2/18/21142050/silver-spring-the-eleanor-am-intel
* A morning fire has destroyed the 12-lane KingPins Bowling Center in St. Peter, Minn. The center was built in 1962, and under previous owners had been known as Sioux Trail Lanes and Bowlero Lanes. The cause of the fire is under investigation. St. Peter is located in the south-central part of Minnesota, 10 miles north of Mankato.
* The developers of a 143-acre site along I-35 in Waco, Texas, are hoping to add a “nationally known bowling and family-dining entertainment brand” to their Cottonwood Creek Market project, which already is slated to include a 14-screen Cinemark movie theater complex and a TopGolf location. “Cottonwood Creek Market will be the only development of its type in the country with these three anchors,” said NewQuest Vice President Austen Baldridge in a media release. “It’s an unprecedented lineup.”
Other News You Can Use…
* At the conclusion of Thursday’s round of the 2020 U.S. Open at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln, Neb., the top 36 bowlers will advance to an eight-game Cashers Round on Friday, based on their 24-game totals, and a different oil pattern — the fourth of the tournament — will be introduced. Following the Cashers Round, 32-game totals will determine the 24 players for the round-robin portion of the event, and their 56-game totals, including 30 bonus pins for each win in match play, will decide the five players for the championship stepladder. Each round of the tournament leading up to the championship round is being streamed at BowlTV.com and simulcast on FloBowling. FOX will have live coverage of the stepladder finals on Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern. The winner will take home the Open’s traditional green jacket and $30,000 in prize money.
* The sectional assignments for the 2020 Intercollegiate Team Championships have been announced. The sectional qualifiers will take place March 14-15 at four locations: 30 Strikes in Stratford, N.J.; Smyrna Bowling Center in Smyrna, Tenn.; Stardust Bowl in Addison, Ill.; and USA Bowl in Dallas. The top four men’s and top four women’s teams from each sectional will advance to the ITC, which will be held April 15-18 at Spectrum Lanes in Wyoming, Mich. For a look at the assignments, click here: https://bowl.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?id=23622334250
* Long-time Southern California bowling standout Larry Gray is the guest this week on Phantom Radio, testing his knowledge of bowling trivia. To listen in, go to: https://kegel.squarespace.com/phantomblog/2020/2/19/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. Please remember that the Cyber Report is a B-to-B publication and not intended for consumers.
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