Ron Richard, a former BPAA board member who climbed higher in the world of American politics than any other bowling center owner, passed away on June 9, less than a month shy of his 76th birthday — which would have been celebrated, appropriately enough, today — on the 4th of July. Richard was the son […]

The Illinois State Bowling Proprietors’ Association and Chicagoland BPA’s veteran tournament coordinator, Joy LaCour, is retiring — effective today — and former ISBPA President and center owner Tom Sims is stepping into the position. LaCour kicked off her industry career at three Chicago-area bowling centers: Jack Nietzel’s Irving Park Lanes, Turner Bowl (where she organized the center’s first youth league) and Habetler Bowl. […]

The United States Bowling Congress will shift the U20 division historically included in the Junior Gold Championships to a new event outside the structure of the Junior Gold program beginning in 2024. The 2023 Junior Gold in Indianapolis will be the last year for the U20 division to be conducted at Junior Gold. Starting at […]

For the second consecutive year, Bowling Center Management swept the awards in the Business category of the International Bowling Media Association Writing competition. In her first story for the magazine, Michelle Johnson captured the first-place prize for her feature on an alert bowling center employee who prevented a toddler from wandering into the center’s pinsetting […]

A national restaurant/entertainment chain will have its first California location in a former Ross Dress for Less site in Carmichael. 810 Billiards and Bowling will be opening its Golden State location in early 2024, according to franchise owner Jaswinder Singh. Meanwhile, at 810’s Myrtle Beach, S.C., location, the new Mean Mugs Milkshake Bar was scheduled […]

After battling cancer for many years, industry veteran Bill Supper passed away on June 20. He was 77. Supper was best known for the years he spent at Ebonite International, where he was hired as the company’s East Coast sales representative. He spent 16 years with the Hopkinsville, Ky.-based company. Following a four-year stint at […]

When the industry was first starting to explore ways to help youth bowlers with their college educations, a platform called the Grand Prix Scholarship Program was developed. The program was embraced by numerous state proprietor associations, with minor tweaks made in each to adhere to state laws and scholastic regulations. Now, the Bowling Centers of […]

Bob Thomas, an industry “lifer” who most recently served as executive director of the Northern California Bowling Centers, is retiring on June 30. Prior to joining the NCBC, Thomas enjoyed a long stint as director of operations for the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. A retirement luncheon was held June 14 in Roseville, Calif.

The California State USBC Association held its 2023 Convention June 10-11 in Fresno, where BCM Editor Bob Johnson was among four individuals inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame. Johnson, elected in the meritorious service category, was joined by the late Bill Bunetta (superior performance), along with Barry Asher and the late Mike McGrath (in the newly created category of professional performance). Bunetta and McGrath […]