Gary Parsons Honored With: 8th Annual “John Davis Award”

Gary Parsons has been named as the 2008 recipient of: “The John Davis Award”.  The surprise presentation was made in Orlando, Florida at Bowl Expo 2008.  Parsons, 60, now joins a very impressive list of previous honorees that includes: Joyce Deitch, John Weber, Ted Hoffman, Jr., Jim Dressel, Mark Gerberich, Carmen Salvino and Linda Davis.

Parsons is approaching his 50^th year in bowling.  He’s been a Scratch bowler since the 60’s and he won many scratch tournaments in the: 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, & 90’s – before a knee injury sidelined him.  He won 2 National Collegiate championships at laceName w:st="on">HardinglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CollegelaceType> in 1970 and 1971, and he was the very first Nation's Capital “area bowler” to bowl back-to-back, 300 games.  He started coaching in the early 70’s, and taught at the first-2, "Super Schools", and is consistently voted in as a top-100 coaches in Bowlers Journal annual Poll.   He’s a Level III Certified Ritger Instructor along with being a Silver Level USBC Bowling Coach.  He is a 2-time IBPSIA Board Member and he created an "Advanced Certification Program" for them.  He is the owner of 2 Pro-Shops, and he is also an accomplished bowling writer with over 100 published articles.  Out of total respect, Parsons is often referred to by his friends and colleagues as; “Guru”.

In 1996, John Davis called together a group of professional lanemen in an attempt to research the problems that were affecting the Sport of bowling.  Out of that week-long meeting, a “Guild of Lanemen” was established and Davis promised that his group would be involved in as many major events in the world as possible, and to exhibit all of the research for the whole world to see on the company’s web site, at: www.foundation300.com  Soon thereafter (in 1997), The Foundation was formed and Gary became actively involved at its very inception by becoming a Founding Member, and has continually supported The Foundation in many ways, as well as being a continuing contributor. 

Davis, the man who started The Kegel Company, and founding ‘father’ of The Foundation, has been totally involved in bowling for nearly his entire life. At an early age, John's dad taught all of his children how to bowl. That "love affair" with this great Sport, has been going on for over a half century. In his 50-plus years of involvement with bowling, it is safe to say that no one has done more for the Sport of bowling than John Davis. Even though The Kegel Company is a relatively small one, his personal investment in bowling has been unselfish and unmatched.

His innovations, inventions, contributions, etc., have all been well documented in the past. His leadership in both technology and humanities, both in this Country and Worldwide, make him perhaps the most sought out figure in the game today. His behind-the-scenes committee "work" is also globally welcomed. Because of his vast accomplishments and devotion to the Sport, the Award (aptly called: "The John Davis Award"), was established by The Foundation in his name. This prestigious honor is presented annually to a deserving Foundation Member. A beautiful, “one–of-a-kind”, perpetual plaque, with the words: “For Outstanding Contributions and Extraordinary Efforts of Behalf of the Advancement of the Sport of Bowling”, and  bearing each recipients name, is permanently displayed at the "home" of The Foundation, in The Kegel Training Center, in Lake Wales, Florida. 

Congratulations Gary, you definitely deserve this great honor.  Thanks for all that you do to help The Foundation and the great sport of bowling.