Cornerstone Newsletter January 2009

June Davis — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:32:25 GMT

“One World, One Game”®
The Foundation

The Cornerstone

The Foundation Newsletter

Volume 12, Issue 1 January 2009

"The crisis is upon us, friends. Our sport is in trouble. Many of you, that love the game as we do, will look at the crisis like a friend who is in trouble and needs our help. We must not shrink from the task before us, we should welcome it. It is 'our' generation that has been called to the challenge. If not now, when? If not us, who?"

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Letter from the Editor

A New Beginning

Each year it seems the time seems to slip by a little faster than the year before. For me, 2008 was certainly no exception. When I look back over the year, it seems like a blur even though it was probably one of the worst years of my life.

Every experience we have shapes us into who we are. It’s the choices that we make that define who we are; the way we stand up and face adversity shows our strengths; the way we stand beside a friend in need shows our compassion; the way we pick ourselves up when we hit rock bottom shows our resilience. You really never know what life will throw at you. You can prepare all you want but some days you’ll win the game and other days you won’t. What is truly important is that you learn something from each experience and use that new found knowledge as you move through the chapters yet to be written in your book of life.

With that, I’d like to share some lessons that I learned over the last year:

1. That which does not kill us certainly will make us stronger. This one is true on so many levels. Sometimes life is difficult but if you can face the situation and fight your way through, you’ll not only be stronger, you’ll be a little wiser.

2. When it rains, it pours. It seems like when one thing goes wrong, everything goes wrong. But stick with it; it WILL get better.

3. Friends will come and go but true friends will stand beside you through the worst of life so they can laugh with you during the best of life. A true friend would never leave you to fight the battle alone.

4. Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom to see what you’ve been missing in life. We sometimes walk through life without really living. We get comfortable in our lives and start to confuse comfort with true happiness. Sometimes it just takes the worst to happen so that we can see everything in a new perspective.

5. Honesty is always the best policy. It is better to be honest and apologize for hurting some feelings rather than lie and break the bonds of trust.

But the 2008 chapter of life is now closed. We each have the opportunity to close that book and open a new one; we each have the opportunity for a new beginning. While it may not be a new beginning to life, it can certainly be the beginning of a new chapter of life. We cannot change what has happened but we can learn from our past experiences and make different decisions as we move ahead in our lives.

Happy New Year and may 2009 be your best year yet!

Team USA's Hoffman, Ballard to join USBC's International Development team

By: Mark Miller; USBC Communications

In an initiative to help grow the sport of bowling both domestically and worldwide, the United States Bowling Congress has hired Team USA members Bill Hoffman and Del Ballard Jr. to join the International Development team.

Hoffman, formerly of Columbus, Ohio, joined USBC as International Development team leader Dec. 5. Ballard, a former Professional Bowlers Association touring player from North Richland Hills, Texas, begins Dec. 29. By joining the USBC staff, both are leaving the USBC Board of Directors with replacements to be announced after voting at a later date by the USBC Athletes Advisory Council.

"Our International Development team will be challenged with the goal of not only promoting bowling worldwide, but also developing partnerships to help cover the costs of the program," USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger said. "It is my expectation that the International Development team will be self-sustaining."

Hoffman has been involved with the sport of bowling for more than 20 years. The 1999 and 2003 U.S. National Amateur champion is a six-time Team USA member. The former full-time amateur bowler has served as a delegate to the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs, World Tenpin Bowling Association and on the USA Bowling International Relations Committee. He currently is a member of the WTBA Tournament Committee.

"The initial step is learning what other countries need, then developing programs to help grow the sport in their countries," said Hoffman before leaving on his first assignment in Qatar. "My international bowling experience has led me to develop relationships with WTBA member federations, athletes and some proprietors. That combination puts me in a unique position to help them understand their needs."

Ballard is a 13-time PBA titlist and a member of USBC Team USA in 2008. Among his pro titles are four majors - the 1987 U.S. Open, 1988 USBC Masters, 1989 Firestone Tournament of Champions and 1993 U.S. Open. All of his championships came in a seven-year span from 1987 to 1993. With his first career victory at the 1987 U.S. Open, Ballard became the first player in the history of professional bowling to win a six-figure prize.

"This is such an exciting and pivotal time for USBC, and I feel it is important for me to get more involved," Ballard said. "We are going to put programs together to assist other countries in start coaching programs and help federations develop further. Growing the sport around the world will continue to strengthen USBC in the years to come."

New bowling ball specification will affect manufacturers, not bowlers

By: Gene J. Kanak; USBC Communications

In April 2009, the USBC Equipment Specifications and Certification team will begin enforcing a new specification that limits the surface roughness-Ra of all bowling balls certified for competition from that point forward.

The new specification is designed to guide manufacturers as they create future releases and will have no impact whatsoever on the legality of bowling balls certified for competition prior to April 2009.

It also is important to note that this specification deals with chemical surface roughness, which is measured by USBC engineers during the bowling ball certification process. It will not place any limitations on bowling ball surface adjustments made by individual bowlers after purchase; therefore, all previously-allowed surface adjustments will still be deemed legal.

"This is a win-win situation because this specification will move us another step closer to regaining the balance between skill and achievement in the future, and, in the short term, it doesn't take anything away from bowlers," USBC Technical Director Steve Kloempken said.

The USBC Equipment Specifications and Certification team measures chemical surface roughness using two factors, Ra and RS.

Surface roughness-Ra is a measure of the microscopic spikes on a bowling ball's surface. Surface roughness-RS measures the distance between those spikes.

Generally speaking, bowling balls with aggressive ball motion will have cover stocks that feature tall surface spikes that are spaced far apart. Balls with weaker ball motion, plastic balls, for example, will have cover stocks featuring smaller surface spikes that are bunched closer together.

Under the new specification, all balls certified for competition after April 2009 must have an average surface roughness-Ra measurement of 50 or fewer microinches.

"Now manufacturers will have a high-end limit to work within when creating bowling balls, and that is an unprecedented step in the area of specifications and certification" USBC Senior Research Engineer Paul Ridenour said.

The specification came about after a two-year, comprehensive bowling ball motion study determined that surface roughness measurements are the No. 1 factor that affect bowling ball motion.

Modern bowling balls often are constructed using porous chemical materials in the cover, allowing balls to cut through lane oil and achieve strong ball motion into the pins. It has been determined that, if left unregulated, modern bowling balls could have a disproportionate impact on scoring relative to player skill. This specification aims to stop that trend.

"For the first time in the sport of bowling, USBC has created a method capable of measuring differences of bowling ball cover stock chemistry by means of porosity and surface roughness," said USBC Vice President - National Governing Body Neil Stremmel. "With this specification and others set in the recent past, USBC is taking a step toward the re-balancing of player skill and success in the sport of bowling."

John Nolen wins 2008 Regional Players Invitational

Eight players earn exemptions for the 2009-10 PBA season

John Nolen had his mind set on playing in the Tournament of Champions (TOC) in Las Vegas and he did everything in his power to make sure that happened. Nolen led all but one round of the three-day, five round tournament and finished atop the field to earn his ticket into the TOC as well as an exemption for the 2009-10 PBA season.

This is the first year in its 40-year existence that the tournament offers eight Lumber Liquidator's PBA Tour exemptions to the top regional players.

"It's definitely a surreal moment," said the 29-year-old from Waterford, Mich. "I don't even know if it's quite hit me. It wasn't until the fourth block today when I was so far ahead that I realized I had earned an exemption. And now I get to bowl in Vegas in three weeks."

Nolen finished with 6,945 pins over the 30 games, in which the 83-player field bowled six games apiece on the Cheetah, Chameleon, Viper, Scorpion, and Shark oil patterns. He averaged 231.5 and bested second-place P.J. Haggerty of Clovis, Calif. by 219 pins.

Haggerty, 23, finished with a score of 6,726 and was also thrilled to receive his first Tour exemption.

"I was just tired of bowling in TQRs honestly," Haggerty said. "I was determined to bowl well out here and I did. I had help from some guys on the Tour like Chris Barnes, Wes Malott, Dino Castillo as well as Rick Benoit and Chris Schlemer. Also, this is a big day for me because my coach at school (Fresno State), Glenn Carlson, passed away last year and today was his birthday."

Brothers Lonnie and Brian Walicek finished in third and seventh place, respectively. They are just the third set of brothers to earn exemptions in the same year. They follow in the footsteps of Dale and David Traber and Mike and Mark Scroggins.

"I know what it's all about (playing on the Tour), so that part won't be new to me," said Lonnie Walicek, 38, of Wichita, Kan., who was exempt 2000-2004. "I felt I had to stay with it because I had a little bit more to give. It's good to be back on the stage I felt I should be playing on."

About playing with his brother: "I'm excited," said 30-year-old Brian Walicek of Birch Run, Mich. "Lon's been working his tail off and now I have a roommate. It's exciting to do it with him. It wouldn't have been as sweet without him."

Also, earning exemptions were former exempt player Dave Arnold of Reno, Nev. who finished in fourth, John May, 36, of Lincolnton, N.C. in sixth, Derek Sapp, 29, of Keokuk, Iowa in eighth and Wayne Garber, 41, of Modesto, Calif. in 10th (fifth and ninth place finishers Dave Wodka and Eric Forkel did not play for exemptions).

May is returning to the Tour after a two year absence. "I think my girlfriend (Casie) is more excited than me," he joked. "I now have six months to get ready for the life of the Tour, the travel and such. Honestly though I wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for her pushing me."

Sapp is joining the Tour for his first time. "I don't know if relief is the right word," said Sapp. "My attitude was that I had a job, if I didn't get it, that's OK and I think that helped take the pressure off. "It's a good feeling to be considered one of the best."

Garber narrowly nabbed the last and final exemption by striking out in the 10th frame of his final game, to edge out Troy Wollenbecker by two pins. "I knew I needed to fill 29 in the 10th to pass him (Wollenbecker) and luckily I did," said Garber who manages Yosemite Lanes in Modesto, Calif. Garber is not only happy for the exemption, but happy to just be bowling again. During the summer of 2007, Garber had an accident which severely injured both knees. "I was laid out five months and had three surgeries, and now I'm bowling better than I ever have."

Kegel invited to attend N.A.I.R. Convention

The Kegel Company is proud to announce that the premiere lane maintenance company in the world has been invited to attend the annual National Association of Independent Resurfacers (NAIR). This will be the 36^th NAIR Convention and Trade Show and it will be held January 18-21 in Napa, CA. Below is the special invitation that we received.

Greetings Bowling Tech Specialists: (Paraphrased for space).

You are cordially invited to attend the 36^th NAIR, Bowling Lane and Equipment Specialists Convention. This will be our second year to have our convention coincide with the BPAA Summit meetings. What a grand opportunity to meet and mingle with other NAIR Tech Specialists, Manufacturer Representatives and Proprietors. Our convention program this year compliments the BPAA program by focusing on the technical issues of safety and training.

Having the NAIR convention in conjunction with the BPAA Summit meetings offers the opportunity to attend BPAA educational meetings as well. Many of the topics this year pertain to our memberships businesses. One of the biggest challenges proprietors face today is converting their centers to an FEC. Our knowledge from the technical perspective should prove to be beneficial information begging to be shared at one of the many social functions. We can also lend guidance to proprietors in maintaining their equipment to meet USBC specifications.

This year’s Convention offers you;

A).Seminars to help make your service business more successful

B).A Trade show of the leading purveyors

C). Networking with other tech specialists, manufacturers and proprietors.

D). Social venues, incl.: the Napa wine train, Private winery tours, receptions and luncheons.

The NAIR Business meeting on Wednesday is a top priority. Your input reflecting on the changes within the industry is crucial information in helping to steer NAIR.

I’m looking forward to many discussions regarding the ever changing dynamics in the bowling industry. Have a safe and happy holiday season then let’s get together in Napa and experience the New NAIR, The Association of Bowling Lane and Equipment Specialists.

Scott Freeman, President
NAIR Bowling Lane and Equipment Specialists

(NOTE: Tentatively scheduled to represent Kegel, are: Brandy Padilla and Len Nicholson).

2008 Thanksgiving Senior High Roller Report

In early November, Brad Edelman (President of the High Roller), contacted The Kegel Company about assisting with the lane conditions for this year’s (2008) Thanksgiving Senior High Roller tournament that was coming up at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas, Nevada. This prestigious event would be held throughout the Holiday from November 23 – 30. Edelman, the long time leader of undoubtedly the premiere amateur scratch bowling group in the world, stated that he was interested in something “different” in lane conditions for this year’s prestigious event.

He told Kegel official Len Nicholson that he would like to have a choice of three (3) basic patterns for this year’s tournament. The reason for the three (3) separate patterns was two fold: (A). He thought that the bowlers would welcome something “different” than the usual “house shot”, and: (B). He said that the event would feature three (3) separate “Divisions”, based on the three (3) different age groups that would be competing.

First of all, Nicholson highly recommended that Kegel Service Technician, Bud Dacheux visit the bowling center to make sure that the Kegel Kustodian lane machines were in tip-top shape. Bud went in a couple of weeks in advance and worked closely with the head mechanic (Jerry Gresko), bringing the Kegel machines up to par.

Next, Kegel Founder John Davis was contacted for his input regarding the three (3) patterns. He suggested contacting Ted Thompson (Kegel consultant), for his opinions. Thompson suggested using the “Navigation Challenge Series”. It was agreed by all that this would be the way to go,

A few days before the tournament, Nicholson visited Sam’s Town and met with Brad, Jerry and other interested parties. The three (3) patterns were installed into the machine and some local bowlers threw several shots in order for them to get a good read on the player’s ball reaction.

Broadway – Middle Road – Beaten Path

After studying the lane surface, it was decided to use three (3) of the Navigation “Challenge Series” programs; Broadway, Middle Road and Beaten Path. Those three (3) patterns would be modified based on Sam’s Towns lane surface characteristics. They were renamed; HR Senior 1, HR Senior 2 and HR Senior 3.

The three (3) patterns all had different distances and oil volumes, thus creating three (3) different angles. The modifications made were designed to play similarly, but uniquely different allowing for slightly different portions of the lane to play.

One of the players was heard to say, "It was nice to be able to play down and in this week and still compete! I made the finals in 2 of the 3 events playing where I like to play on the lanes instead of trying to play somewhere I wasn't comfortable."

Brad Edelman stated, "In watching the qualifying and the finals, it was good to see players bowling well playing different angles! Many players who can't play inside had a better look this week and they were able to capitalize. In the championship match of all 3 tournaments this week, there were players with totally different games bowling against each other for a title."

All of the results of the event are posted on the High Roller website, at: www.high-roller.com

PBA TO INDUCT DUKE, BALLARD JR. AND HANDEGARD INTO PBA HALL OF FAME

SEATTLE (Nov. 26, 2008) — Norm Duke, Del Ballard Jr. and John Handegard join bowling’s elite and will be inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame during the PBA 50th Anniversary Gala in Las Vegas on January 24, 2009. The induction marks the first time since 2000 that the PBA Tour will add new inductees into the Performance Category of the PBA Hall of Fame.

Norm Duke of Clermont, Fla. currently owns 30 career PBA Tour titles, including six Majors, recently becoming the first player in PBA history to win three consecutive Majors as he captured the PBA World Championships in Wichita, Kan. earlier this season. Duke started his career on the right path becoming the youngest player in PBA history to win a PBA Tour title at the young age of 18, when he captured the 1983 Cleveland Open. Duke, who is a two-time PBA Player of the Year (1994, 2000), also has been in the top 20 of both earnings and average every year since 1991, winning the George Young High Average Award four times (1991, 1994, 2005-06, 2006-07). Duke is currently sixth on the all-time TV appearances list with 100 singles appearances and ranks fourth on the all-time career money leaders list. “To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, it’s a requirement that you be a top notch bowler for a number of years,” Duke said. “In my mind I look back at all the years that I struggled in my career and it was a learning process … that’s really what I’m getting credit for. This induction is so special,” Duke added. “About 30 years ago I was bowling as a teen with Del Ballard Jr. and to be inducted alongside him is really something special. It will be something I will never forget.”

Ballard Jr. of Keller, Texas has 13 career PBA Tour titles to his credit, including 4 Majors. With his career earnings totaling $1,300,357, he became the 11th PBA player to hit the $1M mark during the ‘94 season. He won the prestigious U.S. Open 2 times (in ‘87 and ‘93) and his 4 career Major victories puts him tied for seventh on the all-time PBA Majors list. “I’m extremely excited, but out of respect for a couple other guys that I feel also deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, I’m trying to be humble about it,” Ballard Jr. said. “It’s been a long road as I was nominated before and was disappointed when I didn’t make it in the 1^st time. But I’m glad that I’m going in with Norm, as we have a long history together, we both came up together in Texas, went to the same PBA school in Denver, roomed together and known each other a long time.”

Handegard marks the first player to be inducted in the PBA Senior Hall of Fame. Handegard is the PBA Senior Tour’s all-time titlist with 14 career PBA Senior Tour titles, including one Major title. A three-time PBA Senior Player of the Year (1991, '95, '96), Handegard also made PBA history by becoming the oldest PBA Tour Champion at age 57, capturing the 1995 Northwest Classic in Kennewick, Wash., defeating Mark Williams 278-247 for the title.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the PBA Tour, the PBA created a new Hall of Fame induction process to honor its greatest players of both past and present. The most notable changes to the process include that a bowler now may also become eligible for selection to the Hall of Fame on the basis of 5 PBA Tour Titles, if two of those titles were Major championships and 20 years of PBA membership, rather than retirement from the Tour for five years.

The PBA also unveiled a new Senior Tour division to the Hall of Fame to honor those players whose rise to greatness took place after they moved on to the PBA Senior Tour. The criteria for the PBA Senior Hall of Fame are as follows: a minimum of eight PBA Senior Tour titles or a minimum of five PBA Senior Tour titles including two Majors with a minimum of 10 years membership in the PBA. With these changes, 12 bowlers became eligible for induction. The eligible inductees were voted on by a 65 person committee comprised of the PBA Hall of Fame Board, current Hall of Fame members and selected media representatives, ultimately selecting three inductees for 2009. A two-thirds vote was required for induction.

List of Phantom Radio Guests in 2008

Phantom Radio is an internet bowling “talk show” that has been on the World-Wide “web” for almost 8-years. The list of Guests over that time period is a virtual “who’s who” in the world of bowling. Below Guest List that appeared in 2008. To listen, go to: www.foundation300.com

Jan 2 – Jim Dressel: 2007 REVIEW

Jan 9 – Gary Beck

Jan 16 – 300^th Show – Dave Bolles: Part 1

Jan 23 – 300^th Show – Dave Bolles: Part 2

Jan 30 – Brian Lewis

Feb 6 – Jason Thomas

Feb 13 – Jim Goodwin

Feb 20 – Bob Strickland

Feb 27 – Gary Beck

Mar 5 – Chris Schlemer

Mar 12 – Dave Bolles

Mar 19 – Bill Hall

Mar 26 – Ted Thompson

Apr 2 – Jim Dressel: 1^st Quarter REVIEW

Apr 9 - Doug Chase: 6^th Anniversary Show

Apr 16 - Doug Chase: Part 2 of 2

Apr 23 – Charlie Tapp

Apr 30 – Neil Stremmel

May 7 – Bob Strickland

May 14 – Alan Thompson

May 21 – Randy Little

May 28 – Bob Hart

June 4 – Bob Gudorf

June 11 – Tony Mendiola

June 18 – Joe Slowinski

June 25 – Chris Chartrand

July 2 – Jim Dressel: 2^nd Quarter REVIEW

July 9 – Phantom Commentary

July 16 – Bill Bunetta: Part 1 of 3

July 23 – Bill Bunetta: Part 2 of 3
July 30 – Bill Bunetta: Part 3 of 3

Aug 6 – Tom Madrecki

Aug 13 – Tiffany Shubrooks

Aug 20 – Joe Imholte

Aug 27 – Dennis Sheirs

Sept 3 – Patrick Smith

Sept 10 – Chuck Pezzano

Sept 17 – Terrance Reeves

Sept 24 – Mark Baker

Oct 1 – Jim Dressel: 3^rd Quarter REVIEW

Oct 8 – Bryan Viator

Oct 15 – Danny Ayers

Oct 22 – Wendy MacPherson

Oct 29 – Jim Goodwin

Nov 5 – Del Ballard

Nov 12 – Dennis Bergendorf

Nov 19 – Tom Clark

Nov 26 – Fred Schreyer

Dec 3 – Peggy Elias

Dec 10 – Larry Lichstein

Dec 17 – Chuck Pezzano

Dec 24 – Carmen Salvino

Dec 31 – Billy Hardwick

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Membership Report

We have members in all 50 states,
and the District of Columbia

We have members in 49 countries, including the United States:

Argentina Australia Bahrain Belgium Brazil Canada China Columbia Costa Rica Denmark Ecuador Egypt Finland France Germany Great Britain Greece Guam Guatemala Ireland Israel Italy Japan Korea Latvia Malaysia Mexico The Netherlands N. Ireland Netherlands Antilles
New Zealand Panama Philippines Puerto Rico Peru Qatar Scotland Singapore Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Thailand Turkey U.A.E. Ukraine Venezuela

Corporate Sponsors

The problems that exist in our Sport are “industry-wide” problems that must be addressed by the entire Industry. The Foundation does all that they can to help, but we can NOT do it alone.

The Foundation has well over 1000-Members who have joined-in to assist. Some Members (Founding and Charter) have paid to show their support. Some Members (Associates) have just lent their “voice”. ALL of the members are important.

Even though The Foundation has NOT actively solicited bowling-related companies for help, some realize the importance of our “Mission” and have come forward with donations. We recognize the following companies for their loyalty and support to bowling.

KEGEL

KAT Travel

I.B.P.S.I.A.

EBN Services

Storm Bowling

Classic Products

Bobs’ Business, Inc.

Vincennes University

BowlersParadise.com

Virtualtournaments.com

Wichita State University

David Driscoll & Associates

International Bowling Industry Magazine

Stars and Strikes Bowling Newsmagazine

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The Cornerstone,

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The Foundation

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6800 US 27 North

Sebring FL 33870

Phone: 863-382-2643

Email: savrsprt@yahoo.com

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Cornerstone Newsletter January 2009