The Cornerstone
The Foundation Newsletter
Volume 16, Issue 2 February 2012
"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?"
The Foundation
“One World, One Game”
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Letter from the Editor
Customer Service
Customer service goes a long way when it comes to customer retention. Customers want to be treated like they matter and giving a little extra in the “nice” department is not only free but can pay off in a big way in the long run.
I recently went to dinner at a chain bar-and-grill restaurant with some friends of mine. We met for a somewhat later dinner (around 8 PM) so the restaurant wasn’t crowded at all. We were seated quickly and we were then greeted by what proceeded to be one of the most non personable servers of all time. He never smiled at us, never showed any enthusiasm, never showed any sense of urgency and overall just didn’t seem to care that we were even there…and it wasn’t like there was a restaurant full of patrons; there were a total of maybe 10 tables.
I tend to be a picky eater (hey…I like what I like!) so my order can sometimes be complicated. I remove and substitute and generally my orders rarely come out right. When our server took my order, I had to repeat it about six times. The first time was my fault as I spoke too quickly for him to write it all down. The next times however, it’s like he just wasn’t paying attention. Needless to say, when everyone else’s food came, mine was still in the kitchen being remade because it wasn’t correct. Unfortunately, two other plates from our six-top should’ve stayed in the kitchen as they were incorrect also. Those made it to the table and while one person sent theirs back, the other ate theirs and the server never offered to correct it or discount it. There was just no level of customer service. And, if this were how it was when I visited this place, I wouldn’t go back. As it is, I typically sit at the bar…because I get better service.
Customers should always be greeted quickly and with a smile. Make them feel welcome. Show them some hospitality. How do you want to be welcomed when you walk in an establishment?
There’s no reason why a customer should ever have a bad customer service experience. Sure, in a restaurant, food will come out incorrect. It happens because we’re all human and people make mistakes. Mistakes like that can be corrected. However, a rude server or an unfriendly hostess (or counter attendant) can make for a bad experience that will cost you a repeat customer. Smiles and courtesy are free and can make a customer feel valued which in turn can make a customer return.
2012 Intercollegiate Singles Championships moves to Nebraska with new format
ARLINGTON, Texas – The 2012 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Singles Championships will have a new format and be held in conjunction with USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln, Neb. The singles event will take place April 17; team competition begins April 19.
The new one-day format will consist of six games of qualifying followed by head-to-head match play. The match-play portion will feature three-game total pinfall matches.
“We are excited to be marrying the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships with the singles championship,” International Bowling Campus Collegiate Manager Gary Brown said. “This change will add more energy and exposure to the singles championships as many of the fans and media attending the team championships will now see both events.”
Qualifying for the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships takes place through one of the four sectional qualifiers. Bowlers at each sectional location bowl six games of qualifying and a total of 24 men and 16 women will advance. At each sectional, the top four men and top four women advance; the additional eight men’s spots will be based on the size of the field at each location.
Airfare, hotel, transportation and meals for each national finalist is paid for by USBC. The men’s and women’s USBC Intercollegiate Singles champions will also receive a paid entry into the USBC Masters and Queens respectively.
USBC will provide live video coverage of the ITC and ISC on BOWL.com.
About International Bowling Campus
The International Bowling Campus (IBC) is the headquarters for the bowling industry and directly serves the more than 71 million bowlers in the United States. The IBC houses the resources of the United States Bowling Congress, the governing body and membership organization for the sport; the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, representing the business interests of bowling centers; Strike Ten Entertainment, the marketing arm for the industry; the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame; The Bowling Foundation; the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association; the Bowling Writers Association of America; the Bowling News Network; the Billiard and Bowling Institute of America; and the International Training and Research Center.
BWAA Launches Virtual Youth Challenge Tournament
After weeks of testing, the Bowling Writers Association of America is officially launching a new tournament for youth bowlers this week. BWAA is teaming up with VirtualTournaments.com to create an all new ongoing weekly tournament called the Virtual Youth Challenge, where youth bowlers from age 8-20 with verified averages anywhere in the world can have fun while earning scholarship awards toward higher education.
The Virtual Youth Challenge is designed to encourage young bowlers to participate in league bowling, and it gives them an extra incentive to improve their skills to earn scholarship awards for the very affordable entry fee of $5. From every entry fee, $3 will be paid in S.M.A.R.T. scholarship awards, $1 will go to the BWAA Pezzano Scholarship program (which benefits youth bowlers studying communications) $.50 to Bowling’s Youth Education Services (Y.E.S.) fund, and $.50 to administration of the event.
“We are very proud to launch this new event for youth bowlers,” said BWAA President Jim Goodwin. “Our Pezzano Scholarship Committee chair Joan Romeo and our Virtual Tournament Committee chair Brandy Padilla have been working together with Scott Scriver at VirtualTournaments.com for months to write the rules and put this all together. We are very excited about the long term potential of this event and we encourage everyone in the industry to get behind this effort to boost youth bowling.”
In the Virtual Youth Challenge, bowlers will compete using their league scores in two age divisions – 8 through 12 and 13 through 20. Only youth bowlers not participating in adult leagues are eligible, and all averages will be verified before winners become official each week.
The Virtual Youth Challenge is a simple “Highest Over Average” event with a handicap of 90% from the highest average entered each week in each division. One of every five entries each week in each division will earn scholarship awards that will be deposited in their SMART account within 30 days.
Aside from the great benefit of being able to earn scholarship awards without travel expense, young bowlers with military families around the world will be able to participate from the hundreds of centers on military bases across the globe.
For complete rules and information, visit the website www.VirtualYouthChallenge.com, or look for news and information at www.bowlingwriters.com.
The Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) is the world’s most prominent bowling media and communications organization. Since 1934, BWAA has been a primary industry source for bowling news and information for the global sport and business of bowling.
ALL IN for Bowling’s Xtravaganza Event
Qualifying is underway in bowling centers across the nation for the newest national bowling event, the Xtravaganza, presented by the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame and supported by all of the major industry groups, and many sponsors. The goal is to provide an annual major fund raising event for the IBMHF, create business for bowling centers and provide a fantastic Vegas vacation filled with fun and competition for bowlers everywhere.
As the event gets rolling, bowlers can look for promotional posters, flyers and other information in participating BPAA centers. The Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and the United States Bowling Congress share a building in Arlington, Texas with the Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, and they all have the same goal of building the sport and business of bowling.
“Any event that helps our Hall of Fame is great for bowling, and we are behind it 100%,” said Steve Johnson, Executive Director of BPAA. “We encourage all of our member centers to get on board to make the Xtravangaza a special event that will become an annual tradition.”
USBC Executive Director Stu Upson echoes Johnson’s sentiments. “What we especially like about the Xtravaganza is that it involves bowlers of all skill levels; and it brings them together in a national finals where they all have a fair chance for success” said Upson.
Joining USBC and BPAA on the Xtravaganza promotions team are industry sponsors Station Casinos Lanes of Las Vegas, Jack Link’s Beef Jerky and Musselman’s Applesause. The host center for the national finals will be Red Rock Lanes, one of 18 Station properties in Las Vegas.
The Xtravaganza is a new annual bowling event designed for BPAA member centers across the globe to benefit the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame. Local champions will win paid vacations to the fabulous Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas where they will compete in the finals for an additional $25,000 in prizes May 31 - June 3, 2012.
The event is presented by the IBMHF and sponsored by the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA), the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), Station Casinos Lanes of Las Vegas, Strike Ten Entertainment (STE), and industry sponsors Jack Link's Beef Jerky and Musselman's Applesauce. For additional information, visit the websites www.bowlingmuseum.com, www.bpaa.com, or www.bowl.com.
Bowling centers wishing to become official Xtravaganza Centers can contact BPAA for information. More details of the event, and updates on progress can be found on three websites: www.bpaa.com, www.bowl.com, and www.bowlingmuseum.com.
For more info, contact Stefanie Nation at the International Bowling Campus (817) 385-8386. Stefanie@bpaa.com
Finland’s Osku Palermaa wins PBA World Championship
Finland’s Osku Palermaa became the first international player, and the first two-handed bowler, to win the Professional Bowlers Association World Championship when he defeated Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, N.Y., in the title match, 203-177, to win the $50,000 first prize and a berth in the Round of 36 for the end-of-season PBA Tournament of Champions.
The finals of the PBA's first "major" tournament of the 2011-12 season have been contested almost two months ago on November 20 on a pair of lanes specially installed in an exhibit hall at South Point Hotel and Casino in suburban Las Vegas. The tape-delay telecast of the championship round aired Sunday on ESPN.
Palermaa, who had battled flu-like symptoms for two months leading into the World Championship, was feeling much better after winning his second career PBA title.
He saved his best for the final game after surviving two earlier elimination games that saw fellow two-handed player Jason Belmonte of Australia and top qualifier Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., knocked out of contention.
The 28-year-old Finn started the title match in South Point Casino and Hotel’s exhibition hall with a 7-10 split, but that was his only open frame. Shafer threw only three strikes - two of them for his only double - but his failure to convert the 3-6-10 spare in the seventh frame proved fatal, shifting the match to Palermaa’s favor.
Strikes in the ninth and 10th frame secured the victory for Palermaa, and extended Shafer’s PBA record for television appearances in major championships without a title to 13.
“I was grateful. I knew I had the pocket, but to see all 10 pins go down, I felt grateful,” Palermaa said. “The 7-10 was only one frame. After that, I threw a lot of strikes on the left lane, so it evened out. I don’t know if this makes me the best in the world, but I hope so.”
The anticipated showdown between Palermaa and Belmonte, the world’s premier two-handed players, created some excitement, but not in the way most observers expected. Rash dominated the first elimination game with a 245, Shafer was second with a 236, and Palermaa and Belmonte rolled to a 203-203 tie, forcing a one-ball roll-off to see who would advance and who would be eliminated.
In the roll-off, Belmonte barely touched the headpin, leaving the 2-4-5-8 “bucket.” Needing only seven pins, Palermaa struck to move on.
“All you can do is throw a good shot and you get what you get,” Palermaa said. “Seeing Jason leave a bucket helped. But I bowled a good game. It is what it is.”
In the second elimination game, Shafer, a 25-year PBA Tour veteran, struck on his last four shots to finish with a 222. Palermaa threw three strikes in the 10th for a 217. Rash, who dominated the World Championship qualifying rounds, saw his title hopes collapse when he left a 7-10 in the ninth frame, finishing with a 193.
The finals were conducted on the PBA’s Scorpion lane condition, selected by Rash as the leading qualifier in the field.
The PBA World Championship was the fifth event of the PBA World Series of Bowling which kicked off the 2011-12 season in November 2011. All tournaments were recorded for tape-delay broadcast on ESPN. Next Sunday, Jan. 22, at 3 p.m. ET, ESPN will televise the finals of the Bayer Viper Open.
PBA Senior Tour begins 2012 season in Florida
SEATTLE (Dec. 28, 2011) -- The Professional Bowlers Association has announced its nine-stop 2012 PBA Senior Tour season will begin April 21-24 at Spanish Springs Lanes in The Villages.
The PBA will accept entries for the 2012 season for qualified players 50 years of age and older beginning March 1. Entry information may be found by visiting pba.com or by calling PBA headquarters at (206) 332-9688.
2012 PBA Senior Tour Schedule
April 21-24 - PBA Senior Sun Bowl in The Villages presented by Storm, Spanish Springs Lanes, The Villages, Fla.
April 28-May 2 - PBA Senior Don Carter Open presented by Ebonite, Carter Family Bowl, Winter Garden, Fla.
May 6-9 - PBA Senior Miller High Life Classic presented by Columbia 300, George Pappas Victory Lanes, Mooresville, N.C.
May 14-17 - PBA Senior Dayton Classic presented by Roto Grip, Capri Lanes, Dayton, Ohio
June 3-8 - Etonic PBA Senior U.S. Open presented by Suncoast Bowling Center, Las Vegas
June 10-15 - USBC Senior Masters, South Point Bowling Center, Las Vegas
June 17-20 - PBA Senior Northern California Classic presented by Track, Harvest Park Bowl, Brentwood, Calif.
August 6-9 - PBA Senior South Shore Open presented by DV8, Olympia Lanes, Hammond, Ind.
August 11-14 Senior Decatur Open presented by Brunswick, Spare Time Lanes, Decatur, Ill.
The 2011 season was highlighted by one of the most dominant performances in Senior Tour history with Ron Mohr of Eagle River, Alaska, winning a record-tying four titles supported by a 67-30 record in head-to-head matches and an equally impressive qualifying record. In 10 tournaments, Mohr was the leading qualifier twice, No. 2 twice and he qualified lower than seventh only one time. One of his four victories was the prestigious US Senior Open.
Among those becoming eligible for the 2012 Senior Tour season will be PBA Hall of Famer Amleto Monacelli and Tour veteran Mike Edwards.
Recent ‘Phantom Radio’ Trivia Contest Winners
Phantom Radio’s monthly Trivia Contests continue to be popular with the listeners and the list of Phantom Phans continues to grow. These contests are sponsored by Storm Bowling and you must be a “Phantom Phan Club Member” to be eligible to win. It’s easy to join; just go to our website: www.foundation300.com and look for “How to join The Phantom Phan Club”. Listed below are the most recent Phan Club winners. Sign-up today and WIN!
2011 Monthly Winners
OCTOBER 2011
1. Dave Kowalski: Wins an Accessory Item from Storm Bowling. Dave, please contact me as soon as possible so that I can put you in touch with our friends at Storm.
2. Vic Sockrider: Wins a surprise package of “goodies” directly from The Phantom.
3. Warren Freidl: Wins a “souvenir” Sean Rash Bobble-Head doll.
4. Sammy Stern: Wins a 3-day, 2-night stay at the Sands otelHotelhHotel & Casino in Reno.
NOVEMBER 2011
1. Jim Raudy: Wins a new bowling bag from Storm Bowling Products. Jim, please contact me so that I can put you in touch with our friends from Storm.
2. Brandy Padilla: Wins a Kelly Kulick Bobble-Head Doll that was donated to Phantom Radio by our friends at Strike 10 Entertainment.
3. Debbie Lothes: Wins a Kelly Kulick Bobble-Head Doll that was donated to Phantom Radio by our friends at Strike 10 Entertainment.
4. Ted Glattke: Wins a Pro Golf Hat donated to Phantom Radio from the Golf Channel.
DECEMBER 2011
1. Mike Carroll: Wins a new bowling ball from Storm Bowling Products. Mike, please contact me so that I can put you in touch with our friends from Storm.
2. Allen Wallace: Wins a Carmen Salvino Bobble-head Doll from Strike 10.
3. Rafael Cons: Wins a Carmen Salvino Bobble Head Doll from Strike 10.
4. Rick Wiltse: Wins a Gift Pack from the Don Glover Tournament Committee.
For a complete list of the past contest winners, go to: www.foundation300.com
Once you are there, scroll down and click-on “Phantom Phan Club”, then go to “Storm Bowling Trivia Contest Winners”. If you don’t see your name, it’s because you are NOT a Member! Join today to take advantage of all of the monthly prizes that are given away. The total amount given away to date is well over $100,000.00 Join and get YOUR share.
Support our Sponsors:
We appreciate all that they do to bring Phantom Radio to you each and every week.
www.stormbowling.com
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www.kegel.net
Terminology – Part 5
(NOTE: We are continuing with an educational series on bowling “terms”. Hope you enjoy).
Preferred Spin Axis (PSA): The axis around which a ball will migrate to (and spin around) when energy is added to the bowling ball. This will always be the high RG axis of the ball. This term applies to all asymmetrical and drilled symmetrical balls.
Ra: see Surface Roughness – ra.
Radius of gyration, RG: Measured in inches, RG is the distance from the axis of rotation at which the total mass of a body might be concentrated without changing its moment of inertia.
Refinish: To put a new protective coating on lanes or pins.
Refurbish: To renew the life of an approved bowling pin by the use of plastic coatings and Nylon reinforcing over the entire pin.
Re-release: A reproduction and subsequent release of an existing (previously approved) product. Re-released products must meet all current specifications and are no longer considered “grand-fathered” beyond their original approval under previous specifications.
Roll phase: The 3rd phase of ball motion where the ball is traveling on a linear path to the pins.
Roundness: Being that every part of the surface or circumference is equidistant from the center.
Runout: States how far the actual surface is permitted to vary from the dimensions implied.
Scleroscope: An instrument which measures the hardness of work in terms of elasticity.
Serial number: An identifying set of numbers and/or letters in order to identify a specific ball; if a number is not identifiable then a new one can be engraved in order to make it identifiable.
Skid Phase: The first phase of ball motion; the ball path is in a straight line and has not yet encountered enough friction to begin its hook phase.
Slabbing: The separation of glue joints in a wood core pin, or separation of the materials in a synthetic lane.
Span: The distance between the thumb and finger holes on a bowling ball.
Surface Roughness – Ra: The arithmetic mean of the peak to valley distance over an evaluation distance.
(Editor’s note: Look for more of these technical terms in next month’s Cornerstone Newsletter).
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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
c/o Kegel
6800 US 27 North
Sebring FL 33870
Phone: 863-382-2643
Email: savrsprt@yahoo.com
The Foundation
“One World, One Game”