“One World, One Game”®
The Foundation
The Cornerstone
The Foundation Newsletter
Volume 11, Issue 11 November 2008
"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
The Biggest Election of Your Life
By the time this goes to publication and gets circulated, there will be only a few days (if any) until Election Day. For many people, this will most likely be the biggest and most important election of their lives.
With the recessive economy and the financial bailouts of several major banks and mortgage lenders, home foreclosures on the rise, the DOW dropping below 9,000 and having some of the worst days ever recorded, people are looking to our political leaders for answers and, well, leadership. People want to know what the government is going to do to get our country back together.
The two key candidates in this year’s presidential election have spent countless weeks campaigning; giving voters details of their agenda to get our country back on track. But many people don’t know that Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain are not the only two players. There are other candidates running as Independent, Green, Constitution and Libertarians.
As a citizen of this country, it is your right to choose the people who lead our country. I believe it isn’t just our right, it’s our responsibility. As a voter, it is certainly up to you to make your own choices but I believe we should make informed choices. I hear people saying things like “I’m voting for this one because I’m a Republican” or “I’m voting for this one because I went to see his speech”. Things like this drive me a little nutty. You see, as a responsible voter, you should vote based on the issues that are important to you; issues like healthcare, education, foreign policy. Learn the candidates and what they stand for and make your voting decision based on issues that are inline with your beliefs. Vote your conscious; vote for your beliefs and support a candidate who shares those beliefs. Voting for a non-major party candidate is not a wasted vote; the only wasted votes are those that are not cast.
There are many great websites that can help you understand the candidates’ platforms and agendas; www.election.msn.com has each candidate listed; you can read about them and their platforms; www.votesmart.org is another great resource. Also, check out some local websites; they may have the candidates listed with their stand on the issues. The point is, get informed and then get out there and vote.
See you at the polls….
College Team Coached by the laceName w:st="on">KegellaceName> laceName w:st="on">TraininglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> Coaches Finishes 5th at First Tier 1 of the Season
Wauwatosa, WI - The WIU men's bowling team, coached by the laceName w:st="on">KegellaceName> laceName w:st="on">TraininglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> coaching staff, continued their fine performance in day two of the 38th Annual Midwest Collegiate Tournament at AMF Bolero Lanes in the Milwaukee suburbs. Warrior bowlers Larry Brande and Marcelo Suartz both earned individual awards and were recognized as members of the five -person All-Tournament Team. After two days of team bowling, Brande remained the number one bowler in the tournament with a 221.89 average beating-out runner-up and Junior Team USA member Dean Richards, laceName w:st="on">LindenwoodlaceName> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType>, by just four pins. Cody Esbrandt (Central Florida) and Toby Sambeuno (laceName w:st="on">SaginawlaceName> laceType w:st="on">ValleylaceType>) also made the All-Tournament Team. Marcelo Suartz finished fifth with a 215.11 average for the nine team games.
In the event, 43 men’s and 29 women’s teams filled the 72 lane center of AMF Bolero. After nine team games, WIU maintained their opening day qualifying position of fourth, averaging 200 for nine games. The team slipped to fifth place after averaging 192.5 in ten games of Baker.
In Baker games, the first bowler bowls frames 1 & 6. The second bowler bowls frames 2 & 7. Bowler 3 bowls frames 3 & 8 with bowler 4 bowling frames 4 & 9. Finally, the 5th bowler bowls in frames 5 & 10. Baker games demand consistency to score high.
laceName w:st="on">WebberlaceName> laceName w:st="on">InternationallaceName> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType>'s coaching staff includes Head Coach Joe Slowinski and Assistant Coaches Randy Stoughton and Del Warren. For more information on the team, visit http://www.webberathletics.com
TOP 10 Teams (38 Colleges/Universities in Competition)
For complete results of this event, visit the tournament web site at www.orgsites.com/wi/midwestcollegiatebowling.
1. Lindenwood University ostalCode w:st="on">11307ostalCode>
2. laceName w:st="on">SaginawlaceName> laceType w:st="on">ValleylaceType> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> Univ 11270
3. University of Central Florida ostalCode w:st="on">11146ostalCode>
4. Calumet College ostalCode w:st="on">11025ostalCode>
5. Webber International 10927
6. laceName w:st="on">MichiganlaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> Univ 10877
7. McKendree University ostalCode w:st="on">10868ostalCode>
8. Newman University ostalCode w:st="on">10829ostalCode>
9. Purdue University ostalCode w:st="on">10765ostalCode>
10. Robert Morris 10725
Holiday Camp 2008 with Guest Susie Minshew
laceName w:st="on">KegellaceName> laceName w:st="on">TraininglaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> to host 2008 Holiday Training Camp with guest coach Susie Minshew
Dec. 28-30
Cost $650 per person or $1200 for Parent/Child plus tax and lodging
Each Person Receives:
High performance bowling ball by Storm including Turbo 2 n 1 Grips and Slugs
Practice on multiple lane conditions
Take Home Workbook
Personalized DVD of your physical Game
Training Topics include:
Physical game analysis by Video
Lane Play theory w/live lane transition
Ball Dynamics
Mental Game by Guest Dr. E. M. Kolasinski
Biomechanics and Injury Prevention for bowlers
Designed to help educate players on what it takes to get to the next level of competitiveness while working in a fun environment. The camp will cover topics necessary to compete in the modern bowling environment.
Susie Minshew is a two-time USOC Bowling Coach of the Year, a Gold Coach, and past president of IBPSIA. She founded her company, Strikeability, in 1993 and has been coaching full-time since 1994. She is a contributing writer for Bowling This Month and Pro Shop Operator magazines. She brings a vast amount of knowledge of the game and even more abundant love of the game.
Lane Play Clinic
Dec. 31
Cost $300 per person plus tax
Each Person Receives:
High performance bowling ball by Storm (Drilling is not included but available for an additional fee)
Practice on multiple lane conditions
Take Home Copy of the presentation on lane play
Personalized DVD of your physical Game
Training Topics include:
Lane Play theory w/live lane transition
Physical game analysis by Video
Ball Dynamics
Designed to help educate players on today’s lane environments and understanding lane play especially with lane transition!
USBC BEGINS RESEARCH ON BOWLING BALL ENTRY AND EXIT ANGLES
Study seeks to find out how modern bowling environment affects pin carry
GREENDALE, Wis. When a heavy bowling ball rolls down a lane, it hits the pins and knocks them over. That's all there is to it, right? The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) knows there's more to it than that.
That's why the sport's national governing body has started a multi-phase study to expand on earlier research and gather data about how bowling pins (the 3-plus pound, 15-inch tall objects that stand at the far end of a lane) interact with bowling balls in today’s bowling environment, which has changed dramatically over the years.
For 25 years, the USBC and its predecessor organizations have studied how the angles that bowling balls hit the pins affect a bowler’s ability to strike. That alone, however, doesn’t tell the whole story. USBC researchers now are venturing into new territory by examining what happens to pins when balls enter the pocket; roll through the pins and off the back of the pin deck.
The other part of USBC’s expanded research is to study how the modern bowling environment plays a part in pin carry. The combination of recent advancements in lane oiling machines, lane conditioners and cleaners, bowling balls, lane surfaces and player skill allows today’s bowlers
to create steep angles of entry into the pins, resulting in higher strike percentages as balls roll through the pins after impact.
The aim of USBC's research is to find new ways to precisely measure how modern bowling balls rolled with different amounts of speed and hook enter and exit the pin deck and how those ball paths influence how pins fly upon impact.
“It's important that, in today’s setting, USBC better understand what exactly happens when a bowling ball hits the pins from different positions and angles,” said USBC Technical Director Steve Kloempken. “We have never before studied a bowling ball’s impact on the pins after it goes through and off the pin deck. In the big picture, this research is important because it impacts scoring levels in our sport.”
The first part of the study was recently completed at the USBC Headquarters testing facility in suburban Milwaukee. To simulate real-world bowling conditions and cover a variety of ball angles into the pocket, bowlers of varying revolution rates and ball speeds rolled hundreds of shots down a test lane.
USBC research engineers used a high-speed camera (250 frames per second) to record the exact positioning of the balls as they entered the pocket and traveled through and off the back of the pin deck. Video clips were analyzed to conclude the study's first phase.
The next step involves further analysis of the collected data and will explore new testing methodologies to find precise measurements of entry angle (measurement of a ball's angle as it enters the pocket) and exit angle (where balls roll off the pin deck after hitting the pins).
"The work in our department, such as this entry and exit angle study, is being done by top engineers with a strong passion and dedication to the sport of bowling," Kloempken said. "The USBC Equipment Specifications and Certification department is committed to being on the
cutting edge of testing in our sport as it exists today and in the future."
For more information about USBC research and testing, visit the Equipment Specifications and Certification section of: www.bowl.com.
Bowl with US
United States wins 2008 PartyCasino.com Weber Cup
BARNSLEY, England - Led by team captain Tim Mack, the United States claimed its third consecutive PartyCasino.com Weber Cup victory with a 17-13 win against Europe's best players this weekend in Barnsley, England.
The winning team also included Professional Bowlers Association stars Jason Couch, Chris Barnes, Tommy Jones and PBA Hall of Famer Peter Weber, who made his first appearance in the event, which is named after his late father, Dick Weber.
"First of all, to represent the Weber family in this competition is an honor and a privilege," Weber said. "I couldn't have had four better teammates than what I had. I've got a taste of the Weber Cup and I want more of it. This has been just a real blast. With the excitement of the crowd you can't ask for a better setting than this."
The United States wrapped up the victory with a 258-185 win in the final Baker match of the three-day event, which also included doubles and singles competition.
On the way to win, Jones made Weber Cup history when he became the first player to roll two perfect games at the event. He recorded his first last year. The only other 300 in tournament history belongs to England's Paul Moor, who achieved the feat in 2006.
"It's easy to bowl with these guys," Mack said. "But the Europeans bowled unbelievably this weekend, too."
The European team was led by Norway's Osku Palermaa and included PBA star Mika Koivuniemi of Finland, Paul Moor and Dominic Barrett of England and Tore Torgersen of Norway.
"We had a good run today, and if the two matches in the middle of the session had gone our way, then things could've been different," Palermaa said. "I think we bowled well and deserved better numbers than the 17-13 score line."
SESSION 1
United States 3, Europe 3
Chris Barnes def. Tore Torgersen 60-40 after 257 tie
Mika Koivuniemi def. Tim Mack 224-221
Tommy Jones def. Dom Barrett 236-199
Jason Couch def. Paul Moor 256-246
Osku Palermaa def. Pete Weber 284-224
Baker: Europe def. United States 217-160
SESSION 2
Europe 7, United States 5
Palermaa/Koivuniemi def. Weber/Couch 258-215
Mack def. Torgersen 235-231
Barnes/Jones def. Barrett/Moor 232-229
Palermaa def. Barnes 279-238
Koivuniemi/Barrett def. Jones/Couch 30-19 after 258 tie
Baker: Europe def. United States 244-208
SESSION 3
United States 10, Europe 8
Jones def. Torgersen 300-268
Couch def. Palermaa 268-233
Weber def. Moor 223-215
Barnes def. Barrett 267-238
Koivuniemi def. Mack 287-211
Baker: United States def. Europe 269-178
SESSION 4
United States 14, Europe 10
Barnes/Jones def. Barrett/Palermaa 289-286
Couch def. Koivuniemi 252-192
Moor/Torgersen def. Weber/Mack 279-201
Jones def. Palermaa 224-218
Koivuniemi/Barrett def. Weber/Barnes 279-208
Baker: United States def. Europe 213-206
FINAL SESSION
United States 17-13
Palermaa def. Barnes 268-246
Koivuniemi def. Weber 257-221
Couch def. Moor 236-206
Jones def. Barrett 258-227
Torgersen def. Mack 227-184
Baker: United States def. Europe 258-185.
WENDY AND CAROLYN ARE READY TO REPRESENT TEAM USA
ARLINGTON, Texas - Over the course of their careers, Wendy Macpherson of Henderson, Nevada, and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of North Richland Hills, Texas, have experienced just about every aspect of competitive bowling. Now, they are about to take the next step.
For the first time, Macpherson and Dorin-Ballard will compete as members of Team USA when they lead a group of the best female bowlers in the country to the 2008 Pan American Bowling Confederation Women's Championships (PABCON) in Santiago, Chile, from Oct. 20-24.
The two Team USA newcomers will be joined by Diandra Asbaty of Chicago, Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., and Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., all of whom have been a part of the Team USA program in the past.
"It's going to be a real thrill to compete for Team USA, and I couldn't have asked for better teammates," said Macpherson, a long-time professional bowler who won 20 titles while on the Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour (PWBA). "It will be a thrill to bowl with them instead of against them for once."
Players like Macpherson, Dorin-Ballard, Johnson and Kulick, who are professional bowlers, now are eligible to compete with Team USA in international competition, thanks to a change in World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA) legislation last year.
"Competing for Team USA is definitely going to be one of the highlights of my career, and it's almost like another chapter," said Dorin-Ballard, a 20-time PWBA champion. "It's going to be a great new experience. I'm looking forward to being part of a great team and bringing home gold medals for my country."
Competition at the PABCON Women's Championships begins Monday with singles and continues with doubles, trios, team and Masters. Medals also will be awarded in all-events.
For complete coverage of the PABCON Women's Championships, including stories, photos, results and videos once the event begins, visit bowl.com.
(NOTE: Wendy was recently interviewed by the Phantom on Phantom Radio. To hear that exclusive interview, go to: www.foundation300.com Then, go to: Past Shows and look for: Oct.22. We are sure that you will enjoy hearing this All-Time great bowler talk about her recent trip to Japan and competing for the past year in the Far East. She also talks about looking forward to competing in this prestigious championship).
(Please pass this along to all of your bowling friends).
HELP SUPPORT BOWLING !!!
PBA Announces its 2008 Senior Award Winners
SEATTLE. The PBA announced that Tom Baker won 2008 PBA Senior Player of the Year honors, Wayne Webb was named PBA Senior Rookie of the Year and Fred Baldwin was awarded the first Dick Weber Sportsmanship Award. The awards for the 2008 PBA Senior Tour season were voted on by PBA membership and national media.
Baker, of King, N.C., won PBA Senior Player of the Year honors for a record fourth consecutive season. Although he did not win a tournament in 2008, he led the point list and appeared in the championship round in three events. He also was among the Tour money leaders and tied Kenny Parks with nine Match play appearances in nine events.
The only PBA Senior Tour player who is exempt on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, Baker has had the most dominating four-year run in PBA Senior Tour history. He was named both the PBA Senior Player and Rookie of the Year in 2005, becoming the first bowler ever to win both in the same season. In 2006, Baker tied a record with four titles – which came in just nine events – and won both Majors. In 2007, he won three titles, including his second consecutive USBC Senior Masters. In his four seasons on the Senior Tour, he has eight career titles.
“Probably the past few years, it had been kind of a runaway, but this year there were a number of guys who were in the running,” Baker said. “I could have won the Masters and the U.S. Open and I was pretty close, but overall I was pretty consistent. To win it at all is great, but to win it four times is unbelievable.”
Webb, of Sacramento, Calif., was named PBA Senior Rookie of the Year after capturing one title, the 2008 PBA Senior U.S. Open, which came in his second career PBA Senior Tour event. He led the Tour in earnings ($30,575) and average (224.08) and finished fourth on Tour in points. He also had six match-play appearances, which ranked tied for fourth on Tour. The 20-time Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour titlist also finished second in the Player of the Year voting behind Baker.
Baldwin, of Sturgis, Mich., was awarded the first PBA Senior Dick Weber Sportsmanship Award which is given to the senior who demonstrates the highest level of sportsmanship during the season. To be eligible, bowlers must have competed in at least 50 percent of the 2008 PBA Senior Tour events. The award is named in honor of the late PBA Hall of Famer Dick Weber, who was not only one of the greatest bowlers in history, but was also the sport’s top ambassador and by all accounts displayed the ultimate sportsmanship. In addition to his 30 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour titles, Weber won six PBA Senior Tour titles and three PBA Senior Regional titles, one of which in 2002 made him the only bowler in PBA history to win a title in six different decades.
“I was surprised … there were five other guys nominated, who had all won championships,” Baldwin said. “I’m just an old guy out there having the time of his life. It’s the best honor I’ve ever had in my life.”
Ann Maree Putney to defend her title in Hermosillo
Australia's Ann-Maree Putney will try to emulate her compatriot Jeanette Baker Finch and win back-to-back QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup titles when she competes at Hermosillo's superb new Bol 300 centre in Hermosillo, Mexico, in November. Ann-Maree won this prestigious title last year in St Petersburg, Russia and will be taking part for the 7th time when she comes to Mexico. "We’re delighted to have another returning champion in addition to Shannon Pluhowsky, our champion in 2002 and 2004," commented Anne-Marie Board, QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup Manager. "They are both wonderful champions and I'm looking forward to seeing them compete again."
Bol 300, the venue for the 2008 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup, opened for business in July, impressing all those present. The magnificent state-of-the-art centre has 32 QubicaAMF lanes equipped with the very latest scoring equipment. It is owned by the remarkable Fernando Gutierrez who hosted the event in 1994 and fell in love with the Bowling World Cup. The centre will have ample opportunity to be put through its paces before the World Cup as it will host a number of tournaments before then and league play will get under way.
The local organisers have been working hard to encourage sponsorship and are pleased that Corona, the top selling beer in Mexico and popular in many other countries as well, has given its backing to the tournament. Anne-Marie said: "We are always grateful to our local sponsors as without them the tournament would not be the great event it is, and we are delighted that a brand as big as Corona is backing the event."
There are now 93-countries confirmed as entering although not all have yet nominated their players and sent their rosters in.
Among the new names on the start list, Zara Glover of England stands out. She has won numerous international medals including gold medals in the World Championships and is a member of the World Bowling Writers Hall of Fame, but, perhaps surprisingly, this will be her first Bowling World Cup.
Others of note in the women's event include Laura Rhoney of Scotland who finished 4th in Caracas, Venezuela, in 2006, and hit a 300 game to take the high game trophy, and Ann Louise Haugen, third in Ljubljana, Slovenia in 2005. Germany's Tina Hulsch came 3rd last year in St. Petersburg, Russia, and will be aiming to finish on top in Hermosillo, while Helen Johnsson of Sweden will be making her 6th appearance and has never finished lower than 6th.
On the mens side, Chris van Damme of Belgium who came 3rd in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2000 and 5th in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in 2003. Chris is so far the oldest male competitor registered, at 50 years old, but this is eclipsed by Antonieta Costa of the Azores who is 71.
Marin Tranier of New Caledonia will be making his 11th appearance in the event, though the record for appearances is still held by Mohammed Khalifa al-Qubeisi of the UAE with 14.