The Cornerstone
The Foundation Newsletter
Volume 12, Issue 7 July 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?"
The Foundation
“One World, One Game”
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Letter from the Editor
Beat the Heat
It’s summer again and I don’t know how it feels in your neck of the woods but in Florida, we’re already experiencing 90+ degree heats. To put it all quite bluntly, it is darn HOT! While northerners are using the summer sun to get outside, us southerners are looking for ways to stay cool. Why not bowl?
Bowling is perfect for the entire family. It’s affordable, it’s fun, it’s exercise (and what’s better than fun exercise?) and it’s something that the entire family can do regardless of age or skill level. You can take the entire family to a bowling center and for about the same money that you would spend on a movie, you can have a couple of hours of interactive fun. Let’s face it, sitting in a movie can be quite enjoyable but what “family time” do you really get out of sitting silently for two hours? Wouldn’t you rather partake in active family fun; competitive family fun? What parent wants to get beaten by their children? And what teenager really wants to lose to the parental? Bowling is just the perfect activity for family time. Heck, you can even have lunch and/or snacks to cover that “family mealtime” too.
The bonus for bowling is that it’s an indoor sport. That means for us hot climate dwellers, we can get inside and enjoy some cool AC yet still have a little exercise and fun without suffering from high temperatures and humidity. I don’t know about you, but that seals the deal for me. The only thing that might beat out bowling; a trip to the water park where I can float for the day while working on my tan!
Seriously folks; if you’re looking for affordable family entertainment, bowling really is the best game in town. Take the family out for an afternoon and have a good time. It’ll be some of the best money you spend. And teenagers, I promise, the bowling shoes are pretty cool.
Sport Bowling league bowlers to take on pros in special event
By Lucas Wiseman; USBC Communications
Six United States Bowling Congress Sport Bowling league competitors will battle on national television against six of the sport's top professional bowlers this April.
The PBA Experience Showdown presented by BOWL.com will give league bowlers the unique opportunity to move beyond their league play and into the national spotlight for a chance to win $25,000.
"Bowling alongside pros on PBA conditions is the ultimate PBA experience," USBC Vice President of Media Pete Tredwell said. "This program also provides even more value to current Sport members, and we expect it will increase participation in Sport Bowling leagues."
Bowlers who compete in any USBC Sport Bowling league are eligible for this special event. Contest entries are awarded to the bowler with their league's high series each week starting with the fall season and continuing until Jan. 31.
When submitting scores each week, league secretaries will note which pattern was used. Three bowlers from each of the five PBA Experience patterns (Chameleon, Cheetah, Scorpion, Shark and Viper) will be drawn and three wild-card bowlers from all other Sport Bowling lane patterns will be picked for a total of 18 players.
Each of the 18 bowlers drawn will be featured on BOWL.com and bowling fans will vote on which player from each group will move on to the telecast.
The six professionals will be made up of the five "animal pattern" champions plus the points leader among non-titlists from those events, known as the PBA Versatility Swing presented by BOWL.com.
The PBA Experience Showdown will be taped April 7 or 8 at the International Training and laceName w:st="on">ResearchlaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> on the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, and the six league bowlers will be given an all-expenses paid trip to the event. The league's secretary and bowling center proprietor will also be given an all-expenses paid trip to support their bowler. The event is scheduled to air on ESPN on April 11 from 1-3 p.m. Eastern.
More information and official rules will be posted on BOWL.com as it becomes available.
Michigan bowler shoots record series at Open Championships
By Matt Cannizzaro and Jason Pinter; USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Perseverance paid off for Bo Goergen of Midland, Mich., as he rolled the highest three-game series in the history of the USBC Open Championships on Thursday.
The 48-year-old right-hander, who made his 31st consecutive tournament appearance, struck 32 times on the way to games of 299, 299 and 264 for an 862 series. He topped the previous mark of 858, rolled by John Janawicz of Winter Haven, Fla., on the way to the 2004 Regular Singles and Regular All-Events titles.
Goergen's record-setting performance also moved him into the top spot in Regular Singles at the 2009 Open Championships. Ron Vokes of Racine, Wis., previously held the lead with 857, which he shot en route to a tournament-record 2,321 all-events total.
"It's absolutely incredible, and I couldn't believe it was happening," said Goergen, who left the 7 pin standing in both 299 games. "In anybody's wildest dreams, to shoot back-to-back 299s at the national tournament is unbelievable."
Goergen added 700 in doubles and 628 in team for a 2,190 all-events total, which is good for third place overall. His efforts also helped Northern Lanes Pro Shop into third place in Team All-Events with 10,116, the eighth-highest total in tournament history. Linds Limited of Milwaukee leads this year with 10,372.
"I got into a groove, the ball was coming off my hand clean and I was reading the lanes properly," Goergen said. "I don't look at the scoreboard, and even when I know I have a good game going, I treat each frame like the first frame of a game. That's what helps me relax. For me it's joking with the guys and loosening up. The guys were back there keeping me calm. That's what helped."
Two-time National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association Most Valuable Player Dan MacLelland added 2,092 for Northern Lanes Pro Shop and was followed by 2009 USBC Masters champion, John Nolen (2,039), Dale Hofmeister (1,899) and Jeffrey Austreng (1,896).
Although he was just 18 years old when he made his tournament debut at the 1979 event in Tampa, Fla., Goergen immediately understood what it meant to be successful at the Open Championships, and he has had his sights set on a tournament title ever since.
"This is my 31st year, and I've been trying to get an eagle since Day 1," said Goergen, who owns Northern Lanes with his brother. "I've worked at putting the right guys together, and in the team event, we are in ninth place. You can prepare all you want, but you have to make the right decisions, and, of course, you have to bowl well."
Goergen, who will celebrate his 49th birthday on Sunday, has been bowling extremely well lately and knew his game was sharp heading into the Open Championships, but he started singles Thursday in the middle of a string of frustrating "almosts" on the lanes.
"857 is an unbelievable score, and 814 was second," Goergen said. "My goal going into the last game was to shoot 220 and at least get into second place. In the second frame, I left the Big Four and it let the pressure off some. I was relieved after the one in the 11th. I knew all I needed was five or so pins. I just wanted to get that last shot close to the headpin."
For the next 50 days, Goergen will have his eyes on the tournament's online leaderboard. Competition will continue at laceName w:st="on">CashmanlaceName> laceType w:st="on">CenterlaceType> each day until the event concludes on July 24.
"Am I going to be nervous?" Goergen said. "I'm sure Ron Vokes didn't think anyone would beat 857, so you never know. The shot is out there if you make good shots, so it should be exciting."
Dexter/USBC All-American Team has familiar faces
By: Terry Bigham; USBC Communications
The 2008-09 Dexter/United States Bowling Congress High School All-American Team features two athletes who were members of last year's team.
Andrew Koff, a junior from Miami who attends laceName w:st="on">GulliverlaceName> laceName w:st="on">PreparatorylaceName> laceType w:st="on">High SchoollaceType>, joins Matt Krueger, a senior from Green Bay (Wis.) laceName w:st="on">WestlaceName> laceType w:st="on">High SchoollaceType>, on the Dexter/USBC All-American Team for the second consecutive season.
Koff is the only underclassman to make the boys' team this year. Two of the five athletes on the girls' team are underclassmen.
"Dexter is extremely proud of the effort that these tremendous student-athletes put forth bowling, in the classroom, and in their communities," Bud Clapsaddle, Vice President of Dexter Bowling, said. "With so many talented and worthy applicants for the All-American Team, it has become incredibly difficult to choose only five boys and five girls to the team, but we're as pleased and as honored as ever with this year's team."
Selection to the team is based on the student-athlete's bowling accomplishments from the current school year, academic achievement, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities and community involvement, submitted essays and resumes. Minimum requirements include a 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) and at least one letter of recommendation. Five boys and five girls have been selected annually for the honor since the 2005-06 school year.
The five male athletes selected for this year's team:
Mark Allen. A senior at laceName w:st="on">WilliamlaceName> laceName w:st="on">MasonlaceName> laceName w:st="on">High SchoollaceName> in Mason, Ohio, Allen was selected conference player of the year after leading his team to an unbeaten season (16-0) in the Great Miami Conference. He has a 3.7 grade-point average and logged more than 400 hours as a volunteer at the laceType w:st="on">Mt.laceType> laceName w:st="on">PleasantlaceName> laceName w:st="on">RetirementlaceName> laceType w:st="on">VillagelaceType>.
Andrew Koff. The youngest member of 2009 USBC Junior Team USA, Koff attends laceName w:st="on">GulliverlaceName> laceName w:st="on">PreplaceName> laceType w:st="on">High SchoollaceType> near Miami. He is the co-founder of BowlForAll, a not-for-profit corporation devoted to promoting the sport among laceName w:st="on">DadelaceName> laceType w:st="on">CountylaceType> students from elementary through high school.
Matt Krueger. A senior at Green Bay (Wis.) laceName w:st="on">WestlaceName> laceType w:st="on">High SchoollaceType>, Krueger has a 3.9 grade-point average (4.0 scale). He was named a Bowler's Journal Top 40 Male High School prospect and was first team all-conference in the Green Bay Area High School Bowling Conference.
Nicholas Morrissey. Morrissey, a senior at West Seneca (N.Y.) laceName w:st="on">EastlaceName> laceType w:st="on">Senior High SchoollaceType>, led his team to a state title this season and a runner-up finish last season. He has a 4.0 grade-point average and has worked in the West Seneca Y.E.S. (Youth Engaged in Service) Program since his sophomore year.
John Shelpman. A senior at O'Fallon (Ill.) laceType w:st="on">TownshiplaceType> laceType w:st="on">High SchoollaceType>, Shelpman carries a 3.99 grade-point average and has been a National Honor Society member the last two years. He was captain of his bowing team and was selected to the Southern Illinois All-Area Team this season.
The five female athletes selected for this year's team:
Darla Ahlert. A senior at Collinsville (Ill.) High School, Ahlert was an all-area selection of the Southern Illinois High School Bowling conference the last two seasons and qualified for the Illinois Bowling State Finals each of her four years. She has a 4.29 grade-point average (4.0 scale), has served on the student council each of her four years and was named an Illinois State Scholar for 2008-09.
Megan Buja. Buja was the captain of her laceName w:st="on">ThomaslaceName> laceName w:st="on">JeffersonlaceName> laceType w:st="on">High SchoollaceType> team in Rockford, Ill., and was the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC-10) most valuable player. She also was selected as the 2009 Illinois Star of Tomorrow. A junior, she has a 4.067 grade-point average (4.0 scale) and is first in her class of 450.
Jacqueline Carbonetto. A senior at laceName w:st="on">Tappan ZeelaceName> laceType w:st="on">High SchoollaceType> in Blauvelt, N.Y., she was named all-county and all-section (NYS Section 1) the last two seasons for bowling and also was on the varsity volleyball team the last two seasons. She had a 95.2 average (100-point scale) and is a member of the National Honor Society and Science Honor Society.
Kimberly Carper. Carper, a senior at laceName w:st="on">BrainerdlaceName> laceType w:st="on">High SchoollaceType> in Fort Ripley, Minn., was all-conference the last three seasons, including being named Central Conference MVP the last two seasons. The Minnesota Junior Bowling Tour's Player of the Year in 2008, Carper has a 3.85 grade-point average and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Nicole Parkhurst. A junior at laceName w:st="on">ProctorlaceName> laceType w:st="on">High SchoollaceType> in Utica, N.Y., she was captain and MVP of the Section 3 team champion. She was named first team of the Central New York Counties League the last two seasons and had the Section 3 high average (209) this season. She has a 94.77 grade-point average and was selected to the Principal's List in 2007 and 2008.
"Once again, the USBC is proud to recognize such a wonderful group of outstanding high school bowlers," USBC High School Manager Breanne Eoff said. "Each of these students has demonstrated a commitment not only to being among the best in their sport but also leaders in the classroom."
Each member of the 2008-09 Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team will receive a $1,000 scholarship and an All-American Team award to be presented at the USBC Junior Gold Championships in Indianapolis in July.
Len Nicholson Honored With: 9th Annual “John Davis Award”
Len Nicholson has been named as the 2009 recipient of: “The John Davis Award”. The presentation was made in Las Vegas at Bowl Expo 2009. Nicholson joins a very impressive list of previous honorees that includes: Joyce Deitch, John Weber, Ted Hoffman, Jr., Jim Dressel, Mark Gerberich, Carmen Salvino, Linda Davis and Gary Parsons.
Nicholson started bowling in the Junior Leagues in 1956 with his long-time friend and Hall of Famer Billy Hardwick. In 1969, Len traveled the PBA Tour with Billy and other PBA stars, gathering lane maintenance information. In 1971 (along with Sam Baca), started the PBA Lane Maintenance Program which is still in use today. While with the PBA, Nicholson was responsible for lane maintenance procedures used on the National Tour, the Senior Tour and the Regional Program. He also taught lane maintenance at the laceName w:st="on">PBAlaceName> laceType w:st="on">SchoollaceType>. He was directly involved with over 800 Pro Tournaments before going to work for The Kegel Company in 1995. He now has a syndicated internet bowling ‘talk show’, called ‘Phantom Radio’, which is in its 9th year. His other duties at Kegel include working on the Foundation web site, helping to produce ‘The Cornerstone’ (the company’s monthly Newsletter), attending Trade Shows and offering Technical Support.
In 1996, John Davis called together a large group of professional lanemen in an attempt to research the problems that were greatly affecting the Sport of bowling. From 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. They would also exhibit all of that 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. Len (and former PBA Commissioner Mark Gerberich) became actively involved at its very inception by becoming the first three Founding Members (along with Davis), and has continually supported The Foundation in many ways, as well as being a continuing contributor.
Davis, the man who started The Kegel Company in 1982, and founding ‘father’ of The Foundation, has been totally involved in bowling for 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 after 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 Len, you definitely deserve this great honor. Thanks for all that you do to help The Foundation and the great sport of bowling.
UNDERSTANDING USBC EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATION APPROVAL PROCESS
CONTACT: Gene J. Kanak
USBC Communications
(817) 385-8373
Gene.kanak@bowl.com
On the Web: bowl.com
ARLINGTON, Texas - The United States Bowling Congress Equipment Specifications and Certification department protects the integrity of the sport of bowling by diligently studying and field testing all bowling lane equipment, including but not limited to bowling pins, lane kickbacks and flat gutters, to ensure that their implementation does not influence scoring, positively or negatively, at unreasonable levels.
In order for a piece of bowling lane equipment to earn USBC approval, it must meet all established USBC standards concerning size, shape, weight, physical makeup and chemical composition. Products that meet those standards then are subjected to a minimum one year of field testing. These field tests closely monitor how the test equipment's performance compares to that of an already-approved USBC product. In regard to scoring, in order to be considered for USBC approval, a test product cannot yield a scoring increase greater than two pins or a scoring decrease greater than three pins.
"USBC regulates the many different components of our playing field, including the lanes, pins and flat gutters, to make sure that new products are not allowed to have an unreasonable influence on scoring," USBC Technical Director Steve Kloempken said. "In doing so, we protect the integrity of the sport by making sure scoring ability stays with the bowler rather than the equipment manufacturers."
United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.
Bowl with US
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. The 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, at: 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 you could win, too!!
April 2009
1. Keith Frye: Wins a Storm Accessory Item. Keith, please contact me so that I can put you in touch with our friends at Storm. Congratulations Keith.
2. Bob Black: Wins a Souvenir Shirt from the popular Don Glover Masters Scratch tournament to be held later in the year.
3. Tom Smith: Wins a Souvenir Shirt from the popular Don Glover Masters Scratch tournament to be held later in the year.
4. Bob Sturges: Wins a Kegel Shirt that says: “Stop Whining and Go Practice”.
MAY 2009
1. Tom Berish: Wins a beautiful Bowling Bag from Storm Bowling. Tom, please contact me so that I can put you in touch with our friends at Storm Bowling. Congrats!!
2. Richard Conley: Wins a Souvenir Shirt from the popular Don Glover Masters Scratch tournament to be held later in the year.
3. Michael Patrick: Wins a Souvenir Shirt from the popular Don Glover Masters Scratch tournament to be held later in the year.
4. Jim Raudy: Wins a Kegel Shirt that he can proudly wear while he works on his game.
JUNE 2009
1. Dave Kowalski: Wins a Storm Bowling Ball. Dave, please contact me as soon as possible so that I can put you in touch with our friends at Storm. Congratulations!
2. Don Daniels: Wins a nice, collared Foundation Shirt that is seen around the world.
3. Bryan Viator: Wins a surprise package of “goodies” from The Phantom.
4. Vic Sockrider: Wins a surprise package of “goodies” from The Phantom.
For a complete list of all of the past winners (and their prizes) 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 and start taking advantage of all of the great monthly prizes that are given away.
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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.
laceName w:st="on">VincenneslaceName> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType>
BowlersParadise.com
Virtualtournaments.com
laceName w:st="on">WichitalaceName> laceType w:st="on">StatelaceType> laceType w:st="on">UniversitylaceType>
David Driscoll & Associates
International Bowling Industry Magazine
Stars and Strikes Bowling Newsmagazine
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The Cornerstone,
The Foundation’S Newsletter
The Foundation
c/o Kegel
6800 US 27 North
Sebring FL ostalCode w:st="on">33870ostalCode>
Phone: 863-382-2643
Email: savrsprt@yahoo.com
The Foundation
“One World, One Game”