PBA Senior Schedule for 2009

The 2009 Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Senior Tour schedule was announced today by the PBA and is slated to include 11 events.

The summer 2009 schedule will include two Majors – the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Senior Masters and the PBA Senior U.S. Open, along with eight standard events. The PBA Senior Tour schedule will also feature the return of the unique “Ladies & Legends” tournament, an event in which PBA Senior pros are paired-up with women professional bowlers.

The Senior Tour will return to seven stops from the 2008 PBA Senior Tour season, including both Major venues. The USBC Senior Masters will return to Golden Pin Lanes in Tucson, Ariz., June 7-12, while the PBA Senior U.S Open will return to the Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas, Nev., June 14-19.

New stops for the 2009 season include: the PBA Senior Mooresville Miller High Life Classic at George Pappas Victory Lanes in Mooresville, N.C.; the PBA Senior Sun Bowl in The Villages at Spanish Springs Lanes in The Villages, Fla., and the PBA Senior Dick Weber Open at Royal Scot Golf & Bowl in Lansing, Mich.

“We are very fortunate to have hosts that are dedicated to promoting the sport of bowling with the PBA year after year,” said John Weber, Director of PBA Senior and Regional Tours. “We also have a few well known bowling names that have joined in that effort for this season. We welcome the great George Pappas, along with the Ducat and Kwiecien families to the PBA Senior Tour schedule”.

The season kicks-off in April in Jackson, Mich., and then heads to Dayton, Ohio, for a third consecutive year. The PBA Senior Tour players will then head south for the next two events in Mooresville, N.C., and The Villages, FL.

Following a four week break, the Tour will open its western swing with two Majors, returning to Golden Pin Lanes in Tucson, Ariz. for the USBC Senior Masters, followed by the PBA Senior U.S. Open at the Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas, Nev.

The west coast finale will venture to Harvest Park Bowl in Brentwood, Calif., a time honored event that has hosted the PBA Senior Tour for many years.

The tour wraps up with stops in Hammond, Ind., Decatur, Ill., Joliet, Ill., and then Lansing, Mich., for the Dick Weber Open, named in honor of the late PBA Hall of Famer.

PBA members wishing to bowl in PBA Senior Tour events may enter online beginning February 9, 2009, or may enter by mail or fax through entry forms available on PBA.com in February. Entry fees for the PBA Senior Tour will remain $425 for PBA members.

Non-members who wish to bowl in PBA Senior Tour events can cash in one event per year, excluding the USBC Senior Masters and the PBA Senior U.S. Open. The non-member entry fee is $475 for standard events.

PBA members will have priority over non-members up to 30 days prior to a tournament. After 30 days, all entries will be taken on a first-come-first-serve basis until the field is full. Non-member entry forms can be found on PBA.com beginning in February.

Below is the complete 2009 PBA Senior Tour schedule to date:

April 18-21, PBA Senior Jackson Open, 3501 Wildwood, Jackson, MI 49202 (517) 783-2711

April 25-28, 2009,PBA Senior Dayton Classic, 2727 S. Dixie Ave., Dayton, OH 45409 (937) 298-7411

May 3-6, 2009, PBA Senior Mooresville Miller High Life Classic, George Pappas Victory Lanes, 125 Moor Lake Drive, Mooresville, NC 28117, (704) 663-5300

May 9-13, 2009, PBA Senior Sun Bowl In The Villages, Spanish Springs Lanes, 997 Alvarez, The Villages, FL 32159 (352) 750-9440

June 7-12, 2009, USBC Senior Masters, Golden Pin Lanes, 1010 West Miracle Mile, Tucson, AZ 85705, (520) 888-4272

June 14-19, 2009, PBA Senior U.S. Open, Suncoast Bowling Center, 9090 Alta Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89145 (702) 636-7400

June 21-24, 2009, PBA Senior Northern California Classic, Harvest Park Bowl, 5000 Balfour Road, Brentwood, CA 94513 (925) 516-1221

August 1-4, 2009, PBA Senior Lake County Indiana Open, Olympia Lanes,4150 S. Calumet Ave., Hammond, IN 46320 (219) 933-6677

August 8-11, 2009, PBA Senior Decatur Open, Spare Time Lanes, 2870 N. Jasper, Decatur, IL 62526 (217) 875-3141

August 15-18, 2009, PBA Senior Ladies & Legends, presented by the Illinois Bowling Proprietors Association, Town & Country Lanes,2231 W. Jefferson Street, Joliet, IL 60435 (815) 725-1231

August 22-26, 2009, PBA Senior Dick Weber Open, Royal Scot Golf & Bowl, 4722 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906 (517) 321-3071

Connolly New Marketing Director at USBC

Brandi Bloodworth Connolly has been named Director of Marketing for the United States Bowling Congress by USBC Vice President of Media, Pete Tredwell.

Connolly will lead a team focused on creating innovative marketing strategies and partnership activation plans for USBC. She begins her duties Jan. 5. Connolly recently served as the director of sponsorship and marketing for the Super Bowl XLII Host Committee in Scottsdale, Ariz., where she oversaw local marketing, sponsorship activation, hospitality and merchandising.

2009 Ebonite Spring Showcase

Register for the 2009 Ebonite Spring Showcase, where you can demo their newest products and hear Keynote Speaker, Bob Reid, Ebonite Vice-President of Marketing, speak on how to generate sales during an economic downturn. All showcases are from 10am - 2pm. Registration fee is $99 and is limited to one per pro shop location. For more details click: Schedule

Holiday Wishes

Happy New Year,

Happy Holidays to All

Hoping your corner pins fall, you trip out your splits,

and favorable lane conditions hold up for you all year.

My wish for all: that you enjoy the sport, learn a little every time you play, and challenge yourself (try a Sport Shot or PBA Challenge Lane Condition) to be better not just score better.

International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association Patches

NEW FOR 2009! IBPSIA Logo patches that you can add to your uniform shirt. One patch is included free with your 2009 IBPSIA membership renewal and additional patches are available for only $2.50 each, tax and shipping included.

Columbia300 introduces the Power Swing

Introducing the Power Swing - the latest high-performance ball from Columbia 300. One that features a new strike hungry, flaring "TriRib" asymmetric core that provides a higher RG (2.51) plus greater differential (.051) than the Resurgence core.

Columbia took this aggressive new core and wrapped it with the proven "NE2Maxx" coverstock in Black/Red/Silver (surface
finished to 4000 Abralon®), making the Power Swing the ultimate ball for any bowler in search of more overall hook and backend. Coming January 22nd.

Bash for PBA’s 50th Is Set for Vegas

A gala evening to mark the Professional Bowling Association’s 50th anniversary and to celebrate the 50 greatest PBA bowlers is set for Jan. 24 at the Red Rock Resort, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas.

The evening will also see the induction of Norm Duke, Del Ballard Jr. and John Handegard into the PBA Hall of Fame, the first inductions since 2000.

“Our 50th anniversary is a historical occasion and our anniversary gala will be an event worthy of such a milestone,” said PBA Commissioner and CEO Fred Schreyer in the announcement of the event, which is being presented by The Bowling Foundation.

Tickets, still available at press time, are $2,500 for a table of 10 and $250 per seat. For more information or tickets, call 206-332-9688 or email: info@pba.com.

Ebonite Sells Vantage Parts to QubicaAMF

Ebonite International has sold its Vantage Bowling Corp. parts division to Qubica/AMF.

Ebonite had owned Vantage since 2001. Along with the Vantage name, the sale includes Qubica/AMF, AMF and Brunswick A and GS parts made by Vantage.

Bob Reid, Ebonite’s vice president for marketing, said the sale of Vantage was motivated by economic conditions. “Particularly in the kind of times we’re having right now, what is important for every company to do is to stick to its knitting,” he explained.

“Our knitting and our core competence has to do with consumer products--balls, bags and accessories--and not necessarily commercial products, particularly something as complex as parts. When it became obvious in the tea leaves that things were going to become pretty high-pressure in this industry, we did make the decision to stick to our core competence. When the opportunity came along for us to divest ourselves [of Vantage], we did.”

John Walker, QubicaAMF president and CEO, said in a release, “We expect that this acquisition will position our company for continued success in the aftermarket parts business.”

QubicaAMF and Vantage parts lines will be managed separately, with the goal of maintaining current distribution networks, according to the QubicaAMF announcement.

Team USA Trial Winners

Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., and Cassidy Schaub of Polk, Ohio, emerged as the champions Friday at the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials after a 36-game marathon put their skills to the test.

Top 20 at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino's Strike Zone Bowling Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pos. Name Hometown Round 1 2 3 4 Total Avg. Pins back
1 Schaub, Cassidy Polk, Ohio 1,993 2,071 2,011 2,117 8,192 227.56
2 Haynes, David Las Vegas 2,027 2,122 1,916 1,986 8,051 223.64 -141
3 Szczerbinski, John* Wichita, Kan. 1,901 2,186 1,960 2,002 8,049 223.58 -143
4 Pfeifer, Tim Cranberry, Pa. 1,854 2,151 2,048 1,908 7,961 221.14 -231
5 Bohr, Nathan Derby, Kan. 1,892 2,074 2,074 1,881 7,921 220.03 -271
6 Cooper, Brett No.Richland Hills, TX 1,964 2,155 1,856 1,902 7,877 218.81 -315
7 Haggerty, P.J. Clovis, Calif. 1,958 2,059 1,856 1,966 7,839 217.75 -353
8 Janawicz, John Winter Haven, Fla. 1,900 1,964 1,970 1,993 7,827 217.42 -365
9 Richards, Dean Tacoma, Wash. 1,955 2,170 2,021 1,681 7,827 217.42 -365
10 Bowers, Brent Mulvane, Kan. 1,849 2,098 1,943 1,858 7,748 215.22 -444
11 Hoffman, Bill Colombus, Ohio 1,783 2,087 1,934 1,932 7,736 214.89 -456
12 Villanueva, Steve Las Vegas, NV 1,826 2,014 1,974 1,910 7,724 214.56 -468
13 Pierson, Chris* Waukesha, Wis. 1,847 2,022 1,875 1,943 7,687 213.53 -505
14 Buss, Jesse Wichita, Kan. 1,803 2,074 1,832 1,969 7,678 213.28 -514
15 Eoff, Derek Arlington, Texas 1,772 1,915 2,042 1,946 7,675 213.19 -517
16 Wunderlich, Jason Homestead, Pa. 1,906 1,908 2,011 1,846 7,671 213.08 -521
17 Peters, Jake* Decatur, Ill. 1,874 1,999 2,006 1,776 7,655 212.64 -537
18 Hogan, Paul* Manteca, Calif. 1,750 2,073 2,034 1,761 7,618 211.61 -574
19 Palumbo, George Henderson, Nev. 1,760 2,025 1,940 1,877 7,602 211.17 -590
20 Bardol, Christopher* Brockport, NY 1,840 1,950 1,863 1,862 7,515 208.75 -677


1 Johnson, Liz Cheektowaga, N.Y. 2,001 2,211 1,900 1,847 7,959 221.08
2 Pluhowsky, Shannon Phoenix 1,849 2,086 1,995 1,961 7,891 219.19 -68
3 O'Keefe, Shannon Arlington, Texas 1,802 2,081 1,967 1,970 7,820 217.22 -139
4 Asbaty, Diandra Chicago 1,823 2,180 1,856 1,887 7,746 215.17 -213
5 Nation, Stefanie Orlando, Fla. 1,896 2,118 1,759 1,884 7,657 212.69 -302
6 Kulick, Kelly Union, N.J. 1,773 1,975 1,972 1,924 7,644 212.33 -315
7 Vermilyea, Amanda Mansfield, TX 1,846 1,943 1,915 1,898 7,602 211.17 -357
8 Earnest, Josie* Vandalia, Ill. 1,809 2,107 1,836 1,816 7,568 210.22 -391
9 Ellis, April No. Richland Hills, Texas 1,694 2,029 1,899 1,903 7,525 209.03 -434
10 Hamilton, Brittni Webster, N.Y. 1,811 2,032 1,826 1,825 7,494 208.17 -465
11 Boisselle, Jennifer* Valrico, Fla. 1,749 1,989 1,808 1,907 7,453 207.03 -506
12 Viator, Brenda Mansfield, Texas 1,848 1,973 1,770 1,789 7,380 205.00 -579
13 Earnest, Jessica Vandalia, Ill. 1,719 1,894 1,979 1,730 7,322 203.39 -637
14 Reynolds, Angela* Shickshinny, PA 1,670 2,065 1,728 1,788 7,251 201.42 -708
15 Caldwell, Bryanna Tuscon, Ariz. 1,796 1,814 1,876 1,748 7,234 200.94 -725
16 Petravich, Kristie Orlando, Fla. 1,868 1,851 1,722 1,793 7,234 200.94 -725
17 Galante, Ashly Palm Harbor, Fla. 1,726 1,835 1,839 1,813 7,213 200.36 -746
18 Stickney, Tina Phoenix 1,700 1,837 1,898 1,765 7,200 200.00 -759
19 Santoro, Samantha* Reinholds, PA 1,710 1,880 1,888 1,708 7,186 199.61 -773
20 Linder, Samantha Winter Haven, FL 1,670 1,997 1,668 1,838 7,173 199.25 -786
* = Eligible for Junior Team USA selection

The Inner Workings of a Bowling Center

The Science Channel will air repeats of its, "How Do They Do It?" series featuring bowling center equipment.

Check your local listings for scheduled airtimes: Dec. 21, 2:00 p.m. ET, Dec. 29, 10:30 p.m ET and Dec. 30, 1:30 a.m. ET.

The segment features the mechanics of a bowling center and showcases "Qubica / AMF" equipment. They also explain how a pin setter works and show some historical bowling-related locations plus how the game has changed with these innovations.

More Team USA Trials

After 29 games, Top 20 at USBC Team USA trials at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino's Strike Zone Bowling Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pos. Name Hometown Round 1 2 3 4 Total Avg. Pins back
1 Schaub, Cassidy Polk, Ohio 1,993 2,071 2,011 485 6,560 226.21
2 Bohr, Nathan Derby, Kan. 1,892 2,074 2,074 518 6,558 226.14 -2
3 Pfeifer, Tim Cranberry Township, Pa. 1,854 2,151 2,048 423 6,476 223.31 -84
4 Richards, Dean Tacoma, Wash. 1,955 2,170 2,021 312 6,458 222.69 -102
5 Szczerbinski, John* Wichita, Kan. 1,901 2,186 1,960 393 6,440 222.07 -120
6 Haynes, David Las Vegas 2,027 2,122 1,916 371 6,436 221.93 -124
7 Cooper, Brett No. Richland Hills, Texas 1,964 2,155 1,856 425 6,400 220.69 -160
8 Bowers, Brent Mulvane, Kan. 1,849 2,098 1,943 432 6,322 218.00 -238
9 Haggerty, P.J. Clovis, Calif. 1,958 2,059 1,856 443 6,316 217.79 -244
10 Villanueva, Steven No. Las Vegas, Nev. 1,826 2,014 1,974 467 6,281 216.59 -279
11 Peters, Jake* Decatur, Ill. 1,874 1,999 2,006 388 6,267 216.10 -293
12 Janawicz, John Winter Haven, Fla. 1,900 1,964 1,970 409 6,243 215.28 -317
13 Wunderlich, Jason Homestead, Pa. 1,906 1,908 2,011 416 6,241 215.21 -319
14 Hogan, Paul* Manteca, Calif. 1,750 2,073 2,034 357 6,214 214.28 -346
15 Hoffman, Bill Colombus, Ohio 1,783 2,087 1,934 376 6,180 213.10 -380
16 Pierson, Chris* Waukesha, Wis. 1,847 2,022 1,875 422 6,166 212.62 -394
17 Palumbo, George Henderson, Nev. 1,760 2,025 1,940 417 6,142 211.79 -418
18 Schalow, Jon Marshfield, Wis. 1,798 2,107 1,822 383 6,110 210.69 -450
19 Robertson, Jeff Tempe, Ariz. 1,849 1,987 1,893 371 6,100 210.34 -460
20 Buss, Jesse Wichita, Kan. 1,803 2,074 1,832 388 6,097 210.24 -463

* = Eligible for Junior Team USA selection
Check out the action, round by round results at: bowl.com

USBC Team USA Trials

After 23 games, Top 20 at USBC Team USA trials at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino's Strike Zone Bowling Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pos. Name Hometown Round 1 2 3 Total Avg. Pins back

1 Richards, Dean Tacoma, Wash. 1,955 2,170 1,131 5,256 228.52
2 Szczerbinski, John* Wichita, Kan. 1,901 2,186 1,097 5,184 225.39 -72
3 Pfeifer, Tim Cranberry Township, Pa. 1,854 2,151 1,178 5,183 225.35 -73
4 Haynes, David Las Vegas 2,027 2,122 1,006 5,155 224.13 -101
5 Schaub, Cassidy Polk, Ohio 1,993 2,071 1,091 5,155 224.13 -101
6 Cooper, Brett No. Richland Hills, Texas 1,964 2,155 1,015 5,134 223.22 -122
7 Bohr, Nathan Derby, Kan. 1,892 2,074 1,155 5,121 222.65 -135
8 Haggerty, P.J. Clovis, Calif. 1,958 2,059 1,093 5,110 222.17 -146
9 Bowers, Brent Mulvane, Kan. 1,849 2,098 1,104 5,051 219.61 -205
10 Wunderlich, Jason Homestead, Pa. 1,906 1,908 1,210 5,024 218.43 -232
11 Peters, Jake* Decatur, Ill. 1,874 1,999 1,124 4,997 217.26 -259
12 Hoffman, Bill Colombus, Ohio 1,783 2,087 1,097 4,967 215.96 -289
13 Robertson, Jeff Tempe, Ariz. 1,849 1,987 1,101 4,937 214.65 -319
14 Hogan, Paul* Manteca, Calif. 1,750 2,073 1,074 4,897 212.91 -359
15 Pierson, Chris* Waukesha, Wis. 1,847 2,022 1,026 4,895 212.83 -361
16 Cunningham, G. Brett* Clay, N.Y. 2,042 1,825 1,025 4,892 212.70 -364
17 Baker, Brandon Tempe, Ariz. 1,628 2,248 1,009 4,885 212.39 -371
18 Buss, Jesse Wichita, Kan. 1,788 2,074 1,023 4,885 212.39 -371
19 Villanueva, Steven No. Las Vegas, Nev. 1,826 2,014 1,040 4,880 212.17 -376

20 Geering, Greg* Phoenix 1,956 1,903 1,007 4,866 211.57 -390

* = Eligible for Junior Team USA selection

Check out the action, round by round results at: bowl.com

More Greatest Players of All Time

Numbers 4-8 on the list of 50 Greatest Players in Professional Bowlers Association History were revealed on Sunday's ESPN telecast.

4: Pete Weber
Career Titles: 34
Career Major Titles: 8
Career Earnings: $3,230,394
Highlights: His 34 PBA Tour titles ranks tied for third all time while his eight Majors ranks tied for second… One of just five bowlers to complete the Triple Crown, winning the Tournament of Champions in 1987, the National Championship in 1989 and ’98 and winning the U.S. Open a record-tying four times (1988, ‘91, 2004, ’07)… Also won the 1992 Touring Players Championship and is just a Masters title shy of becoming the second bowler to complete the Super Slam… Second all-time in career earnings as he is one of just two bowlers to go over the $3 million mark… Named the 1980 PBA Rookie of the Year… Won the George Young High Average Award in 1989… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1998.

5: Mark Roth
Career Titles: 34
Career Major Titles: 2
Career Senior Tour Titles: 2
Career Earnings: $1,631,356
Highlights: Captured multiple titles in six different seasons, including a Tour-record eight in 1978… Followed that up with seven more titles in 1979… Won the 1984 BPAA U.S. Open and the 1984 Touring Players Championship… Four-time PBA Player of the Year (1977-79, ’84), one of just three players to win the award three consecutive seasons… Was a six-time winner of the George Young High Average Award (1976-79, ’81, ’88)… Was the first of just three players to ever pick up the 7-10 split on TV which he did in 1980 in Alameda, Calif…. Won the 2001 PBA Senior World Championship en route to the 2001 PBA Senior Rookie of the Year Award… Named PBA Senior Player of the Year in 2002… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1987.

6: Mike Aulby
Career Titles: 29
Career Major Titles: 8
Career Earnings: $2,096,060
Highlights: Captured eight Major titles which ranks tied for second all time… Won the 1979 PBA National Championship in his rookie season and went on to be named 1979 Rookie of the Year… Named PBA Player of the Year in 1985 and ‘95, becoming the first player to win both awards in a career… Three-time winner of the USBC Masters and two-time National Champion; also won the Tournament of Champions, Touring Players Championship and U.S. Open to become the only bowler to have won all five Majors… Twice won two Majors in a season (’89, ’95), the only bowler to accomplish that feat… Twice won the Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award (1994, ‘95)… One of only two bowlers to shoot 300 in a nationally televised title match… Named to PBA Hall of Fame in 1996.

7: Norm Duke
Career Titles: 29
Career Major Titles: 5
Career Earnings: $2,602,414
Highlights: Duke’s 29 titles rank tied for seventh all time… Owns five Majors including the USBC Masters, Tournament of Champions, World Championship (twice) and U.S. Open, making him one of just two bowlers to complete the PBA’s Grand Slam and one of just five to complete the Triple Crown… Was just 18 when he won his first title in 1983 becoming the youngest to ever win a PBA Tour title… Two-time Player of the Year (1994, 2000) and four-time George Young High Average Award winner… Also won the Harry Smith Point Leader Award in 2005-06… Won a career-best five titles and banked $273,753 in 1994… Has won three or more titles in four different seasons… One of 19 players to shoot 300 on national TV.

8: Don Johnson
Career Titles: 26
Career Major Titles: 2
Career Earnings: $663,426
Highlights: Ranks ninth all time with 26 PBA Tour titles… Won at least one title in 12 straight seasons (1966-77) and captured multiple titles in seven consecutive seasons (1967-73)… Won the 1970 Tournament of Champions and the 1972 BPAA U.S. Open… Rolled a historic 299 in the 1970 Tournament of Champions finals… Named PBA Player of the Year in 1971 and ’72, becoming the first player to win the award in consecutive seasons… Won the Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award in 1977, the same year he was elected to the PBA Hall of Fame.

9: Marshall Holman
Career Titles: 22
Career Major Titles: 4
Career Earnings: $1,705, 990
Highlights: Fiery right-hander twice won the Tournament of Champions (1976, ’86) and the U.S. Open (1981, ’85)… Won George Young High Average Award three times (1982, ’84, ’87)… Was the 1987 PBA Player of the Year… Won multiple titles in seven different seasons… Won three apiece in both 1979 and ’81… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1990 in his first year of eligibility.

10: Parker Bohn III
Career Titles: 31
Career Major Titles: 1
Career Earnings: $2,694, 717
Highlights: Bohn’s 31 titles ranks fifth all-time… Won titles in five straight seasons from 1997 through 2001-02, capturing 18 titles in that span… Won a career-best five titles in both 1999 and again in 2001-02… Named the PBA Player of the Year in both seasons, also winning the Harry Smith Point Leader and George Young High Average Award in both seasons… A four-time winner of the Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award… Lone Major title came in the 2001 USBC Masters… One of 19 bowlers to shoot 300 on national TV… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2000.

11: Don Carter.
Career Titles: 7
Career Major Titles: 5
Career Earnings: $176,040
Highlights: PBA Charter Member won two titles in 1960, including the PBA National Championship, as well as four titles in 1962… Won a record-tying four BPAA All-Star titles, twice winning the event in back-to-back years (1953-54 and 1957-58)… Also won the 1961 USBC Masters… His five Major titles ranks tied for fifth all time… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975.

12: Billy Hardwick.
Career Titles: 18 Career
Major Titles: 3
Career Earnings: $334, 043
Highlights: Won multiple titles on three different occasions, including four in 1963… Won the 1963 PBA National Championship and the 1965 Tournament of Champions as well as the BPAA All-Star in 1969, and is one of just five bowlers to have completed the Triple Crown… PBA Player of the Year in 1963 and ’69, one of nine bowlers to win the award twice… Won six titles in 1969 and led the Tour with $61,160… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1977.

13: Brian Voss.
Career Titles: 24
Career Major Titles: 1
Career Earnings: $2,373,838
Highlights: Won 24 PBA Tour titles, which ranks 10th all-time… Won at least one title in 12 straight seasons from 1987-1998, three shy of the all-time record… Named the PBA Player of the Year in 1988, winning two titles including the PBA National Championship, his lone Major title… Won the Harry Smith Point Leader award in 1987 and ’88… Amassed over $2.3 million in career earnings, ranking fifth all-time in that category… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1994.

14: Dick Ritger
Career Titles: 20
Career Earnings: $420,395
Highlights: Captured multiple titles in five different seasons, capturing two each in 1966, ’68 and ’69 and three each in 1973 and ‘74… Ranked fourth on the money list in 1973 ($55,818) and fifth in 1974 ($46,358)… Won the 1970 Japan Cup… Finished second in a Major four times, tied for the most all-time among bowlers without a Major title… Won the Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award in 1970 and 1973… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1978.

The One Pearl from Ebonite

Take The ONE from Ebonite, add on some extra muscle and what do you get? The ONE Pearl--a stronger, more aggressive version of The ONE.

By pearlizing the GB 10.7 coverstock, Ebonite declares they have added even more power to The ONE, giving The ONE Pearl more length and an even sharper approach to the pins, resulting in increased pin carry. The Pearl cover finished at 4000 Abralon and polished with Factory Finish is Purple/Black & Red Pearl, the familiar GB 10.7 formula with Centrex Symmetrical Mass Bias core. #15 RG 2.46. Diff 056. Worldwide introduction is January 6, 2009.

Take a look at The One Pearl

Having an opportunity to roll The One Pearl, I found the ball to be even easier to get down the lane then the original One. Although we weren't throwing on lane conditions I felt would be more appropriate for the surface and my 16mph-ish ball speed, The One Pearl preformed very well. The performance on a fresh "league " condition encourages me to offer The One Pearl option to players with softer speed, and possibly "rev-challenged".

PBA News

Baltimore has been very good to both Rhino Page and Jodi Woessner and Sunday proved no different as each claimed titles in Lumber Liquidators Shark Championship at AMF Country Club Lanes, the eighth stop of the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour.

Page broke the PBA’s seven-game scoring record in the Tournament Qualifying Round (TQR) and made his televised finals debut in this tournament last year and Woessner won her first regional (Professional Women’s Bowling Association) title in Baltimore 15 years ago.

Page threw Storm HY-Road first ball while Woessner rolled a Storm T-Road Solid. Other players Strike Ball: Patrick Allen - Storm HY-Road, Parker Bohn III -Brunswick Smash Zone and Brunswick MaxxX Zone, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard - Brunswick MaxxX Zone and Brunswick Swarm, Wes Malott - Roto Grip Cell.

Team USA Trials

Bowlers can earn the opportunity to bowl for their country by participating in the 2009 USBC Team USA Trials, Dec. 14-19, 2008 at Las Vegas' Sunset Station Hotel & Casino.

The top three male and female adults and top two boys and girls who are age 20 and under as of December 31, 2008 will win automatic spots on Team USA and Junior Team USA for 2009.

PBA Shark Championship

Just ten minutes down the road from Country Club Lanes, local bowler William Barlow definitely made his presence known at Wednesday’s Tournament Qualifying Round (TQR) of the Lumber Liquidators Shark Championship, the eighth stop on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour.

Barlow of Edgewood, Md. finished with 1,597 pins over the 7-game block, averaging 228.14 to lead the 89-playerfield. Richard Fairley of Christiansburg, Va. finished in second with a score of 1,538.

PBA Tour Qualifying Round Top 25 –
Seven PBA members and top amateur (*) advance
1, William Barlow, Edgewood, Md., 1,597
2, Richard Fairley, Christiansburg, Va, 1,538
3, George Lambert IV, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 1,528
4, Tom Daugherty, Tampa, Fla., 1,527
5, Brian Valenta, Lockport, Ill, 1,514
5, Derek Payne*, Capitol Heights, Md., 1,514
7, Brandon Robertson, Clinton, CT., 1,492
8, William Stoddard, Rochester, N.Y., 1,483, $900
8, Matthew Gasn, Laurel, Md., 1,483, $900
10, Thomas Wall III, Fayetteville, N.C., 1,472
11, Christopher Watson, Winston-Salem, N.C., 1,470, $600
12, Gregory Turner, Lanham, Md., 1,469, $500
13, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,468, $450
14, Frank Gallo Jr., Newport News, Va., 1,462, $390
14, Christopher Blackmore, Alexandria, Va., 1,462, $390
16, Joe DelGavio, Baltimore, 1,457, $360
17, Chris Cundiff, Portage, Ind, 1,443, $350
18, Seby Silvestri, Louisville, Ky, 1,440, $340
19, James Wallace, Hicksville, N.Y., 1,433, $330
20, Brian Bennett, Rosedale, Md., 1,421, $320
21, Tim Mack, Indianapolis, 1,420, $305
21, Michael Cimba, Monroeville, Pa., 1,420, $305
23, Bryan Paul, Brooklyn, N.Y., 1,415
24, Sam Maccarone, Glassboro, N.J., 1,408
25, Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 1,404

Regional Players Invitational

John Nolen said he got his worst game out of his system last week in Cheektowaga, N.Y. which enabled him to focus on his game in day one of the Regional Players Invitational (RPI) at the Sands Regency Casino Hotel.

Nolen finished atop the 83-player field in Tuesday’s six game block featuring the Cheetah pattern.

Nolen, of Waterford, Mich., finished with 1,451 pins, averaging 241.83 over the six games. He was chased by Lonnie Walicek of Wichita, Kansas who was close behind with 1,445 pins.

Ball Roll Broken Down

Professional Bowing Association star Michael Fagan and his bowling skills will be featured in a segment on the Discovery Channel program, Time Warp which will air on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. ET. (and it will re-air later that night at 12 a.m. ET.)

The show, which is hosted by MIT scientist and teacher Jeff Lieberman, uses the latest in high-speed photography to take events and slow them down to show exactly how events happen, in a form that your body can actually process.

This past September, Time Warp filmed Fagan bowling and broke down the physical side of the game, examining his release, the way a ball rolls on the lane, how it reacts to oil, the way the ball hits the pins and the deflection necessary to get a strike.

Triumph TNT

AMF300 has produced a limited run of the Triumph TNT. These are available in 15 - 16# only and built to the same specs as the original that was introduced in 2004.

They are available to ship now. Call 800 424-2695 for more information.

Holiday Bowling Auction

The fifth annual USBC Holiday eBay Auction is underway, and there are several outstanding gifts up for bids. The auction ends Sunday, Dec. 14 at 10 p.m. (Eastern Time).

Among the unique items up for bid is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have retired PBA superstar Mike Aulby as your doubles partner during the 2009 USBC Open Championships in Las Vegas. Click HERE for more details.

Proceeds from the auction go to the USBC Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarship Fund. Since its inception in 2004, the annual Holiday eBay Auction has raised more than $100,000 for this worthy cause. Named in honor of the late bowling superstar who died in 2001, the fund is administered by USBC's SMART program.

PBA Chooses Hall of Famers for Exemptions

The Professional Bowlers Association announced today five Hall of Famers will receive Commissioner’s Exemptions to bowl in Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour events this season. Beginning with Mark Roth at next week’s Lumber Liquidators Shark Championship in Baltimore, as part of the PBA’s season-long 50th anniversary celebration.

In addition to Roth, Wayne Webb, Marshall Holman, Brian Voss and Johnny Petraglia will also receive Commissioner’s Exemptions at their respective events which will place them directly into the field of 64. All were also named among the “50 Greatest Players” by the PBA released earlier this year.

Power Groove Special

Brunswick offers a promotion to help sell Brunswick Power Groove bowling balls. The program offers consumers the opportunity to receive a $25.00 rebate.

This program also features an opportunity for shops to win cash. All you have to do is help promote this offer and you will be automatically enrolled for the chance to win up to $1,000 in cash. Look for details at: GetInTheGroove.

More of Top 50 Bowlers of All Time

15: Nelson Burton Jr.
Career Titles: 18 Career Major Titles: 2 Career Earnings: $763,783 Highlights: A star from the get-go, Burton won his first title in 1964 at the age of 24… Went on to win 17 more and ranks tied for 15th on the all-time titles list… Captured the 1978 BPAA U.S. Open and also won the 1976 USBC Masters… Named PBA Player of the Year for 1970 when he captured a career-best four titles… Won two titles apiece in 1972 and ’78… Named to the PBA Hall of Fame in 1979.

16: John Petraglia
Career Titles: 14 Career Major Titles: 3 Career Senior Tour Titles: 6 Career Earnings: $1,128,172 Highlights: Claimed his first title in 1966 at the age of 19… After spending time in Vietnam, came back to win five titles in 1971, including three in a row… One of just two players ever to win three consecutive events… Led the field throughout in all three events, one of which was the Tournament of Champions where he captured his first Major… His $85,000 in earnings that season was a record for the time… Went on to win the 1977 BPAA U.S. Open with a 279 score in the title game and three years won the 1980 PBA National Championship for his 14th title… One of 19 players to shoot 300 on TV… One of five bowlers to complete the Triple Crown… Also one of just three players to win a PBA title in five different decades… Named the 1998 PBA Senior Rookie of the Year… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1982.

17: Carmen Salvino
Career Titles: 17 Career Major Titles: 1 Career Senior Tour Titles: 2 Career Earnings: $671,750 Highlights: PBA Charter Member won his first title in 1961 followed by two in 1962 including the PBA National Championship for his lone Major title… Won multiple titles in four different seasons… Won two titles on the PBA Senior Tour including the 1984 PBA Senior National Championship… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975.

18: Wayne Webb
Career Titles: 20 Career Major Titles: 1 Career Earnings: $1,437,721 Highlights: Named 1980 PBA Player of the Year after winning the 1980 Tournament of Champions… First victory came in the Brunswick Memorial World Open in 1978… Won at least one title in eight straight seasons from 1978-85 and won multiple titles in five consecutive seasons from 1979-83… Overall, won multiple titles in seven different seasons… Became the PBA’s sixth millionaire in 1992… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1993.

19: Dave Davis
Career Titles: 18 Career Major Titles: 4 Career Senior Tour Titles: 5 Career Earnings: $912,765 Highlights: Won multiple titles in four seasons, including six in 1967 en route to the PBA Player of the Year award… Captured the 1965 PBA National Championship for the first of his four Majors… Went on to win another PBA National Championship in ’67 and also won the Tournament of Champions in 1968 and ’75… Also owns two PBA Senior Majors, winning the USBC Senior Masters in 1995 and ’96… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1978.

20: Dave Soutar
Career Titles: 18 Career Major Titles: 2 Career Senior Tour Titles: 7 Career Earnings: $1,200,067 Highlights: Career began with a bang when he became the youngest winner in the PBA National Championship at that time, topping the 1961 field at age 21… Went on to win 17 more titles, winning at least one title in five consecutive seasons from 1967-71… Had a career-year in 1970 when he posted five victories and finished third on the Tour in earnings… Named the 1970 Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award winner… Also won multiple titles in 1971 and ’73, including the 1973 USBC Masters for his second Major victory… One of just three players to win a PBA title in five different decades… Owns seven PBA Senior Tour titles, including the 1999 Senior Tournament of Champions, 2000 USBC Senior Masters and 2003 Senior U.S. Open… Only player to win both the USBC Masters and USBC Senior Masters… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1979.

21: Amleto Monacelli
Career Titles: 19 Career Major Titles: 1 Career Earnings: $2,097,684 Highlights: Venezuela native was the first foreign-born player to win the PBA Player of the Year award, winning in back-to-back seasons in 1989 and ’90… Ranks sixth all time with just over $2 million and his 19 titles rank 14th all time… Won the 1989 Touring Players Championship en route to his first Player of the Year award, winning a career-best four titles that season… Won three titles the next season to earn his second honor… Harry Smith Point Leader Award winner in both 1989 and ’90 and George Young High Average Award winner in 1990… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1997… Is the only foreign-born player in the PBA Hall of Fame.

22: Mike Durbin
Career Titles: 14 Career Major Titles: 3 Career Earnings: $839,520 Highlights: The first three-time winner of the Tournament of Champions, he won the prestigious event in 1972, ’82 and ’84… Named the 1967 PBA Rookie of the Year after winning two titles… After taking time away from the Tour, Durbin returned at the age of 36 and won two titles in 1981 and two more in ’82 including his second T of C… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1984 and went on to win his third T of C the same week he was inducted.

23: Dave Husted
Career Titles: 14 Career Major Titles: 4 Career Earnings: $1,621,623 Highlights: Owns three U.S. Open titles (1982, ’95, ’96), and captured the 1985 Touring Players Championship… Is the only player to win back-to-back U.S. Open crowns since the BPAA All-Star became the U.S. Open in 1971… Won the 1986 Harry Smith Point Leader Award… Won the Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award in 1988 and ’89… Was the ninth player to reach the $1 million mark in career earnings… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1996.

24: Jason Couch
Career Titles: 15 Career Major Titles: 4 Career Earnings: $1,599,422 Highlights: Won at least one title in six straight seasons from 1998 through 2003-04… Won three consecutive Tournament of Champions titles from 1999-2002, the only bowler to accomplish the feat… Has won multiple titles in a season five times (1993, ’95, ’99, 2005-06 and 2006-07)… Was named the 1992 PBA Rookie of the Year… The following year he captured his first title and first Major in the same season, winning the 1993 Tums Classic and ’93 Touring Players Championship.

25: Steve Cook
Career Titles: 15 Career Major Titles: 3 Career Earnings: $839,586 Highlights: Won three Major titles, the 1981 Tournament of Champions, 1983 Touring Players Championship and 1986 BPAA U.S. Open… Was one of the Tour’s most imposing forces at 6’7”, 265 pounds… At just 22 years old he captured the 1979 Ford Open and never looked back… Won two titles each in 1981 and ’82 and won a career-high four titles in 1986… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1993.

26: Chris Barnes
Career Titles: 10 Career Major Titles: 2 Career Earnings: $1,528,917 Highlights: The 1998 PBA Rookie of the Year recently picked up the 2007-08 PBA Player of the Year Award to become just the third bowler ever to win both awards… Won two titles apiece in 1999 and 2007-08 and in between won single titles every season from 2001-02 until 2006-07… Won his first Major in the 62nd U.S. Open in 2005 and his second in the 2006 Tournament of Champions… Became the fastest bowler to reach $1 million in career earnings.

27: Jim Stefanich
Career Titles: 14 Career Major Titles: 2 Career Earnings: $550,820 Highlights: After winning his first title in 1966, broke out with nine titles over the next two seasons, earning three victories in 1967 – including the Tournament of Champions – and six in 1968… Among his six victories in 1968 was the BPAA U.S. Open and for his efforts he was named the 1968 PBA Player of the Year… Led the Tour in earnings in 1968 with $67,375… Also known for his 300 game in the 1974 Midas Open, just the third on live national television… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1980.

28: Harry Smith
Career Titles: 12 Career Major Titles: 2 Career Earnings: $244,992 Highlights: PBA Charter Member won four events in 1963 and three in 1965… Won the 1960 BPAA All-Star for his first career title and Major… One of his four victories in 1963 came in the USBC Masters for his second Major title… Finished among the top five in earnings in four consecutive seasons and five of six between 1960-65... Second in earnings in both 1960 ($17,322) and 1963 ($36,962)… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975.

29: Del Ballard Jr.
Career Titles: 13 Career Major Titles: 4 Career Earnings: $1,300,357 Highlights: Won all 13 of his titles in a seven-year span from 1987-93… Owns four Major titles, tied for seventh all time… Has won the U.S. Open twice (1987, ’93) as well as the USBC Masters and Tournament of Champions… His first career victory came in the 1987 U.S. Open, which made him the first bowler to win a six-figure first place prize. Ballard will be inducted in the PBA Hall of Fame in January 24th, 2009.

30: Tommy Jones
Career Titles: 12 Career Major Titles: 2 Career Earnings: $1,028,188 Highlights: Set a PBA record for shortest time between first and 10th titles, winning title No. 10 just two years, six months and seven days after his first… Won four titles apiece in 2004-05 and 2005-06… One of his four titles in 2005-06 came in the 63rd U.S. Open which marked his first Major title… Went on to capture PBA Player of the Year honors in 05-06… Named PBA Rookie of the Year in 2001-02… One of just three bowlers to win both the Player and Rookie of the Year awards in their career.

31: Wayne Zahn
Career Titles: 13 Career Major Titles: 3 Career Earnings: $400,059 Highlights: PBA Charter Member was named PBA Player of the Year in 1966, the year he became the first man to win the PBA National Championship and Tournament of Champions the same season… Won his second National Championship in 1968… The years 1966 and ’67 also saw Zahn become the first person to win the George Young High Average Award back-to-back… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1981.

32: Jim Godman
Career Titles: 11 Career Major Titles: 3 Career Earnings: $396,178 Highlights: The 1965 PBA Rookie of the Year won 11 times in his career, including three Majors… Won the Tournament of Champions in both 1969 and 1973 and also won the 1971 USBC Masters… Won at least one title in four consecutive seasons from 1966-69, winning two in ’69… Also won two titles each in ’71 and ’73 with a Major in each season… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1987.

33: George Pappas
Career Titles: 10 Career Senior Tour Titles: 2 Career Earnings: $1,012,602 Highlights: Won multiple titles in a season twice, including capturing his first two titles in 1970… Won the 1979 Firestone Tournament of Champions for his only career major… Led the prestigious tournament from start to finish… Best season came in 1984 when he collected his ninth and 10th titles and earned more than $100,000… Has also had success on the PBA Senior Tour, winning two titles and being named the 1997 PBA Senior Rookie of the Year… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame 1986.

34: David Ozio
Career Titles: 11 Career Major Titles: 1 Career Senior Tour Titles: 2 Career Earnings: $1,499,881 Highlights: Named the 1991 PBA Player of the Year when he captured four titles including the Tournament of Champions and led the Tour with $225,585 in earnings… Won two titles in 1985 and one each in ’86, ’88, ’89, ’90 and ’95… Named the PBA Senior Rookie of the Year in 2004 when he won the PBA Senior U.S. Open… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1995.

35: Randy Pedersen
Career Titles: 13 Career Major Titles: 1 Career Earnings: $1,148,766 Highlights: Won his first title in 1986 then followed that up with two titles in 1987 including his lone Major title, the PBA National Championship… Won a career-best three tournaments in 1989 including the Japan Cup... Won a title in five different seasons in the 1990s then won his 13th title by going 12-0 en route to the 2002 Pepsi Open title.

36: Dave Ferraro
Career Titles: 10 Career Major Titles: 3 Career Earnings: $1,044,176 Highlights: Winner of 10 PBA Tour titles, Ferraro became the 12th player in PBA history to crack the $1 million mark in career earnings… Won the Touring Players Championship twice (1988 and ’91) and also captured the 1990 Tournament of Champions… Had a career-year in 1992 when he won twice and earned PBA Player of the Year honors… Also won the George Young High Average and Harry Smith Point Leader Awards that season… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1997.

T-37: Larry Laub
Career Titles: 12 Career Major Titles: 1 Career Senior Tour Titles: 5 Career Earnings: $867,360 Highlights: A touring pro as far back as 1966, he placed among the Tour’s top 20 money winners nine times and on eight occasions placed in the top 20 in average… Amassed $66,000 in 1994, winning the BPAA U.S. Open as one of four titles… Has won five PBA Senior Tour titles and was named the 1994 PBA Senior Rookie of the Year… Won three titles on the 1997 PBA Senior Tour… Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1985.

T-37: Bill Allen
Career Titles: 13 Career Earnings: $225,670 Highlights: Won his first three titles in 1963, when he earned $19,358… Added four more titles in 1964, two in ’65 and four in his best year, 1968, when his money winnings peaked at $42,125… Is one of only six players to win back-to-back PBA titles three times during his career, accomplishing the feat in 1964, ’65 and ’68… Was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1983.

CLR Carmen Salvino Championship Finals Set

No one was more surprised than Jason Couch that he had made the final four of the CLR Carmen
Salvino Scorpion Championship, the sixth stop of the 2008-09 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour.
Couch of Clermont, Fla. was sitting in fifth place and doubled in the 10th frame to move past
Steve Jaros to make the Sunday’s live televised finals on ESPN, his first TV appearance of the season.

CLR Carmen Salvino Scorpion Championship

Roto Grip Staff Member Wes Malott claimed the top seed for the CLR Carmen Salvino Scorpion Championship. After the qualifying rounds Wes sat in 2nd place and then climbed into first during match play. This will be Malott's third television appearance of the year.

The #4 seed is Jason Couch and he will face #3 seed Brad Angelo who won his first title earlier in the year. The winner of that match will move on to face #2 seed Ken Simard. The winner of that match will earn the chance to bowl against Malott for the right to be crowned the Scorpion pattern Champion! You can watch the television final's on ESPN on Sunday at 1 pm EST.

CLR Carmine Salvino Scorpion Championship

Men’s Round of 64 Qualifying Blocks 1 and 2 combined; Top 32 advance

1, Ken Simard, Greenville, S.C., 3,500, $100
2, Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, 3,378
3, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 3,370, $100
3, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 3,370
5, Tommy Delutz Jr., Flushing, N.Y., 3,366, $100
6, Chad Kloss, Greenfield, Wis, 3,348
7, Mike DeVaney, San Diego, 3,347
8, Robert Spigner, Vernon Hills, Ill., 3,329
9, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 3,326
10, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3,324
11, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 3,320, $100
12, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 3,312
13, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 3,296
14, Ken Abner, Cincinnati, 3,295
15, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 3,289
16, Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa., 3,287
17, Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 3,280
18, Michael Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., 3,273
19, Jason Poli, West Des Moines, Iowa, 3,270
20, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 3,268
21, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 3,267
22, Edward VanDaniker Jr, Essex, Md, 3,254
23, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 3,244
24, Jason Belmonte, Orange, NSW,Australia, 3,241
25, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 3,235
26, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 3,233
27, Chester Rogers Jr, Milwaukie, Ore, 3,228
28, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 3,225
29, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 3,220
30, Terrance Reeves, Valrico, Fla, 3,203
31, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 3,200
32, Mitch Beasley, Puyallup, Wash., 3,197

CLR Carmine Salvino Scorpion Championship

Jason Poli decided it was time for “out with the old and in with the new.” Going into this week he got rid of all his previous equipment and started anew and that proved a to be smart game plan as he led Wednesday’s Tournament Qualifying Round of the CLR Carmen Salvino Scorpion Championship at Brunswick Zone Hawthorn.

Poli finished with 1,761 pins over the seven game block, averaging 251.57 and
bested the field by at least 84 pins.

1, Jason Poli, West Des Moines, Iowa, 1,761
2, Tim Mack, Indianapolis, 1,677
3, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,669
4, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 1,662
5, Robert Spigner, Vernon Hills, Ill., 1,659
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6, Ed Carter, Akron, Ohio, 1,659, $1,000
7, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 1,638, $800
8, Evan Rachbuch, E Windsor, N.J., 1,637, $600
9, Jason Wojnar, Chicago, 1,634, $500
10, Kenny Parks, Hammond, Ind., 1,625, $450
*11, Peter Spreadbury, Oak Forest, Ill., 1,619 – advanced as top amateur
12, Brian Kjergaard, Fulton, Ill, 1,618, $500
13, Gregg Zicha, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 1,614, $350
14, John Nolen, Waterford, Mich., 1,612, $340
15, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 1,605, $330
16, Tom Hess, Urbandale, Iowa, 1,592, $315
16, Curtis Aemisegger, Wauconda, Ill., 1,592, $315
18, Craig LeMond, Jasper, Ind., 1,590, $300
19, Mark London, Palatine, Ill., 1,587, $400
20, Ryan Abel, Bel Aire, Kan., 1,579, $300
21, Jeffrey Snuffer, Valparaiso, Ind., 1,577, $300
21, Mark Raymond, Vernon Hills, Ill, 1,577, $300
23, Rudy Kasimakis, Baldwyn, Miss., 1,570, $300
24, Andrew Loose, Chicago, 1,564, $300
25, Marc Heninger, Tonganoxie, Kans, 1,563, $300
26, Jesse Buss, Wichita, Kans, 1,557
27, Tom Sorce, Blasdell, N.Y., 1,555
28, Timothy Behrendt, St Louis, 1,552
29, Matthew Weatherly, Chicago, 1,551
30, Michael Sopper, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,550
31, Humberto Vazquez, San Pedro, Mexico, 1,548
32, Brandon Gibson, Kalamazoo, Mich, 1,547
33, Keith Kroll, Round Lake, Ill., 1,544
34, Michael Markis, Hawley, Pa, 1,543
35, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 1,541
36, Jim Tomek Jr., Camp Hill, Pa., 1,538
37, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 1,533
38, PJ Haggerty, Clovis, Calif, 1,530
39, Brian Gunn, Chicago, 1,527
40, Raymond Fairfield Jr., Bourbonnais, Ill., 1,526
41, Jeremy Hunt, Sikeston, Mo., 1,524
42, Kenny Benoit, Topeka, Kan., 1,521
43, George Lambert IV, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 1,509
44, Aaron Buss, Freeport, Ill, 1,491
45, Jimmy Levendosky, Hudsonville, Mich., 1,488
46, John Slavich IV, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,487
47, Jason Dooley, Paw Paw, Mich., 1,484
48, Johnathan Bower, Middletown, Pa., 1,480
48, Scott Newell, Deland, Fla, 1,480
50, Mike Dirmyer, Itasca, Ill., 1,478
51, David Beres, Waukesha, Wis., 1,477
52, Brad Snell, Mount Prospect, Ill., 1,474
53, William Guszczo, Orland Park, Il., 1,468
54, Steven Dinelli, Skokie, Ill., 1,467
54, Donald Barry Jr, Omaha, Neb, 1,467
56, Michael Zicha, Streamwood, Ill., 1,464
57, Dan Marazzo, Glendale Hts, Ill, 1,456
58, Scott Radtke, Milwaukee,, 1,453
59, Matthew O'Grady, South Amboy, N.J., 1,451
60, Michael Svilar, Munster, Ind., 1,447
61, Paul Bober, Morton Grove, Ill., 1,445
62, Shaun Quinn, Cedar Lake, Tenn, 1,443
63, Frankie Ciannella, Greentown, Pa., 1,438
64, Rich Ferraro, Webster, N.Y., 1,431
65, Nick Kokenos, St Clair Shores, Mich, 1,426
66, James Gochis, Ivanhoe, Ill., 1,419
67, Chris O'Neil, Hoffman Estates, Ill., 1,417
68, Chris Simonson, Howell, Mich, 1,416
69, Bill Spigner, Vernon Hills, Ill., 1,415
70, Gregory Kuehnl, Saginaw, Mich., 1,409
71, Gary Zwiezinski, Elyria, Ohio, 1,405
72, Larry Bigger, Shorewood, Ill., 1,402
73, Brian Valenta, Lockport, Ill, 1,400
74, Michael Camerano, Brookfield, Ill., 1,398
74, Chris Wade, O'Fallon, Mo., 1,398
76, Eric Fritton, Waukesha, wis, 1,395
77, Eric Martin, Cedar Lake, Ind., 1,392
78, Brandon Balsis, Tinley Park, Ill, 1,387
79, Ron Nelson Jr., Bridgeview, Ill., 1,384
80, Chris Clark, Owensville, Ohio, 1,374
81, Anthony Kaskadden, Lakemoor, Ill, 1,373
82, Kevin Murphy, Carol Stream, Ill., 1,362
83, Jim Pennino, Westmont, Ill., 1,360
84, Tyler Vostry, Plainfield, Ill., 1,359
85, David Siokos, Lansing, Ill., 1,356
86, Bryan Sebastian, South Elgin, Ill., 1,355
86, Gilbert Sanchez, Milvane, Kan., 1,355
88, Thomas Elborne, Round Rock, Texas, 1,347
89, Ken Minter, Elgin, Ill., 1,337
90, Brian Banks, McHenry, Ill., 1,308
91, Ronnie Montgomery Sr, Bedford Hts, Ohio, 1,302
92, Ike Brownfield, Lowell, Ind., 1,284
93, Pete Stamiris, Hammond, Ind, 1,282
94, Robert Kennedy, Lindenhurst, Ill., 1,280
95, Brian DiCicco, Agawam, Mass, 1,275
96, Kris Wojewoda, Chicago, 1,227
97, Jack Nealon, Bowie, Md, 1,213
98, Robert Kicmal, LaGrange, Ill., 1,212
99, Matthew Fell, Woodstock, Ill., 1,175
100, Michael Fagan, Roselle, Ill., 1,127

The field of 64 players will bowl two, 7-game qualifying rounds for a total of 14 games today, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27 in which the top 32 players advance to match play.

Bowlers making the cut return on Friday morning, Nov. 28 for the first nine games of an 18 game round robin match play schedule. The field will then be cut to the top 16 players who will return on Friday evening for the second round of match play competition. At the conclusion of match play, the top four finalists will advance to stepladder competition, i.e. No. 5 vs. No. 4, winner vs. No. 3, winner vs. No. 2, en route to championship match, aired live on ESPN on Sunday, Nov. 30 at Noon CT/1 p.m. ET.

PBA Hall of Fame

Norm Duke, Del Ballard Jr. and John Handegard join bowling’s elite as each player will be inducted into the Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Fame during the PBA 50th Anniversary Gala at Red Rock Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. on January 24, 2009. The induction marks the first time since 2000 that the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour will add new inductees into the Performance Category of the PBA Hall of Fame.

Bowling on ESPN Classic

On Sunday, all five shows from the 2008 Women’s US Open will air in order during a five hour marathon on ESPN Classic beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern. Each of the first four shows features four players battling for a spot on the finals telecast.

PBA Players Invitational Blog

Bowling fans will be able to follow next month’s PBA Regional Players Invitational as it happens via live blogging by 29-time PBA regional champion Jeff Richgels.

In “real life,” Richgels is a reporter for The Capital Times, the former afternoon daily in Madison, Wis., which now is an Internet-focused publication. Beginning this bowling season, he also has been writing a bowling blog called the 11th Frame that has been generating a hefty number of “clicks” from readers.

The PBA has agreed to post a link to Richgels’ blog on pba.com, so bowling fans can access live coverage of the RPI/Tour Trials.

“I’m going to write this for bowling fans, even if that means some of it may go over the heads of our regular readers,” Richgels said. “That means I’ll be reporting where the players are playing the lanes, what types of players are scoring best — the sort of information I’d want to know if I were tuning into a live blog of a PBA event. I’ll also be talking to players during the week and including information from the interviews.”

900 Global to Sponsor NABI

900 Global and the National Amateur Bowlers Inc. (NABI) have reached an agreement whereby 900 Global, effective immediately, becomes NABI’s
national sponsor.

Along with 900 Global, the 3G and AMF brands are included in the sponsorship.
“We are every excited about our sponsorship of the NABI,” said Phil Cardinale, who heads up sales and marketing for 900 Global. “It presents us with the opportunity to reach our end user, the league and tournament bowler.

“NABI members are very passionate about the game, and this is a great showcase for us,” Cardinale added. “If the members show half the passion
for our brands that they do for NABI, this will be a winning situation for all.”
Jack Cook, Vice President of Marketing for NABI, was equally excited about the agreement.

“National Amateur Bowlers Inc. is very proud to announce that the 900 Global, 3G (a line of performance bowing shoes), and the AMF brands (including balls, bags and accessories) will be the national sponsor for all of our tournament clubs and our national event,” Cook said.

The next NABI national tournament will be held in Las Vegas next July 17-24. 900 Global is a Texas-based manufacturer of performance bowling balls.

USBC Nationals to Reno in 2011

The United States Bowling Congress has confirmed that it has reached an agreement to bring the 2011 USBC Open Championships to the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.

The 2011 tournament was originally scheduled to be held in Osceola County, Fla., at a new 100-lane bowling facility in the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex on land made available by Walt Disney World.

With the Open Championships now set to be held at the National Bowling Stadium in 2010 and 2011, USBC and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority are teaming up to provide unprecedented incentives for bowlers who attend both tournaments. At the 2011 Open Championships: Every day, one bowler will win a high-performance bowling ball. Every five weeks, one team captain will win a new car or truck. Team captains bringing four or more teams will receive a VIP stay, complete with limo service and luxury hotel accommodations.

To be eligible for the incentive program, participation in both the 2010 and 2011 Open Championships is required.

“This agreement ensures the Open Championships has a first-rate venue for 2011, and our partners in Reno stepped up to make it happen,” said USBC Vice President of Tournaments and Events Jack Mordini. “The numbers show that the bowlers enjoy going to Reno, and our relationship has been a great one over the years. With these new incentives, USBC bowlers will have a better chance at winning big in Reno than ever before.”

The Raw Hammer Acid

New from Hammer, the Raw Hammer Acid. Coverstock, of “Max Hook Reactive” with a factory finish at 4000 Grit Abralon® is Burnt Red / Silver wrapping a “Raw Hammer Assault Core.” 15# Radius of Gyration (RG) 2.48, Differential RG .050

Visionary Introduces Two

Visionary introduces two new balls; their New Breed line. The new “Serpentine” cores are wrapped in “Drakonian” coverstocks. The New Breed line includes a Solid in Red/Green/White finished at 1000 Abralon® and Pearl in Red and Yellow finished at 1500 and polished. Radius of Gyration of 2.56 and Diff of .056. Preorders will arrive on December 1^st.

Professional Bowling Association News

Wes Malott and Brian Kretzer, two Roto Grip Professional Bowling Association (PBA) Staff members worked their way through qualifying and match play to make the television finals on Sunday. Kretzer qualified for the finals in the third position and Malott qualified second. They will perform live on ESPN on Sunday at 1 pm Eastern Standard Time.

This is Malott's second telecast of the season and Kretzer's first. Along with Malott and Kretzer, Bill O'Neill qualified first, Sean Rash qualified fourth, and Mike Machuga qualified in the fifth position. O'Neill and Machuga have both been using Storm equipment all week so four out of the five in the finals are using products made in Utah!

PBA Winners

Michael Machuga and Michelle Feldman captured the Chameleon Championship at Taylor Lanes, the fourth stop on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour.

Bowling In The Media

The Disney Channel features a bowling episode on “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.” And, look for bowling in their “Getcha Head In The Game” sports featurettes.

The national BET TV segment filmed at 300 New York with the Women's U.S. Open finalists Kim Terrell-Kearney and Trisha Reid is scheduled to air on Nov. 26th at either 7:30 or 10:30 PM.

Good column in Wednesday's USA Today on page D-1 with a nice bowling logo, and another good article in last Sunday's NY Times highlighting NY Jets linebacker David Bowens and his love of bowling. Bowens is from Michigan and got his love of bowling from his stepfather, Frank Williams, a former pro bowler.

PBA's Women's Series

Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., who led block one, continued dominance in Thursday’s qualifying of the Women's Series during the Chameleon Championship at Taylor Lanes, the fourth stop on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour.

“I had a really good morning and made a lot of good shots but I was struggling tonight,” Johnson said. “I just tried to grind out my shot. Luckily the scores were low, I was grinding some out in the 190s, so I think that was the biggest factor.”

“Tomorrow I hope to bowl like I did this morning,” she added. “I know the breakdown (of the lanes) will be different bowling with the women, the shot won’t be all over the place like it was today. I just want to play smart out there and not make too many mistakes.”

Johnson is an alternate to the Women’s Series exempt field and was given the opportunity to compete in this event, as was Olivia Sandham, due to Shannon Pluhowsky’s and Shannon O’Keefe’s absence in this event. Johnson competed regularly in the 2007 Women’s Series.

PBA Women’s Series Format
The field of 16 players bowled two, 7-game qualifying rounds for a total of 14 games on Thursday, Nov. 13 in which the top 10 players advance to match play. Bowlers making the cut will return on Friday evening, Nov. 14 for nine games of round robin match play competition. At the conclusion of match play, the top two finalists will compete in the championship match on Sunday, Nov. 16, aired live on ESPN at 1 p.m. All times ET.

Women’s Round of 16 - Blocks 1 and 2 combined; Top 10 players advance
1, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 2,906
2, Jodi Woessner, Oregon, Ohio, 2,858
3, Stefanie Nation, Arlington, Texas, 2,835
4, Trisha Reid, Columbus, Ohio, 2,794
5, Diandra Asbaty, Chicago, 2,782
6, Jennifer Petrick, Canton, Ohio, 2,767
7, Michelle Feldman, Auburn, N.Y., 2,760
8, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 2,736
9, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 2,690
10, Tennelle Milligan, Costa Mesa, Calif., 2,678
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11, Shalin Zulkifli, Malaysia, 2,672, $1,890
12, Missy Bellinder, Fullerton, Calif., 2,645, $1,800
13, Joy Esterson, Annapolis, Md., 2,597, $1,800
14, Olivia Sandham, Wichita, Kan., 2,565, $1,800
15, Brenda Mack, Indianapolis, 2,534, $1,800
16, Adrienne Miller, Buffalo Grove, Ill., 2,533, $1,800