MEMORIAL SERVICES SET FOR FEB. 14 FOR LONG-TIME BWAA MEMBER AND BOWLING INSTRUCTOR ROLF GAUGER
PHOENIX, Ariz. - A memorial gathering for long-time Bowling Writers Association of America member and renowned bowling instructor Rolf Gauger will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 2 to 5 p.m at the Gauger residence, 4734 Robert E. Lee Dr., Phoenix AZ. 85032.
Gauger, 84, died on Dec. 30 in Phoenix of heart failure.
While the bowling world knew Gauger as a USBC Silver Level Coach and regular contributor to Bowling This Month magazine among other outlets, he was a professional dance instructor for years, working with both the Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire Dance Studios.
Born in Berlin, Gauger escaped Hitler's Germany at age 4 and landed in Chicago where he grew up. He was 10 when his parents also escaped Germany, and he became the "man of the family" at age 14 when his father died. He met his wife, Lin, in 1969 and turned his enjoyment of bowling into a teaching career in the 1970s in Los Angeles. He expanded his bowling instructional career after moving to the Phoenix area in 1986.
"He was a Silver Level Coach, but in my estimation, he was equal to or better than any Gold Level Coach," said close friend and long-time associate John Jowdy. "His work was centered in the western part of the U.S., so he never got the national recognition he deserved."
Gauger's widow Lin has asked that in lieu of flowers, the memorials in his name be sent to: Children International, 2000 E. Red Bridge Rd., P.O. Box 219055, Kansas City, MO 64121.
(01-14-2009)
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BWAA’S TOM KOUROS ELECTED TO USBC HALL OF FAME
ARLINGTON, Texas – Long-time BWAA member Tom Kouros of Deer Park, Ill., an internationally-acclaimed author and bowling instructor, has been elected to the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame by the USBC Hall of Fame Committee during its annual meeting here Nov. 10.
Also elected were Gene Stus of Allen Park, Mich., a relative unknown outside of the Detroit area until he reached his 50th birthday, in the Veterans category and Lowell Rothschild, a Tucson, Ariz., attorney who played significant roles with the American Bowling Congress, International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, and Maccabiah USA Sports for Israel organization.
Kouros and Rothschild were elected in the Meritorious Service category.
These three, along with any others elected from the Superior Performance ballot that will voted upon in December, will be inducted during the USBC Annual Meeting in Reno, Nev., in late April.
Kouros’ career blossomed from pinboy to competitor, proprietor, author and world-class bowling instructor in his native Chicago where he founded the Institute of Professional Bowling Instruction and authored a pair of best-selling books: Par Bowling and Par Bowling: The Challenge. He has served as a columnist for Bowlers Journal International for more than 30 years and has personally coached some of the sport’s top stars, both in the United States and internationally. Kouros will celebrate his 82nd birthday on Nov. 19.
“I’m tickled pink. I never thought I’d get in,” Kouros said. “Guys like me are too outspoken; we rub some people the wrong way, but I’ve always been a guy who’d tell you if I thought your nose was too big. You do a lot of things and you don’t know if they’re appreciated. This wipes that whole slate clean. I’m very happy.”
Kouros, a founding member and past president of the Mid-America Bowling Writers, was recognized for his pioneering coaching efforts as recipient of BWAA's Rip Van Winkle Award in 1997, was presented the Flowers for the Living Award in 2001 and received the World Bowling Writers Lifetime Coaching Achievement Award in 2002.
Like so many before him, Stus, 68, caught the bowling bug as a 10-year-old pinboy, but at age 21, he had to make a career choice between bowling and job security with General Motors. He opted for General Motors and became an evening/weekend bowler while climbing the career ladder in the automotive industry.
It wasn’t until he turned 50 in 1990 that the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Stus began showing the rest of the world what the Detroit bowling community already knew: This guy could play the game.
Despite potentially fatal heart health issues that had dogged him since age 29, Stus added 12 PBA Senior Tour titles to a resume that included three American Bowling Congress Championships titles and an ABC/Brunswick World Team Challenge championship. He was selected as PBA Senior Tour Player of the Year in 1992, the same year he became the first Senior Tour player to roll a nationally-televised 300 game.
“I’m shocked. It’s a wonderful honor to be among the people who are in there. I’m speechless,” Stus said.
Rothschild had a towering impact on the sport after joining the ABC Board of Directors in the early 1960s. He was ABC’s legislative chairman for 11 years leading up to his term as ABC President in 1977. As ABC President, he named the first ABC Education Committee and created the ABC Senior Tournament Committee.
Following his presidency, he joined the Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum Committee, assisted in site selection, and chaired an ad hoc group that raised more than $1 million in corporate sponsorships to build the St. Louis facility. Since 1997, Rothschild has played a central role in recruiting and fund-raising to send America’s top Jewish bowlers – women as well as men – to the Maccabiah Games, the quadrennial “Olympic Games” for Jewish athletes.
“I was just overwhelmed. I was in tears,” Rothschild said after his notification call from USBC President Jeff Bojé.
At age 81, Rothschild is still a practicing attorney and is scheduled to bowl in his 46th USBC Open Championships in 2009.
The Hall of Fame Committee also selected six men and six women for the national Superior Performance ballot. These 12 candidates will be presented to a panel of veteran bowling writers and hall of famers for voting in December. In order to earn a place in the USBC Hall of Fame, candidates must be named on 70 percent of the ballots cast.
Candidates on the men’s performance ballot will be: Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas; Marshall Holman, Medford, Ore.; Dave Husted, Milwaukie, Ore.; Amleto Monacelli, Barquisimeto, Venezuela; John Petraglia, Manalapan, N.J., and Mark Roth, Fulton, N.Y.
Women’s performance candidates will be: Dede Davidson, Buellton, Calif.; Shirley Levens, Titusville, Fla.; Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nev.; Jackie Mitskavitch, DuBois, Pa.; Michelle Mullen, Farmington Hills, Mich., and Cheryl Robinson, Oceanside, Calif.
The USBC Hall of Fame was created in 2005 by merging the former ABC and WIBC Halls of Fame. With the three new inductees selected by the committee, there are now 372 members of the USBC Hall of Fame – 243 in Performance, 110 in Meritorious Service and 19 Pioneers.
(10-24-2008)
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KEGEL Bowlers of the Month for 2008
Duke BWAA Kegel Bowler of Month (October)
Norm Duke was a nearly unanimous choice as the Bowling Writers Association of America Kegel Bowler of the Month for October.
The Clermont, Fla. righthander became the first player in Professional Bowlers Association history to win three consecutive majors titles by winning the PBA World Championship in Wichita, Kan. In defending his title, Duke defeated Chris Barnes 259-189 for the $50,000 top prize and a two-year PBA exemption.
Duke finished the 2007-08 season by winning the PBA’s final two majors--the World Championship and the U.S. Open. The USBC Hall of Famer has 30 titles, and six Major championships.
Other nominees for the award were Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., who claimed six medals at the 2008 Pan American Bowling Confederation Women's Championships in Santiago, Chile; Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., who won two singles matches (including a 300 game), and two doubles matches in leading the United States team over Europe at the PartyCasino.com Weber Cup in Barnsley, England, and Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., who rolled a 300 game and claimed five gold medals at the 2008 Pan American Bowling Confederation Women's Championships.
Earnest Named BWAA Kegel Top September Bowler
Josie Earnest of Vandalia, Ill. has been named Bowling Writers Association of America Kegel Bowler of the Month for September 2008.
Earnest, a third-year member of Junior Team USA, won four gold medals and one silver medal at the 2008 Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON) Youth Championships in El Salvador. She won gold medals in Singles, Trios, Team and All Events and took the silver medal in Doubles. Earnest, the 2006 Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow, averaged 214.08 for her 24 tournament games.
Other nominees garnering significant support were Brent Bowers, Mulvane, Kan., who won four gold medals (Masters, Doubles, Trios and Team) at the PABCON Youth Championships; Mason Sherman, Moorpark, Calif., who won a PBA Western Regional title in Sun City West, Ariz., and posted two other top 10 finishes, and Geoffrey Young, Denton, Texas, who claimed four gold medals (Singles, Trios, Team, All-Events) and one bronze (Masters) at the PABCON Youth Championships.
Terrell Named BWAA Kegel Bowler of Month for August
Kim Terrell, Dover, Del., topped the 186-player field to win the 2008 U.S. Women's Open at Brunswick Zone XL in Romeoville, Ill.
It was her second U.S. Open title and third career major championship. Terrell's 216-189 title-match victory over Ohioan Trisha Reid earned her $25,000.
August's other nominees included Del Ballard Jr., who captured five gold medals at the Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas in Orlando, Fla.; Brian Brazeau, who won his first PBA Senior title at the PBA Senior Decatur (Ill.) Open, and Trisha Reid, who along with her $15,000 runner-up finish at the U.S. Women's Open, won the PBA Women's Series Tour Trials.
Also nominated were Lucy Sandelin, who captured all six gold medals in the Senior Division at the Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas; Mark Williams, who took the title at the PBA Senior Lake County Indiana Open, and Walter Ray Williams Jr., who collected three gold medals and one bronze at the FIQ Men's World Championships in Thailand.
Nick Morgan Named BWAA Kegel Bowler for July
In a closely-contested race, Nick Morgan, Sacramento, Calif., was voted Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for July.
Morgan won all seven of his matches in the final block to capture the PBA Senior Northern California Classic tournament on July 2, finishing ahead of Dale Traber. Morgan averaged 245-plus for the tournament, easily winning the title and $8,000.
A close contender for the monthly honor was Frank Gallo, Jr., Newport News, Va., a super senior who won his first Eastern Regional PBA title after 36 years.
Also receiving significant votes were: Kristie Petravich, West Palm Beach, Fla., and Geoffrey Young, Denton, Texas, this year's USBC Junior Gold Champions, and Jodi Woesner, Oregon, Ohio, who as an amateur guest and female, won the PBA Central Region Storm Products/Beechmont Toyota Open tournament over Jason Couch.
Wayne Webb BWAA Kegel Bowler of the Month for June
Wayne Webb, Sacramento, Calif., has been named Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for June.
Webb, in his first year on the PBA Senior Tour, defeated Johnny Petraglia, Manalapan, N.J., 204-172 in the championship round to win the 2008 Senior U.S. Open presented by Suncoast at the Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas.
Webb is a 20-time titlist, but was bowling in only his second Senior Tour event. He bested 321 players and won $20,000.
Other notable bowlers for the month were Kenny Parks, Hammond, Ind., who defeated two-time defending US Bowling Congress Senior Masters Champion Tom Baker to win this year's Senior Masters Tournament; Hugh Miller, Centralia, Wash., who rolled a 300 game in the championship round against Dale Eagle's 268 to win the PBA Senior Epicenter Classic tournament, and Shannon O'Keefe and John Janawicz, who between them earned five gold medals and two silver medals in the Pan American Bowling Confederation Championship of the Champions and Masters tournaments in El Salvador.
Lynda Barnes Repeats as BWAA Kegel Bowler for May
Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, has been named the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for May.
Barnes won the inaugural Clash of Champions by defeating four-time Denny's PBA Tour titlist Sean Rash of Wichita, Kan. 258-237, to win the USBC event in front of more than 1,500 fans at Kansas City Municipal Auditorium.
The event, which aired on CBS Sports, marked bowling’s return to network television for the first time in nearly a decade and was conducted in conjunction the USBC Convention in Kansas City, Mo. The Clash featured a field of 16 champions of USBC events and the U.S. Open winners competing for a $100,000 prize fund. Barnes received $50,000 for the victory. Barnes also was named Kegel Bowler of the Month for April.
Other nominees receiving significant votes were Johnny Petraglia, Manalapan, N.J., who won the 2008 PBA Senior Jackson Open for his first PBA Senior Tour title since 2001, and Sean Swanson, Springfield, Mo., who won the 2008 PBA Lake County Indiana Regional Players Championship and earned a spot in the 2008-09 PBA Tournament of Champions as well as a berth in the 2008 PBA Regional Players Invitational.
Lynda Barnes BWAA Kegel Bowler of Month for April
Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, Texas , has been named the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for April.
Barnes won her second USBC Queens title 10 years after winning her first by defeating Amy Stolz of Castle Rock, Colo., 215-195 at Skore Lanes in Taylor, Mich. on April 30.
The USBC Queens, which is presented by Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus, featured a field 337 of the top female bowlers in the world. Barnes received a tiara, diamond pendant, crystal trophy and $30,000 for her victory. (Lynda added to her resume May 9 by winning the USBC Clash, which was not considered for her April honor. She defeated Sean Rash in the specially televised USBC event in Kansas City.)
Other nominees were Keith Sharp, Orlando, Fla., who won his first PBA Senior title on April 29 at the 2008 PBA Senior Dayton Classic in Dayton, Ohio; Sandy Postma, Lansing, Ill., who became the first three-time USBC Senior Queens champion, and Parker Bohn III., who defeated Norm Duke six strikes to five in the PBA's Motel 6 Roll to Riches special event, taking home $150,000.
Norm Duke Repeats as BWAA Kegel Bowler of Month (March)
Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., has been named the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for March. Duke also was named last month for the same honor.
In a nearly-unanimous decision, Duke was selected on the basis of his victory at the 65th U.S. Open at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick, N.J. March 30. Duke defeated Mika Koivuniemi in the final match, 224-216 by virtue of converting the "bucket" spare, completing his victories in the Grand Slam of professional bowling (USBC Masters, Tournament of Champions, World Championship and U.S. Open). Only Mike Aulby had been able to achieve the same distinction.
This was Duke's second Major victory in five weeks. He won the Denny's World Championship in February for his third Major title.
Other nominees garnering significant votes were Rhino Page, a PBA rookie and member of Team USA out of Topeka, Kan., who won his first title (Go RVing Classic) March 9 in Norwich, Ct., Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, who earned his 10th Denny's PBA Tour title winning the Don Johnson Buckeye Classic March 2, and Tommy Jones, who won the Geico Classic on Long Island March 23 for his10th title.
Duke named BWAA Kegel Bowler of the Month (February)
Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., has been named Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for February.
Duke defeated Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 202-165 in the championship match to win the Denny's World Championship, a major tournament in the Denny's PBA Pro Tour. Not only did Duke receive $50,000, but also a much-needed two-season Tour exemption.
Plagued with injuries throughout the season, and nursing a cold during the tournament, Duke had dropped to 51st on the PBA points list, which would have made him ineligible as an exempt tour player next season (the top 39 via the point rankings earn exemptions at season's end). This was Duke's third career Major title, and 27th overall.
Other nominees garnering significant votes were Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, who earned his ninth Denny's PBA Tour title winning the 2008 Bayer Classic in El Paso, and Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, who won four televised matches to win the Pepsi Championship in Elkhorn, Neb.
Michael Haugen, Jr. named BWAA Kegel Bowler of Month (January)
Michael Haugen, Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., was the overwhelming choice for the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the month for January.
In dramatic fashion, Haugen won his first career Major and second career title at the H&R Block Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas. Battling back from a sore throat and swollen tonsils just two days earlier, Haugen overcame a 50-pin deficit to defeat Chris Barnes, 215-214 in the title match.
Haugen won his first career title in the 2007 Lake County Indiana Classic in November, defeating Wes Malott, 247-239. He became the second bowler in history--and the first since Joe Joseph in 1962--to win his first career title and the Tournament of Champions in the same season. He earned the $50,000 top prize and a two-year exemption on the Professional Bowlers' tour.
Other nominees earning a significant number of votes for Bowler of the Month were Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., who won his 11th title at the Construction Jobs.com PBA tournament in Reno, and Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, who won his fourth career title at the Motel 6 Dick Weber Open by coming from fifth to champion. Scroggins also finished third with Bill O'Neill in the PBA Exempt Doubles Classic and ninth in the Lumber Liquidators Earl Anthony Medford Classic in January.
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USBC renews news media, communications awards programs
The United States Bowling Congress has renewed its expanded news media and communications awards programs, designed to recognize excellence in communicating news and information about the sport of bowling to the American bowling public at all levels.
The recognition program, sponsored by USBCs official membership publication, US Bowler, will feature cash prizes for bowling writers, USBC local or state associations and photographers. The US Bowler Writing Contest winners will be recognized during the Bowling Writers Association of Americas annual meeting in Las Vegas next June while the association award winners will be recognized during the 2009 USBC Convention in Reno, Nev., in April 2009.
USBCs 57th annual Writing Competition for mainstream media outlets will award first, second and third-place cash prizes of $500, $300 and $200 in editorial, news and photography categories, and five cash prizes of $500, $400, $300, $200 and $100 in the feature writing category.
For the second year, USBC will sponsor $500, $300 and $200 prizes to local or state associations for grassroots media efforts in best newsletter, best Web site and best overall communications program categories.
2008 US BOWLER WRITING COMPETITION RULES
1. Postmark deadline for entering the 2008 US Bowler Writing Competition is Jan. 31, 2009.
2. Editorial, Feature, News and Photography submissions must have been published or broadcast between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2008. Entries must be original clippings from the respective publication; printouts from materials published on Internet websites, and/or tape or CD of materials from radio or television.
3. Materials that appeared in US Bowler, US Youth Bowler or on bowl.com are ineligible.
4. Entry guidelines for the four US Bowler categories are:
- FEATURE - A non-fiction story concerning any individual, facility, equipment or organization related to tenpin bowling involvement.
- EDITORIAL - Any opinion expressed in the media concerning a tenpin bowling related subject.
- NEWS - A tenpin bowling related story written under deadline with proof of following day publication.
- PHOTOGRAPHY - Still photograph or a video clip not to exceed one minute in length that is pertinent to tenpin bowling and was published/aired by a commercial outlet (print publication, television or Internet).
5. Cash prizes in Feature will be $500, $400, $300, $200 and $100. Cash prizes in Editorial, News and Photography will be $500, $300 and $200.
6. The winner in each category also will receive a paid one-year membership in the Bowling Writers Association of America, provided by the United States Bowling Congress.
7. Entries should be unmounted, clearly identified as to author as well as name and date of publication. Author's name, mailing address and social security number must be included with the entry. Entries will not be returned.
8. Photo entries must not exceed 8 x 10 inches. Digital photos may be submitted in high-resolution JPEG format (send via e-mail to: Bill.Vint@bowl.com). Video files must be submitted on CD or DVD in a suitable Windows Media Player format.
9. Entries are limited to two per author in each division.
10. Send entries to: US Bowler Writing Competition, 621 Six Flags Dr., Arlington, TX 76011.
US BOWLER USBC ASSOCIATION MEDIA AWARDS RULES
1. Postmark deadline for entering the 2008 US Bowler USBC Association Media Awards Competition is Jan. 31, 2009.
2. Submissions must have been produced between Jan. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2008.
3. This awards competition is open exclusively to USBC local and state associations, or agents contracted to represent those associations.
4. Entry guidelines for the three award categories are:
- NEWSLETTER - Two complete, original sample issues of newsletters produced by/for your association must be submitted along with an official entry form (found on bowl.com). Newsletters will be judged based upon excellence in content and design. Include the newsletter editor's name.
- WEB SITE - Web sites serving USBC local or state associations only will be judged based upon excellence in content and design. Information must be submitted on an official entry form (found on bowl.com). Include the Web masters name.
- OVERALL COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC RELATIONS PROGRAM - Associations will be judged based upon a variety of factors (newsletter, Web site, placement of news/coverage in local news media outlets, originality and professionalism). Details must be included on the official entry form (found on bowl.com).
5. Entries must include the name of the recipient (individual or organization) for any prize money won, along with a mailing address and social security number, if applicable. Entries will not be returned.
6. Cash prizes of $500, $300 and $200 will be awarded to the top three associations in each category.
7. Entries are limited to one per association in each division.
8. Official entry forms are posted on bowl.com under the Association tab.
9. Send entries to: US Bowler USBC Association Media Awards Competition, 621 Six Flags Dr., Arlington, TX 76011.
(09-5-2008)
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Member News
Glenda Millar will be inducted in the Houston USBC Hall of Fame.
BWAA Mail A Graphic Tournament ready to roll BWAA’s second annual Mail A Graphic fund-raiser bowling tournament is set for competition Feb. 15–21. The event is open to BWAA members and the general bowling public, and will raise money for BWAA’s designated charities. Last year’s event raised more than $740 for our charities.
For a $10 entry fee (per player, per event), bowlers can compete in four divisions – two women’s divisions and two men’s divisions – with an optional scratch division for $5. There is also a “BWAA members only” event to replace the traditional convention week bowling tournament. Players will receive handicap of 90% from 230 in each division except for optional scratch.
The BWAA member who submits the greatest number of entries will receive a prize and special recognition at the BWAA/USBC breakfast social in Reno on April 29 at the El Dorado Hotel & Casino. Be sure to print extra copies of the entry form for your league members, teammates, co-workers and fellow board members.
Send email requests to: JRinnander@yahoo.com. Entry deadline is Feb. 13.