The Solution to Restrict US Open Entries

Another US Open is underway at Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis, with "Maximum Bob" Robert Smith leading the way after round one averaging 232.67.

OUR TOWN'S Pete Weber is tied for 26th, followed by Jeff Carter in 37th (he bowled on TV there a week after his '07 Open TV appearance in New Jersey).

Scott Lavy from St. Charles is 41st, J.R. Raymond from Belleville in 52nd, Tim Behrendt is tied for 62nd, with Rudy Kasimakis and good friend Jerry Gentry from Topeka.

It's great to see bowlers from our area do well, especially those not well known outside the area.

But the complaint has been raised again - that there are those who bowl the Open who shouldn't be there. BOWLING HOOD agrees. An 800 score for last place proves it.

BH isn't here to throw arrows. We have solutions when we see an issue raised.

Here's our two-part solution to restrict entries for the U.S. Open to produce the real cream-of-the-crop:

1. Start conducting regional and sectional qualifiers.
2. Limit entry into the qualifiers to those who have averaged 200 in a PBA experience league.

Golf's U.S. Open uses that method, requiring a 1.4 handicap index to enter. Period. Then go through regionals and sectionals. http://golf.about.com/od/majorchampionships/f/usopenqualifier.htm

OH - golf does allow exemptions to their Open, but it's pretty restricted: About half of the field is made up of players who are fully exempt from qualifying. There are 17 full exemption categories, including winners of the U.S. Open for the last ten years and the other three majors for the last five years, the top 30 from the previous year's PGA Tour money list, the top 15 from the previous year's European Tour money list, and the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings as of two weeks before the tournament.

Golf's field is 150, meaning 75 have to play their way in. Can't bowling do that? It doesn't have to limit the number to 150, but the event does need a higher quality standard who gets in.

Since the U.S. Open is run by the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA), wouldn't it be a great marketing tool for them to schedule and conduct qualifiers at member local/regional centers, then advance it to sectional qualifying?

Tell me this wouldn't work: Exempt PBA exempt players, winner of the PBA RPI, the points leader in each PBA regional, the PBA Senior Tour points leader, and points leader for PBA senior reginals.

Heck, make it fun. Exemption the USBC Open Championship Eagle winners in the regular division.

Anyone else who wants to bowl the U.S. Open: Require bowlers to average at least 190 in a PBA experience league to qualify for entering the regional/sectional qualifiers. Yours truly bowled one last year and didn't average 190 but I have done so in previous years. Implementing that rule would disqualify me this year because I'm just not good enough to bowl the hardest tournament to win.

Good luck to the bowlers listed above. Having bowled against them, they deserve to be there in Indianapolis. But there are a lot who don't have any business being there.

BOOZE OKed for USBC OPEN TOURNAMENT

The 2010 USBC Open begins tomorrow at the Bowling Stadium in Reno.

Want a cocktail while bowling in the tournament?

Go ahead, it's ok.

Wednesday, the USBC announced bowlers will be able to drink more than just water during the tournament. That includes alcohol.

Tournament manager Duane Hagen told Jeff Richgel's 11th frame the reason for the change.

"USBC's goal is to provide the best possible experience for participants at our championships. Some bowlers come to the tournament for camaraderie and would like to enjoy a drink with their teammates. We believe offering this service will be well received by many of our bowlers while also helping provide some additional revenue for the tournament. If there is an indication this change affects the integrity of the event or negatively impacts the bowlers' experience, USBC will re-evaluate the decision."

No specific business reasons are known why the sudden change just days before the event, it is known that team entries this year are under 15,000 and some speculate the additional revenue from drink sales could make up the difference.

While the news is welcomed by thousands of bowlers, there are purists and bowling leaders who are criticizing the decision. Some say it cheapens the game - at a time during the Winter Olympics when people wonder why curling is played in Vancouver while bowling is not - while others say the last minute change was another under-the-radar decision made by a select few with little input or polling.

We must point out the USBC stresses the decision to allow alcohol is not permanent. The change is being done on a trial basis.

Therefore, BOWLING HOOD's opinion will wait. We'll wait to see the conduct of bowlers during the tournament. Get drunk and disorderly and mess up what's always a top-notch way to compete, and Bowling Hood will side with prohibition.

Behave, and it's a win-win for everyone. Change is ok. Change can be good. Next time, let's hope the USBC opens the process a bit more and more in advance of a deadline.

MORE OPEN CHANGES: From the USBC

The changes include new Scale Room procedures, the allowance of beverages while competing, special check-in accommodations for team captains with four or more teams, opportunities for team captains registered for both 2010 and 2011 and a fully-automated registration process.

Bowlers have traditionally had all of their bowling balls weighed and checked prior to both team and doubles and singles, but the procedure has been adapted. All balls still must be checked prior to bowling team, but only balls not present during team must be checked before doubles and singles competition. All bowlers are still required to report to the squad room with their equipment, however.

Behind the scenes, team captains with four or more teams will be able to enjoy a stress-free check-in experience in the tournament's new VIP check-in area, which is set away from the general check-in counter.

In addition, captains are encouraged to register for 2011 so they can begin reaping the benefits of the Eagle's Nest, a special club for dedicated captains.

Eagle's Nest members will receive a monthly 'E-Nest' Newsletter - a monthly e-newsletter featuring tournament tips, latest bowling trends and special offers from Reno sponsors, USBC Travel and the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.

All Eagle's Nest members also will be eligible to win one of five cars or trucks that will be awarded at the 2011 Open Championships, airfare and lodging for the 2011 event or one of the high-performance Storm bowling balls awarded each day during the 2011 tournament.

Captains with four or more teams also will be eligible for free upgrades on lodging in 2011.

Any current or potential team captains interested in registering for 2011 now can do so using USBC's fully-automated registration system on USBCopen.com. This option was introduced earlier this month, and the step-by-step process has proven to be simple and quick.

SIMON SEZ: Moehrle retires, USBC approved Bumper Bowling Awards

One thing tremendously under the radar in St. Louis is the fact that one of our hometowners is a USBC board member.

Steve Moehrle has elected not to run for another term on the board. The accounting professor at UMSL who is an accomplished bowler himself with a 220 average in the Press Radio TV league at Olivette Lanes, tells Bowling Hood he wants to spend more time with his family and may consider a similar office several years from now.

Steve leaves the board at the same time the tenure of another leader with St. Louis roots steps down. Jeff Boje's term as USBC President ends this year although he will remain on the board as the immediate Past President.

Also, the USBC has changed the way it processes and elects board members.

Locally, the St. Louis USBC meeting is Saturday April 17 at Tropicana Lanes, beginning at 1 p.m. The main order of business that day will be to elect new officers. One of the positions to be filled is the board position formerly held by the late Dave Harmon.

Go to St. Louis USBC for more association information.

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USBC Board approves bumper bowling awards, high school memberships


By Mark Miller
USBC Communications

Special achievement awards for youth competing in bumper bowling leagues and a new membership product for high school bowlers were recently approved by the United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors.

Bumper bowling league competitors rolling 50, 75 and 100 games and/or 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 series are immediately eligible to earn Bowlopolis emblems in those categories. These awards can be earned regardless of the bowler's bumper league average and will continue to be earned on the same progressive merit basis.

"Since USBC does not recognize bumper league averages, our youngest members were not eligible to earn youth awards," said USBC Director of Youth Development Brian Graham. "This meant the only way they could obtain an award was through our purchasable awards program.

"To address this disparity and provide a consistent youth awards benefit to our youngest members, we proposed to extend the eligibility for the Bowlopolis-themed youth awards to participants in certified bumper bowling programs without the average requirement."

The new USBC High School membership, which becomes effective Aug. 1, is available to those interscholastic high school bowlers who are not USBC Youth members. Bowlers may apply for the membership any time during the current interscholastic schedule. The cost for the new High School membership will be $5.

"Many bowlers on high school teams do not bowl in USBC leagues so this gives them a way to become connected to USBC," said USBC High School Manager Breanne Eoff. "This membership will allow acceptance of all games bowled by that individual during the current season in recognized interscholastic competitions between two or more schools toward the establishment of a USBC official average."

The USBC High School membership will provide the following benefits:

* USBC Youth membership card

* USBC official average

* Eligible to bowl in USBC-certified tournaments when qualified

* Eligible to apply for USBC scholarships

* Eligible for nomination to the Dexter USBC High School All-American team

Membership and final average processing will utilize the Youth Online Membership processing system with the member being responsible for collection of average and award data and providing that to the processor. Membership eligibility is extended to all recognized interscholastic competitions.

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The PBA Midwest Regional Senior tournament schedule is ramping up again. This weekend's stop is one of the favorites in recent years at Short Stop (formerly New North) Lanes in Taylorville, Il. This is where Dick Weber won in 2003 giving him titles in 6 decades, the only individual professional athlete that's ever accomplished that feat.

There are still a few openings left - contact regional director Rich Weber at (636) 233 4304 or email him at rich.weber@pba.com.

Harry Sullins leads the points race by a commanding 21,000 over Dale Traber - Gregg Getzlow of St. Charles, winner of last summer's event in Springfield, Il. is having a strong year and is 7th on the list. Tom Carter, who underwent hernia surgery a month ago, is not on the roster at Taylorville, but this week returned to PBA experience league action - shooting a 300 game and 790 series. No word if the surgeons did additional tweaks on Tom for his bowling game! Nice shooting Tom.

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The St. Louis USBC Open is underway, action starting last weekend at Pacific, this weekend is the final weekend, Bowling Hood will provide results when available.

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Visit BowlingHood.com and support publicity of the game we love. Tom Clark, PBA Deputy Commissioner, is featured on the Newsmakers page with Part One of our interview with him - Part Two to come shortly.

And if you have news or info for Bowling Hood, send it to our new email address:

bowlinghood@bowlinghood.com. I can't publicize it if you don't tell me.

WRW Wins USBC Masters

By Lucas Wiseman USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., won his second United States Bowling Congress Masters title Sunday, defeating top seed Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, 290-217, at the National Bowling Stadium.

The victory was Williams' 47th on the Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour, extending his record for the most in PBA Tour history, while also moving him up to a tie for second with eight career major titles.

"This is just another little feather, it's just awesome," said Williams, who defeated Barnes, 268-239, to win the January 2004 USBC Masters also at the National Bowling Stadium. "It's hard to explain it better than that. To win any tournament is awesome, and the bigger ones are even better."

Williams is now tied with Pete Weber and Mike Aulby with eight career major titles, but all three players trail USBC and PBA Hall of Famer Earl Anthony, who won 10 majors and 43 total titles.

"I really don't envision that I can get to 10, but I'm not giving up yet," said Williams, who turned 50 in 2009. "I'm going to go out there and plug along as good as I can, and the year that I'm no longer exempt out here, that's when I will have had enough."

In the title match against Barnes, Williams got off to a shaky start, going high on his first shot, breaking up a split and leaving a 7 pin. From there, he was perfect, finishing with 11 consecutive strikes to take home the $50,000 prize and two-year PBA Tour exemption.

Williams said the turning point in the match was when Barnes left a 10 pin in the fourth frame, but he managed to carry a similar shot in the fifth frame.

"Chris left that weak 10 pin after a scout came over and touched it but didn't knock it over, and then I step up and leave a 10 pin but the scout comes over and gets it," Williams said. "That helped me get a little more comfortable, and from that point, every one of my strikes was high flush."
Looking back on the loss, Barnes said he thought he threw the ball well, but it was the way the lanes broke down in practice that had a major impact.

"I lost this one in the practice session," said Barnes, who finished second in the season's second major, losing to Kelly Kulick, 265-195, in the PBA Tournament of Champions three weeks ago. "He played further right than I anticipated. When I broke them down, it made the lanes pretty good for me, but it had no affect on him."

When Williams and Barnes met for the Masters title in 2004, the scenario set up the same way. Barnes was the top seed, while Williams was No. 2.

"The last two Masters here in Reno, I've gone undefeated in match play, I haven't lost a three-game match, yet I haven't won either tournament," said Barnes, who made it through the double-elimination bracket unscathed in both events. "TV is one of the best things the sport has going for it, but it is probably the worst thing I have going for me personally."'

To reach the championship match, Williams defeated No. 3 seed Ryan Ciminelli of Buffalo, N.Y., 258-224. Ciminelli advanced with a 246-229 victory over fourth seed Mike Scroggins of Amarillo, Texas, in the opening match.

The 2010 USBC Masters featured a field of 267 of the top professional and amateur bowlers in the world, competing for an overall prize fund of $255,000.

For more information on the USBC Masters, visit BOWL.com

2010 USBC MASTERS
At National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nev.
Sunday's results
Final standings
1, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 548 (two games), $50,000.
2, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 217 (one game), $25,000.
3, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 470 (two games), $15,000.
4, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 229 (one game), $10,000.
Stepladder results
Match One - Ciminelli def. Scroggins, 246-229
Match Two - Williams def. Ciminelli, 258-224
Championship Match - Williams def. Barnes, 290-217

Collinsville wins IHSA Girls State Title

Congratulations to the Collinsville Kahoks girls bowling team, winner of the 2010 IHSA Girls state title.

They set the state record for biggest score and were led by senior Frannie Steiner, who averaged nearly 230 for the two-day event at Rockford's Cherry Bowl.


The photo of Steiner is courtesy of the Chicago Tribune. Steve Korte's story in the Belleville News Democrat provides the details.

Kahoks roll their way to state crown

Collinsville's Steiner claims individual championship

BY STEVE KORTE - News-Democrat

 

Led by senior Frannie Steiner, the Collinsville Kahoks claimed the championship of the IHSA girls state bowling tournament Saturday at Cherry Bowl Lanes in Rockford.

Steiner led all bowlers in the state by averaging 229.7 pins per game over the two-day tournament. As a team, the Kahoks, who placed third at state last year, totaled a state tournament-record 12,450 pins, also a record average of 207.5 pins per game.

The previous highest pin count in the girls state bowling tournament was 12,267 by Lockport when it took the 2009 title.

"I've been coaching 10 years, and every year, this is the ultimate goal," Collinsville coach Sean Hay said in a telephone interview. "You work all year long to try to be the best in the state. We've had talent in the past, but this group put it all together at the right time and in the right tournament, and they did exactly what they were supposed to do."
Steiner knocked down 2,756 pins, 27 more than Schaumburg's Jodi Gawlik.
Steiner bowled three-game series of 645 and 665 on Saturday after rolling three-game series' of 717 and 729 on Friday.

In her 12th and final game, she rolled a 247 compared to 230 for Gawlik.
The left-handed Steiner said she had no idea that she was leading all the bowlers in the tournament.

"I didn't know," said Steiner, who was bowling anchor for the Kahoks. "After I threw the last ball, I turned around and everybody was crying and freaking out. I was like, 'OK, we got first place.' Somebody said, 'We won first place, and you won first place as an individual.' I was like, 'You're kidding.'"

Steiner credited the support of her teammates for helping her stay so consistent throughout the tournament.
"My team being behind me was the biggest thing," Steiner said. "If you get down after a few bad shots, they always pick you up. My team was behind me, and that really helped."

The Kahoks had three bowlers place in the Top 31 of the tournament.

Senior Katie Beauchamp was 19th with 2,519 pins, an average of 209.9 per game, while senior Sara Bell was 31st with 2,442 pins, an average of 203.5 per game. Senior Lisa Graham had a pin total of 2,216, averaging 201.5 per game for her 11 games.

Seniors Brittany Warner and Liz Hoffman, junior Elizabeth Beauchamp and freshman Amber Burns also contributed to the championship effort as the Kahoks utilized all eight of their bowlers.

"Usually if you have to sub somebody out, you're in trouble, but we used everybody," Hay said. "I think that kind of defines our team all year long. Everybody took a turn.

"It could be a curse when somebody could be a starter somewhere else, but they're on the bench for you. That curse turns into a blessing when everybody has the right team attitude."

Rockford Jefferson placed second with 12,316 pins for an average of 205.3 pins per game.

The Cahokia Comanches placed 10th with a total of 11,529 pins for an average of 192.2 per game.
Senior Tara Gamblin was the top bowler for the Comanches. Her two-day total of 2,574 pins (214.5 average) was good for 14th place. Senior Seannell Chambers chipped in 2,430 pins for the Comanches, ranking her 35th.

O'Fallon's Natalie Goodman was the next highest individual finisher from the metro-east to Steiner. The junior placed eighth with 2,645 pins, an average of 220.4 pins.

Senior Mackenzie Biegler from Belleville West was 21st with 2,505 pins, an average of 208.8 per game.

Contact Steve Korte at skorte@bnd.com or 239-2522.

Weber, Carter Advance in USBC Masters

The USBC Masters in Reno is now in the match play rounds and Pete Weber, seeded 9th and 26th seed Jeff Carter of Springfield (Il.) also advanced by winning their first two rounds.

There will be a new Masters champ in 2010. Last year's winner John Nolen is out after losing yesterday to Chris Barnes and John May.

Want to watch the rounds free on your computer? You can see the Masters live via the PBA Xtra Frame service at http://www.pba.com/.

Here are the up-to-date results as of 7:30 a.m. (CST) Friday in the double-elimination round. And if you want to talk about it, do it at the Bowling Hood Forum

OPENING MATCH PLAY ROUND
(Winners remain in winners bracket. Losers move to losers bracket)

(1) Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, def. (61) Tim Mack, Indianapolis, 673-573
(33) Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., def. (29) Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 697-636
(45) Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla., def. (17) Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, Ariz., 643-642
(13) Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., def. (49) John Janawicz, Winter Haven, Fla., 695-684
(41) Jonathan Van Hees, Charlestown, R.I., def. (21) Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., 588-586
(9) Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., def. (53) Ryan Abel, Bel Aire, Kan., 596-594
(25) Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa., def. (37) Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 614-595
(5) Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., def. (57) Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 729-695
(3) Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., def. (63) Paul Bober, Morton Grove, Ill., 634-631
(35) Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., def. (31) Dan MacLelland, Saginaw, Mich., 684-501
(19) Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., def. (47) Ronnie Horton, Christiansburg, Va., 717-661
(15) Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., def. (51) John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 688-594
(43) Kimmo Lehtonen, Finland, def. (23) Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 662-619
(11) Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, def. (55) Daniel Miyamoto, Mililani, Hawaii, 702-652
(27) Andrew Cain, Phoenix, def. (39) Steve Harman, Indianapolis, 703-639
(59) Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., def. (7) Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 679-654
(2) Jason Belmonte, Australia, def. (62) Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore., 658-580
(30) Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, def. (34) Eddie VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 636-611
(18) Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., def. (46) Bob Aleksinski, Hillsboro, Ore., 700-582
(14) Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., def. (50) PJ Haggerty, Clovis, Calif., 695-575
(42) Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., def. (22) Andres Gomez, Colombia, 617-532
(54) Erik Vermilyea, Mansfield, Texas, def. (10) Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 648-575
(26) Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., def. (38) Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 617-564
(58) Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., def. (6) Vinny D'Ambrosio III, Staten Island, N.Y., 647-645
(4) Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, def. (64) Jon Brandon, Santa Clarita, Calif., 634-552
(32) John Nolen, Grand Blanc, Mich., def. (36) Derek Eoff, Arlington, Texas, 668-662
(48) Scott Newell, Deland, Fla., def. (20) Andrew Frawley, Australia, 588-532
(52) Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., def. (16) Andrew Loose, Chicago, 633-558
(24) Mike DeVaney, San Diego, def. (44) David Langer, Brooklyn Park, Minn., 652-546
(56) Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., def. (12) Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 678-670
(28) Dave Wodka, Chatsworth, Calif., def. (40) Dan Bock, Albert Lea, Minn., 666-661
(8) Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, def. (60) Matthew O'Grady, South Amboy, N.J., 685-545

ROUND 1 WINNERS BRACKET

Loschetter def. Reyes, 705-638
Steelsmith def. Page, 716-688
Weber def. Van Hees, 746-648
O'Neill def. Shafer, 646-616

Smallwood def. P. Allen, 609-591
Williams Jr. def. McCune, 680-630
Scroggins def. Lehtonen, 556-543
Bohn III def. Cain, 699-622

Belmonte def. Monacelli, 671-610
Ciccone def. Jurek, 602-570
Ciminelli def. Vermilyea, 696-672
Carter def. Edwards, 683-608

Barnes def. Nolen, 696-642
Boresch Jr. def. Newell, 577-566
Kent def. DeVaney, 625-578
Malott def. Wodka, 708-593

ROUND 1 LOSERS BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,600)

Bock def. Mack, 617-507
R. Allen def. O'Grady, 682-633
Haugen Jr. def. Langer, 644-643
Koivuniemi def. Janawicz, 656-587

Fagan def. Frawley, 701-592
Abel def. Loose, 659-627
Brandon def. LeClair, 652-604
Angelo def. Eoff, 671-603

Waliczek def. Bober, 594-586
MacLelland def. D'Ambrosio III, 647-610
Gomez def. Horton, 581-545
May def. Castillo, 593-588

Voss def. Aleksinski, 598-542
Haggerty def. Miyamoto, 626-555
Harman def. Warren, 604-580
Jones def. VanDaniker Jr., 632-586
ROUND 2 LOSERS BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $1,900)

Bock def. Cain, 601-593
R. Allen def. McCune, 694-647
Haugen Jr. def. Lehtonen, 667-666
P. Allen def. Koivuniemi, 721-636

Van Hees def. Fagan, 603-569
Reyes def. Abel, 759-544
Shafer def. Brandon, 595-572
Angelo def. Page, 646-632

Wodka def. Waliczek, 671-654
Newell def. MacLelland, 588-561
Gomez def. DeVaney, 733-729
May def. Nolen, 699-595

Vermilyea def. Voss, 621-597
Haggerty def. Monacelli, 592-580
Edwards def. Harman, 687-655
Jurek def. Jones, 697-624

SimonSez: Kulick Fallout?

Could Kelly Kulick’s win at the PBA Tournament of Champions actually hurt the chance for a pro women’s tour?

It’s obvious her win was a shot in the arm for bowling in general. But there have been skeptics. We’ve already documented David Whitley’s vile and ignorant column in Fanhouse. But there are some bigwigs in the bowling industry who say Kulick’s win may actually kill the chance for a full time professional women’s bowling tour.

A source at the USBC who wished to remain anonymous was pleased about the event but had a bit of pessimism.

I agree that Kelly's skill and Tom's publicity ability have hit a home run for bowling. If there is a negative side at all it is only that this may serve as evidence that there is no need for a women's only tour or any other gender based bowling venue. I am not sure we are ready for that but maybe putting all eggs in one basket is all the industry can afford to support right now. Maybe it will even prove to be true in the long run.

A good friend of Bowling Hood and the sport, a man who has owned and runs a business that grosses more than the PBA in a year, also was skeptical.

One fact may come back to haunt the PBA. The fact that a woman beat one of the best bowlers of all time (or so they say) it may hurt the sport in a negative way! Never know huh?

Kulick’s win does not have any real impact right now. What has to happen is for her and other female bowlers to make PBA telecasts on a regular basis. Consistency drives the stake of memory into people’s minds. If that doesn’t happen, Kulick’s win will be a blip on the bowling and PBA history screen.

Register and discuss here.

And if you didn’t have enough Kelly Kulick in your life, here’s a blast from the past – her appearance in the 1998 College Women’s Championship. St. Louisans note – the announcers are Jay Randolph and Bo Burton – even that rare combo is worth the view!

Spare Time for Striking Thoughts

The February issue of The Bowling News will be out shortly in your favorite St. Louis area bowling center and pro shop.

Below is editor Craig Mathew's column that would have appeared in his January edition:


Spare Time For Striking Thoughts

By Craig Mathews, Sr

In watching all the news media hype about Tiger Woods, it really makes me sick.

Not because of what he did, but because of the feeding frenzy of the media and the public.

One person said it is because he is black. And I said that was a bunch of bull because Magic Johnson's life-style makes Tiger Woods look like a piker and there wasn't a feeding frenzy about his being HIV positive.

Everybody is acting like Woods is the first and only public figure to get caught having affairs.

Does anybody else remember Bill "Slick Willie" Clinton and his affairs?

I don't know if any pro bowlers, male or female, have had affairs while on the road, but it would not surprise me. Why? Because they are human!

The problem is not with his indiscretions. The problem is with the general public thinking that public figures are some sort of God-like creature and they should be revered or even worshiped because they are better than the rest of us "low lifes". BULL!

They are people, all with their own opinions and with all the other human failings.

Did Tiger's home life make an affair a viable option?.

Did she complain constantly about every little thing he did? Or what he failed to do?

Was her previous life-style a stumbling block? If you didn't know, she did some nude modeling and, being European, with the European mores, has she talked about that phase of her life and made comparisons?

I don't know and I don't much care either, but that could have been the cause in his actions.

Was Tiger wrong for what he did? Yes, but without knowing all the details, I'm not going to condemn him. That's between him and his deity . And whether he's represents a product or not has no bearing on me buying it either.

People need to stop needing to know all the dirt that is going on in other people's lives. Maybe people do this to make themselves feel better about their own life.

The tabloids and tabloid TV exploit the failings of others because of the need of the general public to know the dirt.

If the general public would stop wanting the "dirt", TMZ and other exploiters of this attitude would go away.

Just think, if there was no market for the dirt, then Princess Diana might still be alive.

Everyone of us have done things that we may be less than proud of and that would be embarrassing if generally known. Would you like your private life secrets plastered all over the evening news?

Do yourself and your country a favor, stop buying into the negative journalistic hogwash. You really don't need to know how bad things are for someone else, just to make yourself feel better.

Do you?

THE BOWLING NEWS - The Hall of Fame

The Bowling News did not publish in January but its February issue will be available shortly in your favorite St. Louis area bowling center.

Editor Craig Mathews has forward to Bowling Hood his column regarding Hall of Fame issues:

By Craig Mathews, Sr

The purpose of any state Sports Hall of Fame is to recognize the top performing members of all sports whether that performance is on or off their sport's playing field and to be the premier showcase for these outstanding sports figures.

What is surprising is the number of people that are over looked by the state Hall of Fame's induction committees. This failing is not the committees fault as it is an inherent flaw in the induction system. They cannot know everybody that deserves the recognition, so they only choose those people that are most well-known. And this creates unfair comparisons between possible members and the more outstanding members.

As example, Babe Ruth is my undisputed best baseball player of all time. He was a 20game winning pitcher and, if you add that fact to his batting stats, you can understand my claim. If your system promotes comparisons, who could compete against these stats?

Induction into a Hall of Fame should not be a popularity contest , but each prospective candidate should be looked at for what they have accomplished and then accepted or denied.

Because the state Sports Hall of Fame committee cannot know everyone that is deserving, they should rely on the state organization of each sport they recognize.

If the individual sport's state organization inducts a member to their Hall of Fame, the inductee should automatically be included in the rolls of the state's Hall of Fame.

This system would do justice to all the deserving members of Halls of Fame that do not have the notoriety of other well-know members.

And would recognized and acknowledge the importance of the individual sports board members that do the inducting of their sports Hall of Famers.

If a state's Sports Hall of Fame committee desires the pomp and circumstance of an induction dinner, then invite all existing members to attend, at their own expense, to hear of their inclusion; invite the newest inductees, also at their own expense, to be recognized as the current year's induction class. And there is no need for individual speeches by any of the inductees.

As far as plaques for all included members and for the current year's inductees, the included members would buy their own plaques and the current ones would get them given to them.

And the cost to all the included members would not be that great because of the number of plaques that would be needed. However, even if the cost was $50 per plaque, I believe there would be no argument because of the honor of what the plaque would signify.

The system needs to be changed so those people that are deserving get the recognition that they have earned.