Editorial – The Presidency of St. Louis USBC

This Saturday, members of the St. Louis USBC will be voting new officers and directors for the association. There are two candidates in the race for President, incumbent Jim Mooney and current association Vice President Darlene Elston.

BOWLING HOOD a week ago submitted questions to both candidates that were compiled from a focus group of 8 St. Louis USBC members regarding their positions on current issues. Neither candidate filled out the questionnaire but did make reply statements. The questions submitted can be found following this editorial.

Mooney wrote, "Even though I like the idea of having the membership know the candidates, and their positions on the matters of the association, they are about to elect to a position on the board of their bowling association, I do not feel that it fair for my opinions are posted without consideration for a candidate from the floor the same opportunity.

"It is a good idea for the membership to know the candidates. This may be hard to enact, we could have this type of questions & answers available, in print format at future elections."

Elston replied, "COMMUNICATION is our number one problem. This is addressed at our meetings and hopefully with the addition of other members this can be addressed and put into action.

"Please be assured that it is not up to the President or any one member to make these changes. By our by-laws, any changes require BOARD approval."

Mooney's response about letting members know the candidates exposes the communication problem with St. Louis USBC and its members. While we appreciate his position the members should know the candidates, Mooney as the incumbent president did not make it happen for this election, nor was it a priority during his term. In fact, most St. Louis USBC members do not even know who is running, not even on the association's official website, www.stlusbc.org.

Mooney's explanation why he didn't answer the focus group questionnaire is puzzling. He passed to give opportunity for nominations from the floor. Members expect more from their leaders when they choose to run for an office, even more so when the candidate is asking for another term. Members want them to be proactive during a campaign so that they are informed on what the issues are and future items that need addressing.

Have you ever seen a candidate for office state that they were not publishing their platform in deference to write-in candidates?

Elston addressed communication but did not offer any proposals or solutions. Again, members expect proactive leadership from those already in offices and especially from those aspiring to a higher position.

Jim Mooney and Darlene Elston have served the membership on the executive board and most definitely are qualified to be president. Their intentions for the board and the organization are good.

But based on their records and replies, Bowling Hood supports Darlene Elston to become the next President of the St. Louis USBC. We clarify that this is a support recommendation and not an endorsement because the analysis is incomplete due to lack of answers to the questions submitted to them by the membership focus group.

Elston partially answered the first question, "What are the top 3 priorities that must be addressed by the St. Louis USBC from 2010-2012 and why," but failed to give two more priorities.

Mooney didn't answer any of the questions. Communication from him to members regarding this election, issues and other important matters regarding the association should have resulted in better execution during his leadership.

Bowling Hood agrees with Elston that communication is the number one problem for the association. No group succeeds with little-to-no communication with its members.

Groups always have the chance to grow when it communicates effectively. St. Louis USBC membership this year is down seven percent according to Association Manager Dale Bohn. Not all of this can be blamed on the recession. Bowling encountered a recession just after the attack of 9/11, yet industry analyst Wally Hall noted open play growth for at least two years after the incident because of bowing’s affordable pricing and locales close to people's home ensuring more safety.

A good example where communication and proactive leadership succeeds is in Wisconsin. Bowling centers became no smoking venues several years ago because of state law. Yet, according to comprehensive report compiled by Vicki Bowman of the Kansas City Bowling Proprietors Association, their membership drop was much less than other states which enacted similar laws.

Bowling can grow. It will never become extinct. However, the rock bottom benchmark can only be defined when the simplest of tasks by those in positions of authority stabilize current member activity. That's the true challenge of bowling in the St. Louis USBC jurisdiction with upcoming obstacles such as the new no-smoking law to go into effect Jan. 2, 2011 and the continuing soft economy that will continue for a while according to the current St. Louis Region Beige Book Report by the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank.

For full disclosure, I bowled with Jim Mooney and consider him a friend. If this editorial was based on personal knowledge and friendship, he would have received the endorsement or support. But this is about the greater good of the association and the sport of bowling.

I can say that Jim should be commended for his solid and consistent promotion of sport bowling. He was doing it years ago before PBA experience leagues became popular. Jim’s work in this area should be a model for other association leaders.

In conclusion, is St. Louis USBC up to the challenges? Only the new board - and you members - can make that decision Saturday at Tropicana Lanes during the St. Louis USBC election beginning at 1 p.m. This editorial has been submitted to both candidates and they have been offered opportunity for reply which will immediately be published prior to the election.

THE FOCUS GROUP QUESTIONS SUBMITTED TO CANDIDATES

1. What are the top 3 priorities that must be addressed by the St. Louis USBC from 2010-2012 and why?

2. Since both candidates have been board members prior to this election, what 3 issues did St. Louis USBC from 2008-2010 address as priorities that still need additional work during the upcoming term?

3. St. Louis USBC membership is down 7% this season. Do you feel more efforts are required to recruit members or is the decline solely the result of the recession?

4. If a member were to ask, "What are your strongest assets to be President of St. Louis USBC, what would your answer be?"

5. If a member were to ask, "What are your weaknessses that need to be improved in order to be President of St. Louis USBC?"

6. What services need to be improved by St. Louis USBC for its members?

7.. Do you endorse or oppose the USBC/BPAA partnership and why?

8. Should the Red White and Blue lane patterns be required for honor scores to be sanctioned?

9. What other things or issues should St. Louis USBC be offering its members?

10. If the USBC financial situation were to worsen into possible bankruptcy and reorganization, what are your recommendations to solve the problem?

A Toast to USBC Management

I waited a month-and-a-half to decide if the USBC decision to allow alcohol sales at the tournaments was a good idea.

The verdict is in. It's a solid common sense decision. Thousands of bowlers love it. And that's what it's all about – them.

There are a lot of bowlers, including me, who initially were critical of the decision that was announce just days before the Open Championship commenced in February. Basically, the opposition to this decision uses the typical foundation, "It shouldn't be changed, that's the way we've always done it."

Many said it cheapened the image of bowling and tarnished tradition. Others said it bowlers would get unruly, and even some at USBC headquarters thought it might result in squads going over their allotted time.

There have been no incidents after six weeks. Squads start on time, no one has soiled the stadium carpet, and the bowling stadium itself is still standing.

By the way, scoring doesn't seem to have suffered because of booze.

Well if we're going to have debate, let's be honest. Bowlers in past years snuck it into tournaments. I've seen it. So did the USBC staff.

Booze and bowling have been around forever. Do you think the famed Budweisers in 1958 were drinking iced tea when they shot their record team series? And when was the last time you saw an alcohol free elite scratch league, in house or traveling?

In summary, "That's the way we've always done it."

The USBC Open isn't the Tournament of Champions. It's an everyman and everywoman tournament. Including women in the Open didn't wreck it even though the same critics predicted it would. Up until this year's declining entries due to the economy, past year entries including women in the field have been growing.

And that's another plus for this policy. The revenue replaces funds lost when some of you couldn't bowl this year for whatever circumstance. I've got it on good authority 20 cents of every dollar you spend on cocktails at the tournament goes to you. It goes to the USBC, but if you are a member, you are the USBC which gets back to the original argument:

There were a lot of yous who wanted it. Can't seem to remember hearing anyone campaign in past years, "Keep Booze out of USBC Bowling!"

But for you naysayers, there's hope. This is only a one year trial policy. So if you want to really want booze to stay out of the USBC Open Championship, then drink to excess in the stadium, be loud and let everyone know it, take your time ordering more cocktails before it's your turn to bowl and if someone does something you don't like, get in their face and let them know you mean business.

Oh, if the Reno police happen to take you away, don't call me for bail. After all, we're in a recession.

In the meantime, I'll be raising a glass to Stu Upton and Jeff Boje'. Good job.

Now they can turn their attention to bowl.com.

Pluhowsky takes USBC Open All Events Lead

By Matt Cannizzaro and Emil Williams Jr.
USBC Communications

RENO, Nev. - Team USA member Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix has enjoyed many successes at the National Bowling Stadium, so it's no surprise to see her name atop the leaderboard at the 2010 USBC Open Championships.

The 27-year-old left-hander took a step toward adding another piece of hardware to her trophy case when she moved into the Regular All-Events lead with a 2,083 total Sunday night.

Pluhowsky opened with a 642 series in team, and caught fire during doubles and singles. She posted games of 279, 193 and 268 for a 740 doubles series and kept the momentum going in singles, rolling games of 239, 268 and 194 for 701. Matt Smith of Altoona, Iowa, and George Kontos of Joliet, Ill., previously shared the all-events lead with 2,073.

In all, Pluhowsky cracked the top 10 in four events this weekend. She helped Capri Lanes of Dayton, Ohio, into seventh place in Regular Team with a 3,073 total and teamed up with Megan Kelly of Huber Heights, Ohio, for a 1,361 doubles total, which is eighth overall. Together, Pluhowsky and Kelly helped Capri Lanes into ninth place in Team All-Events with 9,171.

"It's exciting," said Pluhowsky, who made her sixth consecutive Open Championships appearance. "I have been bowling pretty well the last three months, so to be able to continue that here was a great thing."

Pluhowsky didn't know the all-events number during her doubles set, but decided to inquire about it right before singles began. When she found out, she was focused and determined.

"I am not even sure what made me ask," said Pluhowsky, whose previous high all-events total was 1,958 at the 2007 event, also in Reno. "From there, it was about making good shots, and if it happened, it happened. If not, I still would have walked out happy because this is my best tournament to date."

Pluhowsky's success at the Stadium dates back to her days as a youth bowler when she claimed the last of her three consecutive wins at the USBC Junior Gold Championships in 2001. That same year, she won the first of two consecutive USBC Team USA Trials titles at the NBS, before adding a third straight win in Las Vegas. Her most recent victory at the Stadium came at the 2006 USBC Queens.

"Some people try to say the left is better here," said Pluhowsky, who is the general manager at Capri Lanes. "I just match up here, and my ball reaction is good here. I always try to take advantage when I am here and do the best I can."

Outside of the Stadium, the former University of Nebraska standout owns three collegiate national championships, three Professional Bowlers Association Women's Series titles, two QubicaAMF World Cup titles and dozens of medals in international competition.

While Pluhowsky was making her all-events run Sunday, Dayton's Mandy Wilson was a few lanes away making a run of her own.

The right-hander started the day with a shot at the Regular Doubles lead, too, but a missed 2-8 spare in her final frame left her and Douglas Stone of Troy, Ohio, two pins shy of Terry Hall of Rocklin, Calif., and Andrew Udahl of Elk Grove, Calif., who lead with 1,421.

Wilson was 14 pins off Pluhowsky's all-events pace heading into her ninth and final game, but finished with 184 and a 2,059 all-events total, which is fourth overall. She had 727 in doubles, 699 in singles and 633 in team.

"My mindset in doubles is don't let my partner down, fill frames and make spares," said Wilson, who is a member of the Ohio USBC Hall of Fame. "I am happy about my finish, but unfortunately, I missed a couple makeable spares that hurt my doubles and all-events chances."

USBC Hall of Famer Bill Bunetta dies at 90

USBC Communications

Bill Bunetta, a United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame member, died March 22 in Fresno, Calif., of heart failure. He was 90.

A Professional Bowlers Association charter member, he was asked to be the PBA's first commissioner when the pro tour was formed in 1958. But since he still was competitive as a bowler, he turned down the position.

He won his only PBA Tour title in Fairless Hills, Pa., in 1960, and was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 1968.

In addition to being a talented competitor on the lanes, Bunetta was one of bowling's most respected instructors. His inventive coaching techniques included the innovative "3-6-9" spare-shooting system, and he spent many years conducting clinics and exhibitions. He was often sought out by many young professionals for coaching assistance.

He was a member of the E&B and Pfeiffer teams in Detroit, and the Munsingwear team of Chicago that contributed to his five American Bowling Congress Championships (now USBC Open Championships) titles between 1949 and 1955.

In 1995, at age 76, he became the oldest bowler in history to roll back-to-back 300 games.

Information regarding services is still pending.

State bowling tournament taking place in Cape Girardeau

By Erin Hevern ~ Southeast Missourian

Peggy Fuhrmann of the team "Up Your Alley" from Buckhorn, MO lines up her shot as Tracey Schultz of Warrenton, MO takes her turn Sunday, March 21, 2010 at West Park Lanes. The ladies are competing in the Missouri State USBC Women's Championship which runs through May 9, 2010. This is the first year the championship has come to the Cape Girardeau and Jackson bowling allies.

More than 2,500 women will enter the city limits of Cape Girardeau and Jackson over the next eight weekends for a bowling tournament that dates back to the 1940s.

Despite its long history, the Missouri State Women's Championship Bowling Tournament is being held in Cape Girardeau County for the first time.

West Park Lanes in Cape Girardeau was never before able to host the tournament, because it requires there be two bowling centers with a minimum of 20 lanes each. The requirement was met when Main Street Lanes in Jackson opened a few years ago.

"This is a chance for women all over the state, of any [bowling] average, to compete in a state tournament environment," said tournament director Glenda Fry. "We have divisions; they can compete against people of their own caliber."

Organizers and competitors gathered Friday at the tournament's opening ceremony, where Cape Girardeau VFW Post 3838 posted the flag and bowlers sang the national anthem. They also honored those who've battled cancer with a moment of silence, because this year's tournament is "Celebrating Life, Striking Out Cancer."

Nancy Wood, front, of the team Up Your Alley from Buckhorn, Mo., lines up her shot as Lisa Dickerson of Moberly, Mo., takes her turn Sunday at West Park Lanes. The ladies are competing in the Missouri State Women's Championship Bowling Tournament, which runs through May 9. This is the first year the championship has come to the Cape Girardeau and Jackson bowling alleys.

"It doesn't make a difference who you are, cancer has touched every one of our lives one way or another," said Sheila Allen, Cape Girardeau Women's Bowling Association president.

The tournament, which will end with five winners, one for each division, is special to the association.

"It's a big boost to the community," she said. "We just work exceedingly hard. It takes over a year to plan in order for everything to come together."

Most of the women, Allen said, enjoy traveling and being paired up with other bowlers whose scores mirror their own.

A number of women have been participating in the tournament for more than 40 years and simply enjoy the competition.

"I enjoy the people more than anything, you get to meet women from all over the state," Fry said.

"I just really support the sport of bowling and always have."

To learn about the tournament and the Missouri Bowling Association, visit www.mousbc.org.

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