Albuquerque takes the national stage
Transcription
Albuquerque takes the national stage
Volume 3, Issue 3 House Directory BOSQUE FARMS BOWL 1050 Bosque Farms Blvd. Bosque Farms 505-869-2377 HOLIDAY BOWL 7515 Lomas Blvd. NE Albuquerque 505-268-3308 ISLETA FUNN CONNECTION 11000 Broadway SE Isleta 505-724-3866 KIRTLAND LANES 1451 Texas St. Bldg. 20228 Kirtland Air Force Base 505-846-6851 LEISURE BOWL 7400 Lomas Blvd. NE Albuquerque 505-268-4371 LUCKY 66 BOWL 6132 4th St. NW Albuquerque 505-345-2506 SILVA LANES 3010 Eubank Blvd. NE Albuquerque 505-298-5583 STARLIGHT LANES Santa Ana Star Casino 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Road Bernalillo 505-867-0000 TENPINS & MORE 1416 Deborah Road SE Rio Rancho 505-892-7117 February 2008 Albuquerque takes the national stage By Deb Hiester CNM USBC Director With the arrival of lumber and the ring of hammers on Dec. 16, 2007, the 2008 USBC Open Championships Tournament officially moved into the Albuquerque Convention Center in preparation for the event's five-month run. Now, with the official opening only days away, tournament officials are gearing up for a week of special activities leading up to the Mass Ball Shot Ceremony during the opening squad on Saturday, Feb. 16. The action starts on Sunday, Feb. 10, when all adult USBC members are invited to participate in practice sessions on the tournament lanes. Session A will begin at 1 p.m., and will consist of 4- or 5-person teams rolling three games. Session B begins at 4:30 p.m. with doubles and singles practice for six games. The building will be open only to bowlers and guests during this event. Adult bowlers interested in these sessions should contact Art Abrahamson at the CNM USBC Association office, (505) 265-9158. Sweepers sponsored by the USBC will be held at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12. During these sweepers, bowlers will participate in a singles tournament consisting of 3 games. There will be two divisions; A division – scratch – with a $20 entry fee, and B division – 194 average and under – with a $10 entry fee. Bowlers may participate in one or both squads. The building will be open to the public from 4:30 p.m. to midnight. See Championships, page 7 Photo by Deb Hiester, CNM USBC Director Director USBC Championships Brian Lewis stands in front of the lanes being constructed in the Albuquerque Convention Center for the 2008 USBC Open Championships which begin on Feb. 16. Bowlfest kicks off USBC Open To help announce the return of the USBC Open Championships, which was last held in Albuquerque in 2000, and kick off the event in style, USBC is hosting Bowlfest on Friday, Feb. 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Albuquerque Convention Center. An autograph session will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Bowlfest will be a celebration of bowling and the Open Championships and will feature live entertainment, exhibition matches with some of bowling's greatest stars, prize giveaways and a trick shot showdown. Bowlfest will be held in conjunction with the annual youth tournament that is traditionally part of the opening-week activities. The cast for Bowlfest includes Team USA member Stefanie Nation, PBA Hall of Famer Brian Voss, USBC Hall of Famer and Open Championships legend Bill Lillard and Jim Cripps, The Backwards Bowler. MISSION STATEMENT: The Central New Mexico USBC Association ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services, and enhances the bowling experience. 125 Jackson NE Albuquerque NM 87108 505-265-9158 (office) 505-266-8532 (fax) Email: [email protected] Website: www.cnm-usbc.org Page 2 February 2008 In The Pocket Side events offer fun, challenge during run of USBC Open Hosting a USBC Championships tournament in our own back yard offers exciting side events where local bowlers can compete throughout the run of the tournament. Some of these side events offer multiple re-entries along with division-based competition for both scratch and handicap bowlers. So, shoe up and take the challenge! Bowlers Journal Championships – Holiday Bowl The USBC Bowlers Journal Championships gives bowlers an opportunity to get warmed up and test their skills on a challenging lane condition before heading over to the Albuquerque Convention Center for the Open Championships. The Bowlers Journal will kick off its 62nd year of running alongside the main event and offers something for bowlers of all skill levels, as well as side events that offer a chance for big-time prizes. The Bowlers Journal Championships will be conducted at Holiday Bowl (approximately three miles from the Albuquerque Convention Center) throughout the course of the Open Championships. With multiple divisions and guaranteed prize money, anyone can walk away with a big payday. The winner of the Open Singles will take home $10,000, while the champions in Open Doubles will split $10,000. Other big top prizes will be awarded in Senior Singles and 205 & Under Singles. All divisions bowl four games for an $80 entry fee, except the 180 & Under Division, which will only pay $60. All singles entries include a subscription to Bowlers Journal International. Bowlers have the opportunity to bowl both singles and doubles (with one partner) at the same time with the Dual Entry option, using one four-game total toward both events. There also will be a special Dual Entry prize fund for bowlers who exercise this option. Three unique jackpots will give bowlers additional chances to strike it rich at the BJ. A $10 entry fee will secure a spot in the Strike Jackpot, 300 Game Jackpot and Clean 40 Jackpot, and success means a share of the daily and tournament-long payouts. Finally, those bowlers who hit a target score in their division, with the exception of the 180 & Under and Mixed Doubles, will earn an “Instant Payback”. Reaching the target score earns the bowlers their entry fee back instantly. Roto Grip Sport Bowling Challenge – Convention Center The 2008 USBC Open Championships will mark the return of a special side tournament that will be conducted on a 12-lane setup adjacent to the 48 lane installation being used for the USBC Open Championships. The special event officially will be called the Roto Grip Sport Bowling Challenge. The event will feature a unique two-game format and will be contested on a USBC Sport Bowling lane condition, similar to the satellite events that were part of the 2000 Open Championships in Albuquerque and the 2003 tournament in Knoxville. Competition will be divided into two average-based divisions with daily and optional year-long prize funds. “The BTM” Tournament – Leisure Bowl “The BTM” Tournament will begin its 149-day run at Leisure Bowl on Feb. 15 and offer squads every day of the week through July 5. This marks the 6th year Bowling This Month magazine has presented the side tournament that runs during the USBC Championships and is the fastest growing event held in conjunction with the USBC tournament. The BTM is known for its tough lane condition (flat oil gutter to gutter) and the “Clean Block Pot”, which gives bowlers the chance to win $10,000 for a $10.00 investment. Each entrant receives a one-year subscription to Bowling This Month with their first singles entry. Hammer and Kegel return as additional sponsors of The BTM. The 2008 event will feature a new handicap division for all the bowlers who want to participate on the USBC Sport Certified condition, but don’t feel they can compete against the elite athletes in our sport. The increased popularity of sport bowling leagues has increased the number of both men and women who want to try their luck on the tougher lane conditions. Jim King, Bowling This Month editor, said, “Albuquerque and Central New Mexico is the ideal spot for us to introduce the handicap division, since league bowling continues to be very popular there, along with the area having very progressive bowling center management.” The Central New Mexico USBC Bowling Association has been very successful maintaining a great league base despite recent declines in other parts of the country. Many bowlers use this event as a warm up for the USBC Championships, where they will face different lane conditions than the normal league and open play condition. Kegel, the official lane maintenance sponsor, provided the lane maintenance equipment and works with the tournament staff to insure a consistent lane condition throughout the tournament. The BTM enjoys a great reputation for providing bowlers with the same condition every day of the tournament. Squads are available daily starting at 9 a.m. with the last See Side events, page 3 In The Pocket Side events (continued from page 2) squad starting at 4 p.m. Tournament fliers are available at all Central New Mexico bowling centers and additional information is available at www.bowlingthismonth.com or call tournament director Rick Ramsey at 1-800-218-1667 and he will be happy to answer any questions you might have about “The BTM”. The Forty Frame Game – Leisure Bowl The Forty Frame Game is billed as the world’s most unusual bowling tournament. The tournament was created in 1989, and according to the website, to date more than 226,000 bowlers have entered, with prizes distributed in excess of 7.7 million dollars. The website describes the event as “one continuous game forty frames long with unique scoring opportunities (and pitfalls!) that lead to a perfect score of 1305. And no, there has not been a perfect game bowled to date.” For more information, see www.fortyframegame.com. Team Scratch Shootout – Starlight Lanes Boasting a first place prize of $10,000 (based on 1,500 entries), the Team Scratch Shootout is another opportunity for teams to compete while visiting the Albuquerque area. Hosted by Starlight Lanes at the Santa Ana Star Casino near Bernalillo, the event will run throughout the USBC Open tournament. Blackout dates are April 26-28. Teams are 5-person, and fees are $45 per bowler ($225 per team). The event is USBC certified, and squad times are 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday. There are no Saturday squads. Entries will be on a first-come first-served basis. Santa Ana Star Casino is located at 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Road, Santa Ana Pueblo, NM. Take exit 242 off I-25 and go west on US 550. For more information, contact Jerry Bradley, tournament coordinator, at Starlight Lanes, (505) 771-5333. February 2008 Page 3 Page 4 February 2008 In The Pocket Make friends and join the fun in a youth bowling league By Charles Douglas CNMUSBC Director Certified Coach Have H&R Block do your taxes and support your local USBC It’s tax season again, and the Central New Mexico USBC Association has joined H&R Block’s Non-Profit Program. It’s not too late to join a youth league in your favorite center. Read what USBC has to say why you should join. Bowling in a USBC Youth league means awards, healthy competition and lots of fun! In addition to bowling regularly, you will have a chance to make new friends and take part in special activities. Parties, contests and city and state tournaments all add to the season’s fun. Trained USBC youth coaches are available to help you with your game, whether you’re just learning to bowl or would like to improve your scores. Boys and girls age 21 and under are all welcome to join a USBC youth league. You’ll receive your own personal membership card and bowl each week as a team member competing with kids in your own age group. Show off your achievements and high scores with USBC awards. You can win individual and team awards for bowling ability, sportsmanship and other important qualities. There is a world of fun on the lanes with USBC Youth; one of America’s largest youth sports organizations. When you join, you’ll find out more than 300,000 kids from all across the United States and Canada enjoy bowling in USBC youth summer and winter leagues. Join USBC Youth today. I would like to add that league bowling can be used to help build strong values in children. Through league See Friends, page 5 CNM USBC 2007-2008 Association Tournaments Association Youth Championships Tournament February 2, 3, 9 & 10, 2008 Starlight Lanes 58th Women’s Association Championships Tournament February 2, 3, 9 & 10, 2008 Leisure Bowl Association Senior Tournament April 5, 6, 12 & 13, 2008 Tenpins & More Association Youth Bowler of the Year Tournament April 12, 2008 Lucky 66 Bowl 35th Annual Women’s Invitational Tournament 3rd Annual Men’s Invitational Tournament Every weekend in June! June 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29, 2008 Lucky 66 Bowl As a new client to H&R Block, you can help support your local bowling association. It’s easy! Just take the flier printed below to a local H&R Block office and have your taxes prepared. By presenting the flier, you will earn $25 for the Central New Mexico USBC Association, and these funds will be used to provide more services to the local bowling community. For more information about this program, please contact Art Abrahamson, association manager, at 505-265-9158. If you need more copies of the flier, or if you don’t want to destroy your newsletter, you can print the flier from our website. Just go to www.cnm-usbc.org and click on the H&R Block link. In The Pocket February 2008 Page 5 Fourth Rick Smith Memorial Tournament held at Holiday Bowl The 2007 Rick Smith Memorial Doubles Tournament was held Oct. 13, 14 and 20 at Holiday Bowl on Lomas NE in Albuquerque. A total of 77 doubles teams entered the tournament in three average-based divisions, and awards totaling $3,112 were distributed to the SMART accounts of the youth bowlers. In addition to the doubles competition, several bowlers competed in a Junior Gold event run in conjunction with the tournament. Rick Smith was born July 17, 1954 and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. After serving 20 years as a medic in the U.S. Air Force, he retired at Kirtland Air Force Base on July 31, 1996. Following his retirement, he worked as a supervisor with the United States Postal Service. Rick was married for 24 years and had two children, Ricky and Kelley. For enjoyment, Rick played varsity level softball and bowled on base teams for most of his military career. Rick died from lung cancer on March 22, 2004. He is best remembered for his sense of humor, his prowess on the softball field and bowling lanes, and for being a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. Rick was an avid supporter of bowling. Wherever the Air Force sent him, Rick bowled in leagues and worked at the base or local bowling center. As a young airman in Germany, Rick was the head coach of the base YABA league. During his bowling career, Rick bowled three 300s, an 816, a 799, and numerous other 700s. His highest book average was a 223. In addition to all of the leagues in which Rick bowled, he truly enjoyed the challenge of bowling in tournaments. While living in Germany, he bowled in the International Military Tournament. In the United States, he participated in the local, state, and national tournaments whenever possible. One of his favorite tournaments was the Annual Worldwide Military Bowling Classic that was held in Las Vegas. One of his fondest memories was when his team won this tournament in February of 1996. Because of his love of bowling, it was Rick’s request that instead of being remembered sadly at a funeral, he be remembered with a smile at a bowling tournament presented in his name. 2007 Tournament Results $370 $270 Division 1 (Doubles average of 326 and up) (29 entries) Score Bowler 1 Bowler 2 2862 Read, Billy Byer, Andy 2798 Romero, Daniel Tipton, Jason In The Pocket is published quarterly by the Central New Mexico USBC Bowling Association in August, November, February and May. Editor – Deb Hiester [email protected] Members of the Communication Committee are: Robbie Alley, Nancy Colbert, Charles Douglas, Bari Harvey, Deb Hiester and Victor Hohnberger. For information about contributing to the newsletter or for advertising rates, contact the CNM USBC Association office at (505) 265-9158 $170 $120 $100 $ 70 $ 49 2777 2774 2743 2717 2717 Smith, Kelley Young, John Silva, Justin Gill, Brandon Brown, Chris Nuzzo, Andrew Alley, Robbie Nance, JD Gill, Gary Brown, Bryan Division 2 (Doubles average of 251 to 325) (29 entries) $370 $270 $170 $120 $100 $ 70 $ 50 $ 39 Score 1468 1440 1418 1416 1392 1390 1384 1364 Bowler 1 Monroe, Anthony Justo, Paolo Gill, Jake Blystone, Garrett Ortega, Samantha Felts,Josh Ryan, Halie Lucero, Anthony Bowler 2 Monroe, Mark Boughton, Charles Gill, Sharon Parker, Keith Brown, Jennifer Davis, Chris Cuaron, Charlie Hensel, Ryan Division 3 (Doubles average of 250 and below) (17 entries) $300 $200 $100 $ 74 Score 1346 1330 1321 1309 Bowler 1 Thompson, Kara Yancey, Clarissa Holliday, Michael Thompson, Sandra Bowler 2 Thompson, Ron Dodson, Bailey Holliday, Isaac Thompson, Kara Junior Gold Event Combined (7 entries) 1347 1303 1243 1202 1177 1130 1048 Andy Byer Diego Lucero Daniel Romero Charlie Elliot Kelley Smith Justin Silva Robbie Alley ($100) For complete tournament results, visit www.cnm-usbc.org and follow the Tournaments link. Friends (continued from page 4) bowling, children learn value lessons that will last a lifetime, such as working as a team, following rules, and caring for the equipment, balls, shoes and lanes provided by the bowling center. Courtesy, respect, discipline, goal setting, trust, commitment, responsibility, and competitiveness are some values that can be enhanced through bowling. Through coach’s instruction and examples, values can be learned. League bowling creates an environment that encourages these values by reinforcing them continuously through practice. “Smooth, Continuous, Fluid Motion” Page 6 February 2008 In The Pocket Center Spotlight: Skidmore’s Holiday Bowl, Albuquerque By Deb Hiester CNM USBC Director From a new sign and fresh paint on the exterior to the updated lighting, carpets and scoring systems inside, Skidmore’s Holiday Bowl is as shiny as a new penny and busier than ever. Located at 7515 Lomas Blvd. NE in Albuquerque, the 32lane center has been undergoing a massive transformation into a modern facility that welcomes leagues, birthday parties and open bowlers seven days a week. Gary and Eve Skidmore, owners of the facility, provide a one-stop bowling experience for their customers, including a pro shop, snack bar and restaurant, full-service bar with two pool tables and a game arcade in addition to the 32 lanes with state-of-the-art scoring and automatic bumpers. The center is open from 9 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Open play rates range from $2.70 to $3.95 per game, with hourly rates at $14.50 and $19.50 depending on the time of day. There are special rates for youth, senior and military bowlers. Shoe rentals are $2.95 for adults and $2.25 for youth 12 and under. Weekly special events include Karaoke on the Lanes every Thursday from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Holiday After Dark on Friday and Saturday from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Pam Hanifin, general manager, said, “We offer a variety of party packages to fit all occasions and budgets, as well as corporate parties and team building events.” League bowlers may purchase a club card that entitles them to three free games each day, excluding holidays. The center offers leagues for everyone, including women's, men's, mixed, senior, scratch and youth. The youth program includes on-lane coaching by USBC certified coaches. “We are constantly promoting our league bowling and recruiting new league bowlers,” Hanifin said of the center’s role in promoting the sport of bowling. “We have an outstanding youth program and support the efforts of our local schools in Photo by Deb Hiester, CNM USBC Director Women in the 3-person Boo-k’s league on Tuesday mornings find fun and friendly competition on the lanes at Skidmore’s Holiday Bowl. developing future bowlers with high school bowling teams.” Concerning the future of bowling, Hanifin said, “We are continually trying to build our base of league and tournament bowlers. With the push for high schools to include bowling as a school sport, we envision a very promising, ever growing future for the sport of bowling.” In addition to the Skidmores and Hanifin, center management is in the hands of Sam Small, assistant manager; Bill Sides, food and beverage manager; and Robin Humphrey, head mechanic. This year, Holiday Bowl will host the 2008 Bowlers Journal Tournament from February to July. For more information about the tournament or other features and programs at the center, visit the Holiday Bowl website at www.HolidayBowlAbq.com. “Our recent renovations have truly made us Albuquerque’s Premier Bowling Center,” Hanifin said. “We invite you to come and see for yourself!” “Flat” Screen Installs “CATV” Telephone In The Pocket Who Works For You? Nancy Colbert, 68, is a director on the Central New Mexico USBC Bowling Association board. She is single (divorced), and resides in Albuquerque after having lived 21 years in Los Lunas. She arrived in New Mexico in 1980 from upstate New York. Nancy comes from a large family and is the eldest of 12 children, eight girls and four boys. In addition to her siblings, Nancy has three children, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and another on the way. She has an associate’s degree in Secretarial Science from the State University of New York in Alfred, N.Y., Photo by Diana Johnson and has worked as a legal assistant for 46 years. Nancy Colbert As a director on the Central New Mexico USBC board, Nancy continues her dedication to local bowling associations. She has served on local boards since joining the Valencia County WBA in 1999. In her current position, she works with the Banquet, Hearing and Communications committees. She sees the role of the association as a responsibility for developing more bowlers and promoting the sport, especially youth bowlers. To that end, she strives to encourage cooperation among the board members and a strong commitment to the association. Nancy started her bowling career in 1961, taking a hiatus to raise her family. She took up the sport again in 1996. In New Mexico, she has bowled at Bosque Farms Bowl and Silva Lanes, bowling as many as three leagues during the season. She also bowls in a travel league that competes in all of the area bowling centers. When not bowling, working, or serving the association’s bowlers, Nancy enjoys crafts such as cross-stitching, gardening and volunteer work. February 2008 Page 7 Championships (continued from page 1) Wednesday, Feb. 13, will feature the New Mexico State High School Championships starting at 11:30 a.m., and Thursday and Friday, Feb. 14 and 15, brings in the Special Olympics National Unified Tournament. At 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, the local youth will take over the lanes for their chance to experience the atmosphere of the national tournament. Certified youth bowlers who want to participate in this event should contact their league coordinator or Art Abrahamson at the CNM USBC Association office. The building and retail and pro shops will be open to the public during the events on Wednesday through Friday, Feb. 13-15. And finally, at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, the main event kicks off for its five-month run with the grand opening ceremony at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Join in the fun as Albuquerque welcomes the nation!