international bowling industry march 2014
DESCRIPTION
The World's Only Magazine Devoted Exclusively to the Business of Bowling.TRANSCRIPT
6ISSUE AT HANDP-L-I Spells FLOP!
By Scott Frager
6LETTERS
Love, Hate, MissBy Vern DeWees
8SHORTS
• A peek atFulton Alley
• BPAA Service Awards• Poelking Marian
Lanes is Brunswick’sCenter of Excellence• Yvonne Bennett isnew Wisconsin E.D.
Compiled by Patty Heath
20MILESTONE
Unique andWorldwide:ZOT Turns 50
CONTENTS VOL 22.3
20
34
THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING
IBI March 2014
PUBLISHER & EDITORScott Frager
[email protected]: scottfrager
OFFICE MANAGERPatty Heath
CONTRIBUTORSPatty HeathPaul LaneRobert Sax
EDITORIAL DIRECTORJackie Fisher
ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTIONDesignworks
www.dzynwrx.com(818) 735-9424
FOUNDERAllen Crown (1933-2002)
12655 Ventura BoulevardStudio City, CA 91604(818) 789-2695(BOWL)
Fax (818) [email protected]
www.BowlingIndustry.com
HOTLINE: 888-424-2695SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy ofInternational Bowling Industry is sent free toevery bowling center, independently ownedpro shop and collegiate bowling center inthe U.S., and every military bowling centerand pro shop worldwide. Publisher reservesthe right to provide free subscriptions tothose individuals who meet publicationqualifications. Additional subscriptions maybe purchased for delivery in the U.S. for $50per year. Subscriptions for Canada andMexico are $65 per year, all other foreignsubscriptions are $80 per year. All foreignsubscriptions should be paid in U.S. fundsusing International Money Orders.POSTMASTER: Please send new as well asold address to International Bowling Industry,12655 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA91604 USA. If possible, please furnishaddress mailing label.Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2014, B2B Media,Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprintedwithout the publisher’s permission.
MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:
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22COVER STORYAny Way You Read It,Lane7 Means HipThat’s because Tim Wilks is.By Paul Lane
34FEATURELights! Camera!Bowling!As the Oscars roll around, alook at some of our favoritemovies starring bowling.By Robert Sax
46REMEMBER WHENSports Illustrated, 1961By Patty Heath
32 Showcase
39 Classifieds
45 Datebook
THE ISSUE AT HAND
6 IBI March 2014
In recent months, a barrage of jabs wasexchanged between the USBC leadership andproprietors regarding USBC’s ProfessionalLane Inspector Program. Indeed, it seemsthat no one was fond of what will probably beknown forever as PLIP. Orshould that be ‘FLOP’?
Lets start with the USBClocals. PLIP was a majorslap in the face to virtuallyevery USBC state/localassociation that currentlyhandles lane inspections.Not only was the USBCleadership by implication calling their localsunprofessional, they were attempting to takeaway a significant funding source for them.
Granted, there are locals that do not do agreat job at inspecting lanes. Overworked,understaffed, underpaid, poorly equipped andunderappreciated, their inspectors (probablyvolunteers) don’t always provide the highestlevel of consistency and professionalism.
Then come the proprietors. They usuallyhave precious little love for inspectors. With
their livelihoods and center certification at stake, proprietors welcomeinspectors in their centers just as much as the Iranian leadershipwelcomes U.S. nuclear weapons inspectors.
What boggled my mind, and the minds of so many others, was thatthe PLIP lane test was announced and implemented without any
industry buy-in. And the program was billedas a way to preserve the integrity of the sportwhile it charged more for inspection andreduced its frequency from yearly to everyother year.
The one thing USBC got right with PLIPis that there is a need for better laneinspection and certification processes.
Despite all its drawbacks, I join theminority of center operators who hope that USBC finds a real andpractical way to ensure lanes are withinspec. Maybe, after new leadership is inplace, there will be a lot more thought to theinterests of proprietors and local associationsbefore it is lobbed our way.
– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHERAND [email protected]
P-L-I Spells FLOP!
4LETTER TO THE EDITOR
In response to our column in February, Vern DeWees submittedhis feelings about the bowling industry.
LOVEToo many hours!
That my wife lets me live out my dreamin this industry
When the establishment is closed and Iam sitting alone enjoying the quietness,
darkness and freshly brewed coffee
Christmas Holiday season–everyone isin a festive mood
Being trusted by all of my customers
Clean restrooms
Helping a customer repair a pinsetter over thephone and hearing their gratification
Hearing from a customer that whenthe establishment closed at 1 a.m.
with a pinsetter down and re-openedat 7 a.m. with it working…it’s magic!
HATEToo many hours!
When it's extremely foggy and difficult toget to the bowling center
Smelly restrooms
Worrying about if it's safe to enter theestablishment in the early hours of the morning
Bowling on a pinsetter I am working onor plan to work on
The amount of greed in many of the vendors/suppliers of parts and supplies
Staying out of town and away from mybride (my best friend)
Health issues due to my job
Attrition in the industry
Making the game easier
MISSToo many hours!
Many of the people, especially mentors,that have passed away (Tom Stahl from
Stahl's Seventy's and Allen Crown)
When a customer would call and say"I need the pinsetter now"
St. Paul, St. Paul, St. Paul bowling centers
When an average of 190 meantsomething and you needed to bowl
50 games a week to have one
When the primary reason for laneconditioner was to protect the lanesurface, not to embellish scores or
show location of it (blue oil)
8 IBI March 2014
SHORTS
Old Spice definitely thinks outside the box when itcomes to commercials. Remember the underclad bodybuilder? Dancing? Now, they have a series of “MomSongs” that lean toward the bizarre, especially the oneutilizing bowling as the theme. The hovering motherliterally comes out of theball return singing. Whilethe other commercials inthis set have the motherslamenting the loss of theirsons to manhood, thismother couldn’t be prouder. “Old Spice! Take a look whatyou’ve done! You made a sexy man right out of my son.Old Spice!” It’s a keeper!
‘SMELLCOME TO MANHOOD’
Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY, was the site forTeen Vogue’s AG Jeans Blogger Bowl. The purpose?To focus on teens in a social venue imparting advice
to young readers. Teen fashionistastried to bowl withvarying degrees ofsuccess, but theywere all very articulatein sharing social mediatips. The bottom line?Have fun but thinkbefore you tweet.
DOs AND DON’Ts
WATCHMedia
The February issue of Inc.magazine sports a full pageFederal Express ad showing thebest way to package up yourfavorite activities. A soccer ball,a billiard ball, a set of threetennis balls and a bowlingpin cuddle up in a Federal Expressbox. Bowling is always in the mix.
SHIP YOUR FAVORITES
SHORT SHORTS
Needed: Your Two CentsBPAA’s Diversity and Inclusion committee is looking for successful fundraising
ideas. The committee would like to find out what your best programs are and whathas worked for you. It doesn’t have to be complicated. What is most important isthat no idea is too “out there.” Submit ideas to [email protected].
PromotionMilitary center Shaw Lanes at Shaw Air Force Base in
South Carolina has created Penny-a-Pin Bowling everyThursday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The idea is to pay what youbowl. If you bowl 110, then you pay $1.10.
Last Call for April ProgramBPAA’s Bowling University is holding its ever-
popular School for Bowling Center Management,April 6-11 at the IBC. Early-bird discounts are availablefor members. The program consists of a full week ofintensive training. It is a “must” for current centermanagers and anyone interested in becoming amanager. To register, call 800-343-1329 ext. 8462 oremail [email protected].
Interesting FactoidWe know the squatty pins known as
duckpins. They are regionally found inNew England mostly. They do have aFrench cousin known as quilles. These
are the same except that quilles have a thick rubber band around the middle whichcreates more rebounding. The balls are smaller and without finger/thumb holes; onlytwo balls per frame are allowed and the pins are not removed until the end of theframe, making it more difficult for each subsequent roll.
Punk Rock BowlingThe Dwarves, Face to Face, Good Riddance or Peter &
The Test Tube Babies? Ring a bell? Well, if not, they are justa few of the punk rock groups signed on for the 16th annualPunk Rock Bowling & Music Festival to be held in Las Vegas,May 23-26. Check it out at www.punkrockbowling.com.
Midwest Collegiate ClassicThe inaugural Kegel/ISBPA Midwest Collegiate Classic was held Jan. 19-20 at
the 84-lane Stardust Bowl in Addison, IL. One hundred and twenty-five teams (56men’s varsity, 53 women’s varsity, and 16 JV) competed in the two-day tournament,one of the largest fields in USBC Collegiate Tier 1 this season.
10 IBI March 2014
SHORTS
Park Lanes in Mansfield, OH, is a landmark. The center was purchased in 2011 byRon Speck, who has been working to bring the 50-lane center up to snuff. In the spring,he will introduce a new restaurant with an outdoor patio area, a banquet room and a proshop. New scoring monitors will be installed soon. “We’ve been doing repairs to it, butwe’ve been paying as we go so that Park Lanes is owned free and clear,” Speck said.
Parkview Lanes in Linton, IN, which closed in 2012, is now Parkview FamilyEntertainment Center and open! The new owners are Mike and Connie Farmer. Theirson Bryan will be the operating manager. A few new additions are a game room anda juke box which is on order. The bar area will be remodeled and open by spring.
Brooklyn Bowl, which opened in 2009 and hosts not only bowling but live musicand has become a mecca for Brooklyn hipsters, has announced two new branchesfor 2014. One is across the pond in London, and the other is across the country in LasVegas. Co-owner Charley Ryan shared, “We are really excited about both of them.”The London branch is now open, with the Las Vegas site opening yet to be determined.
Country Lanes in Ishpeming, MI, is no longer. However, welcome to Red Rock Lanes,same site, different owners. Clay and Donna Sandberg have reopened the 16-lane centerwith some new offerings: a bar and grill, a full pro shop, a banquet and conferencecenter that accommodates up to 300 guests, and an arcade and pool tables. TheSandbergs have also brought in live music, comedians, and hosted Second Cityimprov over the holidays.
Jim Haja, owner of Haja Lanes in Palmerton, PA, for the past thirty years, haspurchased a new center in Allentown. Playdrome Rose Bowl, a 36-lane facility, will nowbe Haja Rose Bowl. Haja has added seven new employees to the Allentown staff.
EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS &NEW BEGINNINGS
Recently renovated, FultonAlley, a 12-lane center in NewOrleans, was awarded aYahoo Travel “Best New Barsin USA” award. The centerhas QubicaAMF TMS StringPinspotters, SPL II Lanes andBES X Scoring.
FULTON ALLEY REBORN
India and the U.S. are squabbling. According toBloomberg Businessweek, the rift is due to a chargeagainst Devyani Khobragade, an Indian diplomat, of visafraud for underpaying her babysitter and claiming in a visaapplication that the employee was being paid minimumwage--$9.75. In actuality, the babysitter’s recompense wasapproximately $3.31 per hour.
The retaliation has been targeted toward Americanembassy staff and expatriates in New Delhi. A social clubwith a swimming pool and bowling center was closed tonon-diplomats. The club, which had offered familymemberships for $2,425 a year, will now struggle to stayopen because it will only be serving a small number ofdiplomats. In addition, U.S. embassy cars will also facepenalties for unauthorized parking and traffic violations.
While the Soviet Union, Pakistan and security in SouthAsia are of higher import between the two countries, itis often the little things that can shift the balance. It is sortof like the straw that broke the camel’s back. “We continueto believe that we can maintain our strong historicrelationship, and that’s what our focus is on,” said JenPsaki, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department,speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C.
BRUNSWICK SELECTSPOELKING MARIAN LANES
At the Heart of Politics
Each year, Brunswick recognizes a bowling-basedentertainment center that illustrates an exemplary blendof cutting-edge planning and design, business-criticalgeneral management and operations, effective marketingand sales strategies, and superior customer service. The2013 Brunswick Center of Excellence Award forModernization went to Michael and Ellen Poelking, ownersof Poelking Marian Lanes in Marian, OH.
The Poelkings, who own four centers, know theimportance of reimaging to satisfy customers. Michaelsaid, “My father taught me as a young man that it’s vitalto keep modern and reinvest in your business.” The 51-lanecenter exemplifies theirmotto, “Always Clean –Always Friendly – AlwaysFun.”
The Poelkings: (left toright) Dennis, Ellen
and Michael
12 IBI March 2014
SHORTS
With the retirement of Gary Hartel,the Bowling Centers Association ofWisconsin (BCAW) selected YvonneBennett as its new executive director,effective Feb. 17. Bennett brings 20years experience in the not-for-profitsector. She has worked in bowling as ahigh-level scratch bowler, youth coach,program coordinator, and, while
working with the YABA and Bowling, Inc. Shared Services,she collaborated with the BPAA and its state organizationsin support of several industry initiatives.
Bennett earned her master’s degree in businessadministration and has received the Certified AssociationExecutive (CAE) credential and the Senior Professional inHuman Resources (SPHR) certification. The BCAW feelsBennett is uniquely qualified to help it achieve its mission “toenhance the profitability of its members.”
Bennett resides in Milwaukee with her husband, David,and, when not working, she enjoys the outdoors, travel andphotography.
Creative Works, Inc. has welcomed anew member to the sales team, NancyRockhill. Rockhill has over ten years ofexperience in the custom themeindustry. She has worked with museums,sports arenas, restaurants and retailstores, collaborating with designers,architects and general contractors oncustom projects including facades,murals and props. Kimberly Schilling, VP of operations,shared, “I am confident that she will do well in providing greatservice to our current and future customers.”
Yvonne Bennett
Nancy Rockhill
Bob ConorBernard (Bob) E. Conor, former
president of AMF’s international bowlingdivision and vice president of AMF’sinternational trade operations during the1960s and into the early 1980s, passedaway at the age of 91 in his home state ofMichigan. A graduate of West Point, classof 1946, Conor was the driving force behind AMF’sinternational operations during the 1960s and 1970s, whichincluded the 15-year joint venture for AMF Inc. with C.Itohin Japan, resulting in a bowling boom in Japan that has yetto be equaled. In 1991, he published a book, Japan’s NewColony America: How We Americans Have BeenBrainwashed and Compromised by Japan. Conor is survivedby his wife, Mary-Lou.
Leonard H. LeFevreThe Greater Michigan Bowling Owners
Association announced the passing of twoMichigan proprietors. Leonard H. LeFevrepassed in January. Besides the founder ofthe law firm LeFevre & LeFevre and foundingmember of the original First State Bank ofSaginaw, he was owner of LeFevre’s FamilyBowl. He is survived by his wife, Gerry, and three sons, fourdaughters, 35 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Another long-time Michigan proprietor, Hugh Greene, age87, who was the owner and operator of Rollaway Lanes, Davison,MI, since 1953, passed away in November 2013. He is survivedby his wife, Pat, four children and 13 grandchildren.
I N R E M E M B R A N C E
Each year USBC recognizes outstanding bowling leadersthrough three national awards: the Helen Baker Award forOutstanding Association Service, the Joyce Deitch Unity Award,and the USBC Proprietor of the Year.
The Helen Baker Award, recognizing an outstanding bowlingleader who has made contributions to associations as aninnovator, creator and mentor of adult programs, went to NancyWalczyk, a 40-year veteran of bowling service. Walczyk startedat the local level with the Erie County Suburban Women’sBowling Association and in 1984 was hired by the New York StateWBA. She also worked on the New York State Bowling Council.
Bill Chrisman, owner of Storm Bowling, was the Joyce Deitch
Unity Award winner. This award highlights organizations andindividuals who have made important contributions to bowling.Chrisman and his wife, Barbara, have supported bowling throughinnovative bowling products and sponsorships of bowlers andtournaments. He is a member of the Ogden Bowling Associationand Utah State Halls of Fame.
Randy Shank, proprietor of Sunnybrook Lanes in SterlingHeights, MI, since 1997, is this year’s USBC Proprietor of the Year.Sunnybrook Lanes has served as host to many local, regional andnational tournaments. Shank was one of the first proprietors tolaunch youth and adult sport bowling leagues and is activelyinvolved in bowling, sponsoring two teams.
USBC AWARDS ANNOUNCED
PEOPLEWATCHING
16 IBI March 2014
SHORTS
While the awards will not beformally presented until Bowl Expoin Orlando, FL this coming June,awards for industry service wereannounced in January during theBPAA Bowling Summit IndustryUpdate and Town Hall Meeting at theOmni Hotel in San Diego.
Michael Ducat, Winter Haven, FL,received the 2014 Victor LernerMemorial Medal along with aninduction into the BPAA Hall of Fame. Ducat is owner of DucatInvestments LLC and co-owner of Pincurean EntertainmentGroup. He has been a member of the BPAA since 1988 andserved as its president 2000-2002. He was also interimexecutive director 2001-2002. As pointed out in its pressrelease, BPAA stated, “It was during those years [2000-2002that] Ducat demonstrated strong leadership and integrity inhelping change the face of BPAA and the way it conductedits business that is still present in the current business model.”
The President’s Medal, awarded toan individual judged to have givenexceptional support and/or madesignificant contributions in the eyes ofthe current BPAA president andAwards Committee, went to KevinKrauss of Seminole, FL. He isrecognized for his efforts as chair of theBPAA nominating committee,restructuring its procedures and
maintaining highest integrity in its interviews of candidates.
Gary Forman of Fountain Valley,CA, received the V.A. WapenskyAward for a major contribution to theadvancement of the bowling industry.Forman is recognized for his efforts toadvance bowling on a local, regionaland state level through programs in hisown center and for assisting otherproprietors to succeed in theirs. Hehas the distinction of being nominatedfor the award by both the BowlingCenters of Southern California as well as the Northern CaliforniaBowling Centers associations.
The Ruben A. Dankoff Award for Public Policy andLegislative Service went to DavidBardon of Elkhart Lake, WI. Bardonis honored for his dedication insetting up seminars at state summits,organizing presentations on issuesimportant to BPAA members, anddeveloping a database of people instates with connections to statelobbyists. His priority has been toeducate states and local associationson legislative issues and develophow-to guides.
Pro bowler Carolyn Dorin-Ballard,a perennial fan favorite, was awardedthe Dick Weber Bowling AmbassadorAward for her actions in elevatingthe positive image of bowling andpromoting the game and sport to allages both on and off the lanes. Mostrecently, she has been involved withthe International Family Tournamentwhere she gives her time andexpertise to coach, entertain and
encourage youth bowlers and their families. Through her“Ballard vs. the Big C: Striking Back to Spare Lives” annualcharity event, she has raised thousands of dollars in the fightagainst cancer.
Not to be overlooked, Natalie Savant of San Antonio, TX,received the Special Projects Award for her campaign tobowl in all 48 contiguous states to garner local, regional andnational attention for bowling. She is a charming youngambassador to be sure. Also, the Chicago Sun Times wasselected for the BPAA Media Award for its longtimeoutstanding support of local bowling and especially for overa half-century of coverage of the Chicagoland BPA “Beat theChampions” tournament.
The Lerner Medal will be presented at Expo’s GeneralSession on June 25. Other honors will be handed out at aspecial luncheon June 23 at the Expo host hotel, the RosenShingle Creek Resort.
BPAA ANNOUNCES
INDUSTRY SERVICE AWARDS
Michael Ducat
Kevin Krauss
Gary Forman
David Bardon
Carolyn Dorin-Ballard
b∑d
b∑d
b∑d
b∑d
b∑d
20 IBI March 2014
MILESTONE
n the early ’60s when bowling proprietors were lookingfor ways to speed up play, especially in league matches,a leading Colorado manufacturer of canning equipmenthad an idea. Or rather, two ideas.
One was a ball booster, the other a conversion assembly forBrunswick As, both designed to get the ball back to the bowlerfaster. The canner, Precision Metal Fabricators, brought thebooster to market in 1964, the conversion a year later. Togetherthey saved about 20 minutes for a 5-person team. They alsolaunched a bowling division of the manufacturer and a newbrand of bowling equipment, both with the same name, ZOT.
Fast-forward 20 years. It’s 1984. Roger Lindblad, a ZOTSales and Service employee for 17 years, buys ZOT and setsto work expanding the product line and building a nationwidenetwork of distributors. Lindblad is determined to keep ZOT’sfocus on unique, problem-solving items.
“It’s not difficult to build a line of ‘me too’ products,” saysLindblad today, still heading ZOT as the company celebrates itsfirst half-century, “but they don’t solve problems or generaterevenues for proprietors through savings or making bowling moreappealing to customers. ZOT’s line achieves both with productsthat are popular with mechanics and proprietors alike.”
More than 200 products in the catalog run a very widegamut for AMF- and Brunswick-equipped centers, from foul
detectors with self-diagnostics, electronic triggering, andpinsetter control systems, to ball conditioners and re-engineeredmetal parts and assemblies. A recent addition, the ColorSplashLED Pindeck Light fixture, adds effects such as an array ofambient colored lighting, and is switchable to standard whitelight for league play at the touch of a button.
In 1993, Lindblad added Paul Lane to the ZOT team. With 30years marketing experience in 60+ overseas markets, the retireddirector of marketing and marketing services for AMF was “theideal person” to expand ZOT internationally, Lindblad felt.
Lane was quickly in touch with Nick Keppe, managingdirector of Complete Leisure, headquartered in England, whobecame ZOT’s first international distributor. Scant monthslater, Lane had added Bowltech (Netherlands), AMF (Australia),and Eastern Sports (formerly Asahi Capital, Japan) to theroster, and he and Lindblad were winging overseas to train salesstaff and conduct product seminars for mechanics in all fourcountries. Today ZOT’s network is global.
As Lindblad blows out the candles and the company startsits second 50 years, his attention is directed near and far. Itis as wide as the bowling world and, unchanged after his 30years of ZOT ownership, as minute as the smallest detail ofequipment that can be re-thought, optimized and mademore profitable. ❖
IAkira Nakano, president of Eastern Sports Japan with
Roger Lindblad, president of ZOT.Nick Keppe, currently managing director of Bowltech UK,
with Roger Lindblad, president of ZOT.
22 IBI March 2014
COVER STORY
Photos by Rebecca (Bec) Hues,The House of Hues, Whitburn
23IBI March 2014
COVER STORY
hen Tim Wilks determined to build Lane7, a boutiquebowling facility in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne in
northeast England, he did his homework. He researchedboutique centers in the U.S. and Europe and looked for the
ideal location and building to house ideas drawn from whathe observed during his research (often observing what not to do) andhis own unique imaginative thinking and ideas.
As he says on his website, www.Lane7.co.uk: “Forget everything youthought you knew about bowling alleys, because Lane7 is different. Really
W
By Paul Lane
26 IBI March 2014
COVER STORY
different. Forget formica tables, moulded seats and plastichot-dogs. Imagine the best bar you’ve ever been to and thenadd a first class dining experience, ten-pin bowling, ping-pong, pool, Karaoke and an unrivalled atmosphere into themix. We’re perfect for nights out with mates, for parties andeven for corporate events. All in all, it’s a pretty coolconcept, and you’re going to love it.”
The first challenge for Tim following his research was tofind the ideal building in the perfect location: a building thatwould house his ideas and at the same time fit the profileof the local market and community. As Tim pointed out, ifhe lifted up his facility and put it down in another location,another town, it almost certainly would not work as well. Aboutique bowling facility has to be unique: unique for thelocation and unique to the local environment and lifestyleof the local community.
Newcastle is well known to be a party town and is alsoa town that hosts and stages numerous annual festivalsincluding Chinese New Year in February, when the city’sChinatown is at the center of a colorful and vibrantcelebration. This is followed in March with a comedyfestival, a spring Bank Holiday with performances fromthe world of rock and dance music, and in mid-June, a two-week-long festival of food and drink. Newcastle is alsowell known internationally (by aficionados of English brews)for its Newcastle Brown Ale and by TV fans of RowanAtkinson (more familiar as Mr. Bean). And we would beremiss not to mention their football (soccer) team,Newcastle United, a fierce and respected competitor in theEnglish Premier League.
At long last Tim found his building but it was not whatone might expect: a two-story open space that had beena Kwikfit Tire and Exhaust Car Service and Testing facility.A solid brick construction, built in 1959, with exposedbrick inside as well as outside, a concrete floor, exposediron girders, and pulleys and chains (used, we assume, for
27IBI March 2014
COVER STORY
servicing automobile engines, etc.).Tim’s imagination and ideas ran wild once he saw this
building. He instinctively knew, “This is the one,” and he quicklystarted sketching out floor plans to maximize on what he sawas the potential for a unique boutique bowling facility. And whenwe say ‘sketching,’ we mean literally.
Tim told us he had always been good at art and numbers,especially measurements. After acquiring the building he setabout conceptualizing and designing virtually every aspect of
the entire facility, eventually handing over detailed finisheddrawings to an architect whose only real function from there wasto generate the working CAD drawings from Tim’s renderings.
What Tim did was maximize on the natural elements of thebuilding, retaining all the exposed brick, turning the iron work,pulleys and chains, etc. into features, and adding a high-glosspolish to the concrete floors for what can be described as arough-and-ready look which Tim describes as “industrial cool”⎯and it worked.
28 IBI March 2014
COVER STORY
Nick Keppe, the president of Bowltech UK, who provided andinstalled the equipment at Lane7, had this to say: “This was astrangely unique concept by Tim, combining four lanes of TMSTen Pin Pinspotter string machines from QubicaAMF with over-lane ball returns on the upper floor, and four more withconventional subway returns on the ground floor.
“It was great working with someone who had clearlyresearched current bowling trends, both in the USA as well asEurope, and therefore made the right, well-informed design andproduct choices. Boutique bowling by its very nature has to bedifferent, and Tim has certainly achieved that with his Lane7concept.”
In addition to the eight lanes (four on each floor), Lane7features a 75-seat-capacity full-service restaurant (with extensivelunch and dinner menus and a comprehensive wine list), a fullbar on both floors, four full-size American pool tables, two ping-pong tables, and a private karaoke room⎯all of which areavailable for private hire⎯along with meeting space suitable forsmall corporate conferences. The facility can accommodate upto 220 people on each floor for a total of 440, but the comfortlevel is probably more like 300.
With Newcastle being a party-loving town, party bookings area primary source of business at Lane7 and, since party bookingscan vary so much in size, and many request private space, it wasessential that each space of the center’s amenities could beenclosed or opened up to create space to accommodate almostany size group, no matter how small or large. For example, thepool table area can be divided (with pull-down shutters with abuilt-in door) into two or more rooms with one, two, three or fourtables. Tim recognized from the outset that having the flexibility
to adjust the space for private party activities was essential anddesigned all of the amenities throughout the facility with thatconcept in mind.
On the subject of bookings, either private or corporate,there is a detailed booking enquiry form on the Lane7 websiteasking for name, email, phone, date and time and number ofpeople, and what you would like to do during your visit (e.g., eat,bowl, ping-pong, pool, karaoke). The email requests are followedup with a phone call to confirm the reservation and find out moreabout the party and the reason for the booking.
“We do things the old-fashioned way,” said Tim. “We do notjust accept a booking by email or phone. We have a full-timeperson whose time is dedicated to answering the phone andmaking follow-up calls for booking requests received by email.We like to talk to the customers and find out things like, is thisa corporate function and the purpose, or a birthday or anniversarycelebration, and make suggestions of activities and servicesthat may make their visit more enjoyable, e.g., a birthday cake,or special menu, or special music requests for a karaoke booking,and so on.
“We also have another employee who takes care of thephones on a part-time basis⎯soon to be made full-time⎯to keepup with the demand. We don’t want the person handling thephone calls to be distracted like a counter person on a receptiondesk would be. We want the customer to know that the personthey talk to [has] their undivided attention and [is] there to assistthem and them only.
“And we are close to hiring a full-time person just to followup and/or make proactive sales calls to local corporations andbusinesses. A recreation sales manager of sorts, who will also be
30 IBI March 2014
COVER STORY
single-focused in his or her goals and objectives.”It’s interesting to note that during peak times (Thursday to
Saturday from 6 p.m. to close) all lanes are reserved exclusivelyfor those dining in the restaurant. This rule also applies for theentire month of December, a peak time for corporate andprivate party functions.
Bowling fees vary, from circa (US) $12 a game during peaktimes, to $10 off-peak, and $7.50 for kids.
Pool tables rent for $20 an hour during peak times and $13an hour during off-peak times, and similarly for ping-pongtables. And finally, karaoke costs $11.50 an hour per personfor parties of up to 15.
And let’s not forget the restaurant with its sumptuousmenu of snacks, nibbles and starters from around $7.50, maincourses between $16 and $35, “Things on Bread” at $14-16,and a selection of sides at $10 each, not forgetting dessertsat $8. And of course a fine selection of red, white, rosé andsparkling wines.
When you consider that most customers, especially thosewith a party, include dinner, beverages, bowling and at leastone other activity during their visit, you can see that theaverage revenue per customer is substantial, to say the least.But given the quality of the service, the food and beverage,the variety of recreational choices on offer, plus the quality
31IBI March 2014
COVER STORY
of the furniture, fixtures and fittings, and the facility’s warm andinviting ambience, Lane7 has a perceived value that very fewentertainment venues can compare to or compete with. It’sgood value for money no matter how you look at it.
This writer interviewed Tim Wilks at 8 p.m. (UK time) on aWednesday evening and at close to 9 p.m. he announcedhappily, “Sorry, I have to go now. We have a new party of 270people due to arrive shortly and I need to make a last-minutecheck to see if everything is in place.”
Be assured that if Tim Wilks ever decides to venture outsideof Newcastle to open another boutique center in another town,it won’t be anything like Lane7. But you can guarantee that it willbe unique, will be first-class in every respect, and it will be
uniquely tailored to be a perfect fit for the local market. Tim’smagic formula for success stems from not having a formula. ❖
We thank Kevin Robson, Wonder Stuff Studios, Gosforth,for assistance with this story.
Paul Lane is former Director of Marketing and Marketing
Services for AMF Bowling, Inc. He has been the director of 18
AMF World Cups, an officer in national and international trade
associations, and a pro bowler during a career that spans
more than 60 countries and 50 years.
32 IBI March 2014
SHOWCASE
REPLACEMENTCHAIRSReplace your existing chairsand keep your existing bases.Venue Furniture can help youupdate the look of your centerfor a surprisingly low price. With a complete line of high-quality bowling furniture, a design package can be createdspecifically for your center. A full catalog can be downloadedat BowlingFurniture.com. Call 855-55VENUE or [email protected].
NEW ERA INLIGHTINGAmerican DJ has introducedthree new models to its DotzSeries, cutting-edge wash lightingwith supercharged Chip OnBoard (COB) LEDs. The result of COB is a brighter, more bril-liant wash of light for added impact on a dance floor or stageor anywhere. Also, the three models have a very low powerdraw. For more info or to order, contact distributor NLFX Pro@ NLFXPro.com or 888-660-6696.
PLAYCARDSwitch® has teamed up withSacoa Playcard® to offer an integratedsolution for FECs and bowling centers.Through this product integration, SwitchBowling terminals can now accept credits stored on acustomer’s playcard as payment, as well as check card-balances in real time, add credits to the customer’s card, andaccept cash or other forms of payment. It is a rechargeablemethod of payment for arcade games, attractions, bowling,food and beverage, and retail merchandise. For more info, goto www.switchbowling.com or visit www.sacoacard.com.
QUBICAAMFWEBINAR SERIESQubicaAMF offers free, livewebinars throughout the yearcovering a variety of products. It isa great opportunity to learn more about new products, hearbest practices and get tips to improve your center.Participants are given a chance to ask questions and connectwith experts. Looking ahead, April, May and June are full oftopics of interest. Go to qubicaamf.com, type in “webinar”and review all the offerings.
COSMIC GOLFCreative Works presents anotherwinner with a 2,900+ square-footcustom, blacklight, mini golfcourse. “The Backlot 9” takesplayers on a set with all theexciting twists and turns of a Hollywood backstage. With aninstruction series to ensure all runs smoothly, employees arenot only trained on operations but also coached on firstcustomer interactions, guest service, parties and more. Visitwww.THEWOWEFFECT.com or call 877-843-6348.
FLEX GENERATION TOURKegel’s FLEX Generation Tour, a 22-stop,hands-on seminar, began in February andwill run through April. It will cover “mustknow” lane maintenance topics, discuss thenewest products from Kegel, and, inaddition, will raffle off a new $31,000 FLEXLane Machine to one lucky attendee. The schedule includesstops in Canada, the East Coast, West Coast and U.S. citiesin-between. Contact Kegel for locations and host distributors@ www.kegel.net.
BOWLINGFURNITUREUS Bowling’s Speed Sofa isdesigned to put swank in yourlanes. The sleek, low-profiledesign, made with the mostdurable materials on the market,allows for brutal abuse. An extensive selection of colors,matched with a wide variety of chairs and tables, will createthe ideal layout. For info, go to www.usbowling.com or [email protected].
VECTOR PLUS IN FULL HDBrunswick’s Vector Plus scoring nowdisplays videos, games and scoring onyour big-screen monitors in stunning HDresolution. The entire Vector scoringlibrary is now rendered in 1080p HDincluding every score sheet design andvideo exciter. No matter what customers are watching, it’ssure to blow them away…and help to keep them comingback. For more info, contact your Brunswick sales rep or go towww.brunswickbowling.com/products/vector-plus/vector-hd.
34 IBI March 2014
FEATURE
owling and movies are two staples of American culture. More than70 million Americans bowled at least once in 2013. More than 200million Americans saw a movie in a theater in 2012.
It’s no surprise then that bowling has been featured on-screenin many movies. The 86th Academy Awards will be held this
month, so we thought it would be a good time to take a quick survey ofbowling as it has appeared on the silver screen. We have even included alist of top bowling movies, so you can program your own mini-festival.
The first appearance of bowling in the movies may be the 1921 silent filmRip van Winkle, based on the classic story by Washington Irving. Whilehunting, Rip meets a group of strange “ghostmen” who are drinking andplaying bowls in the forest. After drinking with them, Rip falls into his famoustwenty-year sleep.
Since Rip van Winkle, bowling has appeared often in the movies. Thereare several reasons why filmmakers find bowling so interesting. The firstis that it’s a setting full of visual interest. Movies thrive on eye-catching action,and with other bowlers in the background and principal performersbowling and speaking in the foreground, scenes set in bowling alleyshave plenty of action.
The bowling center is wide and deep, offering a “stage” with lots of roomfor ancillary action. Fights, murders, vampire attacks, love scenes and big
dance numbers have taken place on the lanes inthe movies.
Bowling also provides an element of anticipationthat can pull viewers into a scene. The release of theball down the lane is a gripping moment. Will thehero roll the strike he needs to win a tournament andredeem his life? Will he fail to impress the girl heloves by throwing a gutter ball?
The bowling alley is also a self-contained worldwith rules, rituals, sights and sounds that are differentfrom the world outside. It’s a place where minorcharacters can become major ones, and a socialsetting in which people from various walks of life canmeet. Like pool halls and casinos, bowling alleyshave also been a home for dreamers, schemers,crooks and others on the wilder side of life.
Bowling with the StarsA number of famous films, with famous actors,
have scenes set in bowling alleys, includingsome Academy Award-winners. Here are just afew of them:
Scarface (1932)Howard Hawks’ classic gangster picture was
based on the life of Al Capone. Ambitious youngmobster Tony Camonte (Paul Muni) kills anyonewho gets in his way, including shooting rival Gaffney(Boris Karloff) in a bowling alley as he records astrike. The marking of the ‘X’ on the score sheet isitself tied to the visual iconography of the film, asTony bears an ‘x’-shaped scar on his face.
While there’s no bowling in the popular 1983remake with Al Pacino, he has a great scene in abowling alley with his Scarface co-star MichellePfeiffer in another film, Frankie and Johnny (1991).
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)The classic film version of the Tennessee Williams
play won several Academy Awards. When BlancheDuBois (Vivien Leigh) first sees her sister’s husband,Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando), he’s roughhousingwith other men in a noisy, hot and humid bowlingalley in New Orleans. It’s the perfect place to meetStanley, one of the great blue-collar characters inAmerican movies, and offers a sharp contrast toBlanche’s seemingly proper Southern belle. AsBlanche’s sister, Stella, notes, the lanes are a man’sworld; the women only come to watch them bowl.
By Robert Sax
B
FEATURE
36
Five Easy Pieces (1970) This film won many prestigious awards (though no Oscars) and
helped now-legendary actor Jack Nicholson move from B-picturesto the Hollywood elite. Nicholson does a star turn as anti-hero BobbyDupea, who has fled his upper-class family and a promising careeras a classical pianist to work on oil rigs.
We first get a sense of his prickly character in a bowling alleywhere he’s drinking and bowling with his girlfriend, Rayette, his bestbuddy, Elton, and Elton’s wife. Bobby belittles Rayette when shebowls poorly, then pushes her to go home with the others. He staysbehind and chats up two loose women, whom we later see partyingwith Bobby and Elton in a motel room.
Ordinary People (1980) Robert Redford’s directorial debut won Oscars for best picture,
director, adapted screenplay and supporting actor (Timothy Hutton).Hutton plays Conrad, a troubled young man who attempts suicideafter surviving a boating accident in which his brother died. As hetries to get his life back together, he has a date with Jeannine(Elizabeth McGovern.) They go bowling, and later Conrad confesseshe likes bowling alleys because you “Can't break the ball, can’t breakthe floor, can’t break anything in a bowling alley.”
The Deer Hunter (1978)Michael Cimino’s Viet Nam war saga was one of the best-known
films of the 1970s. It won multiple Oscars including best picture,director, and supporting actor (Christopher Walken). Midwaythrough the film, soldier and former prisoner-of-war Michael (RobertDeNiro) returns to his small Pennsylvania steel town. He goes to thelocal bowling alley where he’s reunited with friends and watchesLinda (Meryl Streep), the girlfriend of his buddy Nick who didn’treturn from the war. The bowling alley, with its bar and goodtimes, represents the simple life and community where Michael, afterthe horrors of war, no longer fits in.
There Will Be Blood (2007)British actor Daniel Day Lewis won the second of his three
Academy Awards for best actor as Daniel Plainview, a rapaciousoil prospector in early 20th century California. Daniel will say or doanything to get what he wants, and alienates himself from his familyand community. By the end of the film he is an alcoholic and losing
his mind. In the final scene (spoiler alert!) he flies into a rage athis nemesis, pastor Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), in the ornate bowlingalley in his mansion. Daniel chases Eli around the lanes, throwingballs at him, then beats him to death with a bowling pin. It’s the
final act of Daniel’s long descent into evil. The scene features thefilm’s best-known line, “I drink your milkshake, I drink it up!”
The Top Bowling Movies While there are many movies with
bowling scenes or characters whobowl, there are only a few that are
rooted almost entirely in the world of bowling. These films arethe cinematic equivalent of a perfect game, and it’s impossibleto imagine them existing without bowling.
Dreamer (1979)The drama of the bunch, this 1979 feature features Tim
Matheson (Animal House) as Dreamer, a tenpin whiz in hissmall town who wants to make it in the big-time on theprofessional tour. Ultimately, he does, with the help ofirascible manager Harry (Jack Warden) and faithful girlfriendKaren (Susan Blakely). Dreamer is from the mold of underdogsports films best represented by Rocky. In fact, Dreamer andRocky feature scores by the same composer, Bill Conti.
It appears that Dreamer was only released for home videoon VHS, not DVD, but it may become available in streamingformat. If you can find it, this cult film offers a great look backat the bowling world of the 1970s, including competitionfootage of top pros of the time Dick Weber and Nelson BurtonJr. As a bonus, sportscasting legend Chris Schenkel, longtimevoice of the PBA Tour on ABC television, plays himself.
Film critic Roger Ebert wrote in his review that Dreamer“exists in a kind of touching innocence. It employs so manyclichés so earnestly that you'd never guess Hollywood hasmade dozens, if not hundreds, of sports movies based on thesame old stuff.”
Kingpin (1996)This broad comedy skewers the clichéd sports movie
while at the same time showing a wacky affection for bowling.Directed by the Farrelly brothers, Kingpin revels in the samegross and outrageous humor as their film Something AboutMary and if you can stomach the rougher moments, you’ll geta lot of laughs out of this one.
Roy Munson (Woody Harrelson) is a talented up-and-coming bowler who has his career literally cut short whenunscrupulous pro Ernie McCracken (Bill Murray) leads him intoa hustle that goes awry. Ernie leaves Roy holding the bag andthe bad guys take revenge by mutilating Roy’s bowling handin a ball return.
Years later, Roy is an alcoholic salesman with a rubberprosthetic hand, still haunted by the career that got away. Thenhe discovers unlikely bowling prodigy Ishmael (Randy Quaid),an Amish farmer. Roy manages to get Ishmael away from thefarm, coaches him to be a better bowler, and takes him toReno for the PBA championship.
When Ishmael suddenly disappears, Roy finds himselfagain battling nemesis McCracken in the championship finalat the National Bowling Stadium. Bill Murray’s performance
36 IBI March 2014
FEATURE
in the final bowling sequence is a comedic masterpiece. Although Roy losesthe match, he still triumphs in the end.
(Trivia time: Chris Schenkel again appears as himself.)
Pin Gods (1996)This little-known but well-regarded documentary feature might be considered
the real-life version of Dreamer. In 1993, Walter Ray Williams Jr. was tearing upthe PBA tour, winning an unprecedented seven tournaments in one year andinspiring many young bowlers to pursue their dreams. Award-winning documentarydirector Larry Locke follows three such dreamers on the tour as they discover justhow tough it can be to make it in professional bowling.
It’s a gritty, unsentimental view of the tour, much of it captured away from thelimelight. While Williams continues his winning ways, the other three are oftenwatching from the sidelines, having missed the cut or lost in the early stages ofthe tournament. Who quits and who makes it as a pro may surprise you, but itwill certainly teach you something about following a dream.
Pin Gods debuted at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival in 1996and had a limited art house theatrical run in 1997 and a re-release in 2010. It maybe hard to find on DVD, but you can stream it for free at www.larrylocke.comcourtesy of the director.
The Big Lebowski (1998)This comedy by the Academy-award-winning Coen brothers (Fargo and No
Country for Old Men) is truly a cult film, with legions of fans who spout favoritelines of dialogue and dress up as favorite characters at annual film festivals-cum-bowling parties dubbed “Lebowskifests.”
Jeff Bridges stars as the Dude, aka Jeffrey Lebowski, a burned-out Los Angelesslacker who lives to bowl with his friends, smoke pot and drink White Russians.His best friend is Walter Sobchak (John Goodman), a Viet Nam veteran with a shortfuse who threatens a teammate with a .45 pistol when he commits a foul. A convertto Judaism, Walter refuses to break the Sabbath by “rolling on Shabbes.”
When some thugs mistake the Dude for a millionaire who is also named JeffreyLebowski, he is drawn into a complicated and noir-ish kidnapping plot that’s worthyof Raymond Chandler. Among the many treats here is a musical bowling fantasythat mashes up Busby Berkeley chorines, grand opera and bowling balls.
In 2008, Entertainment Weekly ranked The Big Lebowski eighth on its “FunniestMovies of the Past 25 Years” list. The film also placed 34th on the magazine’s 2003list, “The Top 50 Cult Films.”
If you watch one bowling movie in your life, make it this one. (Trivia time: The Dude is never seen rolling a ball.)
A League of Ordinary Gentlemen (2006)This fascinating documentary film was released on DVD after it appeared
on PBS’ Independent Lens series. It stars PBA Tour players Pete Weber, WalterRay Williams Jr., Chris Barnes, and Wayne Webb. The documentary starts after the PBA is purchased by a trio of former
Microsoft executives who hire Steve Miller, a sports marketing guru, toreinvent and revitalize the tour. Their goal is to turn the tour
into a moneymaker and get it back on television. The film chronicles the history of professional
bowling in America from its glory days in the1950s and 1960s to its near extinction in the late
1990s. Miller gets the tour back onto televisionvia ESPN, which may be a blessing or a cursefor bowlers and bowling fans. As the four prosstruggle to adapt to change, we are treatedto a revealing behind-the-scenes look atprofessional bowlers and the modern businessof sports.
Next time you’re planning a movie night, giveit a different spin with a bowling movie. You’llfind additional choices in the sidebar to thisstory, and with a little online research you aresure to find more. And as long as there arepopcorn and Raisinets, there will be many newbowling scenes and movies to come. ❖
Robert Sax is a writer and PR consultant
in Los Angeles. He grew up in Toronto,
Canada, the home of five-pin bowling.
MORE MOVIES WITH BOWLINGSCENES OR THEMES
While bowling and movies are greatfamily activities, some of the films
mentioned in this story are decidedly foradults only. Check ratings before
screening them, or any of the following,for children.
Cape Fear (1962)The ContenderThe FlintstonesFright Night 2
Grease 2Greedy
Ice CastlesKing Ralph
Lars and the Real GirlMen in Black IIIMr. WonderfulMystery Men
Racing with the MoonShe’s Out of My League
Spare MeUncle Buck
The Wanderers
38 IBI March 2014
39IBI March 2014
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41IBI March 2014
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CENTERS FOR SALE
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WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA: One ofthe top five places to move! Remodeled 32-lane center. Good numbers. $3.1m gets it all.Fax qualified inquiries to (828) 253-0362.
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43IBI March 2014
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EASTERN OKLAHOMA: Newly remodeled& upgraded 20-lane center with laser tag,large game room and thriving lounge.Option to purchase shopping centeravailable. Owner financing possible.(719) 251-1616.
MICHIGAN: Houghton Lake—resort,recreation area. 12 lanes, bar, restaurant,pro shop & liquor license. 17,000 s/f.Contact Ruth Clemens at Coldwell BankerSchmidt, (888) 843-7469 or email:[email protected].
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DATEBOOK
MARCH28-30World Bowling Coach ConferenceIntl. Training & Research Center(ITRC)Arlington, TXwww.bowlingitrc.com
APRIL1-6PBA Tournament of ChampionsWoodland Bowl, Indianapoliswww.pba.com
13-1572nd Annual BBIA ConventionLoews Ventana CanyonTucson, AZwww.billiardandbowling.org
22-25USBC Convention and AnnualMeetingSilver Legacy Resort & Casino, Renowww.Bowl.com/convention
22-27Bowl Expo 2014Rosen Shingle Creek Resort &Orange County Convention CenterOrlando, FLwww.bowlexpo.com
JULY14-16IBECA ShowPark Place Hotel & ConferenceCenterTraverse City, MIScott Bennett [email protected]
14-25A-2 Pinsetter Training Program Moline, ILFrank Miroballi [email protected]
28 – May 9A-2 Pinsetter Training ProgramMoline, ILFrank Miroballi [email protected]
MAY29 – June 13rd Annual Hall of FameXtravaganzaRed Rock Lanes, Las Vegaswww.bowlingmuseum.com/Xtravaganza.aspx
JUNE 2-13A-2 Pinsetter Training Program Moline, ILFrank Miroballi [email protected]
46 IBI March 2014
REMEMBER WHEN
n 1961, bowling was coming tothe apex of its popularity, andSports Illustrated wasburgeoning into the sports
magazine. SI had been around since1954 but in other less successfulforms. However, in the 1960s, itbegan to incorporate full-colorphotographic coverage of sportsevents. In the May 29, 1961 issue,ABC’s 58th annual tournament,held in Detroit at Cobo Hall,complete with 30,000 bowlers/6,216teams from 47 states, was the focus ofphotographer Pete Turner.
Through Turner’s photographs, we catchthe essence of the event ratherthan following the action. Thephotographs become visions ratherthan records. A little more artsythan down-and-real. But that wasthe point. Bowling had transcendedfrom 17th century Dutch keglers toa sport of sports. ❖
I1961
