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:
albuquerquebowl@mcleodusa.net
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
MandDHiester@gmail.com
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!