10
– JULY 2013
Choptank Bowling Center Wins $100,000
"Extreme Bowling Center Makeover" At
International Bowl Expo
Once-in-a-Lifetime Prize to Go Towards Complete Physical and Operational Overhaul of
Cambridge, Maryland-Based Center
LAS VEGAS - It pays to attend the 2013 International Bowl Expo (IBE) - literally! The Bowling
Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA), the bowling industry's premier trade organization,
today announced that Choptank Bowling Center in Cambridge, Maryland has won a once-in-a-
lifetime $100,000 prize to upgrade their facility. Through the "Extreme Bowling Center Makeover,"
which was only open to bowling proprietors who attended the IBE this week in Las Vegas, NV,
Choptank is set to receive a physical bowling center makeover as well as an operations and train-
ing overhaul.
As part of the prize, Choptank will also receive a complimentary review of center performance
from BPAA personnel, which includes an analysis of programs and services at the bowling center,
and education on center operations, web services, training, and other BPAA-provided offerings.
Additionally, Choptank Co-owners John and Monica Russell will have the opportunity to attend
upcoming sessions at Management School at Bowling University with two full tuition waivers
(valued at $2,998), complete access to Bowling University's online training catalog ($3,100), web-
site hosting and unlimited updates for one year ($780), and a multi-day operations review per-
formed by an industry expert ($3,600).
"We're so pleased to provide this once-in-a-lifetime prize to Choptank, a great center that is
already in the middle of a much needed renovation. During a time of tremendous advancement
and innovation within bowling, Choptank and the Cambridge community will reap the benefits of
the latest the industry has to offer," said Steve Johnson, executive director of BPAA. "While it's a
unique opportunity to invest $100,000 in enhancing a center, there are many individual improve-
ments that proprietors can make to step up their game. By capturing the renovation of Choptank
on film, we'll provide owners everywhere with tips and solutions to help them take their center to
the next level."
For interested bowling proprietors, the transformation of Choptank will be captured and shared
via updates on the BPAA website and social media channels.
"Choptank was first built in 1962 and this prize will allow us to continue upgrading the center
and making some incredible improvements," said John Russell, co-owner of Choptank Bowling
Center.
Added co-owner and wife Monica Russell, "We're so excited to have re-opened this center to
Cambridge and to provide a fun, wholesome environment for families and all members of the com-
munity to enjoy. If it wasn't for BPAA, we would have never had this opportunity to help our center
realize its potential."
As the new co-owners of Choptank Bowling Center, this was the Russell's first trip to Interna-
tional Bowl Expo.
Idle Bowling Thoughts
By Chuck Pezzano
Schedule
July 3-7 Summer Nationals @ Sam’s Town
Jul 20-21 AMF Pinole Lanes
Jul 27-28 AMF Southshore Lanes
Aug 3-4 Danville Bowl
Aug 10-11 Diablo Valley Bowl
Aug 17-18 Clayton Valley Bowl
Aug 24-25 Kentwig Bowl
(925) 945-1204
bay.abtbowling.com
Minimum 1st
Place
$3,000.00
Plus MEGA POT
Must bowl 3 squads from
Jun 1,2013 -
Aug 26, 2013
See website for more info.
August 31st,
September 1-2, 2013
AMF Pinole Lanes
You can‘t be more amazed than when you spend some time with today‘s younger generation.
Whether it is them displaying their flying fingers on computers, their flying feet in gymnastics, or
their rolling the ball and making parents and grandparents take a good second look at their talent,
mentally and physically.
All sports and all fields have their child prodigies. There have been teenagers in every major
sport, and many in their early teens, particularly in swimming and tennis.
Many of them have been great or gone on to greatness, at great sacrifice, being forced to grow
up too quickly, being forced to choose between fame and fortune early, or after a suitable stretch of
education.
In the dream world it would be wonderful if every young athlete in every sport was forced to obtain
a high school education at a minimum, and college or other advanced training as a recommended
path.
But the real world doesn‘t work out so neatly.
Some really young baseball, basketball, tennis and hockey phenoms can and do make millions of
dollars before they can legally drink or vote. How and when do you tell them they are too young or
too unprepared? At 17 they can be accepted into the armed services and put their lives on the line.
So how can you realistically ask any youngster talented way beyond their years to put a hold on
opportunities and riches that may not be there later.
In many cases it is boys against men, and girls against women. But boys grow up fast these days
and women aren‘t nearly as mere as they used to be.
Bowlers are amazingly adept at early ages. You can visit any junior program and see obvious
talent. But, at 15 many bowlers have been bowling for a decade, and bowling at pro class caliber for
years. By the time they are ready for college, many are ready for a shot at the pro tours or the big
money tournaments.
Look at the Mark Roths, Johnny Petraglias and Pete Webers and a list of thousands and you
could see super stars in the making at ages of 17 or younger.
Junior bowlers can‘t be reminded too often that a 200 game is fine, but an ―A‖ in any subject is
better. A tournament win is terrific, but the Honor Roll is more terrific. A 300 game or ever a 900
series is great, but a diploma is the greatest.
In bowling there is no reason why both areas cannot be encouraged. A high school or college
student can utilize his time so much can be spent on bowling and much can be spent on study. And
students can map out a schedule that covers both sides, and gives them the best of both worlds.
Parents, bowling coaches and bowling officials have a duty to counsel young bowlers and not to
put too much pressure on them in either way, except to use common sense.
Education should always come first, but bowling is an education too, if used wisely, whether
you‘re a shooting star or a struggler. But always hit the books as hard as you hit the pins.
