SERVING THE BOWLING INDUSTRY SINCE 1967

BOWLING

Reno Offers Bowlers Competition & Entertainment

Entrants into the Storm National Mixed Tournament and the Festival of Bowling have a wide variety of choices. With seven different events in the two tournaments ’s and loads of activities in the Reno-Lake Tahoe area, the selection is almost endless. Within walking distance of downtown’s major hotels, visitors can see a 1981 24- Whirlwind Summer Just Keeps Karat Gold plated Delorean at the National Automobile Museum, watch the kayakers on the Truckee River at Wingfield Park, enjoy real circus acts at the Circus Circus, attend concerts and sporting events at the new Reno Events Center, watch movies Getting Better in a 12 screen Cineplex, stroll down the Truckee River Walk, or just sit and relax at any number of cafes along the way. Scheduled events during the tournaments in- Kulick, who in June became the first woman to earn a full-season exemp- clude the Great Italian Festival, October 7 and 8, Day Celebrations in Car- tion on the Denny’s PBA Tour, became just the second woman in history to son City, October 26-29 and University of Nevada-Reno Football games. Performers win a PBA Regional Tour title when she won the PBA East Region King Pin scheduled during that time include “Politically Incorrect’s” Bill Maher, The Oak Ridge Lanes Open Sunday at King Pin Lanes. Boys, heavy metal band Queensryche, and crooner Michael Feinstein. For a com- Kulick defeated fellow exempt bowler Tommy Delutz Jr., 20-19, in a two- plete list of events happening during your visit, go to WWW.VisitRenoTahoe.com ball roll-off after the two tied at 221 after 12 frames in the one-game title and follow the link to the Events Calendar. match. After both struck on the first ball of the roll-off, Kulick struck on her The Storm National Mixed Tournament and Festival of Bowling will be held for six second ball while Delutz knocked down just nine, giving Kulick her first ca- weekends in a row between October 5th and November 12th. The first squad of the weekend is Thursdays at 3:00PM, giving bowlers enough time to get to town and get reer PBA title. settled before bowling. National Mixed Team event is held at 7:00PM Thursdays, Ironically, King Pin Lanes was also the site of Liz Johnson’s first career Fridays and Saturdays and the Mixed Doubles and Singles may be bowled at either PBA Regional Tour title last season, which made her the first woman in 11:00AM Friday, Saturday or Sunday, or at 3:00PM Thursday, Friday, Saturday or PBA history to win a singles title of any kind. Sunday. There is no Team event Sundays in order to give bowlers and chance to “I’m thrilled. I’m so excited to see my name on a banner now,” said Kulick, finish early. All Festival events are held during each squad. referring to the champions’ banner each bowler earns after winning a PBA A new event this year in the Festival is Open Singles. There is still the Open Dou- title. “That’s what I wanted most was to walk in a bowling center and see bles, but the Open Trios has given way to the Singles Event. All entries are in the my name hanging above the lanes. One of my goals going into next season handicap division, but entrants may pay an additional $20 to enter the Scratch Divi- was to win a regional title to kind of validate myself and be able to say ‘if I sion competition as well. Other events in the Festival are the Senior Doubles (any combination of bowlers, aged 50 and over), Senior Singles, with separate men’s and can win a regional I can win on Tour.’ That will definitely give me more con- women’s divisions, and the Adult/Youth Doubles. fidence when I’m out there full time.” The Adult/Youth Doubles has become a favorite event for the many families travel- Two weeks after finishing second to another exempt bowler – Brian ing to Reno. One adult and youth are a team, and competitors may change partners Himmler – in the PBA East Region Bowlers Supply Open – Kulick ad- and form other teams, thereby giving families and friends a chance to compete up to vanced to the title match again. She was third after qualifying, then knocked three times. In the past three years, the Mixed National Tournament and the Festival off William Barlow, 3-2, in the Round of 16, James Wallace, 2-1, in the of Bowling have awarded nearly $400,000 in prizes, $10,000 of which was in the Round of 8 and Jeff Voght, 224-186, in the semifinals. form of scholarship money to youth bowlers. In the title match, Delutz could have doubled in the 10th frame to beat Ku- This year, the Silver Legacy and Circus Circus are offering free room upgrades to lick, but he left a 4-6-7-9 split to send the match to a roll-off. group organizers. Book 5-15 rooms at the Circus Circus and get a complimentary upgrade to a mini-suite. If you book 16 or more rooms, the mini-suite is free. The The Union, N.J. native earned $2,500 for first. Silver Legacy offers group organizers booking 10 or more rooms a free room up- In June, Kulick finished sixth out of 140 bowlers to earn one of 10 exemp- grade. For reservations, call the Silver Legacy at 1-800-687-8733 (Booking Code – tions awarded in the 2006 Denny’s PBA Tour Trials. She will be one of 58 MIXED06) or the Circus Circus at 1-866-447-7728 (Booking Code – IBOWL06). Be exempt bowlers throughout the 2006-07 Denny’s PBA Tour season, which sure to mention the Booking Code for your room upgrade. begins Oct. 24-29 with the 2006 USBC Masters in . Complete rules for the National Mixed Tournament and the Festival of Bowling as well as the entry form may be downloaded from WWW.NationalMixed.com For further information, contact the National Bowling Stadium at 1-800-305-2695, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00PM, PDT. my family. I'm happy they're comfortable with me as the face of Columbia 300. It's flat- tering to be in that position." "Chris is not only the consummate bowler, but a tremendous professional and an ex- Barnes Signs $1 Million Deal With ceptional person," said Chip Zielke, Columbia Industries executive vice president of marketing and sales. "Given Columbia 300's storied history and aggressive goals for Columbia 300 the future, there is simply no better choice for the face of the brand than Chris Barnes. Contract offers long-term stability for USBC Sport Bowling spokesperson "We feel this long-term relationship with Chris not only validates his bowling success and passion for the game, but also validates Columbia 300's passion and commitment GREENDALE, Wis. - United States Bowling Congress Sport Bowling spokesper- to bowling and bowlers everywhere," Zielke added. son and professional bowler Chris Barnes became only the second bowler to earn a The announcement of the endorsement contract was made June 27 at the Bowling $1 million endorsement deal when he recently signed an eight-year, $1 million spon- Writers' Association of America annual awards dinner held at the Hilton. The sorship contract with Columbia 300. long-term deal offers financial security for Barnes, his wife, Lynda, and their two twin USBC and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Don Carter was the sons, Ryan and Troy. first athlete in bowling history to receive a $1 million endorsement deal when he "Security and long-term relationships are rarities in our industry," said Barnes, 36, signed with Ebonite in 1964. Carter also is believed to be the first athlete to sign a $1 who has been the USBC Sport Bowling spokesperson since 2003 and who also is a million promotional contract. staff member of Vise. "At this stage, family security goes a long way. Columbia 300 is a "That's pretty elite company. I'm delighted to be there," Barnes said. "I am honored company that has strong family values. It's been a great fit from the very beginning. that Columbia has made this kind of commitment. It's a dream come true for me and (Continued on page 10) (Continued next column)

6 www.bowlingworld.com – AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006