California Thursday January 26, 2017 7502Bo Florence Ave, Downey, CAww 90240 • Website: lingCaliforniaBowlingNews.com • Email: [email protected] news • Office: (562) 807-3600 Fax: (562) 807-2288 John Buchanan III Becomes Oldest to Roll 900 Series ARLINGTON, Texas - Dale Gerhard of Mill Hall, “We were on 17 and 18, Less than three weeks from Pennsylvania, as the oldest which is my favorite pair his 71st birthday, John Bu- to reach the score. Gerhard in the house,” Buchanan chanan III of Evansville, was 59 years old when he said. “The ball I usually Indiana, gave himself an rolled his 900 series last use wasn’t reacting quite as early gift as he connected January. well as I wanted it to, so I on 36 consecutive strikes to Buchanan became the switched to a stronger ball become the oldest bowler second bowler from In- and played a completely in United States Bowling diana to accomplish the different line. I hardly had Congress history to record score, joining Bob Kammer to change throughout the DON MOSER - The a 900 series. Jr. of Crown Point, Indiana, set - maybe a board through The right-hander fired who recorded his perfect all three games - since I “CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL” three consecutive 300 set in January 2011. was alone playing where I by Frank Weiler games January 11th during Buchanan laced up on was on (the fifth board).” John Buchanan III HEMET — Born or bred in those days was challeng- the Woodward Commercial his favorite pair of lanes As the strikes continued hoping to get it back. After a PROFESSIONAL always ing but exciting. It forced a Seniors league at Evans- at the 20-lane facility, but to add up and Buchanan that, I just tried to stay as a PROFESSIONAL. Once young bowler to mature in ville’s Franklin Lanes to he did not find the ball re- approached the final frame, calm as possible and make a PROFESSIONAL al- a hurry. The now defunct become the 30th bowler to action he was looking for his first goal was to reclaim good shots, which I was ways a PROFESSIONAL. PBA “Finishing School” achieve the feat, surpassing early in practice. the Greater Evansville able to do. “Bowling professionally tried to make bowlers into USBC series record, which “Holding the record is doesn’t make someone a “PROFESSIONALS”. he previously held after pretty special,” Buchanan PROFESSIONAL”. Sometimes it succeeded. rolling an 858 series during said. “A 900 series is an Don Moser bowled pro- Don Moser was a PRO- a tournament at Franklin achievement all bowlers fessionally on the PBA Na- FESSIONAL before be- Lanes in May 2003. strive for, but only a few are tional Tour for a decade. coming a professional PBA “Stepping up in the able to attain. I feel privi- He made a good living bowler. Before “Finishing 10th, I was thinking about leged to be in that group.” and had the opportunity to School”. He ALWAYS was the city record,” Buchanan Buchanan’s achieve- see the sights throughout serious, mature, business said. “I had held the record ment is pending approval America, including play- minded yet knowing how before at 858, but it has from USBC and would be ing some of it’s great golf and when to relax. Well been broken four or five the 31st USBC-approved courses. Bowling on tour continued on page 5 times since then, and I was continued on page 5 David Ozio Elected to 2017 Len Nicholson Starts the Ball Rolling for Amazing Stories USBC Hall of Fame Class by Fred Eisenhammer ARLINGTON, Texas - WOODLAND HILLS allowed me to talk and 100. David Ozio of Beaumont, — For one night at least, talk and talk some more on Alas, Len’s show ran Texas, has been elected to Professional Bowlers Assn. his show about Greg Kol- only 25 minutes. I appar- the United States Bowling Tour stars Pete Weber, ski, who is on the cusp of ently lost track of time and Congress Hall of Fame in Jason Belmonte and E.J. his first perfect game but didn’t get to mention so the Superior Performance Tackett took a back seat hasn’t quite attained that many of the other person- category. during a wide-open bowl- memorable feat. ally intriguing events and The 62-year-old right- ing conversation. Nevertheless, what Greg individuals that I’ve wit- hander was among eight Sure, all three players accomplished four years nessed or reported about bowlers (six men and two were mentioned, but PBA ago was something I con- in the past seven years as a women) on the national Hall of Famer Len Nichol- sider truly worthy of much bowling writer. ballot and was elected to son and his guest had other narration. So I related how Len has promised me the 2017 USBC Hall of names in mind when he Greg strived to improve another interview so here Fame class by a USBC conducted an interview on his game by wearily bowl- are some other extraordi- panel of veteran bowling his Phantom bowling Inter- ing until he had completed continued on page 4 writers, hall of famers and net radio program. 100 games in one iron- board members. Why so little PBA dis- man six-months-practice- “When you spend your cussion? condensed-into-one-day- whole life practicing, bowl- Well, it turns out that session at AMF Woodlake ing 200 games a week and David Ozio of Beaumont, Texas I was the interviewee for Lanes in Woodland Hills. living in bowling centers, Fame induction ceremony year’s USBC Hall of Fame Len’s interview. It was a day in which Greg recognition like this means will take place April 26 at class. And I am the first to ad- bowled nonstop with- a lot,” said Ozio, a 1995 the 2017 USBC Conven- Ozio is an 11-time Pro- mit that the PBA isn’t my out much of a break for a inductee into the PBA Hall tion in Las Vegas. fessional Bowlers Associa- primary beat during my whopping 13 hours 10 min- of Fame. “After all these Ozio joins Mike Shady tion Tour titlist, including reporting for the California utes. He started at 9 a.m. years, I wondered if it was of Fairview, Pennsylva- the 1991 PBA Tournament Bowling News. and finished after 10 p.m. going to happen, and if it nia, who was elected in the of Champions, part of a Rather, I prefer to fo- Carrying a 160 average did, it would be great. It Outstanding USBC Per- four-win year that ended cus on what Len described entering his practice, Greg was a welcomed phone call formance category in No- with PBA Player of the as “never-reported-before stayed strong until the final Len Nicholson hosts the Phan- and a sigh of relief.” vember by the USBC Hall Year honors. nuggets about the sport.” game and finished with an tom bowling Internet radio program that can be accessed The 2017 USBC Hall of of Fame Committee, in this continued on page 5 With that in mind, Len impressive 195 in Game via Facebook Page 2 CaliforniaBowlingNews.com January 26, 2017 by Carol Mancini 1967 After eight years at LA PUENTE LANES BILLY MYERS - was hiredPART as manager at • Jim’s Pro Shop was located in Bell Gardens. 1 Only shop advertising in 1967! ARROW• BOWL. Later, in the 70’s he returned to LA PUENTE to become the king of the DAVE KIRBY caught a 206-pound tuna in Hawaii where he vacationed with the league Ragtime Doubles. from• RESEDA BOWL. • JEWEL CITY BOWL opened in 1949. Their first 300 was rolled in January 1967 by BOB • You could dine, dance and bowl at CORBIN BOWL. SWANSON in the travel league. He got a trophy and $100.00 savings bond. • STARDUST had an address on W. Walnut Parkway in West Covina. What is the Park- • A years subscription to the Bowling News was $4.50, which included a pair of binocu- way called now? (Dean’s best guess is West Covina Parkway) lars. Hurry - Hurry. First 20 got the deal. • What the ??? ROCKET BOWL ran a full page tooting their “Ladies World’s Fair Classic RESEDA BOWL averaged over ONE MILLION Blue Chip stamps a month. Four squads Singles.” 2 Divisions (161 and over/160 and under). Entry fee $4.00. 3 games across 6 a• week barely handled the demand. lanes. Six squads every week-end from April 15 to August 1st. Sounds like no week-ends • Every family needed an AMF Billiard Table that converted into a regal dining table! The off for the Tournament Manager. Was it a success? Maybe Part II will reveal the results. table top kit included a 12 x 8 foot vinyl dining cloth for only $49.95! • The San Gabriel Valley W.B.A. (President Teri Gumina) reported their membership to IMPERIAL BOWL had to replace all equipment when fire and water caused BIG dam- be 15,842. ages.• It took three months to re-build lanes, approaches and machines. The water dam- MAXIE KOSAF ran the WORLD SINGLES BOWLING CLASSIC at PARAMOUNT age was worse than the fire damage. BOWL• in Ogden, Utah. 1967 was the 10th year. $50,000.00 first place based on 5000 NORWALK BOWL got brave and scheduled a 20 game marathon. $25.00 entry fee. entries! $25,000 second place. 7,680 entries in 1967. (I never knew anyone that bowled $300.00• for 1st, then $150.00, $75.00 and $40.00. it.) Did any of you readers bowl?? • JUANITA RICH had a big smile when she presented CONNIE PICK with her diamond • BAR TULANIAN was named “Armenian Bowler of the Year.” ring for the 300 game she rolled at CENTURY BOWL.