changed the name of my column to “Sour Grapes” a Why did I feel compelled to do something about I few months back in anticipation of this issue. When it? What made me such an expert? Maybe I’m not. people finish reading the 20th anniversary issue of I came to ABC in 1991 with a diverse background. Windy City Bowling News, I’m assuming some are go- I have a degree in journalism. I started my career as ing to assume I wrote the “The USBC Story” because a newspaper reporter and magazine editor. My next Sour Grapes I’m a disgruntled, angry ex-employee getting my re- adventure was in association management (as execu- venge on the company that wronged me. tive director of the World Snowmobile Racing Federa- Not true. I am a USBC fan. I had a nearly 20-year tion), followed by 10 years in marketing and media Airing USBC’s relationship with ABC, YABA and USBC as an employee relations with the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour, where Lisa or contractor, and I was always treated fairly. In my and I met, fell in love, got married... Windy City Bowl- dirty laundry isn’t final year with USBC, I made arrangements with Kevin ing News and a “real job” as editor of ABC’s Bowling an act of revenge Dornberger and Pete Tredwell that allowed me to con- Magazine followed. tinue working until my intended retirement on April During my years with ABC/USBC, I was allowed to 1, 2009. In return - at a time when they could have continue my work with Windy City. I respected my em- terminated me because I wasn’t moving to Texas - I ployers. I never publicly opposed ABC/USBC policies or agreed to continue as a “contractor” until Oct. 1, su- programs, whether I agreed with them or not. As an pervising association communications and serving as employee, it was my obligation to speak my mind and USBC’s Hall of Fame Committee liaison. to try to implement change from within the system. It was a good arrangement for both sides, and I Whether or not ABC/USBC leaders agreed with me, provided services and “mentoring” to USBC that no they gave me the courtesy of listening to my views. one else at the time had the experience to provide. he day I smelled skunk, I decided to scrape the rust I was also ready to leave. Toff my old training and act like a real journalist. Two-plus years earlier, USBC President Mike Car- I had spent a lot of years as a PR flack, spinning roll, incoming president Jeff Boje and Kevin Dornberg- stories to reflect only the side your bosses want you to er had called an emergency staff meeting to announce see: “The great news this year is that bowling only lost Roger Dalkin had just “retired.” 2.5 percent of its members...” Crap like that. started thinking about this story that day. If Dalkin I know how it works. You paint pretty pictures with I had “retired,” there was more to it than we were words by simple omission of key facts, shifting empha- told. If you knew Roger, “retirement” made no sense. sis and hoping your audience doesn’t know enough to In the many months that followed, I documented ask any tough questions. actions taken by USBC, talked with industry leaders, That’s the kind of picture the world has seen about Bill Vint proprietors, state and local association volunteers and USBC’s move to Arlington, Texas. Behind the fluffy Editor fellow employees, watched and listened. It didn’t take words are omission of key facts, emphasis on wishful long to realize others knew USBC was changing direc- thinking rather than reality, and a hope that you will tions, but where it was going, no one was sure. believe everything you’re told. You know the old saying: if you smell a skunk, you The insights in this issue may not change a thing. don’t need to see it to know one’s around. Well, the But maybe airing our dirty laundry will encourage our odor of skunk kept getting stronger. leaders to be a bit more forthcoming in the future. Taylor Swift: Celebrity HOFer It’s official: country music superstar Taylor Swift is the newest person elected to the Celebrity Bowling Hall of Fame, based upon her close victory over teen star The Justin Bieber. Swift and Bieber were among nine celeb- rities selected by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of Wonderful Serving league and tournament America based upon their “public support of bowling.” bowlers in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, The voting was conducted online by OK! Magazine Central and Northern Illinois for 20 years which reported 1.3 million votes were cast. World Swift received 613,324 votes compared to Bieber’s of PUBLISHED THE FIRST 608,015. Actor Bill Murray, who starred in the movie “Kingpin,” was a distant third with only 21,451 votes. OF EVERY MONTH, Swift earned her celebrity bowling stardom because Bowling 12 TIMES A YEAR she has been frequently photographed bowling with her friends. Bieber featured bowling in his music video, LISA VINT BILL VINT “Baby” and he hosted a bowling-themed party. 104-year-old off to fast start Publisher Editor There was no explanation of what election to the In Waterford, Mich., Rolla Zuck fired a 224 game Celebrity Hall of Fame means, or if, when or where an during the “League Season Kickoff Tournament” at Cen- Subscription by mail is $15 per year. Advertising induction might be held. Stay tuned... tury Bowl - one month prior to his 105th birthday. rates, space reservation and materials deadlines - From BPAA Net News Zuck, who believes “practice, practice, practice provided upon request. Reproduction in whole or makes you better,” carried a 152 average last season.” in part is strictly prohibited without prior written authorization. We reserve the right to deny Five-year-old makes youth tour history - From BPAA Net News advertising. Opinions expressed by our guest writers Five-year-old Stacey Lamb of Mesa, Ariz., made JBT are their own and do not necessarily reflect the Touring Players Championship history recently when Fishing, hunting and bowling in Iowa views of Windy City Bowling News. she topped 71 handicap division youth bowlers from You’ve never seen a bowling center like this one: nine states to win a $2,000 scholarship at Strike Zone “Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill” is a 15,000-square- BUSINESS OFFICE Bowling Center near Las Vegas. foot, 12-lane bowling center inside the massive Bass N7788 Carver School Road Lamb, who throws a 10-pound ball with both hands, Pro Shop at the junction of I-80 and Hwy 65 Bypass in East Troy, WI 53120 had never advanced as high as fifth place prior to her Des Moines, Iowa. Phone: 262-642-3989 victory. But the 100-average youngester defeated 11- The bowling facility, which looks like the inside of Fax: 262-642-5138 year-old KJ Martinez of Chandler, Ariz., in the title game, an aquarium, features an 18-foot squid hanging from E-mail: [email protected] 214-191 (with handicap), to become the youngest the ceiling and ball returns shaped like the heads of champion in the youth tour’s 38-year history. Great White sharks. - From Desert Bowler - From basspro.com WINDY CITY BOWLING NEWS September 2010 Page 2 Bowling gods shine on Parks at Beverly Lanes Other Cashers (after 8 games): 17, Steve Bergan, After qualifying 15th on his squad Belleville, 1,760, $450. 18, Hubert Harrison, 1,758. 19, Rick – and shooting 267 in his final game to Vittone, 1,748, $450. 20, Bob Flaws, Chicago Ridge, 1,741, do that – Kenny Parks of Hammond, $450. 21, Emilio Mora Sr., 1,739, $450. 22, Ed Marzka, 1,728, $400. 23, Darryl Traber, 1,710, $400. 24, Mark Wil- Ind., slipped into the match play finals liams, 1,704, $400. 25, a-Hank Sorensen, Rolling Meadows, of the PBA Midwest/Central Anodiz- 1,701, $400. 26, Mike Henry, 1,673, $400. 27, Pete Bryan, 1,671, $400. ing Specialists Senior Open at Beverly Super Seniors ($250 each): Tim Kauble and Dan Lanes in Arlington Heights on Aug. 8, Miner, East Moline. and went on to win the event in a per- a-denotes amateur formance that was just this side of mi- PBA CENTRAL/MIDWEST REGION raculous. TERRE HAUTE OPEN Terre Haute Bowling Center, Ind., Aug. 8 Parks, in winning his first Midwest Final Match Play Standings (after 20 games, in- Regional senior title and third overall, cluding match play bonus pins): 1, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 6-6, 4,712, $2,500. 2, Jeff Roche, Dearborn, defeated Robert Harvey of Boise, Ida- Mich., 10-2, 4,552, $1,400. 3, Dave Traber, Hebron, 8-4, ho, 277-187, in the title match for the 4,581, $1,200. 4, Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, 9-3, 4,550, $1,000. 5, Ronnie Russell, Marion, Ind., 7-5, 4,567, $800. $1,800 first prize. The Beverly Lanes 6, Randy Robertson, Evansville, Ind., 8-4, 4,475, $750. 7, event has become an annual tune-up Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, 7-5, 4,436, $725. 8, Tom Hess, Urbandale, Iowa, 5-7, 4,400, 700. for the start of the PBA Senior Tour’s 9, a-Scott Johnson, 4-7-1, 4,355, $675. 10, Nick Koke- final leg of the season, beginning with nos, 2-10, 4,242, $650. 11, a-Austin Boulds, Creal Springs, 3-9, 4,204, $625.