Bowling Highlights Column 1-23-09

NYS Men's Benefits Coming Directly From USBC

The president and secretary of the NYS USBC (Women's Bowling Association) has advised all NYS USBC Women's Bowling Association Presidents and Managers along with all NYS USBC Merged Associations Presidents and Managers that they are now "back to servicing our women members only on a full time basis."
In an "update information" email NYS USBC WBA, Inc. president Priscilla M. Zonneville and Association Manager Nancy Walczyk stated the following:
"USBC recently released a letter dated January 8, 2009 to the Men’s and Merged Associations in New York State to confirm their position at this time regarding how operations will be handled for the BA (formerly Men’s) associations and the women and men in the Merged Associations whose membership is affected by this decision."
The email went on to say, "When USBC revoked the BA’s Charter due to the mishandling of the funds and asked the WBA to service the BA members, we agreed at the time we would do our best to comply. Since that all happened, the situation escalated regarding the BA and USBC. The Women’s Association became the “Middle Man”, and we agree it is not the place to be while USBC and the former NYS USBC BA settle their problems. That is the reason for the changes that have taken place. End of story."
"We are now back to servicing our women members ONLY on a full time basis. We do feel that there has been a great deal of confusion through all of this and we need to reassure our members that we are fine, our tournaments and annual meeting are ready to go and if there is any doubt of this, please feel free to call us. We ask YOU as our local leaders to relay this message to the women bowlers and also promote our tournaments. The closing date for the Championship Tournament is February 17, 2009 and for the Queen’s it is March 18, 2009. There are openings on all weekends. Entry forms are available on the website or they can be obtains through our office" the email said..
Michael A. Spridco, team leader (Rules/Bonding.Tournament Chairman) for the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) in reply to the WBA email said, "there is no change for the men bowlers of New York. All members in certified leagues and tournaments will receive all benefits USBC has to offer. The only change, as of right now, there is no state (BA) (Men's Bowling Association) to support USBC services so those services will come directly from USBC."
Dave Kinney, president of the Tri-County NY USBC stated, "the situation has now changed and all services," for New York State men bowlers, " will be provided directly from," the United Stated Bowling Congress main headquarters.
Kinney added, "in this transition, USBC headquarters commitment to the members of NY is, form a new state BA Association, payout the 2008 NYSBA Championship Tournament as soon as possible, conduct the 2009 NYSBA Championship Tournament and Masters Tournament and pay all outstanding scholarships."
Forms for the NYSBA Championship Tournament and Masters Tournament should be arriving at all bowling centers soon.