Saturday, February 17, 2007


BOWLING HIGHLIGHTS COLUMN 2-16-07



EBONITE ACQUIRES COLUMBIA INDUSTRIES



Ebonite International, Inc. of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, has entered into an agreement for an asset purchase of Columbia Industries, including the Columbia, Track and Dyno-Thane® brands of bowling equipment, announced William T. Scheid, president of Ebonite. Terms were not disclosed.
"Our goal is to build a portfolio of the best brands in the bowling business to provide distributors, pro shops and ultimately consumers with the products that fit their needs,” said Scheid. “These brands, particularly Columbia and Track, have tremendous equity over a long period of time. We are very pleased to bring them into the Ebonite International family."
Effective immediately, all sales of Columbia, Track and Dyno-Thane bowling balls, bags and accessories will be the responsibility of Ebonite International. Manufacturing of bowling balls for these brands, currently being done at the company’s manufacturing facility in San Antonio, Texas, will be moved to Ebonite International’s Hopkinsville, Kent. facility at some point in the near future.
"As our business has become increasingly competitive with a shrinking market of league bowlers, consolidation became inevitable. We considered a variety of options and felt like the acquisition by Ebonite International provided the best opportunity to maintain the viability of our brands," said David Herrmann, vice chairman of Columbia Industries.
Columbia, Track and Dyno-Thane join Ebonite’s International’s existing consumer brands: Ebonite, Hammer and Robby’s. In addition, Ebonite International is the parent company of Ebonite VanTech Capital Equipment and Vantage Bowling, which serve the commercial side of the bowling business.
"We still have many details to work out but are confident that we will successfully integrate the Columbia Industries products into our company. We did this with the acquisition of the Hammer brand in 2002 and look forward to doing so again," added Scheid.
Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit http://www.ebonite.com/.

Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This weeks tip is for all bowlers regardless of your level and it has to do with understanding the correct body position needed to execute a bowling shot and being able to duplicate it.
If you were to stand straight on the approach, facing the pins, letting the ball hang on your hand, you could not swing the ball straight without hitting your hip with the ball. This is impossible to do without swinging the ball around your hip because the ball is too big. This "roundhouse swing" is not able to be duplicated shot after shot.
Therefore, you must be in a position to be able to swing the ball toward your desired target without any obstacles.
The tip: Get your head as far to the right (or left if left-handed) and tilt your bowling shoulder slightly downward. Contrary to what some of your fellow bowlers might tell you, you must drop your shoulder toward the floor in order to avoid the "roundhouse"swing. At the same time, slightly open your hips and shoulders and you will be able to swing your arm straight toward your target time and time again. Due to different physiologist, the exact position may vary slightly from person to person, but when correctly positioned, you can use gravity to control the tempo of your swing.
Note: If you were to shoot a game of pool, or go to a range and shoot a bow or rifle, note the position your head would have to be in to be effective in these activities. Also, next time you watch Pro Bowling on TV, make note of the bowler's body positions.
MIKE LUONGO IS TECHNICALLY CERTIFIED THROUGH IBPSIA AS A PRO-SHOP OPERATOR AND TEACHER. HE IS A SILVER LEVEL COACH WITH USBC AND IS ALSO THE NORTHEAST TECHNICAL ADVISOR FOR THE MORICH BOWLING BALL COMPANY (MORICH ENTERPRISES INC.) MIKE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE BRUNSWICK PRO-SHOP STAFF. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR SUBJECT YOU WOULD LIKE COVERED, HE CAN BE REACHED AT 845-341-1694 OR VIA E-MAIL AT MIKESPRO@WARWICK.NET



Ed's Outlook

On behalf of bowlers in the tri-county area we reach out this week with loving kindness and sincere thoughts in offering condolences to Mike. Linda, Mickey and Sara Luongo and all of the Luongo family on the death in Lake Worth, Florida on February 6 of Mike's father, Lewis Michael Luongo.
Mike as all bowlers know is the author of the weekly Bowling Tip in this column and is the owner and operator of Mike's Pro Shop at Middletown Lanes. Mike is well known and highly respected throughout the bowling industry and is technically certified through the IBPSIA as a Pro-Shop operator and Teacher. He is a Silver Level Coach with the United States Bowling Congress and is also the Northeast Technical Advisor for the Morich Bowling Ball Company. Mike is also a member of the Brunswick Pro-Shop Staff. Linda is well known in the bowling industry as manager of Middletown Lanes and Mickey has learned the trade well from his dad and works with Mike in the pro shop.
Lewis was formerly of Monroe and served from 1953 to 1974 with the New York State Police with 10 of those years being with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
An avid bowler and golfer, Lewis was also the co-owner of the Bowling Time Pro Shop in Newburgh with his son, Mike.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on February 10 at St. Rita Catholic Church, Wellington. Memorial contributions may be made in Lew's name to Safe Harbor Animal Rescue, PO Box 1843, Jupiter, FL. 33468.

PROFESSIONAL BOWLERS ASSOCIATION

Chris Barnes has had a lot of heartbreak and disappointment on television throughout his career, but all that seems to go away when he bowls in front of his home crowd.
Barnes won his eighth career Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour title last Sunday--and his second in the Dallas Metroplex, defeating John May 235-216, to win the 2007 GEICO Classic at AMF Irving Lanes, Irving Texas. The win was worth $25,000.
This week the Denny's PBA Tour is in Council Bluffs, Iowa for the 2007 Go R Ving Classic at Thunderbowl. The ESPN TV finals take place Sunday, February 18 at 12:30 p.m.


Local Scores

Callicoon Lanes
Callicoon, NY

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Hortonville Ladies league include a 203, 540 by Lil Zieres and Judy Mohn 198, 502.
In the Tuesday Delaware Valley Men's league Ed LeRoy scored a 248, 630, Mark Herbert 225 and Gary Brockner 217.
In the Wednesday Businessmen's league Brian Starr scored a 258 and Tom Russell 237, 603.
In the Thursday Delaware Valley Women's league Barbara Walter scored a 201, 502 and Crystal Kirchner 504.
In the Friday Mixed Doubles league Jackie Brockner scored a 255, 630 and Pam Wayne 208, 575.

Liberty Lanes
Liberty, NY

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Ladies league include a 202, 183, 552 by Beth Fisk, Sheila Fix 192, 189, 538, Min Reinshagen 184, Joan Fredenburg 191, Wendy Swan 180 and Sharon Badlam scored a 122 triplicate.
In the Wednesday Men's league Ralph Coney scored a 248, 668, Chris Stevens 665, Alan LaBounty 247, 636, Robbie Bivins 242, 607 and Phil Norris 600.
In the Thursday Ladies 5:45 league Dawn McAdams scored a 195, 216, 561, Janet Bertholf 195, 193, 552, Jean Harold 190, 518, Shirley Townsend 198, 517, Elisa Bound 503, Anne Steiglitz 188, Sue Ruiz 215 and Sara Jahrling 195.
In the Thursday Men's Doubles league Ralph Coney scored a 244, 246, 245, 735, Tom Skiff III a 645, Carmine Santillo 245, 249, 729, Derek Irwin 245, 254, 666, Robert Fix III a 606, Russell Bivins 241, 252, 724, Timmy Totten 241, Kyle Stevens 246 and Todd Houghtaling 242.
In the Friday Mixed league Kyle Stevens scored a 663, Tom Skiff III a 248, 657, Stephen McAdams 244, 611, Jim Fiore 610, Betty Jane Stevens 197, 508 and Wendy Swan 186.
In the Saturday Mixed league Kyle Stevens scored a 243, 671, Kevin Teller 257, 648, Russell Bivins 627, Stew Stevens 618, Rob Tuttle 606, Sharon Russell 183, 184, 530, Tabatha Bound 181, 186, 521, Wendy Swan 226, 501, Cathy Edwards 190 and Karen McGrady 183.
In the Sunday Afternoon Scholarship league Tami Davis scored a 202, Robbie Bivins 213 and Justin Fancher 174.
In the Sunday Mixed league Keith Smith scored a 625, Herbie Sklar 611, Bob Cady 265, 659, Elisa Bound 211, 189, 540, Barbara Kortright 191, 196, 525, Crystal Bound 188, Kyle Stevens 246 and Betty Jane Stevens 193.

Kiamesha Lanes
Kiamesha Lake, NY

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men's league include a 248, 659 by Willy Bartley, John Cascone 257, 663, John Hoffmann 613, Jaryl Scott 258, 716, Bill Helms 245, 686, Dean Keesler 629, Mike Weiner 646, Walt Edwards 613, Paul Minton 249, 676, Steve Belgiovene 608, Bobby Cooper 266, 617, James Ratner 290, 268, 268, 826, Rob Sze 602, John Fischer 255, 729, Donnie Durland 269, 244, 247, 760, Mark Wegener 633, Paul Durland 254, 654, Frank Scuderi 618, Eddie Lake 258, 677 and Ricky Lake 254, 644.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league Vinnie Collura scored a 256, 279, 767, Matt Cooper 246, 695, Larry Berens 246, 695, Donnie Durland 244, 677, John Hoffmann 646, Frank Emmens 268, 645, Dale Sonnenschein 633, John Cascone 279, 632, Ed Guthrie 248, 630, Neil Bell Jr. 256, 626, Jack Rustic 247, 607, Kris Gwiozdowski 244, 600, Todd Telesky 247, Lisa Cartwright 210, 224, 595, Debbie Durland 200, 215, 584, Dorian Jennings 183, 210, 549, Crystal Price 181, 514, Joan Lake 187, 514, Roberta Yakin 205, 505, Donna DuBois 190 and Mary Lee Williams 180.
In the Wednesday Men's league Jo Jo Van Keuren scored a 248, 677, Todd Van Keuren 257, 686, Mike Weiner 686, George Battle 622, Frank Muller Jr. 600, Dean Shattuck 609, Ed Guthrie 268, 244, 705, Barry Siegel 633, Cecil Walters 667, Ricky Lara 244, 247, 241, 732, Frank Emmens 606, Johnny Valentin 639, Josh Strang 248, 699, Angel Rodriguez 246, Edwin Rodriguez 615, Eddie Blume 256, 641, Ralph Gandulla 254, 247, 689, Dwayne Cabrera 623, Tom Skiff Jr. 668, John Hoffmann 651, Dale Sonnenschein 685, Paul Durland 602, Vinnie Collura 666, Tom Belgiovene 656, Paul Minton 257, 694, Donnie Durland 643, Jaryl Scott 644, Mark Wegener 279, 708, Eddie Lake 601, Roy Sweeney 639, Kevin Stackhouse 604 and Frank DiCostanzo 667.
In the Thursday Ladies league Barbara Neist scored a 237, 653, Mardette Wilcox 236, 617, Debra Castillo 231, Jamie Decker 222, Andrea Grossman 196, 538, Valerie Fersch 195, 526, April Aldrich 195, Connie McKenley 193, 526, Bonnie Geraine 192, Lisa Cartwright 192, 546, Joan Lake 519, Pat Gibson 516 and Sue Goldsmith 514.
In the Friday Mixed league Tammy Pineiro scored a 184, 506, Frank Scuderi 648, Laresko Niifa 266, 627, Jennie Worden 199, Christa Sweeney 194, 510, Roy Sweeney 603, Don Kuhlman 641, Cathy Carpenter 181, Joan Redington 224, 553, Tom Skiff Jr. 655, Donnie Durland 255, Joan Lake 192, 213, 544, Jim Patterson 603, Linda Schaefer 210, 180, 564, Eddie Lake 256, 699, Mike Osborn 243, 612, Mary Ann Drobysh-Berens 182, 535 and Frank Emmens 695.
In the Saturday Morning Youth leagues, in the Pee Wees division Carson Somers scored a 74. In the Bantams division Parth Patel bowled a 101. In the Preps division Cory Deitchman scored a 132, Pedro Agapito III a 140, 156, 156, Sarah Durland 148, Kishan Patel 150, 161 and Anthony Bellantoni 132. In the Jr,/Majors division Josh Natale scored a 189, Eddie Walsh 192, Daniel Van Aken 204, Josh Deitchman 216, 187, Mark Blackford 183, 183, 223 and Gregg Skiff 214, 215.
In the Saturday Mixed league Mitch Peck scored a 623, Karla McAdams 183, 513, Jason Rogers 241, 657, Mary Degraw 185, 505, Bill Van Aken 643, Maureen Crescitelli 193, 510 and Shari DiSanto 186.

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