2011 U.S. Open Returns
To Brunswick Carolier Lanes
After a one-year absence, the 68th U.S. Open will return to Brunswick Zone Carolier in North Brunswick, N.J., Feb. 21-27, with the addition of a unique three-day schedule of live television coverage.> > Carolier had previously hosted five consecutive U.S. Opens between 2005 and 2009.> > The U.S. Open, considered by many to be the most challenging title in all of bowling to win, is an extreme test of bowling skill, patience and perseverance. What makes the U.S. Open special is that non-professionals, men or women, are invited to compete against the world’s top professionals on difficult lane conditions that place a high premium on accuracy and precise shot-making.> > Bill O’Neill of Southampton, Pa., is defending U.S. Open champion, winning his first career major title in Indianapolis in 2010 over Mike Scroggins of Amarillo, Texas, who won the 2009 U.S. Open title at Carolier. O’Neill’s victory – his second of the 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season as well as the second of his young career – was part of a season that saw five first-time champions crowned.> > Unique to the 2011 event will be three days of live television coverage, including the first-ever national network coverage of the final round of round-robin match play on Saturday, Feb. 26, plus live coverage of the “position round” – the dramatic final game of match play which will determine the four players who will advance to the stepladder finals on Sunday, Feb. 27. The third show will provide live coverage of several matches during the final game in the opening round of match play on Friday, Feb. 25.> > "Bringing the position round of the U.S. Open to a national television audience is something we are extremely excited about," said PBA Deputy Commissioner Tom Clark. "The energy of that round consistently produces some of the most exhilarating moments in sports, but it’s a critical part of PBA competition that only spectators in the building and, most recently, Xtra Frame subscribers, ever get to witness."> > An example was the 2010 position round in Indianapolis when eventual PBA Player of the Year Walter Ray Williams Jr., needed a seven-count on his fill ball to clinch a spot in the televised finals, but he left four pins standing, ending up tied with Norm Duke and eliminating both players from the show while Jason Couch slipped past both into a spot in the TV finals.> > The next chapter in U.S. Open history will begin with 18 qualifying games for all players and continue through a grueling 51-game contest to determine the four finalists. In addition to Scroggins, the other U.S. Open champions at Carolier include Chris Barnes (2005), Tommy Jones (2006), Pete Weber (2007) and Norm Duke (2008).> > 68TH U.S. OPEN SCHEDULE> Brunswick Carolier Lanes, North Brunswick, N.J., Feb. 21-27> > Monday, Feb. 21> 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - Practice squads> 4 and 7 p.m. – Pro-Am squads> > Tuesday, Feb. 22> 8 a.m. - A Squad qualifying (6 games)> Noon - B Squad qualifying (6 games)> 6 p.m. - C Squad qualifying (6 games)> > Wednesday, Feb. 23> 8 a.m. - B Squad qualifying (6 games)> Noon - C Squad qualifying (6 games)> 6 p.m. - A Squad qualifying (6 games)> > Thursday, Feb. 24> 8 a.m. - C Squad qualifying (6 games)> Noon - A Squad qualifying (6 games)> 6 p.m. - B Squad qualifying (6 games)> Top 25 percent of field advances> > Friday, Feb. 25> 9 a.m. – Cashers’ Round (9 games)> Top 24 advance to match play> 4:30 p.m. - Match Play Round 1 (7 games)> 8 p.m. – Live television coverage, final game of Round 1 matches> > Saturday, Feb. 26> 9 a.m. - Match Play Round 2 (8 games)> 4 p.m. - Match Play Round 3 (7 games)> 8 p.m. – Live television coverage of the position round of match play (top four advance to stepladder finals)> > Sunday, Feb. 27> tba – Top four, live television finals.
Friday, September 10, 2010
New Dick Weber PBA Playoffs To
Conclude Lumber Liquidators
PBA Tour Season
The Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour will reward 180 PBA exempt players and PBA Regional competitors for their performances during the 2010-11 season with seeded positions into a new end-of-season Dick Weber PBA Playoffs, scheduled for March 8-13 at Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis.> > The inaugural PBA Playoffs will feature five preliminary elimination rounds leading up to three “television elimination round” shows which will narrow the field to six players for the final telecast of the 2010-11 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season on Sunday, April 17, when the PBA Playoffs championship will be decided.> > “The PBA staff, players, news media and other interested parties have talked a great deal over the past two or three years about the need for a special event to conclude our national tour season,” said PBA CEO and Commissioner Fred Schreyer. “After a great deal of discussion, we arrived at the PBA Playoffs concept. We think it’s going to become one of the most exciting and most anticipated events on tour.”> > The PBA Playoffs, borrowing a chapter from end-of-season championship playoff series in virtually every other sport, will provide a showdown for 108 of the nation’s top regional players along with 72 players from the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour. The better every player bowls during the season will determine his/her seeding position at Playoffs time.> > The new PBA Playoffs format will include six unique elimination “pods,” each featuring 18 top PBA Regional players based upon competition points accumulated between Oct. 1, 2009, and Nov. 30, 2010. The PBA’s East, South, Central, Southwest, Midwest and combined West/Northwest each will be assigned to a pod.> > Each Regional pod also will include seeded PBA Tour players based upon their 2010-11 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour competition points rankings, with higher-ranking Tour players earning bye rounds based upon their standings on the points list. The seeding of PBA Tour players into the pods will be based exclusively on points, and will have no bearing on the region where they live. The seeded Tour players will be added to pods by random drawing at a later date.> > The Dick Weber PBA Playoffs is named in honor of the PBA legend who was born and raised in Indianapolis.> > DICK WEBER PBA PLAYOFFS> Woodland Bowl, Indianapolis, Ind., March 8-13 (April 24)> > Tuesday, March 8> 9 a.m. – Practice session (108 regional and 72 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour qualifiers)> > Wednesday, March 9> 8 a.m. – East, Central and South Pods, five qualifying games (18 regional and 7 PBA Tour players per pod)> 11 a.m. – Midwest, Southwest and West/Northwest Pods, five qualifying games (18 regional and 7 PBA Tour players per pod)> 4 p.m. - Midwest, Southwest and West/Northwest Pods, five qualifying games> 7 p.m. - East, Central and South Pods, five qualifying games> > Thursday, March 10> 8 a.m. – East, Central and South Pods, five qualifying games> 11 a.m. – Midwest, Southwest and West/Northwest Pods, five qualifying games> Top nine from each pod after Elimination Round One (15 games) advance> 6 p.m. – Elimination Round Two (six pods including nine Round One survivors plus one PBA Tour player in 13-18 seeded group), six games> Bottom three from each pod after Round Two (6 games) eliminated> > Friday, March 11> 8 a.m. – Elimination Round Three (six pods including seven Round Two survivors plus one PBA Tour player in 7-12 seeded group), six games> Bottom three from each pod after Round Three (6 games) eliminated> 1 p.m. – Elimination Round Four (six pods including five Round Three survivors plus one PBA Tour player in 1-6 seeded group), six games> Bottom two from each pod after Round Four (6 games) eliminated> 6 p.m. – Elimination Round Five (six pods including four Round Four survivors), six games> Lowest score after Round Five (6 games) eliminated> > Saturday, March 12> Pro-Am squads (times to be announced)> > Sunday, March 13> Tape-delayed TV Elimination Round shows (three shows, two pods of three players per show, top score from each show advances to live PBA Playoff finals on Sunday, April 17)> > Sunday, April 17> 1 p.m. – Six pod winners, live television finals> > Understanding the PBA Playoff Pods> Each of six pods will initially feature 18 PBA Regional qualifiers based upon 2010-11 points plus nine seeded Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour players based upon their PBA World Points Ranking status following the U.S. Open. After each elimination round, additional “seeded” PBA Tour players will be added to each pod based upon their 2010-11 PBA World Ranking Points standing. Seeded Tour players will be added to each pod by random drawing at a later date.
Conclude Lumber Liquidators
PBA Tour Season
The Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour will reward 180 PBA exempt players and PBA Regional competitors for their performances during the 2010-11 season with seeded positions into a new end-of-season Dick Weber PBA Playoffs, scheduled for March 8-13 at Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis.> > The inaugural PBA Playoffs will feature five preliminary elimination rounds leading up to three “television elimination round” shows which will narrow the field to six players for the final telecast of the 2010-11 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season on Sunday, April 17, when the PBA Playoffs championship will be decided.> > “The PBA staff, players, news media and other interested parties have talked a great deal over the past two or three years about the need for a special event to conclude our national tour season,” said PBA CEO and Commissioner Fred Schreyer. “After a great deal of discussion, we arrived at the PBA Playoffs concept. We think it’s going to become one of the most exciting and most anticipated events on tour.”> > The PBA Playoffs, borrowing a chapter from end-of-season championship playoff series in virtually every other sport, will provide a showdown for 108 of the nation’s top regional players along with 72 players from the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour. The better every player bowls during the season will determine his/her seeding position at Playoffs time.> > The new PBA Playoffs format will include six unique elimination “pods,” each featuring 18 top PBA Regional players based upon competition points accumulated between Oct. 1, 2009, and Nov. 30, 2010. The PBA’s East, South, Central, Southwest, Midwest and combined West/Northwest each will be assigned to a pod.> > Each Regional pod also will include seeded PBA Tour players based upon their 2010-11 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour competition points rankings, with higher-ranking Tour players earning bye rounds based upon their standings on the points list. The seeding of PBA Tour players into the pods will be based exclusively on points, and will have no bearing on the region where they live. The seeded Tour players will be added to pods by random drawing at a later date.> > The Dick Weber PBA Playoffs is named in honor of the PBA legend who was born and raised in Indianapolis.> > DICK WEBER PBA PLAYOFFS> Woodland Bowl, Indianapolis, Ind., March 8-13 (April 24)> > Tuesday, March 8> 9 a.m. – Practice session (108 regional and 72 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour qualifiers)> > Wednesday, March 9> 8 a.m. – East, Central and South Pods, five qualifying games (18 regional and 7 PBA Tour players per pod)> 11 a.m. – Midwest, Southwest and West/Northwest Pods, five qualifying games (18 regional and 7 PBA Tour players per pod)> 4 p.m. - Midwest, Southwest and West/Northwest Pods, five qualifying games> 7 p.m. - East, Central and South Pods, five qualifying games> > Thursday, March 10> 8 a.m. – East, Central and South Pods, five qualifying games> 11 a.m. – Midwest, Southwest and West/Northwest Pods, five qualifying games> Top nine from each pod after Elimination Round One (15 games) advance> 6 p.m. – Elimination Round Two (six pods including nine Round One survivors plus one PBA Tour player in 13-18 seeded group), six games> Bottom three from each pod after Round Two (6 games) eliminated> > Friday, March 11> 8 a.m. – Elimination Round Three (six pods including seven Round Two survivors plus one PBA Tour player in 7-12 seeded group), six games> Bottom three from each pod after Round Three (6 games) eliminated> 1 p.m. – Elimination Round Four (six pods including five Round Three survivors plus one PBA Tour player in 1-6 seeded group), six games> Bottom two from each pod after Round Four (6 games) eliminated> 6 p.m. – Elimination Round Five (six pods including four Round Four survivors), six games> Lowest score after Round Five (6 games) eliminated> > Saturday, March 12> Pro-Am squads (times to be announced)> > Sunday, March 13> Tape-delayed TV Elimination Round shows (three shows, two pods of three players per show, top score from each show advances to live PBA Playoff finals on Sunday, April 17)> > Sunday, April 17> 1 p.m. – Six pod winners, live television finals> > Understanding the PBA Playoff Pods> Each of six pods will initially feature 18 PBA Regional qualifiers based upon 2010-11 points plus nine seeded Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour players based upon their PBA World Points Ranking status following the U.S. Open. After each elimination round, additional “seeded” PBA Tour players will be added to each pod based upon their 2010-11 PBA World Ranking Points standing. Seeded Tour players will be added to each pod by random drawing at a later date.
Ebonite Set To
Release Mission 2.0
The original Mission set the world on fire, rewriting bowling history seemingly daily.So, how do you top that?You don’t, you create a more sophisticated device. In this case, that apparatus is the Mission 2.0 and is a ball no bowler should be without. This ball was tested against its benchmark, the Mission.Super spy James Bond is never sent on a mission without some new deadly, death-defying invention Q cooked up in his laboratory. Well, Ebonite would never send a bowler onto the lanes without a back-up to battle the various lane conditions.The Mission 2.0 will come in an eye-catching Orange Pearl color and will perform best on medium to heavy lane conditions. This ball will have an extremely high mass bias of 0.013 and according to Ebonite Brand Manager Ed Gallagher, will have a cleaner performance down lane with a stronger backend performance.“We are extremely excited about the release of the Mission 2.0,” Gallagher said. “The Mission was such a hit for us at a time when we needed it and it put the Ebonite brand out there in big, bold neon. The Mission rewrote history; we expect even more success with Mission 2.0.”Oddly enough, this hard-to-miss orange pearl will make the Mission 2.0 perform in areas that the original Mission doesn’t quite make the measure. The Mission 2.0 has more versatility in both bowling style and house environment condition and the duo play well off one another.“We have added more pearl to this orange color, which makes the ball go longer, be more angular and give more hook down lane,” said Bowling Ball Engineer Ron Hickland Jr.“This ball contains more pearl than we have ever used in any ball before,” Gallagher said. The Mission 2.0 will feature the Mission 1.0 core, but will debut a new coverstock, the XL1250. The Mission 2.0 is finished first with 800 Abranet ® to give the underlying surface more texture, and then with 1000 and 2000 grit Abralon®, which will give the ball a longer movement before it goes into the pocket, Hickland said.“You would use the Mission 2.0 when your Mission begins to hook too early when the front part of the lane dries out,” he said. “The Mission 2.0 goes longer before it begins to hook.”The Mission 2.0 will be released world-wide Oct. 7, 2010.— Ebonite Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment - Ebonite is a brand of Ebonite International, Inc. Based in Hopkinsville, Ky., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets domestically and internationally. In addition to Ebonite, the company’s consumer product brands include Hammer,Columbia 300,Track, Robby’s and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
Release Mission 2.0
The original Mission set the world on fire, rewriting bowling history seemingly daily.So, how do you top that?You don’t, you create a more sophisticated device. In this case, that apparatus is the Mission 2.0 and is a ball no bowler should be without. This ball was tested against its benchmark, the Mission.Super spy James Bond is never sent on a mission without some new deadly, death-defying invention Q cooked up in his laboratory. Well, Ebonite would never send a bowler onto the lanes without a back-up to battle the various lane conditions.The Mission 2.0 will come in an eye-catching Orange Pearl color and will perform best on medium to heavy lane conditions. This ball will have an extremely high mass bias of 0.013 and according to Ebonite Brand Manager Ed Gallagher, will have a cleaner performance down lane with a stronger backend performance.“We are extremely excited about the release of the Mission 2.0,” Gallagher said. “The Mission was such a hit for us at a time when we needed it and it put the Ebonite brand out there in big, bold neon. The Mission rewrote history; we expect even more success with Mission 2.0.”Oddly enough, this hard-to-miss orange pearl will make the Mission 2.0 perform in areas that the original Mission doesn’t quite make the measure. The Mission 2.0 has more versatility in both bowling style and house environment condition and the duo play well off one another.“We have added more pearl to this orange color, which makes the ball go longer, be more angular and give more hook down lane,” said Bowling Ball Engineer Ron Hickland Jr.“This ball contains more pearl than we have ever used in any ball before,” Gallagher said. The Mission 2.0 will feature the Mission 1.0 core, but will debut a new coverstock, the XL1250. The Mission 2.0 is finished first with 800 Abranet ® to give the underlying surface more texture, and then with 1000 and 2000 grit Abralon®, which will give the ball a longer movement before it goes into the pocket, Hickland said.“You would use the Mission 2.0 when your Mission begins to hook too early when the front part of the lane dries out,” he said. “The Mission 2.0 goes longer before it begins to hook.”The Mission 2.0 will be released world-wide Oct. 7, 2010.— Ebonite Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment - Ebonite is a brand of Ebonite International, Inc. Based in Hopkinsville, Ky., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets domestically and internationally. In addition to Ebonite, the company’s consumer product brands include Hammer,Columbia 300,Track, Robby’s and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
HAMMER AND
TNBA COLLABORATE
WITH SWAGGA
Respect. Style. Swagga.
Among the definitions presented for Swagga on urbandictionary.com, you’ll find that it means “how you present yourself to the world.” More specifically, it’s a particular sense of style that commands respect.
Something that members of The National Bowling Association (TNBA) can definitely relate to. The TNBA was founded in 1939 to service bowlers, and the group’s focus is on sportsmanship, friendship, and fellowship. Their commitment to these tenets is so strong, that the words are included in the TNBA’s logo.
“TNBA's commitment to the mantra ‘Sportsmanship, Friendship, and Fellowship’’ was first introduced on August 20, 1939 on a Sunday afternoon when our founders gathered for their organizational meeting in Detroit, Michigan,” explained Michael Boykins, TNBA President. “Historically, ABC and WIBC's membership exclusion limited their members to ‘whites only.’ However, it was TNBA's position to demonstrate an organization that would first include everyone, second welcome athleticism towards the sport of bowling, and finally recognize through Fellowship that we are all brothers and sisters.”
As a result of the emphasis their organization places on sportsmanship, fellowship and friendship, its members exude a great deal of pride in their organization and their sport. This pride is what drew Hammer bowling to be a sponsor of TNBA over two years ago.
Hammer’s support of TNBA has been more than financial. Representatives from Hammer have attended all National TNBA tournament events in the last two years, providing guidance and support to the bowlers in those events.
In 2008, Hammer introduced a high performance bowling ball offered for purchase only by TNBA members, The Chalk. These balls were sold to TNBA members, and boasted the TNBA logo on the ball as well. The ball was sold at TNBA events and was advertised in the TNBA newsletter. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from each Chalk ball sold was donated to TNBA.
The Chalk was a huge success; in just two short years, over $12,000 was donated to TNBA by Hammer. The money was a great help to the organization, according to Boykins.
“While the effort was a surprise it was also a tremendous success,” said Boykins. “TNBA immediately felt the use of those funds to enhance our Youth Program was paramount. This assisted TNBA with their yearly Scholarship Awards Program and provided our youth funding towards their visits to premier developmental skills events. Finally the continued generated revenue will be used to aid our National Tournament and TNBA Week.”
The success of the Chalk led Boykins to recognize an opportunity. If the Chalk could be so successful, what would happen with a TNBA ball that was openly available to all bowlers?
Together, Jeff Ussery (Hammer Brand Manager) and Boykins set to work to develop a product and program that would help to accomplish the constitutional purpose of TNBA - to grow the sport of ten-pin bowling. Their collaboration led to a Hammer bowling ball that boasts the TNBA logo, and is available world-wide for a limited time only.
The result: the Swagga.
The Swagga is a combination of one of the most successful cores in Hammer history, the Widow core, and a recently developed coverstock that is the strongest of the summer, used on the Hammer Plague. The result of this combination is a ball that is stronger than the original blockbuster Black Widow, but with more downlane movement.
The fact that the Swagga is not a member-exclusive ball is a deliberate decision by TNBA to increase awareness of their organization.
“With the SWAGGA bowling ball being available non-exclusively (open to all bowlers), I feel we will open the door to all bowlers across the World who are not familiar with TNBA,” explained Boykins. “The question will immediately come to mind, ‘Who is TNBA?’ We are so excited knowing Hammer's history with equipment and the fact that Hammer is respected throughout the world. Now on the SWAGGA project there stands our TNBA Logo right along side of the Hammer logo. Wow, that's unbelievable!”
The Swagga will be available world-wide on October 5, 2010, on a limited basis, from your local pro shops. Inside each ball box, along with the standard Hammer warranty card, you will also find a TNBA membership card and a TNBA tournament schedule, all part of the effort to increase awareness of TNBA.
“The best thing that could come from the SWAGGA project would be to someday (soon) see one of Hammer's PBA Staff members, male and/or female, on national TV bowling with the SWAGGA in hand,” said Boykins. “There rolls the TNBA Logo across the screen for the nation to see. Secondly, knowing bowlers across the country are throwing a great piece of equipment which delivers great reaction and high scores, wouldn't hurt either.”
Hammer will also be accumulating royalties from sales of the Swagga, and will present a check for the entire amount to TNBA at their National Awards Dinner in May in Detroit, Mich. Their expectation is to surpass the amount donated from sales of the Chalk ball.
“We’re excited to be a part of TNBA’s success,” said Ussery. “The Swagga is a great ball, and we’re going to sell a ton of them. To be able to help a worthy organization like TNBA with our products really takes our relationship to the next level. We look forward to many more years together.”
“I again want to thank Hammer Bowling, Jeff Ussery and his entire staff for all their assistance in making this project a reality,” added Boykins. “TNBA is eternally grateful for the vision and the constant open ear toward our needs and development as a partner. Our TNBA bowlers will continue to support Hammer and their work. With this effort we now open TNBA and our mantra ‘Sportsmanship, Friendship, and Fellowship’, to every bowler across the world. Welcome aboard!”
— Hammer Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment -Based in Hopkinsville, Kent., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. In addition to Hammer, the company’s consumer product brands include Track, Robby’s, Columbia 300, Ebonite and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
TNBA COLLABORATE
WITH SWAGGA
Respect. Style. Swagga.
Among the definitions presented for Swagga on urbandictionary.com, you’ll find that it means “how you present yourself to the world.” More specifically, it’s a particular sense of style that commands respect.
Something that members of The National Bowling Association (TNBA) can definitely relate to. The TNBA was founded in 1939 to service bowlers, and the group’s focus is on sportsmanship, friendship, and fellowship. Their commitment to these tenets is so strong, that the words are included in the TNBA’s logo.
“TNBA's commitment to the mantra ‘Sportsmanship, Friendship, and Fellowship’’ was first introduced on August 20, 1939 on a Sunday afternoon when our founders gathered for their organizational meeting in Detroit, Michigan,” explained Michael Boykins, TNBA President. “Historically, ABC and WIBC's membership exclusion limited their members to ‘whites only.’ However, it was TNBA's position to demonstrate an organization that would first include everyone, second welcome athleticism towards the sport of bowling, and finally recognize through Fellowship that we are all brothers and sisters.”
As a result of the emphasis their organization places on sportsmanship, fellowship and friendship, its members exude a great deal of pride in their organization and their sport. This pride is what drew Hammer bowling to be a sponsor of TNBA over two years ago.
Hammer’s support of TNBA has been more than financial. Representatives from Hammer have attended all National TNBA tournament events in the last two years, providing guidance and support to the bowlers in those events.
In 2008, Hammer introduced a high performance bowling ball offered for purchase only by TNBA members, The Chalk. These balls were sold to TNBA members, and boasted the TNBA logo on the ball as well. The ball was sold at TNBA events and was advertised in the TNBA newsletter. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from each Chalk ball sold was donated to TNBA.
The Chalk was a huge success; in just two short years, over $12,000 was donated to TNBA by Hammer. The money was a great help to the organization, according to Boykins.
“While the effort was a surprise it was also a tremendous success,” said Boykins. “TNBA immediately felt the use of those funds to enhance our Youth Program was paramount. This assisted TNBA with their yearly Scholarship Awards Program and provided our youth funding towards their visits to premier developmental skills events. Finally the continued generated revenue will be used to aid our National Tournament and TNBA Week.”
The success of the Chalk led Boykins to recognize an opportunity. If the Chalk could be so successful, what would happen with a TNBA ball that was openly available to all bowlers?
Together, Jeff Ussery (Hammer Brand Manager) and Boykins set to work to develop a product and program that would help to accomplish the constitutional purpose of TNBA - to grow the sport of ten-pin bowling. Their collaboration led to a Hammer bowling ball that boasts the TNBA logo, and is available world-wide for a limited time only.
The result: the Swagga.
The Swagga is a combination of one of the most successful cores in Hammer history, the Widow core, and a recently developed coverstock that is the strongest of the summer, used on the Hammer Plague. The result of this combination is a ball that is stronger than the original blockbuster Black Widow, but with more downlane movement.
The fact that the Swagga is not a member-exclusive ball is a deliberate decision by TNBA to increase awareness of their organization.
“With the SWAGGA bowling ball being available non-exclusively (open to all bowlers), I feel we will open the door to all bowlers across the World who are not familiar with TNBA,” explained Boykins. “The question will immediately come to mind, ‘Who is TNBA?’ We are so excited knowing Hammer's history with equipment and the fact that Hammer is respected throughout the world. Now on the SWAGGA project there stands our TNBA Logo right along side of the Hammer logo. Wow, that's unbelievable!”
The Swagga will be available world-wide on October 5, 2010, on a limited basis, from your local pro shops. Inside each ball box, along with the standard Hammer warranty card, you will also find a TNBA membership card and a TNBA tournament schedule, all part of the effort to increase awareness of TNBA.
“The best thing that could come from the SWAGGA project would be to someday (soon) see one of Hammer's PBA Staff members, male and/or female, on national TV bowling with the SWAGGA in hand,” said Boykins. “There rolls the TNBA Logo across the screen for the nation to see. Secondly, knowing bowlers across the country are throwing a great piece of equipment which delivers great reaction and high scores, wouldn't hurt either.”
Hammer will also be accumulating royalties from sales of the Swagga, and will present a check for the entire amount to TNBA at their National Awards Dinner in May in Detroit, Mich. Their expectation is to surpass the amount donated from sales of the Chalk ball.
“We’re excited to be a part of TNBA’s success,” said Ussery. “The Swagga is a great ball, and we’re going to sell a ton of them. To be able to help a worthy organization like TNBA with our products really takes our relationship to the next level. We look forward to many more years together.”
“I again want to thank Hammer Bowling, Jeff Ussery and his entire staff for all their assistance in making this project a reality,” added Boykins. “TNBA is eternally grateful for the vision and the constant open ear toward our needs and development as a partner. Our TNBA bowlers will continue to support Hammer and their work. With this effort we now open TNBA and our mantra ‘Sportsmanship, Friendship, and Fellowship’, to every bowler across the world. Welcome aboard!”
— Hammer Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment -Based in Hopkinsville, Kent., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. In addition to Hammer, the company’s consumer product brands include Track, Robby’s, Columbia 300, Ebonite and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Here & There Column 9-7-10
The 2010 Sullivan County Thunderheads 16 & under Boys Traveling baseball team that competed in the Hudson Valley division of the ECTB.Back On The Diamond In A New Role
I wanted to bring back something to the game I loved to play but as age prevented actually putting on the uniform and going back to the pitching mound I once dominated the best solution was to get back into coaching.
Along with two dedicated friends ( Frank Exner and Paul Exner) that also shared their love for the game of baseball and who both brought to the table extensive knowledge of the game we joined forces this past summer and formed the 16 & Under boys traveling Sullivan County Thunderheads baseball team.
We joined the Elite Championship Tournament Baseball (ECTB) league and played in the Hudson Valley division against a schedule of teams from Manhattan, the Bronx, Mamakating, Orange County(Walden) and Port Jervis.
It proved to be a great learning experience for myself, the coaches and boys from Liberty, Fallsburg, Livingston Manor and Tri-Valley and we almost achieved a 500 season.
Frustration was also a part of bringing this all together.
Definitely a step-up in competition for our team the Thunderheads gained experience and shared the camaraderie that will make them better high school ball players next spring.
Stepping up to the plate were also three great sponsors, Catskill Hudson Bank, RA Mickelson & Son LLC and the New York State Correctional Officers (N.Y.S. C.O. P.B.A.) Union. Thunderhead Radio provided shirts.
The generous contributions helped defray the extremely high costs of running a traveling youth baseball team and we are thankful for that help. It played a leading role in keeping down the cost for our ball players and their families.
It was a good feeling to get back into this sport where hopefully the contributions we offered installed in our youth better character, an understanding of the word commitment and added skills to improve their game.
I wanted to bring back something to the game I loved to play but as age prevented actually putting on the uniform and going back to the pitching mound I once dominated the best solution was to get back into coaching.
Along with two dedicated friends ( Frank Exner and Paul Exner) that also shared their love for the game of baseball and who both brought to the table extensive knowledge of the game we joined forces this past summer and formed the 16 & Under boys traveling Sullivan County Thunderheads baseball team.
We joined the Elite Championship Tournament Baseball (ECTB) league and played in the Hudson Valley division against a schedule of teams from Manhattan, the Bronx, Mamakating, Orange County(Walden) and Port Jervis.
It proved to be a great learning experience for myself, the coaches and boys from Liberty, Fallsburg, Livingston Manor and Tri-Valley and we almost achieved a 500 season.
Frustration was also a part of bringing this all together.
Definitely a step-up in competition for our team the Thunderheads gained experience and shared the camaraderie that will make them better high school ball players next spring.
Stepping up to the plate were also three great sponsors, Catskill Hudson Bank, RA Mickelson & Son LLC and the New York State Correctional Officers (N.Y.S. C.O. P.B.A.) Union. Thunderhead Radio provided shirts.
The generous contributions helped defray the extremely high costs of running a traveling youth baseball team and we are thankful for that help. It played a leading role in keeping down the cost for our ball players and their families.
It was a good feeling to get back into this sport where hopefully the contributions we offered installed in our youth better character, an understanding of the word commitment and added skills to improve their game.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Golfing Highlights Column 9-3-10
A well stocked Pro Shop is available to golfers at the Town of Fallsburg Municipal Lochmor Golf Course.
Courteous friendly service at the Snack Bar at the Town of Fallsburg Municipal Lochmor Golf Course is part of the Clubhouse features.
Beautiful scenery such as this is available at the Town of Fallsburg Municipal Lochmor Golf Course with Morningside Lake is the background.
This imitation Fox helps scare some of the Canadian Geese off the fairway and greens at the Town of Fallsburg Lochmor Golf Course. The Fox Is On Guard At Lochmor GC
Have no fear the Fox is here and is on guard at the Town of Fallsburg Municipal Lochmor Golf Course.
Now don't get overly excited about this fox.....you see it's not a real live fox (but it looks real) and it's been put on the golf course to try and scare away those hundreds and hundreds of Canadian geese who fly in and land so gracefully on Morningside Lake which is just adjacent to part of the golf course.
The geese also like the golf course too and as they inhabit some of the fairways and greens their unacceptable habits result in leaving calling cards that golf course personnel work to eliminate or best to keep down to a minimum.
Lochmor was first built in the early 1950s by the hotels that were in the area and originally it did not start out as a town owned and operated facility.
The course originally had about 12 holes when the Town of Fallsburg took over the project in 1958 and the Mitchell-designed course was completed with 18-holes by town employees.
The newly designed course was officially open for play in 1961.
Today the 18-hole 6,550 yard course is popular for open play and league play.
Par for the front nine s 35 and par for the back nine is 36 for a total par of 71.
A total automated water system for the greens, fairways and tees has helped the course receive a three and one-half star rating from Gold Digest magazine.
We found the cart paths to be in excellent condition and the white sand in the traps are a definite plus.
Glenn Sonnenschein is the head PGA Pro, Michael Decker is the Assistant Head Pro, Clark Bartholomew is the Golf Course Superintendent with William Henkelman Assistant Superintendent. Club house pro-shop manager is Frank McCoy.
Rates at Lochmor include the weekday lunch special which includes 18-holes of golf with a cart and lunch. After 1 and 3 p.m. the golf and cart rates go down.
The golf and lunch special is very popular.
The golf pro shop at Lochmor offers a nice variety of golf equipment and accessories.
The golf course can be reached by calling 434-1257 or at their web site at http://www.lochmorgolf.com/
The course offers four set of tees for each hole which makes the course playable to all caliber of golfers. Black tees are recommended for men with a 0-8 handicap, green tees for men with up to a 20 handicap, gold tees for men with 21-25 handicap and ladies with a 0-10 handicap and yellow tees for men with handicap of 36 and above and ladies 11 and up.
We found this golf course in excellent shape and very well maintained. Greens are nicely groomed and tend to be a little fast. A great job by the grounds crew.
This week we will take you through the first nine holes from the black tees. Yardage on the front nine runs 3,190 yards
Hole No. 1 is a 334-yard par 4 and pretty much straight. Take your tee shot left center. The green has 3 traps.
Hole No. 2 is a 362-yard par 4 with a slight dogleg left. Stay center of the fairway. Traps are left and right of this green and keep your approach shot from going over this green.
Hole No. 3 is a 388-yard par 4 and fairway runs pretty much straight. Trees are on both sides of the fairway.
Hole No. 4 is a 209-yard par 3 with the beautiful Morningside Lake in the background. Proper club selection here can get you your par. Traps are left and right of this green.
Hole No. 5 is a 467-yard par 4 with a dogleg left. There is a trap on the left side and water on the right of this green. A nice golf hole with opportunities for a birdie after a good tee shot.
Hole No. 6 is a 495-yard par 5 with water off the tee and a dogleg right. Take your tee shot right center. Proper club selection on your second shot can get your ball up and on this elevated green for an eagle or birdie. Traps are left and right on this green.
Hole No. 7 is a 380-yard par 4. Fairway is pretty much straight and the second half of the fairway runs uphill. Traps are left and right on this green.
Hole No. 8 is a 390-yard par 4. Stay in the center of fairway on this hole. There is a pond about 200-yards on the left. Trap is on the left side of the green.
Hole No. 9 is a 165-yard par 3. Again club selection is the key to your birdie or par.
Next week we will outline the back nine.
Golfing Tip
By Robert Menges
Buried Bunker Lies.
To blast the ball out of the sand, your club needs to swing more up and down to create a steeper angle of attack.
To help illustrate, have someone stand (or picture a wall) several feet behind the ball. In the backswing, hinge your wrists early to get the club up more, avoiding the person (or wall).
Also make note of the length of the backswing. It should almost be a full swing. In order to create enough speed and energy to blast the ball out of the sand, avoid taking a short and /or low backswing.
From this position, you will be able to swing the club into the sand on the downswing. It's imperative that you strike down into the sand 1 to 2 inches behind the ball and finish with the club low to the ground.
Amateur golfers often try to scoop or help lift the ball out of the sand. This usually results in the club hitting the sand too far behind the ball and either missing it completely or taking too much sand and leaving the ball in the bunker. Or, the club misses the sand and strikes the top of the ball, resulting in a topped shot that can go anywhere.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by phone at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net
This column is written by Ed Townsend, a consultant to the amateur and professional sport of golf and to several golf writers associations. If you have a topic that you believe would make good reading or have league standings and tournament information, Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177, by e-mail at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com and by Fax at 845-230-8674. For a much more expanded version of this golf column, please visit the Web site, http://bght.blogspot.com/ This column is also available on Facebook.
TURSI TOURNEY CHAMPIONS
Champions of the 7th Annual Art Tursi Memorial Scholarship Tournament held August 7 at the Liberty Sullivan County Golf & Country Club are Jeff Simpson, Justin Green, John Schnyder and Jim Green. Their winning score was a 59. Some 112 golfers helped to contribute $1,000 scholarships which will go to four Liberty Central High School Seniors Class of 2010 including Calvin Henry, Guadalupe Perez, Jeni Stolow and Zakary Walizadeh. Tournament directors Denise Watson and Joan and Mike Tursi thank all the volunteers, hole sponsors, M & M Ford for sponsoring a car for the hole-in-one contest, the golf club and everyone who donated prizes.
Champions of the 7th Annual Art Tursi Memorial Scholarship Tournament held August 7 at the Liberty Sullivan County Golf & Country Club are Jeff Simpson, Justin Green, John Schnyder and Jim Green. Their winning score was a 59. Some 112 golfers helped to contribute $1,000 scholarships which will go to four Liberty Central High School Seniors Class of 2010 including Calvin Henry, Guadalupe Perez, Jeni Stolow and Zakary Walizadeh. Tournament directors Denise Watson and Joan and Mike Tursi thank all the volunteers, hole sponsors, M & M Ford for sponsoring a car for the hole-in-one contest, the golf club and everyone who donated prizes.
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