PBA Spare Shots

DAVE LAMONT TO FILL IN AS FOX SPORTS ANNOUNCER FOR LUBBOCK SPORTS OPEN

Veteran PBA announcer Dave LaMont will fill in as the lead announcer for the Lubbock Sports Open live on FS1 on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 3 p.m. EST, replacing Rob Stone, who has previous commitments with FOX and won’t be available for Sunday’s PBA telecast.

TRUE OR FALSE: BO BURTON MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO WEBER’S TROPHY CRASH

Bowling fans who watched the televised finals of the 1991 U.S. Open from Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis will never forget the trophy presentation when winner Pete Weber hoisted the majestic ceramic eagle trophy, gave it a shake and saw it crash and shatter into a thousand pieces on the approach.

How that actually happened came to light during the 2019 PBA Hall of Fame ceremonies in Arlington, Texas, when PBA HOF legend Nelson (Bo) Burton Jr. told the crowd he may have contributed to the trophy incident. According to Bo, when he saw the trophy sitting off to the side before the ABC-TV telecast, he decided to show the eagle to the crowd, so he unscrewed the nut that held the eagle to the base…and forgot to re-attach the nut when he replaced the eagle 0n the base. So, bottom line, one of PBA’s historic moments was actually his fault.

Was the story true or a fable invented by Burton? When asked to confirm the story, he laughed and said, “You decide. It remains a mystery. What I actually did was mention to Chris Schenkel that it was a really pretty trophy, so I picked it up and staged it for a camera shot,” Burton said. “Whether or not I loosened the eagle, who knows? I honestly don’t know what happened…but it’s a good story.”

PBA REGIONAL UPDATE: BUTTURFF JOINS ELITE GROUP WITH 20TH REGIONAL TITLE

Jakob Butturff of Tempe, Ariz., overcame a tightly bunched leaderboard in the final position round match to win his 20th PBA Regional title Sunday in the PBA Lubbock Sports Southwest Open at South Plains Lanes, reaching the 20-title milestone in only 59 tournaments.

At age 24, Butturff is believed to be the youngest player to reach that title milestone. He is the 38th player in PBA history to win 20 regional titles.

Butturff, undoubtably the hottest player in the PBA, held a 38-pin lead over Sam Cooley of Australia going into the 21st and final game of the tournament while snapping at their heels were former PBA Player of the Year Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., and Tom Daugherty from Riverview, Fla. Only 66 pins separated the top four players. In the final game, Butturff suffered a first-frame open, but rebounded with a plethora of strikes to win his match against Cooley, 248-202. He earned an additional 30 bonus pins for winning the match and won the tournament going away by completing an unbeaten 8-0 round of match play.

The tournament was a prelude event to the Go Bowling! PBA Tour’s Lubbock Sports Open that begins Wednesday in Lubbock, Texas.

Rash defeated Daugherty, 222-210, to jump to second place as Cooley claimed third while Daugherty maintained fourth place. Butturff earned $4,000 for the victory, Rash collected $2,400, as Cooley added $1,600, while Daugherty settled for $1,200.

The PBA Tour’s Lubbock Sports Open follows at South Plains with the finals to be televised live on Fox Sports’ FS1 channel on Sunday at 2 p.m. Central.

● Brian Kretzer of Dayton, Ohio and partner Ronnie Russell of Marion, Ind., defeated Eugene McCune of Munster, Ind. and non-PBA member Ryan Burks of Valparaiso, Ind., 2-0, in a best-of-three-game title match to win the PBA/PBA50 Don Vay Memorial Central Doubles Classic title at Legend Lanes in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Sunday.

Teams in the PBA Central Region’s first tournament of 2019 included one bowler age 50 or older, and one bowler under the age of 50. The title was the Kretzer’s 25th and Russell’s ninth. They also split a $4,000 first prize.

Kretzer and Russell blanked Larry Verble of Mason, Mich., and T.J. Schmidt of Mishawaka, Ind., 2-0, while McCune and Burks topped Doug Kent of Newark, N.Y. and Tim Pfeifer of Oakdale, Pa., 2-1, in the best-of-three semifinal round to set up the championship match.

● The only regional event on tap for the Jan. 26-27 weekend is the PBA Japan Region’s Roto Grip Cup and Shark Open at PBA Fuji Bowl in Iruma, Japan.

● For complete PBA Regional schedules, rules and entry information, visit pba.com, open the “schedules” tab and click on PBA Regional Tours to find the event(s) in your area…and remember, you can follow “live scoring” for all PBA Regional events on pba.com (easily accessible for Apple and Android device users using the PBA app).

QUICK NOTES:

• Fans can follow the points status of eligible PBA Tour players competing for berths on the U.S. and European Weber Cup teams as the 2019 Go Bowling! PBA Tour season progresses on Twitter and Facebook by clicking on these links: https://twitter.com/webercup/status/1085141731685945344 or https://www.facebook.com/WeberCup/photos/a.643454192442977/2027287540726295/?type=3&theater

• After three Go Bowling! PBA Tour points events in 2019, the eight leaders in the race to the PBA Playoffs are: Jakob Butturff, 7,185 points; Jesper Svensson, 4,725; Sean Rash, 3,830; Bill O'Neill; 3,705; Jason Belmonte; 3,550; Patrick Girard, 3,250; Anthony Lavery-Spahr, and Matt Ogle, 2,880. The top 24 in points following the USBC Masters will qualify for the inaugural PBA Playoffs; the top eight will earn a first-round bye in the single-elimination Playoffs. To follow the points competition as the season progresses, use this link: https://www.pba.com/SeasonStats/PointsList/132?list=1. An additional points competition including 2018 and 2019 points will qualify the field for the 2019 PBA Tour Finals. To track the top eight in that competition, click here: https://www.pba.com/SeasonStats/PointsList/132?list=5.

• Another ongoing competition to follow is the Bowl4life PBA Rookie Watch which will lead to the 2019 PBA Rookie of the Year earning a $2,500 bonus from the Bowl4Life Foundation while the foundation donates another $2,500 to a youth bowler scholarship in the Rookie of the Year’s name. After three Go Bowling! PBA Tour events, the top three rookies in PBA competition points are: Matt Ogle, Louisville, Ky.; Patrick Hanrahan, Wichita, Kan., and Jake Rollins, Glen Rock, N.J.

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND JUNE 19

DAVE MATTHEWS BAND ANNOUNCES 2019 
NORTH AMERICAN SUMMER TOUR 
STOPPING AT BETHEL WOODS ON JUNE 19^th 
Tickets On-Sale Friday, February 22^nd at Noon

January 22, 2019 (BETHEL, NY) – Dave Matthews Band has just announced the dates for its 2019 North American summer tour.  The headline run will kick off on April 30^th in Pensacola, FL and stop onJune 19^th at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, located at the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock festival in Bethel, NY.  With a career spanning over 25 years, Dave Matthews Band fans will have a chance to enjoy the extensive catalog of one of the most influential bands in rock history.   
 
Tickets go on-sale Friday, February 22^nd at noon at www.BethelWoodsCenter.org, The Bethel Woods Box Office, www.Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, or by phone at 1.800.745.3000.
 
About Dave Matthews Band:
The GRAMMY® Award-winning band has sold more than 24 million tickets since its inception and a collective 38 million CDs and DVDs combined. With the release of 2018’s Come Tomorrow, Dave Matthews Band became the first group in history to have seven consecutive studio albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The New York Times, in a Critic’s Pick review, observed, "willed optimism fills the songs on Come Tomorrow, while cynicism and irony are nowhere within earshot."
 
The pre-sale for Bethel Woods Members begins Tuesday, February 19^th at 10:00 AM. To learn about additional member benefits and pre-sale access, please visithttp://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/supportthearts/membership-opportunities.
 
The Museum at Bethel Woods is half price three hours before show time every evening Pavilion or Event Gallery concert day. Valid concert ticket required for this special offer. To learn more, please visithttp://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/the-museum.
 
For more information about Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, please visit www.BethelWoodsCenter.orgor call 1.866.781.2922.

BPAA TO HONOR CATHERINE DESOCIO WITH VICTOR LERNER MEMORIAL MEDAL

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2019 Bowling Industry Service Awards, the most prestigious awards presented by the association.

Catherine (Cathy) A. DeSocio (JOMA Bowling Company, Wichita, Kansas) has been selected as the 2019 BPAA Hall of Fame Inductee and recipient of the Victor Lerner Memorial Medal. The Lerner Medal is the highest honor awarded by the BPAA and recognizes an individual for a lifetime of service to the bowling industry and represents the recipient's induction into BPAA’s Hall of Fame located at the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in Arlington.

DeSocio is cited for her years of service to the industry, not only at the national level as BPAA President, interim executive director and committee member, but also at the local and state levels. As president of JOMA Company, she oversees the management of multiple centers in Kansas and Missouri. In 2014, in the absence of an executive director, DeSocio led the officer group in restructuring operations in BPAA’s office in Arlington and continues to serve on several committees, as well as on the USBC Board of Directors.

Jim Stubler (Illinois Valley Super Bowl, Peru, Illinois) will receive the coveted V.A. Wapensky Award, named after BPAA's long-time chief executive officer, “Chief” Wapensky. Stubler is being recognized not only for years of dedicated service as an officer and committee member at the state and national levels, but for extending his passion and love of the game beyond with a radio show and as a regular magazine and newspaper columnist.

John Janawicz (Winter Haven, Florida) will be recognized with the Dick Weber Bowling Ambassador Award, named after the legendary bowling icon, recognizing his many contributions to the game and sport of bowling, both on and off the lanes. Janawicz was a clear recipient of this award, being cited for his generosity with his time and always doing more than what is expected of him, as well as his classy attitude and graciousness.

Steve Wiemer (Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield, Missouri) will be recognized with the Ruben A. Dankoff Award for Public Policy and Legislative Service for his many years of service on the BPAA Government Affairs Committee and diligent work with legislative issues in the state of Missouri. The award recognizes an individual or organization who provides outstanding voluntary service on the federal, state or local government level in the development of legislation, public policy initiatives or other political efforts which benefit BPAA members or the industry as a whole.

Mandy Haws (Sooner Bowling Center, Norman, Oklahoma) will be recognized with the Special Projects award for her determined effort to help proprietors embrace social media. Haws was chairperson of the BPAA Social Media Committee and travels the country to educate association members on how to develop, obtain and share content on social media to enhance their business.

Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox outfielder, will receive the 2019 Media Award. Bowling a 300 game in the PBA Scorpion Championship last November at only his second PBA World Series of Bowling appearance gained him national media attention that has yet to wane. The media, rather it be television, radio, newspaper or magazine, loves to discuss Betts' professional-level bowling talent when discussing his prodigious baseball skills.

The Central Ohio USBC Association in Columbus, Ohio, will be recognized at the USBC Convention with the BPAA USBC Association Award, presented to a local USBC association that has demonstrated a high degree of cooperation with their local BPAA proprietor group. The relationship between BPAA and local USBC associations is critical as local associations represent the ‘consumer’ and BPAA member centers are the ‘playing fields’ for bowling. The BPAA appreciates how local USBC associations work with our member centers and acknowledges these relationships when they are exemplary.

Randy Thompson, BPAA President and Awards Committee Chairman, stated, “The job of this committee is always difficult, as there are so many selfless volunteers working hard to make our industry better. We thank them for their contributions and are pleased to honor them with these awards.”

The Bowling Industry Service Awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, June 25, 2019, during International Bowl Expo 2019 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. The Lerner Memorial Medal presentation will take place during the general session on Wednesday morning.

About BPAA
Founded in 1932, the mission of Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) is to enhance the profitability of its members. Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, at the International Bowling Campus, the BPAA offers it's over 3,400 member centers group purchasing programs, business and educational seminars, legislative representation and proactively promotes the association and bowling industry. For additional information please visit www.bpaa.com or call 1-800-343-1329.

RENEGADES ANNOUNCE FREE TICKETS

Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions presented by Insurance Office of America

Tranquilo Golf Course | Orlando, Fla. | Jan. 17-20, 2019

In the Winner’s Circle with Eun-Hee Ji

Jan. 20, 2019

Hometown/Resides: Seoul, Republic of Korea; Doral, Fla.

Birthdate: May 13, 1986; currently 32 years, 8 months and 7 days

Qualified for LPGA Tour: Finished T34 at the 2006 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn LPGA status for the 2007 season

Turned Professional/Rookie Year: 2004/2007

LPGA: Fifth career victory

PREVIOUS LPGA WINS: 2008 Wegmans LPGA, 2009 U.S. Women’s Open, 2017 Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship, 2018 Kia Classic

MONEY

With her win, Ji earns $180,000; she has earned $6,392,071 for her career

OF NOTE

• With $6,392,071 in career earnings, Ji moves to 40th on the LPGA Tour’s All-Time Earnings List
• Only nine Korean players have more LPGA career earnings than Ji
• At 32 years, 8 months and 7 days of age, Ji is the oldest winner from the Republic of Korea since Se Ri Pak won the 2010 Bell Micro LPGA Classic at 32 years, 7 months and 18 days of age
• This marks the third consecutive year that the season-opening winner was over age 30. Brittany Lincicome won the 2017 and 2018 Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classics at age 31 and 32. Prior to that, the last season-opening winner over age 30 was Angela Stanford, who won the 2009 SBS Open at Turtle Bay at age 31.
• Went 8 years, 3 months and 10 days (203 LPGA tournaments) between wins at the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2017 Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship, and has now won three consecutive years