THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 9, 1995 TAG: 9504070192
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Around the Alleyways
SOURCE: Bill Leffler
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
If the state is interested is bringing hundreds of new people into its bowling centers, there's a program available for the 1995-96 season.
A pilot program started in 1993-94 in a single state and was expanded to two states for 1994-95. And, hold on to your hats, it has attracted 13,000 new bowlers.
The Bowling Industry Marketing Fund, under a $2 million program set up by the American Bowling Congress and Women's International Bowling Congress, created the ``Bowlers First'' project. It was designed to bring in new bowlers or those who have not been in a league for the past three years.
It started in Ohio and 3,000 new bowlers signed up. This season it expanded into Indiana - and the two states have added 10,000 new sanctioned members.
More states will be added to the program for 1995-96 and ``Bowlers First'' has committed $750,000 to the expansion. They are looking for one East coast state to participate.
Why not Virginia?
It actually would not cost the local associations one cent. It's a joint effort between ABC/WIBC and participating centers and it even saves sanctioning fees for old bowlers.
Here's how it works: A league bowler turns in the name of a new bowler to the center before the first night of the league. Both bowlers pay their ABC or WIBC membership on the first night of bowling.
After the new bowler competes in seven sessions, the proprietor of the center pays back the membership dues to both the old and new bowler. After half the season is completed, the proprietor receives $5 for each new bowler from the Industry Marketing Fund.
Bowler of the Week honors are shared by the area's two latest 300 game bowlers. And both have accomplished the feat before.
Jim Marrion fired a 300 game on his way to a 694 series in the Keith Young Industrial Tenpin League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. Marrion hit a 300 last year at Indian River Lanes.
Sam Lanier pitched his 300 in a 729 series in the Playmates Tenpin League at Pinboy's of Chesapeake. Lanier had a 300 at the same center last season.
Tenpin topics: Chris Cutchins banged out a record 712 series in the Ladies Nite Out League at Franklin Bowl. She put together games of 265, 221 and 226. Pinboy's of Lynnhaven, finishing with 698. . . . En route to a 704 series in the Monday Nite Mixed League at Pinboy's of Western Branch, Ester Johnson rolled a 297 game. . . . Roger Choate had a 202 triplicate in the Almost Friday League at Pinboy's of Lynnhaven. He averages 178. . . . Youth bowler Jason Stovall is taking bows for a 263 single and 724 series. . . . Carroll Ashley picked up the 7-10 split in the Keith Young Industrial League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. . . . Erica Archer was jumping for joy after her first 200 game (201) in the CBC Enterprises League at Pinboy's of Military. She averages only 126. . . . Ken May chalked up his first 600 series with 617 in the Saturday Nite Mixed League at Pinboy's of Western Branch. May averages only 144 and had a 237 game. . . . Dave Strive became a Century Clubber with a 290 game in the Sunday Nite Live League at Pinboy's of Lynnhaven. The 190-average shooter sandwiched the single between games of 226 and 257 for a 773 series. . . . Judy Sahr also joined the Century Club with a 226 game in the Tuesday Splitters League at Pinboy's at the Beach. Sahr averages 117. . . Pinboy's of Lynnhaven. . . . Rusty Martin smacked a 289 game in his 748 series in the Sunday Nite Mixers League at Pinboy's of Norfolk.
Duckpin data: Death claimed another of the area's longtime bowlers when a long battle with cancer ended for Eleanor Martin. Big scores were exciting when they came, but Martin, 66, was among the many who just enjoy the game for its fun. . . . The game-of-the-week 216 by Van Malone, his first 200 ever, was registered in the VPA Wednesday Doubles League. It came between games of 125 and 109 and won fourth-level and fifth-level (a ring) national awards for the 111-average bowler. . . . David Nickelson, another of the young rising stars on the lanes, shattered the three-game series record in the Sunday School League with games of 161, 177 and 157 for 495. It was the highest set he has ever had. . . . George Overton converted the 7-10 on his third ball in the Elimination Doubles League. . . . Only one leader changed after the second weekend of action in the 64th annual Virginia State Tournament at Bowlarama. The Rabels moved into first place in team competition with 1,765. The Wash team was the first-weekend pacesetter with 1,708. Donald Miller continues to be the frontrunner in men's singles with 509 and Nancy Bageant tops women's singles with 539. The tourney runs through April 23. . . . Wes Garriott and David Driskell continue to stand 1-2 in the 21 Tournament at Victory Lanes. Garriott has a three-round total of 2,532 and a commanding 139 pin lead. He shot 839 in the third round. Runner-up Driskell has 2,393 and Karen Nielsen stands third with 2,359. . . . Margie Bleiler registered a 413 series in the Suffolk Tuesday Night Ladies League, posting a 157 game. . . . Donnie Long tied Bobby Wetherbee's single game record of 198 in the Industrial League, finishing with a 474 series. . . . Henry Beale banged out a 180 game in the Tuesday Major Trio League at Bowlarama. Bob Louk matched that in the Thursday Mixed League, tossing a 442 series. by CNB