USBC Hall of Famer Don Scudder wasn’t in it for Money or Fame
If you have been a competitive bowler over the years, you probably know the name Don Scudder. He is a USBC Hall of Famer from Cincinnati, Ohio, and is one of the most decorated amateur bowlers you will find. Don’s national championships span across several decades. In fact, Don Scudder has won the two oldest tourneys in the US having won the Petersen Classic in 2014 (at age 62) and the ABC Singles title in 1996.
Don’s ties to Storm and the brands of Storm are significant, too. He used the Pacific Storm while earning two eagles and shooting 823 at the ABC National Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah. And at the famed Petersen Classic outside of Chicago, Illinois, Don used the Roto Grip Uproar and Storm Mix while earning the coveted Petersen Classic title just seven years ago. Interesting to note, too, is that Don has shot 1600 four different times throughout his career there. And what’s even more impressive is that, for more than 40 years now, he has a lifetime average of 185, at what is known as one of the toughest and most demanding events in the country.
Did you ever turn pro? Or consider it, at least?
DS: Yes I did. I turned pro in 1985, because I wanted to bowl a few Regional tournaments. I had won a Pro Regional tournament in Taylor Michigan in 1982, as an amateur. Pro Tour rules stated that I was unable to bowl any more Pro tournaments until I joined and picked up a card.
At the time I was working full time for the State of Ohio. I was a weekend warrior. I did this for about 6 months, and dropped my card so I could bowl in the new Megabuck bowling tournaments that had just started in Las Vegas.
I had a chance of touring full time on the PBA in 1978. A restaurant owner across the street from Western Bowl wanted to back me for a year so I could give it a try.
Eddie Jackson, Team USA Captain and eventual ABC Hall of Famer, elected 1989, sat down with me in 1978, and filled me in on the pitfalls of touring. Eddie knew I worked for the state. Eddie explained the money bowling on the tour verses working for the state was not worth the risk. In the end it was his common sense thinking that stopped me from getting a card and I stayed amateur until 1985 . To this day I thank Eddie as I retired at age 55, from the state with pension and health insurance in hand.
In 1996, you won $100,000 in the Mini-Eliminator, defeating Purvis Granger in an exciting finish….throwing a strike to win. How nervous were you stepping up in the tenth there with that kind of money on the line?
DS: When it got to the 10th frame in the title match needing a strike to win $100,000, I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t nervous.
However, going back to the start of the week I was hardly able to walk much less bowl. Everything hard to believe happened that week, from starting my 1st two eliminator matches standing at the foul line, no approach, throwing each 1st ball in the middle of the lane at turtle speed and making the cut in both matches with clean games. In fact, prior to the show, I had bowled 11 clean games in making the telecast. In the title match games in the second frames I had splits that I failed to convert leaving me with two open frames for the entire week. Still – unbelievable I had bowled and won this tournament with a bum knee that was caused by falling on ice in front of Western Bowl the Wednesday prior to the tournament beginning.
Back to the 10th frame the final game needing a strike, I remember telling myself this one is for the title. My mind did not think about the money. I wanted the title. In the 10th I did strike, along with a nine spare to finish the game. It was the happiest moment in my bowling life to win that title and that much money on TV with a bum knee.
On the show I remember striking in the 10th frame and yelling in celebration to my friends who were in the stands “Get me a Bud Light”. I wanted to start a party. Denny the show’s commentator had heard earlier I was on the ABC HOF Ballot for the past several years. After striking to win $100,000, Denny celebrating with me commented “HOF fame committee take notice”, and at the same time I yelled, “Get me a Bud Light”. It was very funny indeed. HOF must not have taken notice, as I did not get elected into the HOF until 1999.
Winning the Eliminator tournament, there was more. I also received a full expense paid entry fee with airplane fare and hotel to bowl in a tournament in the Netherlands to be held in March 1996. I bowled and finished 4th in the singles, and was second with Ron Pollard in the doubles.
It’s been 25 years now since you set the record Team All Events score in Salt Lake City in 1996…and won the singles there too…. What do you remember from that event and what did it mean to you to win two Eagles?
DS: Our team, Pollard’s Bowl, won the ABC Team All events on the 25th and 26th of April 1996; I don’t think I will ever forget. Our team event in Salt Lake City, Utah on the 25th, found us shooting 3222. I was low with 620.
Starting off in the doubles Ron and Rick Pollard bowled a pair of 290 games, totaling 580, a record. I believe it is still a record at USBC in the doubles. The Pollards finished 3rd, in the doubles that year.
My doubles partner, Bill Spigner bowled games of 244, 239, and 290, for a 775 total. I shot 654, only one open for a 1429 total.
I did not have a ball reaction like the rest of my team. Bill and I had started our doubles set on 7 and 8. The Pollard brothers, Paul Wolf and Jerry Kessler bowled doubles on 9 and 10. When the set ended, the Pollards moved to 11 and 12 to bowl their singles.
Out of all the equipment I had brought from home, I had one ball left that I had not tried to use until the 10th fill frame of our doubles set. It was a brand new out of the box Pacific Storm ball that had been mapped off by you, (Steve Kloempken). My 1st pitch was during the fill ball, last frame of the doubles and I left a 5-7, split. Bill, who was watching stated “I like that ball motion”. I laughed and said ok, what do I have to lose.
The rest is history. Moving to 5 and 6 to bowl singles, using a Pacific Storm I bowled 244, then 300, finishing with 279 for a winning 823 series, along with my personal best 2,097 All Events total. The Pollard’s five all shot above 2040, winning and setting the new Team All Events record of 10,422, which stands today 25 years later. This is a dream that I am still living and forever thankful for.
Final thoughts on the 1999 ABC Hall of Fame Induction and more
DS: I was rooming with Ron Pollard in Las Vegas. We were there to bowl the High Roller. Somehow Steve James from the ABC had learned where I was and called me that night to congratulate me on being inducted into the HOF. What a special memory that is to this day. I was inducted in March 1999, in Syracuse, New York.
My fondest memory was of the HOF dinner night, getting to talk with Joe Norris. We sat at the bar and had a beer. His mind was still sharp. What fun it was to reminisce with him talking about his travels and fun he had bowling on his beer teams at the Nationals. He had bowled ABC’s 70 years at that point. What a history lesson I so enjoyed.
It’s the history that makes the ABC, now USBC so great. Tournaments that lose their history go down hill fast. Long live the USBC.
In closing, my final thoughts about HOF. There are two bowlers who I believe that have been passed over for HOF induction. The first is Mike Neumann. What can you say about this guy? The question is, what didn’t he win? 3 to 4 USBC titles, 2 to 3 Megabuck tournaments. (I watched Mike win the Hoinke Super Classic in Cincinnati, my hometown. He started with front 8 in the title match. It was something to see). He also won an overseas tournament in the Netherlands in 1995, (same one I bowled in 1996) and was on at least 3 or 4 National Team bowling challenge wins. There has to be a lot more that I’m missing because he was just that good.
USBC HOF committee, please review the merits of putting this guy into the HOF based on his tournament performance during his short career. He was a special talent that when he was on the lanes there were always people who wanted to watch him bowl. If his name comes up on a ballot that I am able to vote on, he has my “yes” check mark.
The second bowler is Ted Hannahs, from Zanesville Ohio. He has won a USBC title, the Petersen Classic, 4 national tour stops, countless Regional Pro tournaments, was 2nd at the 1982 ABC Masters in Baltimore, multiple National Team Challenges wins, along with countless other tournament wins since the 1970’s. He is a special talent who needs to be recognized as one of the best I got to see in my generation.
Thank you very much, Steve for spending time with me reminiscing about my past history. It was fun to think back about where I’ve been in this game. I did not bowl for the Hall of Fames or the money. I have truly loved our game since I was a young man. It’s great to think about the fun I had traveling, seeing different cities, and meeting people along the way. What a ride it’s been.
Japan's Mr. Subaru Nagano wins THREE Consecutive JPBA Events
Subaru currently works as a pro-shop staff, driller, pro staff and center operation staff for Sagamihara Park Lanes in Kanagawa prefecture.
He is in the top 10 in the JPBA point ranking last 5 years (2016/4th, 2017/9th, 2018/10th, 2019/3rd, 2020/1st) . He often appears in High Sports' ball review videos, providing the viewers with useful information about Storm & Roto Grip products with his immense knowledge.
2.5M Japanese Yen.... that's $24,000 Dollars in the United States... not a bad pay day!!!
He turned a professional at the age of 16. The youngest ever professional then attracted attention for its high-rev style. His first JPBA win finally came in the 39th Japan Open in 2016,15 years after his youngest debut.
Many amateur bowlers aspire the powerful ball reaction that 36-year old Subaru, who only weighs 63kg and stands 167cm tall, creates. With his win in three consecutive tournaments in 2020, he proved himself and the superior performance of Storm and Roto Grip products for us.
Thank you, Subaru and congratulations on the 3 consecutive wins. We look forward to your continued success.
High Sports Co., Ltd.
Pat Healey, Jr., a Champion Both On and Off the Lanes
WHERE ARE THEY NOW – PAT HEALEY, JR.
If you followed competitive bowling throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s then you know the name Patrick Healey, Jr. In the early 90’s, among his many accomplishments, he was United States Amateur of the Year three times and the World Amateur Bowler of the Year twice. He was my doubles partner when we won the World Championships Gold Medal in 1991 and we were on the same trio’s team, along with Vince Biondo, when we won the Trios Gold Medal also at the World Championships in 1991. In fact, he nearly won the coveted PBA Tournament of Champions title as an amateur in 1995.
Many people remember you as a regular on the PBA Tour TV shows for several years, making nearly 30 shows over nine seasons ending in 2007. Tell us about how and when you got started with Storm.
PH: I joined the Storm staff in the fall of 2003. I was a free agent at the time. Bill Supper and Dave Symes gave me a call and invited me to be on the staff. We worked out the details. I was very honored, happy and excited to join Storm. I was a great time for us. I had a lot of success and made many t.v. shows. I won the TOC, a regular tour title and 3 regional titles with Storm equipment. In fact, I used Storm equipment through the 2006/2007 season, my last year on tour.
What led to your retirement from the PBA?
PH: It was kind of strange how my career ended. I had contracted salmonella poisoning and lost 25 pounds in just a few months. At the time, the PBA Tour had deferred my exemption for the season due to my sickness, as my doctors had recommended that I not put any strain on my body as it needed time to heal. The deferment went into the next year. In the meantime, without bowling, I didn’t have a job. In the past, I had worked with Gold Coaches Fred Borden and Frank Buffa, not just on my game but alongside them in clinics and events, and they told me I had a talent for coaching. But this was just a secondary thing while I was competing, and when I had a break from the Tour, I coached full time.
So, I looked first into coaching overseas. My first coaching assignment was with Iraqi National Team. We all met in Egypt. We had a two-week camp. A month later, also in Egypt, I coached them in the Arab games. They won a bronze medal in the Women’s Team Event. It was the first medal they won in Federation History, male or female. They were very happy and I was very happy. It was a successful first dive into international competition.
At that tournament, I met the Kuwait Team Manager and that led to a 2008 head coaching assignment there. I stayed for a year. The players had a lot of success. They were young, talented and driven. In all, they won 5 gold medals, 5 silver medals and 5 bronze medals in tournament competition (GCC Championships, Arab Championships and World Championships). They were very happy and I was very happy. It was because of the joy I had coaching and the success the players had that I decided to continue coaching in Kuwait and forgo competing on the PBA tour.
Wow, that’s incredible. Was coaching now your full-time focus or were you still thinking about competing?
PH: It was strange … I thought of myself as both a coach and as a player, equally. After returning from Kuwait, I competed in a few small tournaments. I also continued coaching by giving private classes, clinics and seminars. Later that year, 2009, I decided to go to the UAE to bowl in some tournaments they ran during their Ramadan celebration. I was there 17 days and bowled in four tournaments. I remember that I bowled 125 games of competition. I bowled well and felt good. It made me serious contemplate returning to the PBA. During my time there, I was approached by the UAE federation. They asked me if I would be interested to be their head coach. We talked and I accepted the job 2 weeks later. That is when I pretty much decided that I would focus more on coaching than being a player for the rest of my life. I was the head coach there for 1 ½ years. The players were experienced and tournament tough. I had a great relationship with all of the them. They also had a lot of success. In all, they won 9 gold medals, 9 silver medals and 4 bronze medals in tournament competition (GCC Championships, Arab Championships, Asian Indoor Games and Asian Championships). One of the players was named Asian Bowler of the Year for the year 2010. They were very happy and I was very happy.
After leaving UAE, I got out of coaching for a while. A couple of years went by. An opportunity arose to start a bowling academy/school in Mexico City in 2014. I had lived there prior to that and I still knew many of the bowlers there. While I was there, I was contacted by the Guatemalan Federation to see if I would be interested to help their program. It was originally planned to be part time but I ended being there for almost 1 ½ years. It was a different experience than Kuwait and UAE. This was more about teaching and instructing and developing youth players than it was focusing on winning medals and championships. A few of the players did have some tournament experience. Even though it was different, I enjoyed my time there.
That coaching experience took me to the end of 2015. After that, I decided that I wanted to look into something that didn’t require a lot of travel and less pressure. I started focusing on giving private classes only. During this time even though I didn’t ever work with the Mexican National Team, among the players I worked with were certain members of the national team. The players I had the opportunity to help did have success, nationally and internationally.
Then, in April 2019, I was contacted by the India Bowling Federation. They were interested in part-time help. That assignment lasted until October 2019. Even though it was a short amount of time, there was success also…. 3rd place Youth Division in the Philippine Open, 2nd place Youth Division in the Hong Kong Open and a Silver Medal in Singles at the Asian Championships.
Here I am now a year later and not sure what I’m going to do because of the COVID-19 virus. There is still quite a bit of risk and fear around the world. I am most definitely still interested in teaching and coaching. Nonetheless, if another opportunity comes up in the bowling world, I will give it consideration. It has been a great pleasure for me to help players achieve their goals and experience that great joy of accomplishment. I feel very content and proud of all the players I have had a chance to work with. I would like to continue that. Once the situation becomes safer and plans can be made, I will look into my options.
Who were your first and early coaches?
PH: My first coach was my Dad. He taught me baseball, basketball, bowling, etc. He had a great eye for sports. He just knew how they functioned. He didn’t know how to express what he saw all that well, though. He just knew how sports worked. I had a lot of athletic ability, played a lot of sports growing up. So, from that combination, I learned a lot from my Dad.
After high school, I went on to Wichita State University. My coaches there were all a huge influence on me. Coach Vadakin, Mark Lewis, Pat Henry, they were all big influences. And my backer, Jim Martino, wasn’t really a coach but was more of a manager; he had an aura or way about him. He was very savvy and I learned a lot from him. Then, of course, there was Fred Borden. Fred was the head coach of Team USA. I was on the team for three years (1991,1992 and 1995) and during those years I had the chance to learn a tremendous amount from Fred. He had a huge influence on my bowling and personal lives. I am extremely grateful to have had all of them as my coaches.
What is it about coaching that really drew you in?
PH: That’s a good question Steve. It’s a few things. One, I love helping people. I like to help people learn, get better, and I want them to improve in the sport. I’ve coached so many great students, more than 500 different players in all, through private classes, clinics and seminars in addition to my time with all the players from the national teams across the globe. Two, I want the players to experience that joy and emotion of accomplishment. Whether it be winning a gold medal or seeing their bowling ball roll down the lane exactly as they planned and striking. Or, anything in between. It gives me great joy to see my students experience that. Third, it’s about the challenge. I see what needs to be done to help a player and I make it my mission to help that player improve. I won’t leave that player until they have learned more and improved. I think that comes from my competitive nature and the idea that I won’t quit.
What did it mean to you to hear that you were being inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame?
PH: I have been blessed to have been so successful in bowling. Being inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame is the pinnacle for me. It is the greatest accomplishment and honor of my bowling life. It means the world to me to be included with such great names in the sport of bowling. It has validated all the sacrifices I made and all the hard work I put in.
What are your plans for competing again on the lanes? The PBA50 Tour or maybe some of the USBC Senior events?
PH: I would like to bowl on the PBA50 tour. Even the regular tour again from time to time. That is my goal. I miss bowling and the competition. It will depend on how my right shoulder/neck area improves. It feels better so I am hopeful to start bowling once the restrictions are lifted due to COVID 19. Regardless if I can bowl on the tour again or not, I would like to continue with instructing and coaching. It gives me a different type of joy and sense of accomplishment helping others improve and achieve their goals in bowling. If something else comes up that inspires me, I will look into that.
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Another Winning Weekend For Team Storm
What a great weekend on the lanes for Team Storm!
Throughout the year, Our Team Storm players travel throughout the United States and around the world competing in events. The athletes represent the brands of Storm and Roto Grip on and off the lanes meeting fans and dedicating themselves to the demanding conditions.
The PBA Tour players competed for their third major title in a row at the 2020 US Open. After 56 games, three Team Storm and Roto Grip players Anthony Simonsen, Jason Belmonte, and Chris Via qualified for the championship stepladder.
Ultimately, Jason Belmonte, defeated Anthony Simonsen 226-201 in the title match to claim the green jacket and $30,000 top prize.
“If you watch Anthony bowl as much as I have, he’s a big moment player,” Belmonte said. “Needing three strikes to tie or to win, he’s not afraid of that moment. I didn’t want to give him that opportunity.”
This victory helped Belmonte become only the second PBA Player in PBA History to complete the Super Slam (US Open, USBC Masters, PBA Tournament of Champions, PBA World Championship, and PBA Players Championship).
“My 12th major championship victory and the one I wanted so much,” Belmonte said in the USBC Press Release. “To wear the green jacket and hold the eagle is one of the proudest moments of my career.”
The PWBA Regional Tour traveled to East Providence and Gazmine “GG” Mason defeated Summer Jasmin 238-174 to earn her second career PWBA Regional Title at the PWBA East Providence Regional. She used her Roto Grip Hyper Cell Fused.
“Today, I was really focused on myself and my game plan and knowing my tendencies,” said Mason. “During practice, I made a move in between some shots to see if I had any miss room or if I could be deeper on the left lane. I chose to allow Summer to start the match, which allowed me to finish on the lane that hooked more. I felt if I were to throw one a little faster, it would have a better chance of getting to the pocket in comparison.”
In addition, the Texas State Queens had a strong representation from Team Storm and Roto Grip. Diana Zavjalova claimed the tiara over Team Storm teammate, Stephanie Schwartz.
“I used Storm PITCH PURPLE and Hyroad Pearl on a very challenging pattern and I am very proud of the clarity I had of seeing the lanes and making the right adjustments.” Zavjalova said.
Rounding out the top 10 were Stefanie Johnson (3) , Genie Franklin (4), Marianna Noordhoek (6), Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (7), and Tina Williams (8).
Tom Hess rounded out a successful weekend for Team Storm by picking up the title at the Ebonite Fall Classic in Waterloo.
“What started as a very difficult day on the lanes ended up with a win,” Hess said. “I fell from 1st to 3rd during the 6 games this morning. Used an IdolPearl to win my first two matches before switching to this Roto Grip NuclearCell to get the win.”
Though he took a short break from the PBA Tour, he’ll be returning to the action this week at the Indianapolis Open and Roth/Holman Doubles.
As a reminder, you can follow all the Team Storm and Roto Grip players from the PBA Tour all week long on Flobowling.
First SYC Champions of 2020 Named in Las Vegas
BRIGHAM CITY, Utah - The first event of the 2020 SYC Tour was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 15-17, 2020. A total of 210 youth bowlers from 25 different states traveled to compete at the South Point Bowling Plaza. Youth bowlers competed in three five-game rounds on three different Kegel patterns in six different divisions determined by gender and age (U20 Boys, U20 Girls, U15 Boys, U15 Girls, U12 Boys, U12 Girls) for a national title and a portion of the $17,850 scholarship fund.
“While the Storm Youth Championships awards talented champions, the event is a truly a collection of moments spent with family and friends building memories and raising funds for a worthy charity,” Gary Hulsenberg, Vice President of Business Development at Storm Products said. “The weekend is about spending time together, learning, and having fun throughout the competition.”
The format of the SYC rewards consistency and the overall champions are decided based on the 15 game total pinfall. After two days of competition, six smiling youth athletes are proud to claim their SYC trophies.
The U12 division at the SYC is filled with athletes bursting with energy, excitement, and enthusiasm for the sport. Brianna Archabal, of Idaho, found her SYC entry wrapped up under her Christmas tree from her parents. She promised them that she would practice and prepare for this event. She has been practicing between 20-25 games a week since November and her dedication paid off when she claimed the U12 girls trophy. In the U12 boys division, Henry Hind, of Tennessee, has traveled to several SYC and he always has the best questions for the SYC staff. His desire to soak up knowledge is contagious, and he has finished as a runner-up three times at the SYC. Over the weekend, he proved to be the most consistent across the three patterns and was able to claim his first SYC title.
In the U15 girls division, Katelyn Abigania, of California, is constantly working to improve her game as she continues to grow into a bright young lady. She was the only repeat SYC champion crowned in Las Vegas. Averaging 212 across the 15 games of competition, she earned her third SYC title. In the U15 boys division, Bud Sicard, of Oregon, commanded the medium pattern averaging 252.6. He rolled a 299 game in the third game of the block and was greeted with many cheers, high fives, and fellow competitors after his twelfth shot of the game. He maintained his consistency throughout the other blocks and was rewarded with his first SYC title.
The U20 division is filled with so much talent and ambition. The athletes are truly refining their skills but still continuing to learn every time they step on the approach. In the U20 girls division, Jennifer Loredo, of California, who has committed to bowl for Vanderbilt University in the fall took home her first SYC title. She bowled a 289 game in the final game of the event to solidify her overall gold medal. Jorell Morris, of California, earned a medal on every SYC condition averaging 243.6 for the entire event to take home the U20 boys title. This was his first SYC title.
In addition to the overall champions, the top three bowlers in each division were presented a gold, silver, or bronze medal after each round.
The Medalists on the KEGEL Short Pattern: U12 Boys – Henry Hind (gold), Braden McDonough (silver), Brek Strobel (bronze). U12 Girls – Malorie Denney (gold), Brianna Archabal (silver), Arden Han Wei (bronze). U15 Boys– Harley Shene (gold), Bud Sicard (silver), Micah Voorhis (bronze). U15 Girls– Katelyn Abigania (gold), Saphyre Nofuente (silver), Morgan Kline (bronze). U20 Boys– Jorell Morris (gold), Ashton Yamasaki (silver), Tyler Weitzman (bronze). U20 Girls– Melanie Katen (gold), Jennifer Loredo (silver), Brooklyn Gagnon (bronze).
The Medalists on the KEGEL Medium Pattern: U12 Boys – Braden McDonough (gold), Henry Hind (silver), Roman Caporale (bronze). U12 Girls – Brianna Archabal (gold), Bella Castillo (silver), Payton Day (bronze). U15 Boys– Bud Sicard (gold), Elias O'Hollaren (silver), Michael Hawk (bronze). U15 Girls– Katelyn Abigania (gold), Avery Domaguin (silver), Stephanie Hong (bronze). U20 Boys– Charles Bostic (gold), Jorell Morris (silver), Julian Michael Salinas (bronze). U20 Girls– Jennifer Loredo (gold), Melanie Katen (silver), Samantha Conti (bronze).
The Medalists on the KEGEL Long Pattern: U12 Boys – Ernesto Reynoso (gold), Roman Caporale (silver), Henry Hind (bronze). U12 Girls – Brianna Archabal (gold), Hana Sangalang (silver), Malorie Denney (bronze). U15 Boys– Micah Voorhis (gold), Mac Kaurin (silver), Elias O'Hollaren (bronze). U15 Girls– Kayla Starr (gold), Avery Domaguin (silver), Olivia Phillips (bronze). U20 Boys– Jorell Morris (gold), Charles Bostic (silver), Travis Zimmer (bronze). U20 Girls– Jennifer Loredo (gold), Caroline Thesier (silver), Melanie Katen (bronze).
Overall Medalists: U12 Boys – Henry Hind (gold), Braden McDonough (silver), Brek Strobel (bronze). U12 Girls – Brianna Archabal (gold), Malorie Denney (silver), Bella Castillo (bronze). U15 Boys– Bud Sicard (gold), Elias O'Hollaren (silver), Micah Voohis (bronze). U15 Girls– Katelyn Abigania (gold), Avery Domaguin (silver), Kayla Starr (bronze). U20 Boys– Jorell Morris (gold), Charles Bostic (silver), Julian Michael Salinas (bronze). U20 Girls– Jennifer Loredo (gold), Melanie Katen(silver), Caroline Thesier (bronze).
Two SYC bowlers, Elias O'Hollaren and Travis Zimmer, rolled their first USBC sanctioned 300 games on the KEGEL Long Pattern.
Throughout the weekend participants and their families were able to attend seminars, learn fitness fundamentals from PWBA Champion and USBC Hall of Fame member, Kelly Kulick. Every bowler who entered the tournament received a Storm !Q Tour Emerald bowling ball to add to their tournament arsenal and were given the opportunity to have it drilled at the South Point Pro Shop.
Charitable giving continues to be a focus for the Storm Youth Championships. A donation of $10 from each entry goes directly to BVBC also known as Ballard vs. the Big “C.” BVBC raises funds for continued research in cancer treatment, specifically in head, neck, and throat cancer through the sport of bowling. BVBC also raises money for nutritional supplements and treatments for those going through the cancer journey. The Ballard Family was on site to host a BVBC silent auction, raffles and more throughout the weekend.
This tournament would not be possible without the support of our sponsors; Storm, Roto Grip, Logo Infusion, Kegel, 3G Shoes, and Bowlers Journal International. The event was livestreamed throughout the two days of competition on the Storm Bowling Facebook Page. Scores were updated live through the official scoring system of the Storm Youth Championships, BowlMetrix.
There will be a total of eight events scheduled for the 2020 Tour. The next state visited on the 2020 SYC Tour will be Minnesota on April 18-19. Entries will open on February 24 at Noon MST. For more information about our upcoming events visit our website, http://www.stormbowling.com/syc.
About Storm Products, Inc.
Storm Products Inc. continues to lead the bowling industry in innovation through our high-performance bowling equipment featuring the Storm and Roto Grip Brands.
About Ballard vs. The Big “C” (BVBC)
BVBC was created out of love for PBA Hall-of-Famer, Del Ballard, Jr., who has survived his battle with tonsil cancer. Since forming, BVBC has raised over $200,000 to help raises funds for continued research in cancer treatment, specifically in head, neck, and throat cancer. For more information visit http://www.ballardvsthebigc.org.
Randy Pedersen Celebrates 20 Years With Storm
BRIGHAM CITY, Utah – Randy Pedersen has more than 40 years of experience in the bowling industry and he’s celebrating a monumental anniversary with Storm Products in 2020.
Pedersen was officially invited to represent Storm Products as a full-time touring player in 2001 and quickly found success with the equipment. In 2002, he earned his first title on national television as a member of Team Storm with the X-Factor and from there the relationship continued to flourish. Pedersen continued to represent Storm on the lanes throughout his career. When he decided to stop bowling full-time, he was able to continue to represent the company in appearances at Storm sponsored events around the world as a member of the PR Team.
“Being with Storm for 20 years has been an incredible run and I feel blessed to be part of the family,” Pedersen said. “After my bowling career ended on the lanes, they still saw value in me which is an incredible honor. The management at Storm cares about their people. The loyalty that they show to those who stay loyal to them is invaluable. Storm is the most loyal company I’ve ever been part of.”
Pedersen has 13 career Professional Bowling Association (PBA) Tour titles including a PBA Major title at the 1987 PBA National Championship. In 2002, he earned the Pepsi Open which pushed his career earnings over the $1 million-dollar mark, making him the 24th millionaire in PBA history. Pedersen was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2013, he joined the PBA50 Tour where he won the first event he competed in, the PBA50 Dayton Classic. Pedersen currently serves as a color analyst for Fox Sports on broadcasts of the PBA Tour and as he begins his 20th season, he possesses the second longest tenure for sport, only two years behind Nelson Burton Jr.
“Randy makes bowling a better place,” Dave Symes, President of Storm Bowling, said. “I appreciate what he’s done and continues to do for bowling. He’s a lot of fun to be around and the fans really like him. I think he brings a lot of positive feelings and goodwill to the bowling industry as a whole. I’ve really enjoyed working with Randy and look forward to continuing our relationship with him into the next decade.”
The new decade has marked many changes within the bowling industry and Pedersen is excited about the opportunities ahead for the PBA Tour and the entire sport.
“It’s a really good dynamic for the PBA Tour, that a bowling cooperation now owns the PBA,” Pedersen said. “There’s endless possibilities and they bring a lot to the table. We’ve already seen changes with prize funds, and I think the bowlers will continue to bowl for more money. I hope and pray we can get an expanded tour. I think it’s a pretty exciting time and they’re going to do a lot of really big things for the PBA Tour.”
As Pedersen continues to look forward, he also enjoys reflecting on where he’s been throughout his career. He joined the PBA Tour in 1981 and is nearing his 40th year of membership and his involvement within the sport.
“I feel very fortunate, blessed, and lucky to continue to be involved in television and be part of the Storm Family,” Pedersen said.
About Storm Products, Inc.
Storm Products Inc. continues to lead the bowling industry in innovation through our high-performance bowling equipment featuring the Storm and Roto Grip Brands. For additional information, visit stormbowling.com
Verity Crawley Joins Team Storm
BRIGHAM CITY, Utah – Storm Products is proud to announce that Verity Crawley of England has joined the Team Storm Pro Staff.
“Storm is excited to add Verity to Team Storm,” Gary Hulsenberg, Vice President of Business Development said. “We believe that her dedicated work ethic, hunger for knowledge, and passion for bowling will lead to many wins around the globe for years to come. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this talented young lady.”
Crawley began bowling at age 5. At age twelve, she was chosen to represent Junior Team England for the first time. She earned several medals representing her country all around the world as a youth athlete and was named the 2012 England Junior Bowler of the Year. This success led her to compete collegiately at Webber International University (WIU) where she was selected as a collegiate All-American several times. In 2016, she joined her WIU teammates to compete at the Intercollegiate Team Championships where they captured the women’s national title. The WIU team also captured two NAIA National Championship titles while she was part of the program. Crawley, who now resides in the United States full time joined the Professional Women’s Bowling Association in 2017, making her the first British female to become a professional bowler. When not competing, Crawley spends her time helping other bowlers improve their game as the assistant collegiate coach for The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
“2020 is all about change and playing to my strengths,” Crawley said. “As we enter a new decade, I am thankful for the opportunity to join Team Storm and cannot wait to grow with such a fantastic brand.”
About Storm Products, Inc.
Storm Products Inc. continues to lead the bowling industry in innovation through our high-performance bowling equipment featuring the Storm and Roto Grip Brands.
Kyle Troup Extends Agreement with Storm
BRIGHAM CITY, Utah – Storm Products announced today that Kyle Troup has signed a contract extension.
Troup, a 3-Time PBA Champion, has become one of the most recognizable Team Storm players competing on the PBA Tour. In 2019, he finished 13th on the PBA Tour Points. He finished fourth in the PBA Scorpion Championship and third in PBA Players Championship. In addition, he helped the Portland Lumberjacks win the PBA League Elias Cup. Troup bowled successfully on the PBA Tour in the United States and also traveled around the world to compete in international competition.
“I am very excited and blessed with the opportunity to further my career with the Storm family.” Troup said. “Storm was the first company I signed a contract with back in 2016. They have treated me like family and been a huge part in my success. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Troup has grown up through the sport of bowling. As a child, he watched his father compete on the PBA Tour and developed a passion for competing. Though his father delivered the ball with one hand, Troup started at such a young age he needed both hands to carry the ball. He shattered youth records and was one of the youngest members of the North Carolina All Stars Team. As he grew, his two-handed style remained, and his success continued. At 18, he bowled his firs PBA Regional and by 19 he had earned his first PBA Regional Tour Title.
Kyle is a wonderful ambassador for the sport of bowling on and off the lanes” Gary Hulsenberg, Vice President of Business Development said. “He competes fiercely and treats people with respect, two things we appreciate at Storm. We are excited to continue our relationship for years to come.
Troup is dedicated to his craft on the lanes but spends his time making appearances around the world representing Storm Products. In January, Troup was featured in Sports Illustrated as “The Only Professional Bowler You Need to Know.” He was the featured guest who spent the weekend at the NASCAR Go Bowling at the Glen Race where he spent the weekend meeting fans and teaching some of the racers some new tricks. He continued his travels as an ambassador for Storm through the summer greeting pro shops at Industry Trade Shows and also met with bowlers at the Underground Bowling Association (UBA) Battle Bowl. Additionally, Troup spent Memorial Day weekend at the Storm Youth Championships in Smyrna, Tennessee. He helped educate young bowlers through our Q&A and seminars. He also spent time with the families playing whiffle ball at a party for all the participants at the park. He helped make the experience more meaningful for all the families who were in attendance and parents agreed that he was a great ambassador for the sport.
Troup is one of the rising talents on the PBA Tour and it’s an honor that he has chosen to continue to represent Storm Products in his career.
Ronnie Russell Joins Team Storm
BRIGHAM CITY, Utah – Storm Products is excited to announce that Ronnie Russell has joined Team Storm.
Russell has been a member of the Professional Bowling Association since 2003 and has earned four career PBA Tour Titles.
"We're thrilled to bring a talented player with big goals and support him in his journey to achieve these aspirations," Gary Hulsenberg, Vice President of Business Development said.
Russell is a true professional with many talents. In addition to his dedication to the sport of bowling, he also is an accomplished golfer and skilled guitar player and songwriter. When not competing, Russell works as a Product Specialist supporting pro shops and spreading his passion for the sport of bowling throughout his territory of Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
"Joining Storm Bowling is the top of the mountain for me," Russell said. "I wish I could explain how excited I am for 2020 and the rest of my career! Watching Storm's winning ways on Tour has me feeling like I’m 20 years old again. I know I’ll be a part of it again."
Russell is often traveling but when he’s able to be home, he enjoys spending time with his wife Michelle, and children Cayden, Cameron, and Taylor. He spends time sharing his love for the sport with his son Cayden who rolled his second 300 game with Storm Products this season.
Russell currently resides in Marion, Indiana.
2020 Storm Youth Championship Season Announced
BRIGHAM CITY, Utah – Storm Products is proud to announce that the Storm Youth Championships will have a total of eight events scheduled for the 2020 Tour.
The Storm Youth Championships were created in 2017 and launched with two events. The vision for the SYC began as a way to give back to the bowling community, educate youth bowlers, and invite the whole family to participate.
“When the SYC was born, the goal was to celebrate the sport of bowling and create an event that families could enjoy together,” Gary Hulsenberg, Vice President of Business Development. “Through the support of all the families who have attended an SYC and their feedback, we’re excited to be able to expand the tour and visit four new bowling communities in 2020.”
As the SYC has grown, events have been added to the schedule each year. Two events were added in 2018, and the season was expanded to six events in 2019. Our events wouldn’t be possible without the support of the staff of each host bowling center and the families in each community that we visit.
In 2020, our schedule will expand to eight events.
2020 SYC Schedule:
February 15-16, 2020 – South Point Bowling Plaza, Las Vegas, NV
April 18-19, 2020 – Mermaid Lanes, Mounds View, MN
May 23-24, 2020 – Smyrna Bowling Center, Smyrna, TN
June 13-14, 2020 – Western & Expo Bowl, Indianapolis, IN
August 8-9, 2020 – Bowlerama, New Castle, DE
September 12-13, 2020 – Northrock Lanes, Wichita, KS
October 3-4, 2020 – Planet Fun & Little River Lanes, The Carolinas
November 7-8, 2020 – Boardwalk Bowl, Orlando, Florida
More information about each event will be provided on the Storm Bowling website as the tournament date approaches.
In 2020, the SYC events will continue to create a welcoming environment where youth bowlers and their families are invited to visit a new community, meet new bowlers, and learn by competing on challenging conditions developed by KEGEL. In addition to the tournament, each event includes a seminar filled with education led by one of our Team Storm members, a practice session on the patterns, as well as a SYC social where friendships are built. At each event, the top three bowlers in each gender and age-based division are awarded with bronze, silver and gold medals. At the conclusion of the tournament the overall champions receive a special SYC trophy, medal, and earn a banner that is showcased at every SYC event.
In addition, each season includes one “major” event where we award the top two overall youth bowlers in each division with a spot on the Storm All-American Team. In 2020, the Storm All-American Team will be named at the event in Indianapolis. These 12 kids earn a custom All-American jersey and jacket provided by the Official SYC Merchandiser, Logo Infusion. This event will be hosted at two bowling centers in Indianapolis and will have more than 400 entries available.
“Our owners, Bill and Barbara Chrisman, have given endlessly to bowling around the world and have always tried to inspire existing bowlers while developing new bowlers,” Hulsenberg said. “Their support of youth bowling always includes education mixed with fun to create lifelong bowling enthusiasts. No matter what age or skill level the youth player in your life is at, attending the SYC is sure to leave a positive impression on them. We welcome all and look forward to seeing you in 2020!”
We are very proud to award scholarships to our top finishers in each event. In 2019, we awarded $98,670 in scholarship to our athletes through the SMART Fund. Since 2017, we have awarded $203,065 in SMART awards to SYC bowlers. We look forward to continuing to reward bowlers and help them achieve their future educational goals.
Charity is a very special part of the SYC. Each event supports Ballard vs the Big “C” in numerous ways. Every entry includes a $10 donation to BVBC. On-site at each SYC, Carolyn and Del Ballard bring silent auction items for the SYC families to bid on. Since 2017, we have raised more than $50,000 to help fight the war on cancer through the SYC.
SYC Champions continue to demonstrate their dedication to the sport of bowling after the event concludes. Past champions have continued to excel at the youth level earning national titles and representing the United States on Jr. Team USA. Some of the athletes have also used what they learn to compete collegiately and even on the PBA and PWBA Tours. Their dedication to the sport is evident but SYC athletes also learn to be dedicated to giving back and staying committed to their education. Through scholarship and the opportunities to learn about college bowling, athletes develop a desire to continue to learn at a higher level and discover their passions. The opportunities available to these bowlers through the sport of bowling are endless. The SYC builds connections for these families that can last a lifetime.
Entries for the first event in 2020 which will take place on Las Vegas will open on December 2 at 12 pm Mountain Time on stormbowling.com/SYC.
This tournament would not be possible without the generous donation from all of our sponsors, Storm, Roto Grip, Logo Infusion, Kegel, 3G Shoes, Ballard’s Bowling Academy and Bowlers Journal International. In 2020, our scores will continue to be uploaded live through the official scoring system of the Storm Youth Championships, BowlMetrix.
If you are interested in becoming a supporting sponsor of the Storm Youth Championships or would like more information, please contact our SYC Team at syc@stormbowling.com.