International Bowling Industry November 2011

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6ISSUE AT HANDNotable Epitaph

By Scott Frager

8SHORTS

Ladybugs and bumblebees,the latest bowling “art”

El Paso is in for 2015BVL contributionscontinue to grow

Bowling lanes total five onpresidential grounds.

14TRIBUTE

Life & Legacy ofRemo Picchietti

By Paul Lane

18PROFILE

From Prom to PinsWisconsin’s Shorewood

High School has it all.By Bree Gutierrez

22COVER STORY

Reno’sRenaissance Man

How the Caranoschanged RenoBy Mark Miller

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CONTENTS

28INDUSTRY NEWSA New ApproachUSBC shifts attentionfrom leaguesBy Mark Miller

31FINANCESIRS Code Section 179Is accelerating deductionsright for your center?By Ken Paton

33FEATUREDoug Wagoner’s FastLanesMerging a passion for carracing with bowlingBy Lydia Rypcinski

46REMEMBER WHEN1960Mrs. Cushing and AMF’s“Magic Triangle”

36 Datebook

37 Showcase

38 Classifieds

VOL 19.11THE WORLD'S ONLY MAGAZINE DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE BUSINESS OF BOWLING

IBI November 2011

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PUBLISHER & EDITORScott Frager

[email protected]: scottfrager

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISINGChris Holmes

[email protected]

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTGregory Keer

[email protected]

OFFICE MANAGERPatty Heath

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTORSFred Groh

Bree GutierrezPatty HeathPaul Lane

Mark MillerKen Paton

Lydia Rypcinski

SPECIAL PROJECTSJackie Fisher

[email protected]

ART DIRECTION & PRODUCTIONDesignworks

www.dzynwrx.com(818) 735-9424

FOUNDERAllen Crown (1933-2002)

13245 Riverside Dr., Suite 501Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

(818) 789-2695(BOWL)Fax (818) 789-2812

[email protected]

www.BowlingIndustry.com

HOTLINE: 888-424-2695SUBSCRIPTION RATES: One copy ofInternational Bowling Industry is sent free toevery bowling center, independently ownedpro shop and collegiate bowling center inthe U.S., and every military bowling centerand pro shop worldwide. Publisher reservesthe right to provide free subscriptions tothose individuals who meet publicationqualifications. Additional subscriptions maybe purchased for delivery in the U.S. for $50per year. Subscriptions for Canada andMexico are $65 per year, all other foreignsubscriptions are $80 per year. All foreignsubscriptions should be paid in U.S. fundsusing International Money Orders.POSTMASTER: Please send new as well asold address to International Bowling Industry,13245 Riverside Drive, Suite 501, ShermanOaks, CA 91423 USA. If possible, pleasefurnish address mailing label.Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 2010, B2B Media,Inc. No part of this magazine may be reprintedwithout the publisher’s permission.

MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:

Cover photo by Alex Greenburg

6 IBI November 2011

THE ISSUE AT HAND

As news of Mr. Remo Picchietti’spassing began resonating throughout theindustry, my phones and email server werebuzzing off the hook. There was no doubtthat his death marks the end of an era.

There was no one quite like Remo inbowling. He was unique, specialand, as so movingly illustrated inthe tribute story that begins onpage 14, was loved and universallyrespected. It seems that everyonehas a story about Remo.

As I read this month’s tribute,I couldn’t help but be remindedabout how important Remo was toInternational Bowling Industry magazine.

When IBI founder, Allen Crown, went onhis very first roadshow promoting thelaunch of the industry’s first independenttrade magazine called Bowling Industry,he was nervous and anxious about thewelcome he’d receive from industryinsiders. After all, he was an outsider withno experience in bowling trying to break intoa mature field with longstandingrelationships.

Crown’s first stop in 1991 was AMFBowling and after a somewhat rocky start(a long, humorous story for a differentissue), AMF announced they were “in” andcommitted fully by purchasing everypremium page in the magazine for the

entire year!Next stop, Brunswick headquarters. They too saw the potential and

committed fully, albeit upset that Crown sold all the premium spotsto AMF (another funny story for a different time).

But, even with their massive support behind the ground-breakingconcept, Crown knew he had one more person to pitch before his idea

would become a reality: RemoPicchietti. Crown knew thatwithout his support, themagazine would have no hopegetting off the ground. So,he made his way to DBAheadquarters to meet withRemo and his trusted staff.

The pitch went well. The room fell silent as everyone waited tohear what Picchietti’s feelings were about this outsider and hisrevolutionary idea.

After what seemed to be an eternity of quiet reflection, Mr.Picchietti gave his nod and full support. This, despite the fact thatone of Picchietti’s closest friends was none other than Mort Luby Jr,publisher of Bowlers Journal.

It was that night, from a payphone at O’Hare airport, when Allencalled his wife Tomiko to let her know that the magazine would becomea reality.

So I, like so many others, will always havea special place in my heart for Remo Picchietti.He was, and always will be, the Ambassadorof Bowling.

– SCOTT FRAGER, PUBLISHERAND [email protected]

Notable Epitaph

Since its debut, www.BowlingIndustry.com has been growing by leaps and bounds. Asthe membership grows, so do the comments, suggestions and communications betweenproprietors, vendors and bowling business people.

As an example, check out the Forum and specifically the topic “Asking Your Opinionabout State of the Bowling Industry.” It started with Rodney Nichols and his frustration overthe new trend in bowling. Dan Pizzi commented followed by Phil Ontko, Lonnie Mitchelland Lew Sims. Each one had a particular take and background which they brought to theconversation. Then, just when you thought it was always “the few” who tend to participate,Dave Gee jumps in from London. Hey, it’s better than talk radio!

You can be part of it; you should be part of it. Put in your two cents. It’s worth a lot moreto everyone.

�THIS MONTH AT www.BowlingIndustry.com

Prince Harry rang in his 27thbirthday on a public bowling laneon a Friday night drinking beer andeating burgers! The Royal was spottedat All Star Lanes in London.According to the Daily Mail, a British,middle market, tabloid/newspaper,the Prince “just took a lane next to

everyone else, happily posing for photographs whenasked.”

PRINCE HARRY’S BIRTHDAY BASH

WATCHMedia

8 IBI November 2011

SHORTS

While Prince Harry wasbowling with the folk, afashionista princess wassetting the bar for a newbowling look. Kim Kardashiandressed to the nines to gobowling with family at

Bowlmore, New York City. Jot it down for futurereference: tight leather pants, a see-through top and sky-high heels…all black, of course!

A NEW BOWLING FASHION

STATEMENT

Keitha McBride joinsRedemption Plus as a regionalaccount manager primarily servingTexas and the surrounding areas.In her new role, she will beresponsible for generating newbusiness and cementing existingrelationships.

McBride has had 13 years inthe family entertainment industry with companiessuch as Main Event Entertainment and BrunswickBowling. “This experience will give Keitha a uniqueunderstanding of our customer’s business. She’ll usethis insight to ensure we’re offering the right productsand tools for their needs.” quoted Doug Stokes, VPof Sales.

Keitha McBride

PEOPLEWATCHING

Everyone is familiar with Google, but how many of youknow a Googie?

Googie, named after a defunct Southern California coffeeshop, is a form of modern architecture influenced by the mid-20th century car culture and space age.

Mel’s Bowl in Redwood City, CA which opened in 1960and closed in May of this year is gone but the sign has all the

attributes of a Googie, according toKaia Eakin, a member of RedwoodCity’s Historic Resources AdvisoryCommittee. The committee is askingthat a developer proposing to builda 141-unit apartment complex onthe former center site preserve thetowering sign.

The Mercury News reported that the sign could qualify asa California historic resource, a “good example of a mid-century Googie sign.” While other historic signs remain inRedwood City without their accompanying businesses, nonehas been kept at a housing site. The decision is yet to bedetermined by the planning commission.

A Googie or not a Googie? That is the question!

Mel’s Bowl is a real “Googie”

Photo taken by Nicholas Cynor

Although Barack Obama stated as a candidate in 2008 that, ifelected, he would tear out the White House bowling alley andinstall a basketball court, as these things usually evolve, the lanes arestill there. In fact, more than4,100 constituents havebeen granted access to visitthe presidential lanes.

In the month of May, 230bowlers were cleared by theSecret Service to try theirhands at bowling on thelanes. Only 60 visitors since2009 have come to shoot afew hoops at the presidential basketball court.

There are three bowling facilities available on presidential grounds:two lanes in the basement of the Eisenhower Executive OfficeBuilding adjacent to the West Wing, a single lane in the basementbeneath the North Portico, and a lane at Camp David.

President Obama spent his 48th birthday using the 10-pin laneat Camp David, where he reportedly bowled a 144 with three strikesand a nine in the last four throws. This was a definite improvementover his 37 rolled in 2008 on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania.

BOWLING AND POLITICS DO MIX

Two lanes in the basement of EEOB (Eisenhower ExecutiveOffice Building)

9IBI November 2011

Max Bowl – Port Arthur is#3 for Max and BrittanyTribble who acquired theformer Megaplay in PortArthur, TX from Capital PacificBank. The 40-lane center nowcalled Max Bowl Port Arthurjoins the Tribbles’ other Texascenters, Max Bowl North inHumble and Max Bowl Eastin Baytown. Ken Paton ofPaton Financial assisted onthe transaction.

GOODWILL CENTRALNATIONAL AND LOCAL PROJECTS ABOUND

SHORTS

October was designated National Breast Cancer Awarenessmonth. Organizations and communities throughout the U.S.found ways to promote this worthwhile cause.

Country Lanes in Duluth, MN held its fifth annual“Bowling to Beat Breast Cancer.” The author of the bookChicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor’s Soul, MaryOlsen Kelly attended the event.

Holiday Lanes, Bossier City, LA, is turning pink! Tobenefit Strike Out Breast Cancer and Susan G Komen forthe Cure, three events took place in October: Bowl for theCure, a paper tournament; Bowling for Boobies, an openbowling event and a Silent Auction. There were pink eventt-shirts and “Pink Pins” for participants.

Lucky Strike, a premiere chain of upscale bowling andlounges cemented its partnership with Breascancer.orgagain this year. In the past, two successful events raised over$1 million. “This is the first national partnership of its kindfor both Lucky Strike and Breast cancer.org and a great wayto educate a young, influential audience about theimportance of breast cancer awareness,” said Lucky Strikefounder and CEO, Steven Foster. During October, LuckyStrike provided marketing support, advertising exposure,online and social media inclusion throughout its venues.

On the local level, there was no limit to causes.Milwaukie Bowl in Milwaukie, OR, held a glow-in-the-dark fundraiser for Milwaukie High School’s boys’ basketball

program. Michellel Husted, the center spokesperson said,“We are donating 100 percent of what is raised, sincebudget cuts have taken away so much of the funding.”

“Bowling for Bread” was the fifth annual Boca HelpingHands food center’s event held at Strikes@Boca in BocaRaton, FL. According to Marci Shatzman at the SouthFlorida Sun-Sentinel, there were sponsors for 47 lanes,seven more than last year, and 230 bowlers. The foodcenter serves meals six days a week, delivers meals to thehomebound and distributes bags of groceries.

Another food center, MLK Kitchen for the Poor, held itsannual bowling fundraiser at Interstate Lanes in Rossford,OH. The kitchen helps feed over 200 people that go thereeach day. About 16 teams came out to support and bowl.

Everywhere one turns, there is a center helping:Linn Lanes in Canton, OH hosted Fulton County Health

Department with providing dental services; Grand BlancLanes in Grand Blanc, MI hosted “Bowling for Kids” to helpthe Family Assistance fund at the Children’s Hospital ofMichigan; Ham Lake Lanes in St Paul, MN, hosted “Strikeout Hunger” which was the second annual event benefittingthe North Anoka Country Emergency Food Shelf.

These and so many more have given of their time to helptheir neighbors and friends. Take a bow! And, take amoment to let us know what your center is doing.

Email: [email protected].

In a press release, BVL (Bowling Veterans Link)announced that for the third year in a row, it hasposted an increase in contributions for the 2010-2011 fiscal year just ending, despite a bleak economyand less than stellar league membership.

While association contributions declined by 3%,donations from bowling centers and corporate

partners helped push the final figures over the 2009-2010 total to $761,660.26.“We know that our supporters understand the importance of the BVL mission,” commented

BVL Board chair Darlene Baker. “We are so thankful that America’s bowling family has dug alittle deeper to make sure BVL can continue to brighten the days and boost the spirits of our veteransand active duty military.”

More than 700 state and local USBCs joined in the 2010-2011 campaign with Californialeading the way in state contributions with $116,952.42. Rounding out the top ten were: Virginia,Texas, Oregon, Minnesota, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Michigan.

BVL ENJOYS CONTINUED GROWTH THETRIBBLES’TRIFECTA

SHORTS

Finding bowling “art” is really not hard to do. In August,there was the lane made into a fire station’s creativelypainted dinner table and in September artists from FortCollins, CO shared their variations on bowling pins. Now, wefind an entrepreneurial stay-at-home mom, Claire Holder of Enumclaw,WA, taking old bowling balls and creating garden art in the form ofbumblebees, ladybugs and green frogs.

As quoted in the Enumclaw Courier-Herald, Holder says, “I love todo artsy stuff and I love to do recycling.” Holder does not use atemplate, so no two are alike. Demand has prompted a website,www.recycledsmiles.com, and the items can be found in local nurseries.

Each creation has had a previous life as either someone’s leaguebowling ball or as a well-used cog at a center. “Bowling alleys usually throwthem away,” explained Holder. Bowling ball heaven? Not a bad idea.

When Life gives you lemons; makelemonade. Or, when storms hit; run for abowling center! That is what happened inSchenectady, NY, when Tropical Storm Irenetook a swipe at the northeastern coastaccording to the Times Union.

Shooting for an upcoming movie, “ThePlace Beyond the Pines,” ran into a definiterain delay, and what better to do than to find

a warm, dry bowling center to pass thetime. So, 40 actors and crew reserved lanesat Boulevard Bowl.

“How often do you get A-list actors thatcome into your establishment inSchenectady?” asked Mark Derenzo, anemployee at the lanes who saw star EvaMendes bowl a few games. “Not too often.”

Blaise Lawyer of Boulevard Bowl at thefront desk in Schenectady, NY.Photo credit: Lori Van Buren/Times Union.

A SILVER LININGIN A STORMY SKY

Claire Holder’s worksof bowling ball art

Photo credit: Photo(s) by Brenda Sexton, The Enumclaw Courier-Herald

Lady Bugs with a green frog

10 IBI November 2011

RECYCLED ART

With all the activity beginning to bubble to the surface, it would appear that bowlingmight be starting to dust itself off.

Spins Bowl in Mount Kisco, NY, is the latest addition to the Grand Prix New York’s 118,000square/foot indoor kart racing and entertainment facility. Spins will be a 19-lane bowlingcenter consisting of 12 “family” lanes and 7 VIP lanes with images of cityscapes from NewYork, Chicago and Los Angeles splashed across the walls.

Brunswick Bowling & Billiards and Summit Entertainment Centers, LLC, announced plansto construct a state-of-the-art bowling and entertainment center in Colorado Springs, CO.Brunswick Zone XL Colorado Springs will be the 100th location in Brunswick’s chainof centers in the U.S., Canada and Europe. It is scheduled to open in April 2012.

Leisure Time Bowling, Cleveland, OH, will open in late October or early November.Developer Ben Moore and entrepreneur Dewayne Williams will merge resources to opena 24-lane bowling center with an expanded food court, arcade, pro shop and parking.Williams will be moving his 12-lane Bowling Factory and Moore will greatly enhance hisshopping center which lost a supermarket and had been vacant for some time.

Buckroe, VA, lost its bowling center in May. However, Century Lanes has found a newlease on life and has reopened. The original center was built in 1960 and generations learnedto bowl there. The “new” Century Lanes will highlight those “back in the day” memorieswith photos and plaques. Sam Smith, spokesman, said that 32 families and local businessespurchased two new sets of pins for each lane just to have their name placed above the lane.Smith added, “The biggest story is how the bowling community came together to save theirbowling center in an age where many are closing.”

EXPANSION, OPENINGS & NEW BEGINNINGS


SHORTS

EL PASO GETSTHE NOD FOR

2015El Paso, known as The Sun City,

hosted the women’s bowlingchampionships in 2010 and has nowbeen chosen as the site for theNational Bowling Congress OpenChampionship in 2015. It will be the112th edition of the USBC OpenChampionships, which have been heldin 48 cities in 26 states since itsinception in 1901.The other finalistswere Las Vegas and Syracuse, NY.

The economic impact of the 2010tournament for El Paso was about $40million; the tournament in 2015 isexpected to have a $75 million impacton the El Paso community along withapproximately 100,000 visitors.

Upcoming sites are Baton Rouge,LA in 2012; Reno, NV in 2013 and2014 and 2016.

3rd Summer CampaignComes to a Close

Kids Bowl Free 2011 Summer Campaign has come to a successful close witha total of 880 U.S. centers across the country participating and 44 Canadiancenters taking part. To promote bowling as a lifetime sport and to provide a safe,secure and fun place for kids to spend their summer leisure time, a bus tour setoff across the U.S. to pump up interest. It was spotlighted on Fox, NBC and CBSnetworks plus a pictorial splash in IBI.

The results? Centers saw registrations climb. The top two national centersin three lanebed categories were as follows:

Centers with 31+ lanes: #1 Serra Bowl in Daly City, CA had 17,626 registrants.Second was Mel’s Lone Star Lanes in Georgetown, TX with 16,352.

Centers with 13 – 30 lanes: #1 Bel Mateo Bowl in San Mateo, CA totaled 8,447.Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando, FL took the number two spot with 8,054.

Centers with 12 lanes and under: Amazing Jakes in Mesa, AZ was trulyamazing with 3,375 registrants and Sumps Bowling Lanes in Cincinnati, OH camein second with 2,880.

Call(818) 789-2695

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E-mailyour ad to:

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Industry Magazine


TRIBUTE

“I think it would be accurate todescribe him as the father of lanemaintenance. Quite simply, he made animpact on the sport and business thathe loved and he will be missed.”Steve Caffrey VP Sales (Consumer & AftermarketProducts) Brunswick Bowling & Billiards

��

“He was an honest motivator whotried to emphasize the need for integrityin the bowling game. What a greatmessenger for bowling he was as hewent around the world doing hisseminars.”

Frank SissonFrank Sisson’s Classic Car Showroom &Auction, Calgary, Canada

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“I remember that … he was talkingwith passion about bowling, like he was25 years old, full of energy to conquerthe world.”Tasso’s SivissidisSivissidis Brothers — Greece

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“That was the kind of person hewas...took care of business, knew howto enjoy himself and others, developedprograms that anticipated future needs

and was willing to share anytime.”Gordon MurreyDirector GKM International USA

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“The expression "giant of theindustry" understates the value ofRemo's contribution to Bowling. Theterm "father figure" understates theesteem in which I held him personally.From Singapore to Scotland, fromBudapest to Boston, he was the trueambassador of bowling, answeringevery conceivable question, and thuscreating lasting friendships andfollowers, worldwide. To pay true

AMBASSADOR REMOREMEMBERED

emo Picchietti, who passed away on September 26, was a man whowore many hats in his long and varied career — lawyer, mayor, judge,lane maintenance expert, teacher, counselor, mentor to countless

integers in the bowling industry, international businessman, advisor and memberof numerous industry trade associations, member of the USBC Hall of Fame(formerly ABC), glider pilot, and devoted family man, to name but a few.

But the hat that fit Remo the best was that of an ambassador. As an industryambassador Remo ranks alongside my late friend Dick Weber who between themwrote the book on how to be an ambassador for any industry... without formerlybeing given the assignment–they both simply gravitated naturally to the role.

During my 30-year tenure with the international division of AMF, I frequentlyand unexpectedly ran into Remo in different parts of the world. For example,I recall coming down for breakfast in a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, and therehe was. He immediately invited me to attend his seminar for proprietorswhere he introduced me to the group, telling them I represented a companywith a very fine line of lane maintenance products. And he mentioned AMFproducts several times during his presentation, and never once mentioned hisown company, DBA. But, at the end of the day, everyone knew it was all aboutDBA, and Remo had clearly demonstrated to me the fine art of soft selling.

It would be easy to fill several pages with my impressions and memories ofRemo, but so many people have echoed my thoughts and feelings and saidit better than I, so I’ll let them pick up the story from here.

By Paul Lane

RPaying tribute to an industry giant

1930-2011

homage to such a true friend wouldrequire a book, not a few lines, but Ihave one big advantage … thememories. I’m missing him already.”Nick KeppePresident Director Bowltech UK

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“Remo had a wonderful vision forthe industry and always put the industryfirst.”George Bradnerformer CEO Perry Austen

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“I learned a lot from him, especiallyon how to sell your product withoutmentioning it.”Marcelo DhersDragon Bowling — Brazil, Argentina, HongKong, Japan

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“When Remo retired from DBA andannounced he was no longer going topresent the [Humanitarian] award,Columbia 300's John Jowdyimmediately picked up the conceptand carried on the tradition, renamingit the "Remo Picchietti HumanitarianAward." Jowdy's first recipient wasRemo, himself. I thought that gesturespoke volumes about what the bowlingfamily felt about Remo.”Bill VintSleeping Dogs Communication

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"’Bowling lane maintenance is not ajob for a janitor. It is a job for a welltrained, well motivated, and well paidindividual.’ He said these words at thebeginning of every Lane Seminar. Remowas my boss, teacher, and friend for thesix years that I worked for him at DBA.

He then remained my friendfor the next 27 years of hislife. He was a great man. Iwill miss him terribly.”Mike QuitterVice President International –Ebonite International

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“Remo Picchietti wasmany things to manypeople. Obviously, he wasa great man whose life touched so many ofus. But I so remember Remo telling me,without any reservation whatsoever that, inactuality, he was first and foremost a peddler.Remo was like that--a man who made lightof his own contributions and tried to putlife and business on their simplest terms.”Brent PerrierPresident Brunswick Bowling Products

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“Remo had it all. His legal education andexperience combined with service as a judgeallowed him his range to seeboth sides of any questionand to act fairly but firmly.His scientific questioning ledhim to seek and discoveranswers to the wide worldof lane maintenance andbowling products previouslyunknown and his businesssense was envied by all.”Chuck PezzanoAuthor, historian, 12-time Hallof Famer

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“My best recollectionwas having the honor of calling to tellhim he’d been elected to the ABC Hallof Fame. At his induction ceremony,

15IBI November 2011

TRIBUTE

1. Front to back — left side of table: Remo and his wife Pixie, Peter Schlotter (Golden Ball Tournament organizer) Jeanie Maiden (pro-bowler).

2. Remo busy running DBA, although we’re not sure how often he wore a suit to the office.

3. L to R: Remo Picchietti, Tom Malloy (Ebonite), Pro-bowler Jeannie Maiden & Timo Laitinen (former President of the Finish Sports Federation) at the FIQ Championships at Tali Bowl, Finland in 1987. Jeannie (representing DBA) had just beaten Ebonite’s Earl Anthony in a one game match. Tom is seen handing over the $0.50 wager they had on the match. (Photo courtesy Mike Quitter).

4. John Jowdy (Columbia 300) presenting the renamed “Remo Picchietti Humanitarian Award” to Remo himself — making him the first recipient of the award. (photo courtesy Bill Vint)

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TRIBUTE

his genuine warmth and appreciation issomething I’ll never forget.”Steve JamesABC Hall of Fame Executive Director (retired)

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“Remo clearly is one of thoserare individuals deserving of everyaccolade that could be bestowed onhim. During his time of adversitywith the tragic death of his father in1959, he took over the reins of DBAProducts Company and built it intothe premier lane maintenancecompany in the industry.”Don IngermannDimension Z Golf — Arvada, Colorado(formerly Century International).

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“I remember attending the first clinic forDBA in Volendam in 1980 where heintroduced the concept that lanemaintenance starts at the parking lot. Whata brilliant approach to help peopleunderstand that lane maintenance is muchmore than simply putting oil on the lane!”Hans KrolCEO Bowltech Group, the Netherlands

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“He was the consummate professionaland always took the high road in all our

meetings. He was never

negative and always saw the glass ashalf full and positive we were doingthe right things for the bowlingindustry.”Ron WoodLas Vegas Bowling Supply, Nevada

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“He was a friend for sure butsometimes a father, as he took careof me. I can't forget when he triedto talk Italian. I'll miss him.”Cesare LancellottiSABIM Bowling Marketing Service, Italy

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“It’s interesting that to this day –more than a dozen years after DBAwas sold – I still meet people whowill say ‘You worked with Remo,didn’t you?’ It’s almost as if we didn’twork for DBA, we didn’t work for acompany, we worked with Remo.”Mike SledzNational Marketing Manager- BrunswickBowling & Billiards

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“One word which best describeshim in his dealings with me both asa customer and also a colleague onindustry boards....integrity! "Wally HallHall Investments, Inc.

Paul Lane is former Director of Marketing and Marketing Services forAMF Bowling, Inc. He has been the director of 18 AMF World Cups, anofficer in national and international trade associations, and a probowler during a career that spans more than 60 countries and 50 years.

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5. Remo making a quality control check at DBA’s headquarters (Lake Bluff, IL)

6. Remo presenting one of the lanes maintenance seminars he was so well known for . . . this one in Alicante, Spain in 1987 (photo courtesy Mike Quitter).

7. Remo Picchietti (far right) presenting Nick Keppe (Bowltech U.K.) with a plaque inscribed "In recognition of continued support, loyalty and friendship" at the 1991 FIQ Championships in Singapore.

8. Left to Right: the Manager of the US Army center in Hanau, Germany, Remo & Mike Quitter when DBA ran a combined seminar for USAEUR (circa 1989) (photo courtesy Mike Quitter).

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Our thoughts, condolences and prayers go out to the Picchiettifamily: Pixie, Remo’s wife of 55 years, and his five children and13 grandchildren. To read more remembrances of Remo Pichietti,please log onto our website, www.bowlingindustry.com. ❖


OPERATIONS

he Shorewood School District in Wisconsin has recentlyfinished a complete renovation of its four bowling lanesoriginally built in the early 1950s. Having the lanes

usable again means more programming and communityinvolvement for the small village of Shorewood. “We really wantcommunity members to come in and use our facilities and enjoybeing a part of our district,” Shorewood School District Recreation

Supervisor, Nick Phalin said. Revamping thebasement bowling lanes into a usable space was

a big priority for the Shorewood School Board. “It was a school board decision

whether we would spendthe money to replace

the lanes or not,” Phalin explained. “They discussed it anddecided this is something we want to keep that’s unique toShorewood…I’m really glad we chose to make the decision tohave the lanes refurbished because they look great. We aregetting community use out of them now.” Phalin said the goalwas for everyone to be able to enjoy the new bowling lanesso they charge minimal fees to the public. Shorewood SchoolDistrict offers anywhere from one to five days a week for theirsummer public programs and bowling is included in the dailyplayground fee. Also, the public is able to come in to thehigh school to bowl or swim without charging an extra fee.

Phalin explained, “We have plans for this fall to offer Fridaynight bowling for youth, we’ve offered it all summer for oursummer recreation department programs. We’ve offeredbirthday parties, and we’re looking to do some senior citizenplanning. I’ve looked to offer intramural sports for the highschool kids, so we do have a lot of opportunities and ideas forwhat we’d like to do.” The district also upgraded the lightingsystem, incorporating glow-bowing, so that they could compete

with other bowling centers in the area.The new lanes at Shorewood are a unique

feature. “To my knowledge, we

T

From Prom to PinsBowling’s dream highschool has it all includingfour full lanes on campus.

By Bree Gutierrez

Shorewood, WI Highschool.Home to four newly

refurbished lanes.

19IBI November 2011

OPERATIONS

are the only school to have bowlinglanes in our school district in the state ofWisconsin,” Phalin said. Reaching outto the Shorewood community at largewas a motivating factor in deciding toupgrade and refurbish the lanes. Tocreate a space to be utilized by thecommunity, it had to be safe.

It was apparent the lanes had notbeen properly cared for in quite awhile. “The lanes were almostcompletely black from probably thefirst 15 to 20 feet from the ball burninginto the wood because we were notoiling at all,” Phalin said. “It wassomething that just got forgotten andthen it was beyond repair…“

The four lanes were resurfaced, and

all four Brunswick pinsetters were refurbished. The bowling lanes were repainted andthe lighting was upgraded. All of the cabinetry and countertops are new, as are the100 pair of shoes and 36 bowling balls. The total project cost around $75,000.

Shorewood tried to keep the originality of the bowling lanes. “Our ball returns

Nick Phalin, Shorewood, WI,School District Recreation Supervisor,

proudly standing near the four refurbishedlanes at Shorewood Highschool.


OPERATIONS

are a little different, in the sense that they’re not covered,” Phalinsaid. “You actually see the ball as soon as it’s done by thepinsetters in the machinery. You see it roll all the way back andup onto the ball return. That’s just what we had…and I’mguessing that was the older style. We did try to keep a few(original) things.” The District also decided to keep the manualscoring system, as that teaches the children how to score andkeeps the children learning and involved.

Now that the lanes are finished, Shorewood School Districtis able to put its community-based plans into action. “As of now,we have a community usage plan on Friday evenings, we dorentals for birthday parties, and I’m sure some of our varsityteams for other sports will be using it for team building,” Phalinsaid. “We’ve already had a high school alumni reunion earlierthis summer and we had the bowling lanes open just for previousalumni.” One other group Shorewood opens its lanes to is theSpecial Olympics team. “Now that we have the lanes up andworking, they’ll be using them this fall,” Phalin said. “We hirea coach and they’ll have practices one to two days a week andthey will compete in local, regional and then state competitionsas well.” ❖

Bree Gutierrez, holding a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism, isa freelance writer and preschool teacher residing in SouthernCalifornia with her husband and son.

A studentuses the lanes


COVER STORY

hen a member of Reno’s Caranofamily speaks, the Northern Nevadabusiness community generally listens.

Good thing it did when patriarch Don Caranofirst mentioned bowling four decades ago.Nobody wants to think what might havehappened to the area had he not.

The story began in the early 1970s. Caranowas a lawyer and partner of the now-defunctPioneer Inn south of the downtown Reno railroadtracks. He was about to open the first casinonorth of the tracks, the Eldorado, and needednew customers to visit.

“What about bowlers?” he asked members ofthe Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“We saw bowlers as a great tie-in to our city,”said Bob Cashell, Reno’s mayor since 2002 and

co-owner with Carano of the Boomtown Hotel and Casinoback then. “Bowlers are mainstream America. They aredown to earth. I don’t think I’ve ever run into an arrogantperson in bowling. They’re like Reno.”

“Reno relates to the demographics of bowlers,” saidCarano’s oldest son, Gary. “They come from all over Americabut primarily from the Midwest and Texas. We thought Renowould be a great fit.”

So business and RSCVA leaders like Carano, Cashell,Sparks Mayor Jim Lillard, Valley Bank President Bob Sullivanand RSCVA President Jay Milligan approached the AmericanBowling Congress about bringing its annual championshiptournament to Reno. ABC, which previously had rejectedholding its signature event in a gambling environment, agreedand held its first tournament in Nevada in 1977 with 40 lanesinstalled in what was then called Centennial Coliseum.

Nearly 40,000 bowlers plus their families descended on

W

By Mark Miller

The Reno strip as it looks today (from left to right): The Eldorado, The Silver Legacy, and Circus Circus surround the NationalBowling Stadium (front, center).

23IBI November 2011

COVER STORY

Don Carano at his winery,Ferrari-Carano Vineyards,

in Healdsburg, CA.


the area, enjoying themselves enough that about 45,000+ came in 1984 tothe Reno-Sparks Convention Center. The Women’s International BowlingCongress was so impressed, it awarded its 1988 Championships to bowlingcenters in Reno and nearby Carson City.

The result was a then-record 78,462 total participants. That was followedby the 1990 ABC with approximately 50,000. Clearly, Reno had struck gold.

“The bowlers had such a great experience in Reno,” said another son, Glenn,who like Gary and younger brother Gregg had become fully immersed by thenin helping lead the family business.

Gary had worked in casinos since graduating from the University of Nevada-Reno with a business degree in the mid-1970s. Glenn, the backup toquarterbacks Roger Staubach and Danny White for seven years with theDallas Cowboys, came aboard after his pro football career ended in 1984.Gregg put his degrees in hotel/restaurant management, culinary arts andoccupational studies to good use.

Now, area business community leaders wanted the bowlers to come moreoften and in something bigger and more practical than the convention center.So they came up with the idea of building a bowling palace, the “Taj Mahalof Bowling” as the Los Angeles Times called the National Bowling Stadium,when opened in 1995.

In conjunction with that building was a joint venture between the Caranosand the owners of Circus Circus to build Northern Nevada’s largest resortcomplex, the Silver Legacy.

“Don really started everything,” Cashell said. “He got the conventionpeople enthused. He got other casinos included. They bought in even whenthey were not downtown. Once the Tri-Properties are filled, people will go toplaces like the Peppermill, Atlantis and the Nugget.”

To make the National Bowling Stadium project a success, Reno had toconvince ABC and WIBC to bring their tournaments more often. That’s exactlywhat happened as ABC and WIBC, and then the United States Bowling Congressagreed to bring their open and women’s events at least every three years.

And bring the people they did to the tune of about 90,000 bowlers eachto the 1995 ABC and 1997 WIBC. Other bowling organizations’ eventsfollowed. Reno had literally hit the jackpot.

“The bowlers have had such a great experience when they come to Reno,”

said Glenn, Silver Legacy’s director of marketing. “It’s been a beautiful partnership,” said Gary,

Silver Legacy’s general manager and Eldorado’spresident and chief operating officer. “We knowhow important bowling is to Northern Nevada.The bowling community has been so generousto us, we can’t show our appreciation enough.”

A major reason for that great experience isthe Caranos and their staff understand what thatmeans to the bowlers and to Reno. It didn’t hurtthat Gregg Carano, who now serves as vicepresident of food and beverage for all of theCarano properties, was a bowler.

“We’ve always made sure when the bowlerscome to Reno they’ve had a great time,” saidGlenn, who worked closely with Eldorado VicePresident of Sales and Marketing Rick Murdockto make that happen. “When the bowler comesto Reno, Nevada, he or she is a big fish in a smallpond not a small fish in a big pond. To us,bowlers are very important people. We madea business deal with the bowlers. It’s worked forthem. It works for us. It’s a win- win. They dogreat business for Reno, Nevada.”

Nobody knows that better than marketingguru Joan Romeo, who has worked with theCaranos since the National Bowling Stadiumopened. “The Carano family and their staff area remarkable group and it has truly been my

COVER STORY

Bowlers enjoy the facilities at the National Bowling Stadium.

The dramatic exterior of National Bowling Stadium.


COVER STORY

pleasure to have the opportunity to work with them,” she said. “Theirwarmth and hospitality are second to none.”

That partnership has worked both ways. While the bowlers helpsustain the Caranos and the Reno economy, the family has givenback to bowling in a number of ways. There’s the red-carpet hospitalityat the Tri-Properties. There have been numerous financial sponsorshipsof ABC, WIBC and USBC events. And there have been things like the$100,000 donation to USBC’s top charity, the Susan G. Komen for theCure to help eradicate breast cancer, a disease that directly affectedDon’s wife Rhonda.

Don Carano’s activism in the promotion of tourism in Reno andNorthern Nevada has earned him numerous honors. He was inductedinto the Gaming Hall of Fame in 1996, earned the 2000 InternationalRestaurant and Hospitality Rating Bureau’s Millennium 2000 LifestyleAchievement Award. And he’s been named Nevada’s Hotelier of the Year.

His generosity and driving force helping Reno business and civicleaders understand the importance of bowling in Northern Nevada

also earned him the 2004 WIBC Gladys BankerFriendship Award.

Now it will take some more charm from Don and hissons, along with Cashell and other area officials tokeep the flow of bowlers coming for many years tocome. The current deal with USBC ends in 2018 and theNational Bowling Stadium needs updating. “It’s been16 years,” Gary said. “It’s time to make modifications.It needs a number of enhancements.” A $2 per nightroom tax already is being collected to gather the $20-30 million needed for the potential renovations. But first,the Reno business community needs to talk with USBCon its needs if the contract is extended.

There’s also a matter of a potential 100-lane stadiumon the Walt Disney World Wide World of Sportscomplex sometime in the future that could take awaysome of Reno’s tournaments.

“I think where we’re going with an enhanced andremodeled National Bowling Stadium is to make itmore exciting for those who have already been here andfor those who have never been here,” Gary said. “Oncewe have those plans in place the new, improved TajMahal of Bowling will come up.”

While Don Carano remains Eldorado’s owner andchief executive officer and half-owner of the Silver Legacy,he has passed much of the day-to-day work from thefamily’s Nevada and Shreveport, LA., properties to Gary,Glenn, Gregg and two other children as he and Rhondaco-founded the Ferrari-Carano Vineyards in California.

As Glenn said, his father always liked challenges.Good thing for Northern Nevada he was up to thetest with bowling. ❖

Mark Miller is a freelance writer from Flower Mound,Texas. He is the national and Dallas-Fort Worthbowling writer for Examiner.com and a columnistfor the Bowling News Network.

An aerial shot of the construction of the Silver Legacy and the Reno Strip, circa 1995.

Artistic rendering of the Silver Legacy from the street.

The Eldorado Hotel.

BOWLING:JUST DO IT! USBC focuses its attention oncreating lifelong bowlers


INDUSTRY NEWS

t’s no secret the number of league bowlers has droppedevery year for more than three decades. It’s also well-known the many ways the United States Bowling Congressand its predecessors have attempted to change that.

Adding more awards, increasing youth scholarships, creatingnational promotions and asking people to join for the good ofthe sport have done nothing to stop the drop from nine millionto two million registered league bowlers since 1980. So whenUSBC announced at its annual convention July 1 it was changingfocus from promoting bowling as a sport to a lifetime activity,people had every right to be skeptical.

But USBC leaders like Executive Director Stu Upson andnew President Jim Sturm say this time will be different. Theybelieve USBC has done a better job of doing its homework tolearn what will entice today’s consumer to join USBC and to createprograms and services to meet current needs. “We learned it isnot possible to create products that appeal to everyone,” Upsonsaid. “We have to offer a broad amount of products and services.For example, Apple has the iPod but has several differentversions. That’s why we have to have a variety of things. We havebeen too rigid with our offerings. Yes, certified averages andawards are important to some people but not everyone.”

USBC spent its first six-and-a-half years taking its nationalgoverning body status serious enough that its mission focusedon ensuring the integrity and protecting the future of the sport.Its vision sought to grow the sport of bowling through morepeople recognizing bowling as a sport and more peopleparticipating in bowling as a sport.

Many people thought this was a good direction because itbrought USBC back to the original intent of its AmericanBowling Congress roots to standardize the rules of bowling amidthe chaos of conflicting ideas. Only later did ABC, and after it

the Women’s International Bowling Congress and YoungAmerican Bowling Alliance, begin thinking about members tofund those principles.

“ABC, WIBC and YABA were membership organizationssupporting USA Bowling (the then-United States OlympicCommittee-recognized National Governing body or NGB),” saidformer USBC President Darlene Baker July 1 at the USBCConvention. “USBC has both responsibilities as an NGB andmembership organization which has caused some confusion. Thelast few years there’s been a lot of attention on the NGB andit’s led to the perception we don’t care about the averagemember.” “I agree with that,” Upson said a month later. “I’vebeen here two years and consider myself an average memberand think that perception has been true.”

So to help change that perception and help grow membershipand revenue, USBC decided to move the needle to the middleof the NGB/membership pendulum. After losing more than$6.2 million in 2008-09 and 2009-10 and having to cut staff andprograms to return to fiscal solvency in 2010-11, USBC knew ithad to do something different. The decision to do so began lastyear when the USBC Strategic Planning Committee lookedagain at what the organization should be when it grows up. “Itwas quite simple,” Upson said. “What we’d been doing for thepast 20 years hadn’t been working. Certainly we’re an NGB. Thatis what we are about. But we need members to help fund whatwe do and to get more people involved in bowling.”

One of the first things the committee did was to create newmission and vision statements. While approved by the boardand announced to the USBC staff long before, they weren’tofficially revealed to the public until the Convention. The newmission is to provide benefits, resources and programs toenhance the bowling experience. The new vision is to create

IBy Mark Miller USBC Executive

Director Stu Upson


INDUSTRY NEWS

in the first four months of the 2011-12 season.USBC leaders will then analyze the results andform a plan to present at the 2012 USBCConvention in April. The goal is for a limitedrollout of the new package in 2012-13followed by national rollout in 2013-14 withthe hope of no membership loss that season.

While some new programs are in thetesting phase, two aimed at youth alreadyare underway. One is teaching parents andother volunteers basic coaching skills. Freeinstructional classes for USBC associationsand Bowling Proprietors’ Association ofAmerica-member centers feature curriculumaimed strictly at teaching youth how tobowl. “Our belief and vision is that we cangrow the sport simply by teaching thegame, and developing a volunteer coachingbase is paramount in executing that vision,”said International Bowling Campus Directorof Youth Development, Chad Murphy.“With the help of Carolyn Dorin-Ballardand the USBC Coaching team, we havesome of the best instructors in the nationonboard to lead these seminars. Now weneed parents, association leaders andcenter managers to take advantage of theopportunity.”

Also available this season is the USBC Roll‘N Grow membership for youth age 7 andunder. For just $8, those young bowlers inregular or bumper leagues of any length canjoin and receive special awards and benefits.Roll ‘N Grow memberships include a $1processing fee and are in addition to USBCYouth Basic membership for $5 ($1 localprocessing) and Youth Standard for $17 ($2local processing, 50 cents state fee). “We’reputting a lot of emphasis on youth,” Upsonsaid. “The creation of the youth departmenton Campus proves that. “I know it’s a clichébut youth are our future. But we also wantto do what we can for adults.” ❖

Mark Miller is a freelance writer fromFlower Mound, Texas. He is the nationaland Dallas-Fort Worth bowling writerfor Examiner.com and a columnist forthe Bowling News Network.

The courtyard of the USBC building

lifelong bowlers.Once USBC learned peoples’ thoughts, it began testing some new concepts

in the 2010-11 season. These included different products and upgrades anddelivery methods. Among the products was a member welcome gift. Alsotested was a blanket league certification where all bowlers in a center becomemembers. Plus, short season, fun leagues and casual memberships were tried.

The question remained - will members pay more for better benefits? “It’s notso much continuing with things they have to buy but giving them something theywant to buy,” Upson said. “The key element is frequent, casual bowlers. Whatis it that will entice them to join USBC? It may not be awards. It may not evenbe a certified average.”

And it may not even be traditional bowling related products and services,Sturm said.

“For some people it’s not about league prize money but about rewardpoints,” Sturm said. “Others may want discounts on bowling balls or discountson food and beverages. It’s all about what it will take to get them into USBC.”

New on the delivery side is league secretary software that would havememberships sent directly from the league secretary to USBC. Currently, bowlersfill out membership information on their first league night, give it to their leaguesecretary who sends it to the local association which processes the applicationsand sends it on to USBC headquarters in Arlington, Texas. The new modelidentifies two stakeholders – field ambassadors who care about and will helppromote bowling and bowling center owners and staff who deal daily withtheir customers.

What about the 3,000 local and state USBC associations? “As I said at theConvention, this is not in any way a program to put associations out of business,”Upson said. “Will it change their roles? Yes. And we’ll need feedback from allof our constituents, association volunteers, proprietors and bowlers.” “We willrefocus the purpose of the local and state associations,” Baker said. “They willbe more than processing centers. Everyone’s time is valuable and we want tohelp the proprietors.”

About 12-15 markets of varying sizes and locations are testing the new ideas

31IBI November 2011

FINANCEFINANCE

nternal Revenue Code Section 179 can provide a significantadvantage to capital intensive businesses such as bowling.While potentially generating a large impact on the current

year’s liquidity, there are times when use of this optional codesection can hurt a center’s financial position. Code Section 179provides for a deduction of up to $500,000 of equipmentpurchased in one year. Normally, bowling equipment isdepreciated over five years. In addition, there is bonus depreciationfor equipment purchased that exceeds $500,000 in one year.Although there are several factors that limit the deduction, formany centers there can be significant current year tax savings byusing this code section.

Section 179 allows a deduction for the entire cost of most newor used tangible personal property purchased for use in a tradeor business within one year. Bowling, kitchen, bar, and otherequipment used in a bowling or family entertainment centerare generally considered tangible personal property and areeligible under Section 179. Vehicles are not eligible. Some SUVsare possible (between 6,000 and 14,000 gross vehicle weight) butlimited to $25,000. Building improvements are considered realproperty and are not eligible. The equipment must have beenpurchased (not contributed for equity or acquired by a gift ortrade), but can be paid for in cash or financed.

Tax Savings: Although the option for Section 179 is available,there are times when it may not be appropriate to use. Comparethree bowling centers that are each buying a new scoring systemfor $250,000: � Center 1 is one of three owned by the same “C”

corporation. The company has been consistently profitable,

reporting taxable income of $200,000 every year. Under Section179 the company elects to expense the new scoring systemand eliminates all of its taxable income and carries the resulting$50,000 “loss” back to the previous year. The tax savings are$47,750 in the current year and $17,000 recovered from thecarry back of the “loss” to the previous year. By contrast,depreciating the equipment in the normal way would save about$19,500 per year for each of the following five years. In thiscase, using Section 179 generates a lower tax benefit of $32,750($97,500 over five years vs. $65,750 for a 179 write off) becauseof the lower tax rates for smaller taxable incomes. (15% for thefirst $50,000 of taxable income, 25% for the next $25,000, 34%for the next $25,000, and 39% for the next $229,000.) Since thecompany is in the 39% tax bracket for all income over $100,000,using five year depreciation means that the tax savings is all at39%. By using Section 179 the tax savings is at the lower bracketsas well. In this case, part of the savings is at the 15% bracket. Thus,there is a cost associated with the election. But, it has a significantpositive impact on the current tax year. � Center 2 is a single center owned in an “S” corporation,

which reports its income on the owners’ personal tax return. Thecenter is owned by a married couple. She runs the center andhe is a successful doctor who earns $300,000 taxable income peryear. The couple elects to use Section 179 to expense the newscoring system and the deduction offsets the doctor’s incomesaving them $59,955 in federal income taxes for the year. Sincethe couple will be in a 33% tax bracket in each of the followingfive years, they would save $16,500 annually through normaldepreciation. As a result, they would also have a larger overalltax savings through the use of depreciation ($82,500 vs. $59,955)since using Section 179 generates tax savings from lower taxbrackets in the current year. �Center 3 is a single center owned in a “C” corporation and

is modestly profitable, showing $50,000 of taxable income in thecurrent year but $10,000 to $25,000 per year in the previous years.The owners expect income to rise in each of the next few yearsas a result of the new scoring and a new marketing program. Inaddition, the company is well capitalized with good cash reserves.Since a corporation pays a 15% tax rate on amounts under$50,000 and 25% between $50,000 and $75,000 the couple

I

APPRECIATINGDEPRECIATIONBUY YOUR CAPITAL EQUIPMENTNOW AND LET IRS CODE SECTION179 LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD.

By Ken Paton

equity. If the company had $350,000 in retained earningsbefore the purchase and $700,000 of total liabilities, thedebt/equity ratio was 2.0. Following the purchase andthe decline in retained earnings the ratio is now 7.0. Mostbanks want a debt/equity ratio of less than 3.0. Thisbookkeeping change could result in a decline at the nextloan review.

In summary, Section 179 can be a powerful tool forimproving the cash position of a bowling centerthrough an immediate write-off of the entire cost of thepurchased equipment. However, most businesses willhave a greater tax savings by using a normaldepreciation schedule. In addition, the center willlikely maintain a stronger balance sheet with a normaldepreciation schedule. The question for a proprietoris the impact of the tax savings in the current year vs.larger tax savings over time. Each situation will bedifferent and should be reviewed with a competent taxadvisor prior to making the decision. ❖

FINANCE

IBI November 201132

Ken Paton is a financial consultant to the bowlingindustry with more than 30 years experience workingwith small business. He practices in Portland, OR, andcan be reached at 503-645-5630.

elects not to use Section 179 since it will provide $50,000 of depreciationin each of the following five years saving them more in taxes than they couldrecover from carrying the loss back to the previous years. The future taxsavings will come from a high tax bracket in the future making depreciationmore valuable than the one year deduction.

OTHER FACTORS: Since most bowling centers use tax accounting fortheir financial statements, the decision to use Section 179 can also havean impact on how your center is evaluated by a bank. Under Section 179the entire amount of the equipment purchase is expensed as additionaldepreciation. This reduces the amount of your assets and reduces theshareholders equity section of your balance sheet. If you paid cash for theassets, this reduces your liquidity (cash) by the amount of the purchase.Long term assets and depreciation increases by the amount of thepurchase, which has no net effect on long term assets. However, retainedearnings are decreased by the amount of the purchase. In the illustrationabove, retained earnings are decreased by $250,000. Assuming that youhad $250,000 in retained earnings before the purchase, you now show noretained earnings. All of the bank’s ratios are now much worse thanbefore. If the assets were financed, the problem is compounded becauseassets and shareholders’ equity go down while liabilities go up.

One ratio banks look at closely is the current ratio, the ratio of currentassets and current liabilities. If the center had $350,000 in cash before thesale and $100,000 of liabilities (including the liability for league prize fundand the current portion of long term debt), the original ratio was 3.5.Following the purchase, the ratio is 1.0. Most banks want to see a ratio of1.2 or better. Another key ratio is the ratio of total liabilities to shareholders’

��

33IBI November 2011

Doug Wagoner’s car racing roots bring a supercharged atmosphere to Fast Lanes.

By Lydia Rypcinski

PROFILE

oopeston, IL., is probably as far away from life in the fastlanes as you can get.

The self-proclaimed “Sweet Corn Capital of theWorld” in east central Illinois is home to approximately 5,300mostly white, mostly working-class people age 25 to 64. Theaverage 2.42-person household makes $46,460 annually tillingthe land, providing a service (medicine and education) orprocessing food.

But for 54-year-old Doug Wagoner, every day in Hoopestonis about life in the fast lanes. That’s because he owns “FastLanes” - Hoopeston’s only bowling center.

Although Wagoner is a life-long bowler, owning a racing-themed bowling center was the furthest thing from his mind justfour years ago. He was a Hoopeston police officer, and heliked his job. But in June 2007, the local 10-lane bowling center(then called Pla-Mor Lanes) went bankrupt and closed. Bankofficials knew Wagoner was an avid bowler. They asked him tohelp put the run-down center to rights so a new owner couldre-open quickly. “They knew if the building stayed empty fora year, they would never get the bowlers back,” Wagoner said.

As the place started to look better, Wagoner’s bowling

Hfriends began urging him to buy it. Otherwise, they’d have tocontinue driving to Danville or Cissna Park – both about a half-hour away – to bowl. Wagoner resisted at first. He didn’t wantto assume the loan. Besides, he said, law enforcement agentsaren’t allowed to work for or own businesses that have liquorlicenses. And, he was busy with his avocation – racing dirt trackcars, something he’d done since 1989. “I was on Jamie Wilson’spit crew when he had a late-model dirt racing car,” Wagonersaid. “We raced 60 nights a year all over the Midwest andFlorida back then.” Wilson andWagoner later went off ontheir own to build and race amodified dirt oval car (a crossbetween an open sprint carand a traditional stock car).They won their share of races,and Wagoner enjoyed thetime and work he devoted tothe venture.

Doug Wagoner,proprietor of Fast

Lanes in Hoopeston, IL.The lanes, decked out in the race car theme.


the center -- Wilson’s late model car ona bowling lane, kicking out bowling pinsbehind it instead of dust. But Wagonerknew from the start his business couldn’tsurvive on bowling alone. The previousowner hadn’t reinvested in it, and a lotof bowlers had drifted away.

“I thought a restaurant would makeup what the bowling wouldn’t, andwould bring in people who would eatbut not bowl,” he said. “If they sawthe bowling, they might eventually getin a league.”

Wagoner plowed $45,000 intobuilding a kitchen and a 110-seatrestaurant called “The Pit Stop.” It’ssupplemented with a banquet area thatseats another 60. He estimates that 70percent of his revenue now comes fromhis food-and-beverage operation. “Thistown doesn’t have another restaurantlike this,” Wagoner said. “We serve rib-eye steaks and hand-battered chickenbreasts. My mother and another girlmake everything from scratch, includingthe potato, macaroni and pea salads.”Among the racing-themed menu items:the “Jackman,” a 6-oz. burger withbacon and cheese. And the“Speedway,” a double burger on atriple-decker bun served up with coleslaw and Thousand Island dressing. Thekiller, though, is the “Oil Spill” dessert.“It’s four brownies with ice cream andCool Whip on top, chocolate saucedripping down everything, and a cherry

PROFILE

The ground shifted under Wagoner’s feet, though, when Hoopeston’s police officersdecided to unionize in the summer of ’07. “I’d had a bad union experience in the pastand didn’t want to do that again,” said the 23-year police veteran. Instead, he startedthinking about what he might do with that empty bowling center. Wagoner purchasedthe center in July 2007. He opened it for business Aug. 1 – the same day he retired fromthe force.

Wilson’s oldest daughter came up with the “Fast Lanes” name. The artist-daughter of an employee took Wagoner’s ideas and created a theme graphic for

A closer view of the banners inspiring bowlers at Fast Lanes.

35IBI November 2011

PROFILE

on top,” Wagoner said.The racing theme extends from the checkered tablecloths

in the restaurant throughout the center. Wagoner ripped upthe old concourse carpeting and replaced it with black-and-white checkered tile. The walls alongside lanes 1 and 10 are

festooned with NASCAR banners, drivers’ flags, and flags fromall the tracks he and Wilson have visited – Vegas, Talladega,Joliet, Dayton and more. Photos Wagoner has taken ofNASCAR and local dirt track drivers are displayed in themeeting room frequented by church and community groups.

Wagoner has christened an entire wall at the center’sentrance as the “Winner’s Circle.” It features pictures ofHoopeston’s annual King and Queen of the Hill tournamentchamps and yearly high-average bowlers. The “Circle” alsoincludes photos and bios of the 30 or so inductees of the

local bowling Hall of Fame. “If not forthese people, and their dedication andachievements, we could not have abowling alley here,” he said. “I wantedto honor them for that.”

Fortunately for Wagoner, Hoopestonis full of people who also like auto racing.The center’s TV usually has some kind ofauto race on for customers to watch.NASCAR leagues, along with therestaurant, are starting to entice peopleback to bowling. Wagoner even giftedhis employees two Christmases agowith a trip to the Kamp MotorSpeedway in nearby Boswell, Ind.However, he didn’t join them in the VIPsuite he reserved for them. “I was downin the pits working on the race car,”Wagoner chuckled. “We won thefeature race that night. We still race,

but we’ve really scaled back. The time [required] and the racetracks are not here like they used to be.”

The ex-cop has no illusions about what it will take for FastLanes to succeed. Hoopeston suffered a body blow with the1993 passage of NAFTA. Two large employers, Schumacher and

The Pit Stop Restaurant servesunique burgers, steaks and desserts,and all are hand-prepared in thenewly renovated kitchen.

The Winners Circle includes photos and bios of the 30 or so inductees of the local bowling Hall of Fameas well as winners of local tournaments.

FMC, closed local operations and sent the workoverseas. Many factory workers bowled, andthey left to look for work elsewhere. Those whoremained don’t have the means to bowl threeor four nights a week as they once did.

Yet Wagoner has been able to add a bowlerhere and a team there in the last four years. He’sespecially proud that his Thursday night men’shandicap now has a waiting list of teams wantingto join. He’d like to create enough new league bowlersin the next five years to put in new lanes and pinsetters.

The key, he said, is to never stop trying to find ahook to bring in a potential bowler. “Bowling can’t bethe only thing you offer; you have to give [people]variety,” Wagoner said. “You’ve got to get them in thedoor so they can bring in some revenue.”

He took a chance on and had great success withan Illinois State BPA summer bowling promotioncalled “Strikes, Spares and Speed.” ISBPA memberscould organize NASCAR leagues around ticketpackages for a day of racing and tailgating at theChicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL. Wagoner sold 85

packages at $60 apiece within a few days of making them available athis center. “If I give them a chance to come in here and buy a NASCARticket, they may see what we’ve got, sit down to eat, and then maybecome back to bowl,” Wagoner said.

“But you’ve got to believe in what you’re doing. If you do, then you’lldo whatever it takes to help your business.” Because even at FastLanes, sometimes slow and steady wins the race. ❖

A frequent contributor to IBI, Lydia Rypcinski has been writing for and aboutbowling for more than 30 years. She has won writing and photography awardsin and outside the sport for her coverage, which has taken her to six continentsand more than 20 countries. She co-authored Revolutions: The ChangingGame with Chip Zielke in 1998 and Sports Traveler Chicago with AnbrittStengele in 2009.

PROFILE

IBI November 201136

DATEBOOK

Hotel Arista-Citygate CentreNaperville, ILBill [email protected]

30-12/7QubicaAMF Bowling World CupNorthcliff Bowling CentreAnne-Marie [email protected]

JANUARY 201222-26BOWLING SUMMITThe Meritage, Napa valley CAwww.bpaa.com/summit

NOVEMBER9-10BCA of Ohio Seminars & MeetingEmbassy Suites, Columbus, OHPat Marazzi, 937-433-8363

6-11Bowling University SchoolFor Bowling Center ManagementInternational Bowling CampusArlington TXEmail: [email protected];800-343-1329www.BowlingUniversity.net

14-15Illinois State BPA Fall AnnualMeeting

FEBRUARY24Mayor’s Celebrity BowlingChallenge to Strike Out HungerBaton Rouge River CenterU.S. Open Championship LanesMarc Pater, [email protected]

JUNE24-29BOW EXPO 2012Silver Legacy, Circus Circus &EldoradoReno, NVTrade Show: Reno SparksConvention Ctr.www.bowlexpo.com

Wagoner added the black andwhite checkered floor in the

bowling concourse area to extendthe race car theme of the center.

BOXING MACHINEHave you been thinking aboutadding a boxing machine toyour center? Kalkomat offersthe highest quality manufactur-ing of any boxing machine onthe market. These machinesare the perfect addition to a bar or game room with high ROI.With minimal maintenance, they stay trouble free. For moreinformation visit www.kalkomat.com or call 619-261-6979.

HOUSE BALLSEbonite’s Super Solar line of glowinghouse balls gives you the best value foryour dollar. Thanks to their ruggedurethane construction, Super Solar houseballs can stand up to most anything yourcustomers can throw at them. SuperSolars come with a two-year warranty (from date of purchase)against breakage on all weights from 6-16 pounds. SuperSolars come with or without standard drillings, engraved ornot. Visit www.ebonitebowlingcenterdirect.com to order.

RENTAL SHOESIf only everything returned itsinvestment as fast and as manytimes over as Brunswick PremiumRental Shoes. Featuring genuinefull-grain leather uppers, a leather sole with channel stitching,foam-padded sock liners and rubber heels, these shoes arebuilt to last game after game and come with a one yearwarranty. Contact 1-800-YES-BOWL, options 1, 1, for moreinformation or to place an order.

QUALITY SOCKSAmerican Athlete Store has been aleading seller and manufacturer ofathletic socks since 1970 with almost 500million socks sold. All socks are guaran-teed for 50 washings and with anemphasis on product quality, comfort,and value, your customers will thank you for providing themwith a sock that feels good and won’t slide down on theirfoot! All products are made in the USA. Please call(336) 824-1065 or visit www.americanathletestore.com formore information.

MYSTREY SHOPExclusive mystery shoppingpartner to the attractionsindustry since 1996,Amusement Advantage offers programs for bowling centersof any size or location. Learn what your guests are experienc-ing through comprehensive evaluations of your operation. Wecreate a custom program for each center. Shops are conduct-ed by professional shoppers who represent your actual targetmarket and submitted within 48-72 hours. Visit us at IAAPAbooth #4510 for a free sample shop or contact us at 800-362-9946 or www.amusementadvantage.com.

DISPOSABLE SHOE PADSCenters now have a new extra incomeoption for their casual bowlingcustomers who dislike wearing rentalshoes. The BowlSole is the world's onlydisposable bowling shoe pad designedto be worn on your own shoes. BowlSoles leave no stickyresidue and are designed to fit everyone. On average, centerowners earn between $500-$900 additional revenue permonth by adding BowlSoles to your rental shoe offering. Seeincreasing your income video at www.bowlsole.com.

UNIQUE DRINK DISPENSERNow available to bowling centers, the HOPRhas a unique stainless steel chill rod, whichholds a propriety solution, and is kept frozenuntil needed. Then simply drop it into themiddle of up to 96 ounces of beverage! Thedirect chilling insures beer, mixed drinks, etc.are chilled at an optimum temperature for 2full hours! It’s hard to know who like the HOPR more……thebusiness owner or the customer! For more informationcontact Dan Coyle at [email protected] or 651-564-1030.

LIGHTING Industrial Lighting & Sound is the name foreverything in lighting. Do you need acomplete lighting and audio system? Want atotally automated system, a system overhaul,or a turnkey package? Looking for replace-ment parts like LEDs? For affordable, reliable, quality lightingand sound, call 800-875-9006 or visitwww.industriallightingandsound.com.

37IBI November 2011

SHOWCASE


CLASSIFIEDS

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

REPAIR & EXCHANGE. Call for details(248) 375-2751.

FOR SALE: (3) AMF-312 chairs; (8 sets) ballracks and hoods. Best Offer. Call AC or Franny@ (845) 794-5561.

FOR SALE: 40+ 82-70s . [email protected]

USED BRUNSWICK PARTS, A2 partsand assemblies. Large Inventory.www.usedpinsetterparts.com.

NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment.Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.

Pinsetter Parts New from ALL majormanufacturers. HUGE IN STOCK inventory.USED Brunswick Scoring parts, AS90cameras, processors, lane cables,monitors, and PC boards. Order online @888SBIBOWL.com or (888) 724-2695.The Mechanics Choice!

AMF XL & BOSS scoring for small andlarge centers with LCD monitors. (712)253-8730 .

AMF and some BRUNSWICK PC boardrepair/exchange. 6-month warranty, fastturnaround. Call or write: WB8YJF Service

5586 Babbitt Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054Toll Free: 888-902-BOWL (2695)

Ph./Fax: (614) 855-3022 (Jon)E-mail: [email protected]

Visit us on the WEB!http://home.earthlink.net/~wb8yjf/

WWW.FACEBOOKBOWLING.COM

39IBI November 2011

CLASSIFIEDS

CENTERS FOR SALE

UPSTATE NEW YORK: 8-lane center/commercial building built in 1992.Synthetic lanes, new automatic scoring,kitchen and room to expand! Reduced tosell @ $375,000. Call (315) 376-3611.

EQUIPMENT WANTED

LANE MACHINES WANTED. We willpurchase your KEGEL-built machine, anyage or condition. Phone (608) 764-1464.

USED WOOD BOWLING LANE BEDS.WILL REMOVE! MIDWEST LOCATIONPREFERABLE. (74) 1914 [email protected].

CENTERS FOR SALE

16-lane center in Southern Coloradomountains. Great condition. 18,000s/f building w/ restaurant & lounge.Paved parking 100 + vehicles.Established leagues & tournaments.$950,000 or make offer. Kipp (719) 852-0155.

CENTRAL WISCONSIN: 12 lanes, autoscoring, Anvilane synthetics, 82-70s. Greatfood sales. Yearly tournament. Attached,large 3 bedroom apartment w/ fireplace.$550K. (715) 223-8230.

NW KANSAS: 12-lane center, AS-80s,Lane Shield, snack bar, pro shop, game &pool rooms. See pics andinfo @ www.visitcolby.com or contactCharles (785) 443-3477.

SOUTHWEST KANSAS: well-maintained8-lane center, A-2s, full-service restaurant.Includes business and real estate. Nice,smaller community. Owner retiring.$212,000. Leave message (620) 397-5828.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN: 12-laneBrunswick A-2s, Vector Plus FrameworXscoring, kitchen, & pro shop. PRICED TOSELL. Call Bruce (715) 614-7779.

CENTERS FOR SALE

NE MINNESOTA: Food, Liquor & Bowling.Established 8 lanes between Mpls & Duluth w/large bar, dining room, banquet area. Two largeState employment facilities nearby. High sixfigure gross. Call Bryan (218) 380-8089.www.majesticpine.com.

SOUTHERN INDIANA (close toIndianapolis): 18-lane Brunswick centerwith lounge, liquor license & movietheater on 4+ acres. Turnkey business.Owner retiring. Great investment! (765) 349-1312.

NEW YORK STATE: Thousand Islandregion. 8-lane Brunswick center w/ cosmicbowling, auto scoring. Established leagues+ many improvements. $309,000. Call Jill@ Lori Gervera Real Estate (315) 771-9302.

GEORGIA: busy 32-lane center, realestate included. Great location in one offastest growing counties in metro Atlanta.5 years new with all the amenities.Excellent numbers. Call (770) 356-8751.

WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA: One ofthe top five places to move! Remodeled32-lane center. Good numbers. $3.1mgets it all. Fax qualified inquiries to (828)253-0362.


CLASSIFIEDS

Michael P. Davies (321) 254-7849291 Sandy Run, Melbourne, FL 32940

on the web: bowlingscorer.com email: [email protected]

AS80/90 • BOARD REPAIR • FrameworxSERVICE CALLS WORLDWIDE • PRE-SHIPS • WE SELL

NEW KEYPADS • FRONT DESK LCD MONITORS

2021 Bridge StreetJessup, PA 18434570-489-8623www.minigolfinc.com

MINIATURE GOLF COURSESIndoor/Outdoor. ImmediateInstallation. $5,900.00 & up.

"Bowling Center Construction Specialists"

�New Center Construction �Family Entertainment Centers�Residential Bowling Lanes�Modernization�Mini Bowling Lanes�Automatic Scoring

Toll Free: (866) 961-7633Office: (734) 469-4293

Email: [email protected]

CONTACT BRIAN ESTES

41IBI November 2011

CLASSIFIEDS

MARSHALL ELECTRONICS• Electronic Scoring Repair• AMF Accuscore Plus• Curtain Wall Chassis - $285

• Foul Units• Chassis Boards• Brunswick Scoring

We repair all types of monitor boards.Call for a complete price list.

593 Loxley Drive, Toms River, NJ 08753

732-240-6554 • 800-782-9494www.merepair.webs.com

ForFLORIDA CENTERS

CallDAVID DRISCOLL& ASSOCIATES

1-800-444-BOWLP.O. Box 189

Howey-in-the-Hills, FL 34737AN AFFILIATE OF

SANDY HANSELL & ASSOCIATES


CLASSIFIEDS

43IBI November 2011

CLASSIFIEDS

Orange County Security Consultants

•Keys & ComboLocks for allTypes ofLockers.

•One weekturnaroundon mostorders.

•New locks -All types

•Used locks1/2 priceof new

All keysdone bycode #.

No keysnecessary.

LOCKERKEYS FAST!

CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-700-4KEYINT’L 530-432-1027

E-mail: [email protected] YOUR ORDER TO US AT:

530-432-2933



CLASSIFIEDS

(818) 789-2695SELL YOUR CENTER

PROPRIETORS WITH AMF 82-70S.S. & M.P. MACHINES

Save $$ on Chassis & P.C. BoardExchange & Repair!

A reasonable alternative forChassis and P.C. Board Exchanges

MIKE BARRETTCall for Price List

Tel: (714) 871-7843 • Fax: (714) 522-0576

CENTERS FOR SALE

CENTRAL IDAHO: 8-lane center andrestaurant in central Idaho mountains.Small town. Only center within 60-mileradius. Brunswick A-2 machines;Anvilane lane beds; automatic scoring.(208) 879-4448.

NORTHWEST LOUISIANA: 12-LANEBrunswick center. REDUCED TO SELLNOW! Includes auto scoring, glow bowling,pizza, large dining area & video poker. Goodincome. Long Lease. Great opportunity. CallMike (318) 578-0772.

NW INDIANA (Lake Michigan/National LakeShore area): DRASTICALLY REDUCED—PRICED TO SELL! 32-lane center, familyowned & operated since 1997 on 6.6 acres.Also billiards, arcade, pro shop, full-servicerestaurant, established leagues & MORE!$2,300,000. (219) 921-4999.

CENTRAL ALABAMA: Recently remodeled,split house w/24 synthetic lanes (16 & 8) in28,000 s/f building in shopping center;Brunswick A2s & 2000 seating; AccuScorePlus; VIA returns & storage tables; systemsfor Cosmic; established leagues; snack bar,pro shop & game/pool table area. Nearestcompetition 28 miles w/ colleges & Hondafactory within minutes. Need to sell due tohealth. Reasonably priced. (435) 705-0420.

CENTERS FOR SALE

NE NEVADA: New 2001. 16 lanes, 19,200square feet, 1.68 acres paved, sound &lighting, lounge w/ gaming, arcade, fullservice snack bar & pro shop. Call (775)934-1539.

EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA: 6-laneBrunswick center, bar & grill, drive-thruliquor store in small college town. Also, 3apartment buildings with 40 units, goodrental history. Call (701) 330-7757 or (701)430-1490.


45IBI November 2011

CLASSIFIEDS

BUY SELL

AMF • BRUNSWICK EQUIPMENTCOMPLETE PACKAGES

WORLDʼS LARGEST NEW – USED SPARE PARTS INVENTORY

Danny & Daryl TuckerDanny & Daryl TuckerTucker Bowling Equipment Co. Bowling Parts, Inc.609 N.E. 3rd St. P.O. Box 801Tulia, Texas 79088 Tulia, Texas 79088Call (806) 995-4018 Call (806) 995-3635Fax (806) 995-4767 Email - [email protected]

www.bowlingpartsandequipment.com

FOR LEASE

PRO SHOP: National Lake Shore area ofNW Indiana. Call (219) 921-4999.

SERVICES AVAILABLE

Drill Bit Sharpening and Measuring BallRepair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. 800-255-6436 or Jayhawkbowling.com.

See a list that will help centers fill lanes w/1200+ New Bowlers, Birthday Parties &Corporate Outings that generate $15,800 –a 600% ROI from 4 payments starting at$278. Visit mcprs.bmamkt.com or call (888)243-0685.

AMF 65-25 CHASSIS: Conversion, Repair,Replace & exchange. Includes rewiring,requested repairs, conversion to MK 30board system and converting chassis to newPR system where applicable. TOTALSATISFACTION GUARANTEED! Referencesavailable. CHASSIS DOCTORS(330) 314-8951.

MANAGER WANTED

Don't miss your chance to grow withan Industry Leader! Looking forExperienced, Service-Oriented GeneralManagers for our U.S. bowling retailcenter locations. Please check us out atwww.brunswickcareers.apply2jobs.comfor more details on our current openings.Act Now! Apply Today!

The leading source for real estate loans with low down payments

Ken Paton(503) 645-5630

[email protected]

We could not have gottenWe could not have gottenour loan without him.our loan without him.

Max Cook and Fred KaplowitzMax Cook and Fred KaplowitzNorth BowlNorth Bowl

Spokane, WASpokane, WA


CENTERS FOR SALE

SOUTHERN NEVADA: Excellentopportunity for qualified person! 8-lanecenter with AMF 82-70s, Twelve Strikescoring. $60,000 for business and equipmentonly. Long term lease available. Buildingbeing remodeled. Call Steve (702) 293-6072;cell (702) 414-5321; email:[email protected].

CENTRAL ILLINOIS: PRICED TO SELL!!8-lane center with AMF 82-70s, full servicerestaurant, pro shop. Plus pool tables,karaoke machine & DJ system. Asking$125,000.00 with RE. (217) 351-5152 [email protected].

IDAHO, Rigby: 8-lane center with BrunswickA-2 machines; refinished wooden lanes;$85,000 for all assets; seller lease backproperty. (208) 535-9905. www.arthurberry.com.

WEST TENNESSEE: Nice 24-lane [email protected]


REMEMBER WHEN

nother in our series of “EverybodyBowls” mysteries:

Who was Robert M. Cushing?Better yet, what was the first name of

Mrs. Robert M. Cushing? A board member of theHouse Research and Treatment Center, whichseems to have been an important medical institutein Irvington, NY, and an alumna of Barnard, ourMrs. Cushing is important enough in her own

right to be selected to represent bowling. Yet she’ll have to wait a few moredecades for Ms. and given names to come to the fore.

In the August 1960 issue of Holiday, she is stylishly outfitted to matchthe masking.

Mrs. Cushing may or may not have been one of 1.9 million enrolledin WIBC that year, ’59-’60 (ABC had 4 million members), but theunidentified AMF emporium where she was so ecstatic was definitely oneof 9,467 bowling establishments certified by ABC/WIBC. BPAA had4,752 member centers. ❖

1960A

Documents

International Bowling Industry November 2011