Charles "Robby" Robinson, inventor of Robby's Automatic Wrist Positioner and namesake of the Professional Women's Bowling Association's Robby Award, died April 24 after a brief hospitalization. He was 86. Robinson, a long-time Professional Bowlers Association competitor, received the first of eight patents for bowling products he developed in 1972. His original "Ball Positioner" evolved into a series of wrist supports, gripping aids, liquid skin patch, shoe protectors and a unique four-ball caddy on wheels – all products designed to solve problems faced by the average bowler. He incorporated Robby Products in 1974 and later sold his company to Ebonite International.
Freeverse Software Freeverse Software has announced the release of Flick Sports Bowling, a new game for the iPhone and iPod touch. It costs US$4.99. The first of a new series of games planned for the iPhone and iPod touch, Flick Bowling is a tenpin bowling game. The game features six characters and a variety of different balls to choose from. You can select different difficulty levels, and bowl alone or against a computer-controlled character. Flick Bowling uses the iPhone and iPod touch's touchscreen interface to let you choose your ball, line up the shot, and adjust the ball's velocity and direction.
The first class of the four-country European tour of International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) "Hands on Training Seminars" (H.O.T.S.), the first-ever H.O.T.S. class held outside the United States, concluded on Thursday at Airport Bowl London Heathrow with excellent initial reviews. The class of eight pro shop owners/operators from all around the London metro area, was a mixture of experienced ball drillers as well as some fairly new to the business. The courses' curriculum teaches basic fitting and drilling procedures and techniques, as well as more advanced theory on layouts, ball construction and properties and ball motion.
The schedule for the four-country European tour of International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) "Hands on Training Seminars" (H.O.T.S.) has been finalized and is now set for September 8-30, 2008. The classes, sponsored and fully supported by Bowltech in the U.K., Netherlands and Spain and by their joint venture partner in the Czech Republic, will be conducted by Art McKee (pictured), IBPSIA Master Instructor and current Technical Coach of the Hong Kong National Team.
Exempt bowler, Chad Kloss, has signed on as a member of the Track Tour staff, announced Paul Figliomeni, Track brand manager. Kloss joins two-year Track staff member, Mitch Beasley, for the 2008-09 season which begins at the PBA World Championships, October 19-26. "Chad is a welcome addition to the Track staff as he is the kind of aggressive and knowledgeable player that we cater to," said Figliomeni. "He's proven that when he sets a goal like regaining his exemption, he achieves it. We have no doubt that his first title is not far off."
The Bowling Foundation has announced the hiring of Troy W. Greisen as its first full-time executive director effective August 20, 2008. A collegiate bowler while attending the University of Kansas, Greisen most recently served as Special Olympics International's Managing Executive Director of the Asia Pacific region based in New Delhi, India. Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, The Bowling Foundation's mission is to promote a life long enjoyment of bowling by fostering youth and community health and fitness programs, maintaining the value of sportsmanship, character development, and leadership skills, while providing research, education and training for the bowling community and its athletes.
Storm staffer Norm Duke has signed a two year contract extension with the Brigham City, Utah based manufacturer of high performance bowling balls. Duke, who battled injuries most of the 2007-08 PBA Tour season, won two majors, the 65th U.S Open and the Denny's World Championship last year. The comeback was one of the greatest feats ever on the Professional Bowlers Tour. Duke became just the second bowler in history to win the four Grand Slam events – the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Masters, Tournament of Champions, World Championship and the U.S. Open. 
Columbia 300 has announced Natalie Cortese, a Hoffman Estates, Ill. resident, as the winner of the 2007-2008 John Jowdy Scholarship. Cortese will receive a $500 annual scholarship for the maximum timeframe of four years of postsecondary education (a total award of up to $2,000) at the university of her choice. "Columbia 300 is honored to offer this scholarship to Natalie. She is the embodiment of everything we look for in an applicant both athletically and academically," said Jennifer Murphy, John Jowdy Scholarship Awards coordinator. 
The Track brand is planning the hottest ball launch party in the history of industry! On July 1, Track will host the Up-Rising ball launch at the famous Kingpin Suite in The Palms Hotel and Casino (pictured). 200 bowlers will gain exclusive access to the launch party and will demo balls in the hotel's two-lane bowling suite. Free products, open bar, two after-hours parties and other incentives are also part of the unique evening.
Strike Ten Entertainment, the marketing arm of the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA), has announced the continued growth of the sport in 2007. For the second year in a row, participation increased with more than 67.2 million people having bowled across 5400 centers, enabling bowling to maintain its status as the nation's number one participatory sport. Strike Ten Entertainment also announced that bowling is generating more revenue than ever before, making a $10 billion impact on the U.S. economy. 
Mike Brinson of 'The Strike Zone' bowling center from Brunswick, Georgia has won a brand new Kegel Kustodian Walker lane machine! The drawing for the free Kustodian Walker was held April 28, 2008 at 4 p.m. as a part of the 2008 Walk This Way Seminar Tour by Kegel. Brinson is a Classic Products customer and drove all the way down to Lake Wales, Florida (approx. 460 miles) to attend the seminar held at Kegel Headquarters. 
Storm Products Inc., the Brigham City, Utah based manufacturer of high performance bowling balls is proud to welcome Rhino Page to its Staff of Champions. Page, of Topeka, Kansas, had the greatest rookie season in the history of the Professional Bowlers Tour in 2007-08, which included a title at the Go RVing Classic in March. "We're excited about Rhino," said Storm President Dave Symes. "He exudes the passion and desire for success on the lanes that we have throughout our company."
Webber International University (WIU) has partnered with the Kegel Training Center to offer collegiate bowling beginning in the 2008-09 academic year. The 4-year private business university plans to field a team to compete in United States Bowling Congress collegiate tournaments to qualify for the Intercollegiate Bowling Championship Sectionals and Nationals. The team will train at the Kegel Training Center and be coached by the coaches at the Training Center in Lake Wales, Florida.
On March 27, the Hammer Women's Team bowled a 1,331 game, an average of 266.20, in the 5-woman team league at Riviera Lanes in Milwaukee, breaking the record for the highest 5-woman team game in national recorded history previously set by Contour Power Grips I (1,328) in 1998. All five bowlers used Hammer balls. "Having the entire team throwing Hammer equipment has helped all of us tremendously in reading the lanes and being able to make adjustments off our teammates' shot," said Laura Mattila. 
Ebonite International has announced that the company has restructured the Powerhouse® brand in order to put additional resources behind bowling coaching and bowler development programs. Veteran coach and pro shop operator, Brian Chilcutt (pictured), has accepted this new position with the Powerhouse™ brand. In that capacity, he will oversee the company's bowling and bowler development initiatives as well as the Powerhouse™ Pro Shop Equipment and Pro Shop Training Clinic businesses. 
Ebonite International Inc. has announced plans to present "Bowling with the Stars," a charity event with its players on May 18 benefiting Speedway Children's Charities, a non-profit organization that supports numerous children's programs and initiatives nationwide. Scheduled for May 18, 5 p.m., at George Pappas' Victory Lanes, 125 Morlake Drive, Mooresville, NC, "Bowling with the Stars" presented by Ebonite International, Inc. will provide a fun-filled evening of bowling, food, trick shots, meet and greet sessions with your favorite Ebonite International bowlers and more surprises. 
Columbia 300 has once again committed to sponsor the Mini-Eliminator, one of the world's most famous tournaments, and the 2008 Summer Classic. Scheduled for June 30 – July 6, the Summer Classic will offer $42,500 in guaranteed prize money, including a $20,000 top prize and $5,000 for the winner of the Columbia 300 Shootout.
The first edition of B.E.R. (Bowling Event Rimini) ended on March 16 at Rimini Fiera. The international trade show dedicated to bowling was organized by Rimini Fiera SpA and Facto Edizioni, with the support of the FISB (Italian Bowling Federation) and the EBPA (European Bowling Proprietors' Association). B.E.R. was held simultaneously with the 20th edition of ENADA Spring, one of Europe's leading expos in the coin-op sector, and the two trade shows were attended by a total of 25,168 visitors. 