In a closely-contested race,
Nick Morgan, Sacramento, Calif., was voted Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for July. Morgan won all seven of his matches in the final block to capture the PBA Senior Northern California Classic tournament on July 2, finishing ahead of Dale Traber. Morgan averaged 245-plus for the tournament, easily winning the title and $8,000. A close contender for the monthly honor was Frank Gallo, Jr., Newport News, Va., a super senior who won his first Eastern Regional PBA title after 36 years.
Wayne Webb, Sacramento, Calif., who won the Professional Bowlers Association Senior U.S. Open in his "rookie" year, has been elected Senior Male Bowler of the Year by a panel of veteran Bowling Writers Association of America members. Lucy Sandelin of Tampa, Fla., was a runaway winner of the BWAA's Senior Female Bowler of the Year honors after posting top five finishes in the Golden Ladies Classic and the PBA Ladies & Legends tournaments as well as finishing eighth in a PBA regional. 
Patrick Allen (pictured left) was a unanimous choice as recipient of the Bowling Writers Association of America Kegel Bowler of the Month Award for January. The 38-year-old Wesley Chapel, Fla., left-hander posted three top-five finishes, winning two titles, his first major championship in the Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association's H&R Block Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas and the National Bowling Stadium Championship in Reno, Nev., an event that featured multiple lane conditions during the championship finals.
On the strength of an unprecedented streak of three consecutive Professional Bowlers Association major titles, Norm Duke (right) of Clermont, Fla., has been elected Bowling Writers Association of America Male Bowler of the Year for 2008. Likewise, Lynda Barnes (left) of Double Oak, Texas, has earned Female Bowler of the Year honors after winning back-to-back titles and $80,000 in prize money in the United States Bowling Congress Queens and USBC Clash of Bowling Champions.
Parker Bohn III has been selected Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for December 2008. Bohn, a PBA Hall of Famer from Jackson, N.J., captured his 32nd career title in the PBA Cheetah Championship in Cheektowaga, N.Y. He entered the championship round as the No. 1 seed, and defeated Mike Scroggins, 242-198, in the title match. Bohn also finished third at the Lumber Liquidators Shark Championship in Baltimore the following week.
Michelle Feldman of Auburn, N.Y. dominated the first three events of the Professional Bowlers Association Women's Series presented by the United States Bowling Congress. After only making one cut in last year's series of tournaments, Feldman has bowled in the first three title matches of the Women's Series events. She finished second at the Pepsi Viper Championship in Omaha, Neb. and won the next two events in Taylor, Mich. and Vernon Hills. Ill.
Bowling lost another giant Nov. 18 with the passing of Bruce Pluckhahn. John Bruce Pluckhahn, 84, died after a long stay at the Catholic Home in Milwaukee. He had been in a coma since Nov. 14. The Wauwatosa, Wis. native was a giant in the public relations field of bowling and was honored for his efforts with election to the ABC Hall in 1989 for his work with the American Bowling Congress and as the first curator of the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame. Pluckhahn is survived by his wife Rosemary, daughter Susan and four sons John, Bill, Bob and Charlie. Memorial arrangements are pending.
Norm Duke (pictured left) was a nearly unanimous choice as the Bowling Writers Association of America Kegel Bowler of the Month for October. The Clermont, Fla. righthander became the first player in PBA history to win three consecutive majors titles by winning the PBA World Championship in Wichita, Kan. Duke finished the 2007-08 season by winning the PBA's final two majors -- the World Championship and the U.S. Open. The USBC Hall of Famer has 30 titles, and six Major championships.
Josie Earnest of Vandalia, Ill. has been named Bowling Writers Association of America Kegel Bowler of the Month for September 2008. Earnest, a third-year member of Junior Team USA, won four gold medals and one silver medal at the 2008 Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON) Youth Championships in El Salvador. She won gold medals in Singles, Trios, Team and All Events and took the silver medal in Doubles. Earnest, the 2006 Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow, averaged 214.08 for her 24 tournament games.
Kim Terrell, Dover, Del., topped the 186-player field to win the 2008 U.S. Women's Open at Brunswick Zone XL in Romeoville, Ill. It was her second U.S. Open title and third career major championship. Terrell's 216-189 title-match victory over Ohioan Trisha Reid earned her $25,000. August's other nominees included Del Ballard Jr., Brian Brazeau, Trisha Reid, Lucy Sandelin, Mark Williams, and Walter Ray Williams Jr., who collected three gold medals and one bronze at the FIQ Men's World Championships in Thailand.
Wayne Webb, Sacramento, Calif., has been named Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for June. Webb (pictured left), in his first year on the PBA Senior Tour, defeated Johnny Petraglia, Manalapan, N.J., 204-172 in the championship round to win the 2008 Senior U.S. Open presented by Suncoast at the Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas. Webb is a 20-time titlist, but was bowling in only his second Senior Tour event. He bested 321 players and won $20,000.
Dick Evans (pictured with Tom Clark, right) of Daytona Beach, Fla. was elected president of the Bowling Writers Association of America by the board of directors following the 2008 annual meeting at the International Plaza Hotel in conjunction with Bowl Expo. Evans previously served as president in 1986 and 1987. The new term of office begins Aug. 1 and runs through July 31.
Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, has been named the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for May. Barnes won the inaugural Clash of Champions by defeating four-time Denny's PBA Tour titlist Sean Rash of Wichita, Kan. 258-237, to win the USBC event in front of more than 1,500 fans at Kansas City Municipal Auditorium. Barnes received $50,000 for the victory. Barnes also was named Kegel Bowler of the Month for April.
Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, Texas , has been named the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for April. Barnes won her second USBC Queens title 10 years after winning her first by defeating Amy Stolz of Castle Rock, Colo., 215-195 at Skore Lanes in Taylor, Mich. on April 30. The USBC Queens featured a field 337 of the top female bowlers in the world. Lynda added to her resume May 9 by winning the USBC Clash, which was not considered for her April honor. 
Bowling Writers Association of America lost another of its oldest friends and most dedicated members when Frank Kietz died April 2 in Lake Forest, Calif. Kietz, the 2005 Mort Luby Sr. Hall of Fame Award winner and 1984 president, was 91. He was a key contributor to the California Bowling News for years. He suffered a heart attack April 2 and died from a blood clot April 3, according to old friend Ray Rosenbaum. "Frank was one of the nicest and most dedicated bowling people BWAA has ever had," said BWAA executive director Steve James.
Veteran bowling writer Joe Lyou Santa Paula, Calif., a.k.a. "Tenpin Slants" died Thursday, March 20, at the age of 88. Joe was one of the last generation of daily newspaper reporters who covered bowling as one of their regular beats like one of his best friends, Dick Evans. Several years ago Joe and Dick decided to write their own obits about their lives. They sent them to each other and promised that they would send it out on the Internet when the other died. Dick and Joe's numerous friends were praying that by some miracle Joe would recover, but the prayers weren't answered. It is with a heavy heart that Dick has sent us Joe Lyou's obit.
Lyle Zikes and Joan Romeo will be honored June 24 at the Columbia/BPAA writers' dinner in Orlando, Fla. Zikes earned a place in the Bowling Writers Association of America Hall of Fame while Romeo received her accolades as the winner of the prestigious BWAA Meritorious Service Award. That will make Les and his Hall of Fame father Lyle the second father-son USBC/BWAA Hall of Fame combination, the first as a bowler (Les) and second (Lyle) as a writer.
Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., has been named Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for February. Duke defeated Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 202-165 in the championship match to win the Denny's World Championship, a major tournament in the Denny's PBA Pro Tour. Not only did Duke receive $50,000, but also a much-needed two-season Tour exemption.