Where are they now? By John Jowdy

What do professional bowlers do after they retire from their chosen profession?

Sadly, some of them who failed to secure their future wind up working odd jobs at minimum wages. Some merely retire on Social Security.

Fortunately, many continue to be involved in bowling earning a comfortable living. A great majority of them operate successful pro shops. Many earn livable wages as coaches or instructors.

Dick Ritger is undoubtedly the most prominent bowling instructor of all time. Ritger, a 20-time PBA champion, retired from bowling while still VERY competitive to embark on an instructional career. Ritger can be credited with spreading the bowling gospel to practically every country in Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Australia.

He has not only taught worldwide; he opened the doors to hundreds of American coaches. For example, countries like Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Russia, and Malaysia have government subsidized programs that hire American coaches. They are paid from $60,000 to $100,000 a year, PLUS, housing, automobiles, food, and yearly and semi-yearly trips back to the States. Additionally, many countries that do not have government backing hire American coaches to conduct bowling seminars for anywhere from $1000 to $2000 a day, plus ALL expenses.

Ritger's Professional Bowling Camps began over 30 years ago. Dick continues to run clinics all over the United States and the free world. Some of the best coaches in America have ridden on Dick Ritger's coattails and currently benefit financially from the trail he blazed.

Then, there are those who became successful proprietors. One of the former most prominent bowling superstars is Don Carter. Carter, whose bowling prowess established him as one of the five greatest players in the history of the game, dominated the sport during the late 50's and early 60's before injuries forced his retirement.

Carter became one of the principle investors in the Don Carter chain of bowling centers in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. Many Carter bowling centers have been sold for lucrative property values. Nonetheless, those in operation are doing well. Incidentally, one of Carter's principle partners in the Don Carter All Star bowling chain is Hall of Famer Junior Powell, a former Toledo bowling proprietor, now residing on the Florida west coast.

In addition to Don Carter, several other members of the famous Budweiser bowling juggernauts of the 50's-60's, became bowling proprietors; Dick Weber, Ray Bluth, Bill Lillard, and Pat Patterson.

The famous Falstaff team, which included such Hall of Famers as Glenn Allison, Steve Nagy, Billy Welu, Harry Smith, and Dick Hoover produced one bowling proprietor, Dick Hoover. Hoover continues to serve bowlers in the Akron, Ohio area.

Billy Hardwick, a transplanted Californian now residing in Florida, has been involved in a very successful bowling center in Memphis, Tenn. In recent years, Billy turned his bowling operations over to his children and is currently engaged in the real estate business in Florida.

I had the opportunity and honor of coaching two former outstanding PBA players that have become successful bowling proprietors; namely Mike Aulby (27 titles) and George Pappas (10 titles). Incidentally, both players won the most prestigious of all PBA events, the Firestone Tournament of Champions….Aulby (1995) Pappas (1979).

Several years ago, Aulby assumed ownership of Arrowhead Lanes, a 24 lane center in Lafayette Ind. His manager? Four-time PBA title-holder, Scott Devers! Business at Arrowhead Lanes became so lucrative, Aulby added an additional 12 lanes. Furthermore, Aulby, whose son Christopher excels at hockey, now operates two hockey/ice rinks in his hometown Indianapolis.

George Pappas, a former Charlotte, N. Carolinian now residing in nearby Cornelius, currently owns and operates three bowling centers in his native state…Park Lanes in Charlotte, Gastonia Lanes in Gastonia and his newest establishment, Victory Lanes, a 40 lane bowling center in Mooresville, approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte.

Victory Lanes serves as an example of a state of the art bowling facility. George Pappas' Victory Lanes features a large parking area, a full service restaurant, a huge billiard room, a large game room, a well-stocked pro shop, incredible wall décor, a spacious concourse with TWENTY TWO television sets, plus four huge portable TV screens located above the masking units, extra-clean rest rooms on both ends of the concourse, a cozy modern bar with five TV sets, and a snack bar.

At one time, Marshall Holman seemed destined to inherit the position of analyst on the ESPN Pro Bowlers Tour. However, he was by-passed in favor of Randy Pedersen. His failure to secure the ESPN position has proven to be a blessing in disguise. Marshall and his wife currently operate a very successful franchised tax service business that is continually expanding throughout the country.

Allie Clarke, a three-time PBA champion, currently operates Maysville All Star Lanes in Zanesville, Ohio. Allie continues to participate in PBA Senior events.

Ted Hoffman, a former PBA touring player and later PBA Western Regional Director, became manager of Dublin Bowl when Earl Anthony assumed ownership. Following Anthony's untimely death, Hoffman continues to oversee operations at the popular bowling center.

I would be remiss in neglecting to mention present PBA bowlers who are financially involved in bowling centers. Doug Kent, currently enjoying the most productive years of his career on the PBA tour, operates two centers in northwest area of the state of New York; Doug Kent's Lakeside Lanes in Penn Yan, N.Y. and Doug Kent's Rose Bowl Lanes in Newark, N.Y.

I had the privilege and pleasure of coaching many, many bowlers. Included among them are four of my favorite people; Tom Crites, David Ferraro, Dave Husted and Jeff Lizzi. I have them listed in a separate category. All of these gentlemen have all assumed management of family-owned bowling businesses.

Steve Cook, a 15-time PBA Champion, is Mike Aulby's brother-in-law. Unlike Mike, who invested in a bowling center, Cook developed Steve Cook's Bowling Supply into one of America's most successful bowling-related businesses. Cook, a native Californian, credits a lot of his success to the support of his wife and children, all whom are actively engaged in the day-to-day operations.

Veteran bowling fans can vividly recall the ABC-TV Pro Bowlers Tour every Saturday afternoon, particularly the dynamic duo of Chris Schenkel and Nelson Burton Jr.

The late Chris Schenkel, a Hall of Fame announcer possessed a golden throat and brought prestige to the PBA Pro Bowlers Tour. Bo Burton, an ABC and PBA Hall of Famer, was a frequent candidate for TV honors as an analyst. Schenkel and Burton became household names in bowling circles.

Unfortunately, Chris Schenkel passed away several years ago. Burton won 17 PBA titles, including the US Open and the ABC Masters. Nelson Burton Jr., not only inherited his father's nickname Bo but also inherited a bowling center from his father. In addition, he made some very wise investments and currently resides in Florida with his children.

Perhaps the most financially successful former professional bowler is Chuck Lande, a Dallas, Texas native. Lande will be featured in next month's column.