Marshall Kent, of Yakima, Washington, has been named the July 2012 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America. Kent won five medals at the 12th World Youth Bowling Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, June 22 - July 3, 2012. His two gold medals came in Team (with Team USA teammates Andrew Koff, Zack Hattori, and Chris Via), Singles, two silver medals in Doubles (with Team USA teammate Andrew Koff) and All-Events, and a bronze medal in the Masters competition.
During International Bowl Expo in Reno June 24-29, members of the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) voted to support the recommendations of the BWAA Strategic Planning Committee to create a new name for the historic bowling journalist's group that started in 1934. On Friday, July 20, the BWAA board of directors agreed with the membership's recommendation to officially name the new global organization the International Bowling Media Association (IBMA). The change takes effect August 1.
The Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) has awarded college scholarships to three great student bowlers. Stephanie Sims, Garland, Texas was named first place winner and will receive $1,500; Blair Blumensheid, Columbus, Ohio, second place and $1,000; and Samantha Chong, San Jose, California will get $500 for third place. The award is named in honor of BWAA, United States Bowling Congress and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Fame journalist Chuck Pezzano of Clifton, NJ.
Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey (pictured), has been named the June 2012 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA). Kulick won her third U.S. Women's Open crown defeating Missy Parkin, Lake Forest, California, 170-160 in the title match. She became the first woman in 60 years to win U.S. Women's Open three times since USBC Hall of Famer Marion Ladewig won the third of her record eight U.S. Open crowns in 1952.
Betty Schlegel (pictured) had just turned 90 years old and she was eagerly awaiting bowling in her 42nd national tournament when she was confronted with a series of health challenges. After a stay in the hospital and re-hab she felt well enough to go home and continue working on her strengthening exercises so she could make it to Reno to bowl. Last year she received an award from the California USBC for having bowled in 60 state tournaments. An avid sportswoman, sadly, on June 24th Betty passed away.
BWAA will announce a new name in the coming weeks; Joan Romeo elected 68th President at 2012 BWAA Convention in Reno
Members attending the Bowling Writers Association of America Convention held in conjunction with International Bowl Expo, voted unanimously June 26 that the time has come for the organization, founded in 1934, to go global. In the coming weeks, BWAA will announce a new name, along with a new slogan, vision and mission statements; and a tentative agreement has been reached to encompass the World Bowling Writers group. Elected to become the 68th President of the new organization was Joan Romeo.
Parker Bohn III (l.) will speak to the members of the Bowling Writers Association of America at the Brunswick Luncheon on Monday June 25, and Jason Belmonte (r.) of Australia will tell members about his world travels at the Storm Breakfast Tuesday June 26 during this year's BWAA Convention as part of Bowl Expo. Along with other company officials, both pros will answer questions from BWAA members in attendance.
Johnny Petraglia (pictured), Jackson, New Jersey, has been named the May 2012 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America. Petraglia became the first bowler to win a PBA National Tour or Senior Tour title in six different decades by winning the PBA Senior Dayton Classic. The 65 year-old PBA and USBC Hall of Famer first won as a 19 year-old in the 1966 PBA Fort Smith Open. Petraglia's eighth career PBA Senior Tour win ended a three-year winless streak.
19-year-old Mitch Franco has been a professional singer most of his life
When members of the Bowling Writers Association of America, Hall of Famers, and industry VIP guests come to the BWAA's Annual Columbia 300 Dinner, they will be serenaded by one of America's best young singers, Mitch Franco (pictured). The dinner will be held Sunday, June 24, 6:30 pm in the Eldorado Hotel Conference Center in Reno. In his performance, guests will hear a few originals mixed with classics
from crooners and artists like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett,
Nat King Cole, and Bobby Darin.
Near unanimous selection after Tournament of Champions win
Sean Rash (pictured) of Montogomery, Illinois has been named the BWAA Kegel Bowler of the Month for April. Rash won the PBA Tournament of Champions defeating Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, New, York, 239-205 for his fifth career PBA title. With the win, Rash becomes another strong candidate for the PBA Player of the Year race. Although this was his lone win on the 2011-12 PBA Tour, Rash was either first or second in earnings, average, match play appearances, and tournament points.
Jazreel Tan (l.), a native Singaporean who lives in Wichita, Kansas, and Matt Weggen (r.), Muscatine, Iowa, have been selected as the 2011 Bowling Writers Association of America Amateur Bowlers of the Year. Tan, was also the BWAA Collegiate Female Bowler of the Year, earned her honor through consistent, year-long college performances. Weggen earned his through a blistering, record-setting day in Reno.
Osku Palermaa (pictured), Finland, has been named the March 2012 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America. Palermaa won the first PBA international title, the 9th Kuwait International Open defeating top-seeded Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Michigan, in a two game match, 276-232 and 268-226. The Finnish 2008 and 2009 Bowler of the Year was coming off a win over fellow countryman Perttu Jussila, 289-255, in the Kingdom of Bahrain Open just 10 days earlier.
A man who elevated the coverage of bowling in his region for more than 40 years, R.F. (Robert Frank) Corderman (pictured), has been voted the newest recipient of the Luby Hall of Fame Award by the Bowling Writers Association of America. Corderman, 60, was known mostly for his ability to cover all aspects of the West Coast scene through the pages of the Pacific Bowler, with which he was affiliated from 1978-2004. He set standards for regional coverage in areas such as wheelchair bowling, senior news, the youth level and, of course, the PBA Regional Tour.
Award for contributions to the sport to be presented at BWAA Annual Meeting June 24 in Reno, Nev.
For contributions to bowling through education, promotion and commentary on issues affecting the sport, the Bowling Writers Association of America has announced that John LaSpina (pictured) is the recipient of the 2012 BWAA Mike Hennessy Award of Merit. LaSpina has served in leadership roles at many levels during his lifetime of involvement in the sport. LaSpina will be presented with his award during BWAA Annual Meeting activities held in conjunction with International Bowl Expo June 24-29 in Reno, Nev.
The man whose name is synonymous with excellence and vision in bowling journalism is the recipient of this year's BWAA Alberta Crowe Meritorious Service Award. Mort Luby Jr., former publisher of Bowlers Journal International and founder of the World Bowling Writers, is being recognized for his long-term accomplishments in and for the sport of bowling through these and other media. A journalism graduate from the University of Notre Dame, Luby also won numerous industry awards for his own editorial commentary and reporting over the decades.
Mika Koivuniemi (pictured left), the Finland star living in Hartland, Mich., and Shannon Pluhowsky (right) of Kettering, Ohio, added to their 2011 success by being selected male and female Bowlers of the Year by the Bowling Writers Association of America. Voting in both divisions was fairly close. Awards for Koivuniemi and Pluhowsky will be presented during the BWAA Annual Meetings and International Bowl Expo in Reno, Nev.
Pete Weber, of St. Ann, Missouri, has been unanimously named the February 2012 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America. In what he later stated was the biggest win of his career, Weber defeated Mike Fagan, Dallas, Texas, 215-214, to win the 69th U.S. Open. His record fifth win surpassed the four wins by both his dad, the late Dick Weber and also the late Don Carter. Those wins were in the predecessor to the U.S. Open, the BPAA All Star.
Mike Fagan (pictured) of Dallas, Texas, has been unanimously named the January 2012 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America. Fagan won the Alka Seltzer Plus Liquid Gels United States Bowling Congress Masters defeating top-seeded Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 246-213. After no strikes and a 30-pin deficit in the first four frames, Fagan threw seven straight strikes to wrap up his third career and first major PBA title.
The Bowling Writers Association of America has elected Ron Mohr (l.), Eagle River, Alaska, and Paula Vidad (r.), Sun City, Calif. as Senior Bowlers of the Year for 2011. Mohr won four PBA Senior titles, including the Senior US Open and finished in the top five in all but one of the 10 events in which he competed. Vidad (right) was the 2011 Senior Queens champion and had an outstanding showing in the USBC Women's Championships.
Jason Belmonte (pictured) of New South Wales, Australia, has been named the November 2011 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America. The two-hander from Down Under showed the best performance by any bowler in the three-year history of the Professional Bowlers Association's World Series of Bowling (WSOB) in Las Vegas. In the span of 16 days, the 2011 Bowling ESPY award winner captured his second, third, and fourth PBA titles.
Marshall Kent, of Yakima, Washington, has been named the July 2012 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America. Kent won five medals at the 12th World Youth Bowling Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, June 22 - July 3, 2012. His two gold medals came in Team (with Team USA teammates Andrew Koff, Zack Hattori, and Chris Via), Singles, two silver medals in Doubles (with Team USA teammate Andrew Koff) and All-Events, and a bronze medal in the Masters competition.
During International Bowl Expo in Reno June 24-29, members of the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) voted to support the recommendations of the BWAA Strategic Planning Committee to create a new name for the historic bowling journalist's group that started in 1934. On Friday, July 20, the BWAA board of directors agreed with the membership's recommendation to officially name the new global organization the International Bowling Media Association (IBMA). The change takes effect August 1.
Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey (pictured), has been named the June 2012 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA). Kulick won her third U.S. Women's Open crown defeating Missy Parkin, Lake Forest, California, 170-160 in the title match. She became the first woman in 60 years to win U.S. Women's Open three times since USBC Hall of Famer Marion Ladewig won the third of her record eight U.S. Open crowns in 1952.
Betty Schlegel (pictured) had just turned 90 years old and she was eagerly awaiting bowling in her 42nd national tournament when she was confronted with a series of health challenges. After a stay in the hospital and re-hab she felt well enough to go home and continue working on her strengthening exercises so she could make it to Reno to bowl. Last year she received an award from the California USBC for having bowled in 60 state tournaments. An avid sportswoman, sadly, on June 24th Betty passed away.
Members attending the Bowling Writers Association of America Convention held in conjunction with International Bowl Expo, voted unanimously June 26 that the time has come for the organization, founded in 1934, to go global. In the coming weeks, BWAA will announce a new name, along with a new slogan, vision and mission statements; and a tentative agreement has been reached to encompass the World Bowling Writers group. Elected to become the 68th President of the new organization was Joan Romeo.
Parker Bohn III (l.) will speak to the members of the Bowling Writers Association of America at the Brunswick Luncheon on Monday June 25, and Jason Belmonte (r.) of Australia will tell members about his world travels at the Storm Breakfast Tuesday June 26 during this year's BWAA Convention as part of Bowl Expo. Along with other company officials, both pros will answer questions from BWAA members in attendance. 
When members of the Bowling Writers Association of America, Hall of Famers, and industry VIP guests come to the BWAA's Annual Columbia 300 Dinner, they will be serenaded by one of America's best young singers, Mitch Franco (pictured). The dinner will be held Sunday, June 24, 6:30 pm in the Eldorado Hotel Conference Center in Reno. In his performance, guests will hear a few originals mixed with classics
from crooners and artists like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett,
Nat King Cole, and Bobby Darin.
Sean Rash (pictured) of Montogomery, Illinois has been named the BWAA Kegel Bowler of the Month for April. Rash won the PBA Tournament of Champions defeating Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, New, York, 239-205 for his fifth career PBA title. With the win, Rash becomes another strong candidate for the PBA Player of the Year race. Although this was his lone win on the 2011-12 PBA Tour, Rash was either first or second in earnings, average, match play appearances, and tournament points.
Jazreel Tan (l.), a native Singaporean who lives in Wichita, Kansas, and Matt Weggen (r.), Muscatine, Iowa, have been selected as the 2011 Bowling Writers Association of America Amateur Bowlers of the Year. Tan, was also the BWAA Collegiate Female Bowler of the Year, earned her honor through consistent, year-long college performances. Weggen earned his through a blistering, record-setting day in Reno.
Osku Palermaa (pictured), Finland, has been named the March 2012 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America. Palermaa won the first PBA international title, the 9th Kuwait International Open defeating top-seeded Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Michigan, in a two game match, 276-232 and 268-226. The Finnish 2008 and 2009 Bowler of the Year was coming off a win over fellow countryman Perttu Jussila, 289-255, in the Kingdom of Bahrain Open just 10 days earlier.
A man who elevated the coverage of bowling in his region for more than 40 years, R.F. (Robert Frank) Corderman (pictured), has been voted the newest recipient of the Luby Hall of Fame Award by the Bowling Writers Association of America. Corderman, 60, was known mostly for his ability to cover all aspects of the West Coast scene through the pages of the Pacific Bowler, with which he was affiliated from 1978-2004. He set standards for regional coverage in areas such as wheelchair bowling, senior news, the youth level and, of course, the PBA Regional Tour.
For contributions to bowling through education, promotion and commentary on issues affecting the sport, the Bowling Writers Association of America has announced that John LaSpina (pictured) is the recipient of the 2012 BWAA Mike Hennessy Award of Merit. LaSpina has served in leadership roles at many levels during his lifetime of involvement in the sport. LaSpina will be presented with his award during BWAA Annual Meeting activities held in conjunction with International Bowl Expo June 24-29 in Reno, Nev.
The man whose name is synonymous with excellence and vision in bowling journalism is the recipient of this year's BWAA Alberta Crowe Meritorious Service Award. Mort Luby Jr., former publisher of Bowlers Journal International and founder of the World Bowling Writers, is being recognized for his long-term accomplishments in and for the sport of bowling through these and other media. A journalism graduate from the University of Notre Dame, Luby also won numerous industry awards for his own editorial commentary and reporting over the decades.
Mika Koivuniemi (pictured left), the Finland star living in Hartland, Mich., and Shannon Pluhowsky (right) of Kettering, Ohio, added to their 2011 success by being selected male and female Bowlers of the Year by the Bowling Writers Association of America. Voting in both divisions was fairly close. Awards for Koivuniemi and Pluhowsky will be presented during the BWAA Annual Meetings and International Bowl Expo in Reno, Nev.
The Bowling Writers Association of America has elected Ron Mohr (l.), Eagle River, Alaska, and Paula Vidad (r.), Sun City, Calif. as Senior Bowlers of the Year for 2011. Mohr won four PBA Senior titles, including the Senior US Open and finished in the top five in all but one of the 10 events in which he competed. Vidad (right) was the 2011 Senior Queens champion and had an outstanding showing in the USBC Women's Championships.