Joe Lyou

Column

News from the 2008 National Golden Ladies Classic

By Joe Lyou (Tenpin Slants)

It was reported here recently that USBC Hall of Famers Robin Romeo (Newhall, Calif.) and Jeanne Naccarato (Tacoma, Wash.) will be making their debut in the 2008 National Golden Ladies Classic (NGLC), to be held March 10-13 at the Orleans Hotel/Casino/Bowling Center in Las Vegas. The NGLC, or simply the Golden Ladies, was founded by Jeanette Robinson, also a USBC Hall of Famer, at the old Showboat Bowling Center in 1991. Since then, the tournament--open to women who are 50 and older--has not only grown in stature but it has gained international fame.

• Full Column

Column

Kim Terrell makes a favorable impression at Delaware State

By Joe Lyou (Tenpin Slants)

Kim Terrell says she loves her new job as the bowling coach at Delaware State University. The popular San Francisco native took over the program at the beginning of the fall semester last September. That's why she was unable to compete in the recent PBA Women's Series on ESPN. It didn't take long for Terrell to make a favorable impression at Delaware State. This was verified by the monthly women's bowling poll conducted by the National Tenpin Coaches Assn. (NTCA), recognized as "the voice and leadership of NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Assn.) bowling."

• Full Column

Column

Some personal opinions, comments and observations of the 2007 USBC Masters

By Joe Lyou a.k.a Tenpin Slants

Sean Rash (pictured) deserved to win the Masters, being the top seed for the TV stepladder finals. The personable 25-year-old Wichita State graduate, who now owns four Denny's Professional Bowlers Assn. titles, recorded his first major triumph, good for $100,000. Amazingly, Rash is still undefeated (7-0) in televised matches. The tall (6-1), handsome right-hander is exciting to watch. He has all the tools to be one of the PBA's most popular stars. And yes, ladies, he's a bachelor.

• Full Column

Column

Doesn't it make sense that the USBC and BPAA should support those who support bowling?

By Joe Lyou (Tenpin Slants)

Doesn't it make sense that the USBC and BPAA should support those who support bowling?
That question was raised during a press conference held in conjunction with the recent U.S. Women's Open in Reno. The tournament, of course, was staged inside the National Bowling Stadium, whereas the press conference—arranged by P.R. whiz Joan Romeo—was held in the office of Jennifer Cunningham, Director of Sales and Marketing for Circus Circus Reno, an MGM Mirage Property.

• Full Column

Column

The story of the 2007 U.S. Women's Open

By Joe Lyou (Tenpin Slants)

This is the story of the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open, presented by the USBC (United States Bowling Congress) and the PBA (Professional Bowlers Assn.). The action takes place from Aug. 13-18 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno. The plot (a.k.a. tournament format) starts out as a mystery, but as the tournament progresses, it makes a lot of sense. In fact, you could even say that the format, devised of television, was brilliant.

• Full Column

Column

Going to watch "the Greatest, Most Exciting Women Bowlers in the World"

By Joe Lyou (Tenpin Slants)

Diehard bowling fans have missed the women's pro tour, which has been dormant for four long years. That includes me and a couple of my longtime colleagues, Hall of Fame writers Dick Evans and John Jowdy. The three of us would get together whenever the old PWBA (Professional Women's Bowling Assn.) Tour was in Southern California, Las Vegas or Reno.  Remember when Sam's Town Hotel, Casino & Bowling Center was the PWBA's umbrella sponsor?

• Full Column

Column

The signs are everywhere By Joe Lyou (Tenpin Slants)

The signs are everywhere.

The sport of bowling, after experience a steady decline for more than two decades, is on the rebound. There is now a feeling of optimism where there was once doom and gloom. And cooperation among the integers of bowling abounds. As an example, Jeff Boje, a proprietor, has been elected president of the United States Bowling Congress. Cross my heart and hope to die!

• Full Column

Column

Bowling pioneer Dick 'Ol' Steff' Stoeffler dies By Joe Lyou

A phone call I've been dreading for weeks arrived early Sunday morning, Jan. 14. The caller was Susie Stoeffler informing me that her beloved husband, Dick Stoeffler, had died the night before. He was 80. Dick, or Ol' Steff as his friends called him, was a true bowling pioneer in Southern California. He was also one of the Southland's top bowlers during the late 1950s and through the early '70s.

• Full Column

Column

Tribute to Connie Marchione's Election to USBC Hall of Fame By Joe Lyou

I can't tell you how delighted I was when I learned that Constantino (Connie) Marchione had been elected to the USBC Hall of Fame for meritorious service. Marchione, an energetic octogenarian (he's 83), is a longtime resident of San Fernando Valley's Panorama City in California. Marchione richly deserves "bowling's highest honor". In addition to being a perfect gentleman, humanitarian and all-round nice guy, Marchione has done more to promote deaf bowlers than anyone.

• Full Column

Column

NABI Bowling Tournament in Las Vegas

By Joe Lyou

"NABI means fun!" That's why Don Patton has been a member of National Amateur Bowlers Inc. for the past 8 1-2 years…even though he has only one good leg. It was one year ago last March that the 62-year-old bowler from El Paso had to have his left leg amputated just below the knee. But the misfortune didn't lessen Patton's love for bowling…nor for his desire to be a NABI member.

• Full Column

Column

Glenn Allison, for many people still the original Mr. 900

By Joe Lyou

I've known Glenn Allison for a long time. Like, since 1955. That's when Allison was voted the Southern California Bowler of the Year, and I was a sports writer writing about bowling for the old Los Angeles Mirror. Allison's crowning achievement on the lanes, however, came on the night of July 1, 1982, when Allison recorded his remarkable 900 series. It was the first time any bowler had rolled three consecutive 300 games in sanctioned league play.

• Full Column

Column

What's happening with the women's pro tour?

By Joe Lyou (Tenpin Slants)

• Full Column

Column

Char Hammel scores biggest victory of her 26-year bowling career

By Joe Lyou

Char Hammel gets better with age. How else can anyone explain why, at 51, Hammel just scored the biggest victory of her 26-year bowling career. Hammel's impressive performance came in Jeanette Robinson's Golden Ladies Classic, which was held March 6-9 at the Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas. In the championship match, Hammel def. Debbie Christiansen, 237-179, to earn the $2,250 top prize.

• Full Column

Column

16th annual National Golden Ladies Classic turns 16

Dede Davidson wins 19th WWPB title By Joe Lyou (Tenpin Slants)

Jeanette Robinson's baby is about to turn 16 years old. No, not that baby. This one is the 16th annual National Golden Ladies Classic, scheduled for next week (March 6-9) at the Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas. The annual classic, now sponsored by Storm, is open to all women who are 50 and over. There are two divisions, one for Seniors 50-59 and the other for Super Seniors 60 and up.

• Full Column