PBA Hall of Famer Johnny Petraglia is the 2014 recipient of the Flowers for the Living Award which is given annually to an individual “not necessarily for any great deed or spectacular accomplishment, but just for being a person in our world who truly deserves a pat on the back to let them know that we love and admire them for what they have done and stood for.” That description was written by the late Sam (TenPin Tattler) Weinstein, a charter member of the secret selection committee, in 1962.
The surprise presentation was made during the USBC Senior Masters at South Point Bowling Center in Las Vegas by former Las Vegas bowling publication publisher Frenchy LeTourneau.
"I was truly surprised and humbled,” Petraglia said. “Anytime you get an award that has previously gone to people like Dick Weber and Jack Reichert, it is extremely special. I am honored."
The award was inspired by a poem written by former Ohio sports writer Fritz Howell, who basically said deserving people should be recognized while they’re still alive to appreciate it.
BELMONTE FEATURED IN “DUDE PERFECT” BOWLING TRICK SHOT VIDEO
“Bowling Trick Shots,” a YouTube video produced by “Dude Perfect” and featuring Australia’s two-handed star and reigning PBA Player of the Year Jason Belmonte, surpassed 4.5 million views within its first week. The six-minute video includes bowling tricks staged inside USA Bowl in Dallas and a skate board park. To view the video, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CACAmH4r1fw&feature=youtu.be
TRAVEL CHANNEL TO EXPLORE WALTER RAY’S HORSESHOE PITCHING SKILLS
Travel Channel is producing a special segment for "Game On, America" that will showcase the horseshoe pitching talents of two-sport superstar Walter Ray Williams Jr., the winningest player in PBA history. The "Game On, America" segment, scheduled to air at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 26, will feature Williams explaining the proper grip and throwing technique for horseshoe pitching as part of a series of shows that teach people the inside secrets of how to win at any game.
As most PBA fans know, in addition to winning 47 PBA Tour titles and countless other bowling honors, Williams also is a six-time World Horseshoe Pitching Champion and a member of the National Horseshoe Pitching Association Hall of Fame.
PBA MEMBER GREGORY THOMPSON JR. INJURED IN FREAK BASEBALL ACCIDENT
Two-time PBA Regional titlist Gregory Thompson Jr. of Dublin, Calif., suffered a broken arm in a freak pitching accident on Sunday, June 1. Pitching for the Left Coast Lumberjaxx, the humerus bone in Thompson’s right arm broke while he was throwing a pitch.
Thompson underwent a four-hour surgical procedure to repair the fracture. Thompson wrote that his doctor assured him he’ll fully recover from the accident, but his status for being healed in time to bowl in PBA World Series of Bowling VI at South Point in Las Vegas this fall is unknown at this point. In the meantime, friends are rallying to raise $5,000 to help Thompson cover the deductible in his insurance policy.
PBA REGIONAL ROUNDUP: SULLINS WINS PBA50 REGIONAL IN FLAGSTAFF
Harry Sullins of Chesterfield Twp., Mich., posted a 10-6 match play record and 5,973 pins on Friday, May 30, to win his 14th career PBA50 Regional title in the Miller Lite Western Open at Starlite Lanes in Flagstaff, Ariz.
Sullins, who earned $1,500, defeated Ron Winger of Las Vegas by 179 pins for the title in the annual stop in Arizona prior to the PBA Senior U.S. Open in Las Vegas. Winger had an 11-5 match play record and 5,794 pins for 24 games including match play bonus pins.
● PBA Regional competition resumes over the June 13-15 weekend. The schedule includes the PBA and PBA50 Billy Myers Sr. West Opens presented by The Professional Approach, reduced entry fee events, at Bowlium Lanes in Montclair, Calif.; the J.D. Producing Inc./Triway Lanes Central Open presented by Hammer in Wooster, Ohio; the Gastonia South Open at George Pappas Liberty Lanes in Gastonia, N.C., and the Howell Lanes East Open presented by Brunswick in Howell, N.J.
The June 20-22 weekend schedule includes the American Insurance Midwest Open 1 and 2 – a pair of one-day events – at Tinley Bowl in Tinley Park, Ill.; the Reality Check Melbourne Open presented by DV8 at Brunswick Harbour Lanes in Melbourne, Fla., and the San Antonio Southwest Challenge – an event for players who have never won a PBA event – at Astro Super Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.
A busy June 27-29 schedule closes the month. Tournaments will include the Colorado Ebonite Southwest Open at Holiday Bowling and Billiards in Lakewood, Colo.; the Fort Meade East Challenge presented by Roto Grip, a reduced entry fee event for non-champions, at Fort Meade, Md.; the joint Pro Bowl West Lanes Central/Midwest Challenge, also a reduced entry fee event for non-champions, in Fort Wayne, Ind.; and a doubleheader joint regional at Secoma Lanes in Federal Way, Wash. – the PBA and PBA50 Secoma Lanes Northwest/West Opens presented by Storm.
For complete PBA Regional schedules, rules and entry information, visit pba.com, open the “schedules” tab and click on Regional Tours to find the event(s) in your area.
QUICK NOTES
● The PBA has learned of the death of four-time PBA South Region title-winner Ryan Boyd, 48, of Plantation, Fla., after a lengthy battle with cancer. Boyd, who won his titles between 1984 and 1987, also bowled on the PBA Tour during the 1980s. He was married to former Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour competitor Karen (Stroud) Boyd. No additional details were immediately available. Information regarding services will be posted on pba.com and through PBA’s social media outlets as soon as it becomes available.
● CBS Sports Network is now available in high-def to Verizon FiOS TV customers. The network has been available to FiOS customers in standard definition since 2008, but has just announced an expansion of its improved quality to that group of customers. CBS Sports Network is a 24-hour cable sports network with a wide array of programming, including exclusive broadcast coverage of the PBA Summer Swing that airs on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. ET
● Welu Applications Due June 15: If you know a deserving young bowler who could use $1,000 in financial help to attend college, encourage him/her to apply for the 2014 PBA Billy Welu Scholarship Award. Applications must be postmarked by June 15. Eligible candidates must be amateur bowlers who are currently in college (preceding the application date) and maintaining at least a 2.5/4.0 GPA or equivalent. The application form can be retrieved by using this link: http://pba.com/Corporate/Scholarships/.