BOB LEARN JR TAKES FIRST ROUND LEAD

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 6, 2013) – Defending champion Bob Learn Jr. of Erie, Pa.,  averaged 248 to take the first round lead Monday in the PBA50 Miller High Life Classic presented by Columbia 300 at George Pappas’ Victory Lanes.

Learn, who won the 2012 Miller High Life Classic for his first PBA50 Tour title, had a 1,984 eight-game pinfall with games of 200, 226, 300, 225, 243, 257, 266 and 267.

“After watching the first block today it seemed like a lot of guys were having trouble with the first game so it was just a matter of getting through it and hopefully finding the shot after that,” said Learn, who was also a five-time winner on the PBA Tour. “For me it was a matter of moving farther inside to find a shot to the pocket that would carry.”

Learn is trying for his second PBA50 Tour title of the season and third of his career having won the season-opening Pasco County Suncoast Open while bowling with a sprained lower back.

“I feel like this could be one of my best opportunities to defend a title,” Learn said. “My game matches up well with this center and I’m feeling good now so I’m optimistic.”

Learn holds a 42-pin lead over two-time PBA50 Player of the Year Ron Mohr of Eagle River, Alaska, in second with a 1,942 pinfall. Rounding out the top five are 10-time PBA Tour winner and last week’s Greater Birmingham Open runner-up Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 1,941; Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 1,914, and Dale Csuhta, Wadsworth, Ohio, 1,909.

It’s been quite an eventful first two tournaments for hometown bowler Joe Scarborough of Charlotte. In the recent Sun Bowl In the Villages, he rolled the first 900 series in PBA history. In Monday’s first round of the Miller High Life Classic, the electrical contractor was pressed into service with fellow competitor Ken Shealy and another electrician to restore power at the center after a 90-minute power outage. Scarborough finished the round in 12th with a 1,853 pinfall.

Learn had to wait out the delay to complete his 300 game having bowled the first four strikes and then the final eight when competition continued.

The 140-player field returns Tuesday for another eight-game qualifying round beginning at 11 a.m. ET.  After qualifying the field will be cut to the top 40 for match play which gets underway Wednesday at 11 a.m.  Championship rounds are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

PBA.com’s online bowling channel Xtra Frame is providing start-to-finish coverage of the Miller High Life Classic. For subscription information click on the Xtra Frame logo on the pba.com homepage.

PBA50 MILLER HIGH LIFE CLASSIC PRESENTED BY COLUMBIA 300
George Pappas’ Victory Lanes, Mooresville, N.C., Monday

First Round Qualifying (after 8 games)
a-amateur

1, Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 1,984.
2, Ron Mohr, Eagle River, Alaska, 1,942.
3, Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 1,941.
4, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 1,914.
5, Dale Csuhta, Wadsworth, Ohio, 1,909.
6, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,906.
7, John Petraglia, Jackson, N.J., 1,887.
8, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 1,875.
9, Mike Dias, Lafayette, Colo., 1,862.
10, Steve Neff, Homosassa Springs, Fla., 1,855.
11, Hugh Miller, Seattle, 1,854.
12, Joe Scarborough, Charlotte, N.C., 1,853.
13, William Peters, Dayton, Ohio, 1,851.
14, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 1,817.
15, Dennis Rakauskas, Apopka, Fla., 1,811.
16, a-Michael Long, High Point, N.C., 1,802.
17, Robert Harvey, Boise, Idaho, 1,799.
18, Darryl Bower, Middletown, Pa., 1,797.
19, Michael Shequin, Orange City, Fla., 1,790.
20, Don Sylvia, Lady Lake, Fla., 1,786.
21, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp, Mich., 1,773.
22, Wayne Bolin, Lumberton, N.C., 1,771.
23, Charlie Tapp, Kalamazoo, Mich., 1,770.
24, Christopher Keane, Cape Coral, Fla., 1,767.
25, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 1,763.
26, Jeff Bellinger, Columbia, S.C., 1,760.
27, Dave Bernhardt, Romeo, Mich., 1,757.
28, Wayne Webb, Columbus, Ohio, 1,756.
29, Brendan Bierch, Grafton, Mass., 1,751.
30, Mike Hastings, Millsboro, Del., 1,747.
31, Dale Eagle, Tavares, Fla., 1,743.
32, Timothy Kauble, Marion, Ohio, 1,739.
33, Tom Howison, Chillicothe, Ohio, 1,733.
34, (tie) Henry Gonzalez, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Bill McCorkle, Westerville, Ohio, 1,732.
36, Greg McMahan, Dandridge, Tenn., 1,731.
37, Patrick King, Yankton, S.D., 1,726.
38, Mark Scime, Winter Garden, Fla., 1,724.
39, Kenny Parks, Hammond, Ind., 1,722.
40, Ted Staikoff, Black Hawk, S.D., 1,712.
41, Steve Stein, Staten Island, N.Y., 1,711.
42, John Conroy, Mahopac, N.Y., 1,710.
43, Sal Bongiorno, Hollywood, Fla., 1,709.
44, Ron Profitt, Brookville, Ohio, 1,696.
45, Gary Shultis, Levittown, N.Y., 1,695.
46, Jeff Schrum, Cherryville, N.C., 1,686.
47, a-Brian Gottry, Wilmington, N.C., 1,684.
48, Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 1,683.
49, Don Blatchford, Santa Monica, Calif., 1,679.
50, (tie) Frank Manley Jr., Fletcher, N.C., and Lee Brosius, Ashburn, Va., 1,678.
52, William Keenan, Jr., Orlando, Fla., 1,676.
53, Dennis Lane, Kingsport, Tenn., 1,674.
54, Larry Popp, Marion, Ohio, 1,672.
55, Steve Ferraro, Kingston, N.Y., 1,663.
56, Tim Pierce, Portland, Ore., 1,661.
57, (tie) Stoney Baker, Canton, Ga., and Keith Sharp, Orlando, Fla., 1,658.
59, (tie) Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., and Ken Shealy, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 1,656.
61, George Pappas, Charlotte, N.C., 1,655.
62, a-Danny Williams, South Hill, Va., 1,653.
63, Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 1,652.
64, (tie) Tracy Golding, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Ray Johnson, Battle Creek, Mich., 1,645.
66, Marty Berke, Allentown, Pa., 1,644.
67, Dick Gran, Hartville, Ohio, 1,641.
68, Larry Williams, St. Augustine, Fla., 1,637.
69, (tie) John Shreve Sr., Elyria, Ohio, and Rick Minier, Houston, Texas, 1,636.
71, Michael Henry, Brunswick, Ohio, 1,630.
72, Rich Giragosian, Charlotte, N.C., 1,629.
73, Mark Jones, Amelia, Ohio, 1,626.
74, (tie) Ron Glick, Morganville, N.J., and Doug O’Bryant, Jasper, Ga., 1,617.
76, Fred Ferreira, Kings Park, N.Y., 1,616.
77, (TIE) Todd Kjell, Roscoe, Ill., and Bob Kelly, Dayton, Ohio, 1,611.
79, Danny Weikel, Dallas, N.C., 1,609.
80, Guppy Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 1,608.
81, Bruce VanMetre, Delphos, Ohio, 1,607.
82, Ken Gibson, Greenville, S.C., 1,605.
83, Bob Brady, Santa Monica, Calif., 1,604.
84, (tie) Dave Flemming, Fairborn, Ohio, and Al Brooks, Bluefield, W.Va., 1,601.
86, Brian Cooper, Henderson, Nev., 1,600.
87, Richard Hunt, Valparaiso, Ind., 1,595.
88, Roy Buckley, New Albany, Ohio, 1,591.
89, Tom Kennedy, Shepherdsville, Ky., 1,590.
90, Todd Haney, Spartanburg, S.C., 1,586.
91, (tie) Steve Easterday, Strasburg, Ohio, Emilio Mora Sr., Defiance, Ohio, and Larry Graybeal, Elizabethton, Tenn., 1,581.
94, Ross McDonald, Clarksville, Md., 1,579.
95, Bill Argenbright, Fisherville, Va., 1,563.
96, Tom Carter, Rockford, Ill., 1,562.
97, Nick Morgan, Sacramento, Calif., 1,557.
98, Freddie Childress, Bassett, Va., 1,551.
99, Charlie Tomey, Spartanburg, S.C., 1,549.
100, a-Jason Gordon, Concord, N.C., 1,548.
101, Gene Morrison, Spring Lake, N.C., 1,546.
102, Carl Breaman, Greer, S.C., 1,545.
103, Frank Gallo Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 1,542.
104, James Cayton, Canton, N.C., 1,541.
105, Thomas Ream, Tampa, Fla., 1,539.
106, Paul Bryant, Fayetteville, N.C., 1,537.
107, Dave Schultz, Jackson, Wis., 1,531.
108, (tie) Nicholas Serino, Simpsonville, S.C., Barry Warshafsky, Lowell, Mass., and a-Sidney Elkins, Belton, Mo., 1,527.
111, Jeffrey Herman, Bonaire, Ga., 1,525.
112, Brent Hunter, Glenville, Pa., 1,515.
113, (tie) William Banks, Laurel Hill, N.C., and Ed Cutter, Manassas Park, Va., 1,511.
115, Don Delisle, Canada, 1,505.
116, Paul Kreins, Lake Forest Park, Wash., 1,504.
117, Michael Sullivan, Midway Park, N.C., 1,496.
118, Larry Felts Jr., Moore, S.C., 1,489.
119, John Maloof, Park Hall, Md., 1,486.
120, Jim Price, Harrrisburg, N.C., 1,483.
121, Peter Brainard, Tampa, Fla., 1,480.
122, Sam Perrotta, Lincoln Park, N.J., 1,479.
123, Ken Waters, Kingsport, Tenn., 1,476.
124, Bob Andersen, Forest City, N.C., 1,467.
125, Rudy Garcia, Ft. Worth, Texas, 1,459.
126, a-Bob Webb, Burnsville, N.C., 1,457.
127, James Souder, Greeneville, Tenn, 1,442.
128, Dave Rossi, Morgantown, W. Va., 1,439.
129, George Lord, Lakeland, Fla., 1,434.
130, John Younger, High Point, N.C, 1,433.
131, Dave Paquin, Kannapolis, N.C., 1,427.
132, Darryl Traber, Waterford, Wis., 1,422.
133, Paul Lemond, Jasper, Ind, 1,418.
134, Rick Salyer, Kingsport, Tenn., 1,415.
135, a-Ray King, Fayetteville, N.C., 1,396.
136, Donald Breihan, Columbia, S.C., 1,380.
137, Richard Felten, Rockville, Md., 1,368.
138, Todd Wilson, Summerfield, N.C., 1,364.
139, a-Dennis Mignogno, Lincoln, Del, 1,339.
140, a-Butch Conz, Mooresville, N.C., 1,216.

  300 Games (2) - Bryan Goebel, Bob Learn Jr.

About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is an organization of more than 3,200 of the best bowlers from 17 countries who compete in PBA Tour, PBA International Tour, PBA Regional and PBA50 Tour events. Nearly one million ESPN viewers watch PBA Tour on Sundays during the tour season and thousands around the world watch PBA activities on Xtra Frame, the PBA’s exclusive online bowling channel. PBA sponsors include Barbasol, Brunswick, Ebonite International, GEICO, Jack Link’s, MOTIV, Storm Products and the United States Bowling Congress, among others. For more information, log on to http://www.pba.com

.

BOB LEARN JR TAKES FIRST ROUND LEAD

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 6, 2013) – Defending champion Bob Learn Jr. of Erie, Pa.,  averaged 248 to take the first round lead Monday in the PBA50 Miller High Life Classic presented by Columbia 300 at George Pappas’ Victory Lanes.

Learn, who won the 2012 Miller High Life Classic for his first PBA50 Tour title, had a 1,984 eight-game pinfall with games of 200, 226, 300, 225, 243, 257, 266 and 267.

“After watching the first block today it seemed like a lot of guys were having trouble with the first game so it was just a matter of getting through it and hopefully finding the shot after that,” said Learn, who was also a five-time winner on the PBA Tour. “For me it was a matter of moving farther inside to find a shot to the pocket that would carry.”

Learn is trying for his second PBA50 Tour title of the season and third of his career having won the season-opening Pasco County Suncoast Open while bowling with a sprained lower back.

“I feel like this could be one of my best opportunities to defend a title,” Learn said. “My game matches up well with this center and I’m feeling good now so I’m optimistic.”

Learn holds a 42-pin lead over two-time PBA50 Player of the Year Ron Mohr of Eagle River, Alaska, in second with a 1,942 pinfall. Rounding out the top five are 10-time PBA Tour winner and last week’s Greater Birmingham Open runner-up Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 1,941; Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 1,914, and Dale Csuhta, Wadsworth, Ohio, 1,909.

It’s been quite an eventful first two tournaments for hometown bowler Joe Scarborough of Charlotte. In the recent Sun Bowl In the Villages, he rolled the first 900 series in PBA history. In Monday’s first round of the Miller High Life Classic, the electrical contractor was pressed into service with fellow competitor Ken Shealy and another electrician to restore power at the center after a 90-minute power outage. Scarborough finished the round in 12th with a 1,853 pinfall.

Learn had to wait out the delay to complete his 300 game having bowled the first four strikes and then the final eight when competition continued.

The 140-player field returns Tuesday for another eight-game qualifying round beginning at 11 a.m. ET.  After qualifying the field will be cut to the top 40 for match play which gets underway Wednesday at 11 a.m.  Championship rounds are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

PBA.com’s online bowling channel Xtra Frame is providing start-to-finish coverage of the Miller High Life Classic. For subscription information click on the Xtra Frame logo on the pba.com homepage.

PBA50 MILLER HIGH LIFE CLASSIC PRESENTED BY COLUMBIA 300
George Pappas’ Victory Lanes, Mooresville, N.C., Monday

First Round Qualifying (after 8 games)
a-amateur

1, Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 1,984.
2, Ron Mohr, Eagle River, Alaska, 1,942.
3, Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 1,941.
4, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 1,914.
5, Dale Csuhta, Wadsworth, Ohio, 1,909.
6, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,906.
7, John Petraglia, Jackson, N.J., 1,887.
8, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 1,875.
9, Mike Dias, Lafayette, Colo., 1,862.
10, Steve Neff, Homosassa Springs, Fla., 1,855.
11, Hugh Miller, Seattle, 1,854.
12, Joe Scarborough, Charlotte, N.C., 1,853.
13, William Peters, Dayton, Ohio, 1,851.
14, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 1,817.
15, Dennis Rakauskas, Apopka, Fla., 1,811.
16, a-Michael Long, High Point, N.C., 1,802.
17, Robert Harvey, Boise, Idaho, 1,799.
18, Darryl Bower, Middletown, Pa., 1,797.
19, Michael Shequin, Orange City, Fla., 1,790.
20, Don Sylvia, Lady Lake, Fla., 1,786.
21, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp, Mich., 1,773.
22, Wayne Bolin, Lumberton, N.C., 1,771.
23, Charlie Tapp, Kalamazoo, Mich., 1,770.
24, Christopher Keane, Cape Coral, Fla., 1,767.
25, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 1,763.
26, Jeff Bellinger, Columbia, S.C., 1,760.
27, Dave Bernhardt, Romeo, Mich., 1,757.
28, Wayne Webb, Columbus, Ohio, 1,756.
29, Brendan Bierch, Grafton, Mass., 1,751.
30, Mike Hastings, Millsboro, Del., 1,747.
31, Dale Eagle, Tavares, Fla., 1,743.
32, Timothy Kauble, Marion, Ohio, 1,739.
33, Tom Howison, Chillicothe, Ohio, 1,733.
34, (tie) Henry Gonzalez, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Bill McCorkle, Westerville, Ohio, 1,732.
36, Greg McMahan, Dandridge, Tenn., 1,731.
37, Patrick King, Yankton, S.D., 1,726.
38, Mark Scime, Winter Garden, Fla., 1,724.
39, Kenny Parks, Hammond, Ind., 1,722.
40, Ted Staikoff, Black Hawk, S.D., 1,712.
41, Steve Stein, Staten Island, N.Y., 1,711.
42, John Conroy, Mahopac, N.Y., 1,710.
43, Sal Bongiorno, Hollywood, Fla., 1,709.
44, Ron Profitt, Brookville, Ohio, 1,696.
45, Gary Shultis, Levittown, N.Y., 1,695.
46, Jeff Schrum, Cherryville, N.C., 1,686.
47, a-Brian Gottry, Wilmington, N.C., 1,684.
48, Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 1,683.
49, Don Blatchford, Santa Monica, Calif., 1,679.
50, (tie) Frank Manley Jr., Fletcher, N.C., and Lee Brosius, Ashburn, Va., 1,678.
52, William Keenan, Jr., Orlando, Fla., 1,676.
53, Dennis Lane, Kingsport, Tenn., 1,674.
54, Larry Popp, Marion, Ohio, 1,672.
55, Steve Ferraro, Kingston, N.Y., 1,663.
56, Tim Pierce, Portland, Ore., 1,661.
57, (tie) Stoney Baker, Canton, Ga., and Keith Sharp, Orlando, Fla., 1,658.
59, (tie) Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., and Ken Shealy, Myrtle Beach, S.C., 1,656.
61, George Pappas, Charlotte, N.C., 1,655.
62, a-Danny Williams, South Hill, Va., 1,653.
63, Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 1,652.
64, (tie) Tracy Golding, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Ray Johnson, Battle Creek, Mich., 1,645.
66, Marty Berke, Allentown, Pa., 1,644.
67, Dick Gran, Hartville, Ohio, 1,641.
68, Larry Williams, St. Augustine, Fla., 1,637.
69, (tie) John Shreve Sr., Elyria, Ohio, and Rick Minier, Houston, Texas, 1,636.
71, Michael Henry, Brunswick, Ohio, 1,630.
72, Rich Giragosian, Charlotte, N.C., 1,629.
73, Mark Jones, Amelia, Ohio, 1,626.
74, (tie) Ron Glick, Morganville, N.J., and Doug O’Bryant, Jasper, Ga., 1,617.
76, Fred Ferreira, Kings Park, N.Y., 1,616.
77, (TIE) Todd Kjell, Roscoe, Ill., and Bob Kelly, Dayton, Ohio, 1,611.
79, Danny Weikel, Dallas, N.C., 1,609.
80, Guppy Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 1,608.
81, Bruce VanMetre, Delphos, Ohio, 1,607.
82, Ken Gibson, Greenville, S.C., 1,605.
83, Bob Brady, Santa Monica, Calif., 1,604.
84, (tie) Dave Flemming, Fairborn, Ohio, and Al Brooks, Bluefield, W.Va., 1,601.
86, Brian Cooper, Henderson, Nev., 1,600.
87, Richard Hunt, Valparaiso, Ind., 1,595.
88, Roy Buckley, New Albany, Ohio, 1,591.
89, Tom Kennedy, Shepherdsville, Ky., 1,590.
90, Todd Haney, Spartanburg, S.C., 1,586.
91, (tie) Steve Easterday, Strasburg, Ohio, Emilio Mora Sr., Defiance, Ohio, and Larry Graybeal, Elizabethton, Tenn., 1,581.
94, Ross McDonald, Clarksville, Md., 1,579.
95, Bill Argenbright, Fisherville, Va., 1,563.
96, Tom Carter, Rockford, Ill., 1,562.
97, Nick Morgan, Sacramento, Calif., 1,557.
98, Freddie Childress, Bassett, Va., 1,551.
99, Charlie Tomey, Spartanburg, S.C., 1,549.
100, a-Jason Gordon, Concord, N.C., 1,548.
101, Gene Morrison, Spring Lake, N.C., 1,546.
102, Carl Breaman, Greer, S.C., 1,545.
103, Frank Gallo Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 1,542.
104, James Cayton, Canton, N.C., 1,541.
105, Thomas Ream, Tampa, Fla., 1,539.
106, Paul Bryant, Fayetteville, N.C., 1,537.
107, Dave Schultz, Jackson, Wis., 1,531.
108, (tie) Nicholas Serino, Simpsonville, S.C., Barry Warshafsky, Lowell, Mass., and a-Sidney Elkins, Belton, Mo., 1,527.
111, Jeffrey Herman, Bonaire, Ga., 1,525.
112, Brent Hunter, Glenville, Pa., 1,515.
113, (tie) William Banks, Laurel Hill, N.C., and Ed Cutter, Manassas Park, Va., 1,511.
115, Don Delisle, Canada, 1,505.
116, Paul Kreins, Lake Forest Park, Wash., 1,504.
117, Michael Sullivan, Midway Park, N.C., 1,496.
118, Larry Felts Jr., Moore, S.C., 1,489.
119, John Maloof, Park Hall, Md., 1,486.
120, Jim Price, Harrrisburg, N.C., 1,483.
121, Peter Brainard, Tampa, Fla., 1,480.
122, Sam Perrotta, Lincoln Park, N.J., 1,479.
123, Ken Waters, Kingsport, Tenn., 1,476.
124, Bob Andersen, Forest City, N.C., 1,467.
125, Rudy Garcia, Ft. Worth, Texas, 1,459.
126, a-Bob Webb, Burnsville, N.C., 1,457.
127, James Souder, Greeneville, Tenn, 1,442.
128, Dave Rossi, Morgantown, W. Va., 1,439.
129, George Lord, Lakeland, Fla., 1,434.
130, John Younger, High Point, N.C, 1,433.
131, Dave Paquin, Kannapolis, N.C., 1,427.
132, Darryl Traber, Waterford, Wis., 1,422.
133, Paul Lemond, Jasper, Ind, 1,418.
134, Rick Salyer, Kingsport, Tenn., 1,415.
135, a-Ray King, Fayetteville, N.C., 1,396.
136, Donald Breihan, Columbia, S.C., 1,380.
137, Richard Felten, Rockville, Md., 1,368.
138, Todd Wilson, Summerfield, N.C., 1,364.
139, a-Dennis Mignogno, Lincoln, Del, 1,339.
140, a-Butch Conz, Mooresville, N.C., 1,216.

  300 Games (2) - Bryan Goebel, Bob Learn Jr.

About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is an organization of more than 3,200 of the best bowlers from 17 countries who compete in PBA Tour, PBA International Tour, PBA Regional and PBA50 Tour events. Nearly one million ESPN viewers watch PBA Tour on Sundays during the tour season and thousands around the world watch PBA activities on Xtra Frame, the PBA’s exclusive online bowling channel. PBA sponsors include Barbasol, Brunswick, Ebonite International, GEICO, Jack Link’s, MOTIV, Storm Products and the United States Bowling Congress, among others. For more information, log on to http://www.pba.com

.

USBC INDUCTS EIGHT INTO HALL OF FAME

RENO, Nev. - The accomplishments of eight new members of the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame were celebrated Thursday night as the group earned bowling’s ultimate honor.

The eight individuals were formally inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame at the Eldorado Hotel and Casino.

Jason Couch of Clermont, Fla., and Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, were inducted for superior performance, while Don McCune of Las Vegas was inducted in the Veterans category.

The Outstanding USBC Performance category welcomed four new members - Rick Steelsmith of Wichita, Kan., Sandra Postma of Lansing, Ill., Shirley Levens of Titusville, Fla., and the late Frank Santore of New York City. Tamoria Adams of Charlotte, N.C., was inducted for Meritorious Service.

Couch made history in 2002 by becoming the only bowler in Professional Bowlers Association Tour history to win three consecutive Tournament of Champions titles. His 16 career PBA titles include four majors - the three TOC victories and the 1993 PBA Touring Players Championship.

“When you’re born into a bowling family, you never think of halls of fame and being a pro on the PBA Tour for 21 years; you dream of being a great bowler like your mother and father,” said Couch, who finished in the top 10 at the USBC Masters four times, with his best finish being second in 2001. “I always looked up to my parents in bowling and in life. That’s why I’m so proud to thank my parents for giving me my passion for this great game.”

Barnes, a two-time USBC Queens champion (1998, 2008), had six top-five finishes at the U.S. Women’s Open and has won dozens of international medals competing for Team USA, including the 2005 QubicaAMF World Cup. Barnes owns four USBC Women’s Championships titles and was a standout collegiate bowler at San Jose State.

“I have often wondered what it would feel like to be inducted, and now that it is here it’s very hard for me to put into words what is in my heart,” Barnes said. “It’s truly an honor to be a part of this amazing class of inductees.”

McCune enjoyed success at multiple levels of the game. His 10 top-10 finishes at the USBC Open Championships between 1968 and 1974 included Classic Team (1968) and Classic Doubles (1969) titles, but his biggest impact came on the PBA Tour. He collected eight PBA Tour victories, including six on the way to PBA and International Bowling Media Association Player of the Year honors in 1973.

“In my career, I never in my wildest dreams started out thinking I would make it into the Hall of Fame,” McCune said. “But people do make it, and when they get here, they are really, really thankful for the opportunity.”

Postma won the USBC Queens in 1995, but made a bigger impact at the senior level. She is the only three-time winner of the USBC Senior Queens, taking the title in 2004, 2006, and 2008. She was the first of two bowlers to have won both a Queens and a Senior Queens title. She owns seven city titles and six state crowns.

“I’d like to thank the Hall of Fame committee for giving me this honor,” Postma said. “This is something I never thought I would get, and I’m eternally grateful.”

A former Team USA member and collegiate national champion at Wichita State, Steelsmith was the player to beat in the late 1980s. The four-time All-American was the World Bowling Writers, International Bowling Media Association and Collegiate Bowler of the Year in 1987. He won the USBC Masters in 1987 and returned to the tournament lanes in 1988 to win Regular All-Events and Team All-Events at the USBC Open Championships.

“I think the greatest reward that comes with this induction is the gift of reflection that this night brings with it,” Steelsmith said. “Being a recipient of an award of this magnitude forces you to reflect on what led to this night.”

Levens won three titles at the USBC Women’s Championships - Classic Doubles in 1982 and back-to-back Classic Team titles in 1993 and ‘94 - and was dominant at the state and local level with 16 Florida Queens titles, 14 state championships and 12 city tournament victories. She was the first two-time winner of the USBC Senior Queens (2002, 2005).

“I had a great career spanning 40 some years with many, many wonderful memories,” Levens said. “This sport has not only given me the joy of success and results for hard work but it has also given me a handful of amazing friendships that I have carried on long past my professional career.”

Adams is a USBC Life Member and current USBC board member, and her service to the sport of bowling spans four decades. She has served a number of leadership and delegate roles in local and state associations, and was on the first USBC Board of Directors in 2005 following her time as a Women’s International Bowling Congress Board member and vice president. Her committee assignments over the years include college bowling, legislation, diversity, volunteer services and now USBC National Policy and Legal/Legislative.

“It has said by many people before that one does not arrive at this destination alone,” Adams said. “You are helped along the way by many people. I’ve been very fortunate to have such wonderful folks who mentored me, gave me opportunities, encouraged me and followed me while I was on this journey.”

Santore, who was inducted posthumously, was a New York City and New York State Hall of Famer and a standout individual during the heyday of team bowling. He claimed three individual titles at the USBC Open Championships - Regular All-Events in 1950 and 1953, and Regular Singles in 1953. He also had third-place finishes in Regular Singles and Regular Team in 1950, and a fifth-place team effort in 1949.

With the eight inductees Thursday, there now are 402 members of the USBC Hall of Fame - 267 in Performance, 115 in Meritorious Service and 20 Pioneers.

The USBC Hall of Fame was created in 2005 by merging the former American Bowling Congress and Women’s International Bowling Congress halls of fame.

For more information on the USBC Hall of Fame, visit BOWL.com/HallofFame.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body for the sport. USBC is a membership organization that provides standardized rules, regulations and benefits to make bowling fair and fun for everyone.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.

JOAN FEINBLUM, USBC HALL OF FAMER, DIES AT 8

ARLINGTON, Texas - Joan Feinblum, who was inducted into the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame last year, died Monday. She was 81.

Feinblum, of Santa Rosa, Calif., dedicated more than five decades of service to bowling at the local, state and national levels, including four years of work on the committees and task forces that helped develop USBC.

Feinblum spent more than a decade on the Women’s International Bowling Congress Board of Directors, and most recently served as chairperson of the USBC Nominating Committee and the USBC Hall of Fame Committee.

“I stand here humbled and grateful and I just can’t believe it,” Feinblum said at last year’s USBC Hall of Fame inductions. “What a privilege it is to be inducted. This isn’t about me. It’s about the passion of all those who work and volunteer in this industry. I know that bowling has a big future.”

Feinblum caught the attention of WIBC officials through her behind-the-scenes activities with the Redwood Empire and California Women’s Bowling Associations, an organization for which she later served as director. After serving as president of both organizations, she was elected a WIBC director in 1994 and served as a Vice President for five years (1999-2004).

In 1988, while serving California as a mental health administrator, she was honored with an Outstanding Manager Award - a tribute to her experience as a physical education instructor and teacher of emotionally disturbed children.

Feinblum’s ability on the lanes became evident in 1965, when she won the Santa Rosa Women’s Bowling Association Bowler of the Year award. A longtime member of the Bowling Writers Association of America as well as the National Women Bowling Writers, Feinblum has earned the NWBW Dudley Peebles Photography Award as well as the NWBA Jo Ettein Leiber Award.

In addition to being a member of the USBC Hall of Fame, Feinblum was also inducted into the California WBA and the Redwood Empire WBA Halls of Fame.

Services are pending.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body for the sport. USBC is a membership organization that provides standardized rules, regulations and benefits to make bowling fair and fun for everyone.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.