The bowling game has experienced some very difficult hardships during the past 10 years. The Professional Bowlers Association struggled for many years and was on the verge of bankruptcy. Fortunately, three former Microsoft executives rescued them and today the PBA is progressing at an unbelievable pace.
The Professional Women's Bowling Association has struggled as well, trying to make ends meet and stay afloat. Unfortunately, a "rescue" is not on the horizon. The PWBA is in the midst of hard times and on the brink of extinction.
This is not the first time PWBA has faced extinction. John Sommer, a successful bowling proprietor from Rockford, Ill., came to the rescue of the PWBA in 1981 at an annual tournament in his main establishment, Don Carter Lanes. During this tournament, Sommer witnessed a ladies tour in complete disarray, torn apart by two separate factions and ready to fold.
Sommer, a staunch supporter of professional bowling, stepped up to the plate and offered his services to unite the ladies and guide them to a brighter future. In view of the failures of several supposed "commissioners," including Bucky Woy, one of the top sports promoters at that time, this was a bold move by Sommer—merely a proprietor, no power player, a man who wants to see bowling achieve the role it deserves in professional sports.
Since that time, John Sommer has spent over $4 million of his own money trying to keep the PWBA afloat. He succeeded in securing television, yet, despite TV ratings that often surpass those of the women's golf and tennis, sponsors have not responded sufficiently to cover television production costs.
In addition to this, the bowling industry, with the exception of WIBC, has done little to ease the burden. As a matter of fact, in 1998, Sommer cast his lot with Strike Ten Entertainment, a marketing agency headed by Steve Ryan. Strike Ten Entertainment proved to be a colossal dud. Not only did Ryan's leadership fail to advance the sport, but worse yet, it inflicted irreparable damage to PWBA by ending a close relationship between the organization and its umbrella sponsor, Sam's Town Casino in Las Vegas.
Since that time, Sommer, PWBA President John Falzone, and the PWBA team members have worked together to stay afloat. John Sommer was forced to sell one of his bowling centers to finance the tour. Falzone and team have energetically worked hard in their attempt to curb expenses and implement promotional activities to increase income.
For example, I was afforded the opportunity to sell my book, Bowling Execution, at the PWBA exhibit booth at the 2003 WIBC Convention. I was overwhelmed by the hard work and sales abilities of seven PWBA members—Jan Schmidt, Michelle Feldman, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Wendy Macpherson, Australian stars Carol Gianotti-Block and Maxine Nable, and John Falzone. These stalwarts spent the greater part of three days promoting PWBA fund-raising projects, including the PWBA Platinum Club, a $29.95 membership package that includes newsletters, photos, inside information, a PWBA yearbook, and other goodies. The gals were on their feet, talking, posing with admirers, and working their fannies off to do whatever possible to promote their organization.
It was truly a display of dedication and commitment by a group of gracious ladies who really deserve a better fate than their current predicament. They are doing everything possible to keep their organization alive. To many of them, this is their primary means of livelihood. More likely than not, some are barely meeting expenses, but they all have one thing in common: It is a labor of love, and they seem to be willing to go to all ends to keep their organization alive.
Naturally, the biggest loser to date is John Sommer, possibly the most progressive proprietor in bowling. Although New Jersey and Florida have long featured high school bowling in their athletic agendas, Sommer has not only succeeded in making high school bowling an accredited sport in the Rockford, Ill., area, but he and his associates have one-upped all other programs around the country with scholarships amounting to over $40,000 yearly for graduating seniors. Sommer has also served admirably in various committees of the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America, and, unlike many individuals who relish the spotlight, Sommer is the epitome of the Teddy Roosevelt type: He speaks softly and carries a big stick. He is content to remain in the background and rely on his longtime friend and employee, John Falzone, to conduct PWBA affairs and assume the forefront.
Sadly, the Professional Women's Bowling Association is in dire straits. It is an integral part of bowling with great bowlers who are true ambassadors of the sport, particularly in pro-am events. They put on great shows. Here's hoping someone will come aboard to keep the PWBA organization alive and successful. The ladies deserve a better fate.
By this time, you might be asking yourself, Why would this businessman, John Sommer, spend so much of his own money, sell off some of his centers, give over 20 years of his life, for the PWBA? Well, I know the man. I have known him for close to 30 years. I have seen him every step of the way, and I know the answer to that question.
The answer is love—the love of the game and the desire to see it retain professional women's level in the sports world.