Bowling, The Wright Way - December 24, 1997 by Don Wright
It's Christmas Day...

It's Christmas Day and Santa's a wreck:
With all the new bowling balls, which is correct?
Is it one that will hook and go straight to the hole:?
Tough decisions he makes at ProShop North Pole.
There are towels and bags and shoes galore:
All designed to make the bowler score more.
But even if Santa has turned into a wreck:
Bowling gifts are always correct.
For Santa would never cause a commotion..
But, bowling was something that he had no notion.
Yet there are shirts, cleaners, and things for repair:
There is even a product call Treasure Software!
There is pink stuff for girls and blue stuff for boys:
There is nothing to cause unwarranted noise.
So if you see Santa and he seems a bit lame:
Reading a letter wanting a 300 game:
Tell him you have everything on this earth:
The love of your family, that's priced beyond worth:
"May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth."

It's hard to believe that another year has passed, but 1997 has been a great year for the bowling family. Thousands of dollars have been raised through charitable bowling events. Associations presented scholarships to deserving youth and bowlers all over the world were inducted into Halls of Fame.

Honor scores were rolled that included a 900 series by Jeremy Sonnenfeld and bowling teamed up with Michael Jordan. AMF made it to Wall Street and has become the Official Sponsor of Special Olympics International.

There have been some low points in our sport, too. The scandal with the Brunswick World Team Challenge in which allegations of "sandbagging" involve members of TEAM USA. Judy Soutar refusing to participate in her induction into the Women's Professional Bowling Hall of Fame because she felt she should have been recognized for performance and not as a pioneer.

Personally, I am looking forward to 1998. I am geared up for the BWAA convention, Nationals in Reno, women's nationals in the Quad Cities and some great food and drink along the way. I'll crank up Creedence and as Jim Dressel would say "may the bowling Gods be with you."

Until then, from The Wright House to you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year.