Bowling, The Wright Way - December 16, 2002 by Don Wright
There Is Much To Be Thankful For

It's hard to believe how quickly this year passed, but on Thanksgiving my family had so much to be thankful for and this Christmas I know we will celebrate the holiday with renewed faith.

Those who know my family and me are aware that my Sweetie, G.G., was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in July. She underwent neurosurgery and six weeks of daily radiation treatments and through the wonders of modern medicine and the faith and prayers of our many friends and prayer groups around the world she is on the mend, laughing, loving and enjoying life.

It was the most difficult time I have ever encountered. I spent 24-years in the Army and served in Viet Nam and was never as afraid as I was during her illness. We have been married for 40 years and when you see her you see me. For the first time in all those years our life together was in jeopardy.

That's behind us now and we look forward to the next 40 and thank all our friends for your kind cards, letters, e-mail, flowers, phone calls and prayers. There really is more to healing than medicine.

This year we also saw our oldest Grandson, A.J., (Seems like our family has a thing about initials) graduate and become a United States Marine. He completed boot camp in San Diego and Camp Pendleton and is currently attending school in Pensacola, Florida. It seems like only yesterday he was bowling on YABA. We are very proud and Semper Fi.

I keep hearing how scoring is out of control in bowling. Everyone is rolling 300 games. I feel slighted. Best I could do this calendar year was a 279. I admit, and have witnesses to the fact that every ball was in the pocket. But, I had one stubborn 4 pin. I spared it and didn't have to switch balls to do it.

On the national level, I got to see my friend Sylvia Broyles elected by a landslide as the President of the WIBC. The WIBC was never in better hands.

I saw great things from the new ownership of the PBA. There is a new format, new season, many new sponsors, a great prize fund and excellent television coverage garnering great ratings. I used "great" a lot because it is great!

I enjoy the bowlers on the PBA running out shots, getting excited and showing some animation. You can only handle so much of the excitement of a Dave Arnold. However, I think some bowlers are very good at it and others are not.

For instance, Ernie Schlegel was good at it. Hand made clothing; long hair, dark glasses and he came from the USA. That's good stuff.

Marshall Holman only had to be Marshall. You either loved him, or hated him, but he was always colorful.

Pete Weber is the best there is at showmanship and Pete will always be PDW. His ability to perform makes him the natural showman. That's true with all of the above. It's easy to be cocky when you're good and can back it up.

Danny Wiseman on the other hand isn't good at it. He's talented, but he tries too hard to pass on an image that to most people looks put on. Kids will tell you if you have to work at being cool, you ain't. He isn't. Cool is stepping up in the tenth frame after you've been told twice "two to win, brotha," and burying it twice for the win. Now that's cool.

I guess no matter how hard I try to understand some things; I still believe that if you can right a wrong you should. ABC should right the wrong and recognize Glenn Allison's 900 series and ESPN should right the wrong and award an ESPY to Carolyn Dorin-Ballard.

Well, it was a bittersweet year at the Wright house and we are looking forward to 2003. Our entries are in for the ABC and WIBC Nationals in Knoxville and Reno. We look forward to this being the year I will retire for the second time and hopefully the last.

Bowling is doing well in my area and we see no reason for that to change. High school bowling is really coming to life in Texas and here in central Texas we are seeing continuing growth as more schools get involved.

Bowling may not be putting up the membership numbers of the 50s and 60s, but it's still hard to find a more cost effective sport, you can play year around, all your life with your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Think about it!

From the Wright house to everyone out there, we wish you a Joyous Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

See you on the lanes.