Bowling, The Wright Way - January 1, 2004 by Don Wright
In With The New Year...

What I was surprised to see during the first half of the tour was that Walter Ray Williams hasn't made a television final. When you look at the stats through the Dexter tournament Williams is 32nd in the points rankings, 28th in earnings with $19,500, and 14th in average with a 220.

Williams isn't the only one that struggled during the first half. Parker Bohn III is 30th in points, 24th in earnings with $27,650, and 18th in average with 219.

Brian Voss hasn't done much better at 66th on the points list, 36th in earnings with $15,440 and 28th on the average list at 217.

The pressure is really on to perform in the second half. It should be a lot of fun for the fans.

Fellow Texan Chris Johnson gets my nod for Rookie of the Year regardless of what he does in the second half. He had a great first half and his winning attitude is proof enough he belongs on the tour.

I'm hoping to hear good news regarding the PWBA and hope they can get rolling again in 2004. Hopefully Steve Sanders will have an answer on the future of the PWBA this month.

Professional bowling needs the PWBA and a Senior Tour.

Congratulations to fellow Texans Del and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard as they await the birth of their first child. What bowling genes that child will have!

Mike Aulby has decided to retire and that will be a tremendous loss to the PBA and the fans. Ever the gentleman, Aulby was a true professional on and off the lanes.

I recall a Bowling Writers Association of America convention where Mike showed up for the BWAA tournament held in conjunction with the convention. Several children were bowling in the center accompanied by teachers and parents. It wasn't long and they were at Mike's lane and he willingly signed autographs, chatted with the kids and competed in the tournament.

Mike's resume is second to none and would fill up this column. But, titles, records, earnings and lofty administrative positions don't tell the story. This classy guy simply wants to spend more time with his family. This writer and fan will miss him.

I received an e-mail from a man who read an old column of mine in which I wrote that a bowling channel was needed on television. I wrote that I thought an ESPN Classic type channel showing all the old televised bowling matches would be well received.

In the e-mail, the gentleman wrote, "I would really like to see a bowling channel, too. Something I would like to see is all the bowling tips from the late, great Billy Welu. As a young man trying to improve his game I used to religiously watch bowling on ABC, and when it was over I would go to Merri-Bowl lanes and practice his tip of the day. What a treasure he was, and I think some of the young bowlers today could really benefit from these lessons."

I, too believe that the old bowling shows, tips from the greats of the past and present, and instructional programs on how to read lanes, ball drilling, and the technical side of the sport would be a popular program.

Now if we can just convince the television executives…

Well, I don't have a clue what 2004 has in store for us bowlers and lovers of the sport. However, I will make a few daring predictions -

• Texan Mike Scroggins will have a PBA National Tour win in the second half.
• Texan Chris Johnson will be Rookie of the Year.
• The PWBA won't happen in 2004.
• Pete Weber will win the PBA World Championship.
• I'll go another year without a 300, or 800.
• My Sweetie will be healthy enough to bowl again.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and that the New Year brings you health and prosperity.