onefrombills
01-28-2009, 12:01 AM
“Anyone who is anyone in the sport of bowling is here tonight.” Those were the words of Del Ballard Jr., one of the newest inductees into the PBA Hall of Fame. Feb. 24 was one of the most prestigious nights in bowling. Along with Del Ballard Jr. being inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame, were Norm Duke and John Handegard. The PBA put on an extravagant event in the Red Rock Hotel and Casino for the 50th greatest players of all time and the three newly inducted Hall of Famers. It truly was an honor to be a part of “The Gala” 50th Anniversary dinner. The Gala was a part of bowling history; it was an ending chapter of the era of the greatest bowlers that started this dynasty, The Professional Bowlers Association. But it also was the start of a new era, to keep advancing the sport of bowling for many years to come.
The PBA showed a thirty second video of each individual player that was voted into the top 50. This part of the dinner was truly remarkable because it was a testament to the past players of the first fifty years and the opening for the future of bowling. John Handegard's speech was motivating. The main theme of his speech was to never give up and to continue pursuing your dream. He touched on how he was broke and kept going back and forth of being on tour to going back home to his family. Handegard's story was one I had never heard before. John went on and off tour numerous times until he turned fifty, and at this point is when Handegard’s career took off. Handegard went on to be the all time title holder on the PBA senior tour. At the age of 57, Handegard became the oldest man to win a PBA title. From this point on, it’s safe to say that Handegard finally found his niche and was going to make his way into the history books.
The second speech that was an honor to listen to was Del Ballard Jr. His speech was humble, entertaining and definitely had the remarkable Del characteristic to it. Back in the first week of December, at the PBA Cheetah Championship, during the TQR on Wednesday, Del Ballard Jr. showed just how versatile and great of a player he truly was and still is today. Del asked Corey (Tournament Director) if he could take his Blue Hammer out of the display shelf and use it in competition. Since at this point, Del had been struggling for the first couple games of competition. Corey said, “Sure” and started laughing. Sure enough Del shot 240, and then 220 with that old blue Hammer. The same exact blue Hammer that fell infamously into the grey board that Saturday afternoon. I anticipate that if Del would have started with that old blue Hammer, he would have made the top seven that day in the TQR. It was great to witness the past combine with the future the make the sport as great as it is. Del Ballard Jr. is truly deserving of this award, and being voted into the top 50th greatest bowlers of all time.
Norm’s Hall of Fame speech was truly an honor to listen to. Norm Duke is one of the greatest players to have ever played the game. Norm’s speech was inspirational and motivating. Norm said, “The best advice I ever got, was from my father. He said to always keep getting better.” Norm truly is one of the greatest players in bowling that ever lived. Norm has won 31 titles and 7 majors. Not to mention the three majors Norm has won over the last year and half were back to back to back. As spectators, we could go on for days about Norm Duke’s career but it truly speaks for itself. Norm has accomplished so much over so many years. It is an honor to have Norm a part of PBA’s past and future.
Saturday, January 24th, 2009, was a memorable night that will be treasured forever. The Gala was an emergence of the past and the present for the sport of bowling. Look online on pba.com for more pictures from the “The Gala.” Don’t forget to tune in next week for a new “Lindsay’ Look.”
The PBA showed a thirty second video of each individual player that was voted into the top 50. This part of the dinner was truly remarkable because it was a testament to the past players of the first fifty years and the opening for the future of bowling. John Handegard's speech was motivating. The main theme of his speech was to never give up and to continue pursuing your dream. He touched on how he was broke and kept going back and forth of being on tour to going back home to his family. Handegard's story was one I had never heard before. John went on and off tour numerous times until he turned fifty, and at this point is when Handegard’s career took off. Handegard went on to be the all time title holder on the PBA senior tour. At the age of 57, Handegard became the oldest man to win a PBA title. From this point on, it’s safe to say that Handegard finally found his niche and was going to make his way into the history books.
The second speech that was an honor to listen to was Del Ballard Jr. His speech was humble, entertaining and definitely had the remarkable Del characteristic to it. Back in the first week of December, at the PBA Cheetah Championship, during the TQR on Wednesday, Del Ballard Jr. showed just how versatile and great of a player he truly was and still is today. Del asked Corey (Tournament Director) if he could take his Blue Hammer out of the display shelf and use it in competition. Since at this point, Del had been struggling for the first couple games of competition. Corey said, “Sure” and started laughing. Sure enough Del shot 240, and then 220 with that old blue Hammer. The same exact blue Hammer that fell infamously into the grey board that Saturday afternoon. I anticipate that if Del would have started with that old blue Hammer, he would have made the top seven that day in the TQR. It was great to witness the past combine with the future the make the sport as great as it is. Del Ballard Jr. is truly deserving of this award, and being voted into the top 50th greatest bowlers of all time.
Norm’s Hall of Fame speech was truly an honor to listen to. Norm Duke is one of the greatest players to have ever played the game. Norm’s speech was inspirational and motivating. Norm said, “The best advice I ever got, was from my father. He said to always keep getting better.” Norm truly is one of the greatest players in bowling that ever lived. Norm has won 31 titles and 7 majors. Not to mention the three majors Norm has won over the last year and half were back to back to back. As spectators, we could go on for days about Norm Duke’s career but it truly speaks for itself. Norm has accomplished so much over so many years. It is an honor to have Norm a part of PBA’s past and future.
Saturday, January 24th, 2009, was a memorable night that will be treasured forever. The Gala was an emergence of the past and the present for the sport of bowling. Look online on pba.com for more pictures from the “The Gala.” Don’t forget to tune in next week for a new “Lindsay’ Look.”