Randy Stoughton recently became just the 32nd coach to earn United States Bowling Congress Gold level certification.

Stoughton, 54, who currently holds a staff position at the Kegel Training Center in Lake Wales, Fla., has been operating at the sport's highest levels for the past 30 years, working as sales manager for Ebonite International, tour representative for the PBA and PWBA tours, PBA Player Services Director and expert ball driller.

It is estimated that Stoughton has drilled in excess of 100,000 bowling balls, many of them for top-level professional bowlers such as Jason Couch, Mike Edwards, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard and Kim Terrell-Kearney. Stoughton's expertise in this field has led to the widespread popularity of his pro shop course, which has been attended by elite bowling entities from around the world.

Stoughton's ascension to USBC Gold status further solidifies his position as one of the sport's most knowledgeable minds, a place USBC representatives feel he richly deserves.

"USBC Coaching is proud to welcome Randy as our newest Gold level certified coach," said David Garber, High Performance Director of USBC Team USA, Coaching & International Training Center. "Randy has a great history of skills as a past PBA player, tour representative, ball driller and elite coach. All of these items make him a very unique coach that will help bring more credibility to the USBC Coaching Program."

For Stoughton, Gold certification represents proof that all of the hard work and dedication he has shown to the sport throughout his coaching career - which began in 1972 when he gave his first lesson at the age of 18 - had paid off.

"Achieving Gold-level certification is a validation of my expertise and continued passion for learning skills to promote and develop the sport of bowling," said Stoughton.