AUGUSTA, GEORGIA

President Paul Bumgarner called the meeting of the Council of Delegates of the Southeast Bowling Association, Inc. to order at 9:30 am in the Trellis Room of the Clarion Suites in Augusta, GA. Georgia Vice President Lloyd Britt was asked to deliver the invocation; he noted that, since our last meeting, we have lost Hall of Fame Member Charles Lam, that GA Director Virgil Halte has a form of throat cancer and is undergoing treatment and that there may be others. Lloyd asked for a moment of prayerful silence for our friends and delivered the invocation.

Paul called on Executive Director Gary Anderson for roll call and announcements. Gary said we have a number of guests who will be introduced later by the Clearwater Association. He noted forty-five directors and delegates registered for the meeting which constitutes a quorum. Directors, delegates and their guests registered for lunch total eighty-seven.

The minutes of the November 28, 2009 fall meeting in Charleston, SC were approved.

As his President’s report, Paul noted it was a good year for the SBA but he was disappointed in not achieving his goals of improvements in communication and participation. He pointed out that the entire operation of the SBA is funded by tournament receipts and participation in the tournament has been trending downward. He is hopeful that recently adopted policies, intended to reverse the trend, have not yet had time to “kick in” and will have notable impact when they do. He mentioned the continuing use of the internet, email and other developing technologies as tools for potential improvement.

Gary gave the Executive Director’s report: Life Member Paul Fowler is unable to travel, VA VP Tom Dale, VA Directors David Anderson, Johnny Harris and Don Kendrick are all involved in Virginia State USBC merger discussions, FL Delegate Ray Lincoln has doctor appointments and GA Director Ivey Sarvis is bowling in the USBC Open in Las Vegas this weekend. AL VP Neil Campbell rose to introduce two newly nominated AL Directors, Brandon Vinning from Gardendale and Sonny Writesman from Hayden. FL Director Ellard Pritchard rose to introduce two new FL Delegates, Jim Hall, his proposed eventual replacement as FL Director and Ricky Peterson. Gary continued that in 2012 the tournament will be in North Zone, i.e., VA, TN and NC; in 2013 the Central Zone, i.e., SC, GA; in 2014 the South Zone, i.e., AL and FL while 2015 will be an Open year when invitations from previous non-winning bidders will be given priority. Gary said he currently has no bids for 2012 but, Lynchburg, VA has indicated a willingness to bid. Gary reminded the delegation of the July 31 deadline for receipt of bids. He noted the 2009 Fall meeting will be in Savannah, GA where all committees will conduct meetings.

Gary discussed changes in IRS regulations that will impact non-profit organizations. The Board of Directors will be liable for actions of the organization and will be responsible for electing its officers. Changes in our by-law may be required to comply. Some associations have already been stripped of its non-profit status.

As his USBC report, Gary reported that bowling headquarters is now located in Arlington TX where much construction is underway, including a new, state-of-the-art Training Center. He said several other countries have already expressed interest in conducting training sessions there. In June 2010, the USBC Convention will be held at headquarters at the same time as the BPAA meeting, the timing of which is intended to provide opportunity for attendance by Youth bowlers. The PBA may at some future time move into the Arlington area creating a unity of all integers of bowling. A question arose as to the conflict of the USBC Convention with the SBA Annual meeting. Gary said the problem will be addressed as the date approaches.

The Hall of Fame Committee had no report. {Editor’s Note: At the Hall of Fame Luncheon, Assistant Executive Director John Howard announced that SC Director John Langley was nominated and elected as the Rex Brown Memorial Director of the Year and a suitable plaque will be awarded during the Fall Meeting Hall of Fame Luncheon.}

Past President Norman Hamilton gave the Nominating Committee report: The slate of officers included Larry Meredith-President, Lloyd Britt – Executive Vice President, Terry Cordell-VP TN, Thomas Dale-VP VA, Greg Smith-VP FL, Neil Campbell-VP AL, Don Rice-VP NC, Steve O’Brien-VP SC, and Virgil Halte-VP GA to replace Lloyd Britt and Paul Burgarner-Past President. The slate of Directors included for South Carolina – Mitchell Bowers, Jerry Hill, John Langley, Earl Mason and Luther Wolfe; for Georgia –Claude Oros, Ivey Sarvis, Joe Spain, Curley Winter and Bill Trice to replace Virgil Halte; for Tennessee – Yogi Garner, Gene Jenkins, Charlie McFalls, Jeff Patterson and Hugh Thompson; for Virginia – David Anderson, Johnny Harris, Don Kendrick, Bob Puffenberger and Fred Thweatt; for Florida – Claudio Cristofori, Ron Ebel, Ellard Pritchard, John Spicer and Jim Walker; for Alabama – Ken Atwater, David Gilmore, Charles Powe, Brandon Vinning and Sonny Writesman; for North Carolina – Al Brown, Al Hilton, Bob Ivey, Charles Wilson and one other to be announced. After calling for nominations from the floor, Paul declared nominations closed and the slate was elected by acclamation.

FL VP Greg Smith reported for the Tournament Structure Committee. He said the committee reviewed the Montgomery entry form and recommends the following changes: delete the word “Bermuda” in Bermuda shorts but leave the word “shorts” and delete SSN from the information section and replace with “Active Phone No” so that bowlers who qualify for more than $600 prize money can be contacted to submit a W9 before prize money is paid. He also reminded us that the SBA tournament entry deadline is and will be May 1, that prize fund ratio is now at 1:10 in each event and that Augusta has Montgomery tournament promotional flyers available today for us to distribute when we return home The report was approved. TN VP Terry Cordell made a motion to include one center with at least 48 lanes as one of the options to host the tournament. This would change Section IC of Appendix I of the Tournament Policy and Procedures. The motion was seconded and approved. John Howard agreed to email the revised Appendix I.

GA Director Curley Winter said he is very disappointed in tournament entries but that he had to return a large number due to incomplete or incorrect information on the entry form. He felt the economic situation made entries lower than expected. He reported that the tournament had 481 Teams with 45 Scratch, 1,135 Doubles with 139 Scratch, and 2,268 Singles with 320 Scratch, 2,101 All Events Handicap and 1,035 All Events Scratch with a total prize fund of $79,229. He accepted compliments on the quality of his early bird party and the commitment to make it work and praise regarding the golf tournament. He received a resounding round of applause.

John Howard gave details for the Fall Meeting in Savannah. John said the Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Midtown, 5711 Abercorn St; Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: (912) 652-9300 and email: www.savannahmidtown.hgi.com will serve as headquarters for the meeting. The rate of $99++ will apply for bowlers for 3 days before and 3 days after the meeting. The Oglethorpe Mall with its myriad shops is just to the south, the Savannah Mall just a little further and River Street shopping is just a few miles to the north. A nine pine no-tap bowling tournament will be held at AMF Savannah Lanes, 105 Tibet Avenue, Savannah, GA 31406 Phone (912) 925-0320 and golf will be at Bacon Park Golf Club, Shorty Cooper Dr, Savannah, GA 31406 Phone: (912) 354-2625. He is checking into a repeat of the “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” tour led by Martha Hicks Ellzey – as was done when the tournament was in Savannah The report was approved.

Norman reported that Montgomery – viz., the Central Alabama USBC Association – is ready for the tournament. The tournament entry form was reviewed and approved by the Tournament Structure Committee with only minor changes. Host Hotel will be Embassy Suites, 30 Tallapoosa Rd, Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone: (334) 269-5055 with a bowler’s rate of $109++ for 1-4 person occupancy. The SBA Annual meeting will be held on June 26, 2010 at the host hotel. Team event will be conducted at Bama Lanes, 3020 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, AL 36109 Phone: (334) 272-5423 while minor events will be at Woodmere Lanes, 5665 Carmichael Rd, Montgomery, AL 36117 Phone: (334) 270-1101. Entry Fees will be $20 per person per event with an optional $6 All Events fee for both Handicap & Scratch. Norm emphasized the reserved entry deadline for SBA Officials is APRIL 1, 2010 and the final entry deadline is MAY 1, 2010. The report was approved.

FL Director John Spicer made the presentation on behalf of Clearwater which had no opposition for the tournament. He showed a DVD presentation extolling the attraction, beauty, charm and bright sunshine of Clearwater and surrounding area. He introduced several members of his Association who would be helping in the tournament and the manager of the host hotel, St. Petersburg Marriott Pinellas Park, 12500 Roosevelt Blvd, St Petersburg, FL 33716 Phone: (727) 572-7800. He noted that team event will be hosted by Dunedin Lanes, a 24 lane bowling center located at 405 Patricia Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698 Phone: (727) 736-1282 while the 50 lane center, AMF Clearwater Lanes located at 1850 N. Hercules Ave, Clearwater, FL 33765 Phone: (727) 461-2511, will host the doubles and singles event. He said Clearwater is the original home of the “Hooters” chain . He noted that the beach is about 15 minutes from the host hotel. President Paul asked for a motion to accept the Clearwater proposal just to make it official. The motion was made and passed.

President Paul congratulated Clearwater and thanked them for their wonderful hospitality on Friday evening. He reported for the Executive Committee that the delegation has just heard all the reports that were presented to and reviewed earlier today by the Executive Committee.

Under new business, Gary distributed a brochure in support of the Bowling Foundation’s Brick Campaign, a unique and rare opportunity to have your own personal name, inscription, company name/logo or other statements permanently showcased on a brick at the entrance of the brand-new International Bowling Campus and Training Center in Arlington, Texas. He urged our support of this effort.

President Paul adjourned the meeting at 11:10 am.

Respectfully submitted

John N. Howard, Assistant Executive Director

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