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Author Topic: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business  (Read 27965 times)

milorafferty

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Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« on: July 17, 2014, 04:40:45 PM »
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Mongo

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #31 on: July 18, 2014, 09:06:55 AM »
The sad thing is that this just craps all over any excitement over Junior Golds pulling a ridiculous number of 2770 entrants.

Only bright spot is, like Richgels said, its gives the independent proprietor a huge chance.  Problem is, how many proprietors understand/want to deal with the opportunity that still lies with the sport of bowling.
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bradl

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #32 on: July 18, 2014, 01:10:58 PM »
Quote from: Mongo on July 18, 2014, 09:06:55 AM
The sad thing is that this just craps all over any excitement over Junior Golds pulling a ridiculous number of 2770 entrants.

Only bright spot is, like Richgels said, its gives the independent proprietor a huge chance.  Problem is, how many proprietors understand/want to deal with the opportunity that still lies with the sport of bowling.

We definitely don't know the answer to that, but to be honest, the proprietors that would deal with it would do it simply for the love of the sport. It's pretty much public knowledge that Shannon is only in this to make money and if it takes destroying the sport to do it, so be it. But those that don't cater to his model (read: league/tournament bowlers) will want/need someplace to go, especially if they view quitting as not an option. That's where the independents will come in and keep that going.

Local story: Here in Sacramento, there are already 2 - 3 alleys that have Bowlmor's business model. Last year, one of those realized what was going on, and while keeping that same entertainment model (they also offer Laser Tag), offered to bring in every league that wanted to get out of Bowlmor houses, because they realized the importance of leagues and repeat customers. It's caused them to up and rethink their game. Any other independents may do the same and like Riggs said, may find themselves in a better position.

BL.
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milorafferty

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #33 on: July 18, 2014, 01:18:49 PM »
Quote from: bradl on July 18, 2014, 01:10:58 PM
Quote from: Mongo on July 18, 2014, 09:06:55 AM
The sad thing is that this just craps all over any excitement over Junior Golds pulling a ridiculous number of 2770 entrants.

Only bright spot is, like Richgels said, its gives the independent proprietor a huge chance.  Problem is, how many proprietors understand/want to deal with the opportunity that still lies with the sport of bowling.

We definitely don't know the answer to that, but to be honest, the proprietors that would deal with it would do it simply for the love of the sport. It's pretty much public knowledge that Shannon is only in this to make money and if it takes destroying the sport to do it, so be it. But those that don't cater to his model (read: league/tournament bowlers) will want/need someplace to go, especially if they view quitting as not an option. That's where the independents will come in and keep that going.

Local story: Here in Sacramento, there are already 2 - 3 alleys that have Bowlmor's business model. Last year, one of those realized what was going on, and while keeping that same entertainment model (they also offer Laser Tag), offered to bring in every league that wanted to get out of Bowlmor houses, because they realized the importance of leagues and repeat customers. It's caused them to up and rethink their game. Any other independents may do the same and like Riggs said, may find themselves in a better position.

BL.


Is that Strikes in Elk Grove?
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northface28

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #34 on: July 18, 2014, 01:19:47 PM »
Quote from: bradl on July 18, 2014, 01:10:58 PM
Quote from: Mongo on July 18, 2014, 09:06:55 AM
The sad thing is that this just craps all over any excitement over Junior Golds pulling a ridiculous number of 2770 entrants.

Only bright spot is, like Richgels said, its gives the independent proprietor a huge chance.  Problem is, how many proprietors understand/want to deal with the opportunity that still lies with the sport of bowling.

We definitely don't know the answer to that, but to be honest, the proprietors that would deal with it would do it simply for the love of the sport. It's pretty much public knowledge that Shannon is only in this to make money and if it takes destroying the sport to do it, so be it. But those that don't cater to his model (read: league/tournament bowlers) will want/need someplace to go, especially if they view quitting as not an option. That's where the independents will come in and keep that going.

Local story: Here in Sacramento, there are already 2 - 3 alleys that have Bowlmor's business model. Last year, one of those realized what was going on, and while keeping that same entertainment model (they also offer Laser Tag), offered to bring in every league that wanted to get out of Bowlmor houses, because they realized the importance of leagues and repeat customers. It's caused them to up and rethink their game. Any other independents may do the same and like Riggs said, may find themselves in a better position.

BL.


Lose the emotion and think logically, please. Of course Shannon is in it to make to money, last I checked thats what business is about, making money. If bowling gets "destroyed" it won't be Shannons fault, bowling has been on the path for sometime and I could see that 12 years ago when I started bowling. I know you're upset, so am I, but take it easy.
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bradl

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #35 on: July 18, 2014, 01:34:57 PM »
Quote from: milorafferty on July 18, 2014, 01:18:49 PM
Quote from: bradl on July 18, 2014, 01:10:58 PM
Quote from: Mongo on July 18, 2014, 09:06:55 AM
The sad thing is that this just craps all over any excitement over Junior Golds pulling a ridiculous number of 2770 entrants.

Only bright spot is, like Richgels said, its gives the independent proprietor a huge chance.  Problem is, how many proprietors understand/want to deal with the opportunity that still lies with the sport of bowling.

We definitely don't know the answer to that, but to be honest, the proprietors that would deal with it would do it simply for the love of the sport. It's pretty much public knowledge that Shannon is only in this to make money and if it takes destroying the sport to do it, so be it. But those that don't cater to his model (read: league/tournament bowlers) will want/need someplace to go, especially if they view quitting as not an option. That's where the independents will come in and keep that going.

Local story: Here in Sacramento, there are already 2 - 3 alleys that have Bowlmor's business model. Last year, one of those realized what was going on, and while keeping that same entertainment model (they also offer Laser Tag), offered to bring in every league that wanted to get out of Bowlmor houses, because they realized the importance of leagues and repeat customers. It's caused them to up and rethink their game. Any other independents may do the same and like Riggs said, may find themselves in a better position.

BL.


Is that Strikes in Elk Grove?

I was actually thinking Country Club. Though Strikes in Elk Grove and Rocklin were the other two I was thinking of.

BL.
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twocentsless

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #36 on: July 18, 2014, 01:37:01 PM »
A little different perspective -- I've been a league bowler and a Brunswick ball customer for over four decades, but I know a lot more about the marine/recreational boating business, and if you think bowling has been on a decline, it is nothing compared to the drop in sales and profits of the boating market since 2006.  Brunswick/Mercury Marine is still the big dog in the industry but it is a much smaller dog than it used to be.  Sales in their cash cow product (inboard/sterndrives) is down over 80%.  Outboards are doing better but their boat companies suck -- Bayliner is no longer #1 (by a long shot) and Sea Ray (yacht sales are good, but family runabouts under 26' are dead). Not sure what Dusty is thinking, but the long term outlook for their recreational boating market isn't bright -- way too many governmental (EPA, CARB, E-85 gas, etc.) regulations heading this way, escalating raw material costs, new marine reserves being established restricting boaters, fishing restrictions, and the invasion of aquatic invasive species (zebra and quagga mussels) closing fresh water lakes to boaters isn't a pretty picture for the future.  Maybe bowling balls and bowling alleys don't look so bad afterall.
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milorafferty

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #37 on: July 18, 2014, 01:45:40 PM »
Quote from: bradl on July 18, 2014, 01:34:57 PM
Quote from: milorafferty on July 18, 2014, 01:18:49 PM
Quote from: bradl on July 18, 2014, 01:10:58 PM
Quote from: Mongo on July 18, 2014, 09:06:55 AM
The sad thing is that this just craps all over any excitement over Junior Golds pulling a ridiculous number of 2770 entrants.

Only bright spot is, like Richgels said, its gives the independent proprietor a huge chance.  Problem is, how many proprietors understand/want to deal with the opportunity that still lies with the sport of bowling.

We definitely don't know the answer to that, but to be honest, the proprietors that would deal with it would do it simply for the love of the sport. It's pretty much public knowledge that Shannon is only in this to make money and if it takes destroying the sport to do it, so be it. But those that don't cater to his model (read: league/tournament bowlers) will want/need someplace to go, especially if they view quitting as not an option. That's where the independents will come in and keep that going.

Local story: Here in Sacramento, there are already 2 - 3 alleys that have Bowlmor's business model. Last year, one of those realized what was going on, and while keeping that same entertainment model (they also offer Laser Tag), offered to bring in every league that wanted to get out of Bowlmor houses, because they realized the importance of leagues and repeat customers. It's caused them to up and rethink their game. Any other independents may do the same and like Riggs said, may find themselves in a better position.

BL.


Is that Strikes in Elk Grove?

I was actually thinking Country Club. Though Strikes in Elk Grove and Rocklin were the other two I was thinking of.

BL.


Ah ok. I always thought CC was an AMF house.
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Impending Doom

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #38 on: July 18, 2014, 02:23:27 PM »
Bill @ Storm might be licking his chops over this...
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Good Times Good Times

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #39 on: July 18, 2014, 02:32:59 PM »
Quote from: Impending Doom on July 18, 2014, 02:23:27 PM
Bill @ Storm might be licking his chops over this...

Perhaps it is just me......but it seems like they could do some type of promo or sale or SOMETHING that would market to Brunswick equipment users and get them switched over.  JMO.
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bradl

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #40 on: July 18, 2014, 02:36:14 PM »
Quote from: Good Times Good Times on July 18, 2014, 02:32:59 PM
Quote from: Impending Doom on July 18, 2014, 02:23:27 PM
Bill @ Storm might be licking his chops over this...

Perhaps it is just me......but it seems like they could do some type of promo or sale or SOMETHING that would market to Brunswick equipment users and get them switched over.  JMO.

I would think every other ball company would want to do the same, especially being a little more than a month out from the start of the fall season.

BL.
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JustRico

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #41 on: July 18, 2014, 02:59:42 PM »
BowlMor/AMF/Brunswick will consist of 350 centers which translates to less than 10% of the established bowling centers...so ya apparently the sky is falling.
Bowling is NOT broken...too many beat this horse to glue....there is no SPORT, it is a athletic competition...it is NOT a sport, a sport does have the outcome dictated by the playing field...it's the new cool catch-phrase to worry about the 'sport' of bowling...try worrying abt bowling as a whole...there's 70mil rec bowlers and 1.7mil sanctioned bowlers...who do you go after as a SMART business owner?
Too many have personal agendas of a game player years ago...it is NO longer 1975 or 85 for that matters...times change as do SMART businesses...AMF bankrupted 3 times...4 was not going to happen...get over yourselves or buy a bowl
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spencerwatts

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #42 on: July 18, 2014, 03:25:57 PM »
Here's my situation: I was away from bowling for 18, nearly 19 years when I returned to it in January. Part of my goal in my return was to get my game back to where I would bowl PBA regionals and other scratch events. I feel I've gotten my game back to that level, and I'm now eyeing a few events this fall to shoot, if not sooner.

The PBA says we have to use product-registered stuff, which includes bowling balls. My older equipment is a Fab Blue Hammer, Fab Burgundy Hammer, a Track Sensor II, and a Columbia Pearl Gold Dot. But all of new pieces I've purchased -- 12 in all -- were Brunswick/Radical. So I'm now wondering what will happen in about a year or so? Let's say Brunswick doesn't find a buyer for its bowling ball manufacturing stuff. Are those of us who have gone the Brunswick route out of luck and will be forced at some point to buy Storm, Ebonite (Columbia, Track, Hammer) or Motiv stuff? Or because it was Brunswick, the PBA would make an exception?

As for Bowlmor's CEO, he's a bone head. But his mindset about bowling is par for the course when compared to the general populace.
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xrayjay

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #43 on: July 18, 2014, 03:46:19 PM »
70 million rec bowlers vs. 1.7 million sanctioned bowlers......that's a no brain'r....

I'm pretty sure that some of these 70 million rec bowlers will join a league or two one day.

it does work. I did a fun night  about 1.5 yrs ago with the staff and one returned to leagues and she got her sons into bowling leagues too. because of my FB and my history with bowling since 84', my sisters and their adult kids started bowling 2 or 3 years ago. also relatives who started just rec bowling with friends and coworkers have joined a summer league. Lastly, my brother in law is moving to norcal. He wants to start bowling again after 20 years away.....

so do your part to promote bowling, rec or leagues....

(how do you think I got rid of a lot of my old stuff lol)



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Impending Doom

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #44 on: July 18, 2014, 03:47:17 PM »
Someone will buy Brunswick. There is no doubt.
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tuckinfenpin

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Re: Brunswick is getting out of the Bowling business
« Reply #45 on: July 18, 2014, 03:53:55 PM »
Spencerwatts - I would not be concerned, especially at this time. It's way too early and too many speculations from people who are not in the know.

About your current equipment: I do not know if the USBC has ever "unapproved" a ball. I think once a ball is approved and manufactured within those guidelines it is good to use. I certain someone will chime in to tell me how wrong I am with this statement.
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