(Not sure if this has been posted yet, but...)

Friday, 02/16/2007

EBONITE INTERNATIONAL RETAINS PBA PRO STAFFS
FOR COLUMBIA, TRACK AND DYNO-THANE
 
HOPKINSVILLE, Kent. – Ebonite International has reached agreements to continue pro staff contracts with nearly every PBA Pro Staff member for the Columbia, Track and Dyno-Thane brands, including Chris Barnes and Wes Malott, announced Bob Reid, vice president of sales and marketing. Terms of the agreements were not - and will not - be disclosed.
 
Ebonite International entered into an agreement on Feb. 5 for an asset purchase of Columbia Industries, parent company of Columbia, Track and Dyno-Thane. This led Columbia Industries to cancel all pro staff contacts within 30 days, according to Reid.
 
“Due to the nature of an asset purchase, the agreements with the PBA players did not carry forward,” he said. “This would have left some great bowlers without a contract. We felt an obligation to continue to support them. That’s just the way Ebonite International does business.”
 
To date, Barnes, Mallot, Bill O’Neill, Mike Wolfe and Steve Jaros have agreed to remain on staff.  â€œI was pleased to be able to sign an extended agreement with Ebonite International which will allow me to continue to represent the Columbia brand,” said Barnes, who won last week’s GEICO Classic. “They plan to rebuild what has traditionally been the best known brand in bowling and I am looking forward to being a part of the team.”
 
Combined with the current Ebonite and Hammer brand staff, Ebonite International now holds the top four spots on the Denny’s PBA Tour Points List with Barnes (Columbia), Mallot (Track), Jason Couch (Ebonite) and Tommy Jones (Ebonite) respectively. Doug Kent (Hammer) is also in the top 10.
 
Based in Hopkinsville, Kent., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit www.ebonite.com.

http://www.ebonite.com/news/news_detail.php?PRKey=269
--------------------
Trip-4 Bowling Supply
Email: trip4bowling@yahoo.com
PayPal ID: dartbowling@yahoo.com

from what i know all other contracts have been cancelled..if anyone knows more let me know.
--------------------
Chris Lakatosh
Columbia 300 Staffer