The place where I've practiced most is a Bowlmor AMF facility. On Monday, I was informed that Bowlmor AMF changed its rates, effective the day before and without notice, and had gone to per game only. The two-hour session rate was eliminated.
Let's just say for this serious bowler it was a stunner because the two-hour rate was a good deal espeically if you had a discount coupon. Then I was quick to recognize Bowlmor AMF ultimately will cater to its main revenue source, which is the open play, casual bowler who might bowl two games and drink two pitchers of beer and chow down some overpriced hotwings and/or pizza.
I mentioned Tom Shannon's name because, well, guess what? He is the face of Bowlmor AMF. It appears to me Bowlmor AMF's involvement in bowling at the PBA/PWBA level is at best superficial. It was a smart p.r. move to say, hey, we care, so don't say we don't take bowling seriously. In all truth, the joke is on the serious bowler who is a part of a market segment that continues to be in decline.
(Although I don't bowl in any league, I practice on average twice a week and I bowl in scratch events only. I've got a couple of alternatives at my disposal. But for how long? I don't know.)