New Dunedin Lanes owners get ball rolling

First question from an interested party: "So if he attended Stetson University, how come he hasn't hung out his lawyer's shingle?"

Matt Stevenson smiled.

"I attended Stetson University business school in DeLand, and took a business administration degree," Stevenson said. "The law school is in Gulfport."

In a way, Stevenson has hung out a shingle, but it says: "Dunedin Lanes."

Stevenson and his partners, Jill Manning and Sandy Grumblatt, spent their first official day Tuesday as co-owners of the 24-lane center. They re-organized and tried to phantom the change.

"It hasn't sunk in yet that we are owners of a very fine bowling center," said Stevenson, who worked seven years for the Jerry Krauss organization. "We have a million things to do, and we're all pitching in with enthusiasm," Stevenson said.

Krauss owns Seminole and Sunrise lanes and Sunshine Bowl in Pinellas County.

"I've come a long way since I started working for the Krauss organization 15 years ago," said Manning, a former corporate office manager for the group.

"I'm on the flip side now, and I now realize there are different problems on this side."

Stevenson and his associates are "digging right in," Grumblatt said.

"I haven't picked up a bowling ball since we started working toward ownership, and I've got a lot of work to do," she said.

Grumblatt never has worked at a center, but Stevenson considers her a "valuable member of our ownership team."

Dunedin Lanes was built in 1960 by Joe Hoagland and Ham Hamilton, who later owned Highland Lanes, now Rainbow Lanes.

The Dunedin center was a 16-lane house. Eight lanes were added in 1973, and Bob and Helen Smith purchased the business a year later. Bob Smith died in 1995. He is survived by Helen, his son, Cotton, former owner of now-defunct Largo Lanes; and Tracey Smith, owner of Tarpon Lanes. "The center is in great shape, and we plan only cosmetic changes," Stevenson said.

An exterior paint job and a change in the interior color scheme have begun, along with re-organization of the office and front desk.

"Our league schedule is very solid for the upcoming season, and we'll work hard to improve that plus our open bowling," Stevenson said.

One of Stevenson's priorities as the Pinellas County High School League administrator is to get Dunedin High back in the league.

"They were in several years ago, and I think we can get them back," he said.

Dunedin Lanes has a unique distinction, boasting five women's 300 games -- Jodi Kroeger (2) and Donna Erbe, Linda Mola and Kristi Ellis.

The center now also has the youngest owners in the county.

PREP LEAGUE: Tryouts for the Pinellas County High School League continue through Aug. 16.

Players should contact their neighborhood centers.

The individual fee is $70, which covers YABA sanction, shirts, trophies and an awards banquet. Players should avoid paying a double YABA sanction fee. The season opens Aug. 22 at Seminole Lanes.

After 29 years, league coaches and administrators have installed a new format -- two regular games followed by two Baker games.

The league always has rolled three regular games, scored on scratch and handicap basis, with a 21-point scoring system. This season, an 18-point system will be used that includes all four games.

Each school is allowed one girls and one boys varsity team and two junior varsity squads with a maximum of six players per club per school. However, Baker teams will consist of four players and substitutions.

ABC UPDATE: The ABC has ceased publication of Bowling Magazine, turning over its subscriber list to Luby Publishing Inc. in Chicago. The magazine was an ABC fixture for 68 years. Subscribers will receive copies of Bowlers Journal International to complete their subscriptions. American Bowler now is the prime house publication.

MEETING SET: The Clearwater and Suncoast women's associations will have their annual combined league officers workshop 8 a.m. Saturday at Tarpon Springs Elks Lodge. Meeting topics will include proper paperwork, rules changes and dues. The season starts next month. All officers, especially secretaries, are urged to attend.

BWTC: Entries are open at $550 per five-person squad for the return of the Brunswick World Team Challenge, scheduled for Sept. 14-15 at Seminole Lanes. For information, call 1-800-514-2695 or go online to www.bowl.com.

AROUND THE LANES: YABA player Lance Moyer rolled a 279, 269 and 248 for a 796 series at Ten Pin Lanes. ... Al Brockway fired a 300-663 and Brett Frisse shot a 290-751 at Ten Pin Lanes. ... Errol Weaver recorded a 290-771 at Dunedin Lanes. ... Tony Jones, Richie Sancho, Jeff Cole and Terry Baker posted 300 games at Liberty Lanes. Greg Sexton carded a 299 and Jarrod McCommas a 297-824. Rhonda Masonetti, James Mackie, and Kent and Cathy Worrall won the Almost Midnight Team Tournament and $1,000 at Liberty. ... Southland Lanes offers a no-tap seniors event Monday. The entry fee is $10. ... The West Coast Senior event, for players 50-and-older, is at Tampa's Regal Lanes on Aug. 18. The entry fee is $90.

-- Phil Gulick can be reached at xerxes8@msn.com.

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