Association honors Tampa's Boje for his contribution to game

Bill Boje has received the Bowling Proprietors Association of America's highest award.

Boje, 74, was inducted into the BPAA Hall of Fame and presented the Victor Lerner Memorial Medal for meritorious service during the organization's annual meeting recently in Arlington, Texas.

The BPAA Hall is at the Bowling Hall of Fame in St.Louis.

Boje has served as the BPAA's sergeant-at-arms, secretary-treasurer and regional vice-president for Missouri and Florida.

He worked in board and officer positions for the Missouri and Florida men's associations during his 40 years in the industry, and he's a former Tampa Proprietors Association president.

Boje and his son, Jeff, owned Tropicana Lanes in St.Petersburg from 1980-1991 before buying Tyrone Crossroads Bowl, then located in Tyrone Mall, in '93.

The Bojes bought AMF Kenneth City Lanes in 1993, renaming it Crossroads Bowl. They later resold it to AMF, regained ownership, then resold it to AMF. It now is AMF Kenneth City Lanes.

The two men built Brandon Crossroads Bowl near Town Center Shopping Mall, their headquarters, in 1990. The Bojes have owned Sunset Lanes in south St.Louis since 1959. They once owned centers in Titusville, Jacksonville and other Florida cities.

For 20-plus years, Bill Boje was instrumental in developing youth and adult programs in Pinellas County and inaugurated the St.Petersburg Bowling Council.

"I'm pleased and honored by the award," Boje said. "There may have been some others just as deserving, and I'm privileged to accept it."

TOURNEY SCHEDULE: The 66th annual St.Petersburg City Tournament is scheduled for March 29-30 and April 5-6 at Liberty Lanes. The winning team will receive $1,000.

There is no registration deadline since walk-in entries will be taken at the door. The fee is $15 per bowler per event -- singles, doubles, teams and all-events.

Registration closes Feb.15 for the annual Greater Pinellas YABA City Tournament, scheduled for Feb.22-23 and March 1-2 at Seminole Lanes.

Entrants must be GPYABA members and have a 2001-2002 yearbook average.

Team, singles and doubles competition in six classes will be based on averages. Squads may consist of all boys, all girls or mixed.

Registration flyers are at local centers. For information, call (727) 867-8450. No walk-in entries are allowed.

The entry deadline is Feb.24 for the 60th annual St.Petersburg Women's Association City Tournament, set for March 8-9 and 15-16 at Twedt's Lanes.

The fee is $15 per bowler per event.

Registration is open until the first team time in the annual Suncoast Association City Tournament, scheduled for Feb.15-16 and 22-23 at Countryside Lanes.

Multiple entries and walk-ins will be accepted.

The Clearwater Women's Association City Tournament is set for March 1-2 and 8-9 at Countryside. Registration ends Feb.24.

SKYWAY'S STATUS: Clearwater's Jerry and Irene Bednarski say they're trying for a May opening for the refurbished Skyway Lanes in south St.Petersburg.

"We are in the final renovations, and things are going very well," Irene said.

The 32-lane center was foreclosed in August, 2001, when the former owners failed to meet their financial obligations. It has remained closed until the Bednarskis purchased Skyway late last year.

BWTC IN TOWN: The ABCb.line Brunswick World Team Challenge returns to Seminole Lanes for the 11th year this weekend.

The team registration fee is $600. Entries will be accepted at the center until 6 p.m. today.

AROUND THE LANES: Joe Bereczki rolled a 300-800 at Liberty Lanes. Chris Springstead, Brent Dewar, Bill Wilder Sr. and Guy Blazer each posted a 300 game. ... Chris Holly nailed a 300-826, James Keifer fired a 300-760 and Jim Edie recorded a 300-731 at Dunedin Lanes. ... Rick Langton compiled a 289-834, Dean Rosko rolled a 300-755 and Ray Belcher logged a 299-791 at Seminole Lanes. ... Lou Alessi rolled an 822 series and Todd Laufenberg an 809 at Countryside Lanes. ... Pinellas Park's Justin Foraker won the lower division of the Florida Youth Scratch Bowlers Tournament in Ocala. Terrance Reeves finished second. Palm Harbor's Ashly Galante was the runner-up in the girls division. ... The PBA southern regional stops at Langlo Bowl in New Port Richey this weekend. ... The Paralyzed Veterans Association of America's local chapter is having a Sunday event at 1 p.m. at Southland Lanes. The entry fee for trio teams is $60.

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

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