PHOEBUS TEN PIN BOWLING ASSOCIATION: 1949 - 1958

~ THE BEGINNING ~

In 1947, several members of the Peninsula Bowling League contacted the American Bowling Congress (ABC) in an   attempt to acquire a charter.  However at the time, the Norfolk-Portsmouth area bowlers were also attempting to  acquire a charter. 

Because both groups were not large enough individually to obtain a charter,  they joined together o  form the Norfolk Bowling Association in 1948.  This was necessitated by the fact that the ABC prohibited two (2) associations within a 25 mile radius from having separate charters.  So with the help of Charles Wood, Paul Capps, Jack Hair and W.C. "Pop" Morgan from the Peninsula and Henry Gallop, Robert Repass and Joseph O'Hopand Joseph O'Hopfrom the South-side, along with Bob Lynch, the ABC Field Representative, worked out the details for a charter.  The Norfolk Bowling Association was officially chartered in December, 1948.

During the 1948-1949 bowling season,Charles Wood, Mark Hutchinson, Edgar Carroll and several other bowlers were granted a waiver from ABC to form an association.  This waiver was based on the premise that the only transportation between the Peninsula and the South-side was by ferry.  So in February, 1950 the Phoebus Ten Pin Bowling Association was chartered.The first president of the newly formed association was Edgar l. Carroll with E. R. Wert serving as secretary-treasurer.

THE 1950'S

The Association grew from one center, Mayflower Lanes, to three with the addition of Naval Weapons Lanes (1954) and Sports Bowl (1956).  This was due to the increasing popularity of Ten Pin Bowling.  With this newly found interest, additional services and organizations were formed with the help of several Association members.  During this time, Charles W. (Bill) Wood Jr., W.E. Jack, Dorothy Jack, Myrtle Hutchinson and several other women formed the Hampton women's Bowling Association (chartered in 1952).  Matthew Bennie, Paul Capps, Jack McDervitt and Charles W. (Bill) Wood Jr. helped organize the Virginia State Bowling Association (chartered in 1952). Mark E. Hutchinson served as State Secretary-Treasurer (1952-56).  In 1952, Mark E. Hutchinson, Mike Panz and Charles W. (Bill) Wood Jr. formed the first Junior Bowling Program in the state of Virginia.  In 1954, Joe Robinson, Mark E. Hutchinson and Charles W. (Bill) Wood Jr.  were instrumental in forming the Southeast Bowling Congress (includes the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia). Inductees into the Phoebus Ten Pin Association as Life Members were: Jennings Johnson (1948), Edgar Carroll (1949), Claud R. Panz (1950), Shirley Hanbury (1951), Charles W. (Bill wood Jr. (1952) and Paul H. Oncken (1957).

The first recorded honor scores sanctioned by ABC were in 1951, Joseph Hagan (first 700 series) and in 1952, Corky Davis (first 700 series in the Association).

The position of President was held by many of the associations top bowlers. These gentlemen were: Claud R. (Mike) Panz (1950), Shirley Hanbury (12951, Charles W. (Bill) Wood Jr. (1952-56), and Paul H. Oncken (1957-58).  Members serving as Secretary-Treasurer were: Charles W. (Bill) Wood Jr. (1950), Claud R. (Mike) Panz (1951) and Mark E. Hutchinson (1952-58)

A NEW BEGINNING

In 1958, the Association changed it's name to Hampton Roads Bowling Association.  This was predicated on the fact that our jurisdiction now encompassed the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, Yorktown and the counties of Gloucester, James City and York, Virginia.

THE 1960'S AND 1970'S

The 1960's and 1970's was a time for growth and expansion.  With the ever-increasing numbers of bowlers heading to their nearest bowling center, the need to add centers was obvious.  Centers added during this time were; Newmarket Bowl (1960), Circle Lanes (1960), Langley Lanes (1960), Colony Lanes (1961), Ft. Eustis Lanes (1962), Fairlanes Hidenwood (1963), Century Lanes (1963), Wythe Lanes (1963), Cheatham Annex Lanes (1968), Ft. Monroe Lanes (1969) and County Lanes (1978).

HAMPTON ROADS BOWLING ASSOCIATION: 1960-1970

The Hampton Roads Bowling Association inducted the following persons in their Hall of Fame:Mark E. Hutchinsonand Charles W. (Bill) Wood Jr. (1962); Frank Carneyand Lee F. Carney(1963);Claud R. Panz (1964); Roy Sulzberger1966);Frank T. Hart (1967); Thomas Vranas, Albert A. Matera, Harry T. Davis and Thomas Mark (1968); Frank L. Paus (1969); Joseph Hagen and W. E. Jack (1971); Hilary A. Brandon (1972); Mercer Ware (1973); Buddy Britton, Al P. Helslander and Paul H. Oncken (1974); James Price Sr. (1975); Edward M Dowdy
(1976); Pat G. Minetti, Robert Bond and Eugene (Gene) Holloway (1977); Henry Lee (1978).  Inducted into the Hampton Roads Bowling Association as Life Members were; Nicklas Jevas (1960); Roy Gillespie (1961); Thomas Vranas (1967); Mark E. Hutchinson
(1975); W. Amos Fargis (1976); Mercer Ware (1977); Don E. Trotter (1978).  Also during this period, Frank T. Hart served as the Virginia State Bowling Association Secretary-Treasurer (1959-63).  Mark E. Hutchinson (1959) and Charles W. (Bill) Wood Jr. (1978) was inducted into the Virginia State Bowling Association as Life Members.  The Southeastern Bowling Congress bestowed Charles W. (Bill) Wood Jr. two awards, Life Member in 1973 and Hall of Fame in 1978.  

The first ever sanction 300 game was in 1961 by Jesse Rama. With honor scores not as easy to come by, several car dealerships were offering to give a new car away for a 300 game in the late sixties.  The Hampton Roads Bowling Association hosted the Southeastern Bowling Congress' annual tournament in 1963.  In 1965, the Hampton Roads Bowling Association started giving away a watch for an individuals first 700 series. The Hampton Roads Bowling Association hosted the Virginia State Bowling Association's Annual Tournament in 1976.  That year, the Hampton Roads Bowling Association was the first host association to reach 1,000 teams.

Presidents holding office during this time were: Nicklas Jevas (1959-60); Roy Gillespie (1961); Thomas Vranas (1962-67); Eugene (Gene) Holloway (1968-69); William K. Goad (1970); W. Amos Fargis (1971-1975); Don E. Trotter (1976-77); Al P. Helslander (1978-79); Secretary-Treasurers in office were: Charles Miano (1959); Frank T. Hart (1960-62, 1969); Edward M. Dowdy (1963-66); Leonard Mayo (1967-68, 1970-1971); Kenneth Ancel (1972-74); James D. (Jim) Bohlken (1975-79)

THE 1980's AND 1990's

These two decades are when scoring skyrocketed. Many records that were untouchable, have been reached and surpassed.  This was because technology came to the forefront in every aspect of the game of Ten Pins.  ABC and WIBC (Women's International Bowling Congress) attempted to control scoring with the introduction of the "System of Bowling.

The System was developed to address all areas (lane dressing, bowling balls and bowling pins) of our sport.  First were the lanes, by trying to level the playing field with the amount of lane dressing (oil) applied.  Second was the bowling equipment. Bowling equipment manufacturers saw that by changing the lane conditions, current equipment would limit scoring.  So, new and better equipment must be developed.  Again, technology was the primary tool in this development. 

Membership was also climbing at great numbers.The Hampton Roads Bowling Association reached it's highest number of members in 1987 with 7,900 members.

The bowling centers in our area saw many changes.  This included newly built centers and some centers being sold, renovated or closed.  The new centers were: Coast Guard Bowling Center (1981), Denbigh Lanes (1983); Victory Lanes (1984), Williamsburg Bowl (1986), Naval Weapons - Twin Pin (1987) and RTC Yorktown Lanes (1989). Sold centers consisted of: Newmarket Bowl (1994) and changed to Classic Lanes (1995); Denbigh Lanes became Pinboy's of Denbigh (1995), sold again and became AMF Denbigh Lanes (1997); Victory Lanes became Pinboy's of York (1995), sold again and became AMF York Lanes (1997); Fairlanes Hidenwood became AMF Hidenwood (1995). Renovated centers were: Sports Bowl changed to Ten Pin Bowling Inc. (1989); Circle Lanes changed to Sparetimes (1992); County Lanes became Village Lanes (1993); Williamsburg Bowl became AMF Williamsburg Lanes (1997). Closed centers were: Colony Lanes (1986), Naval Weapons Lanes and Wythe Lanes (1987), Ten Pin Bowling Inc. (1991), Coast Guard Bowling Center (1993), Cheatham Annex Lanes (1996), RTC Yorktown Lanes (1997).

HAMPTON ROADS BOWLING ASSOCIATION: 1980-1990

The Hampton Roads Bowling Association Scholarship Program was discussed during the 1979-1980 season between Harry Butts, James D. (Jim) Bohlken, Charles W. (Bill) Wood Jr., and others. It was not until the 1983-1984 season did the Scholarship program become a reality.  The Scholarship program is available to any graduating high school senior (male or female).  There are two scholarships awarded each year.  A $700.00 first place and a $500.00 second place.  The scholarships are renewable to each recipient each year at $400.00 each, provided the students maintain a "B" average.  To date, approximately $50,000.00 has been awarded to these deserving students.
The ABC created as award program to recognize local associations that provide a high level of service to its members.  These awards were called "Service Awards", The Awards was  a "One Year Service Award", "Five Year Service Award",  Ten Year Service Award"
and the highest  award was the Presidential Award of Merit". The Hampton Roads Bowling Association won each of these awards the first time that award was available.  That was an  amazing achievement, making the Hampton Roads Bowling Association one of the top associations in the nation.  In 1998, another award was introduced, the "Continuing Presidential Award of Merit".  Again, because of our associations outstanding service and accomplishments, the Hampton Roads Bowling Association received this award.

The Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), formally Bowlers Victory League, has been a charitable organization supporter by bowlers to help our nations Veterans Hospitals. With the guidance of Charles V. (Smokey) Denius Jr. in 1991, the Hampton Roads Bowling Association and the Hampton Women's Bowling Association started a genuine effort  to raise monies to support this charity.  In 1994, William (Bill) Mounger (HRBA) and Sharon Mounger (HWBA) continued these associations ever-increasing collections  in support of BVL.  At the 1998 ABC National Convention held in Huntsville Alabama, a new award from the National BVL was given to an individual who demonstrated a commitment to supporting the BVL. That Award, "Darryl Dobbs Memorial Award", was presented to William (Bill) Mounger.  To date, over $63,000.00 has been raised for the BVL from both the HRBA and HWBA.
As of 1999, the HRBA and HWBA were ranked second in the state of Virginia and seventh nationally for total contributions.

The first ever sanction 800 series was in 1982 by Joseph Lawson. All of the recorded team and series were broken in the 1990's

The Hampton Roads Bowling Association inducted the following persons into their Hall of Fame: W. Amos Fargis and John Dominey (1980); Robert "Pop" Trousdell and James D. (Jim) Bohlken (1981); Robert (Bob) Hunt (1982); Don E. Trotter (1983); Harry Sager Sr. and Leonard Johnson (1985); Harry K. Brooks, Dave Carney, Edward J. (Joe) Corbett and Mike Thompson (1986), James R Brewer and Louis C. (Lou) Bryan Jr. (1987); Franklin Jeffrey (1988); Robert (Bob) Zach and James E. Polick (1989); Buck A. (Bob) Ray (1990); Harold Menze (1919); Donald E. (Don) Stokes, John L. Johnson and Randy Proctor (1992); William P. (Bill ) Binks III and Charles V. (Smokey) Denius Jr. (1993); Terry Earnhardt (1994); A.W. Hamrick Jr. and John C. Carter (1996; William (Sarge) Dillman (1997. Inducted into the Hampton Roads Bowling Association as Life Members were Al P. Helslander (1980); James D. (Jim) Bohlken and Eugene (Gene) Holloway (1981); Edward J. (Joe) Corbett (1982); Harry Sager Sr. (1983); James E Polick (1984); James R. (Jim) Brewer and Leonard Johnson (1985); Louis C.(Lou) Bryan Jr. (1987); William J. (Jerry) Sprouse Sr. (1991); William P. (Bill) Binks III (1993); Donald E. (Don) Stokes and Clarence G. (Guy) Snyder (1994); Albert (Al) Watlet (1997); Howard Gagen (1998); James R. (Jim) Brooks (1999).  Also during this period, W. Amos Fargis (1980-1982 and Albert (Al) Watlet served as the Virginia State Bowling Association Presidents. James D. (Jim) Bohlken served as the Virginia State Bowling Association Secretary-Treasurer (1987-93). Charles W. (Bill) Wood Jr. (1984), Mark E. Hutchinson (1985), James D. (Jim) Bohlken (1994) and Albert (Al) Watlet (1998) was inducted into the Virginia State Bowling Association as members of the Hall of Fame.  W. Amos Fargis (1982), James D. (Jim) Bohlken (1994) and Albert (Al) Watlet (1995) was inducted into the Virginia State Bowling Association as Life Members.

Presidents holding office during this time were: Edward J. (Joe) Corbett (1980-81); James E. (Jim) Polick (1982-83); James R. (Jim) Brewer (1984); Louis C. (Lou) Bryan Jr. (1985); William J. (Jerry) Sprouse Sr. (1986); William P. (Bill) Binks III (1987-88); Albert (Al) Watlet (1989-90); James D. (Jim) Bohlken (1991); James (Jim) Wilkins (1992); Clarence G. (Guy) Snyder (1993-94); Howard Gagen (1995); James R. (Jim) Brooks (1996-97); Shade Palmer (1998-99). Secretary-Treasurers in office were: James D. (Jim) Bohlken (1980-86); Ralph P. Wood (1987-88); Mark Carli (1989-90); Mark Ross (1991-94); Albert (Al) Watlet ((1995-99)