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Introduction:
I have known Nick Melnikoff (of: bowlersparadsise.com) for a period
of 24-years. At the time of our first meeting, I was General Manager
of Pacifica Coast Lanes in Pacifica, California and he was a Junior
Bowler with hopes and aspirations of someday becoming a PBA player.
Later, at the age of 18, he did join that prestigious group and
went on to win a couple of Regional titles.
As the years went by, he continued to pursue his dream of becoming
a Touring player. He did bowl in several events (on a few different
occasions) with: "The Greatest Bowlers In The World" (on Tour),
cashing several times with a few finals thrown in. He soon realized
that his goal was a lofty one.
Always with an eye for business, and wanting to stay involved in
the Sport that he loved, he opened a Pro Shop in order to pay the
bills. As time has gone by, he then decided to start his own internet
business. The success that he has enjoyed is a result of several
things, such as: proper planning, good business decisions, a great
amount of risk, hard work and dedication. Needless to say, I am
very proud of what he has accomplished on his own.
Recently he asked me if I would be interested in writing a column
and joining his other writers on his site. I was flattered. I was
also honored, as I know both Susie Minshew and Dean Hinitz and have
always respected their work and passion for the Sport. I asked him
"why" he wanted me to be on this great Staff? He said that he wanted
his customers to have as much information on bowling as possible.
I then asked Nick "what" he wanted me to write about. He said that
he wanted me to write about all of bowling and to tell some stories
about the Tour, or anything interesting that I could think of. Well,
needless to say, I am not a writer and have never had any formal
training. There is no question that I do have a lot of stories about
bowling and the Tour, and I definitely do like to share them. As
my boss at Kegel (John Davis) once told me, "People need to know
what you know. What you have seen in your day is treasured and your
experiences must be shared." He later convinced me to write a book
about my days on Tour (basically from 1971 until 1996). More about
all of that later.
Having said all of that, I just wanted you readers to have a little
more background. Next month we will tell you "what" to look for
in a coach. I am sure that you will find it interesting and informative. |
