Salute to Bowling raises nearly $30,000

ARLINGTON, Texas - Thanks to the work of one artist and generosity of one bidder, the 2012 Salute to Bowling proved most fruitful to the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.

The 23rd Salute was held Jan. 23 during the 2012 Bowling Proprietors' Association of America Bowling Summit at the Meritage Resort in Napa Valley, Calif. It featured free admission courtesy of joint presenters Brunswick and Qubica/AMF, a wine and cheese party, cocktails and beverage, 50/50 raffle and silent and live auctions of items donated for the event.

Overall, the evening raised nearly $30,000 for the IBM/HF.

"The Salute was a tremendous success," said IBM/HF Managing Director Eric Kearney. "It was very well attended and very well received."

The biggest donated item was a 30" by 40" oil painting of bowling pioneer Joe Thum by retired Bowlers Journal International Publisher Mort Luby. Hans Krol of Bowltech International B.V. headquartered in Made, The Netherlands, walked away with Luby's work with a $20,000 bid.

"We are indebted to Mr. Luby for his generosity of such a fine painting and to Hans Krol for his winning bid," Salute chairperson Mike Aulby said. "It was unbelievable."

The other big prize was a travel package at the Makena Beach & Golf Resort on Maui, Hawaii, which Colorado proprietors Tom and Icel Haynes won with a $4,200 bid. Krol also came away with an autographed portrait of bowling legends Dick Weber, Bill Lilliard, Don Carter and Ray Bluth while BPAA Executive Director Steve Johnson's bid earned him an Earl Anthony-autographed poster.

"We want to thank the BPAA leadership and staff for allowing the Museum and Hall of Fame to be a significant part of the Summit," said IBM/HF chairman Keith Hamilton, "And we want to thank Qubica/AMF and Brunswick for coming together to sponsor the evening. We are looking forward to Bowl Expo."

The IBM/HF will have a distinct presence June 25-28 at International Bowl Expo in Reno, Nev. There will be a 50/50 raffle with a guaranteed $5,000 top prize and silent auction including the Bowling Pin Car now on display at the National Bowling Stadium.

Salute to Bowling helps fund operations at the IBM/HF in Arlington, Texas. It originally was called Salute to Champions in 1990 as the brainchild of former Brunswick executive Jim Bennett. It started as black-tie affair to honor those who had helped the industry. In 2002, the event moved to International Bowl Expo and changed format from a black-tie sit down to an auction/cocktail format that resumed this year.