By Rick Strobl -- Bowler's Digest
Motown bowlers, get ready for the "Greater Detroit Bowling Bonanza". The area's latest television bowling show will air on the PAX Cable network on Saturdays, starting January 19 and will run for 12 weeks with its season finale to air on April 6, 2002. The weekly series will be hosted by WJR Radio personality Tom Mazawey, who hosted last year's "Rolling for dollars".
According to Greater Detroit Bowling Association Executive Director Mark Martin, "We're putting the final touches on the broadcast schedule. The format of the show is quite simple. It is a two-ball format with cash prizes to be awarded for strikes and spares."
The producers of the show, which includes Martin, Mazawey, and Jerry Harris of Novi Bowl and Drakeshire Bowl, hope to promote bowling in the Detroit area by involving local bowling centers.
"To keep it affordable for all involved, it will be produced at minimal cost," Martin explained. "The cost structure of this show is to only break even financially. We are looking for 60 participating bowling centers to serve as contestant sign up locations. We are also looking for four additional host production centers in which to tape the shows."
More information regarding "Greater Detroit Bowling Bonanza" including a list of bowling centers were contestants can sign up can be found below or check out the Greater Detroit Bowling Association website at: http://www.gdba.com/
Greater Detroit Bowling Bonanza
What is the Greater Detroit Bowling Bonanza?
The Greater Detroit Bowling Bonanza is a weekly television show with 6 contestants attempting to bowl 2 strikes to win the Bonanza. The Bonanza starts at $500 and increases by $50 with every unsuccessful contestant. Once a contestant breaks the Bonanza it returns to $500. Each week 5 contestants will be drawn from the home audience on the previous show and 1 contestant from the studio audience will be selected. If a contestant bowls 1 strike but does not get the 2nd they will be awarded $100. If the contestant does not bowl the 1st strike but converts the spare they will be awarded $50.
Who is involved in the Greater Detroit Bowling Bonanza?
Tom Mazawey, Executive Sports Producer of Sportswrap on WJR-AM 760; Jerry Harris, proprietor of Novi Bowl in Novi and Drakeshire Lanes in Farmington Hills; and Mark Martin, Executive Director of the Greater Detroit Bowling Association.
How do I get involved in the Greater Detroit Bowling Bonanza?
Simply by visiting one of the participating bowling centers and filling out and entry blank. There is no cost to register. Entry blanks will be available around January 1, 2002.
How can I see the Greater Detroit Bowling Bonanza?
The show will be aired on WPXD-TV, a local affiliate of PAX television, on Saturdays at 2 p.m. beginning January 19, 2002. Check your local cable lineup for the channel number on your system. For those without cable it can be seen on Channel 31 or Channel 48.
Participating Centers (as of December 30, 2001)
BEECH LANES Redford
BONANZA LANES Warren
BRONCO LANES Warren
CENTURY BOWL Waterford
CHERRY HILL LANES Dearborn Heights
CHERRY HILL NORTH Clarkston
CLASSIC LANES Rochester Hills
CLOVERLANES Livonia
COUNTRY LANES Farmington
DRAKESHIRE LANES Farmington Hills
FORD LANES Dearborn Heights
KINGSWOOD LANES Clinton Township
LAKEWOOD LANES Waterford
LODGE LANES Belleville
MAYFLOWER LANES Redford
MERRI BOWL LANES Livonia
NORTEL LANES Monroe
NOVI BOWL Novi
OAK LANES Westland
OXFORD LANES Dearborn
PLUM HOLLOW LANES Southfield
ROOSEVELT LANES Allen Park
SHELBY LANES Utica
SHORE LANES Saint Clair Shores
SKORE LANES Taylor
STERLING LANES Sterling Hts
SUNNYBROOK LANES Sterling Hts
SUPER BOWL Canton
TAYLOR LANES Taylor
TROY LANES Troy
UNIVERSAL LANES Warren
VAN DYKE BOWL Sterling Hts
WAYNE BOWL Wayne
WESTLAND BOWL Westland
WONDERLAND LANES Commerce Township
WOODHAVEN CENTER Woodhaven
WOODLAND LANES Livonia
