Steve Sanders, president of Pinacle Events Inc., is one of the few promoters in the bowling industry who has generated great interest and advanced the sport successfully. As a matter of fact, Sanders has not only promoted bowling but, more often than not, stages events.
For example, his Eliminator tournament at Sam's Town has taken its place, along with the famed High Roller at Showboat Lanes in Las Vegas, as the elite Big Bucks events. Furthermore, the Mini-Eliminator, slated to take place at the Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas, will have a prize fund of over one million dollars in cash and merchandise. Bowlers finishing in the top 150 will be guaranteed at least $1,000. The tournament will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
While these two tournaments are staples of the Pinacle Events Inc., the most outstanding presentation on the Sanders menu is the fantastic PBA Seniors Tournament at the Villages in central Florida. Although the regular PBA Tour has encountered difficulty in filling fields, the entries for the PBA Seniors tournament at the Villages exceeded the limit and had to turn down over 60 applications.
Roger Workman displayed sensational clutch bowling, knocking off seven opponents en route to the championship. His superb performance earned the veteran a check for $20,000, plus a home valued at $100,000.
And, talk about an event! It was a first-class tournament, conducted in one of the most beautiful bowling centers in the country. The eight-man finals were held smack in the middle of the downtown area at the Town Square. Unlike other outdoor and arena events that are erected by Brunswick or AMF, the lanes were furnished and set in place by The Villages bowling crew.
You had to be there to appreciate the professionalism of this tournament. It was reminiscent of the old Firestone Tournament of Champions extravaganza. "PBA Senior" signs hung along the streets. There were parking areas for bowlers, PBA officials, and members of the press. Food and drinks were provided for players in the paddock.
The hospitality of the local citizenry was incredible. Special rates on food and drinks were offered throughout the downtown area.
The Villages is almost too unique to describe. It is Florida's premier self-contained retirement community offering a broad variety of home styles in a wide range of prices. It is approximately one-third completed with over 10,000 homes and 20,000 residents. Homes and villas are grouped into distinct neighborhoods, many of which have their own clubs or recreational centers. There are currently 25 such neighborhoods either completed or under development. The Villages have seven nine-hole executive golf courses where residents play free. Additionally, there are three Championship courses, two of which are 18-hole courses and one is a 27-hole course—all which can be played for green fees of less than one dollar per hole.
The Villages also features two state-of-the-art bowling centers, eight heated swimming pools, two driving ranges, 20 tennis courts, five recreational centers, six miles of recreational trails, and over 50 individuals who coordinate over 300 events every week for the enjoyment of residents. There are three churches, 16 restaurants and clubs, a bakery, a micro-brewery, a music and dance hall, a full service travel agency, and polo facilities. They have their own newspaper (the Daily Sun), their own TV station, (the Villages News Network), a 60-bed hospital facility, and a medical complex that include physicians' offices, an on-site laboratory and X-ray facilities, and a large modern wellness center.
Several PBA Senior players have established residency in this popular community. In due time, they will undoubtedly be joined by the Roger Workman family.
The popular community has become affiliated with the Ladies Professional Golf Association for golf events, featuring Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez, Helen Alfredson, and U.S. Open Champion Juli Inkster.
Bowling has been greatly enhanced by sponsors of The Villages variety. More important, however, bowling would greatly benefit with additional promoters of the Steve Sanders type.
PBA Hall of Famer John Jowdy is a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America.