EDITOR’S NOTE: Jowdy, whose writing appears in 19 bowling publications, recently sent several of his editors the following E-mail:
March saw very limited bowling activity on the pro level, making it the best time for me to take a hiatus. It turned out that the minor indigestion I was experiencing was, in actuality, four clogged coronary blood vessels. The good news is that by the time the pros resume the tour, I will be fully recovered from the triple bypass heart surgery I had on March 13.
One important event I missed in March was the Bowling Writers Association of America Convention in Syracuse, New York. It was the first one I have missed in over 30 years. Each year, Columbia sponsors a special dinner for the bowling writers. I always choose something unique—a special place with unique interest. For instance, one year we had our dinner on the battleship Alabama in Mobile, we’ve been to the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, the Red Garter Saloon in Virginia City in the mountains above Reno, the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, the NASA Space Museum in Huntsville, and on and on for 30 years.
This year, the dinner was in Syracuse’s Onondaga Museum. I was supposed to be the host; yet at the time of the dinner I was in my hospital bed in California. Imagine: 100 for dinner, and I’m not there! Columbia Vice President Connie Smoot stood in for me and did a great job.
My BWAA friends attending the convention were happy to see member Chuck Pezzano there; they tell me he looks fantastic. Chuck underwent open heart surgery a few months ago and has fully recovered. We have had numerous phone conversations, and he sounds great.
I have additional good news from the month of March: By virtue of solid persuasion by my longtime friend and bowling idol, Bill Lillard, I was elected to the Texas Bowling Association Hall of Fame. Induction ceremonies take place at the Radisson Hotel in Dallas on April 23.
I am looking forward to the resumption of my columns next month.
PBA Hall of Famer John Jowdy is a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America.