Page 70 - BCM June 2024

HONORS

A Steady Hand When

It Was Needed Most

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brian Borowski never wavered. That’s one
of the reasons he was selected for the 2024 BPAA President’s Award.

BY DENNIS BERGENDORF

rivers on busy Lincoln Avenue pandemic that prompted New York
D in Lockport, New York, can’t Governor Andrew Cuomo to order
miss the lettering on the long brick the closing of some 300 Empire State
building — 11 letters that offer a bowling centers.
gentle reminder of a legendary “It’s been a nightmare,” Borowski
bowler, someone whose name was, told reporters at the time. But he was
for nearly six decades, one of the able keep the miniature golf going,
most recognized in the sport. He for a month at least, because it’s out-
was Allie Brandt, who had rolled the doors. “It helped curb the losses, but
highest sanctioned three-game series nothing beat reopening for business.”
ever — an 886 back in 1939, when Though the bar, snack bar, arcade
that sort of thing didn’t happen every games and mini-golf provide solid
day. revenue streams, Allie Brandt Lanes
The year 1958 brought two sig- is still primarily about bowling,
nificant events: Brandt became one whether league, recreational, cosmic,
of the 33 charter members of the tournament, party or fund raiser.
Professional Bowlers Association, Brian Borowski owns a bowling center Value-added or premium leagues
and he opened his 24-lane bowling named after a local legend and was are a staple at the center. This
center, with his name prominently one of the business heroes of New York summer features the rum bucket and
displayed. bowling during the COVID-19 pan- one-free-drink no-tap leagues; the
It’s now 66 years later and the demic. Now, he’s being honored with pro shop merchandise league; two
center has grown to 36 lanes with the BPAA President’s Award, which he’ll have-a-ball leagues; and the NASCAR
an 18-hole miniature golf course; receive on July 2 at International Bowl league, in which everybody earns a
laser maze; a restaurant that features Expo in Denver. ticket to September’s big playoff race.
pizza, wings, fried bologna, a pair of There are theme tournaments
hot dogs called “the split” and funnel “judged to have given exceptional and special events, such as the
cake fries; a full-service lounge (the support and/or made significant wildly popular Munson No-Tap
curved bar is popular), and a small contributions to the association.” that benefits the Second Chance
but modern arcade. In 2019, Borowski was honored Boxer Rescue charity and raffles off
And it still carries Allie Brandt’s as grand marshal of the Go Bowling a small truckload of goodies. And if a
name, though the center has had sev- at the Glen NASCAR Cup race at “Kingpin”-themed event isn’t enough,
eral more owners through the years. Watkins Glen, some 140 miles away. this past February Allie Brandt Lanes
Since 2008, the owner has been Brian He says he wanted to shout, “Drivers, was part of the Lebowski Fest, with a
Borowski, one of the busiest men in grab your balls! We are going bowling movie screening and bowling.
the bowling industry. He’s the current at the Glen!” But he settled for the WNY Challenger Sports partners
BPAA treasurer, the former president traditional command to “start your with the Elks to conduct short-season
of the New York State BPA, and this engines!” leagues and a tournament for the
year’s recipient of the BPAA Presi- He also was a leader during bowl-
dent’s Award, given to the member ing’s worst crisis, the COVID-19 (continued on page 128)

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