Pictured Above L To R Are: Beeline Bowl GM Kevin Mootsey - Josh Williams - Tod McCarthy
Editors Note: It seems like every night we turn on the nightly news lately, we see a story on the newscast that features poor customer service from a company that is located somewhere in the United States. But, its nice to know that getting good customer service these days has not completely been thrown out the window either. In Arizona, we have found a business that dedicates itself in giving good customer service. However, there is one catch: you may have to drive a fur piece from the Valley in order to find this place.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association
Payson - - - Up until three years ago, Tod McCarthy, of Payson, was planning a career in the game of golf. And, it is easy to understand why.
As a member of the Payson High School Longhorns' golf team from 2010-14. He had got his game down at one point to where it was a six handicap, as a member of the boys' varsity team all four years he played for them. His lowest round to date is a 69, and he also carded a 70 in a Southwest PGA Summer Tournament. But, it was an unexpected change in direction one day that got him off of the golf course and into the game of bowling.
For high school golf, the Longhorns qualified for the state tournament within their first five or six matches in each of Tod's four years. And the Payson golf team did in fact, attend the AZ State Golf Tournament at Antelope Hills in all four years of his high school golf career. They had two runner-up finishes in tournament play in his freshman and junior year. And a tie for sixth place in his senior year.
"In all honesty no. The game of golf was my number one priority three years ago. That, and working at Sidewinders (a local restaurant in Pine)," he said, of how he ended up in the game of bowling. "I was fortunate enough that Beeline Bowl hired me, and let me in, in the game of bowling. I never thought I would be working in the game of bowling. Bowling has replaced my desire for the game of golf."
Payson is located about 82 miles North of Phoenix on the Beeline Highway, State Road #87. Formed over 600 million years ago, it is home to the Mongolian Rim. The 200 mile long rim, rises to over 7,000 feet above sea level. The area is known for recreational sports such as: camping, fishing, hiking, and hunting.
"It is very important to have this bowling center in Payson, because there is not a whole lot to do in town," said Tod, of the importance of having a bowling center in Payson. "Having the bowling center here is also a huge thing for the kids to have. It gives them something to do in a fun and safe environment."
Originally known as Rim Country Lanes, Beeline Bowl has been a fixture in the Payson business community since the mid-60s. It is a 16 lane Brunswick A2 equipped bowling center. It also features automatic scoring, a full size bar, and snack bar. Tod is one of the members of the centers staff, that has completely embraced the game of bowling. And has brought good customer service skills with him to his job, along with his co-workers.
"For the most part, half of the community likes to participate in outdoor recreational activities. But, for the people who do bowl in our leagues, they have a good knowledge of the game and they do know what they are doing on the lanes," said Tod, of the 150 league bowlers Beeline Bowl had during the 2016-17 season. "As employees of the center, we have to make 100 percent sure that we exceed our bowlers' expectations every time they come into our center to bowl.
"My customer service skills have been acquired over the duration of my employment with Beeline Bowl," added Tod, on how he acquired his customer service skills. "Coming from a confined kitchen, at Sidewinders in Pine, AZ., I had no real interactions with customers. Being out in the open with all of the league members is what cracked the shell on my customer service skills."
Beeline Bowl has had bowlers who have done well at the center throughout the years. According to its house records: Steve Salatti holds the highest average for men with a 229. Followed by: Ron Nielsen 225, Tony Cowan 222, Steve Hansen 219, and Jason Schwen 217. On the women's side: Mickey Smith has the highest average for women at 185. Diana Rauch 175, Ana Mowrer 167, Mae Sparks 167, and Janice Weldon have held their own on the lanes.
Beeline Bowl has also fielded a team that won the Division B Team Championship, at the Arizona State Open in 2015. Team members include: Alex Mouraux, Larry Weldon, Jim Bossert, Jim Woods, and Erick Barnick.
Beeline Bowl has also been home to the Champion of Champions Tournament. A tournament of league team champions within the Mesa Metro Association. It is generally held in mid-July. A time in which East Valley bowlers look forward to getting into a cooler climate for the weekend. Payson on average, is about 20 degrees cooler than the Valley.
The C of C is Beeline Bowl's: World Series and Super Bowl wrapped up into one weekend. This year 55 teams participated in the two day event. According to the unofficial results of the event which are posted on the MMA website. In the four person team male handicap division: Rolling Thunder of Payson currently is on top with a score of 2,623. In the four person team mixed division: the Pinguins also of Payson are on top at 2,606. And finally in the women's four person handicap division, Unbowlievable of Payson is in the lead at 2,617.
"Hosting the tournament is always a blast for us," said Tod, on having the C of C event. The 48th Annual. The C of C has been a regular visitor to Payson since 1969. "Its a lot of fun being around a lot of awesome people. I saw how hyped our bowlers got after seeing the standings from the C of C when they saw they were leading the event. Our Grumpy Old Men squad we had in the tournament, team name Rolling Thunder, were thrilled when they saw they were in first place."
Of course, a center always hopes to get through a big tournament without any major issues.
"Every day I come to work, I help out with maintenance work on the machines and lanes," he said, of his daily routine. "I want people to come into a nice place, and have fun while they are bowling here. It is our way of giving back to our community. We are doing what we can, with what we have. It is my goal to help make sure our equipment runs well not only for our leagues bowlers, but for our tournament bowlers as well. Again, I would like our bowlers to leave with a smile on their faces."
If you have been fortunate to bowl in the C of C the last two times it was in Payson, you may have noticed things have gone a lot smoother.
"I am real happy with the work we have done in the center," he said. A lot of time and effort has been put into keeping the machines running. "Its all part of a plan to keep on improving Beeline Bowl."
Since Beeline Bowl is the only game in town, it keeps its prices on league and open bowling at a reasonable level. The same holds true for the bar and snack bar. Discounts of course, are given to league bowlers in order to accommodate them. Ponderosa Lanes in Pinetop/Lakeside, is another community in the rim that has a bowling center.
Tod is a bowler himself. According to Bowl.Com, he posted a 176 average for 96 games in the Elks and Friends League at the center during the 2016-17 season. He also has rolled an 806 series, and three perfect games as well. He is a self taught bowler. He says by being able to work in a bowling center it has helped his game exceptionally well. He is also able to learn the ins and outs of ball layouts and ball motion in his downtime.
"Its a real big deal up here," he said, of when somebody from the center rolls a 300 game. "When seniors learn of the accomplishment, they are all fired up about it. My 300s were all bowled in Payson at Beeline Bowl. Three were in a 9 pin no tap format, and three were legit. My 806 series was bowled at Mesa East in regular open play and was constructed from a (268-275-263). I don't feel any pressure lifted off of my shoulders by getting my 300 game early in my career. I don't think about it, because I know there will be days where I struggle to break 100. For me, its just about having fun and bowling the best I can in those 10 frames."
Since 1884 Payson is also home to the oldest and continuous rodeo. It will be held on August 17-19 this year. ASU just recently held a week of practices and a scrimmage at Camp Tontozona from August 1-5. Some of Payson's famous Cowboys are: Dick Robbins, Floyd Pyle, and Lee Barkdoll.
State Of Arizona Bowling News - August 7, 2017