Staying Motivated In Bowling, Helped Earn Shirley Braverman A Trip Into AZ State HOF.
Her Accomplishments On The Lanes, Was Other Factor That Got Her There.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Phoenix - - - Ever since Shirley Braverman, of Phoenix, got hooked on the game of bowling at the tender age of eight. And during the last 14 years in particular, she has not been surprised as to what she has been able to accomplish in the game of bowling.
But, during the annual Arizona State meeting that was held this past March 10-11 in Lake Havasu City. She got one big surprise from her bowling peers that even caught her well, by surprise. That surprise, was being elected into the Arizona State Hall of Fame for bowling superiority. Shirley joined Ben Laughlin of Mesa, as the two inductees that were nominated by the Hall of Fame Committee for the 2016-17 season.
"The phone call from Lou Ann Rickett came late on a Sunday night, in December 2016. My family had just left after a dinner, and I was cleaning up the house. When I heard Lou Ann's voice, my heart stopped for a second," remembers Shirley, on how she found out she was confirmed for the Hall. "Good news, or bad news, she proceeded to tell me the results of the board meeting. And that I was confirmed as being a candidate for induction into the AZ State Hall of Fame. Needless to say, the tears started to flow."
Shirley's bowling career began back home in Brooklyn, NY., at the age of eight. Her parents were her first coaches, and bowling was a family affair along with her two brothers. The first tournament she bowled in, in which she won with her brother Kenny, was a 'King and Queen' event. It was winning that first trophy that started her unconditional love for the game.
"I never looked back after winning my first trophy," says Shirley, on getting hooked on the game. "I bowled in high school at our local bowling center, and even met my husband, Ed, in a bowling center. My husband Ed and our two boys at the time, relocated to Arizona in 1978. Ed retired from the NYPD and one of my boys had asthma, so our doctor recommended a drier climate. While in NY., I worked on Wall Street, but got licensed as a stockbroker and insurance annuity agent for Shearson Lehman-American Express in AZ. I worked several years, and after my third son was born, I prioritized my goals and decided to leave the brokerage business."
During the last 14 plus years, she has also been able to post book averages of 200 or higher. During the 2000-01 season for example, she averaged 203 for 96 games in the East Siders League at AMF Shea Village. While her highest book average to date, came after this past season in the Ebonite Sun City Scratch Classic League at Lakeview Lanes. Averaging 221 for 105 games. She had also averaged 219 for 108 games in the Pony League. The Pony League bowled at Brunswick Zone Glendale in 2013-14.
"The one thing I noticed that was different with bowling out west, was the size of the bowling centers. I was relocating from New York, where most of the bowling centers were 60 lanes," said Shirley, of the first adjustment she had to make out west. "I have averaged 200 plus for the past 15 years. I always set goals for myself at the beginning of each fall season, and one goal is to maintain a 200 + average. It does take practice, along with the right equipment and understanding lane conditions. This year, 2016-17, will be my highest average ever at 221."
She also has experienced the changes in the game of bowling that the rest of us have. By learning how to bowl on wood lanes in the 60s, and then learning how to bowl all over again on synthetic ones. As well as learning how to keep score by hand, and then letting a computer do it for you.
"I really don't have a preference. I've bowled on both lane conditions. There was one tournament in Tucson, that I had the opportunity to bowl on wood," she said, of the two lane surfaces. "Let's just say, it was challenging. Most of my accomplishments on wood lanes were mostly in New York. My family team usually finished in the top ten positions. As far as Arizona. It was a big transition back in the early 80s, because my equipment at the time was more conducive to New York lanes, and needed to make some changes."
She has: 16 PWBA, 12 USBC, and 18 AZ State titles. And has participated in: 14 women's nationals and three open nationals events. Achievement wise, she has obtained: four 299s, 10 300s, 12 11 in-a-rows, and over 80 700 series.
"There have been a lot of memorable events in my bowling career, but I think the one thing that I felt was an incredible achievement was in 2015. When me and my teammates/doubles partners won: Metro Phoenix USBC 1st place scratch doubles; Metro Phoenix USBC 1st place team event; AZ State Women's USBC scratch doubles; and AZ State USBC Senior Women's 1st place scratch doubles," she says, of the accomplishments that stand out the most to her. "By being able to compete in the Open and Senior Divisions, proves that you are never too old to compete."
She also remembers what it was like being marched out to the lanes at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, NV., for the first time as well.
"My first trip to Reno was probably my most memorable one," she admits. "I walked into the national bowling stadium, and was just overwhelmed by its size and the atmosphere in it. One of the lane monitors walked up to me and asked me 'if it was my first time bowling at the stadium'. I then asked him how did you know? She said to me that 'my mouth was still wide open'. We had a good laugh, but it was true. I bowled one of my best nationals. I also qualified for Senior Queens and finished 13th."
With all of the accomplishments she has had in the game of bowling through out the years, she feels her favorite decade in the sport is right now. Having being elected into the Metro Phoenix HOF in 2012, and now the AZ State HOF in 2017. But, she could not have gotten there without a little help from others.
"Life is good," she says, of her bowling career right now. "I'm very grateful to my driller, Dave Cirigliano, of Bowling Dynamics. He has given me very good advice concerning ball changes, and lessons over the years. I read books and kept up with current news that is posted online."
But, there has always been one consistent factor that has kept her going in the game of bowling.
"My motivation is and has always been my love for the game of bowling," she says, of what continues to drive her in the sport. "My teammates will attest to the fact that I bowl to win. My enjoyment is knowing that I've bowled the best I can, and dwell way too much on when I do not bowl so well."
And, there has always been one other cheerleader by her side, that has been with her through out her HOF bowling career.
"My bowling career would not be as successful if I didn't have my husband/coach, Ed, my love. As I mentioned earlier, we met at a bowling center and as a result of several injuries as a police officer, he was unable to continue to bowl," she says, of her husband. "However, he has enjoyed bowling vicariously through me. Ed knows my game and can adjust me through ball or angle changes. How lucky I am to be married to a man who is a wonderful: husband, father, grandfather, and bowling coach!"
Hopefully, her next stop will be the USBC HOF. We will be doing our best at giving her a chance to get her to the ultimate goal in bowling.
State Of Arizona Bowling News - 10/5/17