Chandler - During his 60 plus years in the game
as a: competitor, instructor, and cheerleader. Ron
Huemiller Srs' goal has always been to see himself and
others perform well in the game
He spent many years in bowling centers in the East
Valley, trying to perfect his own game. And hoping those
he taught, could experience the same success he has on
the lanes. While never asking for anything from anybody
in return.
When the Mesa Metropolitan Association (MMA) HOF
nomintating committee started to throw out names on
who could be eligible to be enshrined for bowling
superiority in 2016, he wondered if his name would be
mentioned during the process.
So, to help speed up the process a little bit, he
filled out an application to make himself eligible.
And then ........
"I was absolutely flabbergasted and just floored.
I could not believe that a dream of mine, finally came
true," he said, on a recent morning at Brunswick Zone
Mesa. "When I got up on Sunday morning, I still thought
it was a dream.
"To be rcognized by my peers for what I accomplished,
means so much," he added. "I have had over 175: likes,
tweets, and congratulations on Facebook. And, from people
I only knew when I bowled on the PBA tour. By now,
(Wednesday the 24th), it is finally starting to sink in."
Ron joined Valerie Caron as the other recipient for
this years MMA HOF induction, during a ceremony on
February 20 at AMF Chandler Lanes.
"I kept my PBA membership active from 1992-2005.
Once you are a member, you are always a member. About
five or six years ago, I started to think about what is left
on my resume, that I have not been able to accomplish,"
he said, on other goals in the sport he would like to obtain.
"The two biggest ones would be a Masters title, and
a PBA 300, to go with the things on my resume that I have
already accomplished," he continued. "I would pay my dues
for this year, so I could participate as a PBA member. I
would like to bowl in the senior open, and the senior
masters this summer, if I could keep my strength level
up to where it needs to be."
Ron has a high series of 811, and a high game of 300.
He holds a USBC composite lifetime average of 210, with
his highest average being 228. He also holds seven MMA
senior open tournament titles including: four team titles,
a singles title, a doubles event title, and an all-events
crown. Getting elected into the MMA Hall, is based on the
number of points an individual earns during his or her
career in the association
"When I shot the 811 series in the senior singles
tournament, I felt then I had enough points to qualify
for the MMA HOF," he said. "I was in first place in singles
and doubles at AMF McRay, and my 800 series was the
first one rolled in the senior division in singles or doubles."
He also holds additional championships in the Valley
of the Sun Tournament and Arizona State Tournaments.
Ron has also participated in the AZ Classic Bowlers, and
winning titles there as well.
"I thank God for the talent he gave me both physically
and mentally, and my wife Karen who, for over 60 years,
has put up with bowling as 'the other woman in my life.'
And, listening to my play-by-play of every game," he told
those in attendance, during the induction ceremony. "To
my children for their love and encouragement and support
through the years. And the MMA, for bestowing this honor
on me and providing the tournaments and the competition
thru my years here in Mesa.
"The encouragement of all my peers and friends has
never made it easy to be a winner with the great
competitors. They all have been and always pushed me
to do better," he added. "Thanks to the Simonis family
for their support, and expertise in ball set up and drilling.
I have so many friends to thank for their: help, support,
and faithfulness. I know that if I tried to list them all, I
would miss someone, but I think you all know who you
are. Thank you all for accepting me into the Mesa family
of bowlers."
As was mentioned, Ron has been a PBA member for
years. He currently coaches youth bowlers of all ages and
abilities.
"My dad Harold, and my brother Dale, would be over
joyed to be here, because they were well known in the
Detroit Metropolitan Association," he said. "My fourth son
Larry had a Dtroit News article written on his abilities when
he was only five or six.
"The article was also picked up and printed in the ABC
Youth Bowling Magazine and distributed nation wide," he
added. "Besides my wife, one of my nine children were
here in attendance. I knew that all of them were here in
spirit, even though they were not here person."
The accolades didn't stop there.
"My brother and I finished second in a brothers
tournament in Detroit in the early 60s," he said, on
bowling with his brother. "My brother and I were close.
I wrote to my sister-in-law and told her that I would be
inducted in the MMA HOF. She wrote me a nice letter
back congratulating me. That made me feel really good."
Like Valerie, Ron also had a special connection with
Country Club co-owner Jay Means.
"His dedication to bowling, made it a bowlers game,"
he said. "And not a recreational game."
He grew up bowling on wooden lanes, and liked to
bowl on wood, because of the challenge. His highest book
average is 228. He says synthetic lanes and the bowling
balls made for synthetic lanes, have made the higher
scores easier to accomplish.
"Its apparent that all you have to do is look at the
honor scores these days, to see how synthetic lanes
have made the game easier," he said. "Back in the day
when there was wooden lanes, and hard rubber bowling
balls. One or two 300 games a year in a center was big
news."
Mesa Bowling News - March 3, 2016
Story By Michael 'Chip' Begg
Director Mesa Metro Association