Pictured Is: Mike Matosich, center. Revceiving his MMA HOF Award from MMA Vice-President Marcia Dault, left. He was inducted into the MMA HOF on June 11, for Bowling Superiority. Also entering the MMA Hall, was Mike Barrett for Meritorious Service.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg
Managing Editor - thetenpinexpress.com
Director Mesa Metro Association.
Mesa, AZ. - - - After being involved in the game of bowling for the last 64 years. Our sport has a way of saying thanks to you for your participation, when you least expect it to. Mike Matosich of Mesa, found that out about two weeks before the MMA annual meeting on June 11. That he was elected to the MMA Hall of Fame by its nominating committee for Superior Performance. Joining Mike in the MMA Hall of Fame in 2023, is Mike Barrett for Meritorious Service. A well-deserved honor for both bowlers.
"I think it was about a month before the induction, that I learned that I was chosen to go in the hall. I was elated to hear the news that I would be going into the MMA Hall of Fame, said Mike, of when he was notified of going into the Hall of Fame. "I’m not sure if it was one accomplishment that helped me get into the hall. I think it was several things that helped. Like winning the Mesa Senior Masters, and being on the team that won the Mesa Open and the Mesa Senior Open. Plus, my league average over the years."
He just made a good point about his league average over the last five years, in the Ramblin Gamblers League at AMF McCray Lanes. He has averaged: 220, in 2022-23; 225, in 2021-22; 230, in 2019-20; 221, in 2018-19; and 224, in 2017-18. He has bowled in the same league since the 2011-12 season. Also, according to Bowl.com, he has rolled eight 300 games since moving to Arizona and has 14 in total. He has also bowled in 13 Open Championships.
"We started bowling at McRay when we moved here from California and have met some great friends in our league," he said, of how he enjoys bowling at McRay. "And McRay is a well run house with a good condition for bowling good scores."
With the success he has had bowling in leagues in the past and present, he was also given the opportunity to bowl on the PBA Tour.
"I have been fortunate to bowl on the PBA tour for a while in the late 70’s with and against many great bowlers. It would be hard to mention any of them without offending someone I forgot to mention," he said, of what has kept him competitive. "And since we have lived in Arizona I have met and competed against some of the best senior bowlers that I have ever known."
There is one thing though, that he will always remember about bowling on the PBA Tour.
"What I remember about the great bowlers I have bowled against is that it was a pleasure to watch them bowl and try to learn as much as I could from them," he said, of the experience. "I was very lucky to be able to meet and compete against them."
The MMA Annual Meeting, was held on Sunday June 11, at Mesa East Bowl. 41 members were present at this year's meeting. The break down for voting strength, was 12 board members, and 29 association members. Board members reelected to new three-year terms. Were Vice President - Marcia Dault. And Director - Michael 'Chip' Begg
"I would say that before being inducted into the MMA Hall of Fame, my biggest accomplishment was (when I was much younger) making a TV show in a1976 PBA doubles tournament with my partner Tom Wright," he said, of that doubles event in 1976. "Our first and only match in the doubles was against the eventual winners, Paul Colwell, (a HOF from Tucson), and Don Johnson. So we finished in fourth place. I feel I will bowl well in a tournament when I have good timing and I'm able to make consistent shots."
He has also made a name for himself since moving to Arizona, and enjoys competing in the top events when his schedule permits him to do so.
"Since moving to Arizona, the thing, I am most proud of is winning five CBE senior tournaments and five PCBA senior tournaments," he said, of more of his biggest accomplishments before being inducted into the MMA Hall. "I was somewhat successful in a local tournament club called the Professional Central California Bowlers from 1968-1975."
And what about the bowling talent he has seen in Arizona throughout the years.
"We (and his wife Mary), have been living in Arizona for 12 years now," he said of how long he has been in Arizona."I am not sure why the quality of a bowler is so high in this area, but I do know that there are many really good bowlers in the state and many younger bowlers coming along."
Proof of the many younger bowlers coming along, was highlighted at the annual meeting. The 2023 Boy and Girl Bowlers of the Year are: 11 and under. William Costantino and Aubrey McLelland. And 12 and older award winners. Caden Meliska and Allie Rose.
"In my opinion, mainly because it is when I grew up in bowling, that the 60’s and 70’s were my favorite era in bowling. Some of the greats of bowling were bowling during this time. Since the 80’s and 90’s the game has changed so much with synthetic lanes and steroid balls," he said, of his favorite era in bowling. "And again, in my opinion, with losing so many independent bowling centers. The “sport” of bowling is being lost and turning into a recreational business, which I feel really bad about."
Mike is not the only one in his family, to be elected into a local bowling hall of fame.
"My wife Mary’s family owned a 16 lane bowling center in San Carlos, CA from 1949 to 1996," he said, of his wife Mary. "Not only did she help run the center but she was a good bowler in her own right. By being on the Brunswick Advisory staff for 12 years and being elected to the California Hall of Fame in 2000. I’m very proud of her."
He feels he is in a great place with his game right now, and staying competitive will be the continued key to success.
"Since retiring and moving to Arizona I feel I have been bowling the best I ever have," he said, of where his game is right now. "I am not sure why I have been able to stay as competitive as I have at the age of 75. I think it could be because I am an “old school” bowler and think I have a fairly simple game and not much can go wrong, well most of the time anyway."
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In other MMA news:
Congratulations to some of the members of the Ballbusters women's bowling league for cashing in at Nationals! Way to represent Arizona!
Cindy Kuecker. Virginia Young. Sue Friedline. Skeeter Maxwell. Angela Wolfe. Meghan Enright. Abbie Hugill. Pam Weis. Cindy Gruben. Darlene Dolan. Terry Chynoweth. Tameisha Bell and Lee Fitzgerald.
The Ball Busters women's bowling league bowls on Wednesday nights in the fall, at Bowlero Kyrene Lanes in Chandler. If interested in bowling in the league this year, you may contact them via their facebook page @ Ball Busters.
Above courtesy of the Ball Busters women's bowling league.
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Congratulations is in order for Revolutions Pro Shop. Of the Construction A men's league, that bowls on Tuesday night at Bowlero Gilbert.
This team consisting of: Adrian Marasigen, Ryan Meredith, Jason Lenfest, Kurt Neish, and Andrew Lomuscio. Rolled a team score of 3,435 on May 2. Team scores were: 1,369 -1019 -1047.
Lomuscio led Revolutions with a 299-801; Lenfest 279-697; Neish 279-691; Marasigen 279-685, and Meredith 233-560.
Equipment used by the five bowlers were. Two Black Widow 2.0 Hybirds. A Super Nova. A Motiv Venom Shock, and a Ocean Vibe.
The score rolled on May 2, has been forwarded to the USBC for award recognition.
No word yet, if it has qualified for a national scoring award.
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MMA Bowling News - July 10, 2023.