Royal Pin Leisure Centers is made up of a variety of personalities. Some of us are great bowlers, while others are proud when we bowl 100 in a game.
Much like a huge family there are a wide range of ages, hobbies and interests. We live all over Indianapolis and the surround areas. Depending on where you live and which Center you visit you may have seen one of us, even talked with us, and not really know who we are.
This year we want to not only welcome you into our bowling centers, but also welcome you to get to know our staff. Stop by to bowl and enjoy time with your friends and the Royal Pin family.
We will introduce an employee each week in 2012 and show you a little about their personality through their pet. We have the typical, dogs and cats, but wait until you see the Snake, Flying Squirrel and other unusual pets.
Follow this blog and see how do you relate to our Royal Pin Family? Let us know how you relate to your pet!
Ray MuirCoach – all Royal Pin Leisure Centers
Employee since: 1979 Pets name: Raylin Breed: West Highland Terrier How did you choose your pet’s name?
My wife’s name is Lynn. I gave her the pet on anniversary so we decided to combine first names of each Ray + Lynn = Raylin.
How did you get your pet?
Dennis Scott, previous manager of Western Bowl, and I are really close friends. I bought Raylin back when we worked together. What similarities do you and your pet have?
We are both a little hesitant to approach people at first, but once we know its ok, we’re ready to be enjoy the group. What makes your pet special or unique?
Raylin is smart. She seems to watch tv and really likes to watch when other dogs are on. She is like one of their children.
How old? What is his/her birthday? 6 yrs old, I think she was born in September. Do you give her any special treats?
She loves to ride in the car. You can ask her if she wants to go bye-bye and she goes crazy, running right to the door.
When my daughter Cassie turned 12 she wanted to have a bowling birthday party at Sport Bowl (which used to be one of the bowling centers in Indianapolis) She and her sister Carly had grown up in the bowling alley because her dad and I were the owners. It wasn't just a bowling party though, it was a slumber party. We started the party in the evening and the kids bowled and camped out in the playroom. We all slept in sleeping bags on the concrete floor. They even bowled in their pajamas!
It was great fun for them to bring their friends bowling as they had the run of the place. They would bowl, fix their own drinks in the snack bar, play arcades and basically show their friends a good time. Our offices were upstairs and they would all hang out, do their homework and spend time till we got off work. Their friends loved going there after school.
We used to go in on holidays when no one was in the bowling center and the kids would run around, slide on the approaches and bowl in the dark. We even took our collie sometimes. She would try to walk down the lane and all she would do is slip and slide. Pretty funny to watch!
Cassie started her work career at Sport Bowl by learning to file, stuff envelopes and do payroll. She later was a lane attendant, counter person and even worked as cleaning crew over-night. She and her friend Leslie were cleaning one night when the vacuum cleaner caught on fire in the snack bar and we had to call the fire department.
I can't remember what Carly started out doing but she eventually was a supervisor and bartender/waitress. Carly loved bowling and may have have been running the bowling center had it not been sold.
Both girls bowled in our Saturday Morning Youth League and in the Teen Traveling League.
High School bowling didn't start until Cassie was out of school but Carly bowled for Perry Meridian High School. She was on the team when they won the Indiana State Championship girls division.
Bowling has always been a part of our lives. Carly still bowls for fun and Cassie organizes a bowling event for her fellow teachers at Lowell Elementary, and I work at Western Bowl.
Share your stories if you were a bowling alley kid or your kids grew up in a bowling center.
I'd love to hear them.
Until next time...
GO BOWLING!
Greetings from Western Bowl in Indianapolis!
On my last blog I told you about the wedding reception that was held at Western Bowl last November (11/11/11!)
We received a nice thank you note which read;
"Western Bowl Staff,
Thank you so much for the card and bowling gift cards. You really helped to make our day special! Thanks, Shannon & Paul"
We want to wish Shannon & Paul the best of luck!
We've held all kinds of other special events at the bowling center over the past years. The most recent ones have been a baby shower (no the mom to be didn't bowl), kids birthday parties, cosmic bowling events, corporate outings which are great for team building, bowling with Santa and the Easter Bunny and our Halloween Bowling Bash to name just a few.
We've also held collegiate bowling tournaments, monthly 9 Pin No Tap tournaments and monthly Texas Hold 'em Tournaments.
There are lots of special events in Indianapolis this coming month with the Super Bowl but if you're looking for something else to do book your special event with us at Western Bowl.
Until next time, happy bowling!
Susie
Program Director
Western Bowl
During my last blog I told you that Western Bowling Center was hosting a wedding reception. The bride and groom had gone bowling on one of their first dates and wanted to host an event that everyone would remember.
The reception was held this past Friday and was a huge success.
Western Bowl's Hall of Fame Room was draped with white tulle and white lights, tables were decorated with white table clothes and elegant centerpieces. The comment you kept hearing as the guests arrived was that they had never been to a wedding reception at a bowling center. I think they were so surprised at how beautiful the room was.
After a catered meal, cutting of the cake and pictures the whole party took to the lanes to bowl a few games. The bride did indeed bowl in her wedding dress! Everyone had a great time.
After I heard the comments from the guests, I wondered if anyone else had been to a wedding or reception at a bowling center. I want to invite you to share your story if you have (or if you've held or attended other parties or events at a bowling center).
I'll be watching for your comments.
Until next time...Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Have you ever had to move? Moving from your home to one that has a totally different scenery, different people, and different way of handling things can be an exciting and scary situation. I recently moved from Western Bowling Center to Southern Bowling Center. This experience has given me a different perspective of many different things. I was at Western Bowl for a total of 6 years and I never imagined having to change centers. At first I was very nervous about everything. I was unsure how the other employees would treat me, how many adjustments I would have to make to accommodate the new position I was given. I was very afraid that if I messed up on anything or didn't understand something I would be looked down upon. Southern has given me opportunity to meet new people and experience a different management staff. Although Southern is on the outskirts of Indianapolis in a quiet area, the people inside are full of life and as fun as can be. They welcomed me in as if I had been working there for years. The center itself is well kept and everyone is willing to help you through any difficult situation. I immediately had to start working with our youth bowling leagues. I discovered that the center is extremely involved with the kids and want to make sure they are enjoying themselves. Every month we celebrate the kids' birthdays by getting brownies, cookies, or another type of snack. We have bowling lessons that are included in the youth league. Another great aspect of the center is our kids bowling parties. Our birthday party host will always be recognized by the silly hat that they choose to wear while assisting with your party. They have wonderful personalities and will help the party with anything that they have the ability to. Our birthday party hosts are going to take any and all stress off of you. Having your birthday party at Southern Bowling Center will make things so much easier and it is a sport that anyone can participate in. I remember the first night I was here I went and introduced myself to the bowling leagues. All of the bowlers were very nice and greeted me with such enthusiasm. Working some nights more than others I have already remembered some of their names. Remembering the names of the bowlers is the greatest thing ever. You're able to personally greet them and having approximately 200 bowlers in the center it can be a very difficult task. When you talk to the bowlers by name or remember a score they bowled, the bowlers realize how much you truly care about them. Working in an Indianapolis Bowling Center has also given me respect for the people that are behind the scenes. Have you ever thought about how the machines are not breaking down or why there are clean restrooms to use? The next time that you go to the Southern Bowling Center, think about all the things that are done to make your experience a great one. Once you learn all the different angles of bowling, you will love Indianapolis bowling as much as I do.
Last week Indianapolis was host to the Indiana State Bowing Proprietor's board meeting and seminars. One of the seminar speakers talked about how bowling has changed over the years. For example, there are less league bowlers but more people are enjoying open play with their families and friends. We now offer cosmic bowling, bumper bowling, fun tournaments, kid's birthday parties, live music and other events no one thought of 20 years ago.
Something that hasn't changed is that bowling centers are one of the few places where people still gather weekly (and sometimes even daily). We have several bowlers who participate in all 3 of our senior socials and also bowl in one or more bowling leagues.
The bowling center is a place where people not only bowl but make lifelong friendships.
Some people even meet their future spouses. Western Bowl is hosting a wedding reception this November for a couple who met while bowling. They wanted to do something really fun and different to celebrate their union and chose Western Bowl. The reception will include all the normal activities; a meal, cutting of the cake and of course bowling. We can't wait to see if the bride bowls in her wedding gown!
If you haven't checked out what bowling has to offer lately, want to make new friends or even have your special event here, come check us out.
Greetings from Western Bowl bowling center in Indianapolis! It's been a long time since I blogged but I wanted to share a good story about youth bowling.
During the Month of October we held two different youth bowling tournaments. We hosted the annual Western Shoot-Out Collegiate Tournament and our first ever High School Pre Season Tournament.
They were vastly different in the number of teams who participated. The collegiate bowling tournament had 63 teams (40 mens and 23 womens) from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee and Illinois and the tournament was held over 2 days.
Our High School Bowling Tournament had only 4 teams (3 boys/1 girls) and was held on a Saturday afternoon.
The amazing part of this is that there was the same enthusiasm, competition and team work in both tournaments. The kids who competed in the high school tournament bowled as if there were 60 teams. The coaches and bowlers didn't let the fact that there was so few teams bowling ruin their experience. They were here to bowl!
The boys team from Brownsburg High School which consisted of both boys and girls bowlers
won the tournament and received a team trophy and medals for the coach and all the bowlers.
If you think the sport of bowling isn't competitive or exciting you need to come out and watch these kids bowl.
Indiana High School bowling competition is held in one of the area bowling centers each week starting in November. These bowlers are representing their schools just like a basketball, baseball or football team does. Find out where your favorite school (or your Alma mater) bowls and root them on. You won't be disappointed in the experience!
We are supposed to blog once a week here at Royal Pin, but I often find it hard to think of a topic for discussion. There are only so many times you can talk about kids bowling parties, laser tag parties and bowling parties. I keep looking for new avenues to write about, but I am coming up empty.
I thought self.. you could write about each center... but, what to say about Western Bowl Indianapolis, Woodland bowling center Indianapolis, Expo bowling center or Southern bowling center, that you do not already know. I could say how Western has a great staff and mention a few of their names. Mark, Susie and Doug. How many of you know them? Did you know that they would love for you to stop by their office and just say hello? Does anyone out there have a funny story to tell about Western?
I am curious about how many times per week you bowl, how many have shot 300 and how many have not broken 100. Do you have a favorite memory of bowling with family? Those are things I think about.
I can remember going to watch my Mother bowl in league. As a kid that was so BORING. Wow..I wish I could see her bowl again. I remember she looked kinda funny going to the foul line (she had the HOP in her approach). She was not a great bowler but her team had such a good time. I remembering them laughing, come to think of it they might have been laughing at her approach. It wasn't until I became an adult that I realized what team building Indianapolis was all about and how bowling memories carry on forever. Share your memories with us. We would love to hear them!
Sometimes I just enjoy watching the bowlers. Everyone has their own style and it doesn't seem to matter if the delivery is text book. Big scores can be shot by just be consistent. Often times bowlers to schedule a bowling lesson with Ray and I am so happy to see their average jump up. Isn't it crazy how picking up a ten pin can make you so excited! What's the most difficult spare for you? I know I could use a bowling lesson on the ten pin. Maybe I should schedule a bowling lesson with Ray.. Hmmm... something to think about.
Enjoy your week!
Hey NASCAR fans! Did you make it out to the Brickyard 400 this year?
I kept hearing how low attendance was going to be, but did you know it drew in an estimated crowd of 180,000. I’d say that’s quite a few people. Its bigger than most other events in Indianapolis that I’ve attended. I still think fans are loyal and they will do what they can to get out and support their favorite driver – even in near 100 degree weather! Royal Pin bowlers are no different!
Yeah, it was hot. I got a pretty good burn on my shoulders and nose, and had to drink 2 waters to every beer just to stay hydrated, but I enjoyed the race! Opening ceremonies are always exciting – America the Beautiful (Reba McEntire) and the National Anthem (Rascal Flats), followed by the jets flying over always get me pumped up for whatever event I’m attending.
I didn’t attend this event alone. Royal Pin locations Southern Bowl and Western Bowl both had NASCAR bowling leagues. In these leagues bowlers enjoyed 15 weeks of light competition and meeting new people with similar interests. The leagues ended last week and all teams from both bowling centers received tickets to the Brickyard 400.
So Kristi King from Southern Bowl, Doug Hall from Western Bowl, the grill master of Royal Pin Leisure Centers, Jim Doty, several bowlers and I had a tailgate party and walked in to the race together. The tailgate party was a perk of the bowling league. In addition to the race tickets bowlers got parking passes, vouchers for Brickyard souvenirs, free food, sodas, water, and yes, even beer.
Paul Menard’s victory over Jeff Gordon (also a bowling fan) was a bit of a surprise for most. But you don’t have to be a champion bowler to win tickets to next year’s race, just join the Royal Pin’s NASCAR bowling league next year and you’re in. If you’re a real fanatic about NASCAR look for our merchandise bowl league where you can get bowling balls or bowling pins with photos and designs of your favorite driver.
Thanks to all of you for joining the league! You’re welcome to add comments to this post, or upload photos to this or our Facebook Fan page. We enjoy getting to know you outside of they Royal Pin walls as well!
Our birthday bowling party was as fun for the kids as it was for the adults:)
Name: Amanda
Event: Child birthday
Location: Western Bowl
It was awesome thank you soooooooo much: We had a great time at the bowling birthday!!
Name: Belinda
Event: Child birthday
Location: Western Bowl
Great bowling birthday party, our host was perfect!
Name: Kali
Event: Child birthday
Location: Western Bowl
Our hostess was amazing, everything went perfectly for our bowling birthday party and the food was great.
Name: Donna
Event: Child birthday
Location: Western Bowl
Our host was great and so was the bowling birthday party!
Name: Tom
Event: Child birthday
Location: Western Bowl
Thanks for the great bowling birthday party!
Name: Anissa
Event: Child birthday
Location: Western Bowl
Thank you, this was a great bowling birthday party experience for the boys.
Name: Josh
Event: Child birthday
Location: Western Bowl
Awesome bowling birthday party!! everyone was so helpful!!
Name: Melinda
Event: Child birthday
Location: Western Bowl
our host rocked!! he did a good job taking care of usat bowling birthday party!
Name: Kelly
Event: Child birthday
Location: Western Bowl
Great bowling birthday !! excellent service!
Name: James
Event: Child birthday
Location: Western Bowl
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