BubbaRay
01-04-2008, 10:02 PM
http://www.pba.com/images_upload/article/article634_997.jpg
GREENDALE, Wis. - 1/4/2008
Story courtesy Jerry Schneider, USBC
For Roger Workman bowling was a labor of love, whether as a competitor or bowling proprietor, and it was those who knew him as both that he touched most profoundly.
Workman of Kenova, W.Va., a three-time Professional Bowlers Association Senior Tour titlist and a 2000 Bowling Magazine Senior All-American, died Dec. 31 of cancer at age 66.
One of those who knew him best was United States Bowling Congress Director Michael Carroll, who served three years as USBC’s inaugural president after years of service as an association volunteer in West Virginia.
“What you saw with Roger was what you got,” said Carroll. “He was a first-class proprietor who always had the customer’s best interest at heart and it was that same dedication to the business side of the sport that he displayed as a competitor on the lanes. He was a fierce competitor.”
In addition competing on the PBA Senior Tour, Workman was the proprietor of Ceredo Lanes, a 16-lane center near Huntington, W.Va.
“You don’t see it too much any more but he was a one-stop shop for the bowler,” Carroll added. “He ran the pro shop and he was always available to customers for help with their game. He was old school. He didn’t put out the easy shot; people understood the reason was for them to become better bowlers. Consequently his center was the place to go for the serious bowler.”
Carroll competed with Workman in the USBC Open Championships, despite his awareness that Workman had a fear of flying and drove everywhere to compete in PBA Senior Tour and other events.
Carroll recalled one event specifically where Workman’s fear of flying became evident: “For the 1998 ABC Tournament in Reno, we were able to convince Roger to fly out to Reno with us. Everything was fine on the way out, but on the way back our flight was delayed at the gate.
“So Roger goes up to the ticket agent to ask what the delay was for and the agent said the plane’s windshield had to be replaced because it had been hit by a bird on landing in Reno. Well, that was all Roger needed to hear. He decided to rent a car and drive all the way back to West Virginia - a 42-hour drive.”
Despite his fear, Workman became a PBA Senior Tour regular and simply drove from coast-to-coast if necessary.
In addition to his three Senior Tour titles, Workman owns the PBA single-season earnings record of $145,275 which he accomplished in 2000. His victories that year included The Villages Senior World Championship and Gastonia (N.C.) Senior Classic. He also won the 1999 Greater Hartford PBA Senior Classic in Windsor Locks, Conn.
Workman had not competed since August of 2006 because of his illness.
“He battled his cancer the way he bowled,” Carroll said. “Just like the fierce competitor he was.”
By David Walsh, The Herald Dispatch
I paid a visit to a friend Saturday. The catch about this visit was the location.
Normally, we'd have met at this friend's business establishment in Ceredo where men and women traditionally gather once a week to enjoy a day or night out, exercise included, celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday or take risks dropping cash in poker machines. Instead, I was a first-timer to this locale where once you enter the parking lot, you start to get a sinking feeling. This facility, which opened in May 2006, does feature a beautiful view of the Ohio River. In this case, the view meant little.
After a ride up the elevator to the second floor, I find my destination. I open the door and see family members and a few friends seated in this large room. Some are engaged in conversation. Some gaze out the window and see a barge going upstream on the Ohio. Two decide food's a necessity and quickly head to an area restaurant for takeout. My friend is resting in bed, and this sight is one that's difficult to fathom. For years, my friend's been quite active at work whether it be at home, somewhere in West Virginia or somewhere far, far from home. Mode of transportation for option three ... Either a car or van. Distance didn't matter. Flying was not an option.
My friend got active in his vocation at a young age. He stayed with it and showed constant improvement. This man, though small in stature, loomed large when he went to work. Quite often he came out on top regardless of where the tools of the trade took him. Local, state or national, it didn't matter. He focused on what was in front of him, not beside or behind him. That trait once led to a hefty check and some real estate in Florida. You know ... Local guy strikes it rich.
Away from his vocation but still in the building, my friend found time to help others. Equipment repair/change.
No problem. Let's see what you do first and we'll go from there. A candy bar and drink. Coming right up. Stock food and beverage. I can handle that. Payoff a big poker winner. OK. Write down honor scores for the newspaper. Take out the trash and/or vacuum. He'd rather delegate those chores, but often that wasn't an option.
Monday night I got the news that I feared, but knew was coming. Roger Workman, 66 years old, had died. When you visit someone at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House (Hospice of Huntington), you know what's in store for the patient. Since that visit, I've spent some time reflecting on the accomplishments of the owner/proprietor at Ceredo Lanes.
Workman won titles on the local, state and national levels, meaning he knew how to handle lane conditions. For two years, I got to compete with him in the Trio Scratch League at his 16-lane center. One night, I was on the pair of lanes just to his right when he rolled one of his many perfect games. Yes, he was good.
When Workman turned 50, he became eligible to compete on the PBA Senior Tour. He got to mix it up with the likes of David Ozio, Tom Baker, Dale Eagle, Pete Couture, Mark Roth, Dave Soutar, George Pappas, Bob Glass, Teata Semiz, Johnny Petraglia, Gene Stus, Steve Neff, Gary Dickinson and yes, the great Dick Weber and Earl Anthony. The man who called Kenova home took a back seat to none. The right-hander still holds the senior record for single-season earnings, $145,275 in 2000. That year, he won The Villages Senior World Championship (which got him a nice check along with a nice home in The Villages in Florida). Workman would go on to finish runner-up to Glass in voting for senior player of the year. On Aug. 15, 2006, in the Senior Decatur (Ill.) Open, Workman had to win the final two games to beat Linda Kelly, 3-2, in the round of 16. The final event of 2006 would be Workman's last pro event.
Last February, the bowling community learned Workman had entered a fight for his life. He had cancer. He had to miss the annual Huntington USBC Open, the USBC Open and Senior PBA Tour season. Wife Kathy, and daughters Susan and Samantha, shared duties of running the center and managed with the help of many of Workman's friends. This season, Greg Gue entered the picture and handled the lanes/machines and pro shop. Senior tour members, along with bowling officials around the Mountain State, already are sending in condolences and hope to do something in the near future to honor one of their own.
No, the final day of 2007 didn't end on a good note for those who knew Roger Workman. Two days into 2008, those same people realize there'll be a void in the sport forevermore. Just before I left the room Saturday, I stood beside Workman's bed and voiced two requests. I told him I needed a new ball and the honor scores for the week. Workman, now a mere shadow of himself, responded with a slight nod of his head.
Truly a remarkable man and one who'll be missed by me, the bowling community and anyone else who got to know this gentle giant.
GREENDALE, Wis. - 1/4/2008
Story courtesy Jerry Schneider, USBC
For Roger Workman bowling was a labor of love, whether as a competitor or bowling proprietor, and it was those who knew him as both that he touched most profoundly.
Workman of Kenova, W.Va., a three-time Professional Bowlers Association Senior Tour titlist and a 2000 Bowling Magazine Senior All-American, died Dec. 31 of cancer at age 66.
One of those who knew him best was United States Bowling Congress Director Michael Carroll, who served three years as USBC’s inaugural president after years of service as an association volunteer in West Virginia.
“What you saw with Roger was what you got,” said Carroll. “He was a first-class proprietor who always had the customer’s best interest at heart and it was that same dedication to the business side of the sport that he displayed as a competitor on the lanes. He was a fierce competitor.”
In addition competing on the PBA Senior Tour, Workman was the proprietor of Ceredo Lanes, a 16-lane center near Huntington, W.Va.
“You don’t see it too much any more but he was a one-stop shop for the bowler,” Carroll added. “He ran the pro shop and he was always available to customers for help with their game. He was old school. He didn’t put out the easy shot; people understood the reason was for them to become better bowlers. Consequently his center was the place to go for the serious bowler.”
Carroll competed with Workman in the USBC Open Championships, despite his awareness that Workman had a fear of flying and drove everywhere to compete in PBA Senior Tour and other events.
Carroll recalled one event specifically where Workman’s fear of flying became evident: “For the 1998 ABC Tournament in Reno, we were able to convince Roger to fly out to Reno with us. Everything was fine on the way out, but on the way back our flight was delayed at the gate.
“So Roger goes up to the ticket agent to ask what the delay was for and the agent said the plane’s windshield had to be replaced because it had been hit by a bird on landing in Reno. Well, that was all Roger needed to hear. He decided to rent a car and drive all the way back to West Virginia - a 42-hour drive.”
Despite his fear, Workman became a PBA Senior Tour regular and simply drove from coast-to-coast if necessary.
In addition to his three Senior Tour titles, Workman owns the PBA single-season earnings record of $145,275 which he accomplished in 2000. His victories that year included The Villages Senior World Championship and Gastonia (N.C.) Senior Classic. He also won the 1999 Greater Hartford PBA Senior Classic in Windsor Locks, Conn.
Workman had not competed since August of 2006 because of his illness.
“He battled his cancer the way he bowled,” Carroll said. “Just like the fierce competitor he was.”
By David Walsh, The Herald Dispatch
I paid a visit to a friend Saturday. The catch about this visit was the location.
Normally, we'd have met at this friend's business establishment in Ceredo where men and women traditionally gather once a week to enjoy a day or night out, exercise included, celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday or take risks dropping cash in poker machines. Instead, I was a first-timer to this locale where once you enter the parking lot, you start to get a sinking feeling. This facility, which opened in May 2006, does feature a beautiful view of the Ohio River. In this case, the view meant little.
After a ride up the elevator to the second floor, I find my destination. I open the door and see family members and a few friends seated in this large room. Some are engaged in conversation. Some gaze out the window and see a barge going upstream on the Ohio. Two decide food's a necessity and quickly head to an area restaurant for takeout. My friend is resting in bed, and this sight is one that's difficult to fathom. For years, my friend's been quite active at work whether it be at home, somewhere in West Virginia or somewhere far, far from home. Mode of transportation for option three ... Either a car or van. Distance didn't matter. Flying was not an option.
My friend got active in his vocation at a young age. He stayed with it and showed constant improvement. This man, though small in stature, loomed large when he went to work. Quite often he came out on top regardless of where the tools of the trade took him. Local, state or national, it didn't matter. He focused on what was in front of him, not beside or behind him. That trait once led to a hefty check and some real estate in Florida. You know ... Local guy strikes it rich.
Away from his vocation but still in the building, my friend found time to help others. Equipment repair/change.
No problem. Let's see what you do first and we'll go from there. A candy bar and drink. Coming right up. Stock food and beverage. I can handle that. Payoff a big poker winner. OK. Write down honor scores for the newspaper. Take out the trash and/or vacuum. He'd rather delegate those chores, but often that wasn't an option.
Monday night I got the news that I feared, but knew was coming. Roger Workman, 66 years old, had died. When you visit someone at the Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House (Hospice of Huntington), you know what's in store for the patient. Since that visit, I've spent some time reflecting on the accomplishments of the owner/proprietor at Ceredo Lanes.
Workman won titles on the local, state and national levels, meaning he knew how to handle lane conditions. For two years, I got to compete with him in the Trio Scratch League at his 16-lane center. One night, I was on the pair of lanes just to his right when he rolled one of his many perfect games. Yes, he was good.
When Workman turned 50, he became eligible to compete on the PBA Senior Tour. He got to mix it up with the likes of David Ozio, Tom Baker, Dale Eagle, Pete Couture, Mark Roth, Dave Soutar, George Pappas, Bob Glass, Teata Semiz, Johnny Petraglia, Gene Stus, Steve Neff, Gary Dickinson and yes, the great Dick Weber and Earl Anthony. The man who called Kenova home took a back seat to none. The right-hander still holds the senior record for single-season earnings, $145,275 in 2000. That year, he won The Villages Senior World Championship (which got him a nice check along with a nice home in The Villages in Florida). Workman would go on to finish runner-up to Glass in voting for senior player of the year. On Aug. 15, 2006, in the Senior Decatur (Ill.) Open, Workman had to win the final two games to beat Linda Kelly, 3-2, in the round of 16. The final event of 2006 would be Workman's last pro event.
Last February, the bowling community learned Workman had entered a fight for his life. He had cancer. He had to miss the annual Huntington USBC Open, the USBC Open and Senior PBA Tour season. Wife Kathy, and daughters Susan and Samantha, shared duties of running the center and managed with the help of many of Workman's friends. This season, Greg Gue entered the picture and handled the lanes/machines and pro shop. Senior tour members, along with bowling officials around the Mountain State, already are sending in condolences and hope to do something in the near future to honor one of their own.
No, the final day of 2007 didn't end on a good note for those who knew Roger Workman. Two days into 2008, those same people realize there'll be a void in the sport forevermore. Just before I left the room Saturday, I stood beside Workman's bed and voiced two requests. I told him I needed a new ball and the honor scores for the week. Workman, now a mere shadow of himself, responded with a slight nod of his head.
Truly a remarkable man and one who'll be missed by me, the bowling community and anyone else who got to know this gentle giant.