Name any two people who had a bigger impact on the sport than
Bill Taylor and
Mark Roth. Maybe Dick Weber and a handful of others, but there is no question that Bill and Mark literally changed the sport; and we were, and are, lucky enough to call them good friends. There is an old tune by the pop-jazz group Blood, Sweat, and Tears with the lyric "The best you can hope for is to die in your sleep." And that's what Bill Taylor did on his 84th birthday, June 30 in California. He is survived by his wife Margaret, eight children, and bunches of grandchildren.
For years, the 2007 Flowers for the Living honoree has had one of the most unenviable jobs in sports. On June 26, during the 2007 International Bowl Expo, the tables were turned in Las Vegas when all the kudos he earned for doing that job so well and under the most trying conditions netted Len Nicholson (on the right) the ‘Flowers’ award. It is an honor presented to someone in bowling who is admired, respected and, indeed, loved.
The first week of April, bowling legend Mark Roth and his wife Denise (pictured) traveled to Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kansas. Roth is seeking his 38th career pro title in the 2007 KR Strikeforce Wichita Open, but the week will be memorable for another reason. A special fan was in the audience cheering for one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
By Jim Goodwin (pictured left) -- Legendary bowling center owner and promoter Jeanie Hulsey was roasted and toasted at the Las Vegas Hilton hotel Sunday evening June 25. The gala affair was hosted by the Southern Bowling Writers Association and sponsored by the Bowling Proprietors Association of America. Hulsey made a name for herself as the owner of two of the busiest bowling centers in Texas, 48-lane Golden Triangle Bowl in Irving, and 60-lane Forum Bowl in Grand Prairie. 
