Len Nicholson Honored With: 9th Annual “John Davis Award”

Len Nicholson has been named as the 2009 recipient of: “The John Davis Award”.  The presentation was made in Las Vegas at Bowl Expo 2009.  Nicholson joins a very impressive list of previous honorees that includes: Joyce Deitch, John Weber, Ted Hoffman, Jr., Jim Dressel, Mark Gerberich, Carmen Salvino, Linda Davis and Gary Parsons.

Nicholson started bowling in the Junior Leagues in 1956 with his long-time friend and Hall of Famer Billy Hardwick. In 1969, Len traveled the PBA Tour with Billy and other PBA stars, gathering lane maintenance information. In 1971 (along with Sam Baca), started the PBA Lane Maintenance Program which is still in use today.  While with the PBA, Nicholson was responsible for lane maintenance procedures used on the National Tour, the Senior Tour and the Regional Program.  He also taught lane maintenance at the laceName w:st="on">PBAlaceName> laceType w:st="on">SchoollaceType>. He was directly involved with over 800 Pro Tournaments before going to work for The Kegel Company in 1995.   He now has a syndicated internet bowling ‘talk show’, called ‘Phantom Radio’, which is in its 9^th year.  His other duties at Kegel include working on the Foundation web site, helping to produce ‘The Cornerstone’ (the company’s monthly Newsletter), attending Trade Shows and offering Technical Support.

In 1996, John Davis called together a large group of professional lanemen in an attempt to research the problems that were greatly affecting the Sport of bowling.  From that week-long meeting, a “Guild of Lanemen” was established and Davis promised that his group would be involved in as many major events in the world as possible.  They would also exhibit all of that research for the whole world to see on the company’s web site, at: www.foundation300.com  Soon thereafter (in 1997), The Foundation was formed.  Len (and former PBA Commissioner Mark Gerberich) became actively involved at its very inception by becoming the first three Founding Members (along with Davis), and has continually supported The Foundation in many ways, as well as being a continuing contributor. 

Davis, the man who started The Kegel Company in 1982, and founding ‘father’ of The Foundation, has been totally involved in bowling for his entire life. At an early age, John's dad taught all of his children how to bowl. That "love affair" with this great Sport, has been going on for over a half century. In his 50-plus years of involvement with bowling, it is safe to say that no one has done more for the Sport of bowling than John Davis. Even though The Kegel Company is a relatively small one, his personal investment in bowling has been unselfish and unmatched.

His innovations, inventions, contributions, etc., have all been well documented in the past. His leadership in both technology and humanities, both in this Country and Worldwide, make him perhaps the most sought after figure in the game today. His behind-the-scenes committee "work" is also globally welcomed. Because of his vast accomplishments and devotion to the Sport, the Award (aptly called: "The John Davis Award"), was established by The Foundation in his name. This prestigious honor is presented annually to a deserving Foundation Member. A beautiful, “one–of-a-kind”, perpetual plaque, with the words: “For Outstanding Contributions and Extraordinary Efforts of Behalf of the Advancement of the Sport of Bowling”, and  bearing each recipients name, is permanently displayed at the "home" of The Foundation, in The Kegel Training Center, in Lake Wales, Florida. 

Congratulations Len, you definitely deserve this great honor.  Thanks for all that you do to help The Foundation and the great sport of bowling.