Dads & grads: as summer approaches with its traditional special occassions, check out some of our favorite gift ideas for the bowler in your family - Bowling Digest's 2003 Gift Guide

Bowling Digest, June, 2003

BRUNSWICK

Brunswick Inferno is an exciting two-color reactive class ball. It features the Activator cover stock, a formula that maintains traction with the lane and offers both strength and forgiveness. Combining that cover stock with a low Rg core gives the Inferno a strong and continuous reaction from the breakpoint though the pins, even in difficult conditions.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Get Noticed. Get Viz-A-Ball. Brunswick's proprietary manufacturing process provides numerous possibilities for bowling ball designs, including the popular USA Viz-A-Ball. Visit Brunswickbowling.com or Viz-A-Ball.com to choose among NASCAR, Miller Beer, the Flintstones, and many more.

COLUMBIA 300

The Icon family features three performers at the top of their games. The original loon [top] delivers unprecedented versatility in oil thanks to its Muscle cover stock, which provides strong hook with continuous back-end motion when sanded and aggressive skid/flip reaction when polished. In other words, it's like two balls in one. The icon [bottom left] also features the Muscle cover stock, maintaining the versatility of the original Icon while producing a later and stronger move on the back end. The Icon300 [bottom right] features the new MusclePlus cover stock, which incorporates a large, solid additive that creates a more porous shell and gives it the most hook of the Icon family, as well as a strong continuous motion.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The Flipside family starts with WOW!, a ball that takes quite a liking to heavy oil and has plenty left for an aggressive reaction on the back end. The WOW! Pearl has an even later back-end reaction to cut through the heaviest oil. The Wild crashes the party in all of its new ruby, gold, and royal pearl splendor. And with its lightning speed and new mix of black, red, and teal, the Wicked destroys even the fiercest opponent.

The Messenger Titanium is Columbia 300's bestselling mid-range line of balls, and the newest beauty in the family is the Messenger Titanium Pearl--Blue/Silver/Purple. It offers better performance and looks than the rest of the Messenger line, but has the same great value. Need we say more?

The Jekyll [pictured] is refined and smart, with a polished demeanor that makes it suitable for any normal lane condition. Its alter ego is the Hyde, which excels on oil and friction.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The White Dot line--the best-selling polyester ball for more than 40 years--has never been more beautiful. New colors include Rose/Green/Blue (glow), Gold/Purple/Red Pearl, and Ruby/Teal/Ice (glow).

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

DEXTER SHOES

Whether you're a professional, league, or casual bowler, Dexter has the right shoe for you. Worn by professional bowlers worldwide, the SST 6 has a 36% wider footprint that enhances stability and controls lateral sway. It also features four interchangeable slide soles and braking heels. The SST 5 Select is a full-grain leather upper with a PowerPivot Push-Off and wide, flat sole. It comes with interchangeable slide soles, braking heels, and a replacement cushioned foot bed. The Patriot features a full-cushioned sock lining, padded collar and tongue, and Dexter's famous Slide-Rite soles. The Marshall is an asymmetrical design. It has a full-fabric lining with a padded collar and tongue, Slide-Rite soles, and raised rubber heels. The comfortable Lucy has lace-to-toe construction for a wider fit, a cushioned-sock lining, and a padded collar. It also has Slide-Rite soles and raised rubber heels. The Barb, a unique nonlace slip-on, has an asymmetrical design. Anatomically designed for fit and performance, it also features a full-fabric lining, a padded collar, and, of course, Slide-Rite soles.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

DICK RITGER'S BOWLING CAMP

Now in its 28th year as the world's No. 1 bowling instructional program, Dick Ritger's Bowling Camp is designed for the serious bowler. The camp's goal is to provide a structured, systematic teaching process intended to improve your bowling skills and increase your knowledge of the game. Four- or five-day affordable sessions present bowlers with personal instruction focusing on playing an exact board, angles by mathematics, adjusting, reading lanes and angles, and developing sound fundamentals--all by implementing the skill drills developed and taught by Dick Ritger. Join a family of more than 5,000 graduates from all over the world who have improved an average of 22-plus pins. Share in a unique learning experience with singles, couples, and families (the minimum age is 12). Fifty summer camps and winter clinics are located throughout the U.S. Contact the camp at (800) 535-0678 or www.ritgerbowlingcamp.com.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

DONKEE PRODUCTS

The Donkee Ball Spinner is a great gift for athletes who regularly clean and polish their own bowling balls. Donkee offers two models from which to choose and features the highest rpm available for sanding, polishing, and refinishlng--just like the pro shops.

Donkee also offers the unique Pro Four. Ball Carrier and Pro Six-Ball Carrier, which are excellent ways to move your bowling balls and provide support for your back. Also available is the Donkee Mini [top], the newest ball carrier from Donkee--and a very inexpensive gift.