SuperUser Account posted on January 11, 2012 21:26
Bob Hoefer was at home relaxing and watching television when he received a surprising phone call Dec. 10.
The caller notified Hoefer that the New York State USBC’s Hall of Fame committee had selected him for induction in June. After telling his wife, Sue, Hoefer needed a moment to absorb the magnitude of the honor.
“I was kind of surprised,” Hoefer said. “It’s pretty exciting. I feel as if I belong, but when it actually does happen, you’re surprised because it really is cool. I don’t know what to say.”
Hoefer, of Oswego, is one of four longtime members of the state bowling community who will be inducted into the state hall of fame in 2012. The state hall of fame committee elected Hoefer and Gina Redding, of Rochester, in the Superior Performance category, and Tom Solimine Sr., of White Plains, and Patricia Allen, of Ithaca, for Meritorious Service.
The induction ceremony will take place at the NYS USBC Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner on June 9 at The DoubleTree in East Syracuse.
Hoefer, 50, built an impressive bowling resume during his 30-year career on the lanes. One of his favorite accomplishments is placing first in All-Events at the 1994 ABC Tournament with the National Cleanway team.
“Winning the national title in 1994 is something that I’ll never forget,” he said. “That will always stand out. But there are so many of them that were memorable.”
Hoefer was also a member of the Cleanway team that in 1995 posted a 3,763 three-game series, a Syracuse Bowling Association record that stood for 16 years. Individually, the accomplished right-hander placed first in singles at the 1990 NYS Open Championships and he won back-to-back Post-Standard Masters titles in 1996 and 1997.
Hoefer said his fondest bowling memories involve the great teams and bowlers he’s competed with.
“The stuff you do on your own is great, but what you do as a team is even better,” he said.
A 22-year participant in the NYS Open Championships, Hoefer has 15 800 series, 23 300 games and six 299 games. Hoefer also became the second bowler in the history of the Syracuse Bowling Association to roll two 300 games in one series (300-300-229—829 in 1993).
Hoefer’s contributions to bowling extend beyond his performances on the lanes. In 2003, he helped establish a new bowling center in Oswego, Lighthouse Lanes, where he is the proprietor. Hoefer also helped reinstate boys and girls varsity bowling at Oswego High School in 2009 after an absence of more than a decade. He serves as coach for both programs. Hoefer also runs the wildly-popular Super Bud Bowl which will celebrate its 25th year in 2012.
An ankle injury has kept Hoefer off the lanes for the last six years. But he’s making a comeback this season, bowling for the first time since 2005, on Thursdays at Lighthouse.
NYS USBC service award recipients for 2011-12 will be announced at a later date.
The state hall of fame ceremony will commence with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets for the dinner are $35 per person and can be obtained by contacting Mike Pettinella, NYS USBC association manager, at 585-343-3736 or by email at bowlny300@yahoo.com. Deadline to purchase tickets is May 25.
Read the entire issue of the CNY Striker (January 2012).