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Hubbard Open organizer Bryant honored with Patterson Award
HUBBARD
After five years, Jim Bryant was recognized for his work in organizing the Hubbard Open regional bowling tournament.
Saturday, PBA Central Region manager Bobby Jackel presented Bryant with the Pat Patterson Award for 2015.
“It’s for going above and beyond being a professional,” Jackel said.
The Patterson Award’s purpose, according to the PBA, is for significant contributions to regional programs.
Jackel, who is the official in charge of this weekend’s Hubbard event, recognized Bryant prior to the start of “B” squad competition.
“It’s an honor, to say the least,” said Bryant, 44, of Liberty, who came up with the idea of hosting a regional and did the legwork for the tournament’s first five years. He continues as a Hubbard Open co-host with Bell-Wick proprietor Francis Zitnik.
Bryant, a regional pro member, said that his purpose was two-fold: to get the PBA involved on the local level and to help promote high school bowling.
“I knew a gentleman who had a company that made donations and set aside money for youth programs,” Bryant said. “Since I also had connections to the PBA, I realized that fund-raising through a PBA event was doable.”
Bryant said that the payment to the PBA for the 2016 event is $5,000. He said that money to cover the PBA fee is raised through sponsorships, pro-ams, sale of merchandise and donations.
Hubbard High School’s bowling teams are the beneficiaries of the Hubbard Open’s fund-raising to pay for equipment and travel and other expenses incurred by the boys and girls programs.