Written by Phil Hirschman with permission from his family as it appears in his book "Bowling in Saginaw-bits of bowling history" (1997).
With 24 lanes, Joe Deisler opened State Lanes on September 8, 1959. One of its unique features was the under-alley ball returns. It also included the AMF outomatic pinspotters, a cocktail lounge and nursery. Gene Weslock was the first manager. Other general managers were George Pappas, Jr., Bill Strike, Don Montalbano, Gene Hayes and Denny Niederstadt.
While Joe Deisler owned State Lanes, his son, Jim, was killed in an automobile accident. A tournament was named in his honor. Joe Smith was the manager at this time.
In 1962, Charlie Tafoya had the first 300 game.
In 1981, when Gene Hayes was manager, both Stardust and State Lanes got a face lift inside and out, at the cost of $225,000.
State Lanes hosted the first pro tournament in Saginaw's bowling history during Memorial Day weekend in 1983. Problems arose when scores seemed too good to be true. 10 bowlers rolled 300 games, with one bowler having a pair of perfect games. There were seven 299s, two 298s and three 800 series. Owner Joseph P. Deisler said he was present when the lanes were conditioned at 7:45 a.m. He state in a local news article that he had argued with Al Thompson, Regional Director about redoing the lanes but Thompson insisted that they be done this way. When scores started to come in Deisler pleaded with PBA Commissioner, Joseph Antenora to let him "cross-wipe" the lanes between squads but Antenora refused permission. Then PBA officials decided to withhold its usual honor score awards stating that "house conditions were not acceptable to PBA."
On September 4, 1983 State Lanes added the first synthetic lanes in the Saginaw area. The synthetic lanes were permanently bonded to the old wooden surface at the cost of $5,000 per lane.
In 1984 the Brunswick AS-80 automatic scorers were added along with those added to Stardust.
Just one year after adding the new lane surfaces State Lanes was bought by Gary Richards on September 27, 1984.
With 24 lanes, Joe Deisler opened State Lanes on September 8, 1959. One of its unique features was the under-alley ball returns. It also included the AMF outomatic pinspotters, a cocktail lounge and nursery. Gene Weslock was the first manager. Other general managers were George Pappas, Jr., Bill Strike, Don Montalbano, Gene Hayes and Denny Niederstadt.
While Joe Deisler owned State Lanes, his son, Jim, was killed in an automobile accident. A tournament was named in his honor. Joe Smith was the manager at this time.
In 1962, Charlie Tafoya had the first 300 game.
In 1981, when Gene Hayes was manager, both Stardust and State Lanes got a face lift inside and out, at the cost of $225,000.
State Lanes hosted the first pro tournament in Saginaw's bowling history during Memorial Day weekend in 1983. Problems arose when scores seemed too good to be true. 10 bowlers rolled 300 games, with one bowler having a pair of perfect games. There were seven 299s, two 298s and three 800 series. Owner Joseph P. Deisler said he was present when the lanes were conditioned at 7:45 a.m. He state in a local news article that he had argued with Al Thompson, Regional Director about redoing the lanes but Thompson insisted that they be done this way. When scores started to come in Deisler pleaded with PBA Commissioner, Joseph Antenora to let him "cross-wipe" the lanes between squads but Antenora refused permission. Then PBA officials decided to withhold its usual honor score awards stating that "house conditions were not acceptable to PBA."
On September 4, 1983 State Lanes added the first synthetic lanes in the Saginaw area. The synthetic lanes were permanently bonded to the old wooden surface at the cost of $5,000 per lane.
In 1984 the Brunswick AS-80 automatic scorers were added along with those added to Stardust.
Just one year after adding the new lane surfaces State Lanes was bought by Gary Richards on September 27, 1984.
On February 2, 2009, we, bought State Lanes from Gary Richards. For several years, we looked at different bowling centers with the hopes of buying one. In August of 2008, the dream started to become a reality.
We are very thankful for all who have supported us. We have made so many new friends and we would like to thank all of you.
Steve and Ann
We are very thankful for all who have supported us. We have made so many new friends and we would like to thank all of you.
Steve and Ann
