Bill Fay was as hot as a winning slot machine a couple of Fridays ago in the Casino League at Sherwood Lanes. Fay rolled games of 287, 269, 287 for an 843 series.

Fay's previous high series was 785. The 843 series rolled by Fay just missed the county record by 27 pins. John Bulger owns the county record of 870.

12th perfect series

The 12th sanctioned 900 series was rolled Dec. 22 in Baltimore by Rich Jerome Jr, who bowls in the Drug Trade League (odd name!) at Perry Hall Lanes, which happens to be the oldest USBC certified league, dating back to the 1896-97 season.

Jerome had 10 perfect games before his 900 series. Jeff Campbell III of New Castle rolled a perfect series in 2004.

This professional bowler became the first pro athlete to sign a $1 million endorsement deal. Answer at the end of the column.

Ron Brandon began the 1963-64 season with a 123 game, not a positive start. But Brandon rallied and, 91 games later, claimed the Butler County high average record of 208. Brandon topped Jack "Bo" Ordy's record average of 207. Along the way, Brandon rolled 70 200 games and a couple of 700 sets to go with 24 600-plus series.He competed at Bowlaway Lanes in the Eagle Ten Pin League that season. Brandon would go on to break that record, averaging 210 during the 1964-65 season at Lyndora Lanes before Ordy reclaimed the record by averaging 212 in 12972-73.

Going too fast to the foul line is a common problem for many bowlers. There are many ways to combat a fast approach. One way is to try to pause for a half-second after you take your first step. This will slow you down and force you to focus on getting your ball into the swing. This tip is especially effective if you take a five-step approach, since you do not push the ball away until the second step.BCBA Mixed TourneyThe Butler County Bowling Association mixed tournament is continuing at Mars Lanes Sunday and Jan. 18. Squad times are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• <B>Automotive League:</B> Dave Miller 236 game• <B>Buckhorn:</B> Jeff Suchonic 243 (686), Ed Desmond 225 (662)• <B>Firearms:</B> Skip Weyand 278 (642), Kiersten Cerminara 195 (524)• <B>Armco C:</B> Bob Prementine 278 (716), Mark Monnie 235 (682)• <B>Fox's Pizza:</B> Tom Fennell 248 (712), Bob Eppinger 279 (707)• <B>City League:</B> Jeff Blank 279 (745), Ron Henry 278 (778), Troy Strezeski 731 series

The Professional Bowlers Tour resumes this week with the National Bowling Stadium Championship. ESPN will televise the finals at 1 p.m. Sunday at 1 p.m.Before this week's event, many PBA stars will compete in the Don Carter-Paula Carter mixed doubles championship. ESPN will televise the championship matches at 1 p.m.

Don Carter signed a $1 million endorsement deal with Ebonite. Many bowlers, myself included, owned a Don Carter bowling glove at one time.Ron Willison is the bowling columnist for the Butler Eagle.