Meet the Experts!

Our highly trained and dedicated staff is what sets Bowlers Advantage Pro Shops apart from our competition.  Each staff member attends “new ball” seminars and industry training clinics on a regular basis to insure continued training.  Our full-time managers are IBPSIA certified technicians (International Bowling Pro Shops & Instructors Association) – for this certification they attend an intensive 32 hour hands on training class.     

We are extremely proud of our staff at Bowlers Advantage Pro Shops, as we believe that without them, we would not be successful at providing “Experienced Striking Results” for our customers!

Now, let's meet these terrific people

Smyrna Location:

Donnie Richardson is the manager of our Smyrna Bowling Center location (95 Weakley Lane, Smyrna, TN 37167, 615-223-6704). Donnie has been with Bowlers Advantage Pro Shops since 2000. Donnie has completed Ebonite's Powerhouse pro shop training program and has earned his IBPSIA Pro Shop Technician certification. He actively attends as many industry seminars as possible to keep informed on the ever changing technology in today's bowling game and to keep up his IBPSIA continuing education requirements.

Donnie is a USBC Bronze certified bowling instructor and is available for lessons. Donnie is also the assistant coach for the Smyrna High School's bowling team.  In January, 2009, the Boy's team won the state championship title for the third time!  Donnie also helped lead the Boy's team to back to back state championship wins in 2006 and 2005!  Go Bulldogs!

Donnie began his love for bowling when he picked the game up in 1978. He continues to bowl competitively and has rolled games of 299, 300 and an 801 series.

Donnie is passionate about helping others enjoy the game of bowling. He takes his time with his customers and strives to offer the best customer service available.

Chris Gillis is the Smyrna location's Pro Shop Assistant. He currently attends Smyrna High School and is a member of the Smyrna High School men's bowling team. Congratulations go to Chris as he was a member of the Smyrna High School's men's bowling team that took the State Championship title in January, 2009!  Chris has proven to be an asset to Bowlers Advantage as he enjoys working with customers and increasing his knowledge about ball motion and drilling layouts.

John Petty

Murfreesboro Location:

Bobby Raymond is the manager of our LTA Depot Bowling Center location (450 Butler Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37127,
615-225-1194). Bobby has earned his IBPSIA Pro Shop Technician certification and he is a USBC Level One certified coach.

Bobby has been bowling since he was a young child, and the sport is a true passion for him. He bowls competitively and occasionally bowls in PBA regional tournaments. Bobby has five 300 games to his credit and three 800 series.  He just shot his new high series in May, 2010 with a Storm Invasion and games of  - 269, 279, 298 for a whopping 846!

As a Middle Tennessee State University alumnus, Bobby loves Blue Raider athletics. He currently does color-commentary for the Blue Raiders soccer team.

Bobby strives to learn as much as he can about all aspects of bowling. He aspires to continually improve his knowledge of ball drilling and ball motion.

Nashville Location:

Kevin Smith is the manager of our AMF Plamor Lanes location (2906 Foster Creighton Drive, Nashville, TN  37204 
615-255-2255).  Kevin joined the Bowlers Advantage Pro Shops, with 3 years of pro shop experience in 1998.  Kevin is a USBC certified coach. 

Kevin has enjoyed bowling since he was in his teenage years.  He bowls competitively and has won many area tournaments.  He currently has twelve 300 games and five 800 series, with a high of 834. 

While in college, Kevin bowled on the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) men’s bowling team.  After his college years he coached both the MTSU and Mount Juliet High School teams for awhile. 

Kevin’s vast pro shop experience also includes a stint working the Ebonite and Hammer booth at the USBC National Tournament in Knoxville, 2003.  While working the booth Kevin gained an immense amount of knowledge and experience while dealing with the many different physical hand challenges and bowling styles. 

Kevin strives to provide the best customer service and pro shop technical knowledge available to all of his customers.

Owner / Operator:

Michelle Rakow is the owner/operator of Bowlers Advantage Pro Shops. She has been in the bowling business since working at a bowling center when she was a youth bowler. 

She is an IBPSIA Certified Pro Shop Technician and currently serves as a board member on the IBPSIA board of directors. 

Michelle attended both Vincennes University and Indiana State University on full academic/athletic scholarships where she studied for her Associate, Bachelor, and Masters degrees. While at both Universities she bowled on the women’s collegiate bowling teams. Michelle and her college teams enjoyed great success winning several collegiate tournaments along with winning berths into the National finals all four years. She also enjoyed many individual collegiate accomplishments such as being named Collegiate All-American. She has since won numerous singles/doubles/team/all-events titles throughout the Southeast and continues to bowl competitively. 

Michelle founded Bowlers Advantage Pro Shops with her husband in 1993. Michelle is a USBC Bronze & Silver certified bowling instructor and is available for lessons. Along with running her pro shops, Michelle teaches other pro shop operators how to run successful pro shops through one on one training, seminars, and classes that she conducts within the industry. Michelle is also a IBPSIA (International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association) certified instructor.

Michelle strives to offer the best service and knowledge available to her employees and her customers.