Jayhawk Bowling
Jayhawk Bowling Supply was founded in 1960 by Chuck Hardman and initially operated out of his family garage on Louisiana Street in Lawrence Kansas. In 1961 he moved to a rented property at 803 Vermont and operated there until 1965 when he moved to 804 Massachusetts. In 1972, Jayhawk built it's first office/warehouse at 530 Colorado. During these years, the company's primary focus was on distributing balls, bags, shoes, trophies and expanding the proshop line.
Back in 1963, Jayhawk began production of the world famous Jayhawk Measuring Ball. This measuring ball was the foundation of our proshop equipment line which soon grew to include the Jayhawk Drill Jig, Ball Spinner and High Speed Sander. Soon Jayhawk Bowling Supply became recognized as the leader in ball drilling equipment, a reputation that continues today with products like the Tri-Oval, Determinator, the Improved Jayhawk Measuing Ball and The Digital Scale.
In 1977, Jayhawk Bowling Supply expanded into the lane resurfacing business. From the very beginning our goal has been to create the best possible lane surface and to preserve the life of our customers wood lanes. All great scores start with a great surface that is flat both cross-wise and length-wise. Over the years, changes in technology moved Jayhawk into the synthetic lane business and to date, we have installed over 2,200 synthetic lanes. Proof of our expertise is the fact that both the first ABC sanctioned 900 series and the world record, WIBC series (878) were bowled on lanes maintained by our resurfacing crew.
The Brunswick Corporation selected Jayhawk Bowling Supply as one of the five original Brunswick Parts Distributors in 1982. This selection was the beginning of our transformation from a ball, bag and shoe company to a maintenance specialty company. By the end of 1990, Jayhawk made the change complete by getting out of the consumer business. With products from Brunswick, Vantage, Zot, Lifelong, American DJ, DBA, Kegel and many more, Jayhawk strives to be the leading maintenance product and service provider.
In 1996 we moved into our current 17,000 sq. ft. building at 355 North Iowa. Also in 1996, Jayhawk was again selected by the Brunswick Corporation for a new distributor program. This new program awarded Jayhawk the Brunswick Capital Equipment sales and installations in Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa. With this new program, Jayhawk has become the midwest's leader in bowling center remodeling. From Automatic scoring, lanes, leveling bowlers area, pinsetters, custom masking units, additions, and to center relocations, Jayhawk can help create a modern profit making bowling center.