Company Sets the PBA Tour on Fire
HOPKINSVILLE, Kent.
Three tournaments into the PBA Tour season, Hammer's pro staff is setting the Tour on fire. Doug Kent and Tony Reyes have each posted wins and there's no sign of a slow down. Now, the brand has added two more players to the Hammer Tour staff, Billy Oatman and David Tessman.

"In the first three tournaments, Hammer players took two titles and have bowled in all three televised finals we're leading the pack and lovin' every minute of it," said Hammer brand manager, Brian Graham.

"Adding Billy and David to our staff is just another extension of what Hammer is all about, creating the best equipment for the most talented bowlers in our industry. With Doug, Tony and John May, and now Billy and David, we're riding high each week and looking to make a splash this season," added Graham.

Billy Oatman, who began bowling in childhood, joined the PBA Tour in May of this year and quickly captured exempt status through the PBA Tour Trials averaging 250 for nine games and 452 pins over 200, the highest squad leader of the entire competition. He spent his college years at Vincennes University and Wichita State and was a member of the NJCAA National Championship Team, varsity bowling team and the NCAA Bowling Championship Team. A native of Chicago, Oatman has been bowling with Hammer for years.

"I used the Blue Hammer for a long time and have used other Hammer equipment during my bowling career. When I bowl with Hammer balls, I always get paid, pure and simple," said Oatman. "Being a member of their pro staff is a natural fit for me."

David Tessman, who also earned exempt status through the Tour Trials, joined the Tour in 2003 and has competed in almost 80 PBA Regional events. He finished eighth in the 2005-06 PBA South Region Point Rankings and seventh in earnings. In addition, "Tess" has captured three South Region title, including the NAS Freedom Lanes Open in Jacksonville, Fla., in 2005-06. Tessman also bowled in a 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 World Team Challenge and has five PBA 300 games. A resident of Lake Placid who started bowling in his teens in a men's league with his brother, Tessman describes himself as competitive.

"I am competitive person and I want to be the person holding the check at the end of the day. Hammer's going to take me to winner's circle," he shared. "I am excited to join the Hammer staff on Tour."

For information on the Hammer brand and its pro staff members, visit www.hammerbowling.com and check back often.