COO Excels on Track and Lanes

Just what do Atlas employees do in their “spare” time? You don’t think all they do is run trains, do you? If you did, you would be wrong.

One shining example is Atlas Model Railroad Company’s Chief Operating Officer Paul Graf, who is at the top of his game in the model railroad world, as well as an accomplished participant in a far different arena – bowling. Yes, that’s right. Not only did Paul recently bowl a perfect 300 Game, he also had an “800 Series”, which serious bowlers know is more difficult than bowling one perfect game.

Paul, who joined Atlas in 1989 and began bowling at age 8, bowls at Strike and Spare Lanes in Greenbrook, and Brunswick Zone Carolier in North Brunswick, both in Central New Jersey. On Saturday mornings, he coaches 9 – 12 year-olds in a Junior League, and belongs to two evening adult leagues, one at each location.

“I enjoy coaching,” Paul said during a recent interview. “It helps the kids improve and ensures we will have new bowlers for future leagues. Bowling is an enjoyable pastime for me. I’m good at it and I get to meet new people.” Bowling has brought Paul more than camaraderie and personal achievement, however. About three years ago, it brought him Jessica, his fiancée, whom he met at his Thursday night league. They will be married this fall. Jessica is one of the directors of the USBC Somerset/Hunterdon Youth Association, which recently held a scholarship tournament to which Atlas donated toward the youth Scholarship Fund.

Paul’s current averages are 219 and 199, different at each lane. He explained that each “house” has different lane conditions, based on how the lanes are machine-oiled. In U.S. Pro Bowlers Association, (PBA), tournaments, lanes are oiled in five different “patterns” - Cheetah, Viper, Scorpion, Shark and Chameleon – each with unique characteristics designed to challenge bowlers on certain parts of the lane. The ball won’t “hook” on the oil, Paul said.

He’ll be receiving commemorative rings from the PBA for both his 800 Series and Perfect Game. During the recent U.S. Open sponsored by the PBA at the Brunswick Zone Carolier, Paul came in ahead of 80 other bowlers in the 490-person competition. Competing at that level was, “something I wanted to do for awhile and it could be the last time this particular tournament is held locally.” The tournament draws participants from all over the country, and there is a waiting list to enter.

“It was very difficult competition,” Paul said. “The lane conditions were very hard. It was quite an ego-deflator. We were told we would average 40 pins less than in our league play and that’s about what I did!” Plowing down the pins helps ease the stress of the fast-paced, highly competitive world of model railroading, Paul said. One still gets the feeling of belonging to a special group of people who pursue their hobby with fervor, but he keeps his two worlds distinct.