From the Miami News – March 17, 1977 – (SpareTalk: This Day in Bowling History – March 17th)
Nick Rinaldi collects bowling establishments and horses. At the moment, thoroughbreds lead, 15 to five, but Mr. Rinaldi hopes to remedy that situation.
He owns lanes In Maryland (Riverdale, Hyattsvllle and Chillum) and in Arlington, Virginia. A few months ago, he purchased Carol City Lanes in North Dade from Jim Facente, Jr. He is now negotiating to purchase another establishment — this time in Broward county.
Twenty years in the bowling business qualify Nick for his bowling activities. His northern houses had been run as duckpin (small pins) establishments, but have now been almost completely converted over to the big brother game of tenpins.
He sported a 190-plus tenpin average in his college days, but Rinaldi considers himself primarily a duckpin bowler and no slouch at that, with a 121 average, and a 203 high game. His daughter, whom he rates as one of the best in the country — carries a 132 duckpin average.
Nick Rinaldl comes from the heart of Fair Lanes country (Maryland), but decries the “chain type of house”, preferring to consider his own operation as an independent.
A certain amount of cautious optimism was voiced by Mr. Rinaldi in the matter of new bowling houses and their effect on bowling. “I feel we may be overbuilding again and may be getting back into the situation of the late 50’s and early 60’s”. His immediate plans call for resurfacing Carol City Lanes this coming summer. Along with the refinishing, he plans to remodel the lounge and control desk area. The restaurant is being reequipped.
A strong supporter of the various bowling related sanctioning bodies (ABD-WIBC-AJBC), Mr. Rinaldi hopes to strengthen and build up his league activities, especially in the junior area. To accomplish this, he has named Barbara Phillips, day manager and Walt Braunat, night manager. Barbara, a long-time employee under the Facente management, pointed out that Carol City already has excellent women’s leagues during the day as well as groups of students from the Dade County school bowling program and Miami-Dade Community College. These, she said, will be expanded in the coming season. Walt Braunat, a transplanted Marylander, worked for Rinaldi in his northern establishment, the 40-lane Shirley Park Bowl.
Nick Rinaldi seemed most proud of his fifteen championship thoroughbred horses which race up in the Maryland area. Eventually, Nick hopes to move to the area permanently, having maintained a home in Miami Beach for many years. This was one of the reasons he decided to invest into Carol City Lanes. Hopefully, as his stable of bowling establishments grows, he can realize his desire.