The year was 1984, fresh out of college after exhausting my collegiate bowling eligibility, with no clear direction towards a real job, what was the son of a PBA charter member to do? My main criteria for employment was the ability to bowl a lot, not have to get up early and above all, NOT have to wear a tie. Having worked in pro shops while in high school and college, that seemed the obvious path of least resistance. So, I opened McCorvey's Pro Shop in Huntsville, Alabama on June 1, 1984. Since my dad, Joe McCorvey, was well known and respected in the bowling community, it was only logical to capitalize on our shared last name.
CEO and Founder, Jeff McCorvey inside his shop in Huntsville, Al - the early days of McCorvey's Pro Shop
Business grew each year along with my reputation as a ball technician. Being a math nerd, I was fascinated with the technical aspect and was always eager to learn more about fittings and layouts. I opened a second location but closed it after a few years because it just seemed to be too much for me to handle. I decided one pro shop was enough. But in 1998, a new bowling center was built 12 miles from my pro shop and the owners convinced me to open another location. I was hesitant, but 10 years of maturing proved to be the difference.
Current DM, Chris Felts inside Pro Shop #3 in Tuscaloosa, Al
Pro shop #3 was located 150 miles from my home so it was my first test on managing from a distance. From there, opportunities kept coming at an average of about four or five new shops each year. We went from store #3 to store #70 in a span of fifteen years. Some were in new bowling centers, some in centers that didn't have a pro shop, and some cases where a pro shop operator wanted to retire. Sadly, a few of the shops have closed due to the bowling center closing. Currently we have operations in 11 states in the southeast. I am often asked how do I manage so many locations in such a wide geographic area and the answer is simple – I hire good people. I look for honest, hardworking people with integrity that love to bowl. Everything else can be taught.
To be able to make a living doing what I love is incredibly lucky. And even more lucky to have both of my children working alongside me to become the third generation of McCorvey's in
the bowling business and ensuring the continued success of the company I founded. We embrace continuing education and technology to better serve our customers. I am a charter member of the International Bowling Pro Shop Instructors Association, a Master Instructor, past Board Member and was the first recipient of the Pro Shop Operator of the Year award.
In 2013 we made a bold decision to change our name from McCorvey's Pro Shop to McCorvey's Bowling World to paint a clearer picture of who we are and what we do. I was getting tired of people asking me if we were a golf pro shop. We dropped the slogan “the complete bowler's pro shop” and changed it to “for all things bowling”. We have embraced social media outlets and our website is designed to supplement our physical stores, because in the store, face to face is where you need to be to get the best service for your bowling needs.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. It's been quite an adventure so stick around because in 2024 we will celebrate 40 years in business, and it will be an extravaganza!