A Pro's Take on Boost ST: PBA Champion Mike Fagan Makes the Switch
IBI magazine features PBA champion Mike Fagan on why he converted his 24-lane center to Brunswick's Boost ST—strong economics, fewer disruptions, and simpler operations.
Built for Leagues: How Strike Zone Modernized Without Losing the Competitive Edge
IBI (International Bowling Industry) magazine featured Strike Zone in Williston, North Dakota, in its March 2026 issue, in a Success Story by Stephanie Davis. Here's a look at the story.
Bowling has always been personal for Brad Peterson. He grew up in his family's center, became a competitive bowler, and was later nominated for induction into the North Dakota Bowling Hall of Fame. When he and his wife, Leisha, purchased Strike Zone in 2015, they set out to run a center bowlers could truly rely on—so major equipment decisions weren't taken lightly.
"We're a league-heavy house," Brad says. "We host a lot of tournaments, including the biggest state scratch tournament in North Dakota. Whatever we did had to respect the game."
For years, the Petersons relied on 1958-era free-fall pinsetters, but keeping them running grew harder every year, with parts costs climbing to $20,000–$25,000 annually. After bowling on the new system himself to be sure league and tournament players wouldn't notice a difference, Brad moved forward with Boost ST String Pinsetters, completing the installation in December 2024.
Key takeaways from the article:
- Transparency won over skeptics. The Petersons invited league players behind the lanes to see how the system worked. "Once they understood it and bowled on it, the concerns disappeared," Brad says. Participation hasn't dropped—it's grown, including a new eight-team ladies' league.
- Results showed up fast. Consistent lane availability meant no lost weekend revenue to breakdowns. Lower back-end labor needs let the Petersons reinvest in wages. Energy consumption dropped even after a utility rate increase, and the AC units behind the lanes barely run now.
- Benefits beyond the numbers. The center is noticeably quieter, so they can turn the music up. Safety improved, with staff spending less time behind the lanes—and about 95% of the time, the machine resolves issues on its own.
- Freedom to step away. The reliability gave the Petersons something they hadn't had: time off. This past winter, they spent time in Arizona. "That flexibility is priceless," Brad says.
Looking ahead, Brad sees long-term value beyond day-to-day operations: "We have a turnkey operation now. When we decide to sell someday, the next owner won't have to worry about finding a mechanic. That makes the business easier to take over and adds real value."
Read the full Success Story from IBI magazine here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The center's 1958-era free-fall pinsetters were increasingly hard to maintain, with parts costs reaching $20,000–$25,000 a year and six or seven lanes routinely down by Monday morning. Back-end labor was also difficult to find in the area.
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Brad Peterson bowled on the system himself before deciding, finding little difference from free-fall play. The Petersons then invited league players behind the lanes to see how it worked, and the concerns disappeared. Participation has actually grown since the switch.
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Consistent lane availability on busy weekends, lower back-end labor needs that freed up money for wage increases, reduced energy consumption even after a utility rate increase, and dramatically less heat behind the lanes.
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The center is much quieter, allowing the Petersons to turn up the music. Staff safety improved because they spent less time behind the lanes, and the machine resolved issues on its own about 95% of the time—reliability that finally gave the owners time away from the center.
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