Meet The Experts
Our highly trained and dedicated staff is what sets Bowlers Advantage Pro Shop apart from our competition. Each staff member is an IBPSIA Certified Pro Shop Technician (International Bowling Pro Shops & Instructors Association) – for this certification each staff member attended an intensive 32 hour hands-on training class. We also stay “in the know” by attending manufacturer seminars and industry training clinics on a regular basis to ensure continued education in our ever evolving sport.
We are extremely proud of our staff as we believe that without them, we would not be successful at providing “Experienced Striking Results” for our customers!

Darnail Ray joined Bowlers Advantage Pro Shop as a part-time employee in June, 2020. He grew up in the Memphis area and now lives in Smyrna. He works full-time for the state as an accountant.
Owner/Operator
Michelle Rakow is the owner/operator of Bowlers Advantage Pro Shops, LLC. She has been in the bowling business since working at a bowling center when she was a youth bowler.
She is an IBPSIA Certified Pro Shop Technician and currently serves as a board member on the IBPSIA board of directors. Michelle is also a USBC Bronze & Silver Certified Bowling Instructor/Coach and is available for bowling lessons. Michelle was named to the Bowlers Journal Top 100 Coaches List in 2012 & 2013. “I really enjoy learning about our sport and teaching it. I strive to work with and learn from as many top coaches within our industry in an effort to add more knowledge and tools to my teaching toolbox. So far I have had the privilege to be mentored by Del Warren, Lou Marquez, Joe Slowinski, Steve Richter, Randy Stoughton, and Kelly Kulick.”
Michelle attended both Vincennes University and Indiana State University on full academic/athletic scholarships where she studied for her Associate, Bachelor, and Masters degrees. While at both Universities she bowled on the women’s collegiate bowling teams. Michelle and her college teams enjoyed great success winning several collegiate tournaments along with winning berths into the National finals all four years. She also enjoyed many individual collegiate accomplishments such as being named Collegiate All-American. She has since won numerous singles/doubles/team/all-events titles throughout the Southeast and continues to bowl.
Michelle founded Bowlers Advantage Pro Shops with her husband in 1993. Along with running her pro shops and giving bowling lessons/clinics, Michelle also teaches aspiring pro shop operators how to run successful pro shops through one on one training, seminars, and classes that she conducts within the industry as an IBPSIA Certified Instructor.
Michelle strives to offer the best customer experience possible at her pro shops by providing her top notch staff on-going training on important topics such as excellent customer service and up to date industry knowledge.