My column of February 12, 2023. focused on the popularity of bowling while delving into the history of the great game which tells us that it all began in Egypt.
This is where the challenge was to knock small objects down with another object – and thus – the game of bowling was born.
So, just like Paul Harvey once upon a time declared – “Now, the rest of the story.”
Let’s take a look at Bowling Part II –
In America by 1778, bowling was catching on so much that the American Bowling Congress was formed with organization, awards and even how to keep score.
The women of America formed their American Bowling Congress in 1909.
The game really picked up later in the 20th Century when bowling became an Olympic sport.
In fact, here in Northern Kentucky, high school bowling has been booming as a varsity sport throughout Kentucky since 2012.
However, Dr. Robert S. Olson back in June wrote that in the mid-1960’s there were roughly 12,000 bowling centers scattered out across the country. Today, he reports that here in the 21st century, there are fewer than 3,200 remaining.
Be that as it may, the game of bowling began its surge with the advent of “automation bowling.” This innovation meant that the beloved “pin boys” who sat behind the flying pins with the possibility of injury were replaced forever.
By the mid 70’s, league bowling peaked at nearly 10 million. The television exposure and media coverage spawned a tidal wave of men’s and women’s commercial leagues across the country.
However, within the next decade league bowling dropped 40% for various reasons such as personal finances, responsibilities with home and family and other demands.
As time marched on into the 21st century, the number of bowlers increased by 10%, but league bowling dropped drastically which meant that people were bowling, but NOT joining the leagues.
Here on this September 2, many fall leagues across the country are now beginning. This includes weekday commercial leagues that begin in the early evenings.
The weekends are usually full of open bowling, families and weekend junior leagues.
So, it’s a good bet if you visit one of your Northern Kentucky bowling centers, you will see and hear those pins fall with a nice crowd.
By 1953 back in Ashland, I was beginning my high school years and decided not to go out for basketball so I found an alternative. I discovered Ashland’s “Bowlatorium” located across the street from the high school. Many may not admit it, but the game of bowling does require athletic ability.
You must have coordination, agility, and strength in your upper and lower body to answer the nuances of the game.
The “Bowlatorium” was proudly owned by Cotton and Clara Rutledge because every business day, there was a nice crowd filling those 12 lanes with laughter and fun. A very good reason for pride.
The price for open bowling was a whopping 35 cents a game and 15 cents to rent your shoes.
Air Conditioning wasn’t even given a thought while cigar and cigarette smoke was thick, but no one seemed to care because smoking was just a sign of the times.
If you didn’t have your own bowling ball, you could use a what was termed a “house ball” at no charge.
It was tough sometimes, because the balls weighed from 14-16 pounds and they had to fit your hand for comfort and control.
My years of bowling spanned from 1953 through 2007 totaling 54 years of fun and friendship. Over the years, I purchased 5 new balls, bowling shoes, and other equipment.
As the years pass into older days, you will feel a physical challenge that is painful. Your body will tell you when it’s time to retire.
My highest average was 192 with a high series of 696 twenty years ago that even included a 299 game.
By 1959, Ashland unveiled a new bowling center downtown and it was to be “Blue Ribbon Lanes” because the building was in fact, a former home for Blue Ribbon Bus Lines.
The new owner was a young man with a vision from North Carolina – Butch Upton. His new center would house 26 lanes to begin and later, he would add 8 more for a total of 34.
The key to financial success for any owner was to constantly fill those lanes with men’s and women’s leagues Monday through Friday.
The challenge was to get a house full of bowlers from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Butch Upton was a mover and a shaker; so he brought the Ladies Professional Bowling Tour to Blue Ribbon Lanes with a Pro-Am tourney in 1990.
This event caught his bowlers’ interest and even created local newspaper coverage which brought a full house of spectators and even my participation as well.
However, after nearly 40 years years of success, Butch Upton decided to return to North Carolina and sold Blue Ribbon in 1998.
Subsequently, the new owner kept the bowling center active for 21 years and closing it in July 2019.
Time changes everything. When you are an owner and you look at your profit and loss statement and the current trends of the day, you make decisions based on pure facts and trends.
Sources will tell you bowling centers across the country have been downsizing or converting into hybrid entertainment venues to satisfy the demanding trends of the day.
25 days ago, you may have missed it. NATIONAL BOWLING DAY was celebrated nationwide on Saturday August 8. That’s because back in 1956, the Bowling Proprietors Association of America proclaimed that annually, the 2nd Saturday in August would encourage people of all ages and skill levels to enjoy the great game of bowling.
The weekend date would ostensibly make it easy for the public to make a date and go bowling.
So, here in early September, high school football is King, the Bengals begin September 13, Reds baseball is winding down and throughout America – those Bowling Centers are already buzzing with their new season as well.
As most know, if you throw 12 strikes in a row, that’s a perfect game – 300! Its a challenge that brings with it a lot of pride and excitement.
I remember one night 20 years ago in September 2006 at the Super Bowl in Erlanger, I threw 11 strikes in a row for a 299.
When you are feeling it and the strikes begin to string out, about the 6th frame, your teammates shy away from you, they do not want any distractions.
It’s you and your ball and those 10 pins, 60 feet down the lane.
The 10th and 11th strike were buried in the pocket. Just one strike away from a perfect game.
Even the bowlers on the adjacent lanes stopped to clear the way for concentration.
I got great lift on the ball, it was going right to the pocket – Bam! The 10 pin didn’t move. It’s what bowlers call a “10 pin tap”.
I have never forgotten that night and the excitement of it all when all the bowlers applauded – the “almost” perfect game.
Here’s an idea, you can enjoy it all too! As mentioned, it can be a family affair.
Try it, have some fun – Go Bowling, you’ll love it!
Mike Tussey has “retired” from a 60-plus-year career as a legendary play-by-play announcer for over 2000 football, baseball, and basketball games, including most recently for ESPN+. His career also includes a stint in law enforcement, teaching and coaching, and writing books, including the “Touchdown Saints.” He grew up in Eastern Kentucky and now lives in Florence with his wife, Jo. He has opened another “Door of Opportunity” and is now a regular columnist for the NKyTribune.