Fond du Lac Bowling Association

By:George S. Kulas

On any given Monday afternoon during the bowling season a large group of senior keglers converge on Ledgeview Lanes in Fond du Lac to participate in the Pizzaville Senior Men’s Bowling League. Many of these sportsmen are well prepared and arrive early, ready for some serious competition. Lugging carts filled with two, three or four bowling balls housed in multiple ball bags they plod along to their assigned lanes. Unsure upon arrival of which ball to pull out of their arsenal to attack the conditions on the lanes that day they meticulously clean each one, tape up their thumb and fingers, do warm up stretches and generally prepare for “combat bowling”. Just before the pre-bowling practice period begins a lone bowler enters. Carrying one bowling ball he slowly strides with a gait of confidence to his assigned lanes not in a hurry and not particularly concerned about the competition for that day. This fellow has been around for awhile and doesn’t take a bowling session too seriously. During World War II he served overseas with the wartime intelligence agency Office of Strategic Services (OSS) which coordinated espionage activities behind enemy lines for the branches of the US. Armed Forces and which was the predecessor to what is today the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). So this seasoned veteran, Tony May, is not very nervous about some “combat bowling”. With Tony May what you see is what you get. Usually a very consistent bowler he often times exceeds his average quietly obliterating the competition before they realize what hit them. This happened as recently as December 26, 2011 when the 92 year old fired a 246 game and a 642 three game series beating out most of the other senior bowlers some of whom are young enough to be Tony’s grandson. Mr. May has been bowling for 45 years and continues to average around 170. The highest average he held was a very impressive 200 at age 85 in 2005 which put him on the Fond du Lac Bowling Association’s Senior All-Star Team. He fired an astonishing perfect 300 game at age 83 and then did it again a year later at 84! His high series was a remarkable 790 which he also blasted at age 83. After a 36 year career with Sears and Roebuck Tony retired in 1983. When asked what he enjoys most about bowling Tony responded, “I enjoy bowling with my teammates as well with our competitors–I have made a lot of friends throughout the years bowling and look forward to seeing and being around many of them every Monday afternoon”. When another Monday’s competition is over Tony is one of the first bowlers in the parking lot while many are still back inside packing up their equipment. As Tony drives away he is most likely smiling and saying to himself, “boy that was fun”!

On October 28, 2011 seventy-three senior sanctioned league bowlers in either the Fond du Lac Bowling Association (F.B.A.) or Fond du Lac Women’s Bowling Assoc. (F.W.B.A.) converged on Ledgeview Lanes to participate in the second annual Fond du Lac area Senior Singles Handicap Bowling Tournament.
The tournament was managed and organized by Norb Wetzel who had a great tournament crew assisting him consisting of: Carol Wetzel, Mary Behnke, along with Judy and Joe Ciofani. The sponsors were The F.B.A., F.W.B.A., Norb’s Pro Shop, Preferred Chiropractic, S.C., Holiday Dodge and Jeep, Trepanier’s Backyard Bar and Grill and Ledgeview Lanes.
The men’s divisions were ages 55-64, 65-74 and 75 and over. The women’s divisions were ages 55-69 and 70 and over. Unlike most other bowling tournaments this one was filled with a great deal of other features that added to the fun and excitement beyond the usual concentration on scoring.
A Golden Years Award was given to Gladys Lamers, who at age 92, was the oldest participant in the tournament. Ten men and eight women over the age of 80 participated in this year’s tournament. Women over the age of 80 were presented floral bouquets. Special “friendship” awards were presented to Larry Wetzel and Diana Klement for their continuous displaying of good sportsmanship while at the same time tactfully providing constructive criticism. Bill Ryan received an “inquisitive” award.
Prizes were awarded for lowest score in the first game in each age division and splits left and/or converted throughout the tournament as well as the highest first game score for both men and women. Charlene Ollerman rolled the high first game for women with a 172 while Bob Asencio blasted a 244 game. Both received a Hopper’s Sweatshirt for their efforts. Plaques were awarded to the man and woman over the age of 80 who bowled the most pins over average. Ollerman also garnered that award for the ladies while Woody Bilse claimed it on the men’s side.
During each game the first strike bowled by a woman and the first double by a man received a gift certificate from Trepanier’s Backyard Bar and Grill. Two names were drawn after the first two games from tickets issued at sign-in. These bowlers then had a chance to roll one ball down the lane. A natural strike paid them $30.00 less than that paid them a dollar per pin. Bowlers who rolled splits in each game received a fish fry gift certificate from Ledgeview Lanes.
The top six bowlers in each age division received payouts ranging from $75.00 for 1st place to $10.00 for tenth place. The age division champions also received nice bowling pin trophies. The champion in the Women’s Division 70 & over was Sandi Kunz with a three game series of 604. Marilyn Ryan received the trophy in the women’s division age 55-69 with a 614. In the Men’s Division age 75 & over Woody Bilse fired a fantastic 730. In the Men’s Division age 65-74 Bob Asencio shot a whopping 734 to lead all bowlers while in the Men’s Division age 55-64 Chuck Schuette rolled an excellent 684.

George S. Kulas

A half-century is a long time to compete in any sport. But Lorin Orvis enjoys bowling and after 50 years of competing in it Lorin has done, at age 81, what most bowlers will never do.
Bowling in the Wednesday afternoon Pizzaville Senior Men’s League at Parkway Lanes on January 19 2011 Orvis shattered the pins with strike after strike rolling twelve in a roll for a perfect 300 game the first of his illustrious bowling career. Carrying impressive mid 190 averages for a long time Orvis’ previous high game was 290.

Bowling with teammates Bob Lewis, Doug Trepanier and Lyle Babler the smooth delivering Orvis appeared to be in a “zone” as his Ebonite Magic Action ball shattered the pins on every shot. Says Orvis, “When I got to the tenth frame I realized nobody else was bowling”.

Yes, nobody was bowling as all eyes in the house were on Lorin who like a machine rolled three strikes ending his 50 year quest and placing him in the annals of the Fond du Lac Bowling Association as one of the oldest bowlers to roll a perfect 300 game. Orvis who also competed in baseball and still golfs retired from Wisconsin Power and Light in 1994 after 43 years continues to prove that competition is healthy and goals can always be achieved–sometimes they just take longer to reach.

Just five days after Lorin Orvis achieved perfection another bowler matched him. With Orvis and John Kryzanowski the only senior league men bowlers to have recorded 300 games this season this other fellow seemed to be saying, “hey, wait for me”.

On Monday January 24 2011 the waiting was over. Bowling in the Monday Pizzaville Senior Men’s League at Ledgeview Lanes Phillip Mertes shot twelve rockets to the pocket blasting the third perfect 300 game of the senior men’s season. Mertes didn’t let up as he followed up his opening gem with games of 249 and 233 for a whopping 782 series. Both the game and the series were career high scores for the 67 year young Mertes.

Kegling for 38 years, the lefty, carries an impressive 212 average in the league where with his Brunswick Groove Urethane ball he ferociously pounds out strike after strike.
Says Mertes, “When I got up in the tenth frame I said to myself, push out, keep up the speed and hit the target and this time I got past the first ball which I hadn’t done before.
All three hit the pocket to which I was amazed.” Amazed as well were the other league bowlers as they erupted in applause and stormed Phil with congratulatory pats on the back and handshakes.

Mertes, who retired in 2008 after 40 years with Mercury Marine, says he enjoys bowling with his partners Ralph Kleinhans, Bill Stubbe, Chuck Fritsch and Jerry Binotto. “They helped me stay relaxed” said Mertes, “when it was my turn in the 10th Jerry Binotto, who has been there himself before, told me to just take one ball at a time.”

No doubt both Mertes and Lorin Orvis will be taking one ball at a time for a lot of games to come and hopefully they will add up the “ones” to equal twelve in a row again. Only the next time it likely will not take them 38 or 50 more years to do it.

George S. Kulas

Monday December 13, 2010 is a day that John Kryzanowski will always remember. On that day John walked into Ledgeview Lanes carrying his bowling ball, a Brunswick Twisted Fury. Although the ball wasn’t heavy the monkey that had been on his back for years was continuing to weigh him down. When John left the lanes that day the ball was a “keeper” and the monkey had moved on. Bowling in the Pizzaville Senior League John started the afternoon blasting games of 243 and 225. He then finalized his series with a sparkling perfect 300 game–the first of his 46 year bowling career. The 768 series was also a career high for Mr. “K”. At 76 years young John, who retired in 1999 after 43 years with Mercury Marine, continues to average over 200 in both his leagues. The former pitcher in fast pitch softball leagues around Fond du Lac delivers rockets to the pocket with the same ferociousness as he did when batters wondered what just went by them. Says, Kryzanowski, “I wasn’t nervous at all during the 300 game although my bowling partners said I was getting red faced toward the end of it”. He added, “The last three balls in the tenth I was pretty calm and all three balls were buried solid”. John credits his teammates, Don Resop, Roger Jewson, Bob Lewis and Pierre Brunet with helping to keep him relaxed. John, who also is an avid fisherman, says that bowling helps keep him active during the winter months while he waits for spring’s arrival to get his boat out on the water. He says he enjoys bowling with the seniors, whose ages range from 55 to 90, with many of them capable of putting up some really high scores. Mr. “K”’s observation is correct as evidenced by scoring this season by senior league bowlers. Thus far this season the men have posted forty-three 700 series’. The high roller again is Norb Wetzel. The “Pro” has hammered out some impressive numbers including series of 799, 758, 750 (twice) and games of 299 and 298. The only other bowler to reach the coveted 750 mark has been Don Halbach who has posted 751 and 750 to go along with his 748. Just missing a perfect game (his 7th) was Denny Schabel with an exciting 299 (his third). Some other highlights for the men include Bob Snyder slamming a 726 series the first 700 of his career. At 81 Lorin Orvis pounded out a 717 series and at 90 Tony May continues to roll strike after strike recently recording a 665 series. The girls are on a roll again as well. Carol Wetzel (wife of the “Pro”) has posted the high series thus far with a 641 to go along with her 602. Nancy Tobey has shot a 635 series while Marlene Perry has the highest game among the women with a 258. While the first half of the bowling season is almost complete the senior bowlers are just starting to get rolling. More excitement and high scoring are anticipated in the coming months. John Kryzanowski has set this season’s standard with a perfect game. Hopefully other seniors will follow suit leaving a lot of monkeys homeless by season’s end.

George S. Kulas

By George S. Kulas

On October 22nd 2010 sixty-four senior sanctioned league bowlers in either the Fond du Lac Bowling Association (F.B.A.) or Fond du Lac Women’s Bowling Assoc. (F.W.B.A.) converged on Ledgeview Lanes to participate in the first Fond du Lac area Senior Singles Handicap Bowling Tournament.

The tournament was organized by Norb Wetzel with a great deal of help from Judy and Joe Ciofani. The sponsors were The F.B.A., F.W.B.A., Norb’s Pro Shop, Preferred Chiropractic, S.C., Holiday Dodge and Jeep, Trepanier’s Backyard Bar and Grill and Ledgeview Lanes.

The men’s divisions were ages 55-64, 65-74 and 75 and over. The women’s divisions were ages 55-69 and 70 and over. Unlike most other bowling tournaments this one was filled with a great deal of other features that added to the fun and excitement beyond the usual concentration on scoring.

Special achievement awards were given to Bob Ollerman and Sally Jagdfeld for their years of participation and service to bowling in the Fond du Lac area. A Golden Years Award was given to Gladys Lamers who at age 90 was the oldest participant in the tournament. Other “golden” girls participating junior to Gladys included Dorothy Reitz 86, Gladys Birschbach 85, Charlene Ollerman 80, Donna Klintworth 80 and Irene Kolinski 80. The senior men participating included Ray Gulbrand 85, Dave Halverson 83, George Burke 82 and Lorin Orvis 81.

Prizes were awarded for lowest score in the first game in each age division and splits left and/or converted throughout the tournament. Two names were drawn after the first two games from tickets issued at sign-in. These bowlers then had a chance to roll one ball down the lane. A natural strike paid them $30.00 less than that paid them a dollar per pin. Both Sidney Silcock and Agnes Freund earned the $30.00 while Dorothy Reitz and Donna Klintworth pulled in $3.00 each.

The top six bowlers in each age division received payouts ranging from $75.00 for 1st place to $8.00 for sixth place. The age division champions also received nice bowling pin trophies. Additionally the High Series Scratch and High Game Scratch for both men and women received $20.00 gift certificates from the Backyard Grill.

The top three bowlers and their scores in the Women’s Division Age 70 & over were: Gladys Birschbach 625, Margaret Schommer 608 and Agnes Freund 605. In the Women’s Division Age 55-69 Diana Klement garnered 1st place with a 620 followed by Nancy Sanok with 611 and Helen Poch with 600.

In the Men’s Division Age 75 & over Paul Tetzlaff was the champion with a 684 followed by George Burke with 680 and Tony Goebel with 652. The Men’s Division Age 65-74 champion was Don Halbach with 703 followed by Roger Behnke with 684 and Dennis Lautenschlaeger with 678. The Men’s Division Age 55-64 champ was George Kulas with 722 followed by Larry Austin with 697 and John Klement with 695.

The high scratch series for women went to Carol Wetzel with a 559 while George Kulas had a 701 for the men. The High Scratch Game for Women went to Gladys Birschbach with a 181 while Roger Behnke took high game for men with a 256.

The tournament was a huge success and hopefully it will continue on as an annual function for the senior bowlers in the Fond du Lac area.

George S. Kulas

The senior bowling leagues in Fond du Lac have started a new season with two more of its bowlers now members of the Fond du Lac Bowling Association (F.B.A.) Hall of Fame. At the association’s annual awards banquet Dennis Schabel and Roger Behnke were inducted into the Hall of Fame. They joined a soon to be senior, Tom (T.J.) Johnson who was also selected in 2010. The three inductees join 78 previously selected hall of famers.

At age 46 T.J. has been bowling for 38 years beginning at age eight when his dad, Dick, also a hall of famer put a bowling ball in his hands. Since that day T.J. has become a bowling sensation shooting thirty-nine 300 games, seven 299 games, one 298 and ten 800 series with a high of 846 which he happened to shoot in a match against his dad. He was a member of a Wisconsin State Championship Team. Additionally, he was a member of five city championship teams as well as being crowned city all events champion. On November 30 2003 he rolled a team high 794 series as the five man Beernuts Team set a F.B.A. series record with a score of 3787. On April 15 1999 he shot a 278 game as his team set the F.B.A. 5-man game record of 1391. He is a 13 time F.B.A. all-star team selectee and has a lifetime average of 220 with a high season average of 235.

The 71 year young Behnke’s bowling career has spanned nearly 50 years beginning in 1962. From 1992 to present he has averaged over 200 with a high average of 234 in 2002 and a lifetime composite average of 214. Included in his bowling resume are nine 300 games, three 299 games and six games with 11 strikes in a row. His high series is 776. Roger has also been selected for 13 F.B.A. all-star teams.

Schabel at age 59 is a “youngster” in the senior bowling circuit although he has thus far had a stellar career. Denny has averaged 210 or better for the last 16 years. He has rolled three 800 series (high 811), six 300 games, two 299 games and a 297. He has participated for 28 years in the national bowling tournament.

New to senior bowling this year will be a Seniors’ Singles Handicap Tournament for sanctioned league bowlers in either the F.B.A. or Fond du Lac Women’s Bowling Assoc. (F.W.B.A.) The tournament, being run by Norb Wetzel, is sponsored by The F.B.A., F.W.B.A., Norb’s Pro Shop, Preferred Chiropractic, S.C., Holiday Dodge and Jeep, Trepanier’s Backyard Bar and Grill and Ledgeview Lanes. It will be held at Ledgeview Lanes on Friday October 22nd at 1:00 p.m. Entries close October 15th. The men’s divisions are ages 55-64, 65-74 and 75 and over. The women’s divisions are ages 55-69 and 70 and over. The entry fee is $18.00; entry blanks can be picked up at the bowling centers.

The bowling community mourns the passing of Lyle K. Dilts, 85, of Fond du Lac, who died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010. Lyle was an avid bowler and friend of bowlers for decades and is very much missed by the senior league bowlers this season.

Note: Pictured in the photograph are left to right hall of fame inductees Dennis Schabel and Roger Behnke; Tom (T.J.) Johnson is not shown. (Photo by George S. Kulas).

George S. Kulas

The Fond du Lac senior bowling league’s have completed another banner season. Highlighting the 2009/2010 men’s season was Larry Secord, who at age 75, set a Fond du Lac Bowling Association (FBA) senior league record series of 859 on games of 300, 279 and 280. Secord’s gem was also the highest series rolled by any bowler in the FBA this past season and one of the top scores in the nation by a United States Bowling Congress (USBC) sanctioned senior bowler.

The coveted 800 mark was also reached by Don Halbach who blasted an 801 series on games of 256, 279 and 266. In addition to Secord’s 300 game perfection was achieved by Roger Behnke who rifled two 300’s. Marv Korb and Paul Tetzlaff hammered two more outstanding 300 games. Just missing perfection were Jerry Hintz, John Klement and Jerry Riley with exciting 299 games and Robert Asencio with a 296. Other excellent high games were rolled by Joe Schroeder 289, Norb Wetzel 289, Ben Bengel 288 and Roger Jewson 287.

There were many other huge scores shot during the season in addition to the two 800’s and five 300’s. One hundred-nine 700’s were rolled including eleven by Roger Behnke (high 771); nine by Norb Wetzel (high 793); nine by Jerry Hintz (high 750); eight by Chuck Schuette (high 752); seven by Denny Schabel (high 776); seven by Roger Jewson (high 746) and seven by Don Halbach (high 730). Other bowlers who had multiple 700’s and also broke thru the 750 mark were: Dave King with 780, Larry Secord with 763 and Ralph Kleinhans with 752. Lorin Orvis, who at 80 years young, kept rolling along pounding out series of 729, 707 and 696 along with a 278 game, consistently beating up on his “youngster” competitors in the senior leagues.

The high average in the Monday Pizzaville Senior Men’s League at Ledgeview Lanes went to Chuck Schuette with a 212 followed closely by Denny Schabel, who charged in the final weeks to nearly loft himself into the lead. Jerry Binotto was also just short of taking the lead. Both Schabel and Binotto both had 212 averages but came up a few hundredths of a point short to the mathematician and bowling magician, Schuette. League champions, who cuffed and stuffed their competition were, “A Cop and the Mobsters”, composed of Roger Behnke (the cop), Joe Ciofani, Ray Gulbrand, Bill Ryan, and John Klement.

The high average in the Wednesday Personal Touch/Pizzaville Senior Men’s League was a gripping 217 achieved by Larry Secord. League champions were “Poo and the Gang” composed of Ralph Kleinhans (Poo), Doc Hanson, John Kryzanowski and Dennis Lautenschlager.

The Tuesday Boda’s Senior Mixed League at Ledgeveiw Lanes high average bowler for the men was Norb Wetzel with an impressive 223 average. The high woman bowler was Nancy Tobey who carried a 190 average. For the third year in row the league champions were the “Gabes and Wags” team composed of Leo and Frieda Goebel and Jerry and Genny Wagner.

Other senior leagues reporting included the Karl Ray Lanes Friday Senior Mixed League whose most improved female bowler was league secretary extraordinaire Judy Ciofani. Judy’s hubby, Joe, (the Italian Stallion), was the most improved bowler for the men and also was the high male bowler with an average of 199. The high woman bowler was Nancy Tobey with a 182 average. The “Gabes and Wags” team displayed endurance, versatility and perseverance as they continued to roll along to also be crowned champions of this league.

The women senior bowlers posted some excellent scores during the season as well. Nineteen 600’s were cranked out including Jackie Luedke’s women’s high series of 664 which included the high game of 269. Other women bowlers who rolled 600 series’ included: Nancy Tobey with nine (high 660 ; Marlene Perry 654, 639; Carol Wetzel 640, 610, 601; Sandy Binotto 626, 625, 612 and Sandy Hanson 604.

Have a great summer!

George S. Kulas

The baby boomers of the post World War II era are coming of age. Many are now retiring and have more time to enjoy one of America’s greatest pastimes–bowling! The senior leagues around Fond du Lac are a place where, on cold Wisconsin winter days, new retirees can get out of the house, renew old friendships, make new pals and enjoy very affordable ($7.00) fun times on the lanes filled with excitement, camaraderie and healthy competition. The leagues which generally run from mid September to mid April are always looking for new individual bowlers, teams or substitutes.

All bowlers in the senior leagues are equally competitive. Handicap levels the playing field and provides a vehicle for bowlers to compete both individually and as part of a team. It doesn’t matter if one has a 200 average or a 100 average handicap equalizes all averages. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) recommends leagues give bowlers 100% handicap of the difference between their game average and that of the league’s set game average (approximately the highest average in the league). Thus if the set average is 200 a bowler with a 100 average would receive 100 pins handicap per game and if he/she shot a 100 game the net score would be 200. A 200 average bowler would receive no handicap and would have to bowl their average (200 scratch) just to tie the score.

Actually, the higher ones average the more difficult it is for a bowler to shoot because there is a lot less room for error. Many times the teams and individuals at the top of a handicap league’s leader boards are those that bowl consistently close to their average and now and then get “hot”. For example, a 100 average bowler who bowls a 201 game would have their handicap of 100 pins added to that score resulting in a 301 game a score impossible for any of the “hot shots” (scratch bowlers) to obtain. Currently one senior league’s top three individual games with handicap are 335, 310 and 304. The individual and team handicaps are also added to scores in determining end of season individual and team high games and series awards.

Recent example of bowlers using their handicaps based on a 210 set score to obliterate their opponents include: Gladys Lamers who, at 91 years young, averages 113 bowled a 150 game with 97 pins handicap resulting in an excellent 247 game. Retired Reverend Stan Hayes, age 88, averages 83 and fired a 119 for a net game with 127 handicap of 246.

Most senior bowlers participate in the leagues because they enjoy the friendly atmosphere. To them their scores, either scratch or with handicap, are not that important. Many of the bowlers have the same attitude as did Vern Wendt and Fred Baldwin two prolific yet modest Fond du Lac all-star senior bowlers who often downplayed their success by commenting, “It’s just a number” in reply to congratulations from fellow keglers on their firing a high series or game.

Still, shooting a nice scratch score or witnessing one is always an exciting experience. Marv Korb provided some of that excitement on February 8th at Ledgeview Lanes in the Pizzaville Sr. League when he laid down 12 accurate pocket hit shots resulting in a perfect 300 game and becoming only the third senior league bowler to reach that coveted milestone this season.

While the big guns continue to shoot big numbers some, who were lying in wait, finally have come out of hiding firing barrages of rockets to the pocket blasting out nice scores to include: Doc Hanson’s 740; Gerald Shady’s 729 series; Ben Bengel’s 727; Joe Ciofani’s 710; Joe Schroeder’s 707 with a 289 game; John Kryzanowski’s 706 with a 279; Elmer Hintz’s 702; Dan Wyrobeck’s 700; Roger Jewson’s 699 with a 287; Bill Ryan’s 698 with a 279; John Klement’s 279; Paul Tetzlaff’s 278; Sandy Binotto’s 255, which is the high game thus far this season for the senior women; Marlene Perry’s sparkling 639 series; Fritz Wiesner’s 583 and Sarah Wetzel’s 552.

We were very saddened with the passing of Fond du Lac’s bowling icon and pioneer Frank M. Hilbert Sr. who passed away on February 16, 2010. Our condolences go out to his entire family.

George S. Kulas