With more than 180 years of combined bowling experience under their belts, the five members of the Exchange National Bank bowling team took to the lanes Thursday evening to kick off league play, which runs until next May.
Thursday marked the first of 35 weeks of league bowling. The lanes at Flint Hills Lanes, 1519 W. Sixth Ave., were packed with league bowlers Thursday evening, the sound of bowling balls hitting pins and cheering teams echoed up and down the bowling alley.
In the far right hand corner, the team sponsored by Exchange National Bank out of Cottonwood Falls, were cheering each other on. The team consists of team captain Lee Steeley, Phyllis Edwards and Jackie Gay, all of Emporia; Dixie Carrier of Cottonwood Falls and Judy Gordon of Strong City.
Exchange National Bank team members are no strangers to bowling. The youngest member is 65 years old and the oldest member is 81. Two team members have bowled for 48 years (Edwards and Steeley); Gay has bowled for 46 years; Carrier for 37 years, and the newbie team member, Gordon, has bowled two years.
“Phyllis, Lee and I have bowled together for the longest,” Gay said as she took a break Thursday. “I think a lot of it is just plain friendship ... it’s being together.”
Steeley said the team does very well each year in the league.
“We are usually in the top 10,” she said. “Usually even better than that. Last year we finished fifth. We’re all pretty competitive. We like to bowl and have lots of practice!”
Steeley said the team goes to state each year and three of them go to nationals. Each year, the tournaments are in a different place. This year, the national tournament will be in Detroit.
Steeley said she enjoys bowling because she can keep on doing it.
“One nice thing about bowing is that it’s a lifelong sport,” she said.
Carrier agreed. She said her father bowled until he was in his 80s.
It’s obvious that the team enjoys the game. They laughed, talked and cheered each other on.
“I enjoy the sport but mainly I enjoy the girls,” Carrier said, after she bowled her set. “It’s been a wonderful experience.”
While waiting to bowl their turns, team members enjoyed a game of poker. For 60 cents, team members were dealt in. Members drew a card after their turn at bowling.
“The best hand wins $1,” Edwards said, as she drew a card. “It’s our gambling for the night.”
treetrunk (anonymous) says...
Go for it - what a great story!!!!
August 25, 2007 at 6:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )