Bowlers score 290+ at league game Published Oct. 21, 2011 By Connie Hempel 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- With their slick-soled shoes on and ball bags in hand, teams quickly fill the lanes as they gather for league night. During a Thursday night game, the 315th Training Squadron's A team are looking forward to another victory. Bragging rights are soon to come, and they're well deserved for the four-person team as two of them reach records, scoring 290 and above. So far this season, the team remains undefeated. That night, Chief Master Sgt. Mike Dollar, 315th TRS Superintendent, reached his first 290-point league game while one of his teammates, Tech. Sgt. Jason Flynn, 315th TRS, sat one shy of a perfect game with 299 points. With his average usually at 195, Dollar said this was the first time in his 35 years of bowling that he's achieved that score during a league game. "Every time you come out it's different," he said. "I was just in my zone and able to hit my mark with no struggles." Although Flynn is no stranger to bowling a perfect game, reaching his first 300 at age 15, he said it simply comes down to luck. "You can try to do the same thing every night - same pre-game routine, eat the same foods or drink the same drinks - and it's never going to work," he said. "It's the stars aligning and really having a lucky night." Luck or not, both seasoned bowlers agree that the Thede Bowling Center is one of the best centers they've been to, and say that's what makes bowling in league nights there fun. "This is the best facility that I've seen," Flynn said. "It's the cleanest place, and it's inexpensive." Having bowled in a 47-lane house most of his younger years, Flynn said he likes the camaraderie the eight-laned Thede Bowling Center offers. "It makes it easier for everyone to get to know one another," he said. "We've met so many great people through the leagues." Dollar agreed. "This is a very small bowling alley in comparison to others, so when we bowl intramurals for the base, you really get to know the other teams," Chief Dollar said. "At a lot of other larger bowling alleys, the only time you may interact with other teams is when you bowl them, and that may be once in a season." Thede manager, Jesse Davis, said plans are in the works to start more leagues to encourage more people to enjoy the bowling center. One of the planned leagues is a seniors' league for retired service members and their spouses, and although the Tuesday night league is geared toward students, Davis said he hopes to entice more students to bowl by starting a handicap league. "A lot of bowlers are handicap bowlers, so a handicapped league may get more bowlers in," he said. "There could also be cash prizes for winning teams." Chief Dollar encourages Airmen to take advantage of the Thede Bowling Center because it's fairly cheap entertainment and within walking distance for those on base. The Thede Bowling Center is located in building 800, off of Scherz Boulevard by the Base Theater. They offer bowling birthday party packages, and free office or squadron bowling on Fridays. The center also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours of operation: Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m.-midnight Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight Sunday, noon-8 p.m.
