Bowling, The Wright Way - May 2005 by Don Wright
Ain't Bowlin' Great?

I look forward to each of those trips. This year the BWAA convention was rather historic because they have always held their convention in conjunction with the ABC Hall of Fame induction. Since this marked the end of ABC the BWAA is looking toward the future and Baton Rouge was probably the last time they will align themselves with anyone on a permanent basis. The association delegates voted to move the organization's annual convention on a one-year trial to Bowl Expo in Las Vegas, Nev. in June 2006.

It's always fun to be around the writers and listen to the tales as well as the history surrounding our sport. Attendance was great this year and Charles Dunaway, our Cajun host did a wonderful job ensuring all our needs were met.

Our next stop was the men's state tournament in Plano and Dallas.I love our state tournament (except for one city) and look forward to taking four teams each year. We have made the state tournament every year for the past twelve years. Prior to that it was difficult for us to always make the event since all of us were in the military. Now, 19 of the 20 bowlers are retired from the Army and Navy and we look forward to state and nationals.

I'm pretty sure the restaurants in the area like to see us, too. When all the bowlers and their spouses roll into the restaurant that fifteen percent gratuity added to the bill is pretty exciting.

The next stop is the women's state tournament. This year it will be held in Austin, a short 60 mile ride for us. Sweetie always takes a team and her friend Wilma Stuart also takes a team and they team together for doubles. Most of the women have been bowling together in state and nationals for 30 years. It's more about fellowship, sorority, and friendship than competition.

The Texas State Women's Bowling Association always does such a great job with tournaments and it's a pleasure to be part of it.

Next on the travel trail is WIBC Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We have been to Tulsa before so no vacation is planned this year. Usually, Sweetie and I and our two best friends, Dee and Jerry Northrop, plan a vacation around either the WIBC or ABC National events. This year, it's strictly bowling. But, once again, the WIBC does such a great job with tournaments it's always a fun time.

I know WIBC and ABC are, rather have, gone away. But, I'm old school and there will always be an ABC and WIBC as far as I am concerned.

WIBC is like state to Sweetie. She takes her team and Wilma takes hers and they team up for doubles. All the women are wives of retired military personnel so it's not uncommon for the spouses to sit in the back and offer some small tip. We're not coaching; we are simply offering a few tips…

For the past two years our daughter, Vikki has been a member of Sweetie's team and that has been very special. Vikki was always there during her mother's fight with cancer and encouraged her to continue bowling as soon as she was strong enough to do so. That encouragement and bowling were therapy for Sweetie and now that Vikki can travel with her Mom it's really special. Isn't bowling wonderful!

Finally, there is ABC nationals. Back to Baton Rouge and some of the best food in the world. Okay, there's bowling, too.

We have been to Baton Rouge so many times that we opted not to vacation after ABC. However, there is a restaurant is Gulfport, Mississippi that we have driven 500 miles out of our way to eat there. It's called Chappy's and I am sure when we complete the tournament Dee and Jerry will follow the Volvo to Chappy's.

ABC Nationals are special. There is something about the entrance down the center isle that just can't be explained. I'm sure that professional athletes and maybe some semi-professional athletes have something they take for granted. It's expected because of their status. For me, and thousands of other true amateurs, the ABC makes us feel special and I can't thank them enough.

Ain't bowlin' great? Sweetie and I get to bowl with our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren. We get to travel to some great places and see some wonderful parts of our great country. We enjoy good food and drink with our favorite people, friends and bowlers.

It's not competition that keeps us on the road. It those photo albums filled with team pictures, restaurants, and beautiful America. It CD's and tapes of our favorite music. It's laughter at the jokes, tears for those difficult times, and the planning for the future.

It's true anyone can bowl. But, there is more to bowling than rolling a ball, or being on a league. There are those life long friendships. Watching the kids grow up. For those military spouses it's watching your spouse leave for war, or some place you can't go and having that bowling support group to keep you from going completely nuts.

God, I love this sport!

See you on the lanes.