High Scores Continue in the Late 1980’s

This month, Bowling History continues its trek through Kokomo’s bowling history with coverage of Kokomo’s bowling happenings from the 1985-86 season through the 1989-90 season. No new scoring records were achieved, however, scoring continued to be as high as the prior 5-year period.

Kokomo Hosts International Eagles

Kokomo hosted the International Eagles Tournament in the fall of 1986. The Eagles Lanes and Astro Bowl jointly hosted the large event.

The Marathon team, from Burlington, captured the team championship. Members of the team were Larry and Betty Sedwick and Bob and Lynn Fogle. Mack and Dee Johnson also had a fine tournament. Dee captured third place in all-events while Mack turned in a 12th place finish in singles. Together they placed 4th in doubles. Steve Ballew finished third in men’s all-events. Bringhurst's Bea Wolford, finished 4th in women’s singles and 8th in all-events.

City Tournament 300’s

Jim Hundley turned in the best City Tournament performance of the era. Hundley fired a perfect 300 game and a lofty 778 series to capture the singles championship in the 1986 City Tournament. His 825 handicap score also claimed first place. Hundley’s all-events totals of 1935 actual and 2070 handicap got him two more championships. Talk about turning it on at the right time! Hundley’s series was his first ever 700 series.

Hundley wasn't the only person to fire a perfect 300 game in City Tournament play. Nice guy Max Snodgrass shot his 300 game in the 1988 City Tournament.

Kokomo Bowling Council Formed

The Kokomo Bowling Council (KBC) was formed in April 1987 to bring the local bowling integers together to promote the sport in this area. The KBC consisted of the Kokomo Men’s and Women’s Bowling Associations, the Young American Bowling Alliance and the local proprietors. This organization remained in existence for about ten years. The KBC's first project was organizing and hosting the inaugural Kokomo Mixed Doubles Tournament. This event was conducted on the last weekend of April and first weekend of May 1987 at the Eagles Lanes. This tournament was a predecessor to the current Mixed City Tournament hosted by the KBA and KWBA.

Bill and Ida Reel won both the actual and handicap divisions of that first tournament. They were closely followed by Dave and Jan Turner who finished second in both divisions.

Don Lowry Lanes Buys Astro Bowl

Major local bowling news was made when Don Lowry Lanes purchased Astro Bowl on December 22, 1986. At the time, Astro Bowl was getting a little run down and the pin-setters were breaking down frequently. Following the purchase, Lowry Lanes invested a significant amount of money to upgrade the equipment and improve overall operation.

Kokomo Bowling Hall of Fames Formed

After much talk and discussion, the Kokomo Bowling Association (KBA) Hall of Fame was formed. Don Lowry indicated that the possibility of starting a hall of fame was investigated in the early 1960’s. When Carl Babb became president of the KBA in 1985, it was one of his top agenda items. The Charter Inductees inducted on November 13, 1987 were Jack Bender, John Cox, Charles C. “Bud” Fridlin, Loren Guge, Dr. A. W. Holcombe, Don Johnson, J. Paul Jones, Don Lowry and Fred Swaney.

This was one of the few times that the men's association beat the women's association "to the punch". It didn't take long for the KWBA to form their Hall of Fame in 1989. Charter members were Rosie Currens, Peg Hawkins, Jeniece Kasey, Kay Kelly, Wilma Long, Betty Malson, Elsie Pettay and Martha Wiezbenski.

Top Men’s and Women’s Series

Scoring was similar to the prior 5-year period, maybe slightly lower.

Instead of lefty Steve Preston dominating this era, it was his right-handed brother Danny. Danny accumulated a total of 33 series of 700 or higher. Included were high series of 793, 759 and 757.

Other bowlers shooting 700 series are shown below with the number of 700 series, their highest score and all scores over 750.

Ed Martin – 18 – 798
Jon Kelley – 18 – 767, 756, 755, 755
Trent Marner – 14 – 783, 783, 763
Floyd Russell – 11 – 799, 763
Steve Preston – 10 – 779
Jim Mote – 10 – 741
Mike Butler – 9 – 786
Dennis Branch – 9 – 778, 774, 753
Steve Sullivan – 9 – 746
Max Snodgrass – 8 – 736
Jon Dieterman – 8 – 796
Bob George – 7 – 760
Max Mast – 7 – 777
Gary Exmeyer – 6 – 757
Dave Turner – 5 – 766
Gary Perkins – 5 – 771, 770, 758
Doug Workman – 5 – 751, 751
Tom Arnett – 4 – 793
Bob Burge – 4 – 757
Randy Workman – 4 – 766
Brian Harris – 3 – 715
Mark Snodgrass – 3 – 735
John Vote – 3 – 717
Ted Wooley – 3 – 748
Jim Roller – 3 – 778
Morris Myers – 3 – 716
Jerry Smith – 3 – 732
John Hurst – 2 – 718
Jerry Rosselot – 2 – 716
Cory Carter – 2 – 713
Bryan Ramberger – 2 – 710
Bob Preston – 2 – 708
Bryan Frank – 2 – 718
Terry Beale – 2 – 705
Bill Hamblin – 2 – 712
Charlie Locke – 2 – 726
Jay Lawrence – 2 – 753
Dave McDorman – 2 – 722
Larry Richards – 2 – 720
Ed Gray – 2 – 773
Chuck Woodruff – 2 – 713
Chris Geisler – 2 – 703
Larry Newton – 2 – 715
Renny Mitchell – 2 – 726
Rick Kelley – 2 – 721
Andy Lee – 2 – 747
Ivory Beard – 2 – 712
Bob Dodrill – 2 – 711

Other men rolling 700 series included Carl Babb, Ken Bassett, Dick Martin, Greg Starbuck, Glenn Lindzy, Buford Bullard, Roger Sorenson, Don Spall, Jim Edwards, Dave Chism, Paul Gamblin, Jim Hundley, Charlie Hatt, Joe Bollhoefer, Jim Selvey, John Spencer, Phillip Bell, Bill Hinton, Dean Carpenter, Dave Gephart, Fred Reed, Randy Sullivan, Terry Steiner, Dan Gibson, Mike Jackson, Mike Thompson, Vern Kirkman, Truman Power, Allen Hawkins, Ron Osterhol, George McConnell, Charlie Sicking, Tim Merritt, Bob Shelly, Dave Vote, Bill Schultz, Terry Tuttle, John Larke, C. Rutherford, Gary Helvie, Earl Snodgrass, Greg Higgins, Lee Elliot, Rudy Ware, Ron Sagarsee, Barry Blanton, John Russell, Mike Thomas and Kerry Ferre. Of these, only Buford Bullard (763), Jim Hundley (778) and Dave Gephart (753) scored over 750.

Seven women scored over 650. Leading the way was Kathy Exmeyer. Exmeyer scored series of 681, 663 and 651. Yvonne Davis nailed a 675. Bev Huff shot a 672 and a 670. Ida Reel also shot a 672. Sandy Shuck rolled a 666 and 660. Mary Lee had a 655 while Jeri Flowers shot a 654.

Top Men’s and Women’s Games

There were many games over 270. They are summarized below.

Steve Sullivan – 300 (2), 297, 296, 289, 279, 278 (2), 276, 270
Steve Preston – 300 (2), 280, 279, 275, 270
Jon Dieterman – 300 (2), 279 (5), 278, 277
Jon Kelley – 300, 299 (2), 279 (7), 278 (2), 276
Cory Carter – 300, 289
Max Snodgrass – 300, 287, 279, 278, 270
Gary Exmeyer – 300, 280, 279, 278 (2), 276
Lee Elliot – 300, 279
Dave McDorman – 300, 275
Jim Hundley – 300
Roy Walker - 300
Smith Hopkins – 300
Mike Thompson – 300
Ed Martin – 298 (2), 290, 289, 280, 279 (2), 278, 277, 276
Floyd Russell – 298, 296, 279 (2), 278, 277, 276
Bill Hinton – 298, 278
Trent Marner – 297, 289, 286, 285, 279 (3), 278 (2), 276
Mike Butler – 297, 279, 278, 276
Tom Brown – 297
Rick Howell – 293
Walt Pulley – 290, 277
Greg Higgins – 290, 276
Ed Gray – 290
Ron Quinnette – 290
Jim Roller – 290
Max Mast – 289, 278 (2)
Larry Richards – 289, 278, 276
Gerard Kelley – 289, 277
Gary Wertz – 289
Chris Geisler – 289
John Larke – 289
Gary Gillis – 289
Bob George – 288, 280, 279, 270
Pat Michael – 288, 278
Jay Lawrence – 288
Bruce Tuttle – 288
Andy Lee – 288
Morris Myers – 288
Brian Harris – 288
Neal Pearson – 287
Bob Dodrill – 287
Mark Snodgrass – 286, 277
Dan Preston – 280, 279 (4), 278 (3)
Ted Wooley – 280, 279, 278
John Hurst – 280, 278
Bill Hamblin – 280
Dick Winkler – 280
Richard Warren – 280
Al Biehle – 280
Randy Workman – 280
Dave Turner – 279 (3), 278 (2)
Don Spall – 279 (3), 278
Dennis Branch – 279, 278 (2), 275 (2)
Gary Perkins – 279 (2), 278
Bryan Frank – 279 (2)
Tom Arnett – 279, 278 (2), 277 (3), 275
Jim Mote – 279, 277 (3)
Dave Wolfe – 279, 277 (2)
Jerry Smith – 279, 278
Bob Lindsay – 279, 276
Lee Ennis – 279
Dave Zell – 279
Ron Dowden – 279
Mike Jackson – 279
Randy Sullivan – 279
Dave Gephart – 279
Charlie Mills – 279
John Sutherin – 279
Mike Mooney – 279
Tom Brown – 279
Clint Spencer – 279
Jerry Rosselot – 279
Jeff Wenisch – 279
Tom Haughn – 279
Jim Whitworth – 279
Craig Baker – 279
Bob Burge – 278 (2), 275
George McConnell – 278, 276
Mack Johnson – 278, 276
Adrian Richardson – 278, 276
Ivory Beard – 278, 275
Miles Miller – 278
Bob Trent – 278
Brent Foster – 278
Terry Steiner – 278
Jim Newby – 278
John Conliff – 278
F. Brown – 278
Dan Biddle – 278
Tim Kinsinger – 278
Glenn Lindzy – 278
Mike Evans – 278
Gary Mendenhall – 278
Jack Bender – 278
Gary Allen – 278
Dave Goodridge – 278
Rudy Ware – 278
Bob Dunn – 278
Tex Thornton – 277, 275
Bill Schaefer – 277, 275
Mike Esterly – 277
Brian Needler – 277
Bryan Mose – 277
Doug Workman – 277
Mike Mack – 277
Steve Smith – 277
Mike Thomas – 277
Tim Merritt – 277
Willie Birnell – 277
Art Bassett – 276
Ron Wideman – 276
Jim Burke – 276
Herb Paul – 276
Fred Reed – 276
Brent Brinkman – 276
Bill Bough – 276
Dick Korreckt – 276
Mike Cowell – 276
Larry Harding – 276
Dan Gibson – 276
Jerry Vote – 276
Bob Dunn – 275
Larry Blanton – 275
Dave Sedam – 275
Virgil Bryant – 274
Gary Broyles – 274
Chuck Woodruff – 274
Dean Carpenter – 274
Harold Bottoms – 273
Roger Snodgrass – 273
Thom Eades – 273
Mike Hotz – 272
Steve Bolinger – 270
Fred Rutherford – 270

Steve Preston had an additional 300 game in Lafayette. One of Jon Dieterman’s 300 games was rolled with his grandfather’s 35 year-old bowling ball!

One of Steve Sullivan's 300 games came in the 1988 State Tournament in Muncie, as did one of Jon Kelley's 299 games.

High game for the ladies for this time period was a 279. Both Susan Johns and Bev Huff missed perfection by a single pin. Huff also fired a 278 game as did Jean Morris. Kathy Exmeyer and Carolyn Browning rolled games of 277. Peggy Sheveily stroked a 274 game. Kathy Exmeyer added a 269 game as did Diana Duncan. Cranking out a 267 game was Jan Keller. Jane Baker, Ruth Hoban, Sandy Shuck, Mary Lee and Bev Huff all rolled 266 games. Colleen Holaday showed near perfect form with her 265 game. Martha Cestare rounded out the group with games over 260 with her 264 game. There were another 32 documented games of 250 or more in this time period including three by Exmeyer and two by Shuck, Jo Brooke and Val Imbierowicz.

Men's Top Averages

High averages for each center and year (60 game minimum) are shown below. Note the dominance by Cedar Crest early on with the other centers catching up by the end of the era.

1985-86
Cedar Crest - Dan Preston - 201
Astro Bowl - Dan Preston - 192
Don Lowry Lanes - John Hurst/Mike Butler - 195
Eagles - Joe Sallee - 192

1986-87
Cedar Crest - Dan Preston - 210
Astro Bowl/Lowry East - Jon Kelley - 203
Don Lowry Lanes - Jon Kelley - 201
Eagles - Dennis Branch - 180

1987-88
Cedar Crest - Dan Preston - 210
Lowry's East - Dan Preston - 206
Don Lowry Lanes - Steve Preston - 211
Eagles - Paul Deck - 182

1988-89
Cedar Crest - Ed Martin - 207
Lowry's East - Dan Preston - 208
Don Lowry Lanes - Bob George - 210
Eagles - Dick Benke - 183

1989-90
Cedar Crest - Ed Martin - 206
Lowry's East - Dan Preston - 213
Don Lowry Lanes - Trent Marner - 216
Eagles - Lew Cardwell - 186

Women's Top Averages

The top women's averages for each season are shown below.

1986-87 - Jeri Flowers - 183
1987-88 - Sandy Shuck and Bev Huff - 181
1988-89 - Bev Huff - 181
1989-90 - Sandy Shuck - 187
Top State Tournament Scores

Some top notch scores were fired in the State Tournament by Kokomo bowlers in this era.

Greg Higgins and Andy Lee captured a 1986 State Tournament championship by placing first in Doubles Handicap with a score of 1415 (1298 actual). Lee paced the team with a fine 686 series while Higgins tossed in a 612. The Cabot Five team also placed in 27th place with a score of 3169 handicap.

In 1987, the KBA #1 team finished in 7th place handicap with a score of 3260. Dave Faber and Otis Lloyd finished 44th in Doubles Actual with a score of 1250. Ron Quinnette and Bill Reel finished 43rd in Doubles Handicap with their score of 1372. Ed Martin pounded out a 714 in Singles Actual for an 8th place finish. Lloyd also turned in a fine 680 score. Top All-events scores were Martin (1975), Dave Turner (1910), Steve Preston (1877), Lloyd (1846), Quinnette (1830), Trent Marner (1829), Jerry Bliss (1828), Jerry Rosselot (1814) and Mike Butler (1799).

In the 1988 tournament, scores went through the roof! Ed's Pro Shop only finished in 26th place in Team Actual with their score of 3067. Herrell's Snack Bar placed 35th in Team Handicap with 3336. Tom Arnett and Steve Sullivan finished 17th in Doubles Handicap with 1430. Close behind was Ross Pearson and Lee Elliot with 1419. Dennis Branch and Mike Butler finished 45th in Doubles Actual with 1262. Steve Sullivan's 300 game propelled him to a 2163 All-Events Handicap score and 15th place. Jon Kelley's 299 launched him to a 2091 All-Events Actual score and 4th place.

In 1989, Steve Workman and Bob George finished 4th in Doubles Handicap with 1477. Craig Newkirk and Dave Wolfe were close behind in 8th place with 1447. Floyd Russell also had an excellent tournament. Russell tossed a 721 in Singles Actual to finish in 6th place. His 1989 All-Events Actual score placed him 10th. George totalled 1964 in All-Events Actual for 16th place. Ed Martin was close behind with 1943. Tom Bourff had a great tournament and tallied a 2090 in All-Events Handicap for 13th place.

In 1990, Ed Martin was hot and stroked out a 726 in Singles Actual for 9th place.

As you can see, a lot happened in local bowling in the late 1980's. Next month, well reminisce about the early 1990's.