Welcome, bowlers.

For some time now we’ve been parading our considerable skills at various lanes across this fair land. Sometimes for nothing more than the fleeting, untellable excitement of watching—and hearing—ten pins reduced to a pile of rubble in an instant. And other times for stakes both big (trophies, esteem, eternal glory) and small (beer, cigs, good times). Whatever it’s been, over the years bowling has brought as many of us together as circumstances would allow. To catch up. Tip a few. And share some laughs with the faces you’ve known for so many years. From Cedarvale to Bryant-Lake. Greenwich Village to Los Angeles. And many points in between. Bowling, it seems, is our lowest common denominator. Welcome to Bowling For Trophies, gentlemen. Now would somebody please press, “B”. This man is thirsty for some fun.

a new reason to bowl

The tournaments spawned out of a need to find entertainment Thanksgiving and Christmas evenings.  Before we were 21, our choices were the movies or the bowling alley.  Sure some of us had fakes, but BW3's was only fun for a short time.

We bowled often for Taco Bell.  I've forgotten the standard wager, but we were headed for destiny from the beginning.  the loser(s) bought toxic for those with better Skills.

We had been going bowling on occasion for some time, and decided to meet out as a large group one thanksgiving during college.  I've forgotten the year, but this was the beginning.  We had 3 lanes full of folks.  Being full of testosterone, we needed to prove who was the best.  so we began placing pitchers in between lanes as awards for the strongest lane.

We continued to grow excitement and anticipation for the seasonal meetings.  Our group of dedicated rollers solidified.  

As any serious roller at Cedarvale was aware, the automated scoring system allowed larger names than would be displayed.  The initial understanding was that only 3 letters would display, so choose wisely.

We had:

Ted

Lou

Tex

Try(later Fat)

Jax

How did these names come about?

Tex - large chops

Jax - Jacksonville fan?

Try - Nard Dawg always gives his best

Lou -

Ted -

Later, Burk decided that it was time to push the accepted thought.

What if we could create names that would display more than 3 letters?

iiiiii was born.

6 - i's

He did it.

One stormy Christmas night in 2001, Six rumbled into Cedarvale Lanes carrying a red metal box.  Standing 2ft tall with a square 6" x 6" frame, who knew that the contents of this box would change Christmas forever.  

As Burk swaggered over, a smile grew beyond his control.  We were beside ourselves in anticipation.  He set the box down and we began unscrewing the bolts that held the contents secure.  

As Burk pulls open the lid, the entire box seems to follow, leaving only the base.  Once completely removed, we begin to understand that this is the future.

 

Strangely enough, someone had actually given this piece away as a White Elephant gift.  I will never understand that decision.  But, man, I'm thankful for it.

The following Thanksgiving, JAX attended his mother's 3rd grade class and provided them a Turkey challenge.  He began to explain the importance of this Thanksgiving tournament that he competes in.  He explained that they had the opportunity to create a trophy for the event.  

The students did not back down.  They stepped up and created: