Allen Chrise, Jr. finally rolls that magical 300 game
It was only a matter of time. I was sure of it. Back when I first started bowling in this area, I sort of bounced around from league to league the first couple of years. It wasn’t until about three years into it that I finally settled on a normal league schedule.
And, the first league that I wanted to join as a permanent member was the Monday Night Majors at Manor Lanes. It had bowlers in it that were about as good as I was, but it also had some others who were much better.
It was the better ones that I figured would push me to improve my game.
You know, you’re supposed to rise to the level of your competition.
I recall, as if it were yesterday, looking around the league that very first night and marking down in my mind the seven or eight really outstanding players who were there. These were the guys with perfect balance at the line, great roll on the ball, and most importantly, knowledge of the mechanics of the game.
These fellows were the ones that I felt could really teach me.
One of the guys that night was a lefty. He was smooth as glass.
He was Allen Chrise, Jr.
Well, over the years, Junior has never let me down in my first appraisal of him. In all the ensuing seasons he has hammered the pocket and only gotten better. Yet, I found out, that the best part of his game was his attitude – his patience.
And, finally last Monday night, all of those qualities came together when he rolled one of those magical 300 perfect games.
I was glad he did it, and I was glad to be there to see it.
I knew it was only a matter of time. And, in a way, I felt vindicated because all those years ago I had picked him out of a crowd and marked him as a great one. And with all the 700 series that he’s had since that first night, the only thing that was missing was a 300 game.
Now he has that too.
Congratulations, Junior. You make bowling look so very easy.
CHAMPIONSHIP BOWLING: It’s time to crank’em back up again. Championship Bowling qualifiers start out at Gudac’s this week. The times for the next two weeks are: Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 9:30 p.m.; Thursday, Jan. 9 at 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 11 at 3 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 12 at 1:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 9:30 p.m.; and finally, Thursday, Jan. 16 at 9:30 p.m.
Be reminded that at Gudac’s there are no guaranteed TV spots. The top 10 highest series rolled during the two weeks of qualifiers are the ones that make the TV show.
NEW YEAR’S EVE: I don’t know what you did on New Year’s Eve, but Brandon (the Stinkbug) and I spent the whole evening bowling at Manor Lanes. We started at 9:15 p.m. and rolled until 4 a.m. That was 15 games of bowling for each of us in a little under 7 hours.
It was a marathon, but it was a lot of fun.
He and I both got new bowling balls for Christmas, so throwing all those games was a great way to break them in.
BLISS: Ah, yes. And least I forget my two buddies: Justin Malik and his sweet Erica. They tied the knot New Year’s Eve day with Tom Barnhart performing the ceremony.
Congratulations to the two of you, and I wish you 100 percent happiness.
I’ll see you on the lanes.
Gary George is the Herald-Standard bowling correspondent.