Nov 21, 2004 By Brian Casey For The 5 min read

It is hard to believe that we are only days away from Thanksgiving. There is something special about a holiday where you are encouraged to eat all you can and no one thinks ill of you. Then you have the traditional Thanksgiving day nap, everyone does it, it just feels so good. It is equally hard to believe that we are several months into league action. Right now many bowlers seem to be developing into a rhythm with his or her game. Many of the high scorers are starting to level off and protect their averages. Some have put the risks aside and settled in to playing good consistent games. For others the new styles adopted at the start of the season are starting to show some results.

This week I had the opportunity to talk with two gentlemen that are pursuing some of the risks in the quest of higher averages. Although they are separated by more than 20 years, each had about the same philosophy of bowling. The only way to grow as a bowler is through practice and … when it stops being fun then it is time to call it quits. This week I will share my interview with Scott and follow next week with Brandon.

Lenny from Mt. Vernon Bowling put me in touch with Scott Seghy. Talking with Scott, you immediately get the sense that you are talking with someone that approaches all that they do serious. Work, play and family all seem to occupy their proper place.

Scott bowled a 300 the other night at Mt. Vernon Bowling adding one more notch to his 300 count. Scott figures this was his fifth perfect game. Scott has spread his bowling success around to many of the bowling houses in the area. One of his 300 games was bowled at City Bowling in Connellsville and another at Gudac Lanes.

Scott came to the game of ten pin after being a duckpin bowler for several years. A stint in the Army interrupted his bowling endeavors. After his time in the service, Scott came back to the area and pursued another favorite sport of his, softball. It was while playing with the Polito’s team that he met up with Bob “Cippy” Cipolletti from Mt. Vernon Bowling. Scott attributes much of his current success to the training by this experienced bowler.

“Bob was a great tutor and he worked with me many nights to get me started right,” Seghy said.

Scott went on to add his own ingredient of practice and more practice to reach the level he bowls at today.

Scott has added many good memories to his memory bank because of bowling. He enjoys the camaraderie of the league and it was at the bowling lanes that Scott met his wife. Scott said that she was a respectable bowler when she had the time to dedicate to the lanes; now like most mothers, other duties call. Two of Scott’s children accompany him to the lanes on occasion and he has plans for the youngest one to follow along when old enough. Speaking of old enough, Scott’s grandmother was an avid bowler into her 90’s. Scott claimed she stated that she would keep bowling till she could not walk. How is that for an endorsement of a sport?

Scott is hot in pursuit of his 800 series. That is the one benchmark that he would like to reach and I think with his dedication to practice and love of the sport he will see those scores add up the way he wants.

Thank you Scott for sharing your views and your family with the sport.

Do not miss The Great Thanksgiving Day Turkey Qualifier for Championship Bowling. The event will be held at Manor Lanes this year on Thanksgiving night with the first squad starting at 7 p.m. The whole house will be dedicated to this qualifier so there is a good chance of running three or four squads depending on when everyone gets started.

Since most bowlers are sure to roll at least twice, Dave and Walt are going to give away a new bowling ball to the player with the “high five.” That means, if you bowl more than one squad, you may pick your best five games to qualify for the ball. The interesting thing is that some bowlers may actually roll three or four times that night, so you could be picking your best five out of nine or even 12 games.

Manor Lanes is also giving away a nice double ball bag to the second and third place finishers in the “high five” competition. There will also be a Jackpot with “High per Game.” To really spice things up a bit for this special Thanksgiving evening, there will be cash awarded for: 230+ game ($5), 250+ game ($10), 260+ game ($15), 270+ game ($25), 280+ game ($35), 290+ game ($50), and 298+ game ($70).

Then, just for fun, and as an incentive for everyone, regardless of his or her average: An “All Spare Game” will receive $20, and a “Dutch 200 Game” will get $30.

The cost of getting into the pot will be $20 with at least 16 entries.

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving and please do not call me during my nap time on that day.

Brian Casey’s bowling column appears in the Sunday Herald-Standard. He may be reached at brianwcasey@hotmail.com.