• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

‘Striking’ up bowling interest in area’s youth

October 25, 2010 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Each weekend area children gather at Royal Bowling Lanes in Lutz to get better at the game while earning valuable scholarships.

The program was started by Maria Smith, of Land O’ Lakes, 16 years ago in Miami. At first it was simply called the Youth Scholarship Fund, but she renamed it the Paul D. Boller Memorial Scholarship Fund after her late husband.

“I was a youth bowler myself and I gained a lifetime of love for the game and lifelong friends,” Smith said. “I learned about life through bowling. I thought this program would be a wonderful way to give back to the game that I got so much from.”

Currently 60 kids, including ones from Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Odessa, come to the Saturday morning or Sunday evening program. Smith estimates that 1,200 children have participated in the bowling course since it started.

“What the kids are learning about is sportsmanship and how to play with others as a team,” Smith said. “I think it’s a worthwhile thing for kids to pick up. It’s a group outlet for kids and keeps them off the streets.”

While learning or mastering the game at the lanes, 1927 Brinson Road in Lutz, the children earn money for educational scholarships. Smith said about $400,000 has been given to kids in the program. The scholarship money comes from a variety of places, mostly from tournaments and other events at Royal Lanes.

“They don’t have to go to a traditional four-year school,” Smith said. “They can use it at a vocational school or something like that. As long as it goes to their education it’s fine.”

Josh Spence, of Wesley Chapel, has been in the program for five months and enjoys the weekly trips to Royal Lanes. He started playing the game with his father, Dan, a couple times a month.

“I really like bowling because one day you can do badly and another you can do really well,” said Spence, who is an eighth grader at Dr. John Long Middle in Wesley Chapel. “You can play very different on different days, but you can see how good you can play if you do everything right. That makes me want to practice more to play well all the time.”

Spence said his best score is 222, which he shot about a month ago.

“When I’m bowling I just try to roll the ball through my focus point,” Spence said. “I have to walk up with the right form to do my best, so I have to think about every little thing I’m doing.”

The youngest bowler in the program is Land O’ Lakes resident Devon Bilek, 6. He started in the classes three years ago and his father, Dan, is one of the teachers.

“I really like it,” Bilek said about bowling. “It’s fun to see all the pins fall down and I like learning from Ms. Smith and getting better.”

Bilek said his high score is 204.

The Saturday program is from about 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and is for kids ages 12 and older. Sunday sessions are from 6-8:30 p.m. and are for kids of any age. Each session is $11, which includes three games, shoes, the lessons, parties and awards. Participants also need to pay a yearly fee of $17 to the United States Bowling Congress.

Bowlers can also play in various tournaments at Royal Lanes for an additional entry fee. The next event is Nov. 26 and 27. Interested bowlers can sign up for the event at the alley.

Bilek said right now he just wants to get better at bowling, but Spence has long-term goals in the game.

“Right now I want to do better and maybe go semi-pro,” Spence said. “I also want to start a bowling team at Wiregrass Ranch next year when I’m in high school.”

For more information or to join the program, call Royal Lanes at (813) 949-3606 or visit the alley and leave a name and phone number for Smith. She will get in touch with anyone interested.

“My motto is there is always room for one more kid,” Smith said. “Just get with the person at the front desk and they will get the information to me.”

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

September 5, 2023 By Mary Rathman

Tampa Bay welcomes WAVE Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art spinal care clinic founded by Dr. Ryan LaChance. WAVE … [Read More...] about WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

August 29, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Time is running out on your chance to live at Del Webb Bexley. We’ve built the ideal active adult community to suit your … [Read More...] about Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

09/28/2023 – Lectures on the Lawn

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host its series “Lectures on the Lawn” starting with Craig Pittman, author of “Oh Florida” on Sept. 28. There will be food trucks and exhibits from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Pittman’s presentation at 6:30 p.m. Guests can bring their own chairs. No outside food or drinks. Admission is free. For information, call 727-815-7126, or visit PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 09/28/2023 – Lectures on the Lawn

09/29/2023 – Teacup Fairy Garden

The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., will host a thrifty craft project for adults on Sept. 29 at 9:30 a.m. Participants can make a teacup fairy garden. Registration is required. Call 813-780-0064 for more information. … [Read More...] about 09/29/2023 – Teacup Fairy Garden

09/29/2023 – Worship Concert

The Cathedral of Worship and Praise Center will present “The Wonder of Worship Concert” on Sept. 29 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center, 8550 Hunters Village Road. Admission is free. For information, call 813-943-9773, or visit TheCathedralOfWP.com. … [Read More...] about 09/29/2023 – Worship Concert

09/30/2023 – Great Discoveries

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host Charles Zidar, executive director of MAPS, for a lunch adventure, on Sept. 30 at noon. Participants can hear a talk on ancient Greek and Roman cultures, while museum artifacts are brought to your table as you eat. There will be a second session on Oct. 7 at noon to discuss ancient Mayan culture. Tickets are $28 plus taxes and fees, which includes lunch and the presentation. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/45yx47C. … [Read More...] about 09/30/2023 – Great Discoveries

10/03/2023 – Drawing Workshop

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Drawing Workshop: Exquisite Corpse, on Oct. 3 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as part of its Museum + Art Series. Participants can learn about the exquisite corpse drawing method and create a drawing inspired by surrealist artists. Registration is required; call 727-815-7126. To learn more, visit MOMA.org/collection/terms/exquisite-corpse. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Drawing Workshop

10/03/2023 – Halloween Games/Crafts

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host Teen Halloween Games and Crafts on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 13 to 17. Supplies will be provided. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 10/03/2023 – Halloween Games/Crafts

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: