By Kyle LoJacono
Staff Writer
LAND O’ LAKES — It would not be a weekday at Royal Lanes without Betty Strickland. The 79-year-old has been bowling at the Land O’ Lakes alley Monday through Friday since it opened in the 1970s.
“The best way to describe her is she is really just part of the family here,” said Bob Farinas, manager of Royal Lanes for the last four years. “She gets along with everyone on the staff and is friends with the kids and the older folks.”
Strickland, who has lived in Land O’ Lakes her whole life, did not start bowling regularly until later in life.
“The first time I remember bowling was with my parents when I was still a kid,” Strickland said. “It was at this old bowling alley that used “duck” pins, which are shorter than the normal ones. I haven’t seen an alley that uses those in a long time. Then I waited a long time before playing again.”
Even though she did not grow up on the lanes, Strickland has found her passion for the game at Royal Lanes.
“I just love doing it,” she said of bowling each day. “You can’t find a better place to bowl than right here. The people and staff are great and it is a very family orientated atmosphere.”
On a busy day, Strickland will bowl as many as 10 games, but usually plays four. One of the people she has bowled with on a regular basis for the last five years is Cat Carson.
“Her energy level is so high that it’s hard to keep up with her most days,” Carson said. “We’ve played in lots of tournaments together over the years, and I just love bowling with her.”
Carson has lived in Land O’ Lakes for 20 years. She is a retired physical education teacher from Oak Grove Middle School in Clearwater.
Strickland and Carson do not just bowl at local or regional tournaments. Each year they participate at the Lady’s National Tournament, which will be in El Paso, Texas in May this year.
“I just love going there because all the bowlers are really good,” Strickland said.
Strickland retired as a pipe fitter with the Tampa Ship Yard in 1967.
“Some think it might be tiring to be bowling all the time, but it really isn’t,” Strickland said. “I tell people all the time it doesn’t matter how old you get, you can still bowl. I have no intentions of stopping any time soon.”
Strickland said in the past her average score was in the high 180s, but in recent years it has dropped to the low 170s.
“I guess I’m just slipping a little bit,” she said. “Maybe my form is going or something.”
Her game might not be quite what it was, but Strickland has reached the pinnacle for a bowler.
She bowled a 300 game Jan. 9, 2006 at Royal Lanes. There is a plaque near the cash register to recognize her accomplishment. She also wears a ring with the date of the perfect game.
“I was just in the zone that time,” Strickland said. “I just kept throwing it right in the pocket and it was perfect each time.”
Carson said she has yet to throw a perfect game of her own, but has scored 279 twice.
“She just can’t handle the pressure and chokes in the 10th frame each time,” Strickland said jokingly. “She still has plenty of time because I was 75 during my 300 game and she is much younger than that.”
Carson is 62-years-old, and appreciates Strickland’s friendship at the lanes.
“She really is just a good natured person who everyone loves,” Carson said. “We always have a good time when she’s around.”
While it is clear Strickland has a passion for bowling, she might love Royal Lanes a little more.
“I just love to come here each day,” she said. “They make sure it is safe for families because they don’t allow bad language or things like that. Young kids to people my age can come here and have a great time bowling.”
