Nearest Center?
Here's a question that may already have been asked, but I feel compelled to ask (again). Being that I'm probably looking at a major move in the next couple of months, due to a job change, and knowing that I could go to any number of little, out-of-the-way jerkwaters without bowling centers, I'm wondering: How far does anyone here have to drive just to get to a *decent* bowling alley?
Around the Tulsa metro area we have 5 bowling centers all are pretty decent. I used to live in a small town that had a wood lanes alley that was in a horrible condition.( this palce has since closed down) While I was living there i was bowling one league there and driving one hour one way to bowl another league in Tulsa
USBC #9327-540
In the Bag: Storm IQ Tour Fusion, Brunswick Mastermind Genisu, Roto Grip Asylum and Ebonite Maxim
Final Book Averages for Fall:192 Current averages in Summer: PBA 182, Tuesday 202, Thursday 205
I went to college in Enid; they had a pretty decent center. Had a ball redrilled there -- they did a good job. I also lived in Kingfisher; they had a decent center -- small, like the one in my hometown. I also lived in Stroud -- no center there, but I bet it would have taken me 30-45 minutes to get to a good one.Originally Posted by tccstudent
Well to get to a decent center I drive about 15-30 minutes and I have 5 to choose from but to find 6 for the VBT I am going to Ashland Ky. about an hour and 10 minutes away but hey I drive 30 miles to work everyday
When I lived in Michigan; 12-15 minutes and you could get to many decent centers. If you expanded it to 35-45 minutes...probably close to 100.
In Cali...12-14 minutes...but thats in worse traffic AND if I expand that to say an hour drive...probably near 40.
When i lived in rural Illinois...there were 1-2 within 15-20 minutes drive...but only about 4-5 within a 50 minute drive radius.
So it really depends on the population denisty of where you move to/from. From putting together the center lists for the VBT...The Chicago area had the MOST...southeast Michigan might have had a little less or even MORE...and the East coast anywhere near the New York/New Jersey area you're going to have a TON of centers. The bowlers with the LEAST selection were the bowlers from Oklahoma...and also Texas and San Diego.
You wouldn't think Texas and San Diego would have fewer...but Texas is a LARGE state with a lot of "dead space" between population centers. So you can't take advantage of the centers in Houston if you're in Dallas or San Antonio, etc... And San Diego is a great city, but it's surrounded by very sparsely populated areas and military bases. Compare that to LA...where LA has TWO different USBC regions AND is right next to Anaheim (Orange County USBC) and very near the Riverside County, San Bernadino County, and north of LA (Santa Barbara area) and all of these areas have multiple quality centers.
In Bag: (: .) Zen Master Solid; (: .) Perfect Mindset; (: .) Brunswick Endeavor; (: .) Outer Limits Pearl; (: .) Ebonite Maxim
USBC#: 8259-59071; USBC Sanctioned Average = 192; Lifetime Average = 172;
Ball Speed: 14.7mph; Rev. Rate: 240rpm || High Game (sanc.) = 300 (268); High Series (sanc.) = 725 (720); Clean Games: 198
Smokey this is not 'Nam', this is bowling. There are rules. Proud two-time winner of a bowlingboards.com weekly ball give-away!
But I was thinking about it yesterday...and the coolest thing about bowling in the LA area that is "sort of" unique...is you'll be bowling at centers and little clinics and taking lessons from PBA bowlers, PBA legends, USBC Hall of Famers...and it's easy to forget that in a lot of areas...you'll never even get to "meet" people like that much less interact with them!
I've talked to and/or gotten instruction from: Mark Baker, Barry Asher, John Gaines, and Missy Parkin. Bunny ran into Jason Belmonte. I mean, sure, if you're out in Vegas or Reno, I imagine you see these type of folks ALL the time. But in most places in the country...especially outside California, St. Louis, Florida, and Texas....it's a RARE thing. Sometimes I have to really FIGHT the urge to go up and ask if I can get my picture taken with them. And believe me...if I ever meet WRW, Parker Bohn, Chris Barnes, or Mika....I'm GETTING my picture taken no matter how embarrassed I'd be to ask!!
Southern New England where I am has a lot of good alleys, I probably have 10 within a 15 or 20 minute drive. We have a decent bowling scene, too, with NEBA attracting high-level people on a regular basis. Although we can't compete with SoCal for the cushy weather the coaches all seem to love
But yeah - it's entirely region specific. Hopefully you're able to get somewhere with a good alley somewhat close by.
My cousins lived in Ashland when I was a kid...
Chris Barnes was in Springfield once, at the place where I bowl -- wasn't there when he was though... And I *think* Norm Duke. Missed 'em both!
Where in MO are you I used to live about 2 hours south of St. Louis
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