Bowling A Religion For Saints

SEBRING --

Gerhard Donner and his wife Renate swap bowling stories with their teammates Judy and Duane Baggerty just as the clock strikes noon and the pins start to fall.

On Friday afternoons, the Kegel Bowling Center is overrun by a group of Highlands County residents that call themselves the Senior Saints.

And if you want to challenge these seniors, you'd better bring your "A" game.

"The competition is pretty high every Friday," said Saints secretary Kay Gray. "This is a great place for seniors to get together and let some steam off."

The Baggerty and Donner foursome call themselves "The Vantage 4" after the Vantage Point community they live in and met as neighbors.

They've been a part of the Saints for four years, and Judy Baggerty has enjoyed every minute going for strikes.

"Most of the people here have bowled in leagues for years," Baggerty said. "It was great to hear of a league that fits into our schedule and something we as neighbors can do together."

The Saints began in 2002 when the Kegel Bowling Center was re-opened to the general public after a stint as a bowling academy.

During the summer months, the Saints' numbers dwindle, but the competition level is still high, while the winter months will see Kegel filled to capacity.

Gray has watched the attendance reach a fever pitch during the winter months and the summer months is great to keep in touch with friends while trying to best each other.

"We have every skill level represented, but the group is more than just winning," Gray said. "Bowling is a sport that mostly anyone can do. It doesn't matter their age or to some degree physical ailment. They can bowl and enjoy doing it."

The Donners emigrated from Germany in the early 1970s and bowling was a totally foreign sport to then -- that is until Gerhard walked into his first bowling center.

"I took to the sport right away," Gerhard Donner said. "I think it's the camaraderie when you're playing in a league or with friends that sets bowling apart. It's a sport that definitely keeps you young.

John Scott is 91 years old and a lifelong bowler, who still gets a rush when he hurls a strike.

"It really gets me out of the house and out of the everyday grind," Scott said. "I've been bowling so long I can't even remember how long it's been, but it never gets tiring."

Scott is joined at the bowling center by his wife of three years Esther, who cheers him on and acts as his biggest support.

"Even though I don't bowl, I still enjoy coming out and cheering him on," Scott said.

Scott picked up back-to-back spares during his first game and immediately found his wife at the table behind him for some congratulations, as the room is filled with the sound of falling pins.

The Saints are starting to become an institution in Sebring and Baggerty says that they'll be here every Friday as long as the doors stay open.

"It's fun to come and push your self and compete," Baggerty said. "Just because you're a senior citizen, doesn't mean you have to settle down.

"We're here to bowl."

Results From Friday's Senior Saints League:

MEN

HIGH SCRATCH GAME

267 - DALE WILKINSON

203 - ROGER STEVENSON

HIGH SCRATCH SERIES

712 - DALE WILKINSON

559 - ROGER STEVENSON

HIGH HANDICAP GAME