I have been blessed to be around bowling for about 60 years. During that time, I have been blessed to be a part of or to observe some very special individuals or moments.
This past summer, one of those special moments, a true icon or ambassador of the game departed for the great bowling alley in the sky. Bodie Boroff is now with his bowling partner Ron Mericle at Moreo Lanes. If there is bowling in heaven, then Moreo Lanes is where it will be happening.
Boroff, along with Mericle, Tom Schwenzer, Dennis Roney and Tobe Cardone to name just a few invented SWAG.
Boroff was one who really detested the phrase “one-house-bowler” and did everything to prove that he could go anywhere and bowl against anybody. He was clearly one who held the attitude of ‘you bring your best, and we will bring ours.”
It was an honor to learn the game from him, to bowl with him and more importantly to call him friend.
He is missed by those of us in the bowling world. He will always be remembered as a great link to the tradition of the sport.
I am sure that I speak for every veteran of the good old days of bowling when I say to his wonderful and unique wife, Hazel, that like Bodie you and your family are loved and supported. We will continue to lift you in prayer.
OUTTAKES FROM COLDWATER
One of my favorite televised bowling moments – in fact favorite bowling moments — was a match where Bohn was beaten by Wes Mallott but chose to turn it into a teachable moment for his children.
I am sure that many will recall the moment. Parker pulled away from the match, sitting with his somewhat discouraged children, teaching them to clap for the victor, an illustration of sportsmanship.
When we spoke, he told me that we all go through life, and we have to learn that before we can win we must learn how to lose. He sees it as a valuable life lesson. It is certainly one that we can share with our children and grandchildren.
The conversation with Bohn was enlightening in other ways. For instance, he quickly dismissed that the number of titles that he had won made him an odds-on favorite to win the Coldwater event.
“Anytime you step to the lanes in any tournament, especially when you get to the stepladder final, you have to realize anybody can win,” he said. “We have all been bowling together, looking at the same pins and lane conditions, and anybody can take the title.”
Bohn spoke with a great deal of love for the people of our area.
“The people in this area get it. They are really supportive, not only of the professional bowlers but the proprietors and the charities that are being served. This is not like other regionals where we simply go bowl. This is an event and we love coming here,” he said.
Parker hit it right on the nose with that remark.
Coldwater and the weekend of Sept. 11, when the pros return to Wapakoneta, is just that, an event.
Coldwater on Saturday was amazing, with $7 buying a huge plate of food and a beverage. Even if you did not enter the lanes, you would have left well satisfied from the annual hog roast on the patio.
While on the patio, you would have seen Rhino Page showing his appreciation to the fans, leading the group in corn-hole and interacting with any youth or adult who approached him. I mean, tell me what athlete from what other sport would do that, especially after elimination?
What pros that you could not find in the lanes or on the patio were a short distance away, playing in the MDS Softball tournament.
The pros come to town and become a part of the weekend.
Do not miss Wapak, and do not miss this event next season.
Next week, check in as we bullet-point information that you will need to know for the upcoming season, as well as provide some commentary from the most recent woman bowler to meet the 300 game standard.
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