The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — Carol Gauthier’s new job as one of two league coordinators at Fiesta Bowl should be a piece of cake.

After all, Gauthier has bowled for more than 40 years, has been a league secretary for many years and has a vast knowledge of the computer.

“I have been a league secretary for more than 10 years,” she said. “I like the computer work. I had 28 years in the computer industry.”

Gauthier, 62, became involved in the sport of bowling as a coed at Wittenberg (Ohio) College.

“Each semester you had to do two sports and I took bowling as one of my physical education classes,” Gauthier said.

It was in 1967 that Gauthier first ventured into league bowling. Since then she has tried to bowl in two leagues each season.

Although Gauthier played casual volleyball, bowling is now her main sport. Having both knees replaced hasn’t stopped the 18-month resident of The Villages from doing her thing on the lanes.

“It is one of the few exercises I can still participate in after having both of my knees replaced,” she said. “It’s about the only thing I can still do well.”

Gauthier grew up in Michigan and lived 20 years in Virginia before coming to The Villages.

Owning a high career average of 162, Gauthier is averaging about 120 now, with a high game of 234.

While most of her athletic endeavors are restricted to bowling, Gauthier is a sports fan of major proportions — especially if the team involved is from the Detroit area.

“I enjoy following sports,” she said. “I had season tickets to the Lions games and went to the Super Bowl that was held in the Silverdome. I love the Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings and Lions.”

Gauthier also belongs to a huge fan club dedicated to the Detroit Tigers.

“I’m a member of the Mayo Smith Society. It is one of the largest fan clubs in the United States,” she said. “It was named after him because he was the last manager to take the Tigers to the World Series when it was formed. Our motto is ‘Tiger fans who always care’.”

Bowling is also something that Gauthier truly cares about.

“It gets me out of the house, gives me something to do and is a challenge,” she said.

Steve Day is a sportswriter for the Daily Sun. He may be reached at sports@thevillages media.com.