The Villages Daily Sun

THE VILLAGES — Lonnie Wood’s long bowling career has had its ups-and-downs. In recent weeks, Wood has been on a hot streak, and his performances are definitely on the upside. Just take a glance at the high scores from Fiesta Bowl the past couple of weeks. There’s Wood’s name with a 237 and a 279 game and next to a 761 and 621 series. In fact, the 761 series is second only to a 787 as Wood’s career-high.

“I have been energized the last couple of weeks,” Wood said. “I’ve been getting a lot of strikes and hitting the pocket well. I had seven in-a-row, nine another time and eight this past week. It’s kind of come together the last six weeks or so. I’ve had a 600 series every week.”

The 75-year-old Wood began his bowling career in 1959. He was about a 165 average bowler at that time.

“I bowled for four years,” he said. “I got married and had kids and quit bowling for 36 years.”

Wood was transferred to Orlando by Lockheed-Martin and would eventually take up bowling once again.

“I guess it was retirement that got me back into bowling,” Wood said. “The time was right and I thought I would try it.”

Bowling hasn’t always come easy for the Village of Alhambra resident.

“I started bowling in a league and bowled very poorly. I averaged 136 the first year back,” Wood said. “I was still using my original ball and shoes and the ball, and my shoes didn’t work too well. I bought a new ball and got into the new system — the balls and the surfaces. Gradually, I began to improve after a few lessons.”

Wood made a move to The Villages about 10 years ago.

“Bowling was one of the things that attracted us here,” Wood said. “The first year, I got in a league and had a couple of 700 series. I thought ‘this is fun’ and got into a couple of leagues.”

Wood has had a high average of 206 and his highest game was a 299.

“The four-pin waved at me and wouldn’t lay down,” Wood said of his close encounter with perfection.

Wood’s return to bowling hasn’t been all roses. He has had to fight back from a couple of major injuries.

“I’ve had knee problems, but my first serious problem was when I tore a biceps muscle in my bowling (right) arm. I was bowling and it snapped,” Wood explained. “I did some therapy. It took about a year and it got better and I was able to bowl again.”

After recovering from that injury, Wood accomplished probably his greatest feat in bowling — winning the Florida Senior State All-Events championship. Wood threw a very consistent 246-247-248 series of 741 in the singles competition of the tournament.

By winning the event, Wood qualified for the 2005 ABC/WIBC Senior Championships in Reno, Nev. Rolling in the 70-and-over division, Wood shot a six-game score of 1,283, which was the second-highest scratch total in his age group. Because the tournament was a handicap event and Wood received only nine pins of handicap per game, his 1,337 total gave him a very good eighth-place finish.

But once again the injury bug would bite Wood.

“About two years ago, I got a pinched nerve and it went down to my fingers. I also had carpal tunnel in my wrist and I had no strength in my hand,” Wood said. “I couldn’t hold a heavy ball. I began using a 10-pound ball and my average went from 200 to about 165. I then went from a 10-pound ball to an 11-pounder, up to 12 pounds and then 13. This year, I am using a 15-pound ball. When I won the Florida title, AMF gave me a 15-pound ball. I had it resurfaced a month or so ago and have been using it. I’m bowling much better. I’m at a 200 average now.”

In addition to his big win in 2005, Wood has rolled in many city- and state-level competitions with considerable success.

Although Wood has enjoyed his success on the lanes, he said its not all about the game.

“I love to bowl, but it’s more than just bowling,” he said. “I like the camaraderie, and I’ve met some very great friends bowling.”