In an earlier story the Excelsior Citizen reported on the success of bowler Joshua Oldham at the Junior Gold National Bowling Tournament in Indianapolis. Since that publication we have learned there is much more to this story. There were actually four bowlers from Tiger Bowl that participated in the Junior Gold Tournament. Joshua Oldham, Brody Hurla, and Olivia Smith, all from Excelsior Springs, and Logan Fuhr, from Plattsburg. All four of these young people worked hard to qualify to compete in this national tournament. Logan Fuhr says that support is also key in becoming a successful bowler. “I’m humbled and grateful that my parents, coaches, and friends all help me to better myself, and my bowling,” he said. Another major source of support and encouragement for our youth bowlers comes from Jerry and Teresa Ferrell, owners of Tiger Bowl, here in Excelsior Springs.
When Jerry and Teresa took ownership of Tiger Bowl in 2015 they jumped right into our community and began looking for ways to connect. “It’s really about the kids,” Jerry said, “I wouldn’t own this bowling alley today if there weren’t youth bowling when I was a kid. This is my way of giving back.” Jerry says he tries to push for the kids to experience as much as possible to help them grow and learn. “Being a part of the team has been such a great experience to learn more about bowling, and I’ve met a lot of great people at bowling tournaments,” said Tiger Bowler Olivia Smith, “It’s an experience I would highly recommend to anyone.” Mr. Ferrell also pointed out that bowling allows a wide variety of kids of all skill levels to participate in a sport, learn team skills, and earn scholarships.
Jerry, coaches and some tiger youth bowlers Tigers 4 Life Tiger coaches and youth bowlers
Bowling is one of the few high school sports where kids can accumulate scholarship money. By participating in a national membership program provided by the United States Bowling Congress, students are are given an ID number that allows them to earn scholarships through league play and tournaments. Mr. Ferrell noted that many of the high school bowlers locally have done very well. He said that several of the kids have accumulated two or three thousand in their scholarship accounts, and some of them still have a few years left to add to those amounts. Scholarship dollars can be used to further their education in any way they choose, whether that’s college, trade school or certificate programs. “It’s not just about the sport, it’s about being able to help them better themselves for life,” he said. Tiger Bowl itself has given out over $3500.00 in scholarships through league play and tournaments just in the last two years.
Mr. Ferrell said that when he first arrived in Excelsior Springs there was no youth bowling. “Brody, Josh and Olivia were some of the first kids to participate in our program and now membership is up to around fifty,” said Ferrell. Youth bowling participants range in age from four years old up to seventeen. They meet each week at 10 am at Tiger Bowl for about two hours. Bowlers receive instruction from Ferrell and several other coaches including Dewayne Day, Sam Stanton, Clint Bourne. “This sport is for anyone and everyone who wants to participate. Everyone has their own style and there is no wrong way to bowl. You just have to be willing to learn and have fun in the process,” said Kim Fuhr (mother of bowler Logan Fuhr and Plattsburg youth league coach). Saturday leagues are where skills are sharpened and where many of the recruits for the high school teams emerge.
Tiger Bowl’s high school bowling team rolls into their third season this fall. Open to any students grades 9-12 the team is seeking additional members to build a solid foundation for the program moving forward. The high school team bowls against several other area high schools including Oak Park, Staley, VanHorn, Fort Osage, Raymore-Peculiar, Belton, Lee’s Summit North and South, Park Hill, and Plattsburg. Some schools are big enough to have two or three teams. In the state of Missouri, bowling is considered a club sport at the high school level and is sponsored by bowling proprietors throughout the state. Bowling proprietors also help set the rules and host competitions. High school bowlers participate in regional or “zone” tournaments and if successful they move up to state, then nationals. “Many of the matches come down to the final frames, making these tournaments really exciting,” said Ferrell. Through fundraising the youth leagues at Tiger Bowl have taken approximately forty kids to the state tournament over two years with minimal cost to parents.
Many of the high school bowlers also participate in two traveling tournaments, The Kansas City Open and Heart of America Junior Classic. Each of these tournaments are extremely competitive and allow participants to earn additional scholarship dollars.
The Kansas City Open (aka the KCO)
This tournament is divided up into 5 divisions (5-1), and your average determines which division you are in. If you are a newer bower with a lower average then the bowler will find themselves in division 5, but if you have a higher average then you would be in a lower numbered division. There is handicap added in all divisions except division 1 which is scratch.
This tournament is done in 1 day. The youth will bowl 6 games (2 different 3 game blocks with an hour in between for lunch). The top 5 in each division is then placed into a step-ladder roll off. 5th bowls 4th, winner bowls 3rd, winner bowls 2nd, and winner bowls 1st for the win.
Heart of America Junior Classic (aka HOA)
This tournament is divided into 3 divisions (Majors, Classic, & Masters). Each division has a par they must bowl each game. Majors +/- 160, Classics +/- 170, and Masters are +/- 190.
This tournament is done in 2 days. On Saturday each bowler bowls 10 games (2 different 5 game blocks with an hour for lunch in between). Once finished the top 8 in each division advance to the next round that takes place on Sunday. On Sunday the top 8 bowl each bowler that is in their division with the same par as the day before. Once finished with the 7 games, there is a position round. After the position round the top 4 bowlers are then placed into a step-ladder roll off. 4th and 3rd bowl, winner bowls 2nd, and winner then bowls 1st. The bowler who wins then earns a banner that has their last name on it, and is displayed at future tournaments. You can also earn this banner for rolling a 300, 800, 7/10 split conversion. Once you win, then you may earn a stripe for each additional win, and a star for each additional 300 or 800.
In the Final Kansas City Open, Excelsior Springs bowler Brody Hurla won his division. In the final Heart of America Junior Classic each of the Tiger Bowl bowlers advanced to the final rounds. (Fuhr and Oldham bowled in the Classic division, and Hurla and and Smith Bowled in the Majors division). Josh Oldham advanced with the highest total points from day one and went on to win the Classic division. Logan Fuhr (Plattsburg) finished 6th in Classic division. Hurla placed first, winning the Majors division, and Olivia Smith finished 4th in Majors. Tiger Bowl has been invited to host it’s first Heart of America Junior Classic tournament this October. “The kids are really excited,” said Ferrell, “they know this is a big, big deal and they’re glad it’s coming to our community.”
To learn more about youth bowling and how you can get involved contact Jerry Ferrell at Tiger Bowl, 1729 W Jesse James Rd, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024, Phone: (816) 637-2901.
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