Senior Pro-Am to roll at All Star Lanes
North Fort Myers All Star Lanes will hold the Signature Series Storm North Fort Myers Open ProAm and Senior Pro-Am on April 13, 14 and 15.
Bowling greats like Walter Ray Williams, Pete Couture,Dave Soutar, Guppy Troup and local Senior Pro Lee Rucker will be there to bowl with the public on the first day and then continue their own play for the next two.
“The actual Senior PBA Tournament is the 14th and the 15th. The 13th is actually when the pros come in to practice and we have the tournament that night with our local bowlers,” said All Star Owner Bill Hanson.
Two new bowling balls, created by Jimmie Carter, son of bowling icon Don Carter, will be featured.
“Don Carter was a bowling legend,” Hanson said. “He was the first athlete in the U.S., in any sport to get a $1 million endorsement deal. He did that in 1960 with the company Ebonite, a bowling ball manufacturing company. He’s one of the fathers of the bowling industry.”
On a sad note, Don Carter just passed away a couple of months ago, he said.
“The balls are out, but this is their first time in a featured tournament. They are called the Major 52 because in 1952 John Carter won his first major tournament, and the Wise Man is named after him, as he with referred to as the ‘wise man’, hence that name.”
“I throw both of them,” said Lee Rucker, local Senior Pro and owner of the Pro Shop at All Star. “The major 52 has a dull finish it makes the ball aggressive. The Wise Man has a shiny surface to make the ball go further down the lane before it hooks.”
Rucker talked about a few of the celebrities coming for the event.
“Walter Ray William Jr. has won 50 national titles and has been on TV, a No. 1-ranked bowler, all the bowling people know him.” Pete Couture is on the regular national tour. “This event is huge,” he said.
On Friday, April 13, there will be squads at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. for adult, senior and youth divisions. The cost is adult $30, senior and youth $20. North Fort Myers All Star Lanes is at 2818 N. Tamiami Trail. For information or to register, call 995-2138.