HONOR ROLL
800: Mike Zimmerman (837), Odd Couples, ABC West; Kevin Smith (808), Coors Light Commercial, ABC West; Steve Weldon (804), Monday Boosters, ABC East. 300: Bill Miller, Miller Lite Classic, ABC East; Stacy Jackson, Coors Light Trios, ABC North; Gary Bower, Bud Light Classic, ABC North; Jack Weicht, Mixed Nuts, ABC West; Steve Sneidman, Wednesday Mixed, Red Crown. 299: John Blessing, Miller Lite Classic, ABC East; Denny Plecker, Miller Lite Classic, ABC East; John Dea, Coors Light Trios, ABC North; Matt Stouffer, Friday Night Mixed , ABC North; Brad Palm, Coors Light Commerical, ABC West. 298: Skip Snell, Kings and Queens, ABC West; Gary Zimmerman, Harrisburg Builders Exchange, Red Crown; Bruce Higgins, Cumberland County Mixed, Trindle.
It's been almost 28 years since Terry Troup has enjoyed the experience of shooting a perfect game.
Times have changed since the 1985-86 season when he landed a pair of 12-strike marches. Different conditions and better equipment ramped up across the bowling landscape and altered the game forever.
But even after a 15-year absence due to a shoulder injury, Troup has made the necessary adjustments to score.
The 57-year-old right-hander has a different approach to the sport. He is more relaxed and having fun, but that didn't stop him from putting together a long string and recording his third career 300 game during the Georgian Manor League at ABC East.
“It's pretty cool because it's like the first time,” Troup said. “There has been so much time between them.
“I was more serious back than. Now, it's just a social thing. I'm at that age where I'm not that serious about it and just want to have fun. I don't want to bowl all the time to shoot good scores.”
Obviously, Troup doesn't need to.
Using an old AMF Black Angle, Troup got lined up in practice and cruised through the first nine frames unblemished before the nerves set in.
It was a surprising moment. It's been so long since Troup has enjoyed such a trip, and he didn't think he would see this moment again.
“It snuck up on me,” Troup said. “I wasn't paying attention. I was just shooting the breeze and socializing.
“I got nervous on the last shot. But as soon as I started my approach, I was pretty loose.”
The end result was predictable.
There were no 9-pins. No 10-pins. The back row was clean, and Troup had relived the 300 experience from earlier in his career.
“People were congratulating me,” he said. “It's great to have other people from the league congratulating you.
“The rest of the night, I was basking in the 300 glow. I was pretty proud. It's still quite an accomplishment.”
MOYER PERFECT...TWICE
A few months ago, Ryan Moyer recorded his first career 800 series.
It was a special moment for the 30-year-old right-hander. But it apparently wasn't enough to quench Moyer's honor score thirst.
Moyer is turning this into a career year. He added his second and third career 300 games in a six-day span, blasting the first in the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board League at ABC North and the second coming in the Monday Boosters at ABC East.
“I couldn't believe it,” Moyer said. “I remember calling my wife on Wednesday and telling her that I shot 300. On Monday, I called, and she thought I was joking.”
Moyer has found the right look with his Storm Jolt. He is the making the right moves in the right situations and is getting locked in.
In both cases, Moyer struggled and waited for the shot to come to him. And when it came around, he took full advantage.
“I couldn't find the shot the first game both nights,” Moyer said. “I moved left and right and couldn't get lined up.
“Once the lanes broke down, I moved back and a little right. I was crushing it right in there.”
There were some nerves, but they were ignored. Moyer was on target Wednesday and again on Monday.
Nothing was stopping his honor score march.
“Monday, I was in kind of disbelief,” Moyer said. “I bowled another one and had two 300s in one week. I know people that haven't gotten a 300 in their entire career.
“Getting one at North and East is also kind of nice. No one can say North has an easier shot than East. It was kind of cool.”
SENIORS UPDATE
Jim Suciu smashed an 878 series to capture the men's division of the Friday Lunch Bunch Senior No-tap Tournament at Trindle Bowl.
Lois Haagen paced the ladies' division with 780.
Mel Durden rode a perfect game to an 877 series and the victory in the men's 55-68 division of the Tuesday Senior No-tap tourney at ABC North.
Other winners included Rich Crawford (809) in men's 69-over play, Toni Buck (745) in the ladies' 55-68 bracket and Jean Beachell (838) in the ladies' 69-over division.
James Bronson and Barry Buck also had perfect games in the 21-player field.
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