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Cover Story Still rolling after More than 60 Years

By Barry Sparks

In 1957, Elvis had a hit record with “All Shook Up”; the Russians launched Sputnik I, the first space satellite; and Lion Bowl, a 12-lane center, was built on the corner of Pine and Martin streets in Red Lion, Pennsylvania.

The bowling boom was in its infancy. From 1955 through 1963, the number of bowling centers nearly doubled nationally, and league bowlers increased from 3 million to 7 million, according to the United States Bowling Congress.

Like so many bowling-crazy Americans, Preston (Pret) Grove’s father, Curt, joined a league in 1957. He bowled for the Red Lion Zion Church team at Lion Bowl.

Pret, 15, accompanied his dad to the center every week. Before long, Pret was asked to substitute. And, soon he became a regular team member.

“Bowling in a league was one of the most exciting things for me growing up,” he recalled. “There wasn’t much for a farm boy to do, particularly in the wintertime, in a small town of 5,500 or so.”

Sixty-three years later, Grove, now 78, is still competing in the league on Thursday nights at Lion Bowl.

After all these years, it’s not much of a stretch to say bowling is in his DNA. It’s part of his weekly biorhythm. He feels out of sorts if he misses a Thursday night because of snow or a COVID-19 shutdown.

“I’ve never missed a season,” said Grove, who bowls on a team with his grandson, Tim Johnson; Tim’s girlfriend, Stephanie Newton; and his sonin-law, Don Emenheiser. The foursome spends a lot of time kidding each other, catching up on family news, and practicing one-upsmanship.

“I still look forward to bowling at Lion Bowl

every week with my family and seeing all my friends,” he said. “With everyone so busy these days, it’s great to be able to spend time with my family once a week. At this point, they are the main reason why I keep bowling.” He added: “You make plenty of friends through bowling, and the camaraderie is special. Bowling is a lot more fun than most people realize.” Dave Zelger, co-proprietor of Lion Bowl, said, “Pret is extremely well liked. I think he knows everyone, and everyone knows him.” Grove said it’s difficult to imagine the bowling frenzy Photo courtesy of Barry Sparks Some years, Grove, now retired, won more money bowling than he earned that swept the country in the 1950s and 1960s if you never at his regular job. experienced it. Bowling centers were filled with two shifts of leagues every weeknight, and weekends were packed. Every center had a waiting list that was sometimes a couple of hours long. Grove said his father had standing reservations at Lion Bowl every Saturday night. Photo courtesy of Barry Sparks Grove followed the

Grove averaged a score of 184 last year but says exploits of PBA bowlers the numbers have gotten less important as he’s Don Carter and Dick gotten older. “You make plenty of friends through Weber and, later on, bowling, and the camaraderie is special.” the likes of Mark Roth and Earl Anthony. He was one of 14 million to 15 million viewers who faithfully tuned in to watch PBA bowlers compete every Saturday afternoon on ABC-TV. “The PBA bowlers were our heroes,” he said. “I learned how to be a much better bowler by watching them.” Grove’s grandfatherly appearance belies his prowess on the lanes. Last year, he averaged 184, which is exceptionally high for a septuagenarian. His most memorable bowling moments include rolling his first 300 game and first 700 series. He said his weekly scores have become less important as he has gotten older. “Pret’s a very good bowler,” said Dave Zelger.