The house I have primarily bowled at the last 20 years has closed. Declining league play and a road construction project that killed off any open bowling has taken its toll. The owner has now decided to close this 47 year old establishment.  It was the last house in the city that was using wood lanes, everyone else has gone to synthetics.

Although it is the league’s choice as to where they will go, another house has been lined up for the leagues to move to next fall.

I’m sure I will continue to bowl but I will miss the distinctive clunk of a ball landing on wood and the nostalgia of above ground ball returns.  This house had bowlers that had been bowling leagues there since the place opened in 1956.

The end of another era.

Joe - It was Rose Bowl East in Wichita Kansas. The house was built by Woody Jensen who played for the Pittsburg Pirates in the late 30's. I believe it was the second house west of the Mississippi to have automatic pinsetters. They are Brunswick machines but were made by the Otis Elevator company. Otis made Brunswick pinsetters until Brunswick got their own factory.

Woody's descendants are still active in the area. Junior Jensen (a son) runs another center in town. Mark Jensen (I believe Mark is a nephew) is in the ABC hall of fame. Jeff Jensen and Craig Jensen (I believe they are grandson's)hold the ABC record for most 300's by brothers. Jeff has around 60 and Craig about 30.

They had a wall of fame that was signed by people who had been there. Mike Aulby (signed after he shot 300 on TV at another center), Eric Forkel, Rick Steelsmith, Justin Hromek, Randy Peterson, Norm Duke, and many others. Singing groups like Mneundo and N'sync had bowled there when in town touring.

Justin Hromek learned to bowl there. Rick Steelsmith has bowled there for close to 20 years as well. Chris Barnes, Pat Healy, Steve Klompken, Lonnie Waliczek,  had bowled in the scratch league. Nathan Bohr was currently on a team in the scratch league. Many of the current WSU national champions team bowled in the league as well, Russ Wilson, Chris Greene, WSU coaches Gordon Vadakin and Rich Rennollet are on a team Chilton Vending that has won 2 ABC team titles. It was a very tough and competive league. I hope it continues at some other house.