Every year I bowl a recreational league with friends. My teammates in that league have varied in average from 105 to 215. Winning the league isn't all that important, the prize fund is nearly flat. The only jackpot is a cheap pins over average that might turn $3 into $15 if you win.
It might be my most enjoyable league. There's a few hotheads, but people are mostly just happy to be there. End result - I bowl better too. Set my new high average in that league last year (233) and shot several 800s. Even better, I'm able to consistently bring in new bowlers to the sport. I had a first time bowler last year that wants to come back, and I'll likely need to add another bowler this year.
I love bowling competitively, but if you don't have at least one league that reminds you that bowling is for fun, you're doing it wrong.