Welcome to our fine city.
The Alley is Joma owned and is pretty new and designed as full recreation palace. It does have a good Thursday late league, but competitive bowling is not it's bread and butter. Caters more to recreation bowlers.
Northrock has been remodeled and has hosted PBA events in past. Has late Tuesday scratch league with extra prize money from sponsor. Another Joma owned house. Billy Murphy has been in pro-shop for several years and will be there for several more. One I would recommend. He's also Newman University coach. Has ties to Columbia, so he's very familiar with the Ebonite branded balls.
West Acres is Joma owned as well. Only center on west side of town and it seems to be busy all the time. Very competitive hadicap 5-member league late Wednesday. Unusual points system, but most like it. Extra sponsor money involved here.
Thunderbird has been family owned for a long time. Outside isn't much to look at, but inside is one of the nicest I've seen. Biggest scratch league on late Monday. 3-memeber with some pretty stacked teams. Several tied to local colleges and PBA. Best place to find out how you rank. Justin Hromek is former PBA winner that is simply a good guy. Another pro shop I'd recommend.
Seneca is a little weaker on competitive bowlers. Family run for many years and looks great inside. Monday has better bowlers. I bowl Tuesday early. Loads of oil in middle with dry outside. Pretty over-under, but scores are high. Kelly Bonta is good in pro shop, but is only part time. He's a little harder to see.
Derby is owned by same family as Seneca. Was awarded in Bowlers Journal several years ago for inside remodel. Not as many competive bowlers in one league.
All centers are well run with few mechanical issues. All are high-scoring just a little different volumes of oil. Take a trip to watch the above mentioned leagues to see for yourself. We do have some national hall of fame members, Wichita State and Newman current and former college players and a few eagle winners. Even house hacks can be very competitive in their leagues. Low 240's is about as high as I've seen in league. Most of those guys are obviously good from the first time you see them.
