The Langston-Gray Bowling Center’s youth bowling league is starting the second half of its season Jan. 17.
The league is open to kids of all ages and experience levels, but the league does not play with bumpers, said lane manager and league coach Earl Starling.
“We don’t have a limit on how young they are,” Starling said. “As long as they can throw the ball and get the ball down the lane without the bumpers, they can play.”
The league will meet every Saturday from 10 a.m. – noon at the Bowling Center. It costs $10 per week and a one-time fee of $17, which pays for three games each Saturday, shoes and awards.
Starling, who is a United States Bowling Congress-certified coach, works with the kids to help them improve throughout the season.
“If you work with them, and they want to continue, they can be a good bowler,” Starling said. “Youth bowlers that continue on to college have a lot of direction in their lives and learn a lot about healthy competition and competing with people their age.”
Starling said that a big benefit of youth bowling is the potential for college scholarships.
Those bowlers who stay with the team through the end of the 16-week season will be up for league awards and will get the chance to compete at a state tournament in Savannah in May.
“It’s a great place for kids,” said Cairo resident Dolores Brown who spent Tuesday afternoon bowling with her daughter’s family. “It teaches them coordination and is good for strength. It’s just a great thing for them to get into.”