WORTHINGTON -- Bowlers didn't need to bowl a turkey to enjoy the third annual King Turkey Day Bowling Tournament Saturday.
In fact, many of the bowlers who participated in the King Turkey Day fund-raiser at Oxford Bowl didn't bowl regularly and just came for a good time.
"I would say that almost half the bowlers don't bowl normally," said Cindy DeGroot, the tournament's coordinator. "They're having a great time. That's why they come back every year, because it's so much fun."
Most people at the tournament seemed intent on having fun and cheered on every bowler impartially, congratulating anyone and everyone who got a strike or did well.
Saturday's 220 bowlers had an easier time bowling a turkey -- three strikes in a row -- than usual because of the tournament's nine-pin, no tap rule: bowlers only needed to get 9 pins down on the first throw in order to have a strike.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I've bowled since it started," said Lisa Brandt of Bigelow, who bowled with her pool team Saturday. "It's just fun. I don't bowl very often, but I have a Vikings bowling ball, so I like to get it out and use it sometimes."
Bowlers paid $25 apiece to enter the tournament and then played in five-member teams in three shifts throughout Saturday afternoon.
"I just like all the people. It's a fun time," said bowler Lance Boon of Milford, Iowa. "The people are actually what make it."
It was a family event for Sara and Steve Simpson of Rushmore, who brought their daughter Shelby, 9, and their son Seth, 2, to the tournament. Only Sara bowled, with her First State Bank team.
"We met at a bowling alley," Sara said. "I haven't bowled since we met, 10 years ago."
They'll likely be back again next year.
Tai Phammavongsa, Duand Phammavongsa, Lan, Sone and G.D. of the Lao Boys took first place at the tournament, with a combined score of 3,923. They won $425.
Second place and $250 went to Wally Habben, Bobbi Habben, Lisa Kocak, Brian Kocak and Phil Barrie of the Greater Divide. They bowled a 3,852 total pin series.
ADVERTISEMENT
Close behind them was Elness Livestock with a 3,850 total pin series. Todd Bretzman, Terry Wagner, Brian Elness, Jody Hlavac and Aaron Majerus won $175.
The Great Divide bowled a 2,774 total pin series, taking fourth place and winning $125 for members Wally Habben, Jason Junker, Bobbi Habben, Brian Kocak and Jeff Bern.
Laura Ailts won the $100 travel voucher donated by Patti McNab at Travel Central and $200 cash. Jackie White won the $70 gift basket raffle.
