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Hernando Today

Up For The Challenge

Staff photo by DAVE CASEY

Rafael Hernandez of Spring Hill has been the owner of Mariner Lanes on Mariner Boulevard since September 2005.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: August 22, 2008

Updated:

Maybe Rafael Hernandez just likes a challenge.

Why else would a businessman from New Jersey with absolutely no bowling background decide to buy a bowling center in Spring Hill?

Why would he bowl 10 games a day six days a week, building up to a 200 average in only one year's time?

Why one day would he decide to bowl 20 games, hearing that pro bowlers do that as a daily practice, just to see how it felt?

And why would he build a bodega in a bowling center?

"I like the challenge," admitted Hernandez, owner of Mariner Lanes. "It's just business. I guess you've got to diversify your money. You never know what will give you the best money.

"Right now I don't regret it (buying Mariner). We're doing good and moving on."

'A long story'

So how exactly did Hernandez come to purchase Mariner? It was opened in 1989 by United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Edie Jo Norman, and is located on Mariner Boulevard between Landover Boulevard and Northcliffe Boulevard.

He chuckled before calling it "a long story."

Hernandez, a now 44-year-old of Dominican decent, had lived in New Jersey for 23 years, involved in businesses such as supermarkets, liquor stores and real estate investment.

Three years ago he came down to Miami attempting to buy a supermarket, then made a similar attempt in Tampa.

Neither of those pursuits panned out, but in the meantime he stopped over in Spring Hill to visit a cousin, who informed him that Norman would be willing to sell Mariner for the right price.

"I thought the business was interesting," Hernandez said. "There was a lot of potential for it. The population was growing. I never knew anything about the business, but I thought it'd be interesting.

"I looked at it as an investment. Now it's in my blood."

Hernandez moved down to Spring Hill to oversee the day-to-day operation of the bowling center, though he still maintains his business holdings in New Jersey.

Just one problem: he didn't bowl. After a few months, he decided to take up the sport in an effort to better connect with his customers.

"I considered that part of the business," Hernandez said, "part of learning why oil patterns are different, what's so hard about making a strike, why it's so hard to make a 10-pin spare. I felt I needed to bowl. It took me quite a few months."

Within four months, he rolled a 290 game (11 strikes in a row), though he plays that off as a fluke. Still, his average rose from a modest 187 in the summer of 2006 to 205 in one league the following winter season.

This past winter season he averaged 197 in both the Coca-Cola Classic and Seacreatures league, 196 in the Friday Early Mariners and 193 in Thursday Thunder.

Hernandez said that when he first started bowling, he would sometimes roll 10 games a day five or six days per week, receiving pointers from employees John Leverock and Dave Mannello.

"I won't take it serious like I'm trying to get a 300 every time I get up there," Hernandez said. "Of course that's a dream for any bowler. I hope it happens one day.

"But I am part of that bowling fever. It's in my blood now. It's part of my job, but I also enjoy it."

He has averaged as high as 209 in the Golf-n-Bowl summer league last year, a league he has participated in each of the last three summers that incorporates golf and bowling.

He doesn't consider himself a golfer, but he does it anyway; yet another challenge to meet.

A new venture

Now more than ever, Hernandez has begun to leave his mark on Mariner. The most obvious change is the construction of the Mariner Meat Market.

Falling back on his supermarket background, Hernandez initiated a massive remodeling of the portion of the building previously occupied by the game room and offices.

By the end of September, Hernandez plans to open up a grocery store in that space. Signs for the Mariner Meat Market already adorn a new entrance.

"Everybody tells me, nobody has ever seen a meat market or a bodega store in a bowling alley and I don't see why not," Hernandez said. "A bowling alley is a family place and a grocery market is also a family place. Why wouldn't they match?"

Hernandez figures that many bowlers stop off for groceries on their way home, and this will make that process more convenient.

He stressed that he has only downsized the game room, moving several games out on to the concourse, and that the bodega will not interfere with the operation and upkeep of the bowling center.

"The bowling business is my first business," Hernandez said. "This is just extra. The space was there. I wasn't getting enough for the square footage I have."

Additionally, Hernandez has set in motion plans to carve a liquor store out of part of Spare Time, the sports bar at Mariner. He hopes to have that finished sometime in October or November.

He has other projects planned on the property in the future, but for now will focus on those two new businesses, while also continuing to grow the bowling center itself.

"So far I think the impression is good," Hernandez said. "The numbers speak for themselves. My business has increased. A lot of leagues have stayed the same or better. I think it's all positive."

BY THE NUMBERS: RAFAEL HERNANDEZ 2007-08 WINTER SEASON
League                                               Games    Average                 House
Coca-Cola Classic                               96            197                          Mariner
Seacreatures                                      96            197                          Mariner
Thursday Thunder                              95            193                          Mariner
Friday Early Mariners                          87            196                          Mariner

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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