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Hernando Today

A Magic Number?

Photo by TIM NEDDY

Spring Hill’s Jason Mahr, winner of the 2007 Spring Hill Open trophy, holds the county record for the highest series (878) set in 2007 at Mariner Lanes.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: August 29, 2008

Updated:

Almost exactly two years ago - Aug. 23, 2006 - Joe Correa made Hernando County bowling history, shooting an 855 series at Spring Hill Lanes to tie Jay Olsen for the county record.

At that time, the Spring Hill resident was just the sixth person to ever crack the 830 mark within the county's borders, reaching a mark Olsen had achieved on Oct. 3, 2002.

From that point going forward, the county has seen nine series of 830 or higher and nine of the top 11 series in county history. That includes a new record of 878 set by Jason Mahr.

Within the calendar year there have been four 830s, two in one day when Ryan Erbe shot 847 at Mariner Lanes and Todd Epler 837 at Spring Hill on Jan. 28.

Such an outburst of gaudy honor scores begs the question: why now?

Various reasons

Some point to the continuing technological advances in equipment that have changed the face of bowling and raised scores for years. Others attribute the spike to lane conditions favorable for scoring.

"Definitely the equipment and lane conditions," Mahr said. "(Bowling centers) Just wanting them to make it easier for higher scoring."

Prior to his 878 on Aug. 7, 2007, Mahr rolled an 836 on Sept. 16, 2006, both at Mariner where he operates KMA Pro Shop. He feels he has benefited most from improved equipment.

But the 26-year-old Mahr has superlative credentials, having won the 2007 PBA South Region Spring Hill Open and averaging an eye-popping 242 this past season at Spring Hill.

"Jason has the power and the physical game," said Spring Hill Lanes pro shop owner Kevin Williams. "Sooner or later he was going to do it."

Another newcomer, the 19-year-old Erbe in his first year out of the youth leagues, put together a rookie campaign for the ages shooting both his 847 and an 835 at Mariner, where he averaged 228.

Yet the explanation isn't limited to two rising young stars. Nor does it stop at Mariner, which has a reputation as a high-scoring house.

At Spring Hill, five different bowlers of various ages have 830s or better in this time span: Correa, David Lee (848), Epler, Rich Galasso (836) and Jamie Vega (836). The latter three came in this past winter season.

"I think the main thing is staying consistent with the shot and not changing it, which we don't do it," Spring Hill Lanes owner Carlos Martins said. "After a while bowlers get used to it. They're doing well and they get confident.

"Some of the higher scores, too, are by bowlers who dedicate quite a bit of time to the sport."

Williams once held the county record of 836, which he bowled at Mariner on Oct. 3, 1994. It was the only county 830 bowled prior to this century and on wooden lanes.

The second 830 didn't come until Oct. 1, 2001, an 832 by Scott Darkes at Mariner, which by that point had converted to synthetic lane surfaces.

When Correa bowled 855, he bumped Williams down to third on the county list. Now Williams remains in the top 10 but barely, tied with three others for seventh.

"I think the shot is a little more dry to the right where maybe the lanes used to be a little more crowned, more even going into the middle," said Williams, adding that condition tends to produce higher scores.

"...You make a golf course with narrow fairways and high rough. Are people going to play it because they want a challenge? No. That's the way the human race is. That's the way people are."

Williams admitted that he never expected his mark to stand even as long as it did, looking at the monumental scores rolled throughout the country.

Mahr also noted the rising tallies nationwide, which suggest this isn't just a local issue. Still, no one has a specific answer for the county's recent upward trend.

"I truly believe in the equipment factor of it," Mahr said. "Oil patterns, that's a lot of the big difference. But the last couple of years, I can't really explain."

Hernando County Bowling Top 10 Series
- Compiled by CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

No.Name                               Series                     Date                        House
1. Jason Mahr                      878                         08/07/07                               Mariner
2. Jay Olsen                           855                          10/03/02                 Spring Hill
2. Joe Correa                       855                         08/23/06                               Spring Hill
4. David Lee                          848                         09/20/06                               Spring Hill
5. Ryan Erbe                         847                         01/28/08                               Mariner
6. Todd Epler                        837                         01/28/08                               Spring Hill
7. Kevin Williams 836                          10/03/94                 Mariner
7. Jason Mahr                      836                         09/19/06                               Mariner
7. Rich Galasso                    836                         11/09/07                               Spring Hill
7. Jamie Vega                      836                         04/02/08                               Spring Hill

Other 830s
11. Ryan Erbe                       835                         04/21/08                               Mariner
12. Russ Housman               833                          03/08/04                 Mariner
13. Scott Darkes                   832                          10/01/01                 Mariner
14. Jim Formisano 830                          11/28/05                 Spring Hill

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

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