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Hernando Today

Garner-ing Success

Hernando Today photo by CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hudson's Rich Garner has bowled at Spring Hill Lanes since 2001 and become one of Hernando County's top bowlers.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: December 6, 2008

Updated: 12/05/2008 10:02 pm

A scan of local tournaments usually reveals a handful of Hernando County bowlers. Yet when the participant list of county residents comes out, one name is always missing: Rich Garner.
Yes Garner, a regular at Spring Hill Lanes since 2001 who now also bowls at Mariner Lanes, often performs quite well in such events.
Yet Garner actually resides in Hudson. He has lived in Pasco County since 2002, after originally moving from Connecticut to Crystal River in late 2000.
During his time in Florida, he has never lived within Hernando County's borders. That hasn't stopped him from becoming one of the premiere bowlers in the county.
"The big money leagues seem to all be in Hernando," Garner said. "…They're (Spring Hill and Mariner Lanes) probably two of the nicest houses around. Spring Hill especially, I like the Martins family (who own the center) a lot. They've always treated me well. I've never had a problem there, and Mariner, as well."
Motivated to get better
Garner, a concrete worker, turned 45 on Friday. Though born in Massachusetts, he spent most of his life in Connecticut until relocating to Florida.
He started bowling in youth leagues at the age of 13, having watched his father in candlepin bowling, and has never quit.
"It's something I enjoy," Garner said. "When I was in my early 20s, I started trying to be competitive. I averaged 200 and a couple of my teammates were talking bad about me, saying I wasn't that good of a bowler.
"It motivated me. I bowled every day in the summer. The next year I had nine 300 games."
Prior to that year, 1986, he had never shot a perfect game. On Oct. 27 in the Coca-Cola Classic at Mariner, he recorded his 70th 300.
He said he has more than 30 800-series, the highest an 836 at Crystal River's Manatee Lanes on Jan. 13. He also estimates he has shot 20 299s and two 298s.
Last season he averaged 233 in 39 games of the Monday Night Men at Spring Hill Lanes, his highest average ever. He also averaged 232 across 102 games of the Hammer Classic at Hudson Bowl.
Also, he posted a 226 average in the Mike's Auto Body League and 225 in the T.G.I.F. League, both at Spring Hill. The season continued a trend of Garner averaging in the 225-230 range.
He bowls regularly in three leagues at three different houses this winter season, averaging 227 in the Coca-Cola Classic on Monday nights. That marks first league he has bowled in at Mariner.
Additionally, he averages 209 in the Tuesday Leisure Classic at Leisure Lanes in Hudson and 225 (prior to last night) in the T.G.I.F on Fridays.
Previously in Connecticut, he was twice named the state's Bowler of the Year, in 1989 and 1999.
"I think it's my competitiveness more than anything," Garner said of what's made him successful. "I despise losing. It's not that I'm a bad loser; I just don't like to lose. It motivates me to win."
Tournament achievements
Beyond league play, Garner has done quite well in tournaments. In the 2006 Spring Hill Open, a PBA South Region event at Spring Hill Lanes, he made it to the second day and finished 19th.
Later that year he reached the playoff portion of the New Port Richey Open at Lane Glo Bowl North, placing 11th.
The past three years in the Cream of the Crop Tournament, a major scratch (no handicap) event at Lane Glo, he has finished fourth, sixth and ninth respectively.
From 2000 to 2002, he held a PBA card, but dropped it because he simply didn't make enough money to tour consistently. However, he believes that can change in the future.
"Now I'm going to be 45," Garner said. "I'm hoping I can stay healthy for another five years and then try to make money bowling senior tournaments.
"There's a lot of stuff for seniors bowling in Florida and I think I can almost make a living bowling senior tournaments."

BY THE NUMBERS: RICH GARNER (thru 12-02)
League House Average
Coca-Cola Classic Mariner 227
Tuesday Leisure Classic Leisure 209
T.G.I.F. Spring Hill 225

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

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