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Hernando Today

Not Standing Pat

Staff photo by BOB EAST III

On Feb. 6, 1995 at Mariner Lanes, Spring Hill's Pat Brennan became the first female to roll a 300 game in Hernando County history.

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: December 21, 2008

On Feb. 6, 1995, Pat Brennan made Hernando County bowling history.

That night, in a Monday night league at Mariner Lanes, she became the first female to ever roll a 300 game at a county house. At the time her last name was Overly.

Locally the feat has been matched only twice, both times at Mariner. Anita Hearl, perhaps the best female bowler in county history, shot a 300 one month later.

Former Mariner owner Edie Jo Norman, a member of the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC) Hall of Fame, pulled it off June 19, 2000.

"Being the first woman, I had to be more flattered than anything," Brennan said. "It meant a lot and to do it made me want to be a better bowler as time went on."

For almost 20 years, since Mariner opened in 1989, Brennan has been a frequent presence on the county's bowling scene.

She bowled in Port Richey when she originally moved down from Ohio in 1979. She has lived in Spring Hill since 1984 and worked 15 years as a physician's assistant at Suncoast Urology before retiring.

A second generation bowler herself, two of her three children (Randy and Janna) and four of her grandchildren (Randy Jr., Ricky, Sydney and Tyrese) have taken up the sport regularly.

"I think that bowling can bring people together," Brennan said. "A lot of sports, only one person can do it. Bowling, the whole family can go. The sport has done well for families."

It started with her father, who carried a 220 average and owned a 10-lane bowling alley in the Akron area. Brennan began bowling at 22, the only of her siblings (three sisters) to follow in her father's footsteps.

"My father and I taught coaching classes in the Akron area," Brennan said. "We were one of the first ones in that area to have a kids' league."

Her father possessed a passion for sports in general, something he apparently passed on. Brennan admitted that she not only likes sports, but enjoys watching them, as well.

In addition to bowling in three leagues - the Coca-Cola Classic and Friday Early Mariners at Mariner and the Spring Hill Wednesday Night Mixed at Spring Hill Lanes - she plays golf twice a week.

She picked up that sport thanks to her husband, Tom Brennan, but played volleyball and softball in high school.

It was her father who instilled in her the resolve to never back down even when tangling with the guys. As a local bowler she has garnered a reputation as a tough competitor.

"It makes a girl feel good when a guy comes up and says 'oh man, I have to bowl you?'" Brennan said.

Brennan believes the number of high-caliber female bowlers in the county has increased in the almost 14 years since her historic night.

That season she posted her highest average, 195. She usually averages in the high 180s to 190. Last winter season she averaged 190 in the Friday Early Mariners.

"Right now I think the shot is tough for me," Brennan said. "I'm not a cranker. I'm trying to re-establish my average at 195 or better."

She credits her father, as well as Dave Mannello and now Lou Angello for coaching her over the years. Angello has begun teaching her how to properly read a lane.

Yes, Brennan has been so good for so long without knowing how to read a lane. She just recently converted to a fingertip grip, all attempts to stay on top of her game.

"What keeps me going?" Brennan said. "Dig and drive. I like it and I've worked hard to be good at it."

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

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