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Hernando Today

Life is 'Good'

BOWLING

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: February 4, 2009

The day draws near, to when Joe Good can pick up a bowling ball and start rolling it down the lane once again, continuing his pursuit of that elusive 300 game.
"He can taste it," said Esther Good, his wife of 58 years.
For nearly two decades the Hernando Beach resident, a retired machinist from Maryland, has bowled regularly in the county, mostly at Spring Hill Lanes but also at Mariner Lanes.
This season, however, he has had to take a step back from his team in the Friday Senior Men's League at Spring Hill Lanes.
Last spring the 79-year-old had major surgery to remove colon/intestinal cancer, and three ensuing procedures after he developed aneurisms. He underwent the last one in November.
This most recent life-threatening experience is just the latest in a long list of medical maladies he has nonetheless endured as he approaches his 80th birthday in April.
"I think it's important to think positive," Good said. "If you think positive enough, maybe things will happen that wouldn't have happened."

Young at heart

Good joked that while he's 79, his heart is only 38. In 1989, a massive heart attack left him with only 15 percent of a working heart.
He received a heart transplant – the new heart belonging to a 19-year-old who died in a motorcycle accident – and he admits now it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. When doctors removed his old heart, they found an aneurism behind it.
That ranks as the most major of his health issues, but only represents the tip of the iceberg.
He spent five years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War after previously serving in both the Maryland State Guard and the National Guard.
During the war Good was stationed on U.S.S. Midway, an aircraft carrier deployed to the Mediterranean Sea. As a result of often running across the ship during gunfire, he lost the majority of his hearing.
Between that and a crushed sinus cavity suffered during a soccer match, he eventually developed Meniere's disease, which causes dizziness and effects balance.
Also a lawnmower accident severely damaged a foot, and a spinal injury led to a failed surgery on the lower discs in his back.
His heart attack occurred during a workout suggested by doctors in an effort to alleviate his back pain.
Given six months to live, he has lasted nearly 20 already thanks to the transplant. In his early 70s, he beat prostrate cancer only to move on to his most recent battle last year.
So where did bowling come in during all of this?
A former athlete who played primarily soccer but also softball, baseball and basketball as a youth, he became a serious bowler after his heart attack.
"I like it. I like to win," Good said. "But if I didn't win I wasn't a poor loser. I never blamed anyone for losing except myself.
"…I think bowling is a likeable sport. It gives you exercise for your body and brain. When you get your game together you have to block everything out of your mind so you get your strikes, and hope for the best if it comes in the pocket."
He has generally averaged around 179-180, his high being 182 in 2001-02. Last season his average dipped to 169. He has a high game of 279.
Within the next few weeks he will begin practicing, with a goal of returning to his team next winter season.
"I still have hope of hitting that 300 game," Good said. "I'm going back and I'm still going to try for that 300 game."

Bohn visits

While recovering from his recent surgeries, Good received a visit from a very special fellow bowler: Parker Bohn III.
A family member of Good's relayed his plight to the father of the three-time PBA Player of the Year and Hall of Fame member.
While in Orlando for an event, Bohn rented a car and made the roughly two-hour drive to Dunnellon, where Good was recuperating at his son's house.
"Going there and spending some time with him, the smile it put on his face is unsurpassed," Bohn said. "Looking at this gentleman sitting in a chair, he'll never have the opportunity to bowl like I do on the PBA Tour. But his strength to be alive and his strength to get on the lanes again is insurmountable.
"His spirts were high and he was sharp as a tack. He just couldn't wait to get back and bowl again. Bowling put the glimmer in his eye. That tells you he's not going to be pushing up daisies anytime soon. He's going to get back out there and start knocking them down again."
Good listed Bohn, as well as Walter Ray Williams Jr., as one of his favorite pro bowlers.
"He was good, down to Earth," Good said of Bohn. "He was a very nice person.
"Parker encouraged me very much. He encouraged me with my bowling, thinking positive."
Positive thinking has certainly helped Good overcome so many obstacles. Despite everything, he remains in good spirits and at least outwardly appears in remarkably good condition.
And ready to resume the game he has come to love as soon as he possibly can.
"I thank the Lord for all the recoveries," Good said. "The Bible says the Lord never gives you more than you can handle. Sometimes I think he's overestimated me, but I'm still pushing.
"It's like a cat has nine lives. I've had eight of them, but I'm hoping the ninth one stays away for a little bit."

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

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