Now only one person stands between Rich Garner and the top of the county's all-time series list: his own friend and teammate. Only two 10-pins prevented him from reaching the ultimate perfection.
On Dec. 29 at Mariner Lanes in the Coca-Cola Classic, the 45-year-old Hudson resident had a historic night, not only for himself but the local record books.
Thanks to a pair of 279 games and a 300, Garner put together an 858 series, surpassing Jay Olsen and Joe Correa at 855 for the second-highest series in Hernando County history.
Only Jason Mahr sits above him, thanks to his county-record 878 bowled on Aug. 7, 2007 at Mariner. Mahr is on Garner's team in the Coca-Cola Classic, though he was out of town on a cruise.
"It's pretty special," Garner said. "He (Jason) and I have been friends for a lot of years. I was excited for him when he did his and I'm sure when he gets back he'll be excited for me."
Taking a break
It doesn't come as a shock that Garner would pull off such a feat, considering he has over 70 300s and 30 800s to his credit.
A consistent 225-230 bowler, he had a previous high of 836 at Crystal River's Manatee Lanes on Jan. 13 of last year.
However, leading up to his 858, he didn't feel as though he had performed up to his standards.
"It's really odd to me," Garner said. "The last few weeks I hadn't thrown the ball really well. I took a week off from bowling because of the holidays and it worked out well."
In the third frame of the first game, he left a 10-pin, a shot he felt was weak. In the sixth frame of the second game, he left a more solid 10.
"We only had two bowlers, myself and Chris Polizzi," Garner said. "So the lanes never changed for me. I never moved all night with my feet or my mark.
"Honestly I had 4-5 strikes where I shouldn't have had strikes and I did. It was one of those lucky nights that you dream about.
"I've been bowling for 30 years now. I never believed I'd bowl something that high. When I got up in the 10th frame of the third game, I realized 'oh my God, if I strike out and bowl 300 I bowl 850.' Other than that I was just trying to throw strikes to help my team win."
He admitted to a little extra nervousness in that final frame but it didn't prevent him from finishing off just the fourth sanctioned series of 850 or more within the county's borders.
He said he had no idea that it was the second-highest at the time, but could appreciate the accomplishment afterward.
"It's something I'm very proud of," Garner said. "I can't ever see me doing it again. It's something I'm really, really proud of."
RICH GARNER - 858: BY THE NUMBERS
Game 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
XX9/ XXX XXX XXX - 279
Game 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
XXX XX9/ XXX XXX - 279
Game 3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
XXX XXX XXX XXX - 300
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. Rich Garner 858 12/29/08 Mariner
3. Jay Olsen 855 10/03/02 Spring Hill
3. Joe Correa 855 08/23/06 Spring Hill
5. David Lee 848 09/20/06 Spring Hill
6. Ryan Erbe 847 01/28/08 Mariner
7. Todd Epler 837 01/28/08 Spring Hill
8. Kevin Williams 836 10/03/94 Mariner
8. Jason Mahr 836 09/19/06 Mariner
8. Rich Galasso 836 11/09/07 Spring Hill
8. Jamie Vega 836 04/02/08 Spring Hill
8. Jay Tinkham 836 10/27/08 Mariner
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