Woman repeats feat, bowls two perfect games

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  A member of the 46th Test Wing broke new ground, not with a special test or acquisition, but at the Eglin Bowling Center.

Donna Brown, 40th Flight Test Squadron, bowled the first perfect 300 game by a woman at the bowling center here. She then repeated the feat again two weeks later.

"I've been the manager at the bowling center for 26 years now, and this is the first and second games bowled by a woman since I've been here," said Jay Rookstool.

Ecstatic, happy and blissful were just a few words Ms. Brown used to describe her reaction to rolling 12 straight strikes down the lane.

"I was pumping my arm up and down, shouting 'I did it, I did it,'" the league regular said. "All my hard work finally paid off and at that moment I knew I was a great bowler."

Ms. Brown, a regular bowler since age 5, said her father got her into bowling.

"It's a passion of my father's to get his only daughter in a sport he loved and enjoyed," she said.

The second perfect game ensured that the first game was not a fluke or sheer luck.

"Any bowler who's been bowling for a long time has it in them to get that perfect game," Ms. Brown said. "Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I'd bowl another perfect game."

Ms. Brown received kudos and congratulations from on- and off-base and said the people she's met throughout her bowling career only add to the fun of the game.

Just the act of picking up a bowling ball and trying is something people should be proud of. Bowling a good score isn't what matters, it's doing something you like and enjoy.

"It's important for people to know that even if you feel you're not a good bowler, you are," she said. "Anything above your average or just for fun is an accomplishment and one should be proud of that."

Ms. Brown adds that it's important not to get discouraged when a person bowls a bad game.

"It just takes practice and commitment if you want to be a good bowler," she said.

That enjoyment and the thrill of the "roll" keeps Ms. Brown coming back sometimes as often as three times a week in intramural leagues as well as with her children.

"This sport brings me fulfillment and great pleasure," she said. "Knowing that each time I get on the approach and release the ball, this may be the day I get a perfect game again."

She suggested others could have that same feeling by getting involved in their local bowling centers.

The bowling center offers chances to reach 300 and perfection every day except Sundays of varying hours. Games are $1 during the months of March and April from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Laser Storm" bowling is Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call 882-3352.