Bowling One-On-One with Larry Wheeler Jr.: Be ‘You’ First
When you combine pure power, strength and athleticism with passion, dedication and competitiveness, pins will fall – a lot. I’ve had the opportunity to watch Larry Wheeler Jr. bowl a few times in person and it’s a pleasure to see. All you want to do is pull up a chair and watch the man bowl, in awe. You look around and all you see are mouths wide open in disbelief of Larry’s talent and how quickly he can clear the deck. If I was a pin and saw Larry on the approach, I would simply just fall over and get it over with. I had the pleasure of catching up with Larry and I asked him about his bowling journey.
How did you get started with bowling and what do you remember about it that captured your interest?
“My Dad started me down this path in bowling. He was my inspiration in bowling. I have always looked up to him. Lucky Lanes and Albany Bowl in Albany, CA. was where all this passion was nurtured. I can remember bowling pot games with the adults honing my craft. I think for me what really caught my interest was that it was a one-on-one sport for the most part.”
Talk about how your game and passion for bowling developed as a youth through your teenage years. Share some of your successes and experiences as a youth bowler.
“The passion came through the battles I had bowling with the adults in pot games when I was little. I wanted to be able to beat them in the worst way, and I felt I could. I had no fear, and I still don’t. My fondest memory of bowling was waking up Saturday mornings when I was little bowling juniors with my late friend Daniel Hernandez. I bowled a 300 when I was 12 years old at an easter classic tournament and won my division. Another fond memory was winning the prestigious team tournament called Pac Coast, when I was 16 years old.
You’re known as one of the top bowlers in the SF bay area and with one of the fastest ball speeds wasting little time getting the ball down lane to the pocket. But it takes more than just ball speed to be consistent and successful. Talk about how you developed your style and how your game has progressed to today.
“Honestly, I couldn’t tell you why and how I started to bowl like that. I think it had to do with I didn’t want to bowl with the bumpers as a youth. Now a back story about bumper bowling when I was growing up was the bumpers where basically balloons in the gutter for your ball to bounce off of. Kind of funny now. My style was new for the time and many people still to this day say I need to slow the ball down and I tried because I was listening to everybody. Even the late Al Louie told me that. Until one day I was introduced to coach Bill Hal, who still coaches me. He made some tweaks to my style and the rest is history. I am constantly changing and tweaking it. The only people that know I have changed and believe it or not slowed down, are the people that have known me since I was little.”
I have known Larry since we were junior bowlers and he has always had a powerful ball when it hits the pins. Many bowlers may see him and be intimidated due to his powerful ball speed and his competitiveness. But he is one of the nicest guys out there! I am happy to call him a friend and family. Still owes me 10% (inside joke).
– Garrett Richardson
Whatever you’re doing in the lab, it’s working. As the winner of the 2021 TNBA Bill Rhodman Western Regional, and with nearly (50) 300 games and (20) 800 series under your belt, talk about what goals you have for yourself for the new year.
“For this upcoming year the goal is to bowl more regionals and win the USBC Modesto Masters, and one other masters.”
Are there particular bowlers in the past or present that you have looked up to or admired?
“Robert Smith, for obvious reasons. Wes Malott and Norm duke.”
What other hobbies or interests might you have when not in competition or working on your game?
“Outside of bowling, I enjoy working on my 1976 Silverado Stepside.”
What advice or tips would you offer to those looking to improve their game?
“I say be ‘You’ first. Practice being accurate, and work on your spare game.”
Thank you, Larry, for taking time to share your bowling journey. As a force on the lanes, you’re also kind and approachable and with great respect for the sport. You inspire and invigorate those around you to be the best they can be too. I’ve included your social media links below and I encourage readers to follow you and check out your game – just so fun to watch and admire. Best of luck to you the rest of the way this year in league, tournaments and reaching your goals.
“Tim, I want to thank you for taking time out and doing what you are doing, you may not see it now, but you are making an impact. I also want to thank you for letting me a part of this and being considered for this interview.”
*Images courtesy of TNBA and Larry Wheeler Jr.
