One-On-One with Allen Ables: Heart of a Lion
When you watch Allen Ables bowl, you’re watching art in motion. You’re watching complete dedication, competitiveness, and the heart of a lion. I had the honor of meeting up with Allen and asked him about his journey through the sport of bowling.
Allen first laid hands on a bowling ball at five years old. It was love at first sight, and then it wasn’t. Allen’s personal relationship with bowling was underway, and what a journey it would be. “My grandmother would take me bowling whenever I came to see my dad. For my grandmother it was getting me out of the house and for me it was fun and frustrating at the same time. While I didn’t know much about the game, I quickly realized the gutter was bad! I would stomp and cry if I didn’t knock the pins down. I had a lot to learn.”
Years later Allen joined the Junior League at Pleasant Hill Lanes. He soon discovered that bowling was more than just a game. “I felt the community, the joy, and the desire to get better and compete. Several bowlers I bowl with today were friends I met in juniors. I wasn’t very good, I had a 150ish average, but I loved being a part of the bowling community. Midge Norry was my first coach and very instrumental in teaching foundational aspects of bowling, tempo, lane management. Her daughter, Linda Norry Barnes, is an icon in the PWBA. Midge was phenomenal and responsible for several outstanding bowlers today!”
Bowling didn’t come easy for Allen in the early stages. I asked him about the development of his game and when he felt like he finally reached a new level. “I was horrible!! I was mediocre or average at best!! At one point I took a couple years off and then came back to new bowling ball technologies that helped propel my bowling career. The change in ball surfaces significantly influenced my game as it balanced power and finesse. I started averaging 200 regularly and started to drive my desire to bowl professionally. I’ve gotten gradually better over time and at the height, 2019, I averaged 231 and had several 300’s that year.”
Allen has gone on to roll a total of (14) 300 games in his career. The first one he’ll never forget. “My first 300 was in 2008. It was the last game of summer league sweeper. I bowled with Kurt Reisinger that year, so he inspired me. I remember I got a little help from Jack Daniels and the bowling gods during that game but couldn’t believe I finally ‘did it.’ I was going through a divorce that year, so it was great to have some joy! Bowling has always been a place of joy for me.”
Bowling against Allen is always fun because he is competitive as myself and we always compete against each other in brackets at least once a week. Bowling against guys like Allen is what keeps me fueled weekly in league.
-Garrett Richardson
In 2020, Allen was diagnosed with cancer. It would take everything he had to battle for his life. After successful treatment and just three weeks following his last chemotherapy, Allen was back on the lanes. With the support of his wife, Jackie Ables, he came back with a vengeance and struck perfection once again. “The first one is always memorable because you join the ‘club’ but the one after chemotherapy is the most special to me. With the help of my family, my bowling family, and community, I survived. I credit my wife for getting back on the lanes three weeks after my last treatment.”
“Jackie has provided a calming environment for me to thrive in bowling. One of the many things I love about her. The 300 game after chemotherapy, I don’t remember much of that day, but I do remember being in the zone and striking, and I didn’t start to think about it until the 8th frame. The 8th frame shot is a set up for the 10th. The 10th & 11th balls were solid strikes. On the last strike attempt, I remember my friend, Ron France yelling for the pins to fall, and they all fell. I was overcome with emotion. Cancer beat me down, but bowling had a part in bringing me back! My favorite part of a 300 game is the love, support, and joy from friends.”
Allen has many memorable nights and accomplishments in bowling. To mention just a few, he has two (800 series) including an (844) series high. Last year during league he caught fire rolling (23) consecutive strikes over a two-game period with (300) and (290) games. Still, always believing he could have done better. “That was my last 300 game last year. The series could have been epic, but I faltered in the third game.”
Allen bowled briefly on the Professional Central California Bowlers (PCCB) Tour. “I only bowled a few tournaments, but I was fortunate to win one event at Golden Gate Lanes. The prize was $1000 circa 1985. Bowling professionally is extremely humbling as most people don’t understand how difficult lane conditions are and thus, how great the bowlers need to be to win. I got lucky but it was a special feeling!”
As is for every bowler, not every night goes according to plan. I asked Allen how he handles things when battling through times of struggle on the lanes. “I don’t handle them well, just ask my wife or teammates 😏. I have high expectations for my game, and I get frustrated when I let myself and my team down. I thrive in the moment to succeed and relish the opportunity so when struggles come, I try to practice trust, and lean on my confidence. It’s also helpful to check in with bowling mentors to see what they see and heed their advice. Steve Valente has been instrumental in helping me fine tune my game and get me back on track over the years.”
On his general thoughts about the sport of bowling today. “Bowling used to be the #1 participation sport in the world. It’s lost traction over the years especially during the pandemic but it’s on the right track and beginning to thrive again. Just look at league growth, open play on weekends, events, it’s storming back! The biggest concern I have is the corporate influence on bowling. The two biggest impacts are the loss of the smaller, intimate, community-based centers, and the erosion of league bowling. Companies like Bolero are more focused on birthday parties and raising the cost of open play. It’s a real threat to the future of bowling.”
On advice he might give bowlers wanting to learn how to bowl and keep improving their game. “Don’t worry about scoring, it will come. Build a foundation for a lifetime of bowling. Cherish the community, join a league, don’t worry if you’re good enough, you are. There’s a league for everyone. Practice and get your own equipment. Get a good, passionate coach. Have fun!!”
Allen has been a bowling mentor for me since 2018. He understands bowling on a technical level. He reads and studies the lanes so well that he can pull a specific ball to match up and score high. He has always been there for me and we have built a friendship that extends past bowling.
-Michael McKay
I asked Allen about some other passions in his life. “The passions in my life are my family, the growing number of grandchildren, softball, travel with my wife Jackie, and easing into retirement. We just finished building a pool so looking forward to creating priceless memories.“
Allen’s love for the game is unquestionable and he has impacted the sport in so many ways. Bowling is a part of his identity and he’s willing to do anything to help promote, support, and protect the game. His inspiring journey is far from over. Whether it’s facing perfection or adversity, with the heart of a lion, he keeps on rolling. “It’s a part of who I am. I love bowling and I love competing. Bowling motivates me to be better, to keep growing, to give back, to continue the sense of community, to share memories and friendships. It’s important to ensure we’re advancing the game locally however we can. Whether it’s through teaching kids, sharing knowledge, sponsoring leagues, or passing down experiences, I’m trying to be the best ambassador I can be.”
“I’m very fortunate and grateful to be on the CVB Wall of Fame. I don’t take anything for granted. Clayton Valley Bowl is a second home for me.”
