Sunny McHugh: Renewed Obsession

One-On-One with Sunny McHugh: Renewed Obsession

Most kids at five years old are learning how to match letters to sound, count 1-10 and beginning to understand what household objects are for. Sunny McHugh was learning all those things, but she was also down at the alley working on her game. “My dad, Rich Hill, grew up in bowling alleys and he was an amazing bowler. So, that’s where you would find me, down at Diablo lanes. I guess you could say it was in my genes.” 

While Sunny enjoyed bowling at a very young age, she didn’t develop a passion for it right away. That would come over time. “I have a lot of natural athletic ability, but practice definitely helps. My Dad would always try and encourage me with bowling, but I insisted I just wanted to have fun. I regret that now. I wish he were still around for guidance and advice.”

While bowling wasn’t necessarily Sunny’s main priority as a teenager, there was no doubting her natural abilities on the lanes. “I bowled for PE in high school, since our school was just down the street from the alley. There were only a few girls in the class. Our teacher would always say, ‘Hill quit beating the boys.’ I still chuckle when I think about it. I’ve always been feministic when it comes to sports. Don’t doubt our skills.”

Over the years Sunny would bowl now and then and after a 7-year hiatus, in 2021, she returned to the game and has been enjoying it ever since. “My friend called and said, ‘Hey do you want to bowl again?’ And I was like sure. Little did I know it would be in a scratch league. I never thought I was good enough for scratch league. You can say confidence isn’t my strong suit. But being surrounded by all these insanely talented scratch bowlers has definitely improved my game. I like to pick their brains and thought processes. I’m always open to advice and suggestions.”

Sunny regained her interest in bowling and her natural abilities would start to take over and her confidence was on the up. “I never thought I would get a 300 game, in fact, I always joked I wouldn’t. I would get to 6 or 7 in a row and then the nerves would set in. My legs would start to feel like Jell-O. But after gaining more tournament experience and what not, now I can remain calmer. Striking in the front 10 is no biggie, it’s the last two where the nerves start acting up.”

On a warm summer league night, July 3^rd, 2023 at Clayton Valley Bowl, Sunny would exceed her own expectations and it would become a night to remember, forever. “That specific night I did get a few lucky breaks along the way. When I got to the 10th frame, I took several minutes between each ball. The team I was bowling against was so chill and supportive. Some people like to go and get it over with, I like to take a break in between shots to try and calm my nerves and catch my breath. My 11th ball was a high pocket shot but they all fell. That last shot I’m ashamed to say was a solid Brooklyn. As soon as I turned around my friend jumped on me. It really was surreal; I still can’t believe I did it. That night I ended with a 795 series. Could you imagine, I could have had my first 300/800 in the same night!”

There’s never shame in the monumental and distinct achievement of a perfect game. As they say, it’s not ‘how’, it’s ‘how many’. After the 300 game, Sunny’s confidence only grew and she was ready to test her skills against the very best. “This year after losing my mom I decided to live a little and joined the PWBA. I met the bowling average requirements and decided life is too short to not step out of my comfort zone. Since they had a tournament locally, I decided to bowl the PWBA Stockton Open. I didn’t want to make a big deal about it so I didn’t publicly share I would be doing it. I performed terribly but am so proud that I did it. I’m also so thankful for the handful of friends who made the drive to root me on.”

I asked Sunny how she approached setbacks and times of struggle with her game. “I just push through. Even the greatest bowlers struggle at times. I focus on body mechanics: approach, release, follow through, grip. It’s so important to go back to the basics.”

On her thoughts about the status of the game today and how bowling has impacted her life overall. “I feel like there is renewed interest in the sport. A lot of younger talent is coming out and doing their thing, with two handers on the rise. I love that it’s a sport that can be both team and individually goal oriented. It’s a sport where the opposite team genuinely roots for you to do well. I have met some of the most amazing people in bowling, some of my closest friends.”

Sunny inspires others and encourages bowlers to keep learning and working at their craft to get better. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find somebody who shares the passion and get out there and do it. It’s important to practice with a purpose and not just for score. There are so many drills out there. Social media is a good tool, we have so much information at our fingertips these days, use it.”

Bowling isn’t the only sport Sunny excels in, she was also a top softball player in High School. I asked Sunny about softball and about other activities she enjoys. “My first love was always softball. I was a fastpitch pitcher for 10 years. I started playing when I was 8 and naturally because of my bowling I was introduced to pitching. I played year-round and played travel teams. When I was 12, I actually played up a division with 14-year-olds. I was MVP 3 out of 4 years in high school. It’s good to push your limits. I’m also a huge animal lover. Dogs are the best. I love trips to Disneyland. I recently got a new hobby: Bingo! I’m an avid reader. I love puzzles and coffee and I also love makeup.”

If Sunny isn’t playing Bingo, or hanging out with animals or family, you’ll likely catch her at the alley bowling or just there supporting friends. The dedication and passion for bowling inherited from her father lives strong inside her. Her accomplishments are a testament to that. She’s a student of the game. “My husband recently caught me watching the pros on TV and said if you’re not bowling, you’re watching bowling. I guess it’s become my renewed obsession.”