Pictured Is: Ron Louchart Jr. (3rd Right). Jennifer Dovers. Patti Cooper. Scott Cooper.
Perfect Game Earns Ron Louchart Jr., Of Ft. Myers, Florida. The Use Of An AUDI Q7, As His Reward For Rolling This Honor Score.
Audi League Of Ft. Myers, Is In Its First Season Of Play At Lightning Strikes Bowl. This Is The Second Time, He Rolled One Opening Night.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor - thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association
Ft. Myers, Fl. - - - Bowlers who bowl in leagues today, don't realize how well they are being treated by proprietors. Compared to bowlers who bowled in leagues 50 or 60 years ago.
So, with that being said. Imagine what it would be like being given the chance to drive an Audi for a weekend, after rolling a 300 game, or an 800 series in league play. Not just any Audi, but an Audi Q7. Courtesy of the sponsor of this particular league, which happens to be Audi of Ft. Myers, Fl.
Well, my friends, Ron Louchart, Of Ft.Myers, Fl. Will be given this opportunity on Labor Day weekend. After rolling a 300 game on the first night of league play in the Audi League at Lightning Strikes Bowl in Ft. Myers on August 25, 2020.
"I have to admit it was extremely rewarding tossing a 300 on the first night of this Audi sponsored league, I knew going into the night that we had to shoot the 300/800 honor scores scratch for the first 12 games…So, it was pretty cool doing it on week 1," said Ron, a league bowler at Lightning Strikes bowl since the 1989/1990 season. "I did not know until after bowling that she told me to get all strikes...so that was cool for her as a 75th birthday present to get to watch it because of the Live Streaming."
He will also be the first to admit, that rolling a 300 game this year, ironically,was not a goal of his. He accepted the fact that it was probably not going to happen again. But, when you least expect it to happen, it does.
"Rolling a 300 game this year, was not a goal," he said, during an interview with the tenpinexpress.com. "I just figured it was not going to happen again. I had the front nine six times last year, and never did it. So, I was thankful just to be bowling well on the first night, and hopefully helping my team win games.Getting it out on night one, was pretty awesome."
He had rolled one other 300 game on the first night of league play. And.....
"I pondered not bowling any more that night, because my average would have been 300. I ended up shooting a 715, so it was still a great start that year," he said, of opening a new year with a perfect game."This was my seventh 300 game on August 25. I've also had three 299's(They were all pocket shots on the 12th ball) and three 298'sThis one will stand out because of the Audi perk, but mostly, because I got to do an interview with Larry Lichstein. This was the first of my 300's that were videoed, so I got to re-watch it a few times."
Another perk of bowling a 300/800 in the Audi League as he mentioned, is getting to do an interview with Larry Lichstein. So, when it came time to do the interview with the legend, he was then asked if he would have any pre-game jitters?
"I have watched so many livestreaming with guests of Larry…that made it extra special getting my chance to sit with the legend, we love our Larry, he makes us all feel important," he said, of his interview with the legend. "The other 300 on the first night of league, was also Lightning Strikes (Galaxy Lanes), I probably shot that score in my early twenties."
This is the first year that Audi has sponsored this particular league at Lightning Strikes Bowl. It is a large league, Teams consist of two males and two females, and that is why this league works for everyone who bowls in it.
"Myself and Jerry Mikulanec, both shot 300 the last game on the first night. So far, we are the only ones who have bowled 300 in the league thus far," he said, of his achievement."I loved taking all of the ribbing my friends gave me. A lot of I told ya, you would throw another 300 game etc....It has been 18 years since I rolled number six."
But, with all of the ribbing he took after league play finished. He says he can dish it out well, too.
"I love dishing out the fun," he says, of giving it back to his fellow bowlers. "And, I take it just as well. My bowling nights out are for fun. And, we have a fun, super competitive team. Pretty sure my peeps will tell you that I can dish it out with the best of them."
He has bowled most of his adult leagues at Lightning Strikes (formerly Galaxy Lanes). He was there on its opening day, in August of 1988. He even worked at the center for a while also. Of the 300 games he has rolled: four of them have been at Lightning Strikes. One at Friendship Lanes, one at Gator Lanes, and one at All-Star Lanes.
"When I shot my 300 at ALL-Star Lanes, and in their scratch league, it might be my most memorable one," he said. "I shot it the week my first child (Adrianna ) was born in 1991. I was so excited to be a first time father, and the lanes rewarded me."
So, he was then asked: Does it get any easier rolling a 300 game, after the first one was rolled in league play?
"I bet we all have a story. The very first time I stood on the lanes after rolling 11-in-a-row. I am not kidding here, my knees were knocking together," he said, of the first time he had a chance to roll a 300 game. "I couldn't believe how nervous I was. I threw a good ball, but left a pocket 7 pin. I was not nervous throwing the 12th shot, including this week in the Audi league after that. I've learned to just go up there, and do my same routine, and think about throwing a strike. Not about being for a 300."
Ron moved to Southwest Florida in the late 70's. He did his junior bowling at Gold Crown Lanes in East Ft. Myers. Gold Crown Lanes, as well as All-Star Lanes and Miracle Lanes are no longer in operation in the area. Bonita Lanes in Bonita Springs, is another center that is no longer in existence. As well as Brookside Bowl and Goodlette Strikes And Spares in Naples.
"The most notable change, was when they went to Reactive Resin bowling balls. I was never the best, but I was the eighth highest average in SW Florida at my best, but that was with Urethane Balls. After the Reactive Resin numerous bowlers blew past me," he said, of his start in the game of bowling. "The game used to be more about accuracy. Now its about the power of the ball and getting it right and controlling the hook. In the old days, (LT-48) was about making the ball hook and I could do it as well as any in the area during those years.
"I don't know the exact years, but I'm pretty sure it was around the 90's for Gold Crown and Miracle Lanes, and All-Star burned down around 2016," he added, on the centers that are not around any more. "Each had such a feeling of family when you bowled at these three houses. Gold Crown, because it was my first. All-Star put together some great leagues for bowlers for many years. But, of these two, Miracle was all about lots of memories. I bowled along side so many SW Florida's now Hall of Famers. Again, great memories."
He can also remember what it was like when Galaxy Lanes, now Lightning Strikes was under construction. Back in the day, when the Carion family originally built it, it was known as a state-of-the-art bowling center. The former Galaxy Lanes chain also owned centers in: Bradenton, Sarasota, and Venice. Even though it has changed hands since it opened, Ron appreciates what the new owners have done to the center to keep it going.
"I was one of the pioneers of Galaxy, and was even allowed to throw the first few balls down a lane while the center was being built. Because they had to make sure everything worked as they completed each pair," he said, of the experience. "Even though I had some awesome years bowling in other houses, Galaxy (now Lightning Strikes), was always home. Back in my younger years, I was secretary of most leagues I bowled. While also running nassaus and eventually brackets by hand back in the day. I am very proud of what new owner Robert Eddy is doing to bring life back to Lightning Strikes. I love so much being a big part of this place. I think I know a lot of people,and vice versa. All the love we show as friends, is why we love bowling and in particular at this center. When you walk in...its always lots of hellos, handshakes, and hugs."
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the United States in January, Florida joined New York as two of the major hot spots in the nation. Florida was not immune to when it came to shutting down business either, because of the out break of infections. Florida Gov. Ron Decantis had no choice, but to close businesses down in his state, too. Bowling was one of the businesses that got shut down in mid-March.
"The middle of March everything got shut down in Florida...it was such a bummer. I know we all have our views, and I do not mind sharing mine. I think it was a mistake to destroy our economy, and killing many small businesses including my own. We should have focused on watching over the elderly and others at high risk. But, how we did it.... was so wrong to me," he said, of the pandemic in Florida. "I know, nobody knew what to do at the time, or how to do it, so we did what we did. It was June, when I remember being allowed to bowl again. The biggest thing I noticed since I came back, was that employees were all wearing face masks, and sneeze guards were installed around the bowling center."
He said as far as his season was going in 2019-20, he was having a Ron Louchart typical year. He average 205 for 78 games in the Rehman CPA's league at Lightning Strikes.
"My Friday night league was my outlet for the week, as I also looked forward to many weekend tournaments. So, shutting them down really was a blow for so many of us," he said, of bowling being shut down. "Most people still had to work their jobs, but were not allowed to do any of the fun activities to wind down. I was having a typical bowling year, and wishing we never had to stop."
I (the author of this story), was a pioneer at Lightning Strikes, too i.e. Galaxy Lanes. My family lived in Ft.Myers from 1976-1993. I bowled in the original Lew Gordon HVAC League on Tuesday nights during the 1988-89 season. During the 1989-90 season, my team, thetenpinexpress, won the second-half of the league that year. Teammates included: Angelo Cane, David Snell, Chuck Williams, and Bruce Vogel. I attended Edison Community College and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. My journalism career began with the Ft. Myers Beach Observer in 1979.
"When I moved here in the late 70's. We could sometimes go down Cleveland Ave., (New 41) at night, and not see other cars on the road.
Each year since, the growth was noticeable. More and more sub divisions spreading farther and farther in each direction," he said, of the growth in Ft.Myers since the 70's. "Honestly now, there is not a very big difference between traffic all year long. Lots of people call this place home all year, or most of the year. This area will continue to grow forever."
Ron attended and graduated from Riverdale High School in East Ft.Myers (Go Raiders!). He went on to earn a BA Degree in Secondary Mathmatics from USF in Tampa. He has been teaching since he earned his BA, and left the class room in 2005. Today, he still runs his own math tutoring center in Ft.Myers.
" In my thinner years, I enjoyed Golf and Tennis quite a lot, baseball as a kid and teenager, but bowling is my LOVE…it came natural, never had lessons. Never having lessons is why my technique is so unusual…funny story, our local Pro Ricky Ward once said this to me after I asked him if he would give me lessons," he said, of his athletic endeavors. "Paraphrasing, he said ‘Louchart, I will never give you lessons, because the goal is to hit the pocket and I would have to change everything you do…and you already hit the pocket on almost every ball’. So I knew then that my approach to striking was not normal…but it’s what I do."
Just like the game of bowling, there is something about teaching that has kept him in this field for all of these years.
"The most rewarding part of being a teacher, then and now, is watching a student learn a new topic and their light going on…it is the best feeling in the world teaching young minds mathematics," he said, of being a teacher. "I am so lucky to do what I love…from every level of kid, to me they are all special and help able. I have helped over 20 students get perfect scores of the math portion of the ACT/SAT’s. Yep, I had a perfect score on the math when I was in high school."
With all of the recreational activities that Southwest Florida has to offer year round, he feels bowling has been able to survive there. Because it is an escape from the heat, and an indoor sport that all of us can enjoy and get better at.
"Not to be a broken record, but I have been very lucky in life…great kids, grand kids, family, friends, career, bowling etc…have been with a few very wonderful women, but the one thing that I have failed at, and still hopeful to accomplish, is to find that forever woman that wants to be with me as much I want to be with her…and be my last love," he said. "Thinking that is not gonna happen…so having wonderful children and now 3 grandchildren makes it perfect. To reflect…To Love and Be Loved is the best thing in the world, our world needs more of that."
Ft.Myers is the spring training home of the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins, and the Tampa Bay Rays are in nearby Charlotte County.
In the 60's and 70's Ft.Myers was the spring training home of the Kansas City Royals, and Pittsburgh Pirates at Terry Park. Some baseball players have been known to be bowlers as well. The Pirates ended up moving to Bradenton, and the Royals to Haines City, before relocating to Arizona.
"I definitely know Mookie can bowl…but never saw him in person, nor did I ever hear that he bowled at Lightning Strikes," he said, of the former Red Sox, and now Dodger outfielder. "Betting he would have been really fun to chat with, seems like an extremely likable fella."
Just like you Ron. Just like you.
Florida Bowling News - September 2, 2020