Editors Note: As she entered her 66th season of sanctioned bowling this past year. Lee Fitzgerald of Maricopa, AZ. Has accomplished more in the game, than most of us have. Its her passion for the sport, and the rest of her families participation in the game. That keeps her going. Her son, Michael Fitzgerald, is making sure the families legacy in bowling continues to roll on.
Pictured L To R. Ron Swalley, Lee Fitzgerald, And Randy Walker.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg
Managing Editor - thetenpinexpress.com
Director Mesa Metro Association
Mesa - - - For Lee Fitzgerald of Maricopa, AZ. She didn't know it back then, that in the mid 50s, the game of bowling would forever be a part of her lifetimes leisure activities.
It was not a question of if she would become involved in the game of bowling. But, more like when she would become involved in the game of bowling.
The answer started to come into focus for her in 1957.
"Canoga Park Bowl opened up a block from my home in 1957. It was an after-school league, where I met lots of friends," she said, of her beginning in the game. "This is my 66th season of sanctioned bowling."
Her first major accomplishment in the game of bowling, came in 1962. When she won a California double's bowling event in Northern California. So, it comes as no surprise that the 50s and 60s are her favorite eras of bowling. It was back in this time period where you had to earn everything that you accomplished in the game. Lanes back in the day, were conditioned with. A spray can, lane applicator, and buffing pad. There were no automatic lane machines of today, were a computer chip sets the lane pattern to bowl on.
"I'm definitely old school when it comes to bowling. One ball, and you moved depending on the lanes," she said, of the 50s and 60s. "This two-handed, 20 balls, extra/no extra holes are crazy. As a kid, I knew nothing about oil patterns."
Here best performance to date was a 701 series. It was rolled in a Trios League at San Hi Lanes in San Bernardino. She had rolled several 699's, until she finally broke 700.
"Back then, USBC (ABC), handed out 700 patches. All of the guys gave me theirs, trying to give me the vibe," she said, of her first 700 series. "Then I finally shot mine, and they took the patches back. I Was told others would come easy… nope, not one since. At a State tournament I shot 4 203 games in a row. This was at a State Tournament in Orange County in 2005. The PA announcer said I was in a rut… I would love to be in that rut again."
During her 66 years in sanctioned bowling, she has attended 28 National tournaments (women’s), and 39 California State Women's Championships. In 1968, she bowled in her first women’s nationals, in San Diego. Her mom and her friends drove to San Diego to watch her bowl. Mom was proud, that her daughter was bowling in a national event.
"I was first to practice…," she said, of her first event. "I stuck on the approach, and ended up on both knees."
According to Bowl. Com, and since the 1999-2000 season. Her highest book average was a 188 for 78 games in the Sam's Town or Bust League. The League bowled out of San Hi Lanes in San Bernardino, CA. Since 1999-2000, her profile on Bowl. Com, has also showed that she has consistently averaged in the 170s.
"I would love to be back in the 170’s, since I only take the slide step now. No umph behind the ball," she said. "Earl Anthony, was my favorite bowler. He was so smooth, relaxed, and easy going."
She was a hairdresser by trade, and then later on worked for the County of San Bernardino. Her husband John, traveled as a medical repair technician. They have lived in Arizona since October 2018. She has noticed a couple of differences between California and Arizona.
"Rules seem to be interpreted different," she said, of the difference between league bowlers in California and Arizona. "Most leagues here take two balls each for practice. I always threw one each time and, you warm up quicker. Otherwise, you stand around and w minutes to throw again."
She was inucted into the Citrus Belt USBC HOF in 2007. John was inducted in 2004. They were the first married couple to be inducted into the Citrus Belt USBC. John was for Performance, and Lee for Meritorious Service. In 2004 and again in 2017, Lee was named a California Youth Coach of the Year.
If the name Fitzgerald sounds familiar to the bowling community in Arizona. It should. Yes, her son, is Michael Fitzgerald.
"Michael came to AZ to bowl with ASU in 2001 and stayed. He was winning various tournaments and telling us about it, since we were in CA," mom said, of when her son came to Arizona. "John (his father), even came out one weekend to bowl a tournament with him. He joined the PBA in 2019, and has placed in the top 10. He has cashed most of the time. He is still looking for his first title."
Lee knew early on, that her son was destined for good things to come in the game of bowling. Michael made his debut in the game, during the 1988 season, and at only three years old at San Hi Lanes. During the 2001-02 season. He would post a 227 average for 96 games. In the Junior Scholarship Classic League. This league bowled out of AMF Thunderbird Lanes in Phoenix. The 227 average was also his first book average in Arizona, when he was a red shirt freshman at ASU.
"I fully support my boys in whatever they do," she said, of her son being involved in the game as well. "Michael is fulfilling som ething that I once thought I would do. Back then, a women had to hold a 185 average for two years. Its nothing like it is now. I made the 185 average, but didn't keep it there. Work got in the way. As for my latest accomplishment. I never even thought my scores were that high, for my division. I was first place in the Phoenix Open in April 2022."
Even though Fitz has not won a PBA event yet, he has rolled: 18 300 games and nine 800 series. His latest 300 game came this past October 27, 2022. In the Tri-City Men's League at Bowlero Kyrene. His most recent 800 series came during an Arizona State tournament last year.
"I ran a youth program, and both of my boys started bowling at a young age," she said, of when her sons got into the game. "Michael was more into it, than his brother William. But they knew I left for the bowling center at 8 am on Saturday mornings, with or without them. I kept Michael involved in bowling, due to running the youth program for 33 years. As he became a little older, I had Michael help with some of the kids. I ran scratch tournaments and took them everywhere to bowl."
Michael won an inagural Junior Scratch Tour event that jump started his career. The JST was similar to todays Junior Bowlers Tour.
"Even though I am a certified coach, I don't say anything to Michael unless he asked," she said, on when and if she gives him advice. "I have always tried to encourage both boys, as long as you try and do what you can. Its not always easy, but keep the focus on you and not your opponents."
Bowling is definitely a family affair in the Fitzgerald household. Together with her husband John, they are proprietors of Senior Funtime.
"Senior Funtime is a four day No-Tap tournament which we bought last year," she said, of the event. "We bowled it for many years. We had so much fun bowling it, that we didn't want to see it fold. So, its ours. Its held in Vegas at the Orleans every January and July."
The format of the tournament is as follows. On Sunday there are two squads for Blind Draw, where the computer picks your partner. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, it has three squads of doubles. All three squads are combined into one. They are divided into three divisions based on team averages. Each day is a seperate tournament. Tuesday night is an optional singles event. Brackets, and side pots are also available.
If this is something that you would be interested in bowling in. Please contact Lee at: www.seniorfuntime.org.
Arizona Bowling News
December 10, 2022
Updated December 11, 2022