I'm the son of Illinois and Chicagoland United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame bowler Bill Hargadon. My father bowled with and against the greatest bowlers during the 1930's, 40's and 50's.
He was an All-America, ABC World Champion, Match-Game Champion and Chicago Classic League Champion, to name a few of his accomplishments.
I grew up surrounded by bowling and hearing stories about the great bowlers from the past: Joe Norris, Joe Sinke, Joe Joseph (that's a lot of Joe's) Paul Krumpske, Buddy Bomar, Joe Wilman, Nelson Burton and Ned Day.
As a young apprentice, I bowled all the time, eventually working my way into competitive leagues and tournaments. But in my early twenties something happened: I burnt out and quit the game.
It wasn't until last year that my brother, Joe, another bowler, told me he wanted to bowl the Petersen Classic as a tribute to our father - a tournament he managed in the 60's and 70's with great success.
Without pausing or thinking for that matter, I asked if I could bowl. Joe said yes, and quickly I started getting myself back into bowling shape after a 20 year break.
Since that experience, I have had a chance to get reacquainted with a sport that was part of my weekly existence as a kid. Needless to say things have changed and what I see today is inspiring as well as disturbing sometimes.
One thing I miss is scratch leagues and tournaments. There are fewer of them in the area. I also miss the classic feel about bowling. Perhaps I'm filled with nostalgia, thinking about my father who has been gone for almost twenty years and regaled me with stories of champions and fierce competitors.
In any case, what I would like to see is more "classic" competitions, which is why I approached Norm Grocke at Bowlway Lanes about hosting home vs. home challenge matches between Bowlway Lanes and Elgin Lanes. He said yes, remembering a similar event he participated in during the 70's in Chicago. Then Norm reached out to Lex Perly, who runs Elgin Lanes and he also agreed to the challenge matches.
I believe the timing is right for this event. Bowlway and Elgin Lanes are older centers. Bowlway opened in 1942. My father bowled there in a tournament that same year. Both centers still have wood lanes. They're classic.
So, what we intend to do is bring a classic style home vs. home match-game challenge to Elgin and the greater Chicago area. We're making an old idea new and hope it will attract established bowlers and create new ones for the future. And maybe, just maybe,the bowling greats of old will be looking down on us and smiling.
Sean Hargadon
March 2013
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| Sean Hargadon |
I grew up surrounded by bowling and hearing stories about the great bowlers from the past: Joe Norris, Joe Sinke, Joe Joseph (that's a lot of Joe's) Paul Krumpske, Buddy Bomar, Joe Wilman, Nelson Burton and Ned Day.
As a young apprentice, I bowled all the time, eventually working my way into competitive leagues and tournaments. But in my early twenties something happened: I burnt out and quit the game.
It wasn't until last year that my brother, Joe, another bowler, told me he wanted to bowl the Petersen Classic as a tribute to our father - a tournament he managed in the 60's and 70's with great success.
Without pausing or thinking for that matter, I asked if I could bowl. Joe said yes, and quickly I started getting myself back into bowling shape after a 20 year break.
Since that experience, I have had a chance to get reacquainted with a sport that was part of my weekly existence as a kid. Needless to say things have changed and what I see today is inspiring as well as disturbing sometimes.
One thing I miss is scratch leagues and tournaments. There are fewer of them in the area. I also miss the classic feel about bowling. Perhaps I'm filled with nostalgia, thinking about my father who has been gone for almost twenty years and regaled me with stories of champions and fierce competitors.
In any case, what I would like to see is more "classic" competitions, which is why I approached Norm Grocke at Bowlway Lanes about hosting home vs. home challenge matches between Bowlway Lanes and Elgin Lanes. He said yes, remembering a similar event he participated in during the 70's in Chicago. Then Norm reached out to Lex Perly, who runs Elgin Lanes and he also agreed to the challenge matches.
I believe the timing is right for this event. Bowlway and Elgin Lanes are older centers. Bowlway opened in 1942. My father bowled there in a tournament that same year. Both centers still have wood lanes. They're classic.
So, what we intend to do is bring a classic style home vs. home match-game challenge to Elgin and the greater Chicago area. We're making an old idea new and hope it will attract established bowlers and create new ones for the future. And maybe, just maybe,the bowling greats of old will be looking down on us and smiling.
Sean Hargadon
March 2013
