Tenpin Bowler Marks Birthday With Perfect Win

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday May 10, 2005

By MIKE GANDON

BLACKBUTT tenpin bowler Stephen Cowland celebrated his 18th birthday in style with a flawless 300 game at the BMW NSW Country Open in Orange recently.

Cowland (pictured right), whose home centre is Illawarra StrikeZone at Albion Park Rail, bowled his perfect game in front of a packed house that included interstate bowlers and officials who were in Orange for the BMW World Bowler of the Year presentation function for Jason Belmonte.

Not only did Cowland have the thrill of scoring a perfect game in front of a capacity crowd, he also will receive a magnificent prize entitling him to a five-star weekend driving in a BMW 735li series vehicle and two nights' accommodation at the Sheraton on the Park Hotel in Sydney, plus $1000 cash spending money compliments of Orange Bowl proprietors, Marisa and Aldo Belmonte.

A 299-game two day before his 18th birthday had set the stage for another memorable weekend in Orange where Cowland has enjoyed previous success by winning the Junior Country Cup there last November.

But the perfect game and luxurious prize seemed remote when Cowland shot a 179 in the first game of the tournament.

However, he recovered strongly and in the final game of the day's play rolled the magic 12 strikes.

"Well it was pretty exciting. I was pumped up about it, especially as two days earlier when I chucked a 299 with a pin in the last frame so it was good to get all of them down, especially in a tournament and away from my home centre," Cowland said at Illawarra StrikeZone yesterday.

"So I was pretty happy with that and to do it at the end of an adult tournament for such a good prize, I was very excited."

Tenpin bowling commitments has meant Cowland has not been able to enjoy his luxurious prizes but he plans to do so when he has a free weekend either later this month or in June.

In August, Cowland will be travelling to the United States after being awarded a sport scholarship to the Baptist University in Missouri.

© 2005 Illawarra Mercury

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