FORT COLLINS, Colo.—For Bud Stiles, calm nerves are as important as a steady hand when it comes to achieving perfection.
Stiles bowled a perfect 300 score during a Seniors Bowling League competition Oct. 27 at Chipper’s Lanes.
His 300 game was a first for the league, as far as longtime participants know. It was the third perfect game for Stiles, who also has three 299 scores to his credit.
But it’s the first since he had both hips replaced: Stiles is 80 years old.
The third perfect game felt better than the first two, which happened within a year of each other when he was about 65 years old, Stiles said.
“As old as I was, I didn’t think I’d do another one,” he said. “I’ve kidded around and said, ‘If I ever do another one, I hope I do it in the senior league,’ and so I did. It was fun.”
A perfect game is 12 strikes in a row. Getting it done is a matter of staying relaxed and confident as the pressure mounts from frame to frame, he said.
When a bowler has a string of strikes going late into a game, other bowlers typically notice and stop to watch what happens, he said. But most of the senior bowlers just kept going about the business of league play.
“That really helped take off some of the pressure,” Stiles said.
Stiles will be recognized for his accomplishment with a ring and leather letter jacket from the United States Bowling Congress. He’ll also receive $300 from Chipper’s for rolling the first perfect game of the year.
Stiles is one of the better bowlers in the 100-member league, said Rich Larson, league president. But he also provides “great service” through a pro shop he runs out of his garage.
“He’s just an all-around good guy,” he said.
With the exception of four years in the Air Force, Stiles has lived in Fort Collins since 1949. He came to town to attend Colorado A&M, which is now CSU.
He worked as a teacher and counselor at Lesher and Lincoln junior high schools for many years before retiring in 1987.
His love of teaching continues through coaching junior bowlers and giving private lessons.
He attributes his good health to keeping active through bowling as well as hunting and fishing.
Hitting the pocket just right and getting the best results is more about technique than strength, he said.
On Nov. 10 during the first of three games, Stiles threw strikes on the first two frames. On the third frame, his ball hit the pocket just as it did the two previous rolls, but this time, the 8 pin remained standing.
Stiles laughed as he walked back to retrieve his ball. He picked up the spare with the next roll.
“Sometimes you just have to be lucky,” he said.
