Van Buskirk hits bowling milestone
Joyce Van Buskirk, 85, of Lincoln, has stories to tell from the past 50 years in competing at the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championship Tournament. She was honored recently when the tournament was held in Addison, Illinois.
Over the years the tournaments have been held in various cities across the United States. She vividly remembers going to her first tournament in 1967 when the tournament was held in Rochester, New York.
“We went across the border to Canada and while out we met a gentleman who asked us if we would like to go under the falls. I was bowling with my friend Sue who jumped at the chance. He worked as the keeper of the falls and to hear the water roar was quite a memory. When we got back, I asked my friend if she was scared and she showed me the inside of her coat and responded ‘I had a knife, I’m not worried.’ The memory brings a smile everytime I think of the adventure,” said Van Buskirk.
Her love of bowling started when she was a junior in high school when her gym teacher took her class to bowl in Mason City.
“I really liked it and wanted to do more so I talked to my mom to see if I could,” said Van Buskirk.
At that time Mrs. Summers ran the six lane bowling alley in Mason City and Van Buskirk’s mom made an arrangement so her daughter could bowl.
“Mrs. Summers said she would pay for my bowling if we would clean for her. It worked. I remember going with my mom and helping her clean,” said Van Buskirk.
The tournament has taken her places all over the United States allowing her to experience food and attractions that have enriched her life.
“When the tournament was in Atlanta, Geogia we ate at Pittypat’s Porch and they served the meal in an iron skillet that you got to keep. I also toured Cyclorama and the Civil War museum and was impressed,” she said.
The only time participating in the tournament was when she had a triple by-pass in 2023.
"The tournament was six weeks after my procedure and my doctor said it was o.k.," she continued.
Van Buskirk was honored in 2017 as the recipient of the Meritorius Service Award by the Illinois State United States Bowling Congress Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame.
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She belongs to the Lincoln WBA and Springfield WBA and can remember her first WIBC card costing only 50 cents and now its $25.
She has also served as the photographer at the State tournament for 22 years taking pictures of many activities included at the tournament.
Bonnie Young, who has bowled with Van Buskirk said she has enjoyed the time spent with her on the lanes.
"Joyce loves the game and is a fierce competitor but can be a gracious loser too. She has fun with all and loves to heckle her fellow team mates," wrote Young in a message.
Shawn Taylor, once associated with Logan Lanes, said he admires Van Buskirk's passion for the sport.
"I have known Joyce for 20 years and have always known her to bowl one or two leagues a week. She bowled in many different centers with many different bowlers. I love her true passion for the sport," wrote Taylor in a message.
"As many people get older they tend to lose the passion because their average tends to drops with age. From my eyes, she never got that way, she loves the sport and always has and will," he continued.
"She seems to truly love the competition and her team mates. I mean 50 years that’s a incredible feat I have never seen anyone else achieve. The USBC should truly be proud to call her a member."
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Van Buskirk, who rolled sets of 446 in singles, 442 in doubles and 365 in team for a 1,253 all-events total at this years tournament, says she plans to continue bowling until she can't.
"Right now, I'm not in a wheel chair. I clean and do my own yard. It's about the friendships I've made over the years. I feel lucky."
This article originally appeared on Lincoln Courier: Lincoln woman makes a strike with 50 years at Women's Tournament
