Today's Article

Bowler Rolling Strong At 100 Years Old

100세에도 힘차게 볼링을 치는 노인 

Harry Berckes, of Cedar Rapids, celebrated his one hundredth birthday recently with strike after strike, after strike.

“If you hear me talking to my ball, if it doesn’t do good I try to 1encourage the ball to do better.”

Harry has been bowling for 90 years. He started when he was just 10 years old.

“There is a warmth with bowling that you don’t find in any other sports. I like to do here. This is my 2home away from home 3basically.”

Berckes 4isn’t kidding he says May City Bowl is his home away from home. He bowls in a summer league and then it really gets busy.

“We get into the fall and winter months then it’s Monday, Wednesday, and Friday... and I’m here every day.”

The day I shot Harry he 5was on fire with 3 strikes in a row and 4 in the game on his way to a 154.

“But I’ve never been what you would call a high-scoring bowler. I do it for the exercise, for the people. It’s become a part of me.”

And Harry is true 6inspiration to all his bowling partners in the senior league.

“I told him if I lived to be that long… I mean the shape he is at would be great.”

“As if he can do it at 100 I should be able to do it my age.”

So how do you live to 100, Harry? 

“I’ve never 7drank alcohol. I’ve never smoked. I tried them all, yes, but I mean I, I… one time was enough on all of it.”