'Now it's about the people I bowl with'

“Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

—Baseball great Satchel Paige.

SANDPOINT — They say age is just a number.

Then here are a couple of other numbers to consider: Faye Domino is 93 years old, yet somehow carries a 131 bowling average. That’s 131 scratch, as in actual score.

Here are a few more impressive numbers: Gladys Chapman is 88 years old, has been bowling for six decades, has a high score of 258 and still manages a tidy 114 scratch average.

The pair of Sandpoint women are longtime fixtures at Tuesday Seniors, and celebrated a double birthday party recently at Huckleberry Lanes in Sandpoint. There were snacks and cake on hand, along with the usual suspects of 55 and over bowlers knocking down strikes and spares. The league is equal parts bowling and social circle, and two of its oldest members just happen to be two of its best bowlers.

“I wouldn’t want to bowl for dollars, they’re good,” says Gayle Williams, lauding the pair’s bowling chops. “I’m 69 and a I have a 111 average.”

Domino sat her birthday week out with an injury, but is hoping to return to the lanes soon, where she’s been known to post the top score certain weeks, a remarkable feat at her age.

Bowlers should take a lesson from her simple approach, which seems to produce solid scores. When asked what her average was, she honestly had no idea, deferring to league secretary Leona Crabb.  

“I really never know, I just throw the ball. I do it for the sport, not the challenge,” describes Domino, citing the many reasons she loves bowling. “The sport, exercise, getting together with the group socially; that’s important to me.”

Chapman also occasionally shows the young pups how it’s done, posting the top weekly score. She was one of the best female bowlers in Sandpoint for years, and hopes to continue bowling as long as her body allows.

Like most of the attendees, Chapman is drawn to Tuesday Seniors for what she called the fellowship.

“It used to be I loved to bowl,” admits Chapman. “Now it’s about the people I bowl with.”

Crabb can’t bowl anymore due to an injury, but she remains a weekly fixture at Tuesday Seniors and submits the scores to the paper every week. She says it’s inspiring to see her friends having success on the lanes this late in life.

“It’s amazing these ladies can continue on. I admire Faye for her age and what she’s gone through. She’s such a sweet little lady,” describes Crabb. “Gladys used to be one of the top bowlers, and on our Halloween, you never knew how she was going to dress up.”

Getting a front row seat for Tuesday Seniors each week is Huckleberry Lanes owner Rayman Kinman. He marvels at the quality of bowlers the league features.

“They’re awesome. They’re such good friends, a lot of camaraderie,” says Kinman. “They’re fairly seasoned, and they’re out there bowling. It’s a good support system for each other.”