LOGAN — Steve Castle has joined a long list of outstanding bowlers from Logan and Scenic Lanes — including his dad — in the Southeast Ohio United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Hall of Fame.
Logan High School’s bowling coach since the program’s inception in 2008 recently received a plaque commemorating his induction at the USBC’s Hall of Fame dinner at the Knights of Columbus Council 1016 in Lancaster.
His father, Ron, the longtime proprietor of Scenic Lanes — Ron and his wife Cindy have owned Scenic Lanes since 1994 — was inducted into the SEO HOF two years ago.
According to the association’s website, “the purpose of the Southeastern Ohio USBC Hall of Fame shall be to perpetuate the names of those who have displayed outstanding ability in the game of American Tenpins and/or have contributed outstanding service to the general welfare and progress of the game in our association.”
There are three categories in which a person can be enshrined:
• Superior performance — For those who have participated in sanctioned/certified bowling in the LBA/LWBA/SEOHUSBC for 10 years or more, with outstanding accomplishments in any USBC sanctioned/certified leagues and/or tournament
• Pioneer — For those age 60 or over who have contributed outstanding service and/or have sanctioned/certified bowling accomplishments worthy of superior performance in the LBA/LWBA/SEOHUSBC prior to 30 years ago
• Meritorious service — For those contributing outstanding services to the general welfare and progress of the game of bowling in the LBA/LWBA/SEOHUSBC for a period of 10 years).
Both Steve and his father are in the HOF for superior performance and Ron is also in the shrine as a Pioneer.
“It’s nice to see your name listed with the very good bowlers that you watched growing up,” Castle said. “You hope to be as good as them someday.
“And to be on the list with your hero — my dad — makes it even sweeter,” he added. “I am proof that you don’t have to be the most athletic person, but be the hardest-working one, to be good at what you want to do.”
Castle has rolled 30 career 300 games in four different centers, including two in state tournaments, as well as four 800 series, with an all-time best of 814.
In 1991 he was the leading money winner in the Park Lanes match play series. He was a member of the PBA from 1991 to 1995 and was the top qualifier in one PBA event, with a pair of top-16 finishes. His all-time best finish is seventh place.
A Silver level USBC coach, Castle plans to rejoin the PBA next year and bowl in a national senior tournament as well as in the PBA Senior Masters.
As mentioned, the list of Logan/Scenic Lanes bowlers who have reached the SEO HOF since the organization’s inception in 1980 is both quite lengthy and quite impressive.
It includes Noel Burcham, Porky Columber, Pauleta Fuller, Anita Holmes, Erica Kellenbarger (Castle’s assistant coach for the LHS bowling team, who was inducted in 2016), Joy Kellenbarger, Ken Kellenbarger, Don Lightfoot, Karen Morris, Rudy Myers, Chuck Rankin, Doug Sigler, Bea Stallsmith, Bob Stewart, Tom Taylor, Darlene Travis, Mike Travis Sr. and Joann Wilson, all of whom have been inducted in at least one of the three categories.