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Jul. 31—Bowling has been a lifelong lifeline for Roberta Havholm.
From varsity high school competition in upstate New York, through parenting and, most recently, a battle with breast cancer, bowling has been a constant for Havholm.
"The hormone therapy affected my balance and my stamina, but I never stopped bowling," she said of her post-surgery cancer treatment. "Bowling pushed those worries away for a little while and my friends were always there — it was a lifeline."
After more than three decades on the lanes in the Miami Valley, the 69-year-old is being inducted into the Greater Dayton United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in the Veteran category. Havholm is already a member of the Springfield Clark County USBC Hall of Fame (2015) and the Miami Valley USBC Hall of Fame (2022). She and the rest of the hall of fame inductees will be recognized at the annual banquet on August 7.
"I remember sitting at the banquet years and years ago and never having a thought that I would be up there delivering a hall of fame acceptance speech," Havholm said. "I'm really humbled and really grateful."
Havholm won her first Ohio state title in 2002 as part of the actual championship team, adding another state title in 2019. She also tallied a trio of GDUSBC city titles and notched a second-place finish in the Dayton Queens event in 2002. Havholm has earned close to 20 Springfield Clark County championship titles, starting in 2001 and, most recently, in 2023.
While the veteran hall of famer has also rolled six perfect games and three 800 series, her focus has shifted in recent years. She served as the tournament director for the state Queen's Tournament from 2021-24 and is currently the tournament director for the Ohio State USBC Women's Championship Tournament.
"I want to bring the things that I enjoy about the sport to a new generation of bowlers," Havholm said. "It's time for me to put in the time on that side of the game."
From data entry and answering questions to problem solving on the fly, the work isn't easy, but it is rewarding.
"I want them to bowl, and I want them to have a good time," she said.
Havholm is still having a good time on the lanes as well, bowling in as many as four leagues a week.
"You'd think at 69 that I might be slowing down but that's not happening," she said with a smile.
And while her average is more than a few pins shy of her 218 career high, her friendships are stronger than ever.
"My friends could bowl with someone better, but they have not left me behind," she said. "Bowling has given me a lot of friendships and a lot of opportunities I never would have had and, for that, I'm very grateful."
Continue reading...
From varsity high school competition in upstate New York, through parenting and, most recently, a battle with breast cancer, bowling has been a constant for Havholm.
"The hormone therapy affected my balance and my stamina, but I never stopped bowling," she said of her post-surgery cancer treatment. "Bowling pushed those worries away for a little while and my friends were always there — it was a lifeline."
After more than three decades on the lanes in the Miami Valley, the 69-year-old is being inducted into the Greater Dayton United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in the Veteran category. Havholm is already a member of the Springfield Clark County USBC Hall of Fame (2015) and the Miami Valley USBC Hall of Fame (2022). She and the rest of the hall of fame inductees will be recognized at the annual banquet on August 7.
"I remember sitting at the banquet years and years ago and never having a thought that I would be up there delivering a hall of fame acceptance speech," Havholm said. "I'm really humbled and really grateful."
Havholm won her first Ohio state title in 2002 as part of the actual championship team, adding another state title in 2019. She also tallied a trio of GDUSBC city titles and notched a second-place finish in the Dayton Queens event in 2002. Havholm has earned close to 20 Springfield Clark County championship titles, starting in 2001 and, most recently, in 2023.
While the veteran hall of famer has also rolled six perfect games and three 800 series, her focus has shifted in recent years. She served as the tournament director for the state Queen's Tournament from 2021-24 and is currently the tournament director for the Ohio State USBC Women's Championship Tournament.
"I want to bring the things that I enjoy about the sport to a new generation of bowlers," Havholm said. "It's time for me to put in the time on that side of the game."
From data entry and answering questions to problem solving on the fly, the work isn't easy, but it is rewarding.
"I want them to bowl, and I want them to have a good time," she said.
Havholm is still having a good time on the lanes as well, bowling in as many as four leagues a week.
"You'd think at 69 that I might be slowing down but that's not happening," she said with a smile.
And while her average is more than a few pins shy of her 218 career high, her friendships are stronger than ever.
"My friends could bowl with someone better, but they have not left me behind," she said. "Bowling has given me a lot of friendships and a lot of opportunities I never would have had and, for that, I'm very grateful."
Continue reading...
