Bob Kelly’s record
- Greater Dayton USBC Hall of Fame Member
- PBA Senior Tour
- PBA Senior Rookie of the Year (2006)
- Second Place USBC Senior Masters (2006)
- Regional titles – 3
- Regional top three finishes – 12
- Ohio State Bowling Association – 3 titles
- Greater Dayton USBC – 16 titles
- Miami County Association – 2 titles
Scores and series
- 300 games – 45 (7 PBA, 3 sport condition)
- 800 series – 22 (823 high)
- High average – 230
Bowling was on the back burner for Bob Kelly for decades.
He was a husband, a parent, a personal coach and then there was his day job at General Motors. That was then. Now the 58-year-old will be honored for his accomplishments on the lanes as he will be inducted into the Ohio Bowling Council Hall of Fame for superior performance.
“He did the Mr. Mom thing, and he coached me for years,” Bob’s wife, Linda Kelly, said. “I wouldn’t be the bowler I am today without him, so this is long overdue.
“He lives and breathes bowling.”
Kelly is not the only local honoree, as Jeri Flemming also will join the ranks of fellow Dayton bowlers Linda Kelly (1990) and Mandy Wilson (2003) in the state hall of fame performance category.
Hall of fame members are selected based on accomplishments in United States Bowling Congress or Bowling Proprietors Association of Ohio leagues and tournaments.
Kelly has had success at the local, state and professional levels. The 2006 PBA Senior Rookie of the Year has collected more than 20 career championship titles in local or state tournaments.
Knee replacement surgery last year barely slowed him down. Kelly was on the lanes four weeks later and posted a 300 game and 800 series just six weeks after surgery.
Kelly rolled eight perfect games last season and won a PBA regional event. He also bowled his way into the PBA record book as he scored three perfect games during the PBA Senior Miller High Life Classic, tying PBA 2009 Senior Player of the Year Ron Mohr for most 300s posted in a single tournament. His four 300s rolled during the senior season also tied a senior PBA record, one he now shares with John Hricsina (1991) and Gene Stus (1994).
The veteran bowler was confident in his credentials but careful not to be overconfident.
“There are so many great bowlers in the state of Ohio and that’s why this means so much,” Kelly said. “I thought, sooner or later, I’d get in (hall of fame) but sooner is definitely better.”
Tourney at Pla-Mor
Pla-Mor Lanes will host the 700 Club Singles Tournament on Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.
Entry fee is $25, plus $5 dues. Walk-ins will be accepted based on lane availability.
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