BRISTOL, Va. – Dale Eagle found his niche at age 17.
During the past 46 years, the Tavares, Fla., resident has chased his passion across the country. In addition to refining his technique, Eagles has won money and made friends through the sport of bowling.
This weekend, Eagle hopes to keep the good times rolling in Bristol.
Eagle will compete in the Professional Bowlers Association Senior Southern Regional Bristol Open at Interstate Bowl. The three-day event, featuring competitors age 50 and older, begins Friday with a Pro-Am tournament.
“There will be lot good bowlers here from all over the United States, and we might even have a couple from New York,” Eagle said.
Eagle certainly qualifies as a good bowler.
The right-hander won three titles on the regular PBA tournament and ranks among the top-five leaders in Senior Tour victories with 11. That resume includes five major titles, including the World Championship and the 2003 ABC Senior Masters.
“I’ve had a good time and met a lot of fun people, but my days are kind of numbered now,” Eagle said. “There a lot of talented younger guys coming up and I’m slowing down. It happens.”
According to Interstate Bowl pro shop manager Rick White, 60-70 bowlers are expected to compete in the Bristol Open. There will also a Super Senior division for competitors over 60.
“It’s been about six years since we hosted a [PBA regional] tournament,” White said. “There are a lot of good bowlers in this area, so we’re expecting a big event.”
Interstate is owned by former professional bowler Jerry Jessee of Washington County, Va. The list of other top bowlers from the Mountain Empire includes Warpath Lanes owner Dennis Lane and multi-time PBA national event winner Steve Martin of Kingsport, Larry Graybeal of Elizabethton, Tenn., and Chilhowie’s Jackie Miller.
Amateur bowlers will be assigned with the pros in Friday’s Pro-Am format. The 60-year-old White, a Glade Spring native who has been bowling since 1971, will be among the amateurs.
Qualifying for the professional event starts Saturday morning at 10. The field will be pared to the final 16 for match play, which begins on Sunday morning at 9. The championship match will be played around noon.
Eagle, who arrived in Bristol last Friday, is a familiar face to bowlers of all ages. He was a regular competitor on the popular PBA events which ran on the ABC television network from 1961-1997 with iconic announcers such as Chris Schenkel.
The ABC telecasts, then billed as the Professional Bowlers Tour, often earned ratings higher than college football or basketball.
“I actually bowled on the very last ABC show,” said Eagle, who befriended legendary bowlers such as Earl Anthony, Pete Weber and Nelson Burton, Jr. during his career.
Around 28 years ago while attending an event in Las Vegas, Eagle came up with the idea of shooting photos of amateur bowlers as they associated with the pros during Pro-Am events. The self-taught photographer has been dividing his time between bowling and photography ever since.
“I have a good time,” Eagle said. “People in this [Bristol] area love bowling. This tournament will be a nice opportunity for people to come out and maybe learn about the sport.”
Eagle said he finished among the top four in the last Senior PBA event held at Interstate Bowl.
The lanes and width of bowling alleys are basically the same across the country. For regional and national events, the PBA adds to the challenge through the use of varying oil patterns on the lanes.
PBA great Johnny Petraglia, 2008 Senior Bowler of the Year Tom Baker and multi event winner Sam Zurich are among the top Senior bowlers.
agregory@bristolnews.com|(276) 645-2544
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