Bowling for LLS

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society presents PBA World Champion Parker Bohn III on May 8. Registration starts at 5 p.m. at Val Lanes. Bowling with Bohn starts after 6. Photo courtesy of the United State Bowling Congress

Who in the world can knock out a six-pack and a turkey in one evening and still be considered one of the greatest athletes in their sport? Bowlers can, especially with a little guidance from one of professional bowling’s most talented rock-rollers.

“When it’s all said and done, I am all about putting smiles on peoples’ faces,” said Parker Bohn III, pro-bowling Hall of Famer who currently ranks sixth on the PBA Tour. Bohn picked up his first PBA50 (formerly Senior Tour) National Title with six consecutive strikes to defeat fellow Hall-of-Famer, Pete Weber.

Bohn will be in Des Moines on May 8 to share his skills with fans and also for a good cause — to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) during its Man & Woman of the Year annual fundraising campaign.

“Winning the PBA50 event is really good — great, for me — but for the outside fan, all they get is the opportunity to watch me,” said Bohn. “Now, with an event like this, where everyone can be together and enjoy bowling while raising money for a wonderful society, now it’s a win-win for everybody.”

The idea was actually conceived last year by 2013’s LLS Woman of the Year winner, Angie Sly, who is friends with Bohn’s wife. The event returns this year, and one of the contenders for the Man of the Year title, Jason Vesely, says he’s looking forward to participating.

“There’s no better way to promote a bowling event than having a PBA World Champion interacting with the crowd, and the average bowler being able to bowl in such close proximity to the best,” Vesely said.

The Man and Woman of the Year campaign is a fundraiser, and every dollar raised by a nominee equals one vote. For Vesely, it’s an opportunity to pay it forward.

“My daughter was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2009 when she was 3 years old,” he said. “Today she is three months away from being a three-year cancer survivor thanks to groups like the LLS and the families that came before us.”

Bohn hopes he can help by drawing a few more people to back the cause. He’s the sociable type who says he is happy to chat with fans and offer his bowling tips and tricks.

“Typically, any of the trick shots I end up doing, you’re not going to see done or performed by your average league bowler,” Bohn said. “The reason behind it is to show a totally different side of our sport and things we can do. I don’t guarantee I’ll make them, but I’m going to tell you right now, you’re going to be enlightened.” CV               

David Rowley is an Iowa native with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa and a master’s in film journalism from the University of Glasgow in Scotland.