Bama Lanes Marks 65 Years of Strikes, Spares and Community Spirit
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) — The sound of rolling balls and crashing pins filled Bama Lanes on Saturday as Montgomery’s oldest bowling alley celebrated its 65th anniversary.
Dozens of people came out to join the celebration, taking part in tournaments and enjoying snacks and prizes. The event gave families and friends a chance to compete for bragging rights and share in the fun of the game.
Owner Steve Lander said bowling continues to bring people together in a unique way.
“Getting out there with friends, having fun — it’s more fun than watching a movie,” Lander said. “Everybody has a different style, and the bowlers who haven’t been bowling long are the most fun to watch because they’ve got their own way of doing it.”
Tournament promoter Jennifer Hill said bowling has been a family tradition for generations.
“The reason I bowl is because all my family bowls,” Hill said. “I have a league up here on Monday nights, and half of it is my family — cousins, my mom and dad, my aunt, even my great-aunt who’s 90 years old. I love bowling and I love sharing it with the community.”
Penny Ragland, a youth director from Prattville, said she hopes to inspire young bowlers the same way her mother once inspired her.
“My mom was a youth director when I was a kid, showing me what to do and how to do it,” Ragland said. “Now I run youth programs around here, and we’re just trying to help the next generation.”
Bama Lanes, located on Atlanta Highway, continues to offer a variety of bowling activities throughout the week and on weekends.
