Springfield tournament win leaves Havholm ‘shocked’
It was more than a win, it was validation when Roberta Havholm claimed singles and allevents titles at the Springfield Clark County United States Bowling Congress 76th Women’s Championship.
Havholm won the singles handicap event with an 816 series, 752 scratch, and claimed the handicap all-events title with 2,089, 1,897 scratch, at Victory Lanes.
“I had not bowled like that in years,” Havholm, 66, said. “What it meant to me is that all is not lost when it comes to bowling.”
The longtime bowler — who has more than 20 city titles to her credit — took a fall in May 2022, twisting her ankle and injuring her right shoulder. It took almost 10 months for her to start feeling significantly better.
“This year, I’ve finally started bowling better, I’m more comfortable,” she said. “My swing has been coming back and my ball speed has been increasing.”
From the low 170s, Havholm’s average has steadily climbed back into the 180s this season. But it’s not about high averages or honor scores for Havholm.
“The older I get, the more I’m going away from trying to be uber competitive — that ship has sailed,” she said with a smile. “I want to enjoy my friends and spend time with the people I care about.”
That’s another reason the city tournament was meaningful for Havholm, who hasn’t been able to fit the event into her schedule for several years because of her time commitment as tournament director of the Ohio State USBC Women’s Championship Tournament. Timing was everything this year.
“The tournament was earlier this year because Victory Lanes is hosting the state open team event, so I was able to bowl this time,”
Havholm said. “I got to bowl with people I’ve been friends with for years, it was so great to see them.” Winning was a bonus. “I was actually shocked because it’s taken me so long to come back from this latest injury,” Havholm said. “It was real validation.”
The champion is now switching hats from competitor to director as the Women’s Championships get underway March 16 at Bowlero Lanes Fostoria and the Toledo Sports Center.