Carman’s perfect score
Horsham tenpin bowler Stephen Carman has achieved his eighth perfect score at Horsham Lanes and Games, earning the title of most 300-point scores at the centre.
Carman said he had been bowling at Horsham Lanes and Games since it opened in 2004.
“I started bowling as a junior and have been bowling for 18 years since,” he said.
“I got my first perfect score in 2012 and although it seems like a long time ago, I remember that day very well.”
Over time there have been 16 perfect scores achieved at the Horsham centre. A perfect score is reached with 12 strikes in a row, totaling 300 points.
Horsham Lanes and Games owner Wayne Watkins said it was a big deal to reach a perfect score. “It doesn’t happen very often,” he said.
“Stephen has been here bowling since being a junior.
“He deserves what he has achieved as he comes down and puts in the work and plays in a lot of competitions to continue to better himself.”
Carman said he played at Lanes and Games twice a week and regularly travelled to Melbourne to compete in tournaments.
“It’s a good way to clear the mind. It’s good fun and I have made some pretty awesome friendships across Australia through playing,” he said.
“It would be really cool to get some more juniors playing as well at Horsham.”
Carman has competed in various high-level tournaments across Australia.
“Last year I finished 18th in the Australian Open and in 2019 I represented Victoria in Sydney for a week of competition,” he said.
“This year I am heading to the Melbourne Tenpin Cup during the June long weekend to compete.”
Carman said there were major events coming up in Australia this year.
“The tenpin bowling World Cup will be in south east Queensland in November, so I will definitely be going to watch if I can’t compete and it will be followed by the Para Bowling World Cup,” he said.
“It really is a sport for all ages and all abilities.
“Tenpin Bowling Australia is pushing for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane so I’d certainly go to watch it; that would be pretty cool to have in the Olympics.”