The Parris Island Bowling Center shares space with Subway
Imagine stepping up to the lane, positioning a pair of carnival colored shoes on the red dots; lifting your eyes and concentrating on red arrows as you line up the shot. You thrust a brightly colored ball out in front of you, then slowly swing it as you move forward, one two, three steps and release. You watch, the ball heads down the middle of the lane, spinning, spinning, staying on course….it’s a strike! Your team mates cheer and give you a high five as you walk back to your seat and wait your next turn.
That’s the feeling you will get when you bowl at the MCCS Bowling Center on Parris Island tucked away in building 203 on Samoa Street, (the same building as Subway). I’ve known about this alley for a long time, even bowled some games there way back in the 90’s, but I forgot how much fun knocking down pins can be. And it’s not like I have to go out of my way to visit. I see it at least once every week or so around lunch time.
But Won’t It Be There Forever?
Usually I’m in a rush, so I park across the street and run inside. As I push through the glass door, friendly faces smile and say hello to me from behind the bowling counter. I return the greeting as I zoom around the corner to Subway, hoping the line will be short. I am thinking about what kind of sandwich I will order; do I want chips or a cookie? Important things! On the way out I say good bye to the bowling alley workers and think, “We should go bowling one day soon.” I don’t think about bowling again until my next Subway run.
I can honestly say I take the bowling alley for granted. I think it will stay there forever; always ready and waiting for me to rent some shoes and play. But I’ve pretty much ignored it up until last Wednesday when my husband and I had the opportunity to play. What fun we had. While waiting my turn, I cheered my team mates on as they made strikes and spares. I smiled when I knocked pins down and pouted when I threw a gutter ball. My teammates cried out, “You were robbed!” when my last pin wobbled, (but did not fall down) denying me a strike.
Memories Of The Past
Being there brought me back to my teenage years when we would go as a group to the bowling alley. At that time we wrote down our pins on a paper score sheet complete with local advertising. When it was my turn to bowl I would slide out of the scorekeeper’s chair and lightly brush Mike’s hand as I handed off the stubby yellow pencil sans eraser. We were ”just friends” then but I had a terrible crush on him so any chance to do something together made me very happy.
Use this scoring console to enter names, reset pins, or view the best way to pick up your spare
Bowling Modernized
Gone are the days of paper score pads and manual scorekeeping, this bowling alley is high tech. Enter your name into a digital display and watch as the computer tallies the score. After you bowl, the screen will show which pins are left and how best to pick up your spare.
Who Can Use The Lanes?
Marines, dependents, retirees and other authorized personnel. For more information and to find out if you can bowl on the base call: 843-228-1551.
How Much Does It Cost?
Currently the regular cost is $2.00 per game, $3.00 a game for glow bowl on Friday and Saturday from 2100 to 2400. They have bumpers for children 8 and under. Qualified patrons can set up a birthday party package with 5 days advanced notice.
An Inexpensive Activity
The next time you are looking for something to do consider the bowling alley on Parris Island. By bowling here you support the alley and the people who work to keep it in good condition. If no one goes, hours will be cut and it won’t get the funding to keep it up to date.
As for me, I continue to rush passed the alley on my way to Subway, but now the people behind the counter say “See you Wednesday night Vera.” and I say, “Yes, yes you will; I’m ready to bowl my best game ever.” So come on, bowl a few good games soon. See you at the lanes!
Bowling balls waiting for their turn at the pins
