Bowling together has become a tradition for the Trombetta family.
Vinnie Trombetta recalls bowling in the Friday CAIB league at Olympia Lanes in Hammond on a team with his brothers Davey, Doug and Tony, along with their dad, Joe, for at least 15 years.
Vinnie, his son Tyler — now a bowler for Calumet College — and Joe bowled in the summer Adult-Junior league at Plaza Lanes in Highland for a decade.
Tyler, a Highland graduate, and his younger brother Caden also bowled in that summer league this year with Tyler as the adult this time.
Joe and Tyler have also bowled together in the Thanksgiving Junior-Adult doubles tournament for at least 10 years, and they will get to compete in that tourney until Tyler turns 21.
But the latest event that Joe and Tyler bowled in together might be the most memorable. They competed on the same team in the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, and they also bowled doubles together.
It was Tyler’s first USBC nationals and Joe’s last, since he will turn 90 in December.
“My first nationals with my grandpa was by far one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Tyler said. “Out of everyone in our squad my grandpa was the only person who has won a national title before, let alone two. The whole time we were bowling we had people from the whole stadium walking up to him shaking his hand asking him about his experiences.
“It made me realize that one day that I would love to be like that. I didn’t go to nationals this year expecting to win a lot. I went expecting to have the time of my life getting to bowl with my favorite bowler in the entire world.”
Joe gets a similar treatment in Northwest Indiana as a member of five halls of fame — Indiana, Illinois, Chicagoland, Greater Calumet and Gary Bowling Association (now Lakeshore).
“Everybody calls him the living legend,” Vinnie said. “He still shoots in the 220s and 230s now.”
His nickname for years has been “two-oh-Joe” referring to consistantly averaging 200 or more. He’s dipped a little now that 90 approaches.
“I’m not bowling as good as I used to,” Joe said. “Last year was the first year I didn’t average a 200 in a league since the 1960s. I started bowling in 1958 and was a 200 average by 1961.
“I’m not as good as I used to be, but I thank the Lord every day that I’m still healthy enough to bowl like I do.”
Besides being one of the most consistent bowlers in Northwest Indiana, Joe has also succeeded at the USBC nationals, enough to garner consideration for the national hall of fame one day.
In a five-year period, his team won more money in all-events than any other at the time. Twice, in 1966 and ’73, his team won all-events in what was then American Bowling Congress tournament. Joe also placed third in singles and third in individual all-events. But this past USBC tourney might be most memorable.
“I felt great being able to bowl with (Tyler), … and we were even able to cash in doubles,” he said.
Joe also shot 300 at the age of 86, and he’s a pretty good teacher of the game.
“Growing up, my grandpa and dad were my inspirations,” Tyler said. “I always went to go watch them bowl leagues and tournaments. I really got into the sport after I started bowling in high school. The summer going into my freshman year my grandpa and I went to Olympia every day to practice. He taught me everything that I know about bowling.”
Johnny Gorches is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
