Here’s to a Groovy Grandma : 88-Year-Old Honored in Bowling Opening Ceremonies

They had the opening ceremonies of the 67th annual Women’s International Bowling Congress Championship tournament at Tustin Lanes Thursday, but for one night the WIBC took a back seat to the grande dame of bowling.

The ceremonies were ostensibly to kick off bowling for the WIBC legions, who will be busy with singles, doubles and five-woman team play until July 1. The team event began Thursday night with 28 teams from Fullerton’s Beckman Instruments’ three corporate leagues beginning play.

But this evening clearly belonged to Marge Higley.

Higley, who at 88 is a good 21 years older than the tournament itself, was scheduled to roll out the ceremonial first ball, but had to defer for health reasons.

Now confined to a wheelchair because of a fractured back, broken left hip and other ailments, the Orange resident and WIBC Hall of Famer nonetheless made an appearance at the ceremonies and was rewarded with a standing ovation from the full-house audience of about 750 at the lanes.

This spontaneous show of affection for one of the pioneers of women’s bowling did not go unnoticed by Higley, whose tears rolled down her cheeks as she waved to her friends in the crowd.

“Now wasn’t that nice?” Higley asked, as competition began after the ceremonies. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. I’ve participated in 50 consecutive tournaments, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen the opening ceremonies.”

For the past 14 years, Higley has bowled with the Groovy Grandmas, a group that encourages bowling and other physical activities for senior citizens.

In Higley’s stead, Tustin Mayor Frank Greinke rolled out the ceremonial first ball, barely knocking down one pin. According to Greinke, who says he has a 112 average, approaching the lanes in front of some of the best bowlers in the country was no small task.

Said Greinke: “I was nervous. That wasn’t easy. I’d rather have faced 5,000 angry voters than try to bowl in front of all these great women.”

The opening ceremonies committee then graciously offered Greinke a second chance, and with confidence he did knock down several more pins.

Greinke, however, will have to bowl a long time to top the accomplishments of Higley, who recalled that she bowled her first frames in 1926 when she worked as a classified advertising supervisor for the Omaha World-Herald.

By 1932 she was participating in the first WIBC Tournament in St. Louis, and hasn’t missed one since. Higley said she was a very competitive bowler in her day and that became clear when she was asked about her career-high game of 286.

“It was 289 ,” she politely noted.

Since 1973, her bowling activities have largely been limited to the Groovy Grandmas, a group that has been featured on several television news and entertainment programs and will be bowling in the tournament Monday.

The passing years might have taken its toll on Higley physically, but her spirits remain in the 300-game category.

Said Higley: “Are you going to the party after the bowling? It’s at the Saddleback Inn and it should be a lot of fun.”