After spending time in the hospital over the weekend, 73-year-old Tom Fetch Sr. was happy just to be back at the bowling alley Thursday afternoon.
When his final series tally was added up, he was the happiest person at Red River Lanes.
Fetch Sr., of Fargo, rolled a 728 series, with game scores of 236, 268 and 224 during his Thursday Senior League.
The accomplishment surprised Fetch Sr., who was hospitalized last weekend and discovered he has a non-life threatening blood clot in one of his lungs.
"It was kind of a surprise being that I was getting over an illness and had been on some medication," said Fetch Sr. who has been bowling over 50 years. "I sure didn't expect to roll a 728, but today I was nice and relaxed and had a good shot."
ADVERTISEMENT
Fetch Sr.'s highest series score was a 790, and he has rolled two 300 games. The first came in 1982, and the most recent was in 2008.
Recording Thursday's 728 series was no easy task for the retired telephone company worker, who has bowled in the Fargo-Moorhead area since 1972.
"On two occasions in the second game, I had an open frame, but I had 11 out of 12 strikes in the game," Fetch Sr. said. "And in the 10th frame of the final game I knew I needed a mark - meaning a strike or a spare - to get to 700. Fortunately I rolled three strikes and made it."
Celebration ensued afterward, and that's what Fetch Sr. said he enjoyed the most.
"The senior league is a lot more laid back than other leagues, so when somebody has a good score like I did today everybody congratulates you," Fetch Sr. said. "It's a good feeling."
Readers can reach Forum copy editor Tom Mix at (701) 451-5651
