Published: March 03, 2006 10:13 am      

Perfection at O'Hara's Bowling

Local bowler rewarded for his 300 game

It’s the equivalent of a Major League Baseball pitcher throwing a no-hitter, but many believe it’s a lot harder to do. In the dictionary the word perfection means to have no defect or fault. And on February 10, bowlers on hand at O’Hara’s Bowling Center in Jackson were treated to a chance to see it live.

Gary McGlothin moved to Jackson along with his wife and three children nearly two years ago when his job with Caterpillar transferred him from Indiana to Griffin. McGlothin has been bowling for over 40 years and has had a lot of great memories, but none measured up with the game he bowled three weeks ago.

McGlothin has been close to perfection several times, but never could close the deal. A 298 followed by several 297’s allowed the Indiana native to add a few rings to his collection, but they were just a tease of what perfection felt like and nothing more.

But, finally, McGlothin was able to complete the deal when he rolled 12 strikes down the new lanes in Jackson.

“I’ve been close a few times before, but rolled it too tight,” said McGlothin. “This time I just rolled the ball like I did the others and didn’t worry about it.”

Gary’s ball hit the pocket perfectly and after all 10 pins fell the 40-year veteran was finally able to celebrate his first 300 game.

“It felt good,” said McGlothin when asked about finally achieving the milestone. “But, I still have some catching up to do.”

McGlothin’s 20-year-old son, Butch, preceded his father by not rolling just one perfect game, the youngster has already put two 300’s under his belt.

“This group who bowls in this league that Gary does are our most serious bowlers,” said owner Dick O’Hara. “I knew that eventually somebody out of this group was going to do it. It was a question of who and when.”

Because McGlothin wasn’t in league competition at the time, he won’t receive the traditional 300 ring or jacket, but O’Hara awarded the veteran with a crisp one hundred dollar bill for his achievement.

The 300 game at O’Hara’s was the first perfect game at the lanes since the center opened two years ago.