Story by Todd Dewan, Sports Editor – Rome Sentinel
April 23, 2025
ROME, NY — Jim Malone achieved an impressive bowling feat on April 15 at King Pin Lanes.
Malone rolled his 13th career 300 game and now has a 300 in six different decades (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s). His first one was in November 1978 at King Pin Lanes and his 13th came last Tuesday night during the roll-offs in the Sherrill Wine and Liquor Classic League. He has bowled 300 games at King Pin Lanes, Mohawk Lanes and Pin-O-Rama.
“It’s a pretty impressive feat. I’m proud of that more than I am the 13 300s,” Malone said. “The longevity of it. Bowling has changed so much. My game isn’t what used to be, but it’s held up pretty well.”
Malone’s career high series is 836 that he bowled for the first 300 and he was awarded a $500 savings bond from King Pin Lanes.
The 76-year-old was the first person to be inducted into both the Rome Bowling Hall of Fame (1999) and Utica Bowling Hall of Fame (2008).
“I was not sure I was going to get another one. It had been seven years since the last one. It’s getting tougher as I get older,” Malone said. “I’m very proud of that feat. My good friends Jim Korpela and Steve Berthold were there. It was good to have their support. Seven decades is going to be tough.”
The Hammer Mania bowling ball that Malone used was just drilled out at Ray Cyr’s Pro Shop.
“It was a 300 with the first game that I ever threw with it,” he said.
Malone says bowling has changed a lot over the years.
“We used to bowl with plastic balls on wooden lanes. Now the balls are made of recreative resin. They have so much more power,” Malone said. “It’s hard to find wooden lanes, everything is synthetic lanes. They’re a dinosaur. It’s a different game now. These kids rip the cover off the ball.”
Malone plans to bowl as long as he can.
“I started bowling when I was 9 or 10. My father got me started. I love it, still do,” Malone added. “I’m still pretty competitive. As long as my heath holds up, I’ll keep doing it.”
