HOME 
ENTERTAINMENT PULSE Forum Bowling Lanes combines old style wooden lanes with a family-owned feel
ENTERTAINMENT PULSE Forum Bowling Lanes combines old style wooden lanes with a family-owned feel | Forum Bowling Lanes combines old style wooden lanes with a family-owned feel |
|
|
|
| Written by Alanna Quillen, The Shorthorn senior staff | ||||
| Wednesday, 04 November 2009 06:55 PM | ||||
  Forum Bowl, located on Great South West Parkway and Pinewood Street, was opened by Jeanie Hulsey in 1974. (The Shorthorn: Rasy Ran) A regular at the bowling alley in Grand Prairie, the 83-year-old has bowled for more than 40 years. Despite his current ailment that prevents him from bowling, he still likes to stop by every day. “Everyone here is really friendly,” he said. “I like to come down, enjoy the people I know, and watch them bowl even though I can’t bowl. I like to aggravate them too, but they all know me.” Teresa Herr, Forum Bowl league coordinator and manager, said the center takes pride in treating customers well. Forum Bowling LanesForum Bowling Lanes(972) 641-4406 2001 S. Great Southwest Parkway Grand Prairie Hours: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays, closes at midnight on weekends Prices to bowl are based per lane with a $3.50 shoe rental. Through most of the week, up to six people can pitch together $15 for an hour of bowling. On Monday, Thursday and Friday nights, patrons pay $1.50 per game in the 60-lane arena. Aside from bowling, customers can also play pool or sing karaoke from 9 p.m. to midnight on Monday nights. During the upcoming holidays, up to six customers can put together $10 per lane for an hour of bowling. Forum Bowl began with Jeanie Hulsey, who used to work in the bowling business in Grand Prairie. She wanted to get youth involved in bowling, so she started her business. “She told her boss that she was going to give him a run for his money,” Herr said. She opened Irving Lanes and later Forum Bowl in February 1974. Ever since, Hulsey and her family owned and operated the center. Her three children now manage Forum Bowl, the last remaining center. The building and lanes are original from the early ’70s.  The family owned and operated business still features wooden lanes, the last in the Metroplex. (The Shorthorn: Rasy Ran) Herr said bowling can be a stress relief. “It gives you a release when you’ve had a hectic day,” she said. “You get to go out there, throw that ball and hit some pins. It helps to take out some frustration.” Leagues run all year long, with three starting in January. Interested students can call the center to get on the league mailing list.  Grand Prairie resident Gloria Soto bowls Wednesday at Forum Bowl in Arlington. (The Shorthorn: Rasy Ran) Arlington resident Sam Traylor has bowled for 26 years and is a United States Bowling Congress Fort Worth chapter director. He represents Forum Bowl for the USBC and has made friends here. He said he likes the original lanes – the last remaining in the Metroplex. “With synthetic lanes, the ball stays in one spot as it rolls down,” he said. “With wooden, the ball is free to move around the lane so you can give it that swing.” Desoto resident James Cooper said he likes how the center conditions the lanes everyday to keep the wood fresh. “Most bowling houses operate like a corporation,” he said. “It’s all about making as much money as they can and not thinking about the bowlers.” Views: 792 | E-mail
Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6 |
||||
| Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 January 2010 01:42 PM ) | ||||
Be first to comment this article
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Copyright © 2005 - 2010 The Shorthorn.
