Mike Luce’s 300 game solidifies three-generation perfect game feat Joins father Rich and grandfather Don
When Mike Luce rolled a 300 game in the Friday Night Men’s League at Brockport Bowl on November 1, 2013 he placed his family into the Rochester USBC BA record books as the third local family to have recorded three-generation 300 games.
Mike’s father, Rich, owns over thirty 300s and grandfather Don has visited the perfect game circle on four occasions, most recently on Tuesday, January 7 in the G&W Vending League at Brockport.
Don, who will turn 68 next month, has competed in leagues at Brockport Bowl since 1964.
“Most of those years I bowled in two or three leagues. I’ve only missed bowling one night in those 49 years … when I had car trouble,” he said.
“We all bowl together here on Friday nights,” Don added, “but Rich has cut back a bit due to a re-occurring back injury.”
Rich, 41, is the honor score expert of the family, amassing double-digit 800s to go with his hefty 300 total. One season, he had seven 300s in one league at South Transit Lanes in Lockport, Don said.
“I’m not good with the numbers,” admitted Rich. “I stopped keeping track (of the honor scores) years ago. I do remember averaging 242 one year at Sheridan Lanes in Buffalo, though.”
Rich recorded the majority of his honor scores with a thumbless delivery (with just two fingertips inserted into holes and cradling the ball on his forearm).
The past couple of seasons he re-inserted his thumb and he was rewarded with a 290 game and 804 series recently in the Friday Men’s League at Brockport.
“First one with the thumb,” he joked.
“Mike can throw it both ways as well,” Don offered, “but he’s also gone back to using his thumb, too. He had his 300 with the normal grip.”
Mike, now 21 and in his third season of adult leagues, has a career high 796 series to go with his 300.
“Mike did have a 300 game in the junior leagues, too,” Rich said.
“Those are my proudest moments in bowling,” Rich continued. “Watching Mike win the Hangover Tournament a few years ago, rolling the honor scores – by far they are my biggest thrills in bowling.”
Don recently had his personal best set of 772 in the John Quinzi Memorial Senior League at AMF Terrace Garden Lanes. He is currently averaging 204, while last season Mike ended at 205 and Rich 210.
The three Brockport residents have been unbeatable at the Mancuso’s Lanes No-Tap Tournament in Batavia in recent years, winning the season-opening and season-ending events.
The first three-generation 300-Game family in Greater Rochester is the Ignizios (Rochester Hall of Famer John in 1962; Rich in 1987; and Rich Jr. in 1995).
The Ignizios were later joined by Hall of Famer Sue Chinelli, her son George Healy, and granddaughter Kim Moore, after Kim recorded her 300 in 2011.
