BOWLING BITS: Lizzi rolls 100th career 300

SANDUSKY — Sandusky's Jeff Lizzi never dreamt about what he would accomplish in bowling in the years since he first started at the age of four.Now 54, Lizzi celebrated his 100th 300 game in competition, which he produced Thursday in the Civista Bank/Autogate League at Star Lanes."Throwing a 300 game never gets old, but on the other hand, you never know when it's going to come," Lizzi said. "I had my 99th perfect game Oct. 2 here, then came the magic 100th one Thursday. In both cases, I had my ups and downs."For instance, when I shot the one on Oct. 2, I had games of 189, 257 and then 300 in the Excuses Wednesday Morning League. Last Thursday, I started out with 300, then fell off to games of 183 and 191 for a 674 series. That's bowling."Lizzi lost 90% vision of his left eye several years ago because of a parasite, which led to a transplant. However, that hasn't seemed to bother the Perkins graduate, who was involved on the professional scene of bowling.In fact, he won his only PBA tour championship in 1992 when he won the Brunswick Memorial Open in Chicago by defeating Amleto Monacelli in the championship match, 247-192."I made some shows after that, but that's the one that will stick in my mind forever," Lizzi said.Lizzi bowled regularly on the tour for two decades, then became a part-timer for several more years before he decided to go into the bowling business at home.Jeff, and his twin brother John Lizzi, are the co-owners for Star Lanes."I really can't remember my first 300 game but I believe it was at the age of 17," Jeff Lizzi said. "I do know this, I've had 29 such games on the tour and 16 in regional tournaments, in addition to 13 television shows."In addition to those, I know I've had quite a few locally and quite a few more bowling in the Elks tournaments, such as the district and state levels," added Lizzi, who last year in the Elks tournament had 29 consecutive strikes in bowling games of the 268, 300 and 279 for an 847 series, 21 pins lower than his all-time best of 868.Jeff Lizzi also holds the Sandusky USBC league record for average at 241 for 72 games."My philosophy is, when you see the line, you should be able to repeat it," Jeff Lizzi said. "I have to admit I changed my bowling ball after the first game Oct. 2 and after early in the second game on Thursday when I started with a 7-10 split after getting all 12 in the opening game."This time it didn't help too much."Jeff Lizzi is hosting a charity tournament Nov. 2 at Star Lanes with his wife Cathy Dorin-Lizzi called "Spare a Life," marking the seventh year for the event. Proceeds from the tournament will go to LifeBanc of Northeast Ohio and the Sandusky Lions Club."Like I said before, bowling is my livelihood and I've enjoyed every minute doing something I love so much," he said. "I've been fortunate to have some success along the way."Sandusky bowler Jeff Lizzi recently recorded his 100th career 300 game during league play at Star Lanes.