FORT STEWART, Ga. -When Ivy Sarvis retired from the Army in 1997, he didn't wander far from his last duty station at Fort Stewart. The former Signal Corps Soldier now works as a military contractor and currently serves as president of the Fort Stewart Bowling Association.
Bowling, a sport he calls "a social event and a great way to relieve stress," is probably his closest tie to the installation as he spends two nights a week at Marne Lanes. In fact, Sarvis achieved a personal best, a perfect 300 game while playing at Marne Lanes, June 22.
"I really didn't realize how close I was getting (to a perfect game) until I had nine strikes in a row," he said. "I bowled a 299 game back in October 1999 but nothing close to it since."
A perfect game of 300 takes 12 strikes in a row.
Sarvis, who joined the Army in 1977 and whose first assignment was Hunter Army Airfield, said he began bowling in the mid-1980s. He found the sport relatively inexpensive and lots of fun, so he stayed with it the rest of his Army career and after retirement. He particularly likes working with kids, teaching them to bowl and giving them something to do that's both fun and safe.
As president of the local bowling association, Sarvis encourages Soldiers, both active duty and retired, as well as Family Members to start bowling. He is particularly proud that the Georgia State Senior Bowling Tournament was held Marne Lanes in November 2009.
When asked about his preparation for his recent perfect game, he grinned and said he wasn't trying to achieve 300 but just have a fun evening bowling with his friends. When he realized how close he was to that perfect game, however, the pressure was on.
"The pins on that last frame looked like a 1,000-meter target on the rifle range," he chuckled. "(That perfect game) has been a long time coming, but I hope to have more."
Sarvis noted that another league player, Kevin Brison, scored a perfect game at Marne Lanes, June 29, and though he congratulates him on his achievement, Sarvis is still proud of his own personal best. He expressed his gratitude to the staff at Marne Lanes who've supported him in his recent achievement and for the work they do every day of the week to make bowling fun for so many Soldiers and Family Members.
"I want to thank Marne Lanes and every member of their staff for supporting me and for the work they do," he said. "They do such a great job."
For more information about bowling at Marne Lanes, call 912-767-4866.
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