Saul Lopez was one of many kids who took the President
’s Day holiday to knock down some pins this week.
Saul Lopez was one of many kids who took the President’s Day holiday to knock down some pins this week.
The 5-year-old kindergartner at El Toro School came to the Gilroy Bowl from Morgan Hill with his family and friends for his big sister’s eighth birthday, and he had a huge grin on his face after finishing his last round.
Like most kids his age, his final score didn’t seem to matter – they probably don’t even know how to keep score. But all the kids wanted to talk about as they left the alley was about that strike that they got.
Lopez’ six-pound bowling ball may have strayed too far to the right or too far to the left at times, but the bumper rails kept his ball in play and kept the game fun.
“I like to use it, too,” said Natalie Lopez, Saul’s mom who said it was only the family’s second time coming to Gilroy Bowl. “But they tell me I’m a cheater.”
People of all ages and ability levels rolled into the Gilroy Bowl at 7554 Monterey St. Monday to get a few frames in.
“Generally, on a Monday afternoon there’s not too many people here,” said Scott Kawano, who owns Gilroy Bowl with part-owner Al Rozal. “Whenever the weather is not very good, they come indoors.”
The Gilroy Bowl is the perfect place for inexperienced bowlers to get some learning in, and not just because of the bumper rails. Gilroy Bowl also takes pride in helping people learn to bowl, offering a free class from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sundays or anytime by appointment.
“We’ve been doing it for years,” Kawano said. “We just started telling people about it.”
Kawano said that there is always help available to help people figure out how to play the game better.
“If someone comes in and needs help, we’ll go down there,” he said. “Basically, there’s someone here all the time to give instruction.”
The Gilroy Bowl has 10 lanes to play on and features electronic scoring. Games at the alley cost less than $3, plus the 75 cent charge for shoe rentals. It is open at 9 a.m. each day, but only offers night bowling once per week.
“Saturday night is the only night that we have open bowling,” Kawano said.
The reason for the alleys not having open bowling the rest of the time is because of the number of leagues playing in Gilroy. Sunday through Friday nights are league nights, and 12 different leagues – two each night – pour in to play their scheduled games.
“There’s two seasons, a winter season and a summer season,” Kawano said.
Winter season is the long season, running from the end of September to May. Summer season runs from late May to Sept.
“One of the leagues takes the money the players throw in to play each week and uses it for a trip to Reno,” Kawano said.
Gilroy Bowl has been serving the South Valley since 1968, when Kawano’s father Tom started the lanes up. Kawano began working at the alley for his father in 1971, and now – for the most part – runs the alley and the restaurant and bar connected to it.
“My father started the business,” Kawano said. “He still has his finger on it, but he’s not around all the time.”
Kawano said the bowling alley is busiest during the weekends hours, but the employees at the alley always have time to help.
The Gilroy Bowl charges 75 cents for shoe rental. Games cost $2.25 Monday through Friday; $2.50 Saturdays, Sundays and holidays; $1.50 Sunday mornings; and $1.75 seniors. Details: 842-5100.
