Darryl Izumo of the Lihu‘e Bowling Center saw the little tyke out in the parking lot yesterday. “That’s Christian Oldam,” Izumo said. “His dad Rhyno is in the tournament.” But Christian is no ordinary little guy as he anxiously pushed
Darryl Izumo of the Lihu‘e Bowling Center saw the little tyke out in the parking lot yesterday.
“That’s Christian Oldam,” Izumo said. “His dad Rhyno is in the tournament.”
But Christian is no ordinary little guy as he anxiously pushed open the door to the bowling alley at the Rice Shopping Center and made a beeline for the arcade machines.
His tiny hands manipulated the basketballs on one of the machines, and like a honeybee finding a fresh field of flowers, the little Oregonian flitted from machine to machine before settling in with his family.
“He’s 6, had two open heart surgeries, bowls a 128 average, and rolls a 15-pound ball,” Izumo said of the boy, whose dad is part of this year’s tournament field.
His name embroidered on the back of his little bowling shirt, Christian’s mom said the tiny bowler had heart surgery when he was just three days old, and another at nine months of age.
But from the time he could walk, Christian has been at the bowling alley. Today, the 6-year-old rolls a 128 average.
“I was bowling from the time I could walk,” Christian said. “Today, I’m bowling in the islands.”
Christian’s mom confirmed that the little roller has been bowling for about five years and uses a 16-pound Twisted Fury ball.
Unfortunately, Christian will have to sit and cheer on his dad who will join other bowlers like Chad Uyehara, his most recent win coming last month at the PBA Northwest/West Regions Caveman Bowl Open.
John Brand and Mason Sherman are also part of the field, the pair only recently earning their first titles on the PBA tour.
Izumo said last year’s winner, Robert Smith, will be part of this year’s field as well, as will another former champion, Vayle Floria.
“But they’re still coming in,” Izumo said. “Sunday is for the practice rounds, the Pro-Am, and the lu‘au.”
“Everyone starts rolling their eight games from 10 a.m. (tomorrow),” Izumo said yesterday. “Once the eight games are done, the field will be cut to 12.”
Tomorrow morning, the Top 12 begin their final 12-game series with the finals expected to take place some time tomorrow afternoon.
Following their tournament at the Rice Shopping Center, the bowlers move to O‘ahu for the PBA West/Northwest Hickam AFB Open scheduled for April 25-27 before winging to Idaho.
Gary Mage is the region manager for the PBA West and Northwest Regions and will be coordinating the daily results.
“Whatever Darryl wants, he’s my boss,” Mage said, distributing lu‘au tickets to arriving bowlers yesterday.
