The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN every sport, there’s also an ultimate goal for an athlete to achieve. In bowling, it’s a perfect 300 game.

For Sonith “Kemosabee” Lockhart, he finally reached that elusive plateau last week when he rolled a perfect 300 in his third game of the Bahamas Bowling Federation’s monthly handicap tournament at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Centre.

“Wow,” was the first word that came out of Lockhart’s mouth as he relived the historic performance as he joined a field of less than five Bahamian bowlers who have accomplished the feat, either in the Bahamas or overseas.

“My cousin Bryon McClain came out of the gate with a 239 and then he came back with a 211 and my first game was a 202, then my second game was a 201 and when I looked up at the scores, I was like ‘wow.’ The other guy I had to beat this guy was to bowl a 300 (game).”

When Lockhart threw the first, then second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth strikes, he was again bewildered.

“Wow,” he again uttered. “Six strokes, I was half way there and I just continued to stay focus. I just threw strike after strike after strike. When I got to the 10th frame and I threw another strike, I said ‘I have him now.’”

A veteran of more than 30 years in the sport from the days of the Village Bowling Lanes, Lockhart said he always envisioned doing two things in bowling - put up the 7-10 split and roll a 300 game.

“Would you believe it, about four weeks ago in the Wednesday night bowling league, I picked up the 7-10 split,” he remembered. “Four weeks later, I rolled a 300 game. So if that is the ultimate of my bowling career, I don’t know what is.

“But my goal is to become the elite bowler of all time in this country. Much respect to Glenroy ‘Flo’ Saunders, who is well crafty and knowledgeable in the sport, even in the game today. But I would like to leave a legacy behind in bowling that will be second to none.”

Saunders holds the distinction of being one of the few bowlers to hit the 300 mark. He did it at a tournament that was played in Grand Bahama. But the southpaw also went to the World Cup in 1981 in Madison Square Gardens in New York where he picked up a bronze medal - the first for the Bahamas.

Lockhart’s feat came on lane 7 and 8 on the south side of the bowling alley. On Tuesday night when the Financial Bowling League was moved up from Wednesday night, Lockhart came back and rolled a 700 set.

“I just took one frame at a time. One ball at a time, one frame at a time and just stayed focused,” Lockhart said. “Everybody on the lane was watching every shot, so I had to take my time and get it done.”

Last November when Lockhart travelled with Driskell Rolle to represent the Bahamas at the World Cup in Russia as the national champions, Lockhart said he was inspired with what he saw from their global rivals.

“I got to see six 300 games,” he said. “I said if these guys and ladies could do it, I could do it too. It’s just a matter of staying focused.”

Unlike others who would have accomplished the feat, Lockhart said he was somewhat disappointed that he wasn’t enumerated for it.

“I wished this house was sanctioned by the USBC. I would have possibly gotten a cheque from the USBC for $25,000 and a ring with 300 engraved on it,” said Lockhart of some of the international perks bowlers receive for the accomplishment.

“I’m a bit disappointed, but in my lifetime of bowling, I bowled a perfect 300 game that is registered under the Bowling Federation of the Bahamas. That’s something that nobody can take away from me.”

As for the accomplishments, Lockhart once again said “wow” when asked about the crowd’s support that memorable night.

“It was exciting and I appreciate and thank them all for their support,” he stated. “They made sure the house was quiet. After I threw the one in the 11th before the ball hit the pocket, they knew the shot was perfectly delivered and when I saw all those pins were gone, I jumped in the air. But before I landed, about five of them had to hoist me back up in the air.”

When he went home, Lockhart said he had “the most peaceful sleep” he’s ever had that night.

Lockhart said he’s so motivated that he’s now looking forward to competing in the federation’s National Championships that start on Monday. His goal is not just to repeat as champion, but also roll another 300.

If he is successful, Lockhart said he can get a chance to go back to the World Cup where he can go for a chance to achieve the 300 feat and eventually get his name on the international circuit as Saunders did.