Timmy Sharp (right) after he bowled a perfect game at HJ's Bowling Centre on June 21. Photo Credit: Gearld Hafner

By Shane Clausing

perfect game

Grande Prairie man bowls perfect game at HJ’s 5 Pin

Jun 29, 2021 | 2:34 PM

History was made on June 21 at HJ’s 5 Pin Bowling Centre, as long-time member Timmy Sharp bowled a perfect game in the facilities Monday night cash league.

Sharp is just the second player in the history of the bowling centre to bowl a perfect game.

Sharp says that June 21 was the first time he had bowled since November.

“It felt like riding a bike. I was feeling fresh after COVID shut us down and it paid off for me.”

While the COVID-19 pandemic kept him rested, he says he never expected to bowl a perfect game and adds he was incredibly focused throughout the match.

“The only thing I remember is the last ball I threw. I don’t remember much before that. My teammates tell me I was very concentrated. I would just go up to the lane, throw a strike, walk back to my seat and sit down with my head down and just focus. I had never been so concentrated in my life.”

Sharp adds that even as the perfect game got within range and more people started to watch, he embraced the pressure as opposed to folding under it.

“All of the Monday league bowlers’ were watching me. Once you get a streak going you know everybody is watching you, so you got some extra pressure on you. I’ve been bowling for so long, so it’s just casual to me. I feel all of their eyes on me and it gives me a little more motivation.”

Sharp mentioned he’s been bowling for 24 years and prior to his perfect game, his best performance was shooting a score of 356.

“I’d never gotten a 400 before, so it was definitely a good feeling,” said Sharp.

According to HJ’s Bowling Centre owner Gerald Hafner, Sharp was on the team that was going to represent Alberta at nationals in Manitoba last year, however, the COVID-19 pandemic scrapped those plans.

Sharp says he’s hopeful to get to nationals one day.

“I’m pretty hungry to go to nationals and represent Alberta now, that’s my goal. I’ve got the perfect game, so I got to add it (nationals) to my repertoire.”

According to HJ’s, the perfect game has been recognized by the Alberta 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association and Bowl Canada.

Sharp will receive a 450 ring from Bowl Alberta as well as some other swag for his accomplishment.

He also received a $1,000 cheque from Windsor Ford.