WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — Local teen, 15 year old Ambrose Wattie, will be looking to rack up the strikes this weekend as he heads to NEB’s Fun World in Oshawa for the Ontario Five-Pin Bowlers’ Association’s (OFPBA) Youth Challenge Provincial Championships (YCPC) this Saturday, January 12.
According to his mom Caryn Wattie, Ambrose has been bowling since he was three and a half. “She [mom] wanted to put me in Scouts because Beavers was full,” said Ambrose. His mom Caryn explained she was undecided on what to enrol Ambrose in when they lived in Kemptville, Ont., as the area had mainly hockey or soccer to choose from.
“His dad was a youth bowler so I thought … get him in to bowling,” said Caryn. “I thought we were going to be here for one season and that was it.” When the first season had come to a close, Ambrose made the decision bowling was for him and he wanted to go back.
Now in grade 10, Ambrose plays in OFPBA’s Zone X and is the only player from Whitewater Region on his team for the YCPC. The majority of bowling alleys are in Ottawa, thus creating a lot of travel to be involved in the sport, but this doesn’t seem to bother Ambrose or his family. His family is supportive of his love of bowling and cheer him on with equal passion.
“The great thing about Youth Bowl Canada (YBC) is everyone gets recognition at the end of the year,” said Caryn. “Based on the trophies, plaques and everything he has in his room, you can tell that’s why he enjoys it too … you work this hard and you can see what you’re getting out of it.”
At the Opeongo Bowldrome in Renfrew, Ont., there is a wall entitled, “The 300 Club.” This wall is reserved for bowlers who score 300 points or more in a game. “I have [scores of] 344, 343 and 313 up there right now,” said Ambrose. He’s the only YBC on it this season. His mom reported Ambrose scored a 410 at one of his practices over the holidays. A perfect score in five-pin bowling is 450.
He’s also interested in becoming a master bowler. “Deep River doesn’t have any, we don’t have any, I think Merivale has one. There’s not very many, so if I become one [master bowler], it gives kids here and in Deep River the chance to go to masters tournaments and see what it’s like,” explained Ambrose.
There are no master bowlers at Opeongo Bowldrome, which creates obstacles in entering masters tournaments. Masters tournaments are where a youth bowler and master bowler are paired together to play. After Caryn brought her concerns forward, she was assured one would be found for Ambrose.
The bowling season runs from September to April and the National Championships will be held in Ottawa, Ont. from March 26 to March 28. Whitewater News will be following up with Ambrose after Provincials this weekend.
