Bellingham Plays Key Role In “Bowling for Scholars”

Royce, ABMI Cable TV Are Major Catalysts

By KEN HAMWEY,
Bulletin Sports Writer

Candlepin bowling is undergoing a revival in the greater Milford area, thanks to Pete Royce of Bellingham and his town’s local cable TV station (Access Bellingham Mendon Inc.).

By televising matches in Bellingham (the sponsoring producer) and eight other public access stations in nearby communities, scholarship funds have become available for local private schools. 

A native of Worcester, the 75-year-old Royce is a local sportscaster who’s well-known for his cable telecasts of interscholastic sports in Bellingham and Franklin. A graduate of Holy Cross College, he also covers a variety of sports for the Crusaders.

A resident of Bellingham for the last 23 years, Royce has always yearned to provide a financial lift for education and to give back to the communities he knows so well. His idea to promote candlepin bowling and to generate scholarship money has led to a TV show called “Bowling for Scholars.’’ 

“My reasoning for starting the show was to bring back the nostalgia of candlepin bowling, a sport that was invented in Worcester,’’ Royce said. “And, sportscasting has been good to me, so this is an opportunity to help communities in a way that supports education and families who need help to finance their children’s education.’’

Aware that private schools usually do not benefit from taxpayer dollars, Royce said the funds are targeted to private schools “to help level the playing field.’’ 

The donations have averaged $250 and the largest amount provided was $450.

ABMI (Bellingham/Mendon) donates $50 to the general scholarship fund of the winning bowler’s choice of school. Other sponsors (businesses, organizations, or individuals) are encouraged to join the cause to raise the level of scholarship funding. The show acknowledges sponsors several times with graphics and verbal mention.

The winning bowler gets to award a check to the general scholarship fund of the private school of his/her choice. Additional funds are added ($50) by an anonymous donor for any bowler who gets three marks in a row.

Royce has patterned his show after “Fun for All Ages,’’ which was a very popular candlepin bowling show that aired on Channel 5 in Boston from 1950 through the 1980s. Besides Bellingham, “Bowling for Scholars’’ is shown in Mendon, Upton, Milford, Grafton, North Attleboro, Shrewsbury, Uxbridge, and Douglas. Worcester is next in line to join the network.

Two shows a month are recorded at Sparetime Recreation in Whitinsville. The facility’s owner, Mark Moon, provides the time and the lanes free. Matches are shown at noon on Saturdays, like they were on Fun for All Ages, and they’re repeated throughout the week at various times. 

Royce is the show’s host and he does all the announcing. The production is a professional multi-camera shoot to include participant interviews and presentation of an enlarged check to the winning bowler’s choice of school.

“The bowlers are from different leagues and there are three divisions,’’ he noted. “The divisions are men, women, and teens. We feature men for one show, women for another and teens for the third. After four cycles for the three groups (12 shows), we make our 13th show a celebrity matchup. On Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m., the first celebrity match will feature Rev. David Mullen of St. Brendan Parish in Bellingham versus Rev. Nick DeSimone of St. Mary’s Parish of Uxbridge.’’

Fr. Mullen has chosen to bowl for Sparhawk Academy of Millis and Fr. DeSimone has selected Our Lady of the Valley School in Uxbridge.

“Parishioners from both churches and students from both of the schools that would benefit from their priest’s winning have been invited to the match,’’ Royce said. “And, after the celebrity match, pizza and soft drinks will be available for everyone, courtesy of an anonymous donor.’’

Royce jokingly said: “Because of the nature of the celebrity match, the show will give new meaning to the term holy rollers.’’ Fr. Mullen said: “We may not be epic bowlers, but Sparhawk Academy truly is epic.’’

When Royce heard a school recipient of funds from “Bowling for Scholars’’ tell him how much families could use financial support, he said “I got goosebumps.’’ 

“This endeavor provides me with a great sense of satisfaction, as I try to give back to different communities,’’ he said. “I’m confident it’s a good effort to foster quality education.’’

The number of communities that promote “Bowling for Scholars’’ on public access TV is growing, However, if anyone wants the show to be televised in another town, contact Access Bellingham Mendon Inc. at (508) 966-3234.