Whats your best memory of Fairlanes?

[GeorgeF]

With Fairlanes coming to its end in the near future I thought it would be appropriate for some of the members on here to share there own personal 'highlights' and 'memories' of the legendary centre.

My personal highlight has to be my perfecto on 3&4 in 2004, the noise that came from the packed crowd was deafening and it was an absolute honour and pleasure to accomplish that feat in the Perth Cup.

Another highlight for me apart from the 'legendary' bum award was to see Frawls fall over and still manage to strike whilst the ball rolled down the lane at 5km/h, had the crowd in tears of laughter

I'd be keen to hear from of Stax, Barons and Scoops stories

 

[The Real Deal]

Another highlight for me apart from the 'legendary' bum award

Agree George, My Bum of the tournament award is a highlight aswell.... God knows Sue and her committee take the selection process of this award very very seriously

My Highlight would have to be my 3 Perfect Games in the one season of the CXI Triples to take home the $3000. With 4 weeks of league to go, with Mike Muir and myself the only bowlers with one 300 game each....My Monster Bruiser managed to find the wall 2 weeks in a row and the cash was mine WOOT WOOT

Though Im sure after 40 years or service to bowling, there is many many more stories to be told, and I too look forward to hearing them!

 

[baron]

I tell ya George like pretty much all bowling centres there must be hundreds of stories some good some not so good but as my old mate Wimpy would say "'never let the truth get in the way of a good story''. I bowled my first ever game at Fairlanes way back in '79 when we used to bowl moonlight on Fri nites and one of my mates soon started bowling league there. I never joined but Midland opened soon after and the rest is history. Eventually I joined the City of Lights league in the mid 80s (would have to be up there as one of the best leagues ever) where me Stax Scoops and a name some people would remember Kevin (Mr Wonderful) Round would bowl then make our way down to the casino. I was working at Midland then and didnt have to show up till 4pm so Tues nites was always a big one. Like almost everyone I had a stint in the Monday mixed and the CXI Triples which Im proud to say were winners and more recently the Thurs doubles again champs which is always good. But of course it will always be remembered for the Perth Cup. Easily the most prestigious and sort after trophy in the land I dont care who you are. It was Val and Davids baby and it ran like clockwork unless you were a certain left hander who protested and won to get into the finals. Val was furiuos but she soon forgave him. Had the good fortune to make a few cuts with my best finish a fourth when I lost to Silvano in the step ladder. For me I reckon Scoops winning in 94 stands out as the classic. I was just so thrilled to see Al win it was huge. And lets not forget the Gold Cup. Just a great 3 days of non stop sledging and some good bowling thrown in for good measure. Too many stories to mention but winning it 6 times ( 3 with Rachuig and 3 with Team FUBAR) rates as one of my highlights. I think it was 2000 where we didnt have to show up after lunch we were that far in front and Wimpy went and put his Hawaiian shirt on with 3 games to go as if to say thats it fellas Im done. Dang! I wish i had thought of it. When FUBAR get together all the stories come out and they never get old even though Ive heard them a million times.

Baron

 

[Carl D]

My best memory was in early 1984 after Fairlanes had just completed its first major renovations and installed Brunswick AS-80 scorers. I was working there during the afternoons and evenings showing bowlers how to operate the new scoring system.
One Sunday afternoon I was asked to help the social bowlers on lanes 21 and 22 to enter their names in the scorer. I went down and sat at the scorer console and turned to the left and asked the gentleman sitting there for his name. He said "Kenny", so I put his name in, then I asked the other people and entered their names too.
As I walked back up to the control desk I wondered why just about everyone else in the centre was looking across to lanes 21 and 22. Then I found out, it was none other than Kenny Rogers himself! How embarrassing.

The other funny thing was Joan Smith-Mitchell was working on the control desk at the time (who remembers Joan and Ken?) and she didn't know who he was either even though she'd served them.

 

[Stax]

I think I'll need a bigger piece of paper!!!

Stax

 

[Ice Maiden]

I have to admit, i wont have nearly as many memories as others, considering i've only really been at fairlanes for the last 5-6 years. But Perth Cup was always a highlight, especially with frawls stacking it a few years ago, watching andrew mcarthur shoot 300 on the next pair to me, and all the matchplay finals were spectacular. The other highlight for me was bowling (possibly) record mixed doubles series during monday mixed with clinton (1514 for the record), was also my first 700 in league so more than one happy memory there.

 

[Brenton_Davy]

Good grief, where could I possibly start.

Probably my best memory of Fairlanes is the way I and all the interstaters at the Perth Cup were looked after every year. Staff members picking you up at the airport, organising accomodation, running Perth Cups with the utmost professionalism without losing the personal touches that really made it a pleasure for me to go over there year after year.

Then there were the golf days and barbeques and the general social feel that has been lost to the game in all the other capital cities. That was a credit to not only the staff, but also to the bowlers that bowled there. They were by far the most appreciative crowds I have ever bowled in front of (other than the occassional sledge from FUBAR LOL) and alwayus made me feel welcome, except maybe when I was bowling against either Steve hart or Silvano Prez LOL.

With all those great memories, the wins were a bonus, so thanks to Val and David, Sue, Heather, Scoops, Scotty, Jason and everone else who worked there and all the bowlers and spectators who made Fairlanes my favourite tournament destination ever.

 

[SCOOPS]

NOT SURE REALLY WHAT TO WRITE
I'm with Stax would need more paper, like about 28Reems
So what we after i've got all the ratings, PG, M, MA, R, X & XXX, just ask the lonely boring people in Perth, they'll tell ya
it's gonna be sad to see the OLD girl go, but cant wait to see it get smashed in the same breath, i'll put a piece of the brick next to my piece from the Berlin wall

 

[PeterB]

Handing in my resignation.

 

[granat]

The first time I walked into Fairlanes with my brother at a young age of about 14 and didn't even know that a place like that existed. He joined me up in a junior league and I never looked back..All the people and staff there at the time what I can remember were very helpful and encouraging.

 

[Fairlanes]

From all of us here at Fairlanes we'd like to thank you all for the memories. Don't forget we are having a Grand Finale Tournament Sponsored by the Rent a Plant Family, Fairlanes Tenpin Bowling Association and Fairlanes.

The Tournament is open to all Fairlanes League bowlers holding a 2006 TBAL registration. It's a great format with approximately 92 bowlers taking some of the $9,000 prize fund.

After the final on Sunday 19th November we'll be having a party. Everyone's welcome but for catering purposes pleasse let me know. This will be a great opportunity to all catch up again...there'll be prizes, presentations, an auction and lots of memories to share.

Sue and all the staff.

 

[Murderdoll]

For me it would just be being able to have bowled there. Fairlanes has such a great atmosphere and will be sad to see it closed for good.

I will have one last roll before it closes.

 

[SCOOPS]

On a more serious note

My standout memories

My first 300 Lanes 1&2 Sunday October 16, 1988 bowling in the Casino Doubles wit my Father, Bill, the added bonus of a $10,000.00 cheque

Winning the Perth Cup in 1993, (93 BARON not 94...lol)after so many years of tears in the carpark from missing the Cut, my little Down Syndrome Friend, Neil, Sat wit me the whole way thru the stepladder until i think the 6th frame of the rematch against Brian Hamer i doubles turned around to give the Neil the strike and he had gone to catch his Bus home. Beat Bradford, CaroL, Lovell and then Flash twice was very special
then being swamped what must have been 500people felt like thousands
NB(Not 1 game over 200 in stepladder, except for match 1 Bradford beat stoppel 24+v23+ something like that, memory going as i get older lol)

My second 300 lanes 11&12 at Fairlanes, bowling with my old Mate Steve Wimbrdge, Thursday November 25, 1999. This time picking up only a $1000.00 but with great pleasure giving half to my partner
(sorry dad for not splitting lol u wouldnt have taken it anyways)
Against Brendan too(hmmm shot 299 against BOOF too sorry mate, u must bring the best out in me)

finally as far as my bowling in the centre goes 2000GOLD CUP as Baron said winning the tournement with 3games to go was someting else
That last day i believe we shot 3453 for the 1st 3games same 5bowlers

You couldnt ask to bowl with a better bunch of blokes,

Having bowled my first ever game at fairlanes back in June of 1980 then joining my 1st league there in 1984, then finally starting work there September 1st 1987, i have been fortunate enough to see & DO more than most

that centre has been a big part of my life for over 20years, and the people that have come and gone also played a huge part in my life

Been fortunate enough to have assisted so many to enjoy our great game, and for me there is no bigger buzz, signing bowlers up in the 80's that are still bowling league today holds a more special part than some of my own bowling achievements

I'd like to thank all the social bowlers, league bowlers and staff that have made something irreplacable in my memory

Most of the friendships will last a last lifetime,

Good luck to all where ever u choose to continue ur bowling


PS. anyone wishing to know any R RATED history in the bowl ask me next time u see me................lol

 

[strop]

Lots of great memories from this great centre. Always a pleasure to come over for those years to bowl in the Perth Cup. Social functions around that time were great. Many a step ladder I bowled, losing to Brenton davy one year in the final my 247 to his 269. Doh! But coming back in 94 to Win against Mr Sir Prez.
Always been kind to me there with fantastic lanes, staff , and People who attended and of course the bowlers.
I have missed David and Val and of course my mother SUE!

Many a fond memory

Cheers

Tony Stoppel

 

[Fairlanes]

LOL Bless you my Son

 

[BELMO]

Mirror mirror on the wall, i'm looking to bowl something new, who is the fairest of them all,
the mirror replied "Why just look to the west to see it stand tall."

"I need some more infomation mirror mirror on the wall" i asked, "AUSTRALIA is pretty F***KING big can you give me a more exact location"

"Why the name of the bowl is Fairlanes, a bowl located in Perth, a bowl with class and culture a bowl suited to 2 handed play" She explained.
"Thats much better mirror mirror on the wall, anything else i should know before i go but be quick i dont want to delay"

"Why all else you need is somewhere to stay and i know the perfect place. The place is called the Muir's, husband Mike and wife Bon, if fairlanes is the fairiest bowl, the Muir's are the fairest hosts of them all"
"These people do sound great, how do i get in contact with these people mirror mirror on the wall" i questioned

"Jesus Christ do i have to really do everything, his number is 0414 *** *** call him and he will look after the rest" She crankly exclaimed.
"Right o right o mirror mirror on the wall, settle down, thank you for your help and im sure Perth, Fairlanes and the Muir's will be the best."

So thats how i got there.........

When i got there i knew i had walked into a bowling centre with loads of history and loads of character.
My first step inside i was greeted by a cheery and very attractive lady who introduced herself and welcomed me. "Im Sue and Welcome" she said haha

Mike had told me that Fairlanes was a little funny, it has something missing which every other bowl has and you cant see it till you bowl.

Thinking he was full of crap i recieived my lane draw and went to my lanes. My first ball of practice i do what i always do, run up and bowl as fast as i could.
The next thing i saw were the arrows 5 cm's from my face. "mike yelled "i told you it was missing something, its called SLIDE" haha
i have never seen anything like it i thought....my next thought was "wait till i get home and see that F**king mirror "

I think i ended up coming 9th in my first Perth CUP, not my best result, but the staff and the tournament was so great i had to come back again and again and again, and im glad i did. I came 2nd to Walshy in 2004, i won in 2005 and won it again 2006.

Fairlanes was a bowl that even if you didnt bowl great, you left the place happy. It was a environment unlike any other, there is no other bowl (except the 3 my family own) where every bowler who walks in the door is greated by name and with a smile.

I will miss Fairlanes, I will miss staying at the Muir's and i will miss the Perth Cup. It will forever go down in my head as one of the greatest events ever run in Australia.....WELL DONE FAIRLANES, you will be sadly missed!

jason belmonte

 

[craig]

ST LEONARDS
CIVIC
CLAYFIELD
ROCKDALE
LEICHARDT
FAIRLANES

between these 6 centres they have hosted all of the greatest players this country has ever seen, a true bowlers house, respected by ALL bowlers

shame to see its final curtain call is nearing as i was to the 5 centres previous

 

[SCOOPS]

ST LEONARDS
CIVIC
CLAYFIELD
ROCKDALE
LEICHARDT
FAIRLANES
between these 6 centres they have hosted all of the greatest players this country has ever seen, a true bowlers house, respected by ALL bowlers
shame to see its final curtain call is nearing as i was to the 5 centres previous

Probably only missing Ruschcutter, memorable to me for 86 Pres Shield

SPENT A MONTH THERE ONE NIGHT

 

[lovey]

I remember the first time I went to Perth, they used to have a dinner on the Friday and a bookmaker was betting on the tournament. On the Friday I had a couple of practice games, just to see how the lanes were. I had 22 out of 24 strikes. How easy is this. At the dinner I said to Sam Romeo, go and see what price I was. He came back and said you are 5-1. I said was that to win the tournament, Sam said no, to make the top 20. we loaded up s...loads at 5-1. Got the money,never saw a bookmaker again at the Perth Cup. Loved the crowds in Perth, so focal.The staff made you feel very welcome. The friendships I made with Dave, Val & Sue will always be cherished. Plus all the bowlers in Perth. great bunch of people. All the best to everyone.
Lovey

 

[deaf lefty]

Myself never forget about the Fairlanes city lane is really great one when myself bowled 7 or 8 times over 200's (top game 240) from approx 42 games in two different time in same year 1997.

It gave more nice atmostphere around inside what myself love it very much as one of our favorite brunwick lane.

So missed the belovely Fairlanes City lane !!!