Baseball, basketball, football, soccer and hockey are all sports that we think of people playing as youngsters. However, I am a believer in the recreational sport as well. Golf and bowling for example have not quite received the love that they deserve.

During the past semester I have been in a bowling class at UW-Platteville. I had bowled before, but never this much or this competitively.
I really learned a new appreciation for the sport of bowling and have developed an enjoyment for the game.

The great thing about bowling and even golf is that they offer longevity that other sports simply do not. For example, you can not play football when you are 70 years old, but you can bowl for a lifetime.

A few years ago I went bowling with my grandfather and his friends who play in a league during the week. There were people there in their early 90s that were bowling circles around me.

One woman even needed the ball carried up to the lane for her and when she rolled it, there was a long wait required. The pins seemed to topple and fall down, rather than explode as they do with people that throw the ball as hard as they can.

Over the last year my grandfather has had some health concerns and has been limited in the things he can do, but the one thing he always worries about is his ability to continue bowling.

Not only does bowling provide my Grandpa with something he truly enjoys, but it also offers him an activity that allows him to see his friends a couple times a week. He enjoys bowling so much that he is going to start throwing the ball left-handed due to problems with his right.

My advice to young people is to enjoy the conventional sports, but do not be afraid to pick up an unconventional sport either. Conventional sports are great for exercise and overall activity but bowling, golf and horseshoes are games that people can enjoy for their entire lives.

I have really enjoyed my semester of bowling and I hope that I am able to continue playing consistently once the semester ends.

So grab your friends, find a bowling alley, and enjoy a true American treasure. Bowling is one of the lasting traditions in this country and its popularity will always be high because it is something that people of all ages can play.