Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT
Betty Zellers, 93, and Parker Taylor, 98, are the oldest members of the Monday Seniors bowling league at Joey Armadillo’s. Taylor recently bowled a 629 series.

Parker Taylor admits he doesn’t roll it quite the way he used to.

Every once in a while, though, the 98-year-old Niles resident will put up a series that amazes his fellow seniors during the Monday and Tuesday seniors leagues at Joey Armadillo’s Bowling Alley in Niles.

“He walks up there like a young man and rolls that ball. He really is a great bowler,” said 93-year-old Betty Zellers, who watched Taylor tally a 203, 224 and 202 on the way to a 629 series March 24. “It’s too bad he was bowling against us.”

The Monday and Tuesday senior leagues average about 30 bowlers each and run from September through April.

Many members, like Taylor and Zellers, have been coming for so long they say members are almost like extended family.

“The people are great. It’s really good company and a good way to stay active,” said Zeller, the oldest female bowler in the Monday league.

Taylor said fellow bowlers were more excited about his 629 series than he was.

“We’ve got a nice group here,” he said. “If you bowl real good everybody’s for you and if you don’t bowl good, your teammates don’t get on you. That’s not the case in a regular league.”

When asked, most seniors said they were there more for the companionship than the competition.

“I’ve got about a 139 average, so that’s not setting the world on fire,” said league president Joan Ort, 84. “I don’t worry about it as long as I have a good time and enjoy myself.”

Members also say bowling is a good excuse to get out of the house and keep their limbs moving, without expending too much energy.

“I just like to bowl,” Taylor said. “I had a brother-in-law that wanted me to golf, but I can’t see myself hitting that ball and going to find it. When I’m bowling it comes right back to me. I don’t have to go running all around to find it. I like that.”

While senior bowling finished this week, Joey Armadillo’s offers several other bowling leagues, including youth, women and mixed. Summer leagues are now forming.

For more information, visit bowling center’s website at joeyarmadillos.com or call (269) 687-5555.