300 game bowled: Ray Miller shoots 1st perfect game in Willow Lanes' 44-year history

McCook's Ray Miller bowled the first perfect game in the 44-year history of Willow Lanes Tuesday night.

Miller was solid and true on his 12th straight strike to record his 300 game, said Rod Lytle, the manager at Willow Lanes.

"They (the other bowlers) were cheering and clapping for him," Lytle said. "He was nervous -- he was shaking. I've come close, but you get nervous the last few shots."

Miller will receive $300 from the McCook Men's Bowling Association and another $300 from Willow Lanes.

Miller will also receive a "300 ring" and a plaque from the American Bowling Congress.

Miller's effort helped the J&L Construction squad set a Willow Lanes team record for scratch score with 3,115 pins. They broke the old mark of 3,107 set by Hixon Construction.

J&L just missed the high team score record by a few pins.

Miller also bowled a 236 and a 161 for a 697 series. Miller, however, was eclipsed by teammate Tim Shepherd, who had the high series with a 712.

Other members of the J&L Construction team were Don Weiss, Glen Baughman and Curt Van Pelt. J&L competes in the Men's Major League.

Lytle came close in 2000 when he bowled a 299. The only other 299 at Willow Lanes was bowled by Lou Duschaine in 1971-72.

The 300 barrier was nearly reached two weeks ago when Rob Holiday bowled a 297 game -- also in Men's Major League play. Holiday struck out on his 11 frames, but knocked down seven pins on his final shot.

Lytle said there were two other bowling alleys in McCook prior to Willow Lanes being built in 1961.

One of the lanes was the Bowl More, which is located on East 2nd Street where Miller and Associates Consulting currently has its office.

Lytle said he remembers a few 296s being bowled at Willow Lanes, but was not sure on any 298s.