January 9, 1957 - April 13, 2008

by Scott Muoio

April 14, 2008

Sunset Bowl means so much to so many people in so many ways. Since opening its doors on January 9, 1957, it has stood at 1420 NW Market Street in Ballard as a beacon of good times for all who have stepped inside. From the gritty lanes to the riotous karaoke lounge, the pull tab bar to the cloth towel dispensers, the mismatched collection of Velcro shoes to the amazing cast of glorious characters resetting errant pins, delivering drinks, and ringing up games behind the counter Sunset Bowl is bowling for at least four generations of Seattleites. And last night, on Sunday April 13, 2008, the last cocktail was poured, the final house ball rocketed down the lanes, and the triumphant last league in Sunset history recorded into the archives. It was an amazing night of speeches, camaraderie, socializing, drinking, reminiscing, and of course, bowling, and while not a tear was spotted anywhere in the place there is no doubt more than a few hearts were crying out loud. I know mine was.

To honor the final night of Sunset Bowl, team Sunset Forever concluded their Sunday night 6:30pm league with a gallant and inspiring performance. In their first match, the mighty underdogs battled their rivals, Big Balls and Long Pins, in a nail-
biting, spell-binding epic confrontation. After Big Balls stormed out to a staggering lead, all seemed lost for Sunset Forever. But then, like a flash of lightning, something began to change. From the back of the lounge to the far reaches of Lane 26, it happened: the heart of Sunset Forever was growing bigger and bigger and bigger, pounding harder and harder and harder, and by the seventh frame everyone in the building could hear its inspirational beating tune. And when all was said and done, Sunset Forever had advanced to the final, besting Big Balls by a mere eleven pins. It was shocking, it was inspirational, it was destiny. But could the dream season continue for one more game with Sunset Forever walking out as the final league champions in Sunset Bowl history? We were about to find out.

Match #2, the grand finals of the Sunday 6:30pm league, was as nerve-wracking a contest as one could ever hope to witness let alone participate in. And thrilling was it ever. Carrying the momentum from their shocking semi-finals upset, Sunset Forever dominated perennial league champions, Roy Munson’s Illegitimate Kids for the first half of the match. Strikes, impossible spares, and a feisty team effort had Roy Munson’s scrambling for confidence and desperate for some sort of breakdown by their opponents. Then, just as suddenly as they had broken out of the gate, the sand in Sunset Forever's hour glass finally ran out. The pins ceased falling for Sunset Forever and Roy Munson’s found their groove. Was Sunset Forever again destined to epitomize the expression “always a bride’s maid, never a bride,” or would they finally clear that last hurdle and break the tape on their very last try at immortality? Sadly, their glass ceiling would not shatter and Roy Munson’s celebrated with another league championship.

 

It was midway through Match #2 when yours truly finally tracked down teammate and man of perpetual motion, Randy Harlow, for once not circulating through the alley shaking hands and kissing babies but instead enjoying a rare moment of solitude. It was then that I approached the Zen master and asked him exactly what was on my mind, “do you think we can really win it?” But instead of analyzing our chances of victory or smack talking our opponents or merely providing a bit of ra-ra motivation, Randy said something completely different, and something I will never, ever forget.

“Have I taught you nothing, Scott?” he replied. “Bowling isn’t about who wins or loses, it’s about drinking and meeting people and having a good time.” Here we were on the brink of history yet Randy was unflappable in his philosophy, content to see our situation for exactly what it was: just another wonderful day to be alive. So with his words ringing in my ears I was forced to turn away from Randy’s meditative gaze, ashamed of what I had become or perhaps always was. What was I doing? It was Randy who first let me substitute for his team in their Thursday night league, Randy who brought us all together as Sunset Forever, Randy who week after week united friends and foes, bartenders and bowlers, counter clerks and league officials with round upon round of celebratory shots and friendly introductions, and Randy who would on this most historic of occasions bowl his greatest series ever, a 182 and 202, while the rest of us worried away the championship because of our foolish obsessions. And in the end it was our team, overthinking, overthrowing, and underperforming that succumbed to the more experienced Roy Munson’s, and to ourselves, settling for second just as we were finally able to see the finish line. Yet ironically, for all the woulda, coulda, shoulda that played out, it isn’t finishing second and barely missing a championship that I will always remember about this night, but rather, it will be Randy’s words and actions that somehow described exactly what 51 years of Sunset Bowl was all about that will live in my heart and in my mind forever.

 

As I walked out the door of Sunset Bowl for the very last time, I lingered on Randy’s words as I felt the rush of 51 years of history flood my mind. And at last I was able to fully appreciate what Randy had always intended, and inevitably, had been achieving night after glorious night. I understood that it wasn't hipsters, old fogies, regular joes and janes, disabled people, families, children’s birthday parties, league championships, and bizarre characters, each unique in their own inimitable way, that Sunset Bowl was all about. Instead, Sunset Bowl was a place for ALL OF THEM, for ALL OF US to meet and laugh and drink and cheer and remind one another exactly what life is all about: getting to know all people from all walks of life. And it was magical.

Now that it is over, what more can I say other than thank you, Sunset Bowl, for all that you have taught me and given me over our brief time together. Thank you for the joy and the laughter and all the awesome memories that I will carry with me forever. You will always have a place in my heart.

Thank you Sunset Forever, the greatest team to ever set foot on a bowling alley. No matter the line-up we put on the scorecard, each and every one of you was a champion, a friend, and a tremendous teammate. You will always have a place in my heart.

 

They say the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long. Well, Sunset Bowl, you defied the odds and were able to burn twice as bright for twice as long, and I love you for it. So goodbye my dear friend, hopefully one day we can reunite somewhere in the clouds. Just be sure to save me one of those magical lime green balls, I'm just not the same without it.