Merrill’s Lincoln Lanes has heated up with several super series in recent weeks, but a former Merrillite was recently rewarded for exceptional play over the long haul on the extremely competitive lanes of the Twin Cities.
Lori (Sukow) Munson welcomed induction into the St. Paul Bowling Hall of Fame on Oct. 30 in the Superior Performance category.
“I was extremely honored because very few get in every year,” she said. “I’m very proud. There are some great bowlers in that Hall of Fame.
“It was a long time. You have to be in the St. Paul Association at least 15 years to be considered. I guess I’ve been in it close to 20. My teammates were bugging me to get my nomination stuff in. I finally did it and they picked me.
“Bowling in the Twin Cities area is huge.”
Munson has a knack for coming up with her best performances in the biggest situations.
She fired a career-best 805 series to help her to the All Events title in the 2010 MN State Tournament, and she rolled her only 300 game in a St. Paul City Tournament. She also took a singles state title in 2004 with a 726.
She earned Queen of St. Paul honors in 2010, partly due to that 805 series, but also due to a 726 series and 1886 All Events in the national tournament in Milwaukee, a 299 game in a men’s league, as well as several other high tournament finishes including a win in the 700 Club Tournament with a 974 handicap score.
“They take it all into account,” Munson said. “To be Queen you get so many points for your 600’s, your 700’s, your placements in all the tournaments that you enter.
Lori has worked her way onto the All-City and All-City Honorable Mention squads 10 times. She made the All-City squad in 2011.
While Munson competes in singles and All Events disciplines, she also relishes being part of a team. She hooked up with the Lind’s Northern Stars team nearly two decades ago and is still enjoying the camaraderie.
The Lind’s team ranked fifth at nationals in 2002, and grabbed state titles in 1996 and 2008, along with a St. Paul city championship in 2002.
Ask her how much money some of those high places garnered and Munson defers.
“We put it all in a kitty and split it 10 ways,” she said. “We’ve always done it that way. All the money goes toward next year’s tournament fees and expenses.”
Always enjoying the big stage, she has competed in the national tournament 13 times, and in the state and city tournament 15 times.
Other titles include: Minneapolis City Doubles (1995); Minneapolis All Events, scratch and handicap (1995, 2005); St. Paul City singles (2003); St. Paul City all events (2005). She ranked third in state tounament all events in 2008.
Lori’s highest season average was a 218.
Munson is also passing on her knowledge and joy of bowling to a younger crew. She has coached youth bowling for six years and has mentored the Park High School bowling team for four years. Lori is a sixth-grade teacher.
Munson, who began her bowling career at the tender age of 9, is the daughter of Sid and Eva Sukow.