Two longtime friends from the Greater Cincinnati area are proving that age is just a number on the lanes of Mason Bowl. Ralph Smith, 92, and Don Potrafke, 96, have been teammates in the local Mason league for over ten years, and they still bowl seven nights a week.
How a Friendship Turned Into a League Tradition
Smith first met Potrafke at Loveland Lanes, where Potrafke would drop in occasionally. “I got him into the league,” Smith recalled. “He’s a bowling nut now. He would bowl seven times a week if you’d let him!” Potrafke didn’t start his own bowling journey until he turned 70, but once he did, he never looked back.
Competitive Yet Good‑Natured
Both men approach the game with a competitive edge. “We want to kick your butt, that’s what we want to do,” Potrafke laughed when asked about their attitude toward opponents. Their record backs up the banter: Smith boasts three perfect 300 games – one at Mason Bowl, one at Loveland, and a 299 that he says he earned because he was aiming for the blue ring and missed a pin.
More Than a Scoreboard
For Smith and Potrafke, bowling is about community as much as it is about strikes. “It’s the people you meet at the bowling alley,” Potrafke said. Their team, named “Who Cares,” is a family affair. Smith’s children and grandchildren regularly join the lane, turning each session into a multigenerational gathering.
Why They Keep Coming Back
Beyond the competition, the duo says the social aspect of the league keeps them motivated. The camaraderie, the shared jokes, and the chance to stay active are all reasons they lace up their shoes week after week. “My main reason for bowling, all this, is to control Ralph,” Potrafke joked, highlighting the playful rivalry that fuels their friendship.
Impact on the Local Bowling Community
Smith and Potrafke’s dedication has inspired other seniors in the area to pick up a ball and join the league. Their presence adds a sense of continuity and mentorship for younger bowlers, reinforcing the idea that recreation can be a lifelong pursuit.
As the new league season opens, the two friends look forward to more strikes, spares and shared stories. Their example reminds Mason residents that staying active, fostering friendships, and supporting local venues are timeless values that strengthen the fabric of the community.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
