Bowl Hole ice bowling event to be held in Prior Lake

PRIOR LAKE, Minn. — If life gives you lemons, make lemonade, but if winter gives you ice and you live in Minnesota, make a fun game with all proceeds going to a different charity each year.

That’s exactly what a few ice fishermen did when they got frustrated from not catching anything. Dan Baribeau, the founder of Bowl Hole, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, must have looked out on the ice and decided this would be a good place to set up a game of bowling—with a few modifications of course.

Emilie Bohanon, Rick Murphy, and Nick Tofanelli make up the rest of the Bowl Hole committee, which sets up this event every year. The first two games were held in Lakeville at Lake Marion but are now played in Prior Lake.

Emilie Bohanon explains the concept.

“We drill 10 holes into the ice just small enough and deep enough for a bowling ball to drop in. The holes are in a pattern just like pins in a bowling game. A game consists of four players with two bowlers per team. One player from each team plays at each end of the lane. Each player has a turn to throw the ball across the ice in their attempt to drop the ball into a scoring hole. They score only if the ball drops into a hole and does not roll over. First team to score 21 or has the highest score when time runs out wins.”

Bowl Hole is now in its eighth year and has a steady following of players and fans. Besides being a fun game, this event is an important fundraiser as well.

“We pick a different cause each year, and a family that has been affected by said cause,” Bohanon said. “This year, the cause is mental health with a focus on suicide awareness.”

This year’s Bowl Hole will be held on Saturday, February 4 at the Knotty Oar Marina in Prior Lake.

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