ROCKINGHAM — Eleven teams rolled in to Strikers Bowling Alley Monday evening to support the arts in Richmond County.
Participants got a few minutes to loosen up with a practice round before the annual Bowling for the Arts got underway.
This is the fifth year for the tournament that benefits Arts Richmond, according to local photographer Jimmy McDonald, who serves as the group’s president.
“It’s been a great event for us,” he said while packing up. “We’ve had a wonderful turnout, great sponsors and it’s just a fun night.
“It’s a good fundraiser, it helps us with some our projects,” he added.
Twice a year, Arts Richmond hosts an exhibit for first-year art students at Richmond Community College. There is also a photography group and a palette of art classes including pottery and metalworking.
“A lot of things we do aren’t publicized,” he added. “We’re just glad to have a facility … to keep art, in general, thriving in Richmond County.”
McDonald said there was “a pretty good variety” of teams for the tournament — which included several businesses, churches and city of Rockingham employees — and that he was “happy for the support that we have,” especially the large crowd of people who came out on a weeknight.
Kenny Melvin, co-owner of RO parent company KCL Media, bowled for both the RO team — also including co-owner Charlie Melvin, Matt Harrelson (Good Morning Sandhills, Live at 5, RO Sports Show), Executive Producer Russell Parker and Managing Editor William R. Toler — and the Farm Bureau team.
The latter won the award for lowest team score.
The Jeff’s Trophies team — Jeff and Justin Ingram, and Chris, Cody and John Coburn — led the tournament with 1,410 points in two games.
There were also several door prizes given out as well as a 50/50 raffle.
McDonald said organizers should know how much money was raised by the end of the week.
