Edmond Dad Builds Bowling Lane In Backyard For His Son

After COVID-19 canceled a national bowling tournament, an Edmond dad built his competitive bowling son a bowling lane in their backyard.

It was actually the son’s idea after metro bowling alleys were forced to close over the pandemic.

“I want my name to be a household name in the bowling community,” said 15-year-old Eric Jones, who was rolling up to 15 games a day to practice for national tournaments.

“I said I’ve got to figure out something or he’s going to go nuts,” said Heath Jones, Eric’s dad.

It took the father and son around three weeks to build the 48-foot alley stacked on cinder blocks in the backyard.

“It’s a completely different sport of bowling, but you still get to work on stuff. Work on staying loose,” said Eric, who’s bowled 10 perfect games over his bowling career.

After every roll, Eric pulls a bungee cord that lifts and sets the pins which are tied to cables.

Another rope lifts a flap that returns the bowling ball to the other end of the lane.

Since bowling lanes have lane oils, the Heath and Eric sprayed the lane with Pam.

“I had a couple fathers contact me and say ‘can you send me the plans for this?’ It’s really not plans, its trial and error,” said Heath.

Heath said the lane cost about $850 and 12 trips to the Home Depot.

He said the neighbors have been very supportive and nobody has complained about the sound of crashing pins.

“We are having a lot of fun,” said Eric, who still hopes to be able to compete in other tournaments this summer.

“I am really proud of him,” said Heath.