Fort Knox, Ky. – Starting at 9 a.m. on June 8, 2023, the women’s bowling league dominated the lanes at Houston Bowling Center. The women in this league dedicate their Thursday mornings to play against one another every week. The teams are different every time, and the sportsmanship is high.

Amongst the sounds of bowling balls rolling down lanes and knocked over pins, laughter can be heard near the lanes that are occupied by the ladies of the Thursday morning league.

The women’s league is just one of many activities the Houston Bowling Center has to offer to the public on Thursdays, which tends to be one of the busiest days of the week for Houston’s employees. Houston opens early only on Thursday specifically for the women’s league. No matter what time of year it is, the women’s league is a constant at Houston Bowling Center according to business manager Richard Meredith.

“They do this during the summer and during the winter, so we don’t alter our hours even for the few weeks that they’re not bowling,” Meredith said.

The Thursday morning women’s league, as well as the Monday night mixed league, provides those living close to Fort Knox with a sense of camaraderie. The ladies show up every Thursday not necessarily just for bowling, but to make connections with one another.

“I may not bowl that well, but I joined the league for socializing,” said Rose Creighton.

Creighton has played in the women’s league for 28 years. When she is not bowling, you can find her joking around with her teammates or running the weekly raffle. The women’s league is Creighton’s favorite league to be a part of, although she does enjoy bowling with her husband during the mixed league that Houston holds on Monday nights.

Dorris Ceodgokins, a retired school bus driver from Radcliff, Ky., has been bowling at Fort Knox for over 30 years. Ceodgokins does not live on the Army base, but she is willing to make the drive over because of the relationships she has developed with the other league members. Ceodgokins said the ‘fellowship’ that she has made with her fellow league members is her favorite part about being in the league.

On average, most of the ladies have been a part of the league for at least 20 years. A few of the ladies have been bowling consistently for more than 50 years. The ladies of this league are experienced and ready to pick up a bowling ball at any given moment.