Heads turned when Arden Fletcher made a strike in the Monday senior men's league at the AMF Bowland Lanes in Granite City last week.

And why not? Fletcher is 100, an age not known for physical activity. But the Maryville man keeps getting strikes and spares in senior men's league play twice a week at the bowling lanes.

Fletcher moved slowly but without help as he picked up the ball, walked forward and released the ball toward the pins. Even though he's legally blind, he can see the pins well enough. He ended the day on Jan. 30 with a score of 305 for three games.

It was less than his per-game average score of 107, but still better than his age.

"It's a good, fun exercise. It's competitive," Fletcher said, taking a break during a game. "I enjoy it. That's all."

There's enough fun to it that he doesn't miss many games. "I'd have to really be sick or something unavoidable." He wants to keep at it as long as he can.

He likes bowling in the Monday and Wednesday leagues. "I can usually get close to average," he said.

Fletcher's son David, 59, of Maryville, recalled that his father used to go bowling with his family from time to time. He took it up again after he retired as a purchasing agent for General Steel Industries in Granite City in the mid-1970s. Arden Fletcher also golfed until about five years ago. He's been bowling with the current group for at least two decades, his son said.

"He really enjoys it. That's what he looks forward to the most," said David Fletcher. Arden Fletcher lives with David and his wife Susan.

Stories about Arden Fletcher's resilience provide encouragement for the youngsters in the senior men's leagues.

"He enjoys this. It keeps him active," said Richard Jaros, 68, of Edwardsville.

Jaros is president of the afternoon men's senior leagues that bowl on Monday and Wednesdays at Bowland. Many of the men who bowl in the Monday league also bowl in the Wednesday league, including Arden Fletcher. The leagues have about 20 members.

"He bowls very well for a guy that's 100," Jaros said.

Contact reporter Jim Merkel at 618-344-0264, ext. 138