Bowling For Pickles

It was not a perfect strike, but Saratoga’s own Barb Youngberg and Cindy Carnes competed in this year's Women's Wyoming State Bowling Tournament on April 26 in Cheyenne.

Youngberg and Carnes are currently members of a bowling league at the 10th Frame Bowling Alley in Walden, Colorado.

“On the singles, I finished 5th place and won $250,” Youngberg said. “My score was 766 and Cindy’s was 735, this was in handicap. I have been competing for 3 years and Cindy has been competing for 5 years.”

Youngberg said her love for bowling started when she went bowling at the Saratoga Bowling Alley, where Bridge Street Bargains is now located.

“I used to bowl at the Saratoga Bowling Alley when it had four lanes,” Youngerg said. “My mom was an excellent bowler and we went bowling a lot when I was a kid. I also competed in tournaments when the bowling alley was here.”

Carnes finished 17th place at the state tournament and won $90.00

“The bowlers come from all over the state and they can enter the tournament,” Carnes said. “There are leagues in Gillette, Casper, Lander, Green River, and all over the state.”

Carnes said she has competed in bowling leagues since she retired. She said it keeps her active. Youngberg and Carnes said they hope a bowling alley will one day be back in Saratoga. According to Youngerberg, there have been talks but no backing.

“We need backers for sure,” Youngberg said. “Me and Cindy have heard at one time the Town of Saratoga was going to get a bowling alley built but it did not happen.”

When Youngberg and Carnes are not bowling, they are playing pickleball. Youngberg said she and Carnes participated in pickleball at the Platte Valley Community Center when it first started in November 2022.

“We started playing pickleball almost two years ago,” Youngberg said. “We play at the PVCC where they have courts at the gym. It is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.”

Youngberg also said she was new to pickleball two years ago. She said she decided to give it a try and it turned out to be a lot of fun.

“I had no idea what pickleball was when we first started,” Youngberg said. “It is kind of like tennis but downsized with the courts being a little smaller and the rules are different.”

Carnes said anyone can play this game and she encourages both youth and adults to give it a try.

“There is not much moving around and anyone at any skill level or physical ability can play,” Carnes said. “You can either move as much as you want or as little as you want. It is a great activity and exercise.”

Youngberg and Carnes said the Saratoga Recreation Department hosted a pickleball clinic last November. Last year, 15 people attended the pickleball clinic, and Youngberg and Carnes are hoping to get more people in the community involved. The Saratoga Recreation Department is working with Youngberg and Carnes to expand opportunities for people to play. Youngberg said she welcomes people to come to Veterans Island and play pickleball.

“People can also come out and play pickleball at Veterans Island,” Youngberg said. “We have the courts open, just bring a paddle and ball.”