Like Mother, Like Son - bowling star/bowling instructor Virginia Norton has taught her young son to bowl

Bowling Digest, Oct, 2000 by Paul Kreins

Norton observes that more people are becoming more dedicated to excellence in the sport both at the professional and amateur levels: "I see a lot of dedication in people who just want to be better bowlers." Consequently, people are seeking lessons and practicing more than ever.

Norton hopes the bowling industry will one day recognize the importance of good bowling instruction and see more centers hire house pros. She points out that some of the best instructors aren't necessarily the top pro bowlers--"being a good bowler doesn't always make you a good teacher," she notes. As an example, she points to Vesma Grinfelds, her tour roommate, who was taught by her father, who never even bowled.

"There were several times when Vesma's father helped me during a tournament because he knew my game so well," she says. "Teachers require the ability to identify [or see] the problem and then to be able to communicate the solution."

Norton will continue to teach the sport she so dearly loves. Her bowling will consist of competing in the major tournaments and regionals, and in a big-money scratch league with Scott. She'll even find time to squeeze in some softball--she satisfies that passion by competing in a co-ed league with her husband, Rick.

In reflecting on her career, Norton cherishes the honors bestowed upon her and is thankful for the recognition. She also feels the kind of success she achieved requires a certain amount of good fortune as well. "It takes the right things happening at the right time," she says. "A few shots here and there can mean the difference between winning 10 titles or winning one title."

With a sense of pride she states, "You work your entire lifetime, and there are only a handful of people who get to that level." Then, with the humility that defines the type of person she is, she adds, "Even when you get there, you kind of look at it and ask whether you even deserve it."

As a competitive athlete, Virginia Norton has more than earned the honors bestowed upon her. She continues to give back to the sport by training new champions while also helping amateurs to simply enjoy the game more by becoming better players. And, her greatest legacy may yet be the accomplishments of her sons as they strive to follow in their mother's giant footsteps.