After 33 years in the Dayton Bowling Association, the Aero Lanes proprietor will be inducted into the hall of fame for bowling achievement at the 13th Annual Dayton Bowling Council Hall of Fame and awards banquet Aug. 5. Flemming is one of five association members who will be honored, including Jeff Fleck, who also will be recognized for bowling achievement.
“On our nationals team, I’m the only guy who wasn’t in there yet,” Flemming said. “It’s quite an honor to join them in the hall of fame.”
The 50-year-old started competing in youth leagues at Beaver-Vu Lanes almost four decades ago. He started working at the Beavercreek bowling center a few years later and was manager by the time he was 21.
Flemming soon decided to jump into the bowling business with both feet as he bought Aero Lanes in Fairborn in 1985. The 18-lane center was a bit of a fixer-upper.
“It was definitely a little outdated,” he said.
Aero Lanes was the first center in the area to install Cosmic Bowling. Flemming also replaced the lanes, the scoring system and the masking units.
“We’re fortunate in the Dayton area to have so many fine bowling establishments to choose from,” he said. “I’m amazed, when I go to other bowling centers across the country, how nice the bowling centers are here.”
While Flemming has spent much of his time focusing on the business of bowling, he also has many accomplishments on the lanes, including 22 perfect games and 10 800 series. He has five city titles to his credit, most recently the handicap and actual team championship titles in 2008. Flemming also has four top-10 state finishes in doubles.
“Winning the OTBA was probably one of my personal highlights,” Flemming said. “And winning a city tournament, especially with such great competition here, is always an accomplishment.”
He won the Ohio Tournament Bowling Association singles title in 1993 and was the doubles runner-up with Rick Starbuck that same year.
Flemming now is trying his hand at the PBA Senior Tour. He has competed in six of seven national events this season, cashing twice, and is ranked 58th in the point standings.
“It’s been a lot of fun to go out see how you rate,” he said. “I think I’ve been pretty competitive, I just haven’t sealed the deal and made it to match play yet.”
Flemming made the first cut at the U.S. Open but fell short of the second cut.
“I think I need to make better educated guesses about ball changes and lane conditions because the other guys seem to be making adjustments a frame or two quicker,” Flemming said. “But I’ll get there.”
About the Author