From Spare Beginnings to a Shot at Gold: Evan Corey’s Journey
On a winter afternoon in January 2022, a then 13‑year‑old Evan Corey laced up a pair of rental shoes at Port 104 Bowling Center. He’d never rolled a single frame in league play, but by the end of that very first month he notched his first 100 game—and a spark was lit.
Fast‑forward two whirlwind seasons. Evan’s practice sessions stretched late into the evening, and ran nearly every day, his browsing history filled with lane‑pattern diagrams and ball‑surface experiments. He finished the 2025 youth season carrying a 202 average, placing him among the elite junior bowlers in southeast Minnesota.
That dedication has paid off: Evan has qualified for the 2025 Junior Gold Championships, the premier youth tournament in the country, to be held July 10–19 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It’s a ten‑day test of skill and stamina, drawing the best young talent from every corner of the United States. The entry fees, travel costs, and hotel nights, however, are steep—well beyond what most families budget for a summer break.
Rolling Out a Community Lane
To help lighten that load, Evan’s hometown bowling family is rallying behind him. The Lake City Youth Junior Bowling Association (LCYJBA) is hosting a special fundraiser tournament right where Evan’s story began—Port 104.
Saturday, May 10, 6:00 PM
Port 104 Bowling Center – Lake City, MN
Entry: $40 ( $20 prize fund • $15 directly to Evan • $5 lineage )
The evening promises more than strikes and spares. Local businesses have chipped in everything from gift cards to other fun packages for a massive raffle. Side pots, other contests, and even a brand‑new bowling ball drawing will keep the adrenaline pumping between frames—all while every bowler’s entry helps Evan chase his national dream.
Why It Matters
Junior Gold isn’t just another tournament; it’s a scouting ground for college programs and a launchpad for future Team USA hopefuls. For Evan, it’s the next chapter in a journey that started with a single visit to the lanes. For Lake City, it’s a chance to show that a small‑town kid with a big work ethic can roll with the best in the nation—if his community stands behind him.
Join the Story
Whether you’re a seasoned league bowler, a weekend bumper‑lane warrior, or simply someone who loves seeing local talent rise, you’re invited. Come bowl a few games, win a few prizes, and send Evan Corey to Green Bay with the confidence that his hometown has his back.
Register today at Port 104’s front desk, Riverboat Lanes front desk or right here on the form below. Let’s fill every lane on May 10, cheer each strike, and write the next chapter of Evan’s remarkable story—together.