From his earliest days as a youth bowler, Kent Smith has received the support of family, friends and teammates as he tries to show his appreciation for all that the sport of bowling means to him.
At the age of 6, Kent’s parents took him bowling at the Westlane Bowling Center in Spartanburg. At the invitation of little league baseball friends David and Boone Nagle, Kent started league bowling in 1971 at Pinewood Lanes under the director of Eula Shook. She noticed his dedication and willingness to assist so by the start of the 1972-73 season he was secretary of an 18 team morning league and 10 team afternoon league. Kent became a youth director in 1975, a regular director in 1977, and has served as vice president, president and secretary treasurer up until the present time.
In 1983 Kent was asked by a longtime friend and teammate George Petty to serve as a director on the local ABC board. He became vice president in 1986 and president in 1999, a position he holds today. He has worked with all committees and has served as city tournament director and inspection chairman.
Kent became a local director to the state board in 1986. His dedication is shown by the fact he has not missed a state meeting or jamboree since he started. He has served on all committees, was elected director of the year in 1993, and life member upon completing his term as president in 1998. He has assisted with 2 state tournaments and 3 state jamborees held in Spartanburg and has only missed participation in 2 state tournaments since he began ABC bowling in 1977.
Kent is also the 2nd vice president of the state YABA and was elected to their Hall of Fame in 2002. In addition to his local and state duties he is a regular participant and advisor to the 250 Masters tournament in Augusta, GA. He has bowled in 4 national tournaments, attending the annual meeting once as a state representative and once as a local representative. He has a high average of 2003, game of 299, and series of 763.
