Larry Nowak as born and raided in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and started in the bowling business at the age of 16. He began his career with Red Carpet Lanes, which had four centers at the time. He worked in the back of the machines and stocked the bar. Shortly after turning 18, Larry was offered a full-time position as a Bar Manager. He did this while going to college at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Campus part time and promised his mom that he would still get his degree, which he did by graduating with 2 Majors and several minors in the 13 plus years at UWM!
Larry worked his way up through the company and became a general manager at 23 and then Vice President of the company at 31. Which at the time, had gown to 10 centers with 500 lanes and 750 employees. During this time, Larry met the love of his life, Sandy, and they were married in November of 1981. Two years later their only daughter, Heather, was born.
In 1987, the Company was sold from a family ownership to an investment company out of New York. In 1988, Larry, Sandy and Heather moved to Baltimore to run 10 centers from Annapolis to New Jersey for Fair Lanes. In 1992, the family run centers were sold to in investment company from Los Angeles. In 1993, Larry became part of the downsizing and on a whim came to an interview in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Things clicked between Larry and Lee Zavakos and the family made the move to the beach. Larry worked for Lee and eventually bought Waccamaw Lanes. Larry left Waccamaw Lanes in October of 2014 and worked for Lee at Anchor Lanes in Irmo, SC. In the spring of 2015, Larry and Sandy partnered up with Tom and Molly Bridgeman, Heather and Arthur Dionisio and came back to Myrtle Beach to be the managing partner of Myrtle Beach Bowl.
In Larry’s years being in the bowling industry, he has been part of hosting over 15 National Pro Bowling stops, and numerous Local, State and National Tournaments. He even hosted two Bowling Television Shows for several years. He is a member of the Grand Strand Board and was inducted into the Grand Strand Hall of Fame. He has promoted the game of bowling by dedicating his career to Youth Bowlers on up to our Senior Bowlers and his impact on the sport is seen daily. Just walk into Myrtle Beach Bowl and watch him interact with his employees, league bowlers, and open bowlers and you will see.
