Scott Keeler wins the house record at Earl Bowl Lanes. (Credit: Earl Bowl Lanes)
The Perkiomenville resident is now a champion for the Henning's league at the Franconia Township bowling alley.
When not chasing criminals, Lansdale Police Officer and bowler Scott Keeler has been chasing something more elusive for almost two decades – perfection.
With the quiet precision of a seasoned detective and the focus of a dedicated athlete, Keeler, a member of the Henning’s league, stepped up to the lanes at Earl Bowl in Earlington, Franconia Township, on Monday, Feb. 10, where he’d spent countless hours honing his craft.
And with a final, thunderous strike, he did what he’d been aiming for his entire bowling career—he shattered the house record that had stood for over a decade.
Scott Keeler, of Perkiomenville. (Credit: Earl Bowl Lanes) According to The Express-Times, since he bowled his first 800 series at 18, the 40-year-old Perkiomenville resident has amassed nearly 70 perfect games and about 40 more 800s.
Despite these accomplishments, one number remained just out of reach for Keeler: the house record at Earl Bowl in Earlington.
In 2021, he came close with an 857, just one pin shy of the long-standing record of 858, which had been set a decade earlier, according to the article.
However, it wasn’t until December 2022 that Jared Kelley surpassed it with a score of 859. That wasn’t the end of Keeler’s pursuit, though.
In an incredible performance, he rolled a 300, 276, and 290 for an impressive 866 total, breaking the house record by seven pins, per the report.
For Keeler, this moment marked the pinnacle of his bowling career, something he had been chasing for years.
"I think this is probably the best personal achievement of my career," Keeler told The Express-Times.
He was determined to achieve the record, especially after his perfect game to start the night and his nearly-perfect second game.
After a slight misstep early in the third game—when he left a 10-pin on the first throw—he quickly regained his rhythm and set his sights on the record, per the report.
"I was confident I could do this since I’ve been close before," Keeler told The Express-Times.
His mental fortitude showed as he continued to strike with precision, counting down to the moment when the record would be his.
By the time Keeler reached the final frame, the pressure was on. With the house record within reach, he needed five more strikes.
As he struck in the 10th frame, Keeler knew that the next one would secure his place in Earl Bowl history.
"I was nervous but struck in the 10th. I knew if I got the next one, I’d have it," he told the newspaper.
Keeler’s execution was flawless, and at 8:43 p.m., with a final strike, the record was broken.
Keeler’s success didn’t come by chance. According to the article, his commitment to his craft, including using older, well-maintained equipment, played a significant role in his continued success.
He swears by his Storm AstroPhysiX ball, which he regularly bakes in the oven to ensure it remains in top condition (It releases all the absorbed oil).
Now, Keeler has eight perfect games and six 800s to his name. He continues to bowl twice a week, maintaining impressive averages of 241 and 253.
“Well, I want to not wait around for someone to beat the record, I want to bump it up even further,” he told the Express-Times.
