Submitted photo: Bruce Rollins of Callender poses after setting the new men’s city bowling series record.

Bruce Rollins admits he’s an emotional guy.

Before he recently etched his name into the city bowling record books, Rollins took a trip down memory lane.

During a typical weekday preceding one of his five regular bowling nights, the Callender resident received something from his aunt that started tugging on his heart strings. She had a picture of Rollins with his father, who passed away in 1981.

A few hours later, a motivated Rollins set the Fort Dodge-area series scoring record.

“My aunt brought me that picture,” Rollins said, “and it was definitely emotional. It’s crazy to think that I happened to have that photo on my table with my stuff the night I set the scoring record.

“That night, I was bowling against my mother. So it was special and it all hit me at once when I broke it. I was crying. Hugging my mom, aunt and cousin…I was just overflowing with emotion.”

Rollins has been posting big numbers at the lanes his entire career and has chased the city mark before finally topping the charts at the Family Bowling Center.

Rollins put together a 867 series, edging out the previous record by Alex Markov of 865.

The 51-year old Rollins started the historic run with a 268. In his second game, he was nearly perfect, rolling a 299.

Rollins then ended the historic night with his 35th career perfect game. It was the 18th series of 800 or more in his career.

Rollins’ previous high was 848.

“I have been close, so this was on my radar,” Rollins said. “Once I found out, it was important to me because you always want to do the best you can and be the best you can be.”

Rollins had strikes in 23 of 24 throws during his final two games, admitting that pocket doesn’t stay very often. The bowler has rolled ten total 299 games in his career, and has gone into the final ball 25 times or better with a perfect game on the line.

“Having done it as long as I have, you have to read the lanes,” Rollins said. “As you are bowling, sometimes you have to throw it a touch differently. You are making adjustments like a tow-board stretch, which is like two inches.

“Adjusting is key, because you have to see if the oil patterns hold.”

It has been memorable stretch recently for Rollins, who was also inducted into the Fort Dodge Area USBC Hall of Fame.

“To be with that group of guys is an honor,” Rollins said. “Guys like Burke Risetter, Dennis Detmering, Dub Cory, Chris Birnbaum, Dr. John Calisesi…there are just so many amazing names.

“There is a rich history of bowling in the community. Now I can say I’m part of that group.”

Rollins, who spends the majority of his time at work and the bowling alleys, knows achieving the city record and being inducted into the Hall of Fame couldn’t happen without the support from his friends and family.

“I have had so much support from my wife (Jenn),” Rollins said. “She goes to a lot of the tournaments with me and has been by my side. I want to thank my mom and dad for getting me involved in bowling. My wife and kids have allowed me to do this, and they support me at home no matter what.

“I also want to thank Larry Wood, who has drilled all of my bowling balls for the last 30 years and has been like a coach to me. This means so much.”