By BILL SNIER
CANTON — There was a time — through his years at Louisville High School and Walsh University — that bowling became more than just a hobby for Chase Barstow.
The 22-year-old two-handed righty, a staff accountant at Novogradac and Co., did step away from the sport for a short time to reassess his priorities.
But over the past two years, another sport — disc golf — has entered the picture.
“Bowling was something I did because I was good at it. I enjoyed the competition and traveling,” Barstow said. “With disc golf, it’s the same thing, With my hobbies, if I’m going to do something, I want to be good at it.
“Even though I’m classified as a professional in disc golf, I’m still trying to get to that point.”
Even though Barstow admittedly is not working on his game as much as in the past with his attention divided, his bowling prowess remained evident in the Liberty Vending league at Eastbury Bowling Center.
Bowling as a substitute on the same night that Brett and Alex McCourry shot 834 and 800, respectively, in the league, Barstow had games of 275, 278 and 259 for 812 — his fifth sanctioned 800 series to go along with six 300 games.
Barstow bowls one regular league at Eastbury on Mondays, averaging around 240, but admittedly is struggling in the Northeast Ohio Travel League, where he is in the low 200s.
“I would say my game is at about a 7 to 7 1/2 out of 10 at this point,” Barstow said. “With traveling league, I really don’t know where the problem is. I guess I’m just not matching up right. I’m not going to complain though because I’m the one bowling.
“I think I have more 500s than 600 or 700s this season so far. But I just don’t seem to be carrying and that’s really all I can attribute it to.”
That Friday night, he did carry. Starting the night with the Storm Virtual Energy Blackout, he had the front nine strikes before hitting misfortune on his first shot in the 10th frame.
“It’s not like I was nervous or anything … I’ve done it and blew it millions of times. But I plant my foot when I release my shot and my foot slid about seven inches forward on the shot,” said Barstow, who left a 1-3 spare then a 7-count on his final ball.
He then decided to make a blind ball change — going to the Hammer NU Blue. It paid off.
Missing only four times the rest of the way, Barstow was able to complete his 800 run.
“I knew I had 550 going into the final game so I really wasn’t worried because I had a really good look,” Barstow said. “I was just trying to keep it as straight as possible and my speed up.
“I’m at my best when I’m throwing it really hard and straight. There were no nerves; I’m really just doing it for fun now.”
Barstow also is preparing for the College Bowl Tournament series after cashing in eight of nine events last season and capturing the CBT series finale at Park Centre Lanes. He did not bowl in the 2025-26 debut event.
“When the weather starts turning colder, I’ll probably practice a little more, but nothing too crazy,” Barstow said. “For me, straight and hard has always worked and it takes the lane out of play whether I’m able to match up or not.
“That’s really my A game so it’s not something I have to practice much because it comes naturally. But if I’m preparing for a different type of tournament like a (PBA) regional or something, I’ll have to put more work in.”
But for now, Barstow is bringing the curtain down on the disc golf season and having fun on the lanes as the weather changes.
“But I always want to keep pushing myself,” he added.