As an alternative, the Pro Bowlers Association is offering President-Elect Obama free lessons from PBA stars.
"If his experience during the primaries is any indication, Obama's bowling game needs serious work, and the PBA is ready to help," the PBA said in a news release Friday.
PBA VP/COO Tom Clark thinks it would be a mistake to get rid of the bowling lanes, said to have gotten their share of use when Bill Clinton was in office. President Richard Nixon also was said to be an avid bowler. Lanes were first installed in the White House under President Harry Truman.
"Once the family is settled in, the PBA Tour will be pleased and anxious to send some of our top male and female professional bowlers in to give lessons to the president-elect and first lady on the White House bowling lanes," Clark said in a statement. "When the Obamas learn the basics of the game, they'll enjoy it more and they'll have hours of fun on the lanes for many years."
Among the PBA stars offering their services are Billy Oatman, who hails from Obama's hometown of Chicago, and Norm Duke, who two weeks ago became the only man in PBA history to win three straight major championships.
"I saw the clip on YouTube, and I have some tips for Obama," Duke said. "Obama's been in a suit and tie too long. He needs to get some athletic apparel and a bowling ball that fits his hand. He needs to work on hitting the head pin because he didn't do that very well (on the YouTube clip)."
