Clermont man, oldest league bowler, dies at 106

ATLANTA - The Hall County man who became the oldest league bowler in U.S. history has died.

Bill Hargrove of Clermont died Monday at Northeast Georgia Medical Center of congestive heart failure, just four days shy of his 107th birthday.

Last May, just after he turned 106, spectators watched at Suburban Lanes in Decatur as the United States Bowling Congress presented Hargrove with a custom-made plaque inscribed to ``the oldest league bowler ever.''

Hargrove surpassed the record that was held by 105-year-old John Venturello of Sunrise, Fla., a certified bowler until his death in 1993.

He was a native of Eatonton and as late as a year ago was still bowling twice-a-week in a league in Cleveland.