Submitted photo George Walden poses for a photo at Concordia Lanes in New Ulm. Walden, 88, recently competed in his 69th city bowling tournament.

NEW ULM — On Jan. 28, George Walden participated in the annual city bowling tournament at Concordia Lanes.

Despite many other talented bowlers competing, it was the 88-year-old Walden who came away with the first strike of the tournament.

Walden finished his 69th consecutive city tournament with a single handicap score of 581 and a high game of 160. Walden would have been bowling in his 70th city tournament this year had 2020’s tournament not been canceled due to COVID-19.

Walden was drawn into the sport when he started setting pins by hand at the old Concordia Club on State Street when he was 15. That year, he also started subbing in some men’s leagues and did some duckpin bowling.

After high school, he began full-time bowling in the Uptown League at George’s Bowling Alley.

Walden was disappointed with his performance at the most recent city tournament, but those who know Walden know he’s his own biggest critic at the bowling alley.

In the past, Walden has been very successful in tournaments. In fact, some of his favorite bowling memories come from his success in larger tournaments.

“I won the senior state tournament in 2008 and 2016,” Walden said.

This accomplishment, along with a perfect game Dec. 31, 1961, 12 league championships and bowling in the ABC National Championships in 1965, led Walden to be inducted into the New Ulm Men’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1996.

Twenty-seven years later, Walden has no intention to stop bowling any time soon.

“[I’ll bowl] until my parts wear out,” Walden said. “I’m getting slow.”