Mark Lange
As a dentist, Mark Lange spends most of his time working with teeth. It is assumed that some of that time is spent knocking teeth out. Maybe that's why the 50 year old enjoys bowling so much-it looks like a big set of pearly whites at the end of the lane.
Mark started bowling when he was 12 years old at Maple Lanes. His mother thought it would be a good idea to take up a sport. So he did, and he enjoyed it. Mark went off to the University of Michigan to learn about teeth, and bowled for U of M's team in 1979. It was while in Ann Arbor that Mark made himself known, winning the all-events actual title in the Ann Arbor City Tournament in 1978 with a fine 1812 total.
Mark made his way back to Muskegon, opening up his own office for dentistry. He didn't stop bowling either. In fact, he bowled at near professional levels.
He bowled his first of six 300 games in 1986, and fired his first of two 800's in 1991. Oh, and let's not forget to mention that Mark has fired over 120 Series of 700 or better.
Mark hasn't slowed down either. While he only bowls once a week, he carried an average of 230 this year. Not bad for a 50 year old.
Tournaments bring out the best in Mark. As he might tell you, he " loves beating the good bowlers" . He has definitely done that, as he toppled Mark Roth in a battle of the Rhinos at Northway Lanes in 1986.
Mark has been a champion in the Greater Muskegon City Tournament 12 times, winning team actual seven times, team handicap three times, and a doubles actual and singles actual. He's tasted success at the state level, as well, rolling a nice 773 in 2001, and finishing in the top 10 three times with his best being a 3rd place finish in all-events actual in 1982. All that, and he's only bowled once a week for the past eight years. Not bad at all.
Mark said his proudest moment (besides having two children with his wife Karla) is throwing his first 800.
Welcome aboard Mark; it was only a matter of time before a bowler of your caliber donned a blue jacket.