NCAUSBCA learned that longtime coach and Hall of Fame member Arlen "Yogi" Holmes died March 26 after a lengthy illness. He was 67.
Yogi was a founding member of the Poison Bowling Club (1989) that promoted community service and youth bowling in addition to the competitive yet fun side of bowling for adults. He was a youth coach since 2004 and received his coaching certification in 2010. Yogi has coached youth leagues at Rinaldi’s Riverdale and AMF Capital Plaza, where he also coached a travel league team. He last coached at The Lanes Fort Meade.
His coaching style not only taught the basics for beginners; it prepared them for the advanced levels in bowling. He coached several 600 Club bowlers, taking them out of the area to expose them to tournament play on various levels. Several of his students moved on to bowl at the collegiate level, including his two sons, Najee and 2013 NCAUSBCA Ted Gruszkowski Jr. Youth Star Award recipient Zahir Holmes, along with Brandon Lowe, Cameron Brooks, and also Kayla Meadows, who competed for a national championship representing Bowling Green University. Several of Yogi’s students placed high in the Youth Invitational Scratch Singles Tournament.
Yogi worked hard to improve his knowledge of the game and shared that knowledge with youth and adult bowlers. He spent many hours assisting bowling teammates, opponents, and those who wanted to improve their game. For several years, he spent every Sunday morning, as soon as the doors opened at Rinaldi’s Riverdale and later, The Lanes Fort Meade, coaching and training any youth or adult that needed assistance. He explained the importance of stretching before starting, having the proper equipment, adhering to the basics, and being on time.
On the lanes, Yogi, a 30-plus-year USBC member who competed in over 25 national tournaments, recorded numerous 300 and 299 games and 700 series.
Yogi believed many in our area were losing interest in bowling, and it was his passion to help others find their appetite for our sport. There is hope for the sport with people like him who encouraged our youth. With his sons having graduated many years ago from the youth program, he still kept showing up every Saturday morning on time, even though the parents may not be around, to encourage, mentor, train, and coach our youth bowlers. And he kept showing up, ready for anyone who wanted to be a better bowler.
Arlen "Yogi" Holmes was elected to the NCAUSBCA Hall of Fame in 2015.