Fantastic's Inc. Bowling Club
Est. 1968
About Us
FANTASTIC’S INC BOWLING CLUB HISTORY
The Fantastic’s Inc. Bowling Club was founded in 1968 and incorporated in 1969. The club was the brainchild of 5 bowlers who called themselves “The Fantastic Five” who began bowling together in 1967. Those original five bowlers (Tommie Burton, Archie Denard, Bertha Denard, James Hudson, and Lou Ellen Washington) formed a bowling club named the Fantastic’s. The club officers would meet at the home of Willie and Louise Denard on Detroit’s east side. Archie was elected as its first president. It is certain that none of those original members nor many of those who joined the fledgling club would believe what the organization has become in the many years since its inception. This group of bowlers began an odyssey that today boasts up to 80 members and has made them the most successful and recognized bowling club in Detroit and Southeast Michigan.
Today the Fantastic’s remain one of the most respected clubs of its kind in a region of the United States where bowling was once king. They operated and supported a youth bowling league which was formed in 1971 that has introduced thousands of young people from the Detroit area to the game of bowling. This league, in fact, has turned out many of Detroit’s bowling stars over the years. This league was in operation until the start of the pandemic. The focus of the youth bowling league has always been to learn the fundamentals of the game, teach teamwork, and foster competition.
If you bowl in leagues in or around the City of Detroit, you will see Fantastic’s Club members participating. Not only are they present but they will make a mark and challenge for the championship. The number of league championships they own is remarkable. The number of 300 games and 800 series bowled by club members is unrivaled. Fantastic’s stands for high levels of competition, integrity, and class both on and off the lanes. When they arrive at a tournament, they come in style with color coordinated uniforms and jackets that are the envy of the bowling community. Speaking of tournaments, it is estimated that the Fantastic’s Club members have traveled over 500,000 miles participating in bowling tournaments since its formation. They stand alone in levels of participation and prize money won. Several of their members have achieved the level of 25 years or more of participation in the USBC Open and Women’s Championship Tournaments. This is a tremendous accomplishment at tournaments that once barred black bowlers. The Greater Detroit Bowling Association, Michigan State Bowling Tournament, TNBA Events, USBC Championships, and the Hoinke Classic have seen club members pass the 30-year participation mark. Many of these tournaments have seen Fantastic’s Club members crowned champions in team and individual categories.
Twenty-five years ago, the club introduced the Lilbert Gregory Memorial Mixed Team Tournament which has grown to become one of Detroit’s premier and most anticipated bowling events. Ten years ago, they were able to begin a Club vs. Club Battle which has grown to include 14 local clubs competing for bragging rights in this unique event. Each year’s event has been a success with all the clubs in full uniform participating for their respective clubs while shooting for a chance at the title. While the champions of each division have generally moved from club to club, the women’s division has been dominated by the Fantastic’s ladies. They were able to claim the crown in their division the first 5 years of the tournament. No small accomplishment considering the competition.
In the 55 years of its existence, the Fantastic’s have only had five Presidents. Archie Denard was President from 1968-1998 a thirty-year period in which the club experienced tremendous growth with a cap of 50 members. He was followed by Sharon Denard Washington, Oren Jackson, Calvin Dennis, and Eugene Williams. Five years ago, Archie Denard was once again elected President and serves in that role at the current time. The club has a current roster of 80 members with a waiting list of prospective members.
The Fantastic’s Inc. Bowling Club is celebrating 55 glorious years. They will continue their charitable outreach in the community and continue to strive for excellence in all that they do on and off the lanes. Look at their rich history and the roster of quality people, not just bowlers, and you will see why the Fantastic’s are the standard bearers in the Metro Detroit area.