Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament Returns to Bradenton to Support The Center of Anna Maria Island
The Center of Anna Maria Island is bringing the community together for an evening of bowling, costumes and friendly competition when the annual Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament returns on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Presented by LaPensee Plumbing, Pools & Air, the popular fundraiser will take place at Bowlero Bradenton, located at 4208 Cortez Road in Bradenton. Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by bowling from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will conclude with an awards ceremony and raffle drawings.
Bowlers of all experience levels are welcome. Teams are encouraged to embrace the event’s lighthearted atmosphere by wearing coordinated outfits or creative costumes. Previous tournaments have included prizes for the highest-scoring bowlers and teams, along with costume, spirit and good-natured “gutter ball” honors.
A Tournament with Deep Community Roots
More than a night at the lanes, the tournament celebrates the life and community spirit of Greg LaPensee, who died in December 2021 at age 39. The annual gathering continues to bring Greg’s family, friends, local businesses and Anna Maria Island residents together in his memory.
The tournament’s history reaches back even further. According to previous event coverage, the fundraiser began as the O’Connor Bowling Challenge in 1990, supporting youth programs at The Center. LaPensee Plumbing, Pools & Air later helped carry the tradition forward, transforming it into one of the area’s most anticipated community fundraisers.
The tournament has grown substantially over the years. In 2023, the event sold all 64 available lanes, with six-person teams filling Bowlero Bradenton for an evening of competition and fundraising.
Supporting Programs for All Ages
Money raised through the tournament helps The Center of Anna Maria Island continue serving children, teens, adults, families and older residents.
Founded in 1960, the nonprofit organization offers youth sports, adult recreation, fitness and wellness classes, after-school care, summer camps, teen activities, cultural programming, senior services and community events. Its mission is to enhance the well-being of people of all ages while preserving the close-knit sense of community that makes Anna Maria Island special.
By registering a team or sponsoring a lane, local businesses and residents help sustain programs that might otherwise be out of reach for some families.
Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities
Several participation and sponsorship packages are available:
Signature Lane Sponsor — $750
Register as a Signature Lane Sponsor.
- One team of six bowlers
- A metal koozie for each player
- Center fishing shirts featuring the sponsoring business’s logo
- Business logo displayed at the lane and check-in area
- Recognition on The Center’s Facebook and Instagram pages
Lane Sponsor with Players — $500
Register as a Lane Sponsor with Players.
- One team of six bowlers
- Business logo displayed at the lane and check-in area
Lane with Players — $350
Register for a Lane with Players. This package includes one team of six bowlers.
Lane Sponsor — $275
Register as a Lane Sponsor. This package includes business logo display at the sponsored lane and check-in area but does not include bowlers.
Participants may also download the 2026 Bowling Tournament registration form. For information and reservations, call The Center at 941-778-1908 or visit centerami.org/events.
Event Information
What: Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament
When: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Check-in: 5:30 p.m.
Bowling: 6–8 p.m.
Awards and raffles: Following bowling
Where: Bowlero Bradenton, 4208 Cortez Road, Bradenton
Presented by: LaPensee Plumbing, Pools & Air
Teams and sponsorships may fill quickly. Businesses, families and groups of friends are encouraged to reserve a lane early and help The Center continue making a positive difference throughout the Anna Maria Island community. The tournament joins a broader calendar of community-centered events, including the Venice-Nokomis Rotary Barstool Open and local charitable initiatives such as the Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s community investment.
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