Business Owners’ Bowling Tournament

By J.R. Breen

Contributing Writer

This Sunday business owners from some of the most popular establishments in the Seoul district of Itaewon will join together in a charity bowling tournament.

The Itaewon Charity Bowling Classic will involve 12 businesses from the area including the Wolfhound Pub, Rocky Mountain Tavern and the Hollywood Bar and Grill.

The tournament is being co-organized by the 3 Alley Pub and Chili King, who are also both taking part.

``It began when me and Al got caught up in the competition of the (Winter) Olympics,'' Kevin Cyr, owner of restaurant Chili King, said, referring to Albert Ryan, co-owner of the 3 Alley Pub.

``We wanted to organize a curling tournament, because me and Al are both from East Canada ― and there would be drinking involved,'' Cyr said. ``We rang up the only curling rink in Seoul, but we were informed that there was absolutely no drinking.''

``We thought what other sport we could do... bowling,'' he continued. ``So we decided to organize a tournament, and I wanted to attach a charity to it, because we business owners in Itaewon don't get together enough.''

The charity classic is set to take place at the Hannam Bowling Center in nearby Hannam-dong.

Organizers have chosen Another Home as their charity of choice, which provides housing for young girls in high school and younger children with no family home because of abuse, abandonment or extreme poverty. Another Home occupies a five-story house. The residents are as young as elementary school age, and can stay at the home until they graduate from high school.

The charity provides all living, medical and educational expenses, including after-school education, and provides counseling to help cope with past abuse.

``This is the first time we've had anything like this in Itaewon,'' Cyr said. ``I think it will go well, because when we asked the other (establishments) if they would like to be a part of it they were very excited and immediately said yes.''

``I think this could turn into an annual event, or something that happens maybe two or three times a year,'' he said.

Every business involved will pay an entry fee of 150,000 won, which will pay for the lane hire and t-shirts for their respective teams. All money left will go to charity. In addition, there will be raffles and prize giveaways throughout the tournament, proceeds from which will go to charity, said Cyr.

``Also, OB is bringing us beer direct to the lanes, we will have a cash bar, and all the proceeds from that will go to charity,'' he said. The people operating the bar will be volunteers, he added.

Each establishment is also donating a separate gift and Chili King is donating gift vouchers.

``Even those who can't be a part of the tournament are getting involved,'' Cyr said. Suji's restaurant is donating meat and cheese platters for the tournament, and 10 Magazine has donated the back page of the April edition for a free advertisement.

They also have the bank details of Another Home on the advertising for the Itaewon Charity Bowling Classic, which they hope will increase donations to the charity itself.

``We are hoping to raise over 1 million won,'' Cyr said.