In this 2011 photo, the 10 Woodfield brothers are all smiles after competing in the Brothers Bowling Tournament in Erie. In the front row, from the left, are Terry, Dan, Spence, Dick and Mike. In back are Don, David, Jim, Tom and John. Submitted photo

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following article appeared in The Post-Journal in 2011 after the Woodfield brothers — 10 in all — competed, and won, the Brothers Bowling Tournament in Erie, Pennsylvania. Incredibly, it was the seventh time the Bemus Point natives had won the event.

The Woodfield brothers are part of a very large and loving family that has always had a passion for sports and competition, excelling in both bowling and golf.

I’ve known most of them for more than 35 years and spent the majority of those on the lanes, where they’ve done some pretty special things, individually and collectively.

These days, the Bemus Point natives are scattered around the country, but once each year, no matter where they might be, they form two teams and compete in the annual five-man Brothers Bowling Tournament in Erie, which recently celebrated its 63rd year over two weekends at the end of April and early May at Eastway Lanes.

What’s even more incredible is the fact that the Woodfield clan has taken first place in the tournament seven times, claiming their last title just a few weeks ago.

Their first victory came 30 years ago in 1981. They won again in 1992 and 1995 and, in the early stages of the last decade, won the tournament three times in a four-year span (2001, 2002, 2004) and again this year.

Needless to say, they’re earned just a wee bit of notoriety, both in Erie and here at home.

Dave Woodfield, 70, a member of the Jamestown Area Bowling Council Hall of Fame, has helped to organize these yearly gatherings, and what’s even more surprising is that he is the only one of his brothers who is an active league bowler.

“It’s amazing,” said Dave. “No one believes this when I tell them. It’s just crazy.”

While Dave maintains his usual 200-plus average and is still producing high scores, even after a knee replacement, his nine brothers hardly ever pick up a ball anymore.

“They even keep their bowling balls at my house all year,” said Dave.

All I can say is this: For not bowling on a regular basis, they seem to be doing just fine.

In the recent tournament, John rolled a 251-244-705 set to lead the team, followed by Dan with a 242-225-661. Dave followed with a 267-653, Mike chimed in with 237-236-641 and Terry added a 550 to the 3,210 scratch total. Add in their 36 pins in handicap and the tournament winning total was 3,246. Later in the day, the fivesome rolled again, shooting a 3,057 scratch set and a 3,093 total with handicap. Dave rolled a 290 game and a 680 and John drilled a 289 single and a 672 series.

During the event, they shot the tournament’s high scratch game of 1,193 and, with handicap, the end result was 1,205.

Brothers Spence, Dick, Jim, Don and Tom may not have won, but still produced a fine 2,803 total with handicap in the first shift and a 2,869 in the second shift.

Dave is even more amazed at the endurance of his clan, despite plenty of physical challenges.

“John has had a partial knee replacement. Terry had a double-knee replacement in June 2010 and Mike just had a left knee replacement in October 2010,” Dave said. “We’re like the walking wounded. It’s so funny. We walk in together limping.”

Sadly, those physical issues, coupled with the aging process, have taken a toll and those two teams will likely be reduced to just one in 2012.

“It’s getting tougher and tougher for us each year,” Dave admitted, “but we at least have to go back to try and defend our title.”

The success the brothers have achieved has certainly been nice, but, according to Dave, there’s another reason the Woodfield brothers kept going to the tournament.

“Our mom always wanted us to stay together,” he said. “It’s just the idea of getting together for two or three days each year. If we don’t bowl again, we’ll just have fun and play some golf.”

You can bet it will be more than a little competitive.