Sports Writer

Kissimmee's Alex Gonzalez is in Las Vegas this weekend, hoping to score big money.

He won't find any of that cold-hard cash at a blackjack table or slot machine — even if he wins.

Gonzalez was one of 108 weekly league bowlers around the country to qualify for the inaugural AMF National In-League Tournament, the largest and most lucrative amateur bowling tournament of the year. He joins seven other Floridians today and tomorrow at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.

Gonzalez, 34, had to wade through a 10-week qualifying period, then top fields in two preliminary events, one at AMF Kissimmee Lanes, and another in Sarasota, to qualify for the Vegas final.

“I know here, the place was about 75 percent full, but in Sarasota I had to beat the whole house,” he said.

Gonzalez rallied at the Sarasota district final to make the Las Vegas field, throwing games of 278 (in which he started with nine strikes) and 256 in the third and fourth games there. He earned $375 for the win — not to mention the free trip to Vegas.

The bowler in each division with the highest pins-over-average score will walk away with a $50,000 prize, with $10,000 going to second place and $5,000 for third place. All of the final 108 bowlers are guaranteed $250.

“I bowled exceptionally well in Sarasota,” he said. “Now I'm trying to win some big money. I bowled in a tournament in Las Vegas three years ago, and I didn't do that well. I hope that having been there before will give me experience.”

Gonzalez, a Cleveland native and an unabashed Ohio State Buckeyes fan, said a big payday would come in handy. He runs a lawn care service while also working as a distribution manager at a chain store.

He said he began bowling in his teens, but began taking it seriously about three years ago.

“I've been in other tournaments and bracket events,” he said, noting that his team took second-place in a citywide tournament last year.

Gonzalez also teams with his wife, Melissa, in mixed-doubles events, and in his Friday night league at Kissimmee Lanes. His children, ages 11 and 9, dabble with a bowling ball, but nothing too serious.

He also bowls in a Wednesday night league; he made sure he didn't miss out on it this week before hurrying home for his trip west.

He carries a 197 average, oh-so-close to the magical 200 number that he wants to break through.

“That's just one more spare, or strike, each game,” he said. “I'm close.”

Gonzalez said he never considered trying to bowl professionally — until recently.

“If I think I can make money at something that I really love, I'm going to try,” he said. “Right now, I just want to keep learning, keep progressing and keep improving.”

With a good weekend, Gonzalez might be able to do it all the way to the bank.