Not much distinguished the competitors in the International Gay Bowling Organization's annual tournament from other bowlers at the Brunswick Zone in Norcross this week.

There were a few garish polyester team shirts, some middle-age paunches and a number of Bud Lights at 11 a.m. at both ends of the center.

Rich Addicks/AJC (ENLARGE)

Jared McMullin of West Palm Beach, Fla., was on his way to bowling a 297 on Thursday in the International Gay Bowling Organization's singles competition.

Rich Addicks/AJC (ENLARGE)

Joe Dawson of Atlanta eyes his throw during the singles competition.

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There were a few differences. Like the shirt worn by IGBO bowler Skip George that carried this message: "I identify with Dorothy. I only seem to attract men who are cowards, have no heart, or are in need of a brain."

But when someone rolled a strike or picked up a difficult spare, there were fist bumps, high fives and hearty swigs all around.

Ronnie Grist of Lawrenceville said that when he first went to a gay bowling league, "my vision — the stereotype— got thrown right out the window. Some of the guys are a little more flamboyant, and they try to exaggerate, and you're going to have that. But in the gay community, it's all types, shapes and sizes, just like with bowlers."

Grist is director of bowling operations for IGBO, a national group holding its 28th yearly championship at two Atlanta-area bowling centers through Sunday. The other venue is Midtown Bowl in Atlanta.

This year, 688 bowlers are participating in the amateur, handicap event. That's the largest turnout in the last five years, but down significantly from the other time the tournament played in Atlanta. In 1993, 932 bowlers showed.

"Back in the early '90s, the economy was better," said Mike Tamburrino, the group's director of marketing. The numbers are up this year, he figures, because of the attractiveness of the city and the interest in bowling in the region.

Tamburrino, of Lilburn, said the group's theme is unity, fellowship and communication, and the tournament is a way "to allow bowlers with the same backgrounds and interests to get together."

Bowling is most important to IGBO members, he said, "but the social aspect cannot be ignored."

"One of the biggest things is that this is an outlet for gay people to meet and congregate outside of the bars and actually make some good, lasting friendships," said George, of Marietta. "A little competition's good, too."

That was evident when George polished off a 205 game by thrusting his fist in the air and shouting, "Yes!"

The tournament attracts bowlers from across the U.S. and Canada. Terry Payton, who traveled from Oklahoma City, said he came "just to have fun. You get to meet a lot of people."

Winners of team, singles and doubles competitions can claim prizes of around $500. That may be why, despite the evident camaraderie, that competitors sported performance-enhancing wrist braces and high-tech balls.

Geri Angerami wore an arm support, she said, to "increase the number of revs," or revolutions the ball makes going down the lane. That, she said, would improve her score.

An Atlanta-area resident, Angerami is one of about 90 women in the tournament, organizers estimated.

The tournament also includes straight bowlers, said Grist, who estimated seven were at the Brunswick Zone on Thursday, based on conversations he had with participants at registration.

"I used to say that if you had good 'gaydar' you could tell," Grist said. "But here, you would not know who (the straights) are."

After all, he said, bowlers are bowlers.