For years, Ray and Brian Arendosh have been high-level bowlers.

But for years, the brothers had never bowled together on the same team or as a doubles tandem.

Both grew up in Beaver County. Their father owned Beaver Valley Bowl and managed two other facilities.

"Our entire family grew up on the game that way," said Brian Arendosh, 42, who now lives in Chicora.

When Brian Arendosh relocated to Chicora, he began bowling at Bruin Lanes. Older brother Ray, 47, of Rochester, Pa., continued bowling at Beaver Valley.

"Brian and I just never teamed up," Ray Arendosh said. "He had stopped bowling for a few years, I quit bowling for about 12 years. And we were living in different areas."

Brian gave up bowling for nearly five years because his back was bothering him. He began lifting weights and the back ailment dissipated.

Ray left bowling for 12 years to delve into martial arts. He is a second-degree black belt now and returned to bowling nine years ago.

"Ray had been bowling with the same guys for years," his younger brother said. "One guy dropped out and they were looking for a third bowler in the Beaver County Trio League this year.

"They asked me to bowl and I accepted."

Brian Arendosh likely made a good impression on his big brother when they teamed up in doubles at The Dutchman tournament in Harrisburg last year.

After bowling together in the radio tournament at Sherwood Lanes, the Arendosh brothers decided to team up in Harrisburg. Brian wound up bowling a 299 game and a 786 series — both career highs.

Out of more than 3,000 doubles entries in the five-month long tourney, the Arendosh brothers placed 11th.

"Brian picked the right day to have his best day," his brother said.

Brian is averaging 207 in the Beaver County Trio league this season. His highest average over a full season is 201, which he posted in the Tuesday night league at Bruin Lanes.

Ray is averaging 223 so far this year and has averaged as high as 226 in a single season.

"I'm only bowling as a sub at Bruin Lanes this year," Brian Arendosh said. "I used to bowl in three leagues per week, but as you get older, time and responsibility can take you away from that."

The Arendosh team is currently in first place in the Beaver County Trio League after finishing fourth and fifth, respectively, in the first two thirds of the season.

The first place team after each third receives $1,000.

While Brian is competing for big money for the first time, Ray has been there before. He has bowled in four PBA regional tournaments and rolled a perfect game in a pro regional in Harrisburg two years ago.

Out of 256 pro bowlers in that tournament, Ray Arendosh placed 47th.

He has rolled five sanctioned 300 games and 11 non-sanctioned perfect games during his career. His highest sanctioned series is 812.

"I've been bowling in adult leagues since I was 14," Ray Arendosh said. "I've always taken to the game. The only reason I stopped bowling for a while was because I committed to learning the martial arts."

Ray still bowls in two leagues per week, in tournaments most weekends and subs for the Civic League at Freeway Lanes in Zelienople.

And finally, he's bowling with his younger brother.

"It's great," Brian Arendosh said. "We bowled together at the state tournament last year and cashed there, too.

"We've been doing well together. Hopefully, it will continue that way."