Bermuda’s tenpin bowling queen Hattieann Gilbert has immortalised her story in a new book.

Bowling My Way: 1962­–1987 traces Ms Gilbert’s career from a chance encounter with the sport to bowling stardom.

She said: “It’s my legacy and it’s been worth the work. That’s what my heart was saying, and that’s what I did.”

The self-published book starts with her first publicity after Ms Gilbert’s friends pestered her at age 19 to try “this new game called bowling” in 1962.

The group went to the newly opened Lily Bowl in Shelly Bay.

Ms Gilbert wrote: “I had no clue how this game went, but I soon realised what the game was all about and knew that this was truly a gift from above.

“As I never stopped playing the game from that night, the feeling seeped deep into my bones and Lily Bowl became my second home.”

Ms Gilbert entered her first tournament in June 1962 and took “every prize one could win”.

The photograph featured in The Royal Gazette at the time is reproduced in the book.

Ms Gilbert, 75, said last week in bowling alley Warwick Lanes that she was forced to give up competitive bowling for medical reasons in 1987.

She added: “I wish I could, and I might try. But my arm is not all that sharp.”

Ms Gilbert became a household name through the sport under her maiden name, Morrisette.

Her career, which went international, was recognised in the Bermuda Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. But the book also chronicles the names of her fellow players over the years.

She said: “So many of the people that used to bowl with me have passed, and that’s sad. But the publishers have done a pretty good job.”

Ms Gilbert started work on her book two years ago.

She included fan letters from primary school pupils who followed her progress in overseas tournaments.

Ms Gilbert said she looked forward to donating copies to the schools involved.

She added: “Maybe one or two children might decide they want to be like that someday.”

• Copies of the book are available for $25 from Ms Gilbert, who can be reached at at 234-0650