Chet Bukowski (1950)

(1914-1995)

1 ABC championship (1950-T)

 

Morgan’s Bowling Trophies (1948)

Bowler of the Year 1967

Davis led the PBA money list while winning three tournaments, including the PBA National.  He was the first left-hander to be elected Bowler of the Year. 

1.  Dave Davis, Phoenix . . . . . . . . . . .  424

2.  Les Schissler, Denver . . . . . . . . . . . 287

3.  Jim Stefanich, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . 236

4.  Wayne Zahn, Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . 142

5.  Bob Strampe, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . 108

6.  Dick Weber, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . .  79

7.  Lou Scalia, Miami . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  72

8.  Don Johnson, Kokomo, IN . . . . . . . .  45

9.  Carmen Salvino, Chicago . . . . . . . .   12

10.  Harry Smith, Redwood City, CA . . . . 11

USA White (1929)

(L-R)—Billy Knox, Joe Scribner, George Jarrett, Burt Cook, Erle Shepherd

 First Place, 1929 International Tournament (Stockholm)

Vern Anderson (1947)

(1910-1972)

“The Mystery Man”

Legendary Chicago Action Bowler

Berra and Rizzuto Lanes—Clifton, NJ

1065 Bloomfield Ave.

Bowler of the Year 1966

Zahn won three PBA events—including two majors, the PBA National and the Tournament of Champions—while topping the tour’s money list.  This was enough to edge out Weber, winner of his fourth All-Star championship and two PBA events.

1.  Wayne Zahn, Atlanta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  368

2.  Dick Weber, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 345

3.  Bob Strampe, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  211

4.  Les Schissler, Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  177

5.  Nelson Burton Jr, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

6.  Dave Davis, Phoenix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27

7.  Dave Soutar, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

8.  Bill Lillard, Dallas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8

9.  Harry Smith, Redwood City, CA . . . . . . . . . .  7

10.  Gene Rhoda, Valparaiso, IN . . . . . . . . . . . .  2

Stroh’s Beer—Detroit (1961)

L-R—Bob Crawford, Bob Strampe, Tom Harnisch, Tony Lindemann, Carl Peters (manager), Jim Schroeder, George Howard

A Billy Welu Bibliography

Billy Welu (1932-1974) was a great bowler.  He won the 1958-59 All-Star Tournament, and back-to-back Masters in 1964 and 1965—as well as 4 ABC eagles, 2 PBA titles, and an assortment of minor events.  A seven-time All-American, Welu was ranked #22 bowler of the 20th Century in the BJI poll.  While he was accomplishing all this on the lanes, he found time to be the color commentator on ABC-TV’s PBA Tour broadcasts.  He died suddenly at age 41 in 1974.  A year later, he was elected to the bowling Hall of Fame.

BOOKS

Graham, Frank Jr.  Bowling Secrets of the Stars (MacFadden-Bartell, 1962), pp. 36-43.

Welu, Billy, with Jerry Levine. Add 30 Pins To Your Bowling Score. New York: Crown, 1972.

ARTICLES

Archibald, John J. “Big Billy Welu.” Bowlers Journal, Apr 1959:11-14.

__________. “Foes Fall Like Tenpins Before Welu’s Torrid Masters Tempo.” The Sporting News, Jun 12, 1965:42.

__________. “Mileage Master.” Bowling, Sep 1959:28.

__________. “Pin Star Welu to Seek Third Masters Title.” The Sporting News, May 14, 1966:42.

Boyle, Hal. “King-Sized Texan Billy Welu.” Bowling Illustrated, Oct 1958:22.

Cardwell, Damon. “We All Loved Mr. Billy.” Bowlers Journal, Nov 1993:17.

Cruchon, Steve. “Welu Makes Two.” Bowling Illustrated, Sep 1959:26.

Dressel, Jim. “Requiem for Billy.” Bowlers Journal, Jun 1974:74-75.

Feeney, Bob. “A New Face, a Familiar Face.” Bowlers Journal, Feb 1959:7-11.

Levine, Jerry. “Adding a Touch of Color to the Telecasts.” Bowlers Journal, Dec 1988:S-23.

Luby, Mort Jr. “Editorial.” Bowlers Journal, Jul 1974:6.

__________. “Pinfall.” Bowlers Journal, Nov 1959:16.

Nelson, Ray. “Bowling’s Big Man.” Bowling, Jul 1974:4,29.

Pezzano, Chuck. “Death Pushed Welu Into Shrine.” The Sporting News, Feb 15, 1975:30.

__________. “Do Bowling Aids Help?” Bowling, May 1972:62.

__________. “Sitting on a Powder Keg.” Official Bowling Review, Jan 1961:50-54.

__________. “Welu—A Man of Many Talents.” The Sporting News, Jun 8, 1974:55.

Pluckhahn, Bruce. “Big Man’s Blitz.” Bowling, May 1964:18-19,38.

__________. “Billy Welu.” Bowling, Jul 1974:29.

__________. “Stars On Parade.” Bowling, Feb 1959:32,76.

__________. “The Big Boy from Texas.” Bowling, Jul 1956:13,18-19.

__________.  “Welu, Ladewig Win in All-Star.” Bowling, Feb 1959:35.

Robersen, Bill. “A Wing-Dinger for Welu.” Bowling, Jul 1965:16-17.

Schmidt, J.R. “Smooth as Iced Jello.” Bowlers Journal, Apr 2004:64.

Welu, Billy, att Dick Denny. “My 22 Months in Limbo.” Bowlers Journal, May 1963:11-18.

“Bill Welu Wins TV Invitational.” Bowlers Journal, Oct 1958:33.

“Billy Ends a Long Drought.” Bowlers Journal, May 1964:17.

“Billy Finally Makes It.” Bowlers Journal, Feb 1975:55.

“Doing It the Hard Way.” Bowlers Journal, Jun 1965:35-36.

Obituary. Bowling, Jul 1974:32.

Obituary. Chicago Tribune, May 18, 1974:G4.

 

Striker Lanes (Euclid Bowl)

6728 W. 16th St. (Berwyn)

Still in business!