Automobowl Classic

The Automobowl Classic was a five-game individual sweeper based in Detroit.  The first Automobowl was staged in 1948 at State Fair Recreation, while the ABC Tournament was in session at the nearby State Fair Coliseum.  After the ABC left, the tournament continued on as an annual event, drawing an entry of top bowlers from throughout the Midwest.  In 1956 it moved to Hall’s Recreation. The last Automobowl was bowled in 1961—the same year the ABC returned to Detroit.   

1948  Johnny Crimmins, Detroit . . . . . . . . .  1127

1949  Paul Cito, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1096

1950  Rudy Walby, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1115

1951  Dick Hoover, Akron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1030

1952  Lou Farkas, Toledo  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1082

1953  Bill Gerlach, Lapeer, MI . . . . . . . . . . .  1102

1954  Harry Smith, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . .  1122

1955  Greg Demres, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . .   1089

1956  Stanley Pitera, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . .  1073

1957  Harry Smith. Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1114

1958  Billy Golembiewski, Detroit . . . . . . . . .  1088

1959  Jack Curry, Lansing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1084

1960  Don Glyinski, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1084

1961  Dale Seavoy, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1103

Tournament suspended

Masters Tournament 1970

The twentieth ABC Masters Tournament was held at the Civic Auditorium in Knoxville, Tennessee, May 9-13, 1970, with a field of 480 bowlers. Coming out of the losers bracket, Don Glover defeated tournament leader Bob Strampe 916-877, then won the title by again beating Strampe, 821-800.

Masters Tournament 1969

The nineteenth ABC Masters Tournament was held at the Dane County Coliseum in Madison, Wisconsin, April 19-23, 1969, with a field of 480 bowlers.  In a major upset, unknown Jim Chestney came out of the losers bracket to defeat Barry Asher and win the title—first 962-795, then 923-754.

Vallos Classic

In 1940 George Vallos staged his first five-game sweeper at Champion Recreation in Youngstown, Ohio. World War II cancelled the 1943 classic, but the tournament was back the next year as a six game event. For many years in the pre-PBA era, it was part of the select group of elite singles events.  George Vallos died in 1962—while bowling. His classic died two years later.

1940  Joe Bodis, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 904 (5 g)

1941  Fritz Flanhafer, Pittsburgh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 894 (5 g)

1942  Lou Strizzi, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  885 (5 g)

1943  Not held

1944  Ernie Tripodi, Niles, OH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1300

1945  W.O. Zehm, Cuyahoga Falls, OH . . . . . . . . . .  1297

1946  Buzz Fazio, Akron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1331

1947  Ned Day, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1338

1948  Ned Day, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1308

1949  Jack Scott, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1342

1950  John Hunt, Canton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1315

1951  Eddie Koepp, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1329

1952  Pat Patterson, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1321

1953  Chuck Hamilton, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1336

1954  Vic Battista, Canton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1342

1955  Buzz Fazio, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1336

1956  Frank Sospirato. Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1302

1957  Jim Schroeder, Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1345

1958  Joe Joseph, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1254

1959  John LoCascio, Port Clinton, OH . . . . . . . . . . . 1309

1960  Tom Kirol, New Castle, PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1269

1961  Tony Lindemann, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1296

1962  Dave Soutar, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1297

1963  Joe Cosentino, Canton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1320

1964  Gordon McMahon, Buffalo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1253

Tournament suspended

Central States Bowling Tournament

The Central States Bowling Association was founded at a meeting of Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky proprietors in 1919.  A total of 125 teams bowled in the first tournament, held at Cincinnati between December 19, 1919 and January 4, 1920.  Within a few years the tournament was attracting bowlers from throughout the Midwest.  Entries stayed strong through the 1950s, then declined as top-level bowling transitioned into an individual sport.  The Central States Bowling Tournament suspended operations after the 1962-63 event.   

TEAM CHAMPIONS

1919-20   Lincoln Life, Fort Wayne . . . . . . .    2939

1920-21   Hinnekampf Buffet, Indianapolis. .    2887

1921-22   Olts Superbas, Dayton . . . . . . . . .  2879

1922-23   Wall Coal, Toledo . . . . . . . . . . . .    2927

1923-24   Paragon Oils, Toledo . . . . . . . . .      2988

1924-25   Central Recreation, Erie . . . . . . .     3067

1925-26   Plankinton Hotel, Milwaukee . . . . .   3047

1926-27   Birk Bros, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . .     3180

1927-28   Mid-City Bank, Chicago . . . . . . .      3109

1928-29   Richards Oakland, Detroit . . . . . .     3139

1929-30   Archer Tires, Cleveland . . . . . . . .    3156

1930-31   Mineralites, Chicago . . . . . . . . . .    3059

1931-32   Green Cabs, Cleveland . . . . . . . .    3245

1932-33   Verifine Ice Cream, Milwaukee . . .   3251

1933-34   Plankinton Arcade, Milwaukee . . .    3097

1934-35   Heil Products, Milwaukee . . . . .  .    3151

1935-36   John G. Eppings, Louisville . . . .      2970

1936-37   Michelob Beer, Chicago. . . . . . . .    3254

1937-38   Waldorf Lager, Cleveland . . . . . .    3188

1938-39   Stroh’s Beer, Detroit.  . . . . . . . . . . 3123

1939-40   Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Chicago. .   3102

1940-41   Collingwood, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . 3210

1941-42   O’Neill’s, Akron . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3006

1942-43   Leece-Neville, Cleveland . . . . . . . . 3064

1943-44   Linsz Recreation, Cleveland . . . . .   3278

1944-45   E & B Beer, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . .   3209

1945-46   Kinsman-Lee Rec, Cleveland . . . .    2988

1946-47   King Pin Club, Cleveland . . . . . . .    3059

1947-48   Pepsi Cola, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . .  3013

1948-49   Hawley Café, Toledo . . . . . . . . . .   3114

1949-50   Fife Electric, Detroit . . . . . . . . . .    3294

1950-51   Phil Smidt’s, Hammond . . . . . . . .   2999

1951-52   Hertzfield Olds, Toledo . . . . . . .      3144

1952-53   Stroh’s Beer, Detroit . . . . . . . . . .   3115

1953-54   Pepsi Cola, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . .   3022

1954-55   Stroh’s Beer, Detroit. . . . . . . . . .    3150

1955-56   Stroh’s Beer, Detroit . . . . . . . . . .   3204

1956-57   Budweiser Beer, St. Louis . . . . . .    3034

1957-58   Budweiser Beer, St. Louis . . . . . .    3113

1958-59   Falstaff Beer, St. Louis . . . . . . . .     3299

1959-60   Buddy Simon Sign, Cleveland . . . .    3142

1960-61   Hamm’s Beer, Chicago . . . . . . . . .   3215

1961-62   Hamm’s Beer, Chicago . . . . . . .       3191

1962-63   Stroh’s Beer, Detroit . . . . . . . . . .    3036

DOUBLES CHAMPIONS

1919-20   Albert Landis-Hap Haverstock, Dayton . . . . . . . . 1256

1920-21   Larry Gazzolo-Clarke Moses, Toledo . . . . . . . . . . 1238

1921-22   Walter Stockman-Pop Gross, Dayton . . . . . . . . .  1281

1922-23   Boomer Burrick-Billy Hess, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . 1352

1923-24   Bill Doehrman-Frank Farnan, Fort Wayne . . . . . .  1279

1924-25   Wally Reppenhagen-Ernie Hartmann, Detroit . . . . 1419

1925-26   Larry Bolger-Leo Friedel, Chicago . . .

(tie)         Charles Schott-Frank Hueber, Indianapolis . . . . . . 1292

1926-27   Eddie Krems-Hank Marino, Chicago . . . . . . . . . .   1321

1927-28   Joe Vanera-Frank Jarecki, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . .  1357

1928-29   Jess Pritchett-Fred Mounts, Indianapolis . . . . . . .  1335

1929-30   Johnny Crimmins-Ernie Hartman, Detroit . . . .

(tie)         Fred Breckle-Fred Tocco, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . .    1346

1930-31   Larry Groneck-Bennie Cohen, St. Louis . . . . . .     1363

1931-32   Joe Bodis-Joe Kissoff, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . .       1407

1932-33   George Notz-Harry Kaad, Chicago . . . . . . . . . .    1360

1933-34   Barney Youngblood-Al Dingwell, Detroit . . . . .      1339

1934-35   Johnny Crimmins-Frenchy Gilboe, Detroit . . . .      1349

1935-36   Fred Wolf-Leonard Dettloff, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . 1321

1936-37   John Fehr-Jess Pritchett, Indianapolis . . . . . . .      1385

1937-38   Charley Lausche-Frank Franz, Cleveland . . .          1346

1938-39   Eli Maricich-Sykes Thoma, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . .  1349

1939-40   Bill Kenet-Joe Bodis, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1332

1940-41   Frank Benkovic-Russ Gersonde, Milwaukee . . .. .   1310

1941-42   Charley Lausche-Emil Siperke, Cleveland . . . . . .   1290

1942-43   Wally Reppenhagen-Bill Kenet, Detroit . . . . . . . . . 1273

1943-44   Peter Goohs-John Simon Sr., Lorain, OH. . . . . .

(tie)         Ralph Clucker-Stan Stefancic, Cleveland . . . . . . .  1310

1944-45   John Borath-Wally Wegener, Flint . . . . . . . . . . . . 1238

1945-46   Will Warzecha-Charley Schmidt, Battle Creek . . . . 1252

1946-47   Hank Gavie-Johnny Crimmins, Detroit . . . . .         1303

1947-48   Benny Cole-Ray Caniglia, Akron . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1290

1948-49   Bill Williams-Bob Crawford, Detroit . . . . . . .          1274

1949-50   Skang Mercurio-Charley Lausche, Cleveland . . . . . 1402

1950-51   Ed Quinn-Frank Zion, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . .      1279

1951-52   Bob Briarton-Bob Crawford, Detroit . . . . . . . . . .   1395

1952-53   Hank Gavie-Len Torrice, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1318

1953-54   Hank Gavie-Charles Johnson, Detroit . . . . . . . .     1287

1954-55   Joe Norris-Art Butler, Chicago  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1307

1955-56   Allen Vance-Tony Morano, Detroit. . . . . . . . . . . .  1309

1956-57   Tom Hennessey-Pat Patterson, St. Louis . . . . . .    1311

1957-58   Joe Gasparovic-Joe Harris, Hammond . . . . . . . .   1343

1958-59   Joe Bolek-Clyde Hobbs, Cleveland . . . . . . . .        1549

1959-60   Billy Golembiewski-Joe Joseph, Detroit . . . . .        1425

1960-61   Joe Norris-Chuck Hamilton, Chicago . . . . . .          1322

1961-62   Eddie Kawolics-Chuck Wagner, Chicago . . . . . .     1385

1962-63   Tom Harnisch-Roger Helle, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . .  1271

SINGLES CHAMPIONS

1919-20   Lawrence Weisman, Indianapolis . .  668

1920-21   Eddie Baker, Terre Haute . . . . . . .   673

1921-22   Louis Gaylor, Dayton . . . . . . . . . .   687

1922-23   Frank Zimpfer, Columbus . . . . . .    704

1923-24   Walter Ilg, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . .  694

1924-25   Eddie Kalach, Detroit . . . . . . . . . .  705

1925-26   Ed Moore, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . .   665

1926-27   Hank Leahey, Detroit . . . . . . . . . .  732

1927-28   Andy Peterson, Chicago . . . . . . . .  755

1928-29   Ed Blackwell, Chicago . . . . . . . . .   757

1929-30   Frank Kartheiser, Chicago . . . . .     731

1930-31   Bill Heerman, Chicago . . . . . . . .    725

1931-32   Clarke Moses, Toledo . . . . . . . . . . 749

1932-33   Adolph Carlson, Chicago . . . . . .    756

1933-34   Otto Stein, St. Louis . . . . . . . . .    725

1934-35   Bill Mattison, Toledo . . . . . . . . . .  744

1935-36   Johnny Crimmins, Detroit . . . . .     721

1936-37   Tom Owen, Louisville . . . . . . . . .   761

1937-38   Charles Kotarski, Detroit . . . . . .    724

1938-39   Mike Siwe, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . .  734

1939-40   Art Black, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . 722

1940-41   Joe Puccinelli, Chicago . . . . . . . . .  703

1941-42   Wally Wegener, Flint . . . . . . . . . .  750

1942-43   Steve Nagy, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . 711

1943-44   E.W. Ippel, Saginaw, MI . . . . . .     748

1944-45   Joe Norris, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . .  725

1945-46   Johnny Crimmins, Detroit . . . . .  . . 674

1946-47   George Sebert, Detroit . . . . . . . . .  709

1947-48   Herman Jubenville, Detroit . . . .      707

1948-49   Rudy Skorepa, Cleveland . . . . . .     704

1949-50   Ed Lubanski, Detroit . . . . . . . . . .    734

1950-51   Johnny Crimmins, Detroit . . . . . . .   694

1951-52   Will Willard, Tiffin, OH . . . . . . . . . . 714

1952-53   Joe Palladino, Cleveland . . . . . . . .   690

1953-54   Bill Steinborn, Michigan City, IN. . .  709

1954-55   Bob Goike, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . .  707

1955-56   Joe Norris, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . 724

1956-57   Charles Bedell, Cleveland . . . . . . .   708

1957-58   Don Carter, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . .   714

1958-59   Johnny Klares, Cleveland . . . . . . .    781

1959-60   Harry Lippe, Chicago. . . . . . . . . . .   721

1960-61   Junior Powell, Toledo . . . . . . . . . .    734

1961-62   Taft Leszt, Terre Haute . . . . . . . . .   720

1962-63   Jim Schroeder, Toledo . . . . . . . . . .  684

ALL-EVENTS CHAMPIONS

1919-20   Walter English, Indianapolis . . . . . . . . .  1873

1920-21   Johnny Wagner, Cincinnati . . . . . . . . . .  1880

1921-22   Harry Miller, Dayton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1851

1922-23   Vic Kraut, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1918

1923-24   Maurice Hotchkiss, Detroit . . . . . . . . . .  1883

1924-25   Ernie Hartmann, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . .   2024

1925-26   Harry Kaad, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1889

1926-27   Jack Bishop, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1985

1927-28   Andy Peterson, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . .  2064

1928-29   Johnny Crimmins, Toledo . . . . . . . . . .    2073

1929-30   Ben Bernicchi, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . .   2090

1930-31   Bill Heerman, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1929

1931-32   Roy Rice, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2060

1932-33   Frank Benkovic, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . .   2069

1933-34   Chuck Collier, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1948

1934-35   Cass Grygier, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2007

1935-36   Johnny Crimmins, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . .

(tie)         Walter Ward, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . .  1895

1936-37   Fred Mounts, Indianapolis . . . . . . . . .    2073

1937-38   Charley Lausche, Cleveland . . . . . . . .    1998

1938-39   Joe Bodis, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1971

1939-40   Herb Freitag, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1983

1940-41   William Stecky, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . .   2028

1941-42   Boss Bosco, Akron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1927

1942-43   Al Robinson, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1914

1943-44   Stan Stefancic, Cleveland. . . . . . . . . . .   2006

1944-45   Chet Bukowski, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1996

1945-46   Buzz Fazio, Akron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1894

1946-47   Joe Papp, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1933

1947-48   Johnny King, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1964

1948-49   Ed Lubanski, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1946

1949-50   Ed Lubanski, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2081

1950-51   George Young, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . .     1909

1951-52   Steve Nagy, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1961

1952-53   Buzz Fazio, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1981

1953-54   Bill Steinborn, Michigan City, IN . . . . . .    1960

1954-55   Tom Hennessey, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . .   2007

1955-56   Tom Hennessey, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . .     2035

1956-57   Tom Hennessey, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . .    1987

1957-58   Don Carter, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1923

1958-59   Junior Powell, Toledo . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2200

1959-60   Andy Rogoznica, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . .   1967

1960-61   Emil Joseph, Toledo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2035

1961-62   Nathan Kill, Danville, KY . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1947

1962-63   Dave Soutar, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1934

Tournament suspended

Landgraf Classic

The Landgraf Classic was a four-game scratch tournament held at Bowlmor Recreation in New York City.  Founded by tenpin impresario Bill Landgraf, the event soon became a regular stop on the informal circuit of elite tournaments.  Landgraf died in 1964, but the tournament continued on.  Though most of the later winners were league bowlers on a roll, until the end the classic always attracted a certain number of PBA members.

1943  Andy Varipapa, Brooklyn. . . . . . . . . . . . .    877

1944  Steve Nagy, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  923

1945  Mike Petito, Brooklyn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877

1946  Chic Chicarelli, Elizabeth, NJ . . . . . . . . . . .  877

1947  Lou Campi, Dumont, NJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  890

1948  Marty Cassio, Rahway, NJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973

1949  Eddie Moore, New York. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  879

1950  Tony Sparando, Rego Park, NY . . . . . . . . .  906

1951  William Luzzi, Jersey City . . . . . . . . . . . . .  885

1952  Eddie Niederhaus, New York . . . . . . . . . . .  908

1953  Julius Grosso, Allentown, PA . . . . . . . . . . .  859

1954  Clyde Soravilla, Tarrytown, NY . . . . . . . . . . 906

1955  Joe Brown, Jersey City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  911

1956  Francis McHugh, Tamaqua, PA . . . . . . . . . . 898

1957  Lindy Faragalli, Paterson, NJ . . . . . . . . . . .  937

1958  John Massero, New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  930

1959  Dick Weber, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  879

1960  Billy Welu, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  915

1961  John Wisniewski, Floral Park, NY . . . . . . . .   862

1962  Sis Mantovani, Hewlett, NY . . . . . . . . . . . .  848

1963  Floyd Page, Yonkers, NY

(tie)   Frank Pinciaro, White Plains, NY . . . . . . . . . 871

1964  Craig Mueller, Union, NJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  882

1965  Joe Tusa, Brooklyn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 916

1966  Tom Montalbano, Deer Park, NY . . . . . . . . . 888

1967  Dave Leverich, Mount Holly, NJ . . . . . . . . .  880

1968  Joe Ostroski, Philadehiia . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  887

1969  Henry Krysa, Princeton, NJ . . . . . . . . . . . .  869

1970  Lou Scrimale, Solvay, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 907

1971  Larry Lichstein, Windsor Locks, CT . . . . . . .  918

1972  Fred Lening, Yardley, PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  926

1973  Ralph Hartmann, New Hyde Park, NY . . . . .  910

1974  Al Pujol, The Bronx  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 921

1975  Jay Tartaglia, Fort Chester, NY . . . . . . . . . .  873

1976  Ed Davis, Jr., Havre de Grace, MD . . . . . . . . 907

1977  Bob Delissio, Levittown, PA . . . . . . . . . . . .  891

1978  Nick Librandi, North White Plains, NY . . . . . . 894

1979  Nunzio Morra, Glen Cove, NY . . . . . . . . . . .  957

1980  Ed Walsh, Perth Amboy, NJ . . . . . . . . . . . .  916

1981  Marty Letscher, Darlington, MD . . . . . . . . . . 978

1982  Jay Stout, Levittown, PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 905

1983  Bob Materasso, The Bronx . . . . . . . . . . . . .  923

1984  Jim Earle, Levittown, PA . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   920

1985  Ron Gondek, King of Prussia, PA . . . . . . . . . 915

Tournament suspended

 

Midwest Bowling Tournament

The Middle-West Bowling Association was formed in 1908 to promote tenpins in the states of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. The association held its first tournament March 13-16 that year at St. Joseph, Missouri.  Soon the tournament was attracting entries from as far away as Denver and Detroit, and had become one of the country’s top regional events.  Commonly known as the Midwest Tournament, operations were temporarily suspended during the 1918-19 season because of World War I.  World War II caused the tournament to again be suspended after the 1941-42 event.  However, it was never resumed thereafter.  

TEAM CHAMPIONS

1907-08  DeSota, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2791

1908-09  Kid Nichols, Kansas City . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2831

1909-10  Brunswick-B-C, Kansas City. . . . . . . . . . . .  2909

1910-11  Duffy’s, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2909

1911-12  Schmidts, St. Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2825

1912-13  Old Saxon Brau, Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2825

1913-14  O’Leary’s, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2843

1914-15  Alpen Brau, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2853

1915-16  Bowlers Journal No. 1, Chicago . . . . . . . . .  2812

1916-17  Rubini, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2955

1917-18  Alvarez, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2920

1918-19  No tournament

1919-20  St. Francis Hotel, St Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2936

1920-21  A.H. Arnold, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2822

1921-22  Hutchinson Ice Cream, Des Moines . . . . . .  3017

1922-23  Ziegler Chocolates, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . 3055

1923-24  Bowlers Journal No. 1, Chicago . . . . . . . . .  3071

1924-25  Oh Henrys, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3030

1925-26  Jed Durkee Flint, Kansas City . . . . . . . . . .  2940

1926-27  L. Jordans, St. Paul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3087

1927-28  T.J. Crowes, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3024

1928-29  Oh Henrys, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3222

1929-30  Shell Gas and Oil, Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . .  3009

1930-31  Alaska Gold Mines, Denver . . . . . . . . . . .   2820

1931-32  Brennan Groceries, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . .  3075

1932-33  Charles J. Krons, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . .  3320

1933-34  Silver Seals, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3164

1934-35  Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Chicago . . . . . . . . 3279

1935-36  Budweiser Beer, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3083

1936-37  Arrowhead Steel Products, Minneapolis . . .  3102

1937-38  Barbasol, Indianapolis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3087

1938-39  Baby Ruth Candy, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . .  3105

1939-40  Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Chicago . . . . . . . . 3129

1940-41  Dean Rubber, Kansas City . . . . . . . . . . . .  3157

1941-42  Gateway Sporting Goods, Kansas City . . . . 3178

DOUBLES CHAMPIONS

1907-08  Donovan-Wilson, Excelsior Springs, MO . . . . . . . .  1171

1908-09  J.C. Ameling-Con Fuerman, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . .  1242

1909-10  King Spellman-Ed Gorman, Kansas City . . . . . . . . . 1159

1910-11  Chuck Collier-W.S. Flenner, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . 1220

1911-12  Fred Fenton-Heinie Hoyer, Sioux City . . . . . . . . . . 1210

1912-13  J. Kral-W. Bush, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1253

1913-14  Louis Levine-Fred Bliss, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1232

1914-15  Crinigan-Frost, Fort Dodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1207

1915-16  Jimmy Blouin-Billy Metcalf, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . 1225

1916-17  Henry Ehlman-Al Lea, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1269

1917-18  L. Mackin-N. Welu, Dubuque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1223

1918-19  No tournament

1919-20  Eddie Krems-Al Bugenhagen, Chicago . . . . . . . . .  1244

1920-21  J. Wilson-Frank Kastner, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . .  1319

1921-22  J. Dancke-Joe Hradek, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1351

1922-23  Lorenz-Smith, Dubuque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1346

1923-24  Eddie Krems-Herb Freitag, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . .1304

1924-25  E. Davis-L. Wolsiefer, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1253

1925-26  L. Trege-A. Nelson, Denver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1211

1926-27  Sykes Thoma-Frank Kartheiser, Chicago . . . . . . . . 1294

1927-28  Dick Montgomery-George Falkenbach, St. Louis . . . 1284

1928-29  Otto Stein-R. Nelson, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1393

1929-30  J. Wilson-Frank Kastner, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1319

1930-31  Gerney-Jarosh, Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1252

1931-32  W.R. Learn-Joe Koran, Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1333

1932-33  Ervin Brunsman-Frank Kastner, St. Louis . . . . . . . . 1386

1933-34  Ned Day-Frank Smith, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1347

1934-35  Cone Hermann-Mitzi Weinstein, St. Louis . . . . . . .  1389

1935-36  Bill Heerman-Kurt Pagel, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1352

1936-37  Fred Daniels-Buck Sonner, Des Moines . . . . . . . . . 1352

1937-38  Ned Day-Gil Zunker, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1345

1938-39  Joe Burke-Babe Bunning, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1341

1939-40  Walter Reppenhagen-Phil Bauman, Detroit . . . . . .  1321

1940-41  Don Pinc-C.B. Jackson, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1368

1941-42  Johnny Small-Joe Traubenik, Chicago . . . . . . . . .   1264

SINGLES CHAMPIONS

1907-08  Martin Kern, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .639

1908-09  Jack Heibert, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   648

1909-10  H.F. Siemens, St. Joseph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645

1910-11  C.W. Ashley. Sioux City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 657

1911-12  August Schmidt, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . .  686

1912-13  D.A. Wolf, Topeka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 654

1913-14  Harry Steers, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 649

1914-15  Nick Bruck, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  647

1915-16  Fred Reimer, Minneapolis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 666

1916-17  Guy Sellers, Des Moines . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   673

1917-18  Al Toemmel, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 651

1918-19  No tournament

1919-20  Forrest Luby, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 657

1920-21  Con Maloney, Kansas City . . . . . . . . . . . . . 702

1921-22  George Falkenbach, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . .  736

1922-23  Chuck Collier, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  674

1923-24  Jess Pritchett, Indianapolis . . . . . . . . . . . .  726

1924-25  Herman Roloff, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . 698

1925-26  W. Anderson, Sioux City, SD . . . . . . . . . . .  668

1926-27  H. Everett, Kansas City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  679

1927-28  Wally Lundgren, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  675

1928-29  C. Snyder, Kansas City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  757

1929-30  Con Maloney, Kansas City . . . . . . . . . . . . .  702

1930-31  Pat Sheridan, Pratt, KS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  651

1931-32  C. Stoff, Des Moines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  697

1932-33  Jess Pritchett, Indianapolis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 778

1933-34  Hank Summers, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 705

1934-35  Mitzi Weinstein, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .715

1935-36  Louis Levine, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   686

1936-37  Burt Barkow, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   736

1937-38  Gil Zunker, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  703

1938-39  Don Pinc, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 749

1939-40  Johhny Crimmins, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 733

1940-41  Johnny Small, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 716

1941-42  Joe Wilman, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  690

ALL-EVENTS CHAMPIONS

1907-08  Henry Clay, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1824

1908-09  Tom Brainard, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1824

1909-10  John Soasom, Chicago . . . .. . . . . . . . . .  1822

1910-11  Chuck Collier, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1885

1911-12  M.J. Locker, Des Moines . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1841

1912-13  Tony Karlicek, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1816

1913-14  H.C. Kohl, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1819

1914-15  Heinie Hoyer, Sioux City. . . .. . . . . . . . . . 1840

1915-16  Glen Fisher, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1818

1916-17  Joe Shaw, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1852

1917-18  George Wilke, Minneapolis . . . . . . . . . . .  1852

1918-19  No tournament

1919-20  Eddie Krems, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1776

1920-21  Frank Kartheiser, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . .  1924

1921-22  Runt Gable, Des Moines . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1911

1922-23  George Geiser, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1946

1923-24  Jess Pritchett, Indianapolis . . . . . . . . . . . .  1972

1924-25  Clarence Kaley, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1920

1925-26  John Looney, Omaha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1840

1926-27  Dom DeVito, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1917

1927-28  Wally Lundgren, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1939

1928-29  Ernie Schanz, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2035

1929-30  Frank Kartheiser, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . .   1929

1930-31  F. Jewell, Minneapolis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1797

1931-32  Sky Halloran, Minneapolis . . . . . . . . . . . .   2013

1932-33  Ervin Brunsman, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . .   2123

1933-34  Adolph Carlson, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . .  .  2004

1934-35  Arthur Scheer, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2071

1935-36  Gil Zunker, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1972

1936-37  Burt Barkow, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2076

1937-38  Gil Zunker, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2020

1938-39  Babe Bunning, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2054

1939-40  Johnny Crimmins, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1991

1940-41  Bernie Drees, Kansas City . . . . . . . . . . . .  2032

1941-42  Joe Wilman, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1955

Tournament suspended

Hall of Fame Ballot 1941 (#4)

Nearly 80 years after the first Hall of Fame vote, 8 of the original 26 nominees are still waiting to be elected—George Bangart, Tom Haley, Otto Kallusch, Harry Kiene, Jules Lellinger, Jess Pritchett, Tony Schwoegler, Hugh Stewart.   My personal choice as the most deserving of them is Jess Pritchett.

Hall of Fame Ballot 1941 (#3)

Besides the eleven charter members, seven other men from the 1941 ballot were later elected to the Hall of Fame: Jimmy Blouin (1953), Billy Knox (1954), Phil Wolf (1961), Chuck Collier (1963), Barney Spinella (1968), Frank Caruana (1977) Frank Brill (1996).

Hall of Fame Ballot 1941 (#2)

Because of a tie, eleven bowlers were voted into the Hall in the 1941 election.  They were: Hank Marino (82 votes), Jimmy Smith (72), Gil Zunker (65), John Koster (57), Charley Daw (55), Adolph Carlson (49), Harry Steers (44), Mort Lindsey (43), Herb Lange (42), Joe Bodis (41) Peter Howley (41).