The Tenpin Bowling Australia Hall of Fame recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport of tenpin bowling.
Members
Del Da Re
Del commenced bowling in 1963 and quickly established herself as a champion. She was a three times winner of the National All Stars Tournament during the 1960’s, and at the same time won numerous other national titles.
In the 1971 World Championships, she was a member of the Women’s team which won Australia’s first Silver medal in international competition. In addition she has represented her country on four other occasions and always finished high amongst the leaders against the worlds best bowlers.
She has represented Western Australia in the Walter Rachuig Tournament on 17 occasions.
For more than 20 years, she has continually exhibited all of those qualities which has singled her out as a great champion. Elected to the Hall of Fame October 1984.
Trish Datson
Born in NSW, Trish Datson commenced bowling in 1963. She won the ‘All Stars’ in 1969, The Australian Masters in 1970 and in that same year she had two first and two thirds at the Australian National Titles.
In 1971, she was a member of the now famous Women’s Team which competed in the World Championships. She represented Australia in the first World Cup in 1972 and in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1978 again won her way into the Australian line-up for the Asian Zone and World Championships.
Her record in the Walter Rachuig Trophy is quite impressive, as a member of the NSW team; she bowled a total of 113 games over an eight year period. On 1st December 1979, she passed away – a victim of cancer – leaving behind a magnificent record which established her as one of bowling’s all-time great.
Posthumously elected to the Hall of Fame October 1984.
Doreen Dockery
Melbourne born Doreen Dockery commenced bowling in 1961.
She won two titles at the first ATBC Nationals in 1962, and since that time, she has built up a continuity record of 21 appearances in the Nationals and has competed in more than 25 city and state championships.
Her record of victories and high place finishes in tournaments such as the 1964 and 1968 All Stars, The South Pacific Classic and the ATBC Masters is outstanding.
In 14 separate Walter Rachuig Tournaments, she has played more than 200 games for the Victorian State Team.
At international level she has represented Australia in World and Zone championships and in 1980, she won Silver and Bronze medals in Adelaide at the FIQ Championships. Elected to the Hall of Fame October 1984.
Ron Powell
Since bowling was introduced to Victoria in 1960, Ron Powell has earned a reputation for being a highly competitive and excellent sportsman.
He has a long list of victories in the city, state and national titles. In addition, he has held high placing’s in the five year history of the National Bowler Ranking program.
He has represented Australia in World and Zone Championships on five different occasions, and has Gold and Bronze medals for Australia – in the 1983 World Masters in Venezuela, he averaged 225 over 15 games to win the fourth place trophy.
He bowled his first perfect game in 1974, and followed this with another in 1982.
On four occasions, he has represented Victoria in the Walter Rachuig Tournament.
Elected to the Hall of Fame October 1984.
Ken Sheehan
His record as a bowler and as a promoter of leagues and tournaments is quite outstanding. He was captain of the Australian Men’s Team at the 1971 World Championships.
He has represented Queensland in the Walter Rachuig Tournament on seven occasions and was Coach on three others. In addition, he has been, since 1966, an outstanding performer in city, state and national titles.
Ken won the Ansett Classic Event, the Pioneer Classic, the Australian Open (1972) and The Hawaii Invitation.
As a promoter, he established the Brisbane Cup and in addition introduced in to the Australian competitive circuit the first Singles Tournament for women.
Elected to the Hall of Fame October 1984.
Jean Soderlund
Jean Soderlund was born in NSW and started bowling in 1962 at about the time of the formation of the ATBC.
In the first Australian Championships, she won the Open Grade Singles event and was in the line-up of the winning team in the Women’s Open Division.
Her bowling achievements established her as a legendary figure in the period leading up to her retirement from the game in the late 1970’s. She was playing Captain of the NSW Women’s Rachuig team for five of the nine occasions she played for her state.
She represented Australia in World and Zone championships and was Captain of the Women’s medal winning teams in Milwaukee in 1971 and again in London in 1975.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1984.
Ruth Guerster
Recognised as one of Australia’s greatest bowlers, her record of outstanding performances in regional, national and international events extends over many years.
Her more notable victories include four times winner of The Australian Masters, Classic Singles, the Victorian State and Melbourne City Masters, All Events and Open Teams.
On no less than 16 occasions, she bowled for Victoria in the Walter Rachuig Tournament.
She has won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for Australia in the World Championships and the Asian Zone championships.
On four occasions she won the South Pacific Tournament.
Elected to the Hall of Fame October 1985.
Percy Talbot
Born in England in 1916 and later settling in Victoria, Percy Talbot as 44 years of age before he became a bowler. In a remarkable career which extended over 16 years prior to his death in April 1980, he was captain of the Victorian team from 1966 to 1971 and led them to victory in 1967 and 1969. By striking out in the 10th frame, as anchor man, he gave his team a four pin victory over NSW in 1969.
He won the South Pacific Classic tournament in 1970 and represented Australia in the World Cup held in Denmark that same year. His record of national and international victories and high score performances is endless.
He has a 299 game and high series of 742 to his credit. He was known as “Mr Nice Guy”, a great sportsman admired and respected by those who knew him or by those who bowled as his competitors.
Posthumously elected to the Hall of Fame October 1985.
Eric Thompson
Since he commenced bowling in 1964, Eric Thompson, who was born in Victoria, has been one of the most consistent tournament winners in the history of the game in Australia.
The impressive list of first place honours embraces city, state and national titles plus a multitude of other tournaments of every description. At the 1979 World Championships held in Manila, he won Gold medals for Australia in teams, doubles and the all-events.
He was also playing Captain of the Australian team in the 1980 Asian Zone Championships held in Adelaide, where he won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. He has been Captain Coach and member of the record breaking Victorian Rachuig team for many years.
In the qualifying series of the 1983 South Pacific Classic Tournament, he bowled his first 300.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in October 1985.
Jeanette Baker
Jeanette is a lady who has an impressive record of performances in city, state, national and international competition.
Highlighting this list are three South Pacific titles, in 1975-82-83, Trish Datson Memorial, in 1981 and 1983, numerous city and state Masters Titles.
She has bowled in the Walter Rachuig Trophy Tournament on 10 occasions representing Victoria 5 times, South Australia twice, New South Wales twice and ACT once.
She has to her credit, the ATBC Masters title in 1981-82 and 1985, the Open and All Events titles in 1982 and again in 1983 with a record score of 1876, and the ATBC Ratings Award in 1982-83-84 and 1985.
Australia has benefited from her representation in the Australian team in FIQ competition – 7 times and has won a total of 14 medals.
As a result of her South Pacific Classic wins, she has represented Australia in the Tenpin Bowling World Cup – winning in Holland in 1982 and successfully defending her title in Mexico in 1983.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in October 1986.
Graham Smith
He is a bowler well known in the sport for some 24 years.
His list of bowling achievements is truly impressive. His high series is 757.
He has bowled for two states – Victoria two times and South Australia four times – in the Walter Rachuig Trophy Tournament, with an unbelievable 63 consecutive games.
His national titles include – Open Teams, twice, Open Doubles and Classic Singles.
He was one of the Australian team members at its’ first appearance at Milwaukee in 1971 where he set a new FIQ single game record of 286, and partnered Vic Bubniw for a high doubles game of 499.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in October 1986.
Steve Mackie
Steve Mackie was born in May of 1949, and commenced bowling in 1962 at the age of 13. After a five hour wait for a lane, he bowled his first game – 59.
Steve bowled competitively with success in most major tournaments during the 1960’s and 70’s. He won the Australian Masters title in Melbourne in 1967, coming through from the loser’s division, and again in Adelaide in 1970, but this time going through undefeated.
A short list of Steve’s accomplishments include – South Pacific Classic 1971, Australian Open 1973, Melbourne Cup 1973 & 1975, Sydney Cup 1976, Philippines Airlines Singles 1969-70-71, Ardath Cup 1977, and without having to worry about the single pin leaves, won the AMF National No-Tap in 1968-70-71-74.
Steve has won numerous city and state titles and also national titles in Open Doubles and Singles. He represented his home state of NSW in the Walter Rachuig Trophy Tournament on 7 occasions, and was Captain of the winning men’s team in 1977. He represented Australia in its’ first FIQ appearance at Milwaukee in 1971.
His active tournament participation was more restricted following his move to bowling centre management with Olympic Bowling Centres in the mid-seventies. Steve was even more actively involved in the promotion of his favourite sport of tenpins when in the position of Promotions Manager for AMF Australia, where he was responsible for tournaments, media and public relations.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in October 1987.
Vic Bubniw
Vic Bubniw was born in the Ukraine in 1939 and immigrated to Victoria. He commenced bowling in the early years of the sport, and quickly progressed through the ranks to become one of the elite bowlers of Australia.
During his 21 year career, Vic achieved many outstanding results. At the 1966 National Championships, Vic won the Open Singles titles and was part of the winning Open team. He successfully defended his Open singles title in 1967. Vic was also a member of the Open Team champions in 1969 and 1972. He represented Victoria on 6 occasions.
He first represented Australia at the 1971 World Championships in Milwaukee, winning a Bronze medal in the Doubles with fellow Hall of Famer Graham Smith.
Vic captained the 1973 Asian Zone FIQ team, winning Gold in the Teams and a Silver in the Doubles competition. He also represented at the 1978 Asian Zone Championships. Vic is also one of the few Australians to win an international tournament, the Bangkok Masters in 1974.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1988.
John Sullivan
John stated bowling as a junior bowler in the early 1960’s. He was first spotted as a talented tenpin bowler in 1965, and invited to join the LBA Junior All Stars. As his skills developed, so did his reputation as a fine young bowler and upon his move to the senior ranks, he made many a seasoned bowler sit up and take notice.
As he bowled his way into the 1970’s, he established himself as one of the top bowlers around, gathering a string of wins and titles. By 1975, he had been selected to represent Australia in the World FIQ Tournament in London. This honour was repeated when he was again selected to be part of the Gold medal winning men’s team in Manilla in 1979.
His FIQ appearances as an Australian representative totalled six, resulting in 4 Gold medals, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze. The 1980’s saw a fantastic list of achievements and major tournament wins credited to John. Just about every major tournament title belonged to John Sullivan at some time during the 80’s. Some of his most notable performances included his 1983 South Pacific win, with a head to head average of 233; running second in the Melbourne Cup with a 212 average, and the S-Sportswear Classic win with an average of 214.
He was captain of the winning Victorian Rachuig team in 1982, when he received the President’s Award for his 200 average, with 18 wins in 21 matches. His high game is a mere 300, with a high game series of 834 consisting of 277, 278, and 279.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1989.
Jack Walton
Jack has been associated with the sport of tenpin bowling since it’s’ inception in Australia. First as a national secretary/treasurer in an honorary capacity, and later as secretary/treasurer and executive director. In the early years, he was also the honorary secretary of the local association in Sydney. He joined the Congress in 1962 and held the position of secretary/treasurer for 24 years.
In the early days of the ATBC, Jack worked closely with Walter Rachuig, a man for who he has high regard. This Jack demonstrated by suggesting an interstate team’s tournament named after Walter Rachuig, which became, and remains, the greatest tenpin teams’ tournament in Australia.
Later he played a big role in the establishment of the President Junior Interstate Shield Tournament, the blue ribbon event for junior bowlers. During the 24 years until his retirement, Jack guided and assisted the congress through some troubled waters and established tenpin bowling as a sport in Australia which eventually achieved affiliation with the FIQ.
Jack took the first Australian teams to the World Championships in the USA in 1971. He also played a major part in establishing the ATBC constitution, playing rules and regulations, and formed the majority of city and area associations in Australia. Jack helped in the drafting of the constitution and playing rules for FIQ as a member of the rules committee. He was awarded the FIQ Silver Anniversary Pin, the only person in Australia to be so honoured.
Jack has always showed a great deal of interest in all bowlers, from the champions to the juniors, and he was instrumental in the acquisition of “The Chatswood” building in Sydney.
Jack is known, and rightly so, as the FATHER of tenpin bowling in Australia.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992.
Walter De Veer
Walter De Veer was born in Holland in 1934 and immigrated to South Australia with his family in 1950. Walter commenced bowling at Adelaide’s Parkside and Bayside bowling centres in the early sixties.
In 1962, Walter became involved with the newly formed South Australian Tenpin Bowling Association. In 1964, he was elected as a director of the SATBA, a position he held until 1967 when he was appointed vice-president. In 1969, he became president of the SATBA, a position he held until his passing.
In 1974, he became president of the Australian Tenpin Bowling Congress, a position he held until 1986. From 1987 until his passing he remained an ATBC board member. Walter also served on the World and Asian Zone FIQ with distinction. His contributions to the FIQ being acknowledged with the presentation of the prestigious FIQ Silver Pin of Merit.
Walter was also involved with many other community and service organisations in South Australia. For his services to ethnic broadcasting and to the people of South Australia, Walter was awarded with both the MBE (Member of the British Empire) and the AM (Member Order of Australia).
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Chris Batson
Chris started bowling in 1964 with the old rubber bowling balls and lacquer lane surfaces.
He represented Australia in the World Cup an incredible five times: 1974, 1979 where he finished in 3rd place, 1981, 1985 and 1987. Some of his other accomplishments include – winning the South Pacific Classic three times – in 1974, 1979 and 1987, the Australian Masters 1980, and the Melbourne Tenpin Cup 1993.
Chris also represented Australia in the first World Games where he won both a Gold and Silver medal. He went on to represent Australia on fifteen occasions and has spent about 10 years overseas coaching.
He was part of the NSW Rachuig winning men’s team in 1972, 1973 and 1976, making the All Star Team on three occasions – 1973, 1974 and 1976.
He has bowled 22 x 300 games and Brunswick even produced a bowling ball in the eighties with his name on it for the Australian market.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Cheryl Munson
Between 1973 and 1976, Cheryl’s introduction to bowling was the St George Championships, W.T.B.O. Tournaments, and City and State Championships where she won minor grade titles.
In 1976, Cheryl flew to Victoria to watch the South Pacific Classic at Northcote Bowl, where the top lady bowlers inspired her to want greater achievements in the game of tenpins.
Her first big tournament was the Australian Open in 1977 at Rockdale where she finished in 6th place. That year, she also placed 6th in her first South Pacific Classic, and went on to break the Australian record in Open Doubles in the State Championships with doubles partner Pam Ryan.
Cheryl has been a South Pacific Classic qualifier for 17 times and an Australian top ten on nine occasions, the top three on five occasions. She has captained the NSW State (Rachuig) Team for 9 years and was a member of the NSW winning Women’s team from 1983 to 1986.
Some of her other accomplishments include winning the VIC150 in 1986 and 1990, the NSW Open in 1983 and 1985 and the Adelaide Women’s Cup in 1985 and 1992.
Cheryl was employed at AMF Enfield Bowl for 18 years for her expertise in ball drilling, and is a graduate of the Pro Shop Proficiency Award, conducted by Fred Borden, and now she coaches on an average, 20 to 30 people (juniors & seniors) each week.
One of the pioneers in taking the Australian coaching scheme to other countries.
Cheryl was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Dr Ed Kee
Dr Ed Kee began his association with Australian Tenpin Bowling in the formative years of the sport, taking up this exciting new game in 1961. His last average, in 1972, was 184.
However, it was as a coach where Dr Kee really made his mark on Australian bowling.
He first coached junior bowlers in 1961 at Sydney’s Hurstville Bowl, learning this craft from the early Americans in Sydney centres.
Dr Kee coached the successful NSW Junior President’s Shield teams in 1976, 1978 and 1979, as well as eight Australian Junior Masters champions.
Perhaps his most rewarding success was his son Gary, whom Dr Kee coached from a very young age. Gary went on to become one of Australia’s greatest bowlers.
Success also came to Dr Kee in his role as coach of the 1976 and 1978 adult teams in the Asian Zone FIQ Championships, and the 1979 team that won two gold medals in the World Championships in Manila. An extremely articulate man, Dr Kee also gained immense respect through his many years of excellent instructional columns in Pin Action magazine.
Dr Kee unselfishly devoted countless hours to Australian Tenpin Bowling, never once asking for any financial remuneration.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001.
Nell Weir
Nell made many significant contributions over her 40 years of involvement in Tenpin Bowling.
Nell was a physical education teacher prior to starting in Tenpin Bowling. She began bowling in a league at Exhibition Bowl (Qld) in 1970. Both Nell’s children bowled in junior leagues at this time also. Nell became the Junior Guardian for the league and from this time on became a dedicated devotee to our sport.
Nell attended the very first Junior Nationals in 1971 and served as Secretary of the Brisbane Area Junior Tenpin Bowling Association (BAJTBA) for 10 years and was subsequently appointed President in 1980. Nell is a Life Member of the Brisbane Area Junior Tenpin Bowling Association.
Some other key highlights include having served 10 years as a Secretary/Treasurer of the South Qld Junior Tenpin Bowling Committee and later holding the position of Chairperson for 18 years in various roles including Coordinator, Team Manager, and Selector for the President Shield. She also served 6 years as President of the Tenpin Bowling Association of Qld (TBAQ).
Nell was one of seven people, who in 1996 were inducted into Queensland’s inaugural Hall of Fame. She achieved Coaching accreditation and completed Level 2 studies at the AIS Canberra and was instrumental through meeting with Bob Rae from the USA in the introduction of Port-A-Bowl in Queensland Primary Schools which proved to be a major success.
Nell served on working committees associated with the World Masters Games (Brisbane), the Disabled State Championships, the Qld State Championships and the 1995 Junior Nationals at Clayfield Bowl.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001.
Ian Bradford
Ian Bradford was one of Australia’s greatest tournament bowlers of the 90’s. Born in 1960, Ian had a bowling career spanning some 27 years.
He represented Australia on several occasions, including the AMF World Cup in 1988, coming 2nd.
Ian has represented Australia in World and Zone Championships on four different occasions. At the 1992 FIQ 12th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championships, Ian won Gold in the Doubles, Trios, and Teams event, and the Gold Medal in the Masters event with a 233 average.
Ian was a multiple representative in the Victorian Rachuig Teams, and bowled his first perfect game in 1985 in Singapore, following this with another 12 perfect games recorded to date.
Ian was a South Pacific Classic winner four times (1982, 1988, 1993 & 1995), a two-time Melbourne Cup winner (1987 & 1992). 1993 proved to be another successful year, with wins in the Australian Open, the NSW Open, the Queensland Cup, and then the Australian Masters, which he went on to win again in 1994.
He also won the Brisbane Cup three times (1987, 1988 & 1989).
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Bob Cook
Bob Cook is best known as the cornerstone of Australian Tenpin Bowling literature, but was also a more than competent bowler in his own right.
Taking up the sport at age 15 in 1964 at Rushcutter Bowl in Sydney, Bob competed in the Sydney Inter-District League for the prestigious Easts team the following year, averaging a respectable 180. Just 2 years later Bob averaged 202 in the Rushcutter Classic League.
The highlight of Bob’s career came the next year when he won the prestigious National All-Star in 1970, earning a trip to Chicago to compete against the U.S professionals in their biggest tournament. Bob acquitted himself well on foreign shores, averaging 200+ in that event, as well as good averages of 217and 211 in exhibition matches in San Francisco and Bangkok.
In 1975, lamenting the lack of bowling literature in Australia (he was a big fan of the magazines of the formative years of Australian bowling and the U.S Bowlers Journal) he and friend Andy McKay started Pin Action magazine.
This was to become “the bowler’s voice” and continued to cover the Australian sport until 1991, with Bob winning awards from the World Bowling Writers Association, the Australian Bowling Writers Association and AMF (for services to the industry).
The following decade saw Bob overseeing, writing and editing the ATBC’s “Tenpin Strikeout”magazines.
Throughout this lengthy period of covering his beloved sport, Bob was awarded the World Bowling Writers Golden Quill award in 1982, the Mighty Golden Pen award in 1984 and 1985 and was named President of the World Bowling Writers in 1987.
His ratings system of all tournament bowlers’ performances each year established a standard that was widely accepted across Australia.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2004.
June Voukolos
June commenced bowling in 1977 posting placings’ in female divisions in tournaments and serving on the Local Association Committee. She completed the Level One Coaching Course in 1988 and began coaching junior and adult ladies and state teams and established the junior development program in Darwin and Alice Springs.
June was the President of the Darwin Tenpin Bowling Association for eight years (1990 – 1998) and was elected as the first female Chairman of Tenpin Bowling Australia in 1998, holding this position for six years. 1998 saw June voted NT Sports Award, as Administrator of the Year. In 1999, June was elected to the Asian Bowling Federation as Vice President for Oceania, and during the same year she served on WTBA committees for Women’s Affairs, and she travelled to Malaysia to attend the Commonwealth Games and to lobby for Tenpin’s continued inclusion in the Games.
June was awarded the Australian Sports Medal by Prime Minister John Howard in 2000, having been nominated by the Australian Sports Commission. June was the National Coach for the Australian Asian schools team in 2001, and also the coach the NT Men’s Team in Walter Rachuig Trophy (who won the event for the first time in NT Tenpin History since the event began in the 1960’s).
She was named in Bowlers Journal top 100 influential females in the world of tenpin bowling in 2002, and in 2006 was awarded the NTIS 10 year service award for continued outstanding volunteer service to the Northern Territory Institute of Sport (NTIS).
In 2008, June was awarded lifetime recognition award to TBA for services to the sport. Inducted into Northern Territory Hall of Champions, Honour Roll for services to sport in the community in 2010, June was still the Executive Officer of NT Tenpin Bowling Association and the Head Coach of the NTIS Tenpin Squad.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Joe Velo
Joe Velo was undoubtedly one of Australia’s best known tenpin bowler during his career. Many called him Wrong-Foot-Velo, because he had a unique bowling technique for a right handed bowler, putting his right foot forward and bowling off the right foot. This technique was obviously a hang-over from his Italian background and the Bocce sport. On the lanes he was cool, charismatic and a real chatter box with anyone nearby.
Born in Italy on 10th March 1933, he migrated to Australia at the age of 18. Joe’s first competitions were as a bicycle rider when he was a teen. On arrival in Australia, he lived in Surry Hills working with his cousin as a concreter. Joe then moved to the NSW South Coast region (Illawarra) to work in the coal mines.
He was the first person to bowl a 300 game in Australia and outside of the USA on 18th March 1963 at Corrimal Bowl in NSW. He repeated that feat again at Warrawong Bowl on 1st August 1975.
His many national achievements included winning the following tournaments – Australia Masters 1966, National All Star Winner 1965, 1966, PAL Invitational Winner 1968, South Pacific Classic 1968, 1972 and 1976, Melbourne Tenpin Cup 1978, Sydney Cup 1974, Victorian Cup 1975, Brisbane Cup 1977, Canberra Cup 1979, South Australian Open 1974 and 1975, and he represented NSW in the Walter Rachuig Trophy four times, in 1964, 1966, 1969 and 1970.
Joe represented Australia in the AMF World Cup several times, placing 8th in London in 1966, 16th at Hamburg in Germany in 1972 and finishing 4th in Tehran (Iran) in 1976.
Joe went on to finish his bowling career in 1985. He now enjoys his retirement fishing and watching his son bowling.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2011.
John Coxon
An electrician by trade, John started bowling at Port Pirie Bowling centre when it first opened back in August 1982. John helped establish the Port Pirie Tenpin Bowling Association in 1982 and became president that same year and held that position for 20 years. He was later awarded life membership to the Port Pirie Tenpin Bowling Association. John also founded the South Australian County Cup in 1986 and served as President of the Board for 18 years.
John joined the National sporting organisation, the Australian Tenpin Bowling Congress back in 1983 as an associate director. In 1996 – 1999 John became a Director of the ATBC. John was also appointed as a Director of Tenpin Bowling Australia in October 1998 when the new company was created and was Chairman from 2007-2009.
John has seen the ups and downs of the sport over the past 30 years and has dedicated a lot of his time to the sport he loves. He has been with the National Tournament committee since 2003 and in 2007 took over as Tournament director’s position for Tenpin Bowling Australia’s Youth, Junior and Adult championships. John competed in the Adult national championship for 26 years.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012.
Sue Cassell
At just 14 years old, Sue Cassell showed her undoubted potential when she was the youngest player in Australia to be selected in the 1976 Australian team to compete at the 4th Asian Tenpin Bowling Championship in Jakarta. Sue won her first medal for her country teaming up with Jeanette Baker, Shirley Ellis, Barbara Ward and Kay Hughes to win the team’s event this was the start of many medals to come.
A player who very rapidly made a name for herself upon leaving the junior ranks back in 1981, Sue participated in 22 Walter Rachuig Trophies, was a 17 time member of the winning Women’s Rachuig Team in 1984, 1985, 1991 – 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999 – 2001, 2001 – 2003, and a 10 time member of the National All Stars team.
Some of her other national accomplishments include winning the Canberra Open in 1981 and 1982, the South Pacific Classic in 1985 and 1990, the Australia Masters in 1991 and 1993, the Adelaide Women’s Cup winner in 1993, Vic 150 in 1996, NSW Open in 1996 and 2005, and the K&K Classic in 2006.
In 1981 at the Asian Youth Championships in Manilla, Sue won Gold in the Singles, Trios and the coveted All Events, along with a Silver Medal in the Doubles. Her international achievements at the Asian Adult Championships over the years include 3 Gold medals, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze, and saw her compete in Jakarta in 1976, Singapore in 1984, Perth in 1992, Guam in 1994, Chinese Taipei in 1998 and Qatar in 2000.
Sue was named as World Bowler of the Year by the World Bowling Writers Association in 1990. Sue competed at two World Championships, winning a Gold Medal in the Trios event in Reno (1995) and a Bronze Medal in the Doubles in Abu Dhabi in 1999.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012.
Eric Jang
Born in 1940, Eric was promoted as Australia’s first national tenpin bowling champion. Tenpin Bowling in Australia began in late 1960 and was an instant success, with many young sportsman and sportswomen keen to try their hand at this “American phenomenon”.
It didn’t take long before a major Australian tournament was held at the new Leichhardt Bowl in Sydney, in 1962. The winner of that first major Australian tournament became Australian bowling’s first superstar, and that person was Sydney’s Eric Jang. With his win, Eric received a trophy, a trip around the world by Qantas, a thousand pounds, and the right to represent Australia at the World’s Invitational Championships held in Chicago that same year.
Eric won the Australian Open Masters in 1963, participated in two Walter Rachuig Trophy tournaments and was a 2 time member of the National All Stars team.
Eric became even better known to the general public when he produced a marvelous eight straight wins on Channel 9’s TV Championships at Adelaide’s Cross Road Bowl, which was viewed around the nation. His coolness and ability under pressure was seen by millions.
Eric eventually moved into pro-shop operations, becoming one of the first Australians to study the complexities of this highly skilled profession.
His coaching achievements include National Coach for HKTBC from 1992 to 1995, Assistant National Team Coach for Malaysia from 1995 to 1998, National Head Coach for the Egyptian Bowling Federation in 2001, and he was Head Coach of Tenpin Bowling at Penang State Sports Council in Malaysia from 2005 to 2007.
Eric gained his USBC Silver Level Coaching accreditation in 2008. Back in Australia, he was the National Youth Challenge Team NSW Coach for four years (2008 – 2011) bringing home 3 Gold Teams Medals. Most recently, Eric was the 2013 Australian Team Coach for the WTBA World Seniors Championships (Las Vegas) with a Bronze medal in the Singles and Doubles events.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2013.
Barbara Richmond
Barbara commenced Tournament Bowling in 1974. When bowlers from Queensland rarely featured on the national scene, Barbara grabbed everyone’s attention when she won the 1977 Australian Open at Sydney’s Rockdale Bowl with a devastating display.
With the confidence of a new champion, Barbara quickly became a major force on the women’s scene. She won her first of 3 Sunshine Specials in 1978, the TAA $10,000 in 1979, then her first of 4 Women’s Adelaide Cup titles, in 1980. Barbara won the Trish Datson Memorial Trophy in 1984, and was a Vic150 winner in 1987.
Some of her international achievements include a Bronze medal in the Teams event at the 1987 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Her success at the Asian Seniors Championships include a Gold medal in the Teams (1986 in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia), a Bronze medal in Teams (1988 in Hong Kong), a Silver in the Masters and a Bronze in the Singles (2007 Suzuka Mie Japan), and a Gold in the Singles and a Bronze in the Masters (2009 Pasig City, Philippines).
Barbara was 8 times rated in Pin Action’s Top Ten Female Bowlers, from 1976 to 1985, 3 times nominated by Australian Bowling Writer’s Association in All-Star teams in the 83-84, 84-85 and 1986, received a Bowler of the Year Award in 1987, and she represented Queensland in the Walter Rachuig Tournament 9 times, captaining the team five times.
Barbara also participated in 6 Senior Teams Challenges, was a member of the 2007 All Stars Team, received the 2007 Director’s Award recipient, and was the 2008 Sportsperson’s Award recipient.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2013.
Steve Lovell
From 1979 to 1997, Steve Lovell won 21 tournaments, 11 of them majors, and was runner-up 23 times, with 9 of those majors.
A talented athlete, Steve was a fast bowler in cricket, and that was the way he bowled in his early days at St Leonards Bowl in Sydney – straight and fast.
He was nurtured along by centre manager Steve Mackie, who could see great potential in the carefree lefty, which he proved in 1978 by bowling the first ever league 300 at St Leonards.
His first tournament win was at the 1979 Newcastle Cup, and the following year, it was at the Queensland Open at Greenslopes that saw Steve set a new record for the matchplay finals of a major tournament with his 220.6 average. Steve was selected into the 1981 Pin Action All Star team and named 1982 Bowler Of The Year.
He made the Australian Team in 1982, competing at Manila in the Asian Zone FIQ competition. The team produced Australia’s best overseas result yet (7 medals) with Steve himself collecting bronze medals in the Doubles and All-Events, and the coveted Gold medal in the Masters, beating renowned Ronny Ng from Singapore in the final, 440 to 406.
A move to Melbourne in 1985, marriage to wife Debbie and the birth of their daughter Kari in 1986 preceded the now 32-year-old’s biggest Australian win yet – The Melbourne Tenpin Cup.
Steve also won the Brisbane Cup, Pepsi-Cola Invitational, Canberra Cup, West Australian Open, the Southern Cross $10,000 in Bendigo (a televised event), South Australian Doubles, Hunter Valley Open (1989), Shur Graphics Open (1990, 1992), Victoria Open (1991), Canberra Open (1993), Orange Open (1995) and the Sydney Tenpin Cup (1997).
Other achievements included 56 games in Rachuig and 1 All Star Award.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014.
Terry Wenban
Terry Wenban started bowling at Sydney’s Rushcutter Bowl where his mother (known affectionately as Topsy) worked while still a schoolboy in the late 1960’s.
As a teenager, Terry showed his potential with a surprise victory in the 1974 Melbourne Tenpin Cup.
In 1979, at age 24, his game took on a new dimension. His friend Andy McKay had returned from a trip to the USA where he learned much about the sport from the U.S. professionals. With McKay “in his corner” providing advice on angles, ball changes etc, Terry blew everyone away by winning the Australian-Hawaiian Invitational, where he used six different balls, unheard of at the time when most bowlers had just one double ball bag!
This win sent Terry to compete in a U.S Pro Tournament, where he joined the U.S Professional Bowlers Association competing on their tough circuit in 1983.
Other titles included the Queensland Open, the Perth Cup, the prestigious South Pacific Classic at Bankstown, NSW Open, South Australian Cup, Brisbane Cup, the Sydney Cup twice, Australian Open and he was the Australian Open Masters champion in 1992. He also won The Pepsi-Cola Invitational at Rockdale Bowl in 1983 and 1984.
In 1985, Terry was named Bowler of The Year and in 1986 won The Sydney Cup, placed 3rd in the Ratings, and made his 7th straight Pin Action All Stars team.
Terry made the 1987 Australian team to compete in the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland, and it was his first Australian team selection.
He was chosen as a commentator for the prestigious Channel 9 Goldpin Coca-Cola Classic in the summer of 88-89, and his incisive comments were very well received.
The new decade kicked off with the winning of his 13th major title in 1990 – the Koolfoam Classic, his first in 4 years. 1992 also saw Terry play in his first Rachuig tournament and he showed that he’s certainly no slouch in the 5-man events either, averaging 206 and helping NSW to victory. He backed-up the following year, averaging 207, and NSW won again! In all, he bowled 53 games in Rachuig and 1 All Star Award.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014.
Brian Bridges
After 14 years of bowling league Bridges’ career took off in 1978 when he moved to Sydney from Victoria and began bowling at Rockdale.
In 1980 Bridges won his first major title the Coca Cola Classic at Rockdale where he defeated current hall of famers Eric Thompson and Chris Batson.
In 1981 Bridges won the Brisbane Cup and was Pin Action magazine Bowler of the Year.
His biggest titles came in 1982 to 1989, winning the prestigious Melbourne Tenpin Cup, South Australian Cup, Canberra Cup, NSW Open, WA Open, Perth Open (twice) and Australian Masters.
In 1991 he was part of the winning Victorian Rachuig team and it was one of the few times he bowled in a team event during his career.
His win in the 1985 Australian Masters and going on to represent Australia in Malaysia is a highlight in his career.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2015.
Carol Gianotti
Carol Gianotti will be known as a pioneer of the sport in Australia, with an international bowling career spanning three decades, numerous national and international highlights, 19 sanctioned 300 games and a personal best certified score of 827.
This love for the sport began in 1977, as a 10-year-old living in the suburbs of Perth, when the bowling centre now known as AMF Morley was built next door to her family house.
Only a year after honing her skills in the newly built centre, and at the age of 11, Gianotti made for her first President’s Shield team, and at 14 years of age she stormed into the Western Australian Rachuig team. In 1984, Carol was the Junior Australian Masters Winner.
In 1985, her dream of pulling on the green and gold came true with selection in the Australian team to represent at the 1985 Asian Youth Championships, where she claimed 1 gold and 3 silver medals. More gold came in 1986 at the Asian Adult Championship (teams event), and again in 1988 (Masters). Carol represented Australia at Worlds in 1987, 2009 and 2010.
In 1988, her move to Canberra paid off when she was selected to represent Australia in the first and only time bowling has been in the Olympics, the 1988 Seoul Olympics where tenpin bowling was a demonstration sport.
In 1989, she packed her bags for a move to the land of opportunity, where she would compete against the best female bowlers in the world. She arrived as a bright-eyed 21-year-old and within months of leaving home for the U.S. she had her first title, was a major, the 1989 USBC Queens.
In a career that still continues today, Gianotti claimed 16 professional titles in the US between 1989 and 2000 as well as 16 victories in Australia’s top tournaments, including the South Pacific Classic, Adelaide Women’s Cup, NSW Women’s Open, Perth Rosemount Cup and Trish Datsun Memorial.
Carol was inducted in to the prestigious United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Hall of Fame in 2011.
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Ann-Maree Putney
A glittering career that span 34 years, Putney, represented Australia for 23 years collecting an astonishing 29 medals in international events including World, Asian and Commonwealth Championships on her way to being nominated for the Hall of Fame.
Major achievements in Ann Maree’s career include winning the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in 2007 in Russia along with the coveted Masters Gold Medal at 1999 World Championships in UAE.
Read more in the article Ann Maree Putney Inducted into Hall Of Fame
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 2019.
