born April 27,1938, Kent, WA
died August 14, 2001
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| Earl R. Anthony
born April 27,1938, Kent, WA died August 14, 2001 |
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Nicknamed "Square Earl" by his fellow bowlers because of his crewcut and glasses, Anthony had aspirations to play major league baseball as a left-handed pitcher, but an ankle injury destroyed his hopes. He then took up bowling and joined the pro tour for seven tournaments in 1963, but didn't win any money and went home to Washington.
He tried again in 1970 and within a short time Anthony was the best bowler on the tour. He earned $107,585 in 1975, becoming the first to win more than $100,000 in a season. Anthony was named bowler of the year from 1974 through 1976 and from 1981 through 1983. He led the PBA tour in scoring from 1973 through 1975, in 1980, and in 1983.
Anthony retired temporarily in 1984 with records of $1,216,421 in career winnings and 41 tour victories. He won the ABC Masters tournament in 1977 and 1984, the PBA national from 1973 through 1975 and from 1981 through 1983, and the Firestone Tournament of Champions in 1974 and 1978.
After bowling in just one tournament a year for three years, Anthony entered 12 tournaments in 1987 but won only $8,850. He then joined the new PBA senior tour in 1988 and won four tournaments before retiring permanently in 1991.
Although his 41 wins is still the record, he now ranks fourth in career earnings because prize money has increased so much since his peak years.
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| Walter Ray Williams Jr. Ocala, FL Bowls: Right Joined PBA: 1980 DOB: 10/6/1959 Titles: 34 Career Earnings: 2,716,380 |
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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Williams is the second-most winning player in PBA Tour history (tied with Mark Roth, 34 titles). His five PBA Player of the Year Awards (1986, ’93, ’96, ’97, ’98) rank second only to Earl Anthony, who won six. He is also a five-time winner of the Harry Smith Point Leader Award and a four-time winner of the George Young High Average Award. In 1997, Williams became the first player to eclipse the $2 million mark in career earnings. He continues to set the record for most career TV finals appearances (132 as of 12/9/02). He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1995.
PERSONAL FACTS:
Williams graduated from Cal-Poly Pomona with a B.S. degree in Physics. He is a six-time world horseshoe pitching champion and a 17-time California state horseshoe pitching champion. There is a horseshoe named after him called "Dead-eye".
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