Best Bowlers of All Time

Bowling has never gone out of style thanks to these legends.

Best Bowlers of All Time

Believe it or not, there was a time when professional bowling was one of the most popular sports on television. For more than three decades, from the early 1960s to late 1990s, the Professional Bowlers Tour was a staple of Saturday afternoon sports programming on ABC, as the prelude to its iconic "Wide World of Sports." Bowlers like Dick and Pete Weber, Earl Anthony, Marshall Holman and Walter Ray Williams Jr. became household names.

Those days are long gone amid the media saturation of mainstream sports like football and basketball and the emergence of popular new ones such as mixed martial arts. Still, the professional men’s and women’s bowling tours have chugged on in the recesses of cable sports television, with new stars and more fashionable attire.

The Professional Bowlers Association Tour made its return to broadcast television in 2019 with a new Fox Sports deal. Time will tell if the ratings return to the sport’s heyday when Chris Schenkel and Nelson Burton Jr. called the action. But to honor a sport that has never gone out of style, here are the greatest bowlers of all time.

75. Andrew Anderson

PBA Tour titles: 3

Bottom Line: Andrew Anderson

Andrew Anderson bowling on the PBA Tour — Andrew Anderson was born in 1995.

Michigan native Andrew Anderson was named the 2018 PBA Player of the Year at just 23 years old and following his win at the 2018 USBC Masters.

Anderson, who bowled collegiately at Davenport University in Michigan, was only in his second full season as a pro in 2018 and also brought home a gold medal in Trios at the World Bowling Championships that same year.

74. Clara Guerrero

Clara Guerrero bowling — Clara Guerrero has won multiple international championships.

PWBA/Professional Tour titles: 4

Bottom Line: Clara Guerrero

Clara Guerrero celebrating on the PWBA Tour — Clara Guerrero is a native of Colombia.

Clara Guerrero burst onto the international bowling scene in her native Colombia in the early 2000s. She has competed for Team Colombia for the last 20 years, making her first appearance at the World Bowling Championships in 2003.

While she's won one PWBA event in her career, Guerrero's biggest successes have been in international competition, where she's won gold medals in the Pan Am Games, World Games and World Bowling Championships.

73. Bob Strampe

Bob Strampe, one of the greatest bowlers — Bob Strampe was inducted into the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Hall of Fame in 1977.

PBA Tour titles: 5

Bottom Line: Bob Strampe

USBC Hall of Famer Bob Strampe — Bob Strampe rolled 300 games in five different decades.

Minneapolis native Bob Strampe was a bowling star in his hometown before moving to Detroit to play for team sponsored by Stroh's beer, where he became a four-time American Bowling Congress champion.

Strampe went on to win the BPAA All-Star in 1963, PBA National in 1964 and the ABC Masters in 1966. One of just a handful of bowlers with 300 games in five different decades, he was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 1977 and the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

72. Don McCune

PBA Tour star Don McCune — Don McCune had serious bowling skills.

PBA Tour titles: 8

Bottom Line: Don McCune

Don McCune celebrates — Don McCune enjoyed success at every level of the game.

Las Vegas native Don McCune saw the height of his bowling fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when he posted 10 top-10 finishes at the USBC Open Championships and won titles in the Classic Team event in 1968 and the Classic Doubles event in 1969.

On the PBA Tour, McCune truly became a star, racking up eight tour wins. Six of those wins came in 1973, when he swept PBA Player of the Year and International Bowling Media Association Player of the Year honors.

McCune's son, Eugene McCune, also bowled professionally on the PBA Tour.

71. Virginia Norton

PWBA/Professional Tour titles: 8

Bottom Line: Virginia Norton

USBC Hall of Famer Virginia Norton — Virginia Norton made the USBC Hall of Fame in 1988, his first year of eligibility.

Virginia Norton hails from Cypress, California, and finished her career with eight wins on professional tours, including three years with multiple victories and six of those wins coming at the USBC Women's Championships.

Norton was elected to the USBC Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility in 1988, at just 35 years old, becoming one of the youngest to enter the HOF.

Norton, who also had three top-5 finishes at the USBC Queens event, was elected to the PWBA Hall of Fame in 2003.

70. Jeanne Naccarato

PWBA/Professional Tour titles: 10

Bottom Line: Jeanne Naccarato

Jeanne Naccarato had a breakout season in 1986, when she won three professional tour titles and was named Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour Player of the Year.

Naccarato ended up in sports pages across the entire United States when she rolled 40 consecutive strikes at the Women's Central States Tournament, posting games of 300, 300 and 264 to set the singles record with a total of 864.

Naccarato , who won the 2019 USBC Senior Queens championship, was inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame in 2002.

69. Dave Ferraro

PBA Tour bowler Dave Ferraro — Dave Ferraro became a PBA pro in 1979.

PBA Tour titles: 10

Bottom Line: Dave Ferraro

Kingston, New York, native Dave Ferraro joined the PBA Tour in 1979 and won his the first event in 1986.

Ferraro would eventually win 10 PBA Tour events before he retired in 1994, and the crowning achievement of his career was being named PBA Player of the Year in 1992.

Ferraro is one of just two bowlers in the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1997.

68. Vesma Grinfelds

PWBA bowler Vesma Grinfelds — Vesma Grinfelds was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 1991.

PWBA/Professional Tour titles: 10

Bottom Line: Vesma Grinfelds

Vesma Grinfelds bowling — Vesma Grinfelds was a bowling pioneer.

San Francisco native Vesma Grinfelds was a trailblazer in women's bowling, becoming the first amateur bowler to win a professional tournament in 1971.

Grinfelds turned pro after that win and won the next tournament she was in, becoming the first female bowler to win tournaments on both levels.

Grinfelds finished her career with 10 wins on professional tours, including three in 1978 alone. She was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 1991 and the PWBA Hall of Fame in 1997.

67. Mildred Ignizio

PWBA bowler Mildred Ignizio — Mildred Ignizio was nicknamed "Millie."

PWBA/Professional Tour titles: 10

Bottom Line: Mildred Ignizio

Mildred Ignizio was there in the early days of women's professional bowling in the late 1960s, and won 10 titles on professional tours in a six-year stretch from 1967 to 1973.

The highlight of Ignizio's career was winning the 1973 U.S. Women's Open, which followed back-to-back victories at the Queens in 1970 and 1971.

The Rochester, New York, native was inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame in 1995.

66. Wes Malott

PBA Tour titles: 10

Bottom Line: Wes Malott

PBA Tour bowler Wes Malott with fans — Wes Malott turned pro in 2005.

If you ever hear a bowling fan talking about "Big Nasty," you now know they're talking about 6-foot-5, 300-pound Indiana native Wes Malott, who looks as much like an NFL offensive lineman as he does a pro bowler.

Mallot has won 10 PBA Tour titles in his career and was named PBA Player of the Year in 2009. With an additional 18 PBA Regional Tour titles, Malott's career earnings topped $1.3 million in 2019.

65. Dorothy Fothergill

PWBA/Professional Tour titles: 12

Bottom Line: Dorothy Fothergill

BWAA Dorothy Fothergill — Dorothy Fothergill was the Woman Bowler of the Year in 1968 and 1969.

Before it was the U.S. Women's Open, it was called the BPAA Women's All-Star, and Dorothy Fothergill won it twice, going back-to-back in 1968 and 1969.

In all, Fothergill won 12 titles on the professional tours and was named BWAA Bowler of the Year in 1968 and 1969.

She was inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame in 1995.

64. E.J. Tackett

PBA Tour titles: 14

Bottom Line: E.J. Tackett

PBA Tour bowler E.J. Tackett — E.J. Tackett is nicknamed "Squirrel."

Indiana native E.J. Tackett has quietly become one of the greatest bowlers of the time. He's won 14 PBA Tour titles since he joined the tour in 2012. He was also named PBA Player of the Year in 2016 and finished as runner-up for the award in 2017 and 2018.

Tackett has two PBA majors to his name. He won the PBA World Championship in 2016 and the PBA Tournament of Champions in 2017.

63. Betty Morris

PWBA/Professional Tour titles: 17

Bottom Line: Betty Morris

USBC Hall of Famer Betty Morris — Betty Morris was tough to beat.

Betty Morris ended up with 17 professional wins over her career and was named Bowler of the Decade after picking up 12 of those wins in the 1970s.

Morris was named Bowler of the Year in 1974 and again in 1977, which was probably the best year of her career with a second consecutive win at the AMF Grand Prix and a win at the U.S. Women's Open.

Morris also won five USBC Women's Championships in a seven-year stretch.

62. Wendy Macpherson

PWBA/Professional Tour titles: 20

Bottom Line: Wendy Macpherson

USBC HOF Wendy Macpherson — Wendy Macpherson is an international bowling legend.

Wendy Macpherson won 20 PWBA titles over the course of her career and was inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame in 2019.

Macpherson won her first PBWA title at the 1986 U.S. Women's Open, becoming the youngest bowler to win the event at just 18 years old. She went pro that summer and earned PWBA Rookie of the Year. Macpherson won five more majors over the course of her career and at 22 years old became the youngest Triple Crown winner in PWBA history.

She was named PWBA Player of the Year four times from 1996 to 2000 and inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 2009.

61. David Ozio

PBA Tour titles: 11

Bottom Line: David Ozio

USBC Hall of Famer David Ozio — David Ozio won his first title in 1985.

Texas native David Ozio won 11 PBA Tour events over a 10-year span from 1985 to 1995, highlighted by being named 1991 PBA Tour Player of the Year.

Ozio, who was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 2017, graduated to the Senior and Generations tours for the PBA and was named 2004 Senior PBA Rookie of the Year as well.

60. Danny Wiseman

PBA Tour titles: 12

Bottom Line: Danny Wiseman

Danny Wiseman bowling — Danny Wiseman is in the PBA Hall of Fame.

Danny Wiseman enjoyed his greatest success in the early 1990s, winning two titles each in 1990, 1991 and 1995.

His lone major title came at the 2004 USBC Masters in Milwaukee, which also was the first televised bowling final to be held in a Major League Baseball stadium.

He was elected to the PBA Hall of Fame in 2013.

59. Lorrie Nichols

PWBA Tour titles: 15

Bottom Line: Lorrie Nichols

Lorrie Nichols preparing to roll — Lorrie Nichols bowled professionally in three decades.

Lorrie Nichols’ stellar career covered the 1970s, '80s and '90s.

She announced her arrival by winning the 1972 U.S. Open and claimed her final career title at the 1991 Sam’s Town Invitational.

She also helped lead the United States to a gold medal in the four-player team event at the 1971 World Bowling Championships.

58. Lita dela Rosa

World championships: 4

Bottom Line: Lita dela Rosa

Lita dela Rosa being honored — Lita dela Rosa, center, celebrates with family and friends.

Lita dela Rosa, who died in 1994, ranks among the great international bowlers to hail from the Philippines.

After winning the Bowling World Cup in 1978, dela Rosa captured the women’s singles and masters titles at the 1979 FIQ World Championships, making her the first woman to hold both world titles at the same time.

She also teamed with fellow Philippines Hall of Famer Bong Coo to win the gold medal in doubles at the same world championships.

57. George Pappas

PBA Tour titles: 10

Bottom Line: George Pappas

George Pappas cradles his bowling ball — George Pappas won 10 PBA titles.

George Pappas burst onto the PBA scene in 1970 with victories at the Miller High Life Open and Buffalo Open on the winter tour.

The biggest title of his career came nine years later when he captured the Firestone Tournament of Champions, leading the event from start to finish.

He is one of seven players to win a PBA title in five decades.

56. Jim Godman

PBA Tour titles: 11

Botton Line: Jim Godman

Jim Godman grips his bowling ball — Jim Godman was nicknamed "Tarzan."

Known as "Tarzan" for his toughness in the biggest tour events, Jim Godman captured two Firestone Tournament of Champions and a USBC Masters crown during his stellar career.

The 1965 PBA Rookie of the Year, Godman also was the first man in USBC Open Championships history to record three 700 series in one tournament.

55. Kim Adler

PWBA Tour titles: 16

Bottom Line: Kim Adler

Kim Adler rolls her bowling ball — Kim Adler was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 2016.

Kim Adler’s career highlight was her victory at the 1999 U.S. Women’s Open for her lone major title.

The final three titles of her career all came at the St. Clair Classic (2000, 2002 and 2003).

The runner-up for PWBA Player of the Year in 1993, Adler won four PWBA regional titles and was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 2016.

54. Sean Rash

PBA Tour titles: 15

Bottom Line: Sean Rash

Sean Rash holds a trophy — Sean Rash is a winner.

The first bowler to toss two PBA Tour televised perfect games, Sean Rash is one of the top competitors on the tour today.

His 15 career titles include two major championships (the 2007-08 USBC Masters and 2011-12 Tournament of Champions).

He was the 2011-12 PBA Player of the Year and 2012 ESPY winner for best bowler.

53. Anne Marie Duggan

PWBA Tour titles: 15

Bottom Line: Anne Marie Duggan

Anne Marie Duggan gets ready to roll — Anne Marie Duggan at the 1992 Las Vegas Western Open.

The 1994 PWBA Player of the Year, Anne Marie Duggan captured the sport’s Triple Crown with wins at the 1991 U.S. Women’s Open, 1994 Queens and 1995 Sam’s Town Hammer Players Championships.

A 2003 inductee into the PWBA Hall of Fame, she also captured the 2012 Senior Queens title.

52. Randy Pedersen

PBA Tour titles: 13

Bottom Line: Randy Pedersen

Randy Pedersen eyes the pins — Randy Pedersen is a PBA Hall of Famer.

This PBA Hall of Famer’s lone major title came at the 1987 PBA National Championships. Known for his consistency, Randy Pedersen ranked among the top 20 on the tour in earnings six times and in average eight times.

In 2013, Pedersen won the Dayton Classic in his PBA50 Tour (formerly senior tour) debut.

He was ranked 35th in 2009 on the PBA’s list of greatest bowlers in its first 50 years.

51. Cindy Coburn-Carroll

PWBA Tour titles: 15

Bottom Line: Cindy Coburn-Carroll

Cindy Coburn-Carroll with her parents — Cindy Coburn-Carroll with her parent after winning a tournament.

Cindy Coburn-Carroll and her mother, Doris, were the first mother-daughter duo inducted into the PWBA and United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fames. In 1977, the two set a Women’s International Bowling Congress doubles record of 1,444.

At 19, Cindy became the youngest woman in WIBC history to hold the high average mark (211).

Her victory at the 1992 Queens was the highlight of her professional career.

50. Doug Kent

PBA Tour titles: 10

Bottom Line: Doug Kent

Doug Kent focused — Doug Kent was born to bowl.

Doug Kent was the 2006-07 PBA Player of the Year and has four major titles to his credit, winning the USBC Masters and PBA World Championship two times each.

With over $1.5 million in career earnings, Kent has bowled 31 300 games since turning pro in 1988.

He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2013.

49. Larry Laub

PBA Tour titles: 12

Bottom Line: Larry Laub

Larry Laub watches his ball down the lane — Larry Laub is a PBA Hall of Famer.

Larry Laub’s best season by far came in 1974, when he captured four of his 12 career titles, including the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) U.S. Open. He also was honored that year with the Hickok Belt Award as the top U.S. athlete for the month of February.

A member of the PBA Hall of Fame, Laub ranked among the tour’s top 20 in earnings nine times and in average eight times.

He went on to win five PBA Senior Tour titles and was named the tour’s rookie of the year in 1994.

48. Patrick Allen

PBA Tour titles: 13

Bottom Line: Patrick Allen

Patrick Allen winds up — Patrick Allen bowled 41 perfect 300 games.

The 2004-05 PBA Player of the Year, Patrick Allen has been one of the tour’s top bowlers over the past 20 years. His resume includes two major championships, the 2005 World Championship and 2009 Tournament of Champions.

Allen has totaled over $1.4 million in career earnings and bowled 41 300 games since turning pro in 1999.

He is a 2019 inductee into the PBA Hall of Fame.

47. Jim Stefanich

PBA Tour titles: 14

Bottom Line: Jim Stefanich

Jim Stefanich approaches the lane — Jim Stefanich in 1984.

At the 1974 Midas Open, Jim Stefanich became just the third man to bowl a perfect 300 on national television.

After winning the Firestone Tournament of Champions in 1967, he put together the best season of his career in 1968, capturing six titles, including the BPAA All-Star, en route to winning PBA Player of the Year and Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Bowler of the Year honors.

In 2009, he was ranked 27th on the PBA’s list of greatest bowlers in its first 50 years.

46. Robin Romeo

PWBA Tour titles: 17

Bottom Line: Robin Romeo

Robin Romeo laser-focused on the pins — Robin Romeo was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 1995.

The greatest season in Robin Romeo’s stellar career came in 1989, when she captured five titles, including the U.S. Women’s Open, and was named BWAA Bowler of the Year.

With her victory at the 2013 Senior U.S. Women’s Open, she became the first woman to win both U.S. Open championships.

Romeo tied for the 1986 USBC Women’s Championships all-events title and was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 1995. She also took home the 2014 and '15 Senior Queens titles.

45. Wayne Zahn

PBA Tour titles: 13

Bottom Line: Wayne Zahn

Wayne Zahn smiling — Wayne Zahn won over $400,000 in career earnings.

In 1966, Wayne Zahn became the first man to win the PBA National Championship and Firestone Tournament of Champions in the same year, earning Sporting News Player of the Year honors.

He also became the first person to win the high-average award in back-to-back years (1966 and '67).

In 1980, Zahn became the youngest bowler inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame the following year.

44. Mike Durbin

PBA Tour titles: 14

Bottom Line: Mike Durbin

Mike Durbin holding a bowling ball — Mike Durbin gives bowling tips at the 1985 Tucson Open.

In 1984, Mike Durbin was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame at the annual Firestone dinner preceding the Tournament of Champions. He then went on to win the tournament for a record third time. His other Firestone titles came in 1972 and 1982.

His career got off to a fast start in 1967, when he won two tournaments and Sporting News PBA Rookie of the Year honors.

He was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 2016.

43. Bong Coo

World championships: 4

Bottom Line: Bong Coo

World champion bowler Bong Coo — Bong Coo is one of bowling's greatest athletes ever.

The great international bowler from the Philippines won four world championships and is recognized as one of the most decorated Filipino athletes in history, as well as the first to appear in the Guinness Book of World Records.

During her career on the national team, she led the Philippines to 78 medals — 37 gold, 23 silver and 18 bronze.

In addition, she collected five Asian Games gold medals, a Philippines record.

42. Del Ballard Jr.

PBA Tour titles: 13

Bottom Line: Del Ballard Jr.

Del Ballard Jr. during PBA event — Del Ballard Jr. at the 1991 Fair Lanes Open.

In 1987, Del Ballard Jr. became the first person in professional bowling to win a six-figure first prize ($100,000) when he captured the U.S. Open.

His other major titles came at the 1989 Firestone Tournament of Champions and 1993 BPAA U.S. Open.

In 1994, Ballard became the 11th player in PBA history to surpass $1 million in career earnings.

41. Bill Allen

PBA Tour titles: 13

Bottom Line: Bill Allen

Bill Allen bowling — Bill Allen won tournaments all over the country.

One of the first great left-handed bowlers, Bill Allen shined during the 1960s, winning three titles in 1963, four in 1964, two in 1965 and four more in 1968.

He is one of only six players in history to win back-to-back PBA titles on three occasions.

Allen was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1983.

40. Dave Husted

PBA Tour titles: 14

Bottom Line: Dave Husted

Dave Husted prepares to release his ball — Dave Husted won his first U.S. Open at the age of 21.

Dave Husted cemented his place among the sport’s all-time greats with back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 1995 and 1996.

He was the ninth player in PBA history to reach $1 million in career earnings.

Inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1996, Husted was ranked 23rd on the 2009 list of greatest bowlers in the PBA’s first 50 years.

39. Mika Koivuniemi

PBA Tour titles: 14

Bottom Line: Mika Koivuniemi

Mika Koivuniemi at a tournament — Mika Koivuniemi was born in Tampere, Finland.

A native of Finland, Mika Koivuniemi is the only foreign-born player to win both the USBC Masters (2000) and U.S. Open (2001).

He also captured the 2011 Tournament of Champions and is a two-time PBA Player of the Year (2003-04 and 2010-11).

Koivuniemi is a 2019 inductee into the PBA Hall of Fame.

38. Dana Miller-Mackie

PWBA Tour titles: 16

Bottom Line: Dana Miller-Mackie

Dana Miller-Mackie ready to bowl — Dana Miller-Mackie in 1983.

A two-time U.S. Women’s Open champion (1983 and ’90), Dana Miller-Mackie captured multiple titles in five seasons during her career and was a five-time USBC All-American.

At the 1999 USBC Queens tournament, she broke all existing qualifying records and tied a record by bowling two 300 games at the tournament.

Miller-Mackie was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 2000 and the PWBA Hall of Fame in 2002.

37. Steve Cook

PBA Tour titles: 15

Bottom Line: Steve Cook

Steve Cook lines up a throw — Steve Cook's rookie year was in 1979.

Known for his imposing presence at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds, Steve Cook burst onto the bowling scene at age 21.

His career was highlighted by major titles at the 1981 Tournament of Champions, 1983 Touring Players Championship and 1986 BPAA U.S. Open.

Cook, who was ranked No. 25 on the list of the PBA’s all-time greats in 2009, was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1993.

36. Jason Couch

PBA Tour titles: 16

Bottom Line: Jason Couch

Jason Couch pumps his fist in celebration — Jason Couch won 16 PBA titles.

The 1992 PBA rookie of the year, Jason Couch is the only bowler in history to win three consecutive Tournament of Champions titles (1999-2002).

He won at least one title in six consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2003-04, and his first major crown was the 1993 Touring Players Championship.

He has bowled 44 300 games since turning pro in 1991, and his career earnings top $1.7 million.

35. Donna Adamek

PWBA Tour titles: 19

Bottom Line: Donna Adamek

Happy Donna Adamek — Donna Adamek was inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame in 1995.

Donna Adamek showed she was destined for great things when she was named the nation’s top junior bowler in 1975. She didn’t disappoint, racking up five major championships among her 19 career titles.

Adamek was honored as the BWAA Bowler of the Year four consecutive years from 1978 to 1981 and was inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame in 1995.

34. Marion Ladewig

World Invitational championships: 5

Bottom Line: Marion Ladewig

Marion Ladewig delivers her ball — Marion Ladewig is the only woman to win city, state and national all-event bowling titles in the same year (1951).

The first great women’s bowler, Marion Ladewig was known as the "Queen of Bowling" for her excellence on the lanes in the 1950s and 1960s.

She won the BPAA Women’s All-Star (now U.S. Open) tournament eight times, including five in a row. Ladewig retired in 1965 after winning the World Invitational for the fifth time.

In 1973, she was voted the greatest women’s bowler of all time by the BWAA.

33. Johnny Petraglia

PBA Tour titles: 14

Bottom Line: Johnny Petraglia

Johnny Petraglia follows through on his roll — Johnny Petraglia was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1947.

With his victory at the 2012 Dayton Classic, Johnny Petraglia joined the legendary Dick Weber as the only bowlers to win a title on either the PBA or PBA50 tours in six decades. He is one of only six players in history to win the PBA’s Triple Crown (the 1971 Firestone Tournament of Champions, 1977 BPAA U.S. Open and 1980 PBA Championship).

A Vietnam War veteran, Petraglia got word from his parents that he had been drafted into the Army after winning his first professional title in 1966. The war didn’t curtail his bowling career for long, however, and he was ranked 16th in 2009 on the PBA’s list of greatest bowlers in its first 50 years.

32. Nikki Gianulias

PWBA Tour titles: 19

Bottom Line: Nikki Gianulias

Nikki Gianulias ready to roll — Nikki Gianulias broke 17 records in the 1982 season.

A member of the PWBA and USBC Hall of Fames, Nikki Gianulias won four of her 19 career tour titles in 1982, when she was also named the Bowling Writers Association of America Bowler of the Year.

She burst onto the bowling scene in 1979, when she earned Ladies Professional Bowling Tour Rookie of the Year honors.

She was inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame in 1996 and the USBC Hall of Fame in 1997.

31. Carmen Salvino

PBA Tour titles: 17

Bottom Line: Carmen Salvino

Carmen Salvino in the early days of his pro career — Carmen Salvino began his career in 1959, when the PBA Tour began.

Dubbed the "PBA’s Original Showman," Carmen Salvino was a perfect fit for the sport’s emergence into the television age with his animated style of play.

He finished his career with 17 tour titles, including the 1962 PBA National Championship, and was among the original eight inductees into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975.

When the PBA marked its 50th anniversary in 2009 with a list of the association’s 50 greatest bowlers, Salvino came in No. 17.

30. Kelly Kulick

PWBA Tour titles: 10

Bottom Line: Kelly Kulick

Kelly Kulick puts her arms up to celebrate — Kelly Kulick was the first woman to win a PBA tour title.

Kelly Kulick’s greatest claim to fame is not her 10 career victories on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour or six major championships.

In 2010, she became the first woman to win a PBA Tour title, competing against men, accomplishing the feat at the Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas with a victory in the final over Chris Barnes, the 2007-08 PBA Player of the year.

And it wasn’t even close, as Kulick tossed 10 strikes en route to a dominating 265-195 win.

29. Dave Soutar

PBA Tour titles: 18

Bottom Line: Dave Soutar

Dave Soutar lines up a roll — Dave Soutar won 18 PBA Tour titles.

One thing that makes bowling unique is that careers can be measured not in years but decades. Such was the case for Dave Soutar, who is one of only five players to have won PBA titles in five different decades.

He made his splash in the sport in 1961, becoming at age 21 the youngest winner ever of the PBA National Championship. He was still winning championships into the 2000s, capturing the 2003 Senior U.S. Open.

In 2009, Soutar was ranked 20th on the PBA’s list of greatest players in its first 50 years.

28. Dave Davis

PBA Tour titles: 18

Bottom Line: Dave Davis

Young Dave Davis smiling — Dave Davis won the Tournament of Champions in 1968.

Another star from the sport’s glory years of the 1960s and 1970s, Dave Davis won multiple titles in four seasons, including six in 1967, when he was named the PBA Player of the Year.

He also won the PBA National Championships in 1965 and 1967 and the Tournament of Champions in 1968 and 1975.

When the PBA ranked its greatest bowlers of all time in 2009, Davis came in at No. 20.

27. Billy Hardwick

PBA Tour titles: 18

Bottom Line: Billy Hardwick

Billy Hardwick unleashes a roll — Billy Hardwick won 18 PBA Tour titles.

Another 18-time tour champion, Billy Hardwick won PBA Player of the Year honors in 1963, when he captured four tournaments, and in 1969, when he claimed a career-high six titles.

Hardwick also won the inaugural Tournament of Champions in 1965 and was the first player to win the PBA’s Triple Crown (PBA World Championship, Tournament of Champions and U.S. Open).

He was ranked No. 12 all-time on the PBA greatest players list compiled in 2009.

26. Tommy Jones

PBA Tour titles: 20

Bottom Line: Tommy Jones

Tommy Jones winding up before his delivery — Tommy Jones won the PBA U.S. Open in 2006.

One of the current PBA Tour players on our list, Tommy Jones has two major titles to his credit (the 2005-06 U.S. Open and 2007 Tournament of Champions) among his 20 career victories.

He was the PBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2001-02 and the PBA Player of the Year in 2005-06, when he won over $300,000 in prize money.

Jones holds the PBA record for shortest period between his first and 10th tour titles. He accomplished the feat in two years, six months and seven days, beating the previous mark held by the legendary Dick Weber by four days.

25. Chris Barnes

PBA Tour titles: 19

Bottom Line: Chris Barnes

Chris Barnes at a bowling event — Chris Barnes is a Kansas native.

Another contemporary bowler, Chris Barnes captured his 19th career title at the Lubbock Sports Open in June 2018. A Kansas native, he starred at Wichita State University before launching his pro career.

With his career still in full swing, Barnes already finds himself in rare company as one of only five players ever to win both the PBA Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year awards and one of only six to capture the sport’s Triple Crown.

He has over $1 million in career earnings and ranked among the PBA’s top 10 in earnings for 16 consecutive seasons.

24. Leanne Barrette Hulsenberg

PWBA Tour titles: 26

Bottom Line: Leanne Barrette Hulsenberg

Leanne Barrette Hulsenberg follows through — Leanne Barrette Hulsenberg is nicknamed "Boomer."

Nicknamed "Boomer" for her powerful strike ball, Leanne Barrette Hulsenberg put together one of the most prolific bowling careers ever. She was the fourth women’s bowler to top $1 million in career earnings, even though her touring career was preempted in 2003 when the PWBA ceased operations.

She came back in 2007 to win a team title at the USBC Women’s Championships, completing her career grand slam at the tournament with titles in all four events.

In 2011, she defeated defending champion Kelly Kulick to win the U.S. Women’s Open for her first pro title since 2002.

23. Nelson Burton, Jr.

PBA Tour titles: 18

Bottom Line: Nelson Burton Jr.

Nelson Burton Jr. on TV for ABC Sports — Nelson Burton Jr. shared bowling tips on ABC.

Many bowling fans remember Nelson Burton Jr. primarily for his 23-year role as the color analyst aside Chris Schenkel during ABC’s Professional Bowlers Tour telecasts, but he also was a legendary bowler in his own right, winning his first tournament in 1964 at age 22.

Burton was named the 1970 Player of the Year by the Sporting News, and his resume includes championships at the 1976 Masters, 1978 U.S. Open and 1978 AMF Grand Prix of Bowling.

22. Dick Ritger

PBA Tour titles: 20

Bottom Line: Dick Ritger

Dick Ritger watches his roll — Dick Ritger won 20 PBA titles.

Ritger was only the fourth man in history to record 20 career tour titles, earning him 14th place on the PBA’s list of 50 greatest bowlers of all time in 2009.

He also won multiple titles in a season on five occasions and was the first bowler to be elected to a college or university Hall of Fame (University of Wisconsin-La Crosse).

He’s a member of both the PBA and USBC Hall of Fames. After his playing career ended, he launched a new one teaching the sport and was regarded as one of the top bowling instructors in the world before his death in August 2020.

21. Wayne Webb

PBA Tour titles: 20

Bottom Line: Wayne Webb

Wayne Webb follows through after rolling — Wayne Webb was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 2011.

Along with Mark Roth, Wayne Webb is one of only two bowlers in history to win both PBA Tour and PBA Senior Player of the Year honors. He also is one of only five players to win tour titles in five different decades.

One of the sport’s first millionaires, Webb scored his biggest win at the Tournament of Champions in 1980. He went on to become one of the biggest stars on the Senior Tour, winning five titles overall, including three majors.

In 2009, he was rated the 18th greatest player in the PBA’s first 50 years.

20. Amleto Monacelli

PBA Tour titles: 20

Bottom Line: Amleto Monacelli

Amleto Monacelli ready to throw his ball — Amleto Monacelli is a native of Venezuela.

The Venezuela native was the first foreign star on the PBA Tour and the first non-U.S. citizen inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame. One of the most dominant bowlers on the tour in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Amleto Monacelli won Player of the Year honors in 1989 and 1990 and is one of only seven bowlers in history to top $2 million in career earnings.

He’s gone on to a successful career on the senior circuit, winning eight PBA50 titles, including back-to-back Senior U.S. Open championships in 2012 and 2013. In 2016, he captured the PBA50 National Championship.

Monacelli was ranked fourth on a list of greatest Venezuelan athletes of the 20th century.

19. Marshall Holman

PBA Tour titles: 22

Bottom Line: Marshall Holman

Marshall Holman on a Nike poster — This was a Nike bowling poster with Marshall Holman.

One of the sport’s flamboyant stars of the 1970s and 1980s, Marshall Holman earned more than $1.7 million during his career and was a two-time winner of both the Tournament of Champions and U.S. Open.

His first Tournament of Champions title came at age 21 in 1976, making him the youngest bowler ever to win the major.

He ranks No. 11 all-time in PBA Tour wins and was ranked the ninth-greatest PBA bowler of all time in 2009.

18. Patty Costello

PWBA Tour titles: 25

Bottom Line: Patty Costello

Patty Costello in the 1970s — Patty Costello won 25 titles.

One of the great bowlers of the 1970s, Patty Costello won a record seven tour titles in 1976, including the U.S. Women’s Open. She was named the BWAA Bowler of the Year that season and in 1972.

In 1980, she became only the second bowler to win the U.S. Women’s Open three times, and she captured the Players Championship title four times.

17. Tish Johnson

PWBA Tour titles: 25

Bottom Line: Tish Johnson

Tish Johnson with a Senior Queens trophy — Tish Johnson is a Hall of Famer.

A two-time PWBA Player of the Year, Tish Johnson dominated the sport in the 1990s and became just the third professional women’s bowler ever to top $1 million in career earnings.

Her biggest career victory came at the 1992 U.S. Women’s Open. She’s a member of both the PWBA and USBC Hall of Fames.

Known for her unique left-handed delivery, Johnson continues to compete on the senior tour, winning the 2018 USBC Senior Queens title in Las Vegas.

16. Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno

World championships: 6

Bottom Line: Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno

Paeng Nepomuceno with his Guinness Book of World Records certificates — Paeng Nepomuceno is in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Considered the greatest international bowler in history, Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno is a legend in his native Philippines. In 1999, he became the only bowler ever bestowed the International Olympic Committee President's Trophy.

Nepomuceno has been named World Bowler of the Year three times and earned spots in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest world bowling champion (age 19) and for winning world titles in three decades (1970s, 1980s and 1990s) and most titles in a career.

15. Brian Voss

PBA Tour titles: 25

Bottom Line: Brian Voss

Brian Voss ready to roll — Brian Voss grew up in Anchorage, Alaska.

The 1988 PBA Player of the Year, Brian Voss ranks No. 10 all-time in tour titles and was the seventh player in history to reach $1 million in career earnings. He won the 1988 PBA National Championship and was ranked 13th on the PBA’s list of 50 greatest bowlers in history in 2009.

Voss refined his bowling game while serving in the U.S. Army in the early 1980s and won the All-Army championship multiple times.

He’s a member of both the PBA and USBC Hall of Fames.

14. Don Johnson

PBA Tour titles: 26

Bottom Line: Don Johnson

Don Johnson watches his ball — Don Johnson took the first place prize at the BPAA U.S. Open in 1972.

The 1971 and 1972 PBA Player of the Year, Don Johnson’s greatest moment came in the finals of the 1970 Tournament of Champions, when he came within one pin of rolling a perfect game on national television.

He won at least one tour title every year from 1966 to 1977, including multiple titles each season from 1967 to 1973.

In 2009, he was ranked the eighth greatest player in the PBA’s first 50 years.

13. Liz Johnson

PWBA Tour titles: 28

Bottom Line: Liz Johnson

Liz Johnson bowling — Liz Johnson in 2004.

The top women’s bowler in the world today, Liz Johnson in 2017 became the second woman ever (after Kelly Kulick) to win a PBA Tour title, defeating Anthony Pepe 220-206 in the final of the Chameleon Championship. The triumph came 12 years after she became the first woman to reach a PBA Tour TV final, the 2005 Banquet Open, where she finished runner-up to Tommy Jones.

Johnson also won the U.S. Women’s Open in 2017 for the fourth consecutive year (six times overall) and took home the PWBA Players Championship.

She is the three-time reigning PWBA Player of the Year.

12. Mike Aulby

PBA Tour titles: 29

Bottom Line: Mike Aulby

Mike Aulby, center, being interviewed on CBS TV by Dick Stockton — Mike Aulby, center, won his first PBA title at the age of 19.

This legend’s 29 career titles include eight major championships.

He was the 1979 PBA Rookie of the Year, when he won the PBA National Championship for his first major, and PBA Player of the Year in 1985 and 1995. That made him the first bowler in history to win Rookie and Player of the Year awards.

Mike Aulby also was the first bowler to complete bowling’s Grand Slam (Masters, Tournament of Champions, U.S. Open and World Championship).

In 2009, he was ranked No. 6 on the PBA’s list of greatest bowlers in its first 50 years.

11. Don Carter

PBA Tour titles: 7

Bottom Line: Don Carter

Don Carter ready to bowl — Don Carter in 1959.

As The New York Times put it in Don Carter’s 2012 obituary, "Baseball had Babe Ruth, boxing had Jack Johnson, and, during its golden age in the 1950s, bowling had Don Carter." Carter’s seven career titles do not do justice to the immense impact he had on the sport as its first superstar.

The first athlete in any sport to receive a million-dollar endorsement contract, Carter was a founding member of the PBA and its first president. Five times, he emerged victorious in the 100-game World Invitational tournament.

Carter starred during an era when team competition dominated the sport, leading the famed Budweiser team to a record 3,858 series in 1958 that stood for nearly 36 years.

10. Dick Weber

PBA Tour titles: 30

Bottom Line: Dick Weber

Dick Weber at Madison Square Garden Center — Dick Weber was bowling's greatest ambassador.

One of only seven bowlers to win at least 30 tour titles, Dick Weber ranks among the sport’s all-time legends and was one of the sport’s first television stars.

In 2002, he became the first bowler to win a PBA event in six different decades. He was the PBA Player of the Year in 1965 and won a career-high five titles in 1961.

In 2009, Weber was ranked as the PBA’s third greatest bowler in its first 50 years. Considered one of the sport’s great ambassadors, he and his son, Pete, constitute one of the greatest father-son teams in the history of any sport.

9. Aleta Sill

PWBA Tour titles: 31

Bottom Line: Aleta Sill

Aleta Sill prepares to bowl — Aleta Sill is a Hall of Famer.

The first woman to top $1 million in career earnings, Aleta Sill also became the first player, man or woman, to win bowling’s Triple Crown twice (the only other person to do it since Pete Weber).

She was the 1984 PWBA Player of the Year and the BWAA Bowler of the Year in 1984 and 1985.

In 2015, she was inducted into the Michigan Hall of Fame along with the likes of baseball greats Derek Jeter and Barry Larkin and legendary basketball coach Tom Izzo.

8. Mark Roth

PBA Tour titles: 34

Bottom Line: Mark Roth

Mark Roth watches his roll — Mark Roth won 34 titles.

A four-time PBA Player of the Year, Mark Roth made history on Jan. 5, 1980, when he became the first bowler to pick up the famous 7-10 split in a televised match (the feat has only been duplicated twice on TV since).

The big right-hander helped usher in an era of cranking, hard-throwing bowlers that helped transform the sport. He led the PBA tour in scoring average six times, including a then-record 221.699 in 1971, and was the second pro bowler after Earl Anthony to surpass $1 million in career earnings.

In 1978, he set a record for tour wins in a season with eight.

7. Parker Bohn III

PBA Tour titles: 35

Bottom Line: Parker Bohn III

Parker Bohn III at the 2015 ESPYs — Parker Bohn III at the 2015 ESPY Awards.

Parker Bohn was the 1999 and 2002 PBA Player of the Year, winning five titles each season, and ranks fifth all-time in tour victories.

His 35 career titles include three major championships: the 2001 USBC Masters, 2012-13 PBA World Championship and 2015 PBA Players Championship. The smooth left-hander also is the only player to win the Japan Cup four times.

He earned at least $100,000 on the Tour 10 consecutive seasons from 1992 to 2002.

6. Jason Belmonte

PBA Tour titles: 24

Bottom Line: Jason Belmonte

Jason Belmonte celebrates — Jason Belmonte is one of bowling's biggest stars ever.

Arguably the best bowler on the PBA Tour today, the Aussie was named Player of the Year in 2017 for the fourth time in five seasons.

Jason Belmonte won a record three major titles in 2017, capped by a 238-225 win over Jesper Svensson to claim the PBA World Championship.

His 13 career major titles are the most in PBA history, ahead of legends Pete Weber and Earl Anthony, and he’s the fastest ever to reach $1 million in career earnings.

5. Lisa Wagner

PWBA Tour titles: 32

Bottom Line: Lisa Wagner

Lisa Wagner ready to bowl — Lisa Wagner won 32 bowling titles.

The all-time women’s leader in tour victories, Wagner won multiple titles in eight consecutive seasons from 1983 to 1990 and was named the BWAA Bowler of the Year four times.

Her major titles came at the 1988 U.S. Women’s Open and 1996 Queens.

She also was named the 1980s Bowler of the Decade by The Woman Bowler and Bowling magazine.

4. Norm Duke

PBA Tour titles: 40

Bottom Line: Norm Duke

Norm Duke celebrates — Norm Duke won his 40th PBA title in 2019.

The PBA Player of the Year in 1994 and 2000, Norm Duke is the only bowler in history to win three consecutive major titles. He owns seven major championships overall and was only the second bowler after Mike Aulby to complete the Grand Slam of winning the USBC Masters, Tournament of Champions, U.S. Open and PBA National/World Championship.

He also holds the record as the youngest bowler to win a tour title, accomplishing the feat in 1983 at age 18.

Duke set the PBA single-season record for scoring average at 228.47 in 2006-07.

3. Pete Weber

PBA Tour titles: 37

Bottom Line: Pete Weber

Pete Weber with an epic celebration — Pete Weber is one of bowling's all-time greats.

Pete Weber did more than follow in the footsteps of his legendary father, Dick. He established his own legacy as one of the sport’s greats.

Pete ranks fourth all-time in Tour victories, and in 2013, he became the first bowler to win the sport’s Triple Crown twice. With 10 major titles, he’s tied with Earl Anthony for the most in bowling history.

Weber also was the youngest player in the sport’s history to top $1 million in career earnings, hitting the mark at age 26, and he has now won over $4 million, trailing only Walter Ray Williams Jr. on the all-time list.

This dominance has carried over to the senior tour, where Pete Weber owns 11 titles, including four majors.

2. Earl Anthony

PBA Tour titles: 43

Bottom Line: Earl Anthony

Earl Anthony bowling — Earl Anthony was the first bowler to top $1 million in earnings.

A six-time PBA Player of the Year, Earl Anthony dominated the sport for much of the 1970s and ‘80s. Although he didn’t win his first tournament until after his 30th birthday, Anthony held the career record for tour titles for more than 30 years before finally being eclipsed by Walter Ray Williams Jr.

Anthony also was the first player to earn $100,000 in a season — in 1975 when he won seven titles — and the sport’s first millionaire, hitting the mark in 1982.

He shares the all-time record for major titles with Pete Weber at 10, including winning the PBA National Championships three consecutive times from 1973 to 1975 and again from 1981 to 1983.

In 2009, the PBA crowned Anthony as its greatest bowler in its first 50 years.

1. Walter Ray Williams Jr.

PBA Tour titles: 47

Bottom Line: Walter Ray Williams Jr.

Walter Ray Williams Jr. follows through — Walter Ray Williams Jr. at the PBA World Championship in 2003.

Known as "Deadeye" for his pinpoint precision on the lanes (as well as his skill in the sport of horseshoes), Walter Ray William Jr. is the PBA’s all-time leader in tour victories and also owns a record seven Player of the Year honors (1986, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2009, 2010). He also set a record with at least one tour victory in 17 consecutive seasons.

Not surprisingly, Williams is the sport’s all-time leading money winner, with more than $4.9 million in earnings.

With eight major PBA Tour championships to his credit, he continues to compete on the PBA50 senior tour, where he has racked up 14 titles and three Player of the Year awards.