1958 1969 Akron, Ohio 1958 attorney, sports agent and television personality Eddie Elias met with 1959 “Wrong Foot” Lou 33 founding members at the Campi of Dumont, N.J., American Bowling Congress Tournament won the PBA’s first in Syracuse, N.Y., where those 33 event, the Empire State contributed $50 each to help create the Open in Albany, N.Y., Professional Bowlers Association. and collected a $2,500 first prize. 1961 The PBA made its national TV 1962 debut on ABC The first PBA Tournament of Champions Television with was contested at Play Bowl in the National Indianapolis. Joe Joseph won, earning PBA Invitational $15,000. Billy Golembiewski finished at Paramus, second. Future PBA Hall of Famers N.J., with Jim Carmen Salvino, Don Carter, Dick Weber, McKay and Harry Smith, Dave Soutar and Glenn Fred Wolf handling the broadcast. Roy Allison all finished in the Top 15. Lown won his first and only title by defeating Rich Robinette, 196-191, and he became the first left-hander to win a 1962 PBA Tour title. ABC Sports began its “Pro Bowlers Tour” 1962 series coverage with Don Carter won four the Empire State titles, earned $49,972 in Open. Hall of Fame prize money and recorded broadcaster Chris an incredible 18 top-five Schenkel, who was finishes. in the booth for the 1965 first broadcast with Firestone color analyst Billy began its Welu, would become the most beloved sponsorship broadcaster in the history of the sport. of the PBA Tournament of Champions, a partnership that started at Firestone Bowlarama Lanes in Akron, Ohio before moving to Riviera Lanes in 1966. The partnership lasted 29 consecutive years concluding with the 1993 event in Fairlawn (Akron), Ohio. The 1966 Firestone Tournament of Champions was Based in the first commercially-titled sports event Fairlawn ever on national network television. (Akron), Ohio, Riviera 1967 Lanes Jack Biondolillo bowled the first nationally hosted televised perfect its first game in PBA history Firestone Tournament of Champions. during the finals of the The center would host 29 consecutive Firestone Tournament of Tournament of Champions from Champions, defeating Les Schissler, 300-216, and 1966-1994. earning a $10,000 perfect game bonus. Billy Hardwick 1969 became the first player to complete 1969 what would later The PBA Regional Tour was launched with be known as the its inaugural event… the Regional Players “PBA Triple Crown,” Invitational. Tom Hennessey won. winning the BPAA All- Star (later re-named as the U.S. Open) after winning the 1963 PBA National Championship and the 1965 Tournament of Champions..