PBA Bowling 1961 Billy Welu Harry Smith Lakeland Bowl St. Louis Mo. Part 2

[miketlow]

Thank you for posting this video! I never thought I would see these lanes again!! I grew up about a 1/4 of a mile from the Northland Shopping Mall. I also bowled in a youth league at Northland Bowl back in the mid to late 80's. Its amazing how the lanes looked the exact same in the 80's as they did in the 60's, including the Brunswick pinsetters! Now if only there was some footage of River Roads Bowl in the long gone River Roads Mall, Northland's main rival...

[slkaiser69]

I used to travel to PBA tournaments in the Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma, arkansas areas. I'd watch the old greats of the 1950's and 1960's. I bowled some of them including Billy Hardwick, Bill Lillard, Jack Biondolilloand Bobby Jacks in sweepers and pot games. I was onl7y 15 or 16 but started bowling professionally at 15. Those were great times. On the way to Laredo for a tourney I hit a Javelina Hog which took out my radiator. I ended up at Fast Eddie's Radiator shop. Another story.

[mcparla1]

Joe Joseph owned a bowling alley in Lansing, MI on what was then known as Logan St. He bowled a great deal in Detroit with Stroh's and Pfeiffer's, when the breweries dominated bowling. In the 50's & 60's Detroit had some pro talent in the area with Bob Strampe, Billy Golembiewski, Eddie Lubanski, etc.

[buffalorobbie]

Jimmy Schoder from my former home town Buffalo N.Y.

[dcbandnerd]

"Joe Joseph"

So, his birth name was Joseph Joseph? Huh...strange. Anyway, thanks for the video. I can't believe there's still surviving video of the Pro Bowler's Tour from their first season.

[mcparla1]

@dcbandnerd

Joe Joseph was Lebanese and originally his last name was probably not 'Joseph'. On his plaque at the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame it reads Joseph George Joseph.

[slkaiser69]

@mcparla1 I forgot to mention Carmen Salvino would also come down. The action in Houston, TX was awesome. Five or six sweepers at different houses every week. And there would be a Calcutta where the bowlers are auctioned off. A bowler could go for over $400.00 (I did) So the Calcutta money was more than the sweeper itself. Usually a backer would split everything with the bowler if the bowler couldn't afford to buy himself (me). The pot games were awesome too. Usually $100.00/ game.

[syntonik]

@slkaiser69

What great memories! I had also heard McGrath, Petraglia, and Burton would also get in on the action.

[slkaiser69]

@dcbandnerd No shit! It surprised and pleased me when I found it. I would bowl twenty games a day three or four times a week from the age of 15 years old. I won the Houston, Tx junior toournament when I was twelve averaging 183. Jack Biondolillo had drilled my first fingertip sixteen pound ball the week previously. I had been averaging about 125 with a 14 lb. Sears swirl ball previously. It was to the races after that. Turned pro at fifteen, bowled pot games for $100 all weekend. Awesome.

[johnham41]

Thanks for sharing, but it is from Northland Bowl in Jennings, MO, a northern suburb of St. Louis. Sadly, this center along with the Mid-Century gem, Northland Shopping Center, was razed a couple of years back.

[fugueoflife]

Boy these are priceless. Thank you so much for sharing.