1969 PBA Firestone Tournament of Champions (with commercials)

1969 PBA Firestone Tournament of Champions from Riviera Lanes in Akron, Ohio with Chris Schenkel and Billy Welu on ABC Sports. Featuring Don Johnson, Wayne Zahn, Jim Stefanich, Dave Soutar and Jim Godman going for a $25,000 first place prize. The Metro Bowler thanks Sam Lantto, 2015 USBC Hall of Fame inductee, for transferring this video to play on RUclips!

[@johndonohoe3778]

Loved this show and WWOS. Lots of happy memories.

[@talkcat10]

Incredible top 5. Watched pro bowlers tour every week for thirty years! Thank you.

[@lukeheaton5336]

I know this is an older upload and it is so much appreciated. Like many of the other posters, I could always be found at 3:30pm on Saturdays watching these broadcasts. One small gripe here would be that the thumbnail is from match 3 so it’s pretty easy to figure out the results of the first two matches.

[@jerryg1964]

Thanks for posting! Growing up in Detroit, we used to go bowling on Saturday mornings and watch it on ABC in the afternoon if the weather was too cold or wet to go outside. Great memories!

[@tirmyta]

Thank you very much for putting this on RUclips.

[@kevinjohnson4599]

You are 1,000% CORRECT because this is when bowling was bowling. Like the NFL, the PBA Tour is now CRAP too & isn't worth watching anymore.

[@kevinjohnson4599]

Where have the good old days of bowling gone?

[@JohnAckerman93]

I remember growing up, bowling was always on almost every weekend. I would watch Parker Bohn III especially. I bowl on a league, and I absolutely love it.

[@richardk.fitzgerald8354]

Thanks so much for posting this!

[@MikeSmith-sz3vh]

“With commercials” is why I watch .

[@irishpogi]

More Jim Stefanich footage! Woo hoo!

[@jeffrecob8646]

Born and raised in akron (springfield twp.) Still live in area. The firestone was to bowling that the masters was to golf.

[@jerryg1964]

Didn't realize this was packaged for armed forces TV ... the first commercial was a cool surprise!

[@larkatmic]

Wow! So cool. Can't believe how skinny and fit everyone looked.

[@julianowens8500]

Julian i trust in the savings accounts to fund for the sport nicely said

[@skullthumper8646]

For 1969 not a bad picture.

[@offroad5594]

Adjusted for inflation, $25,000.00 in 1969 is equal to $180,967 in 2020. Last year same tournament paid $60K to winner! Bowling is not very popular anymore and that's sad.

[@joeambrose3260]

In one golf tournament a player can win more than Earl Anthony did in his career

[@kevinjohnson4599]

I agree with you 1,000% because this is when bowling was bowling. Like the NFL, the PBA is now CRAP too & isn't worth watching anymore.

[@gregsells8549]

@@kevinjohnson4599 Bowling's been Foxified.

[@Dr_Paul_Proteus]

@@gregsells8549 ESPN did a horrible job. Things are improving under FOX.

[@lutek1]

"She's a lot betting looking than you are" ....whahahahahaha

[@Monk-Amani.]

My, hasn't the game of Bowling changed.

[@chass5438]

21:32: You said that ?!

[@zacheryalderton7721]

I COULD SPEND $ 25,000

[@josephambrose2852]

Wouldn't know these guys if they bowled me over
Sorry