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Who is the Best Female Bowler Ever?
Who is the Best Female Bowler Ever: Celebrating the Legends of Bowling
In the realm of bowling, female athletes have left an enduring legacy marked by skill, tenacity, and numerous accolades. The debate over who holds the title of the best female bowler ever sparks conversations among enthusiasts and experts alike. Let’s take a look into the world of women’s bowling and explore some of the iconic figures who have made a lasting impact on the sport, including the legendary Liz Johnson.
1. Kelly Kulick
Kelly Kulick’s groundbreaking achievements have reshaped the landscape of women’s bowling. Her triumph at the PBA Tournament of Champions in 2010 not only solidified her status as a top-tier bowler but also shattered gender barriers in the sport. Kulick’s precision and fierce competitive spirit have set her apart as a true pioneer in women’s bowling.
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Championship Titles:
- Won 11 PWBA Tour titles, including the prestigious US Women’s Open 5 times.
- Became the only woman to win a PBA Tour major title
- Won multiple World Championship medals, including gold in the 2009 World Championships.
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Dominance:
- Maintained a high average pin count throughout her career, consistently performing at the top level.
- Known for her powerful and accurate throws, pushing the boundaries of women’s bowling.
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Impact and Legacy:
- Inspired generations of female bowlers through her success and competitive spirit.
- A true pioneer, breaking barriers by competing against men in the PBA Tour.
2. Lisa Wagner
A trailblazer in her own right, Lisa Wagner’s dominance in the 1980s and 1990s earned her multiple PWBA titles and a spot in the USBC Hall of Fame. Wagner’s strategic approach to the game, coupled with her unmatched consistency, cements her legacy as one of the best female bowlers of all time.
- PWBA Tour Titles: 32 (all-time leader)
- Includes major championships like the 1988 U.S. Women’s Open and the 1996 WIBC Queens.
- PWBA Tour Finals: Reached the final match 57 times, winning 32 and finishing runner-up 25 times.
- WIBC Open Championships: Won 5 titles:
- Open Division All-Events Champion (1988)
- Open Division Doubles Champion (1982, 1992, 2001)
- Classic Division Singles & Doubles Champion (2001)
- Additional Accolades:
- 4-time PWBA Player of the Year (1983, 1986, 1988, 1993)
- 1980s Bowler of the Decade by both Woman Bowler Magazine and Bowling Magazine
- Inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame (1996) and the USBC Hall of Fame (2000)
It’s important to note that while Patty Costello holds the record for most professional titles overall (39), some of her wins were in tournaments not officially recognized by the PWBA. Therefore, Lisa Wagner stands as the undisputed leader in officially recognized PWBA Tour victories.
3. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard
Carolyn Dorin-Ballard’s technical proficiency and strategic prowess have earned her a place among the bowling greats. With multiple PWBA titles and a USBC Queens Championship to her name, Dorin-Ballard’s dedication to excellence serves as an inspiration to aspiring bowlers worldwide.
PWBA Tour:
- 20 PWBA Titles: Tied for 7th all-time (including 19 standard titles and 1 major title).
- Major Titles:
- 1997 and 2001 Brunswick World Open Champion
- 2001 WIBC Queens Champion
- Player of the Year: 2001 (a particularly dominant season)
- Other Accolades:
- Won seven titles in 2001, tying a record for most titles in a single season.
- Posted an average of 214.73 in 2001, an impressive feat.
- Earned over $910,000 in career PWBA Tour earnings, placing her high on the all-time list.
WIBC/USBC Competition:
- 3 WIBC Titles:
- 2000 All-Events Champion
- 2001 Team Champion
- 2004 Doubles Champion (with Lynda Barnes)
- Additional Honors:
- Seven-time WIBC All American
- Six-time Bowlers Journal All-American
Other Notable Achievements:
- First female to bowl a 300 game in PBA competition.
- Named Bowlers Journal Female Bowler of the Decade for the 2000s.
- Won two PBA Women’s Series titles and the PBA Women’s Series Showdown.
- Inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame.
Carolyn Dorin-Ballard’s career is marked by consistent excellence, highlighted by her numerous titles, impressive average, and record-breaking season in 2001. She is considered one of the most dominant and decorated women’s bowlers of all time.
4. Liz Johnson: A Living Legend
Liz Johnson’s name resonates throughout the bowling community as a symbol of excellence and achievement. With a remarkable career that includes multiple PWBA titles and a historic victory on the PBA Tour, Johnson’s skill, consistency, and unwavering determination have solidified her place as one of the best female bowlers ever. Her influence transcends the lanes, inspiring a new generation of bowlers to strive for greatness.
Professional Championships:
- Total Titles: 29 (including 15 PWBA Tour standard titles and 10 major championships)
- 10 Major Championships:
- 7 earned on the PWBA Tour (3 U.S. Women’s Open titles in 1996, 2007, 2013, Hammer Players Championship in 2001, USBC Queens in 2009)
- 3 earned during the PWBA Tour hiatus (2 PBA Women’s Series titles and 1 PBA Legends & Ladies title)
- 2 PBA Women’s Series titles
- 1 PBA Legends & Ladies title (w/partner Roger Kossert; 2007 PBA Senior Tour event)
- 1 PBA Tour title
- 10 Major Championships:
Other Notable Achievements:
- PWBA Rookie of the Year: 1996
- Multiple 300 Games: Holds the distinction of being the only female bowler with multiple televised 300 games in PWBA title events (rolled her first in 2001 and another in the 2021 PWBA Lincoln Open semifinal).
- PWBA Tour Leader: Led the 2021 PWBA Tour with 18 cashes in 20 events.
- PBA Accomplishments: Became the first woman to:
- Qualify for a standard PBA Tour event
- Make the PBA television finals
- Win a PBA regional title
- Win a European bowling tour tournament
Additional Recognition:
- USBC Hall of Fame Inductee: 2015
- “Female Bowler of the Decade” (2000-2009): Recognized by U.S. Bowler magazine
- Twice Awarded PWBA Robby Sportsmanship Award: Demonstrating her dedication to sportsmanship on and off the lanes.
Liz Johnson’s impressive record of titles, groundbreaking achievements in the PBA, and consistent excellence solidify her position as one of the most decorated and influential women’s professional bowlers.
While the debate over the best female bowler ever may continue to evolve, one thing remains clear: the contributions of these remarkable athletes have shaped the sport of bowling and inspired generations of women to pursue their passion for the game.
Who do you believe deserves the title of the best female bowler ever? Join the conversation and celebrate the remarkable achievements of these legendary bowlers!
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Liz Johnson
Liz Johnson,hands down!
Paula Sperber
. Lisa Wagner
Lisa Wagner
Paula Carter
Paula Sperber is the best! Without (Paula Sperber) womans Pba of today would not exist. A natural athlete, having fun and looking good.
Liz Johnson #1 yesterday today and tomorrow 😀
Paula bowled back when only one bowling ball was used for strikes and spares on wood surface lanes.
Liz Johnson was absolutely phenomenal. I loved watching her bowl.
Liz Johnson
We should not forget the women that broke barriers (gender/color) to pave the way for today’s greats….
Marion Ladewig (October 30, 1914 – April 16, 2010) – was widely acknowledged as the greatest woman bowler of all-time.
– In 1964 Ladewig became the first Superior Performance inductee into the Women’s International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame, and
– in 1984 became the first woman bowler inducted into the Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Fame.
– She is the all-time leader in U.S. Women’s Open championships with eight wins between 1949 to 1960; the next closest bowler is Liz Johnson with six.
– Ladewig also won the Women’s World Invitational tournament five times (1957, ’60, ’62, ’63 and ’64) and the inaugural PWBA Championship in 1960.
– In 1951, Ladewig accomplished a feat believed to be unprecedented in bowling history: the only woman to win WIBC City, State, and National All-Events titles in the same year.
– In 1960, she won the first tournament staged by the Women’s Professional Bowling Assn., hosted by Pinerama Lanes in North Miami Beach.
– She retired from competitive bowling at the end of 1964.
– Among other honors bestowed upon Ladewig through the years, she was:
* Named Woman Bowler of the Century by Bowlers Journal International (in 2000).
* First Superior Performance inductee in the Women’s International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame (in 1964).
* Elected one of 10 charter members of the Women’s Professional Bowling Hall of Fame (in 1995).
* First bowler inducted into the Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Fame (in 1984).
* Named Michigan’s Woman Athlete of All-Time.
* Had a trading card issued by the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour (in 1991).
Louise Vivian Fulton (c. 1917 – May 7, 1988) was an American professional ten-pin bowler who started bowling in her 20s, and began her career around 1950.
– A bowling pioneer, she was the first African American to win a professional tournament.
– She was one of the first African Americans to compete in the women’s professional bowling tour.
– In 1962 Fulton was the first of her race to be invited to a professional league when she joined the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) which was first formed in 1960. Later that year, she became the first of her race ever to qualify for a national professional tournament.
– In 1964, she was invited to the PWBA Princeton Open tournament where she defeated Betty Kuczynski 191 pins to 188 and became the first African American to win a professional bowling tournament.
– Fulton received numerous honors and awards, including being the first African American inducted into:
– the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame (2001).
– the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (1971),
– the Pittsburgh Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame (1977),
– the National Bowling Association Hall of Fame (1983),
– the Pennsylvania State Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame (1991), the International Women’s Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 2000
– She was given the Joyce Deith Trailblazer Award in 1999.
Lisa Wagner is the clear winner!
Ballard over Liz? That makes zero sense based on the major titles alone