1959 PBA Tour season

Last updated
PBA Bowling Tour: 1959 Season
League Professional Bowlers Association
Sport Ten-pin bowling
DurationMay 22 – September 13, 1959
PBA Tour
Season MVPNone selected
PBA Tour seasons
 n/a

The 1959 season of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour was the tour's first season, following the incorporation of the PBA in 1958. It consisted of three events, all east of the Mississippi.

Contents

Tournament schedule

The PBA tour's first event, the $16,500 Empire State PBA open, was held at Schade's Academy, in Albany, New York. The first day of PBA competition was Friday, May 22, 1959. The competition ran until Sunday, May 24. 28 bowlers cashed in this competition. Lou Campi, of Dumont, New Jersey, won the first PBA event and took home the first prize of $2,500.

The tour then went to Paramus, New Jersey for the Paramus Eastern PBA Open from Thursday, May 28, 1959 to Saturday, May 30, 1959. Dick Weber began a long history of PBA success by winning his first title and $2,500 at Paramus Bowl.

After a layoff of several months, the PBA tour held its final event of the season at Bar-Jan Bowl in Dayton, Ohio. The event ran from September 10 to September 13. Weber became the first multiple champion on tour with his second title and a $2,600 prize.

EventBowling centerCityDatesWinner
Empire State PBA OpenSchade's Academy Albany, New York May 22–24 Lou Campi (1)
Paramus Eastern PBA OpenParamus Bowl Paramus, New Jersey May 28–30 Dick Weber (1)
Dayton PBA OpenBar-Jan Lanes Dayton, Ohio Sep 10–13 Dick Weber (2)

Leading money winners

NameEarnings ($)Top 5Top 10CashesTitles
Dick Weber 6,6003332
Lou Campi 4,0002221
Ed Lubanski 3,4203220
Ray Bluth 2,4503120
Joe Joseph 2,3752110
George Howard 1,8881110
Billy Golembiewski 1,7203030
Therm Gibson 1,6003110
Tom Hennessey 1,3852010
Al Savas 1,3752110

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