Ernie Schlegel

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Ernie Schlegel
Personal information
Born (1943-04-11) April 11, 1943 (age 82)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Years active1968–2010
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Bowling Information
Affiliation PBA
Rookie year1968
Dominant handRight (stroker delivery)
Wins7 PBA Tour (2 majors) [1]
2 PBA Senior Tour [2]
SponsorsContour Power Grips

Ernie Schlegel of Vancouver, Washington, is a retired professional 10-pin bowler and member of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), who competed on both the PBA Tour and PBA Senior Tour. While on the PBA Tour, Ernie won seven titles (including two majors) along with six runner-up finishes plus an additional 26 appearances in the top-five. [1]

After graduating from high school in 1960, Schlegel made his living as an action bowler at the centers in and around the New York City and New Jersey metropolitan areas. [3] Schlegel was interested in joining to tour as early as 1964, but PBA Regional Director Frank Esposito (who also owned Paramus Bowl in New Jersey) did not officially approve his membership until 1968, with Esposito saying "I approved him then because he had straightened himself out." [3]

For the first 12-plus years on the PBA Tour, Schlegel was one the more distinguished non-winners on the tour, bowling in over 300 events and collecting $235,000. On his 37th birthday (April 11, 1980), Ernie finally reached the winners circle when he captured the 1980 King Louie Open with a 246–214 title match win over Nelson Burton Jr. [3]

After a six-plus year title drought, Ernie won the 1995 Touring Players Championship, which was also his first major title. Qualifying as the final round's #2 seed, Schlegel beat Brian Voss 226–218 in the semifinal round. In the championship match, Schlegel escaped by #1 seed Randy Pedersen 237–236. In that match's 10th frame, with Pedersen needing a strike on the first ball to win, he rolled 9 by leaving a "stone 8," sending Schlegel into frenzied celebration. When the PBA unveiled their Top 60 Tour Moments during it's 60th season in 2018, Schlegel's final match against Pedersen tied for 10th. [4]

Schlegel's second major title (also his final PBA Tour title) was conquered almost six months later at the 1996 ABC Masters. Ernie earned the tournament's #1 seed going into the finals and then beat defending champion Mike Aulby 236–200 in the title match. [5]

In 2001, Ernie surpassed $1 million in career earnings, by finishing 15th at the 2001 U.S. Open. [6]

Schlegel is a member of both the USBC's and PBA's Hall of Fame. [7] [8]

PBA Tour Victories

Major championships are in bold text.

  1. 1980 King Louie Open (Overland Park, KS)
  2. 1980 City Of Roses Open (Portland, OR)
  3. 1984 Long Island Open (Garden City, NY)
  4. 1985 Lite Beer Open (North Olmsted, OH)
  5. 1989 ARC Pinole Open (Pinole, CA)
  6. 1995 Bayer/Brunswick Touring Players Championship (Harmarville, PA)
  7. 1996 ABC Bud Light Masters (Salt Lake City, UT)

References

  1. 1 2 "Ernie Schlegel PBA Stats". mcubed.net. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  2. ↑ "All-Time PBA50/Senior Tour Titles". pba.com. Professional Bowlers Association . Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 Weiskopf, Herm (March 1, 1982). "Licorice is out, snails in". vault.si.com. Sports Illustrated.
  4. ↑ "PBA 60th Anniversary Most Memorable Moments #10T - Randy Pedersen Leaves the Stone 8". youtube.com. Professional Bowlers Association . Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  5. ↑ Ray, Eric (May 5, 1996). "SCHLEGEL WALKS OFF WITH MASTERS BOWLING TITLE". deseret.com. Deseret News . Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  6. ↑ "PBA Hall of Famer Ernie Schlegel Hits the $1 Million Mark". ESPN. December 14, 2001. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Ernie Schlegel Hall of Fame Bio". bowl.com. United States Bowling Congress . Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  8. ↑ "PBA Hall of Famers". pba.com. Professional Bowlers Association . Retrieved April 8, 2025.
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