Bowling’s Big One

In 1964, bowling’s big one, a combination of the World Series and the Miss America pageant known as the Women’s International Bowling Congress (WIBC) rolled into the Minneapolis area. For two months, 18,438 women bowlers, 9,219 doubles contestants and 5,071 five women teams sent bowling balls crashing down the lanes in Southdale and New Hope bowling alleys. In the bleachers crowds of men, women and children, some bowlers, some not, chain smoked and cheered.

The huge tournament featured several special events. 56 coeds from all parts of U. S. competed to determine the 1964 collegiate women’s champions. Then 403 of the country’s best women bowlers will vied in the 1964 WIBC Qpens Tournament. More than 1800 delegates convened at the Leamington Hotel for the 47th annual WIBC convention representing 2.5 million WIBC-sanctioned women bowlers, worldwide.

Back in the day, Minnesota women liked to bowl. Some 70,000 of them, with at least 29,000 of those in Minneapolis. Tournament chairwoman, Mrs. Gertrude Finke, estimated that 25,000 or so bowling visitors and their families and friends spent $5 million in the area during the 60-day event.