1981 Showboat Invitational

Please be sure to stop by forums.mrbowling300.com to discuss this and other great bowling topics!
$135,000 SHOWBOAT INVITATIONAL
Showboat Bowling Center, Las Vegas, Nev., Jan 11-17, 1981
Roth Showboat King
Mark Roth earned his second Showboat Invitational title and 24th PBA crown by overpowering Earl Anthony, 253-220, in the $135,000 Showboat event in Las Vegas.
Roth, the 1977 winner, collected $21,000, the largest first prize of his career after leading the tournament by 349 pins going into the championship round.
TELEVISED FINALS
Pos. Name, City/State Total Amount
1 Mark Roth, Spring Lake Heights, N.J. 253 (1 game) $21,000
2 Earl Anthony, Dublin, Calif. 662 (3 games) 11,000
3 Fred Conner. Mar Vista, Calif. 234 (1 game) 7,500
4 Jim Winklepleck, Gladstone, Ore. 392 (2 games) 6,000
5 Ernie Schlegel, Vancouver. U.S.A. 190 (1 game) 5,000
PLAYOFF RESULTS Winklepleck defeated Schlegel, 193-190; Anthony defeated Winklepleck, 200-199; Anthonydefeated Conner, 242-234; and in the championship match, Roth defeated Anthony 253-220.

[@joeambrose3260]

Ernie came right to the tournament from his audition for Greatest American Hero

[@toscodav]

Schenkle what a voice. Him and John Facenda. The best.

[@dcbandnerd]

Very underrated, especially when you consider the variety of sports he covered during his career.

[@christopherbramwell8262]

Yes, very good announcing from Chris Schenkel. Don't forget that Nelson "Bo" Burton had the professionalism as a color commentator because of not just his ENTHUSIASTIC PASSION for professional bowling but that he had such an incredible amount of bowling knowledge, industry knowledge, player insight AND all of the skills to lead ABC TV into VERY HIGH ratings which sustained the pro bowlers tour for many, many years. The telecast could not have possibly survived with all of his enormous assets. It had to. The PRO BOWLERS TOUR proceeded WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS.

[@christopherbramwell8262]

Without a doubt in my mind, one of the best title matches ever. Two of the legends in the sport of bowling and truly two great human beings. It was also great to see Earls wife, Suzie so happy to be a part of Earl Anthonys life. I'm certain that she is a sweetheart of a lady. AND, MARK ROTH. THE EPITOME OF POWER & ACCURACY.

[@sololegit]

I've seen probably every show on youtube from 86-Current and have been bowling since I was a kid. In all that time I never really watched earl bowl. I have to say I'm in awe. It's so effortless but his ball seems so powerful. It's very mis leading if you only see one shot or two here and there like I have over the years, watching him bowl match after match it's easy to understand why he was such a force, and considered by many, including walter ray, to be the best.

[@jimrennick7228]

He did make it look easy didn't he? Always had his composure. I always wondered how he kept such good balance with his right arm kept so close to his body.

[@2badger2]

Earl was the greatest for controlling ball speed. He didn't throw the most powerful ball but as you bowl on different lanes and alley's controlling the ball speed can maximize your ball striking power.

[@leroyhatfield6669]

He was the best. Did what Walter did in half the time or less. He was a Machine. So many 2nd place finishes as well. Met him at a pro am as a young kid. He was so nice.

[@richardwalker9826]

what a joy to look into a classic moment of bowling history between the 2 best bowlers of their time.

[@20alphabet]

Of ALL time.

[@christopherbramwell8262]

I absolutely like Mark Roth. For many reasons. What a true professional. Burton, as always, did a wonderful job announcing. He is by far the best ever. Just my opinions.

[@bstafford112]

R.I.P. showboat casino and Lanes.

[@r3tr0actiongamer24]

Flashback kid memories laying on my couch on a lazy Saturday unlocked

[@abidababida7096]

i love the commercials from back then. Today it’s all prescription drugs and insurance commercials. Back then it was a little of everything and way less than now. I wish i could go back to this era. i was 13, no cell phones or internet. Kids ACTUALLY WENT OUTSIDE AND DID THINGS! unlike kids today... who for the most part are comatose

[@20alphabet]

GE light bulbs for 99¢ at True Value Hardware? And they were 3-way bulbs, too! We really need to fix this country.

[@louiscsanko3673]

It's too far gone!!! Sad, but true!!!😥😥

[@user-dt6hb7kb6u]

Ernie may be the Bowler that the movie " Kingpin" was filmed after.!!!

[@taxpayer1962]

Great final match, 1st time I saw Roth vs Anthony for the Championship

[@louiscsanko3673]

Mark Roth is the Godfather of Crankers👍👍

[@BaseFury]

Wow. The last show I watched before I went to Marine boot camp on 1/19/81, lol.

[@BudSchnelker]

Aired three days before Reagan was inaugurated.

[@Joker81075]

Awesome quality....thanks again!!

[@kenyongray2615]

Two of the best ever competing for the title. Mark threw a dynamic ball, to say the least.

[@BowlerEd300]

2 legends of bowling!

[@timbowler8201]

i thank all the shows where great im on the PBA50 NOW an its all working out i now use a 14lb ball i love bowling

[@louiscsanko3673]

Ernie was an action Bowler who Won a lot of matches in the Tri- State Region in the early 70's!!! Ernie was not good on a shot that required a big hook, but on a shot where you must roll straight in, Ernie would strike like crazy!!!

[@beeemm2578]

A bowling hustler...even Earl said this. I think thats bad ass. Like a pool shark, but rolling a ball.

[@philduritza7717]

Pretty sure I heard someone whistling during Schlegel’s backswing on the final shot of match #1? 26:50

[@louiscsanko3673]

EARL is ["THE G.O.A.T."] ( RIP)🙏

[@andrewphillips2179]

Mark Roth does bowl really well in the Showboat Invitational

[@douglasharris5216]

Andrew Phillips Jim Winklepleck bowls awesome in the Showboat Invitational

[@erikknudson3077]

tough house to carry in. Had a great time there!!!!!!!!!!

[@showtimeman5673]

Definitely not by the time I got there in the 90s the carry was crazy and scores were really high outside of using gold pins

[@mrbowling300]

Winklepleck using the Brunswick Mark X....a very popular ball of the time.

[@mddcpa1]

Shot 298 with that ball. Too bad they couldn't figure out why the ball rippled so much and chipped around the finger holes after not much use.

[@dougcampbell8531]

My first 300 with that ball to bad it wasn't made strong enough cracked to easy,would love to throw one again.

[@irishpogi]

Steve Cook would use that ball and shoot a game 280 plus to win the Firestone later that year

[@davezinetti666]

I had that model when I was bowling back in the 80s myself. Then I bought the new and improved mark X. Left a lot of solid 8 pins. One time I left 2 of them back to back during "pot games" that cost me.

[@leopoldmozart]

I'm curious: I wonder how many tournaments had Anthony and Roth finish in the top 6, where the presence of one could possibly have prevented the other from winning? Like, how many tournaments would Earl Anthony have won if there was no Mark Roth competing against him, and vice versa? Anyway, great video. I especially loved how Mark Roth did a mega-rip of the 5 on that first strike in the 10th.

[@dcbandnerd]

He and Troupe had some legendary perms

[@erikstone9022]

In This Clip, From 0:20 To 1:59, It Was ABC Sports' Pro Bowlers Tour Video Open From Late Saturday Afternoon, January 17, 1981.

[@timschwerdtfeger3125]

Miss that place

[@andrewphillips1011]

Mark Roth threw a clutch strike to win the showboat invitational

[@douglasharris5216]

Andrew Phillips way to spoil the outcome asshole

[@Igloo3471]

People with autism should be banned from commenting on posts.

[@andrewphillips1011]

Mark Roth and earl Anthony have bowled some amazing matches

[@douglasharris5216]

Andrew Phillips George N. Pappas and Ernie Schlegel have bowled some awesome matches

[@joeambrose3260]

And you've spoiled every one

[@showtimeman5673]

HERE'S one for ya, how about digging up or hopefully knowing what the first PBA tournament was that was held on synthethics...That would be great to hear the analysis on the "new, modern" lane beds. Thanks for posting all of this

[@jeffxanders3990]

Just saw it on KZbin. That was the '87 US Open.

[@showtimeman5673]

@@jeffxanders3990 for women I do for a fact know it was at Sam's town, no boards or dots on the very first test synthetics installed there. I know the first phenolic pin decks were at forum

[@Igloo3471]

Technically it was the 1978 Showboat Invitational. It was on a GE Permalane surface which is what this one is here on this telecast.

[@bradleyneuville3074]

Always hard to beat the leftie,Mark just new how to bowl against the Smooth throwing Earl,and new he would be thankful to get a w vs Anthony,but it was a miracle at times to beat him,Earl would keep getting stronger as the match drew to a end,and when he got 6 strikes in a row and pass you,there was trouble hard to beat him at the end,But its why Roth could beat you,but nobody was beating Earl much he jyst was not about to let it happen,, ✝️✝️✝️R.I.P. Both of you legends ✝️✝️✝️

[@jamesbryant6735]

Roth always does his job well and means it !!

[@williamdunphy352]

Commentators: Chris Schenkel & Nelson Burton, Jr.

[@roksnosalt]

Wasnt the Mark X the ball that had the shifting weight block?

[@Igloo3471]

26:52 on Schlegel's final shot to get the tie, someone in the crowd whistles audibly!

[@frankrizzo5231]

Everybody hates ernie a great ny bowler for sure

[@rogerhallau5284]

I noticed that also!

[@andrewphillips1011]

The 4 matches were exciting and close

[@defiledhorror]

This show is perfect! It's a classic! I can watch it over and over, and Earl is the man!!

[@douglasharris5216]

Andrew Phillips Mark Roth and Earl Anthony have bowled some exciting matches

[@joeambrose3260]

And you spoiled it,shame on you

[@joeambrose3260]

Here they post the pro odds at 10:1 for the 6-7-10. A few yrs later they had it down to 5:1

[@louiscsanko3673]

Did Guppy start the Fashion trend? Guppy is well known for it!!

[@erikknudson3077]

I believe jimmy was throwing a Brunswick mark 10.

[@andrewphillips1011]

Do you have the Brunswick memorial world open from 1981?

[@douglasharris5216]

Andrew Phillips why, did you want to spoil the outcome?

[@joeambrose3260]

I bet it was awesome and exciting

[@Jason_Maier]

1. Who had the more gaudy wardrobe: Ernie Schlegel or Guppy Troup? 2. (regarding the Dutch Masters ad) . . . I thought by 1981, Cigar ads were not allowed on TV anymore?

[@20alphabet]

Barry Asher, long before either one. Full length fur coat and shades?

[@joeambrose3260]

I believe the ads were banned in 82

[@drewrocker9934]

Schlegel took forever to throw a shot, must of driven some of his opponents nuts. He would be fined up the wazoo with todays rules.

[@showtimeman5673]

Only person wanting anything up ernie's wazoo is Pedersen lol

[@vanni9283]

Anyone notice Denny Schreiner at around the 44:25 mark???

[@irishpogi]

He began working for the PBA back in 1978. Several years later, he'd be the color man for the ESPN broadcasts

[@beeemm2578]

One of Akrons finest

[@louiscsanko3673]

Did they call him " Wink" on tour??

[@joeambrose3260]

Actually felt bad for Ernie, wanted him to tie.......and then lose in a roll - off

[@Steve_Edberg]

I find it hilarious whenever Bo talks about playing it safe and taking pin count when leaving a split instead of foolishly trying to make it. Turns out that blown 6-7 Schlegel missed in the 3'rd cost him 2 pins in score since he was on a strike in the 2'nd. Would his shot have been better if he needed only 8 to tie and 9 to win?? Guess we'll never know!!

[@josephgibbons1631]

The year I got married.....

[@louiscsanko3673]

Did Bo say Ernie put some " Codeine" on his thumb?? 🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣

[@irishpogi]

No wonder why his ball goes so straight. it's numb

[@20alphabet]

Cordizone

[@richardwalker9826]

nelson burton said at the end that earl anthony never won this tournament but he did win it in 1979- kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnK2nWaBaNegZ5Y

[@Best_of_Bowling]

33:00

[@sawnose4775]

Holy bowling Batman!!

[@joeambrose3260]

At 115:27 Bo says Anthony and Roth were bowlers of the year from 74 to 80. Not so, Earl won 74 75 76 and Roth won 77 78 79. In 80 the BOY was Wayne Webb. Even though I can't stand him, he deserves his just due

[@showtimeman5673]

English is a great skill. TO 80 encompasses 79. THROUGH 80 Would include that year, they're right, you're wrong. You're welcome.

[@dnx112]

Did I hear somebody whistling when Ernie was about to throw his 3rd ball in the 10th?

[@beeemm2578]

32:34 TF?!?

[@DTrainExpress]

Didn't know Bob Glass bowled some tour events back then.

[@joeambrose3260]

Sorry, don't get it

[@irishpogi]

@@joeambrose3260 They listed the individuals who made the top 24 match play for this event and Bob was one of the finalists. John Handegard also made the top 24 in this event too.

[@irishpogi]

He bowled part time then. He was an Economics professor in Kansas City

[@douglasbuck8986]

Wow.....Patrotic commercial on the inauguration of President Reagan.....how things have changed.

[@jeffkillian455]

Really cannot compare a lefty to a righty as GOAT. Lefties have advantages and so do righties.

[@jaysal6133]

Lmao just the production value on the 30 second theme song is absurd. Got a full brass band just for that.