PBA Bowling: 1968 Phoenix Open Championship

Following a clip of the first perfect game in live TV history, here is ABC Sports' coverage of the PBA Phoenix Open Championship were a field of 96 bowlers has been narrowed to a field of five, led by Eddy Patterson where the winner takes a prize of $6,000. Brought to you from Squaw Peak Lanes in Phoenix, Arizona. Bud Palmer is your commentator alongside bowling great Billy Welu.

[@talkcat10]

So glad to see anything from the 1960s!

[@MrChristopherHaas]

for reasons i dont understand the esteemed announce team neglected to point out that Mr. Hardwick was the first triple crown winner, was 2 time bowler of the year and had won over a dozen pba titles by the time of this broadcast. Simply one of the best to ever do it.

[@altfactor]

This is a black-and-white kinescope of a telecast originally broadcast in color.

[@BrakRulesAll]

Billy Hardwick, the pride of Bel Mateo Bowl. RIP!

[@MrChristopherHaas]

boy oh boy the scores in this telecast. wicked wicked lanes

[@lumberlikwidator8863]

I think Billy Hardwick looked a little like Dick York from “Bewitched.” Those lanes looked pretty touchy, a little off target or too slow and you’d be going through the nose. There were a lot of splits today. Thanks for showing this program-these guys were my heroes growing up. Classy competitors, none of this strutting about and chest-thumping like there is nowadays. I don’t think the guys in the booth were bad at all. It’s bowling, for crying out loud, what the heck are they supposed to say. Hard to believe but when this show first aired pro bowling drew higher ratings than college basketball or football. So sad to see this great sport in decline nowadays!

[@moosedroppings7214]

I use to work at Squaw Peak Lanes in the 80's.

[@MrRemark21]

Aired on ABC Saturday, January 6, 1968.

[@peteg475]

I think it's funny that Schenkel isn't doing this because he's in Hawaii doing a college All-star football game, which they mention during this telecast.

[@lottoweekendmiljonairs3621]

13:43 another great slogan from billy welu a tilt in the twirl and the pin gave it a whirl By the way: do you have the color telecast of this pba telecast? or another vintage telecast in color?

[@williamdunphy352]

Commentators: Bud Palmer & Billy Welu

[@Igloo3471]

Tough conditions. Pins are like 90lb logs and don't fly at all! Scores below ⬇️ ➡️ Don Glover d Dick Weber 226-211 ➡️ Billy Hardwick d Don Glover 212-152 ➡️ Dick Ritger d Billy Hardwick 183-158 ➡️ Dick Ritger d Eddy Patterson 179-166

[@MrChristopherHaas]

why are so many people wearing shades?

[@michaelschweizer4772]

Dick Ritger puts a tremendous roll on the ball.

[@biggfingger5]

I could never stand Billy Welu...ever.

[@20alphabet]

Because he was a REAL bowler who didn't rely on his "arsenal" ...both of you

[@MIKIEEYEZ1975]

Welu was an excellent color man! Very knowledgeable & easy to listen to ! Bo BURTON was to into heating himself. All he ever talked about was there could be a tie! He said that about 5 times a game. Bud Palmer was the worst announcer in any sport of ALL TIME!! How many times was he going to say so & so is up “About” 5 pins! He was a JERKOFF! He was also the idiot who tried to muss up JIM Stefanich’s wig after he bowled his 300 in 1974! You could Steffy wanted to punch him out!

[@dettigs]

@@MIKIEEYEZ1975 listen to the 1971 brunswick world open with kyle rote and buzz fazio doing the commentary and you might not think palmer is that bad. kyle rote knew almost nothing about bowling, and fazio couldn't construct a sentence without babbling or tripping over his own tongue.......it's was atrocious!!!!

[@mikeputerio6853]

Welu and Burton were both very good color men. Great insight by both guys, both technical and laymen terms. Chris Schenkel was ok as an announcer. The current PBA partners are pretty good too. Not sure what anyone wants out of these announcers.

[@20alphabet]

@@MIKIEEYEZ1975 Agreed!