| The American Bowling Congress (ABC) was
not known as the sports regulatory body, but
became a reality during a fifteen-hour
meeting on September 9, 1895 in New York.
However, it was the first American group
that overcame the initial disputes and
revolts to emerge as an important, lasting
organization. One of the early
arguments was to standardize a scoring
system. Louis Stein's proposal of 300
for a perfect game finally gained approval
and remains today. Sam Krapf of New
York was appointed the first ABC Secretary.
Lanes were certified in 1900 and the awards
program was started in 1908. A step toward
preservation of bowling history came about
in 1941 with the formation of the ABC
Hall of Fame. The Tennessee State
Bowling Association, Incorporated (TSBA)
records have been researched and the oldest
records found were dated 1952. Some
records indicated the first tournament
started in 1944. Minutes dated
December 6, 1952 state that Mr. Roy Nowlin,
Nashville, was the President. Mr. J.
W. Hund, Nashville, was elected
Secretary-Treasurer. The TSBA yearbook
has a
record of the President and Secretary
from that date forward. There were 17
members present at the December 6, 1952
meeting. The amended constitution
dated 1949, which was lost, has been found.
The site of the 8th annual tournament was
discussed at the meeting of December 6,
1952. The officers for 1953-54 were N.
A. Oakley, Oak Ridge, President and J. W.
Hund, Nashville, Secretary-Treasurer.
Tournament financial records found were on
file starting in 1948. The tournament
in 1948 had three divisions, "A" division
had 17 teams and paid a total of $240.00 for
prize money. The "B" division
had 12 teams and paid $170.00 total prize
money, and the "C" division had 26 teams and
paid $370.00 total prize money. The
tournament was held at Melrose Lanes,
Nashville and J. W. Hund was tournament
director. The tournament moved from
Nashville to Oak Ridge, Chattanooga,
Knoxville and back to Nashville in 1952.
By the year 1962 there were 262 teams, 1290
singles and 645 doubles. The
tournament was held in Murfreesboro and the
total prize fund was $8,892.00.
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