Hall of Fame
2020 Inductees
2019 Inductees
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The Bowls USA Hall of Fame annually honors individuals for their body of superior competitive achievements, and/or exceptional contributions to American lawn bowling off the green. Nominations to the Hall of Fame come from the Divisions. Elections are conducted by the Bowls USA Council and announced during the Opening Ceremonies of the US Open. Find out how go about nominating someone for the Bowls USA Hall of Fame.
For complete procedures and entry form click on the nomination forms below. |
2018 Inductees
2017 Inductees
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Essex LBC of the Northeast Division
Colin Smith came to America with his bowls in 1979 and quickly found the Essex County Lawn Bowling Club around the corner. Since joining, Colin has won many Northeast Division tournaments and was the Northeast Division Bowler of the Year in 2000. He represented the NED at the US Championships in pairs in 1999 and in Singles in 2016. He has finished in 3rd (2001) and 2nd (2003) place in fours at the US Open as well as taking a 3rd place finish in triples (1997). In 2002 & 2004 he played on Team USA in the North American Challenge against Canada. In addition to his bowling record, Colin has an impressive record of service to BowlsUSA. Colin has served as the president of the Essex County LBC since 1995 and has served 3 terms as Eastern/Northeast Division President. He has also served as Division Treasurer, Head Division Umpire, and Games Chair for the Northeast. At the national level, Colin has served many times as a national councilor for ALBA (1995-2000), USLBA (2002-2007) and was the President of USLBA in 2007-2008. |
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Coronado and San Diego Clubs of the SW Division
Jim was introduced to Lawn Bowls in San Diego’s Balboa Park in 1994 by Hall of Famer Bill Hiscock, and trained by National Singles Champion Loretta Geisner. At Division, National and International bowls competitions, his achievements include National Championships 2003 and 2007 – Singles Champion Represented SW Division in four additional National Championships, twice more in Singles and twice in Pairs US Open 2008 Fours Gold, Pairs Silver, Bowler of the Tournament 2013 Fours Silver International 2004, 2008 World Bowls Singles Champion of Champions 2005 Asia Pacific Championships Two-Bowl Triples – Bronze Represented USA in four NAC Tournaments 2005-2014 Team USA Representative in nine events 2008 US Pairs PBA Representative at Potter’s Club, Division and BowlsUSA President and Treasurer of San Diego LBC Co-Chair, Treasurer 2005 National Championships SW Division Tournament Committee Treasurer 2010-2017 SW Division Tournament Chairman 2014-2017 “It is a great honor to be inducted to the Hall of Fame of Bowls USA. I am grateful for the opportunity of meeting bowlers from many areas of the US and throughout the world while participating in this wonderful sport.” - Jim Olson |
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Sun City Clubs (AZ)
NW and SC Divisions Myra began her bowls life in 1986 at the Tacoma LBC in the Northwest Division. In 2001 she moved to Sun City AZ in the South Central Division. A fourth-generation bowler, Scotland was the origin of her maternal bowling ancestors. At division, national and international levels in bowls competitions, her achievements include numerous Gold, Silver and Bronze awards in Pairs and Fours. National Championships: 1997 Pairs-Silver (participated once in Singles and six times in Pairs for NWD) 2008-2011-2015 Pairs-Gold, 2010-2012-2013-Silver (participated eight times in Pairs for SCD) US Open: 2006 Fours-Gold, 2009 Fours-4 th, 2015 Fours-Bronze International: 2008 NAC Triples-Jarvis Cup 2015 Asia-Pacific Championships Fours-Silver (1994-2015 Team USA representative 10 times) Myra has served in administration at club, division and national levels. President of Tacoma LBC of NWD President of NWD Women President of AWLBA (1995-1996) President of Lakeview LBC of SCD (2006-2008; 2010-2011) National Councilor for NWD (1989-2000) and for SCD (2010-2016) National Team Review & Selection Committee of AWLBA Hall of Fame Chairperson for Bowls USA (2010-2016) Presidential Sports Award for Lawn Bowls signed by President HW Bush (1992) Marker for Para-Olympic Games – presented Gold and Silver Awards (1996) I am honored to have been inducted into the Bowls USA Hall of Fame in 2017. I was fortunate to be able to play internationally, nationally and socially. I have awesome memories and friends of the worldwide Lawn Bowls Family |
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2016 Inductees
Bill Weaver moved to Sun City from Minnesota in 1984. Two years later at age 63 in his first major tournament as a two year bowler Bill as the vice won 1st place in the Championship Flight of the 1986 Hacienda Open Triples in Las Vegas. The following year with the same partners he finished in 3rd in the Championship Flt. With 64 teams the prize money of $14,400 was the largest of any tournament in USLBA bowls event at that time.
In the US Championship Bill qualified three in Pairs with a 2nd place in 1991. He won a National Open Pairs win in 1993. He won 4 Senior Open Triples and 1 Pairs. Bill was now becoming an outstanding bowler and sought by all the top bowlers.
In a bowling career of 21 years he played in 100 top level tournaments and placed in the Championship Flight 49 times with 17 wins, 12 seconds, 10 thirds and 10 fourths. He loved to play in club social games and played well into his high eighties.
Bill was part of a group of bowlers who lobbied the Southwest Division with the largest membership of any division to split into two divisions thus creating the South Central Division of which he became their first President.
At a South Central Division Board meeting in January 2006 the members approved changing the name of the Neils Kragh Pairs to the Bill Weaver Pairs. When Bill heard about this honor he wrote a check for a healthy amount of money as a donation to the South Central Division Memorial Fund to be used to promote his event and bowling in general.
Bill Weaver was a gentleman at all times on and off the green and showed the way for all bowlers how to model themselves when bowling both in social play and particularly in tournament play.
In the US Championship Bill qualified three in Pairs with a 2nd place in 1991. He won a National Open Pairs win in 1993. He won 4 Senior Open Triples and 1 Pairs. Bill was now becoming an outstanding bowler and sought by all the top bowlers.
In a bowling career of 21 years he played in 100 top level tournaments and placed in the Championship Flight 49 times with 17 wins, 12 seconds, 10 thirds and 10 fourths. He loved to play in club social games and played well into his high eighties.
Bill was part of a group of bowlers who lobbied the Southwest Division with the largest membership of any division to split into two divisions thus creating the South Central Division of which he became their first President.
At a South Central Division Board meeting in January 2006 the members approved changing the name of the Neils Kragh Pairs to the Bill Weaver Pairs. When Bill heard about this honor he wrote a check for a healthy amount of money as a donation to the South Central Division Memorial Fund to be used to promote his event and bowling in general.
Bill Weaver was a gentleman at all times on and off the green and showed the way for all bowlers how to model themselves when bowling both in social play and particularly in tournament play.
Born in Johnstone, Scotland
Came to the states with parents Robert and Violet Baxter in 0946
Became a US Citizen in 1953
Started playing bowls in Bridgeport, CT in 1967
Moved to Sun City Center, FL in 2005
Club: Suncoasters, Sun City Center, FL
Bowling Hand: Right
North American Challenge – 6 times
Asia Pacific Games – Austrialia 2001 and Malaysia 2009
Atlantic Rim Games – Ireland 2005 and Scotland 2007
National Championships – 16 times both pairs and singles. 12 for Northeast and 4 for Southeast
NED Singles 1977, SED Pairs and Fours, U.S. Open Pairs 2010, Sun City Center LBC Club Champion twice. Etc.
Served as President of the following: Bridgeport LBC, Suncoasters LBC (Sun City Center), Eastern Division of AWLBA, and the AWLBA (American Women Lawn Bowling Association before merge).
Councilor of both the Northeast and Southeast (currently still serving).
Tournament Chair of the Northeast and Southeast.
Also on the Selection Committee to select our National Team members.
USLBA Chair of the National Championships from 2001 thru 2014.
Chaired the National Championships in 2014.
Came to the states with parents Robert and Violet Baxter in 0946
Became a US Citizen in 1953
Started playing bowls in Bridgeport, CT in 1967
Moved to Sun City Center, FL in 2005
Club: Suncoasters, Sun City Center, FL
Bowling Hand: Right
North American Challenge – 6 times
Asia Pacific Games – Austrialia 2001 and Malaysia 2009
Atlantic Rim Games – Ireland 2005 and Scotland 2007
National Championships – 16 times both pairs and singles. 12 for Northeast and 4 for Southeast
NED Singles 1977, SED Pairs and Fours, U.S. Open Pairs 2010, Sun City Center LBC Club Champion twice. Etc.
Served as President of the following: Bridgeport LBC, Suncoasters LBC (Sun City Center), Eastern Division of AWLBA, and the AWLBA (American Women Lawn Bowling Association before merge).
Councilor of both the Northeast and Southeast (currently still serving).
Tournament Chair of the Northeast and Southeast.
Also on the Selection Committee to select our National Team members.
USLBA Chair of the National Championships from 2001 thru 2014.
Chaired the National Championships in 2014.
Bio unavailable at this time
Bio unavailable at this time
2015 Inductees
Team USA member 2000, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2012.
U. S. National Championships 2009, Pairs Gold.
U. S. National Championships 2008, Pairs Silver.
U. S. Open 2008 & 2011, Fours Gold. 2010, Fours Silver.
U. S. Open 2001, Pairs Gold. 2008, Pairs Silver.
Carrie was well known to us all as a most enthusiastic supporter of Lawn Bowls. She loved the game and spread her joy for it in the SW Division and the United States. She supported our Team USA players and worked hard for the game at every level. Carrie was a lead fund raiser for Team USA.
Carrie was a SW Councilor 2010-2013 and a Bowls USA National Umpire
U. S. National Championships 2009, Pairs Gold.
U. S. National Championships 2008, Pairs Silver.
U. S. Open 2008 & 2011, Fours Gold. 2010, Fours Silver.
U. S. Open 2001, Pairs Gold. 2008, Pairs Silver.
Carrie was well known to us all as a most enthusiastic supporter of Lawn Bowls. She loved the game and spread her joy for it in the SW Division and the United States. She supported our Team USA players and worked hard for the game at every level. Carrie was a lead fund raiser for Team USA.
Carrie was a SW Councilor 2010-2013 and a Bowls USA National Umpire
Sun City Center ( FL)
Patricia Grabowski’s introduction began long before she was able to participate in the Sport of Bowls. Her Father, Pat Rauccio, was a lawn bowler in Niagara Falls, New York, which enticed Patti’s future husband, Joe Grabowski, to join the game. Moving to Ft. Lauderdale in 1978, Joe & Patti joined the Hollywood, Florida LBC. Four years later, they moved to the Tampa area where they joined the Lakeland LBC. Within four years, they made a move into Sun City Center. From that day on Patti participated in many tournaments. She qualified 7 times for the National Championships. Patti & Jo Gilbert won Pairs and was R/U in Singles once. Patti co-chaired the 1996 Atlanta Georgia Para-Olympics which followed the Olympics.
Locally she chaired two Bowls Camps plus a camp at Mount Dora. Team member for the Asia Pacific Games in Victoria, Canada and the Atlantic Games in Clandridad, Wales. President of Southeast Division for 10 years for AWLBA and two years for USLBA plus President of the Sun Coaster LBC in Sun City Center.
Patricia Grabowski’s introduction began long before she was able to participate in the Sport of Bowls. Her Father, Pat Rauccio, was a lawn bowler in Niagara Falls, New York, which enticed Patti’s future husband, Joe Grabowski, to join the game. Moving to Ft. Lauderdale in 1978, Joe & Patti joined the Hollywood, Florida LBC. Four years later, they moved to the Tampa area where they joined the Lakeland LBC. Within four years, they made a move into Sun City Center. From that day on Patti participated in many tournaments. She qualified 7 times for the National Championships. Patti & Jo Gilbert won Pairs and was R/U in Singles once. Patti co-chaired the 1996 Atlanta Georgia Para-Olympics which followed the Olympics.
Locally she chaired two Bowls Camps plus a camp at Mount Dora. Team member for the Asia Pacific Games in Victoria, Canada and the Atlantic Games in Clandridad, Wales. President of Southeast Division for 10 years for AWLBA and two years for USLBA plus President of the Sun Coaster LBC in Sun City Center.
Newport Harbor Lawn Bowling Club (CA) - 2015
Bob Nunes started bowling in 1994. He won the U. S. Championship Singles in 2001 and 2002 which qualified him to bowl in the inaugural Champion of Champions in Australia in 2003. He won the U. S. Championship Pairs in 2004 with Simon Meyerowitz. He won the U. S. Open Fours twice, 2001 and 2003. He won the U. S. Open Pairs with Ed Quo in 1997.
Bob was selected to represent the United States in 2003 at the Asia Pacific Games in Brisbane, Australia. He was selected to the National Team for the North American Challenge in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Off the greens, Bob served as an officer of the Southwest Division and a member of the Tournament Committee.
Bob Nunes started bowling in 1994. He won the U. S. Championship Singles in 2001 and 2002 which qualified him to bowl in the inaugural Champion of Champions in Australia in 2003. He won the U. S. Championship Pairs in 2004 with Simon Meyerowitz. He won the U. S. Open Fours twice, 2001 and 2003. He won the U. S. Open Pairs with Ed Quo in 1997.
Bob was selected to represent the United States in 2003 at the Asia Pacific Games in Brisbane, Australia. He was selected to the National Team for the North American Challenge in 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Off the greens, Bob served as an officer of the Southwest Division and a member of the Tournament Committee.
Jack competed in many local club tournaments, including several club championships at Frick Park, Central Division.
Pairs Championships (2) at Pebble Beach LBC., Southeast Division
Finished in the Second Flight in Pairs at the 1998 U. S. Open.
Secretary-Treasurer, Central Division and President of Frick Park © and Pebble Beach (SE)
Councilor, Central Division. Men’s Tournament Director, SE Division.
Treasurer of the ALBA Memorial Foundation.
Director of the Super Shots
Director of USLBA Marketing
As President of American Lawn Bowls Association (ALBA) John was instrumental in the merger of ALBA & AWLBA to form United States Lawn Bowls Association (USLBA). John was tournament director for several Central Division Opens plus the 2006 U. S. Open for both men & women played in the Southeast Division.
Qualified for Presidential Sports Award in 1992
Pairs Championships (2) at Pebble Beach LBC., Southeast Division
Finished in the Second Flight in Pairs at the 1998 U. S. Open.
Secretary-Treasurer, Central Division and President of Frick Park © and Pebble Beach (SE)
Councilor, Central Division. Men’s Tournament Director, SE Division.
Treasurer of the ALBA Memorial Foundation.
Director of the Super Shots
Director of USLBA Marketing
As President of American Lawn Bowls Association (ALBA) John was instrumental in the merger of ALBA & AWLBA to form United States Lawn Bowls Association (USLBA). John was tournament director for several Central Division Opens plus the 2006 U. S. Open for both men & women played in the Southeast Division.
Qualified for Presidential Sports Award in 1992
No Inductees in 2008 or 2014
Hall of Fame Members Alphabetic List Biographies
Induction Year |
Inductees |
1999 |
Skippy Arculli, Orville Artist, Ferrel Burton Jr., Jim Candelet, Harold Esch, Richard Folkins, Haley, Hartley, Charlie Hay, Hennings, Bert MacWilliams, McGuire, Neil McInnes, Charles Middleton, Bill Miller, Frank Souza, Willis Tewksbury |
2000 |
Joslyn, Salisbury, Ezra Wyeth |
2001 |
Kenny Degenhardt, Clive Forrester, Lachlan McArthur, Todd |
2002 |
Beckley, Boehm, Ellie Esch, Bill Farrell, Folkins, Folkins, Isabel Forbes, Jo Gilbert, Gillam, Dot Henry, Hooper, Marie Manners, R. McArthur, Freida Mixson, Dorothy Mumma-Todd, Olinger, Richardson, Schlindler, Joe Siegman, Randall Spalding, Cy Stephan, Ann Wood |
2003 |
Erma Artist, Michael Ashton-Phillips, Denton, Furze, Marlar, Rettie, Gil Stephan Jr., J. Stewart |
2004 |
John Johnson, Edie MacWilliams |
2005 |
Jim Graham, Muriel Rackliff |
2006 |
Anne Barber, Cam, Gene Goodwin |
2007 |
Jack Behling |
2008 |
None |
2009 |
Dora Stewart, Donna West |
2010 |
Doug McArthur, Heather Stewart, Mary Terrill |
2011 |
Ed Quo, Frank Ransome |
2012 |
Pat Gonzales, Bill Hiscock, Woody Ogden, Joe Shepard |
2013 |
Bill Campbell |
2014 |
None |
2015 |
Carrie Fossati (SW), Patti Grabowski (NE,SE), Bob Nunes (SW), Jack Phillips (NE, SE) |
2016 |
Nancy Nishikawa (NW), Linda McDougall (NE, SE), Tom Kees (SE), Bill Weaver (SC). |
2017 |
Jim Olson (SW), Colin Smith (NE), Myra Wood (NW, SC) |