Women are reigning supreme in just about every sport out there, and bowling is no different! This game has some of the best athletes, being women and setting the standard for all female athletes, regardless of the sport.
These crowned queens of the bowling alley encompass all the traits of a true champion and a professional athlete.
From their techniques, specific movements, and overall game plan on the alley, female bowlers have earned their rightful place in the list of the bests, long and far beyond the bowling alleys.
These winning bowlers serve as an inspiration for all the young and up-and-coming athletes, along with young women around the world, no matter what their profession is. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the top female bowlers of all time.
Top 14 Female Bowlers of All Time
On this list, we’re exploring some of the most celebrated and iconic female bowlers of all time. These decorated athletes have achieved top-scoring accolades, and some continue to kill it in the alley, making waves for female athletes around the world.
1. Liz Johnson
A remarkable bowler, Liz Johnson won an amazing twenty-five PWBA (Professional Women’s Bowling Association) titles throughout her illustrious career that spans over almost thirty years and is still active today. Johnson’s signature bowling style blends precision, power, and poise that causes a force to be reckoned with in the alley.
As a decorated national bowling champion with multiple PWBA honors, Johnson’s dedication and twenty-five-point winning streak earned her a well-deserved place among the best bowlers in history.
2. Dorothy Fothergill
Winning three USBC championships in just three years, Dorothy Fothergill is what you would call a legend. Even if she had to retire early because of injuries, she’s already won twelve PWBA titles and six major championships.
She also won the All-Star crown twice and came out of her retirement in 1979 just to win the Great and the Greatest Tournament.
As one of the first prominent female bowlers, she shattered gender stereotypes and paved the way for future generations of females in bowling and any other sport. Her legacy inspires people and remains integral to the rich tapestry of bowling history.
3. Shannon O’Keefe
Winning three major titles, Shannon O’Keefe has a decorated career with an impressive eight World Championships. With her graceful approach and unwavering focus, she left an indelible mark on the sport.
Her precision and versatility on the lane, coupled with strong mental agility, have truly set her apart and etched her name in the list for the best of the best.
Beyond her impressive achievements, O’Keefe’s amazing sportsmanship and continued commitment to advancing women’s bowling is what makes her a true inspiration to aspiring athletes in the world of bowling.
She was also the head coach of the McKendree University women’s bowling team and was recently hired to lead the bowling program of Jacksonville State University in May 2023.
4. Robin Romeo
With seventeen championships under her belt, including the 1989 US Women’s Open, Robin Romeo is considered a distinguished champion, renowned for her exceptional skills and accomplishments in the sport.
Romeo’s ability to maintain poise under pressure and deliver consistently spot-on shots throughout her career is what has cemented her as a bowling icon.
Her dedication to the game and her trailblazing performances have solidified her status as one of the top female bowlers in history, inspiring generations of bowlers to come, whether they be male or female.
5. Aleta Sill
Aleta Sill’s twenty-two-year-long career has earned her over thirty-one titles. Sill is the first female bowler to rake in over one million dollars in earnings and is the only bowler, male or female, to win the Triple Crown twice.
Inducted into the PWBA in 1998, Sill’s remarkable accuracy, strategic approaches, and ability to hit the pocket have made her a formidable competitor and an iconic bowler.
6. Patty Costello
Patty Costello was another prominent figure in the bowling world, claiming thirty-nine professional titles, twenty-five in PWBA-WPBA events, and another fourteen in LPBA-LPBT events, including eight major championships throughout the career.
In her 1976 campaign, Costello broke records, winning seven consecutive events in a career spanning decades. She was inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame in 1989 and consistently showcased her prowess on the lanes.
Costello had a fluid and controlled approach to the game, which, combined with her precision in targeting pins, set her apart from other bowlers of her time, even today.
7. Tish Johnson
Tish Johnson is a name that you can instantly recognize, especially in the bowling world. Johnson won four major league titles and several national team accolades. She won over twenty-five professional titles and was inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame in 2002.
Tish also secured the position as the third woman to earn one million dollars in revenue and has been an inspirational name in the world of bowling. Her legacy inspires other aspiring bowlers, showcasing the power of determination when carving one’s path to greatness.
8. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard
With a stellar career spanning decades, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard is a household name in bowling. She won seven PWBA titles and broke eleven women’s tour records, making it one of the most celebrated years in the history of women’s bowling.
She won twenty-one professional titles and four USBC championships, also bowling a three hundred game in a PBA competition against men.
9. Millie Ignizio
Known as “Marvelous Millie,” Millie Ignizio won consecutive women’s USBC Queens titles in 1970 and 1971. She won the US Women’s Open in 1973 and was also the first woman to deliver a perfect game in a professional play.
She led the national teams and was able to get four wins in just nine events! What was immensely impressive was her ability to maintain composure under pressure. It truly set her apart and made her a fierce competitor on both the national and international stages.
10. Danielle McEwan
Danielle McEwan won eight major PWBA titles and has several accolades for the national teams as a part of her achievements.
She’s one of the youngest winners of the PWBA championships, continuing her reign as a seasonal player in PWBA tours and currently playing on the national team.
11. Leanne Hulsenberg
This woman has a casual twenty-seven PWBA national titles under her belt, and at just nineteen years old, she has already competed in the professional bowling leagues.
Hulsenberg was inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame in 2019 and was crowned Player of the Year consecutively in the years 1990 and 1991. Hulsenberg is committed to perfecting the game for other female bowlers and has been a trailblazer for female athletes worldwide.
12. Lisa Wagner
As a professional ten-pin bowler who has a record-breaking thirty-two PWBA titles under her belt, including the US Women’s Open and, in 1996, WIBC Queens, she’s one of the most decorated bowlers in history and is known for her impeccable technique and fierce competitive spirit.
13. Donna Adamek
From a young age, Donna Adamek was unstoppable. She won nineteen major titles, including the coveted two USBC Queens and two US Women’s Open.
Adamek was honored as Bowler of the Year for four consecutive years from 1979 through 1982. She was also awarded the Women’s Bowler All-America first team member six times.
14. Wendy Macpherson
A twenty-time PWBA champion, Wendy Macpherson was only eighteen when she graced the bowling world with her precision and finesse, helping her deliver constant strikes and achieve high scores.
She won the Women’s US Open that night and then also went on to become the youngest woman to win the Triple Crown. She also earned her spot as the highest-earning player with $1.2 million in earnings in 2003 and is one of the most iconic figures in bowling.
Impact The Best Female Bowlers Have Made On Bowling Overall
These legendary female bowlers have made a significant and enduring impact on the world of bowling. Their exceptional skills, determination, and superb talent have shattered the glass ceiling, crushing gender stereotypes and inspiring the world to embrace bowling by instilling passion and ambition in young bowlers.
These women have catalyzed inclusivity, encouraging increased female participation and fostering a more diverse and inclusive community where anyone and everyone can not just play but play to win.
How To Become A Professional Female Bowler
To participate in PWBA and become a professional bowler, you need to receive a bowling average of 190 or higher in any USBC-certified league.
Those outside the USA can join the PWBA if they receive 190 or higher with legitimate proof and a record from their country’s federation or league.
FAQs
Who Is The Greatest Women’s Bowler Of All Time?
Ans: Lisa Wagner, included on the list above, is considered to be the greatest women’s bowler of all time as she’s won a whopping thirty-two professional titles in her career.
Who Has Won The Most PWBA Bowling Tours?
Ans: Bowler Cheryl Daniels has won ten PWBA bowling tours, which is the most tours any female bowler has won.
Which Female Bowler Has Bowled The Most Perfect Games In A Championship Round?
Ans: Liz Johnson, also included on the list above, currently holds the record for bowling two perfect games, which is the most in a three-hundred-point game in a championship round.
Conclusion
We’ve reached the end of this iconic list of the top female bowlers on the planet. We hope you enjoyed this compilation of the most legendary female athletes and can derive some inspiration and drive from their achievements. Remember to share with other bowling lovers and enthusiasts.