Evening star., 1936-01-21

tory that Clarke won; that he broke
the record for the tournament and
at the same time became the first par
ticipant in this all-star affair to shoot
three consecutive 600 sets.
They Guessed Him Wrong"
EXCEPT for one thing, it would have
been glorious triumph. Harken-
ing back to the pre-tournament boast,
his vanquished rivals, almost in a
chorus, declaimed, Stretch the guys
hat-band!"
From the moment Of his victory
Astor Clarke was tagged as swell
head" but it was singular fact that
all Of his boasting. if such it might
be termed, was done before the shoot
ing commenced. About the actual
achievement We don't recall that he
said even so much as Il told you So"
What he did say was, II figure to
win more tournaments like that one -
This wasn't boast, either, or it
didn't sound to be. It was more like
q plain statement of fact.
Clarke went on to become the out
standing tournament bowler of the
country, with the possible exception
of the great Nick TronSky of Con-
necticut, winning, among other major
events, the United States and the
Dixie sweepstakes. He holds the all
time District record for league av-
erage Of l26, scored last season in the
Federal League and today is the OFF,
cial No. ! ranking bowler of the city.
Proves Real Sportsman.
WHAT we're getting around to is
:" that Astor Clarke also may
rate at or around the top as genuine
sportsman, in spite of the Virginian's
frank admission that the big appeal
Of tournament competition to him is
the fat crash prize.
This is why, last week, bowling fans
wondered how come when it was an
nounced that Clarke probably would
not compete in the Campbell Sweep
stakes.
Howard Campbell and Arville Eber-
sole, who manage the tournament,
were deeply concerned and duckpin
addicts in general not a little disap-
pointed, for without Astor Clarke the
tournament would lack its customary
color. It would lack deserved class,
too, without the city's topranker, no
matter who he might be.
But bowling business of another
sort called Clarke from the city on
the day the Campbell tournament was
to open, last Saturday. He went to
Richmond to campaign for the Vir-
ginia championships of 1897, which
he hopes to stage at the Clarendon
plant, of which he is manager. Also
there was some cash to be picked up
at Richmond, with a bit of Clarke
brand bowling-in the Virginia Sweep
stakes.
Had to Take Business Trip.
HERE'S conversation between the
writer and Clarke that took place
last Friday:
Bear in mind, Astor, you're the No.
! ranking bowler of the city, and If
there's any way possible to make it
you ought not to let down the city's
most important tournament"
IT know. I don't want to hurt
the tournament, but this other thing
is business with me. If I don't roll
at Richmond, maybe some of those
fellows down there won't help me
land the State tournament"
well, with you and Pacini and
some others planning to shoot at
Richmond, it looks as though the
Campbell Sweepstakes is flop. It
seems sort of screwy for Washington
bowlers to support tournament at
Richmond with one going on in their
own city that means so much to the
game here, and to themselves"
A pause.
II don't see what can do about
It. I'm on q spot"
Saturday morning AStor Clarke
drove to Richmond.
Early that evening, Howard Camp
bell received q phone call from Fred
eoo:st, a. &