Evening star., 1940-10-27
Campbell Sweepstakes Is Due for Big Comeback
Stars Of Washington,
Maryland, Virginia
In Competition
81 Expected to Shoot;
Event Has Seen Rise
Of Many Howitzers

First major duckpin tournament
Of its kind ever staged in the
country, the Howard Campbell
Sweepstakes today promised to come
back as an attraction second to none
for leading bowlers of Washington
who will be joined by stars of other
cities.
Indications last night were that
more than 80 sharpshooters will
battle for a top prize of $400 plus
a diamond medal in the 18th annual
event which will open at 2 pm
today at the Chevy Chase Ice
Palace, with the second 5-game
block to be rolled at Lucky Strike
at pm, and the wind-up at pm.
at Convention Hall.
Out-of-toWn entries mounted last
night with the receipt of a letter
from Clinton Ford, Richmonds
John Marshall alley proprietor, who
stated that Ray Barnes, Blair
Creedle and Joe Perry would roll.
Barnes finished third and Creedle
fourth last year.
A galaxy of stars are expected
from Baltimore, with entries already
received from Everett Gardner of
Lucky Strike, Nova Hamilton Of
the Recreation Center, Kent Lugee
of Charles Bowling Center and Ray
Fiorentino of Franklin The Oriole
contingent is likely to include also
Earl Campbell, Lee Seim, Wilmer
Robey, Paul Lohr, Temple Keene,
Ray Won Dreele and Willie Stitz.
Norfolk May Send Pair.
Two of Norfolk's finest, Thick
Thumm and Jimmy Wallace, are po-
tential participants.
Given support by out-of towners,
the issue of making the Campbell
again bowling extravaganza rests
with the District sharpshooters
themselves. Back in 1880 Max
Rosenberg walked off the old King
Pin drives (now Columbia) with a
prize of $3.50. Without the aid of
outside help field of 81 Wash
ington top-notchers shot for a total
of S1,450.
Since its advent in 1927 the
Campbell has not only had few
equals as duckpin thriller but also
marked by the rise and fall of many
of its competitors.
The peak of a great bowling ca
reer was reached when Glenn VOL
stenholme won the first tournament.
The standout head-to-head shooter
of his day, the former Convention
Hall howitzer passed almost COM
pletely out of the picture after his
1927 victory.
Red Megaw, the present Queen
Pin manager. although he still
flashes signs of his bowling skill, was
at his best when he won in 1928.
Weidman Twice Runner-up.
Famous Brad Mandley was reach
ing top form in 1929 when he tri-
umphed over Glen Weidman, who
also had been the runner-up to VOL
stenholme And like Megaw, Rosen-
berg, a top star in the early 20s,
still can shoot with the best on oc-
casions. After his victory over
George Friend in 1890, the latter
completely gave up the game.
A Campbell victory in 1881 started
the matchless duckpin career of
Astor Clarke, who today. a strong
favorite, seeks his fourth champion
ship after being the only bowler to
win the event twice in a row. He
created a sensation in 1897 and
1888 by winning both the rich United
States and Campbell hand running.
Tony Santini, the defending
champion, nosed out Ed Blakeney
by one pin to triumph for the first
time in 1882.
Whip Litchfield one of the great
est bowlers ever to roll off his right
foot, forged to the front rank by
winning in 1888. His 1857 score was
the first 1000 set rolled in the event.
Sam Simon Beats Record.
But his record count was boosted
to 1878 when Sam Simon made his
biggest splash to win over the up
and-coming Hokie Smith in 1884.
Eddie Espey, the Penn Recreation
manager, crowded short but me-
teoric career by anneXing the 1885
tournament with 1867.
The hottest bowler in town was
Harry Hilliard when he ran away
from his field to win by 96 pins over
Clarke in 1896. His margin of vic
tory was by far the biggest any
winner ever achieved.
The next two years saw Clarke
clean up with record score of 2002
and 1875.
Little was wanted in the way of
excitement as Ed Blakeney smashed
through the winner early in 1899
with a new mark of 2,044. The event
was moved up last season and the
bars let down to Maryland and Vir-
einia rollers, Santini winning a Sec
ond time.