The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-01-15
ROBERT GUM Isl
MADE PRE-MEET|
PICK BY FANS

With the entry list swelling each
and every day, the first annual nat
ional singles match game champion
ship tournament. sponsored by the
Michigan Chronicle with the sanc-
ton OF the National Negro Bowlina
association, moved rapidly toward
the days Of competition for the
richest prize in the history Of Ne
gro bowling.
The tournament, a 69-game ties,
across Is alleys. has a top prize OF
$3.50 to the winner, $375 to second.
SITS to third. 500 to fourth, and
$50 to fifth. In addition, the winner
of the 24-game preliminary, start
ing Feb. and continuing through
Feb. 4, will win $50, and each of
the 10 leaders in this test will win
back their entry fee of SIS.
The winner of the tournament
will be determined in the round
robin OF IS games in which the 10
leaders from the preliminary will
compete. starting Feb. S and termi-
nating Feb. 8. The games will be
ro-led at Paradise Bowl.
Jumps To Front
Kansas City jumped into the lead
IN entries when IS bowlers from
that city filed entry to compete for
the lucrative prize. Included in the
list OF rollers are Bob Elmore, Al
vim Walton, Ted Buford, Cecil
Booker, Harold Swain, Ben Traylor,
c. Cain. Lloyd Davis, Otto Straw
ther, Clarence Kerford. Louis Dud-
ley. Verpie Ross. Harvey Baldwin,
Bill Brihson. and Harry Carter.
Sam Merchant, former member
OF Friars1 Ale who returned to New
York after the finish of the l943
season, telephoned last week that
he will have his entry in by the
first OF the week. Merchant also an
nounced that no less than, seven
other New York keglers' would
compete in the tourney.
In the meantime George Ben
nett was In Louisville. Cincinnati
and Indianapolis to pick up some
entry in those cities. Bennett wired
back that he had been more success
full than he had anticipated.
Bob Robinson and Tommy Clark,
members Of the Woodlawn Aleu-
mems. were the frst Chicagoans to
enter the tournament Clark has
won every tournament in the
Windy City this season and has to
his credit a 800 game. rolled at the
White City alleys last December.
Gum Made Favorite
Right now Robert Gum. lead-off
man for Porters Cleaners. has been
made the big favoritc TO capture
the rich prize. Gum leaped out in
front when he captured the second
tournament sponsored Great Lakes
Mutual Insurance company at Para
disc Bowl. rolling up total OF
1865 pins for the eight games across
16 alleys. finishing with an average
Of 208.
Tiny Baldwin and Ernest (Boots)
Fsirfax- members OF Friars Ale and
pre-tournament favorites. finished
second and third respectively. Tiny
soliciting 1885 and Fairfax 1870.
While the high average rollers
will naturally catch the eyes Of the
bowling fans. this does not mean
that one of them will be able 10 And
the pocket" when the barrier is
lowered and the boys begin firing
the title. Some dark horse can get
shot" and blast his way to lead
the favorites can not overtake.
Russ j. Cowan. director of the
tournament issued the statement
this week that Jan - is the dead
line for filing entries which will APP
pear in the special program that
will go TO press with information
and pictures about the bowlers.