American bowler
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last Updated:•Article History
Category: Arts & Culture
- Byname of:
- Donald James Carter
Don Carter (born July 29, 1926, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.—died January 5, 2012, Miami, Florida) American professional tenpin bowler who perfected an inimitable unorthodox right-handed backswing (he bent his elbow) that helped him dominate the game from 1951 through 1964.
Carter was a charter member and first president of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA; founded in 1958). He began bowling as a boy while working as a pinsetter. He built his own lane in the basem*nt of the family home, and in 1953 he joined the St. Louis Budweiser team. Carter was bowler of the year six times (1953–54, 1957–58, 1960, and 1962) and in 1970 was named the best bowler of all time by bowling writers. He was the first bowler to win in one year (1961) the All-Star, World’s Invitational, PBA national championship, and American Bowling Congress Masters tournaments.
Britannica Quiz
Sports Quiz
As bowling’s congenial ambassador, Carter brought the sport to television, where he appeared on such shows as Jackpot Bowling, Make That Spare, and Championship Bowling. In 1964 he became the first athlete in any sport to receive a $1 million endorsem*nt contract (from bowling ball manufacturer Ebonite International). Carter retired from competitive bowling in 1972 owing to knee problems, but he continuted to bowl at lanes belonging to his national string of eponymous bowling alleys. In 1975 he was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame as a charter member.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.