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Firestone World Bowling Tournament (Mercury Open) won by Jim Godman

James William Godman (January 5, 1946 – May 3, 2001) was an American professional bowler who won eleven titles on the Professional Bowlers Tour, and was the first bowler to win the prestigious...

James William Godman (January 5, 1946 – May 3, 2001) was an American professional bowler who won eleven titles on the Professional Bowlers Tour, and was the first bowler to win the prestigious Tournament of Champions (then sponsored by Firestone) twice, winning in 1969 and 1973. Godman was ranked 32nd in a 2008 poll of the 50 Greatest PBA Bowlers of all-time. He is a member of the PBA and United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Halls of Fame.

He won the 1971 ABC (now USBC) Masters tournament and was also the first bowler in USBC Open Championships history to record three 700 series in one tournament.

The right-handed Godman was an early adopter of the "cranker" style of bowling, using a cupped wrist to create more ball revolutions and greater power compared to his contemporaries.

Historical Significance

James William Godman (January 5, 1946 – May 3, 2001) was an American professional bowler who won eleven titles on the Professional Bowlers Tour, and was the first bowler to win the prestigious Tournament of Champions (then sponsored by Firestone) twice, winning in 1969 and 1973.

Events Before

  1. Cuba Gooding Jr. is born

    Cuba Gooding Jr., American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1968-01-02. Cuba Mark Gooding Jr. is an American actor.

  2. ABC Radio splits into four networks: Info, Entertainment, Contemporary, and FM

    ABC Radio splits into four networks: Info, Entertainment, Contemporary, and FM

  3. Actress Sharon Tate (24) weds actor and director Roman Polanski (34) in Chelsea, London

    Actress Sharon Tate (24) weds actor and director Roman Polanski (34) in Chelsea, London

  4. Battle of Khe Sanh begins at Khe Sanh Combat Base, one of the most publicized and controversial battles of the Vietnam W

    Battle of Khe Sanh begins at Khe Sanh Combat Base, one of the most publicized and controversial battles of the Vietnam War

  5. Aretha Franklin's 14th studio album "Lady Soul" is released (Billboard Album of the Year, 1968)

    Aretha Franklin's 14th studio album "Lady Soul" is released (Billboard Album of the Year, 1968)

Events After

  1. Charles "Chub" Feeney becomes the President of Major League Baseball's National League

    Charles Stoneham "Chub" Feeney (August 31, 1921 – January 10, 1994) was an Irish-American front office executive in Major League Baseball.

  2. Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu flees Biafra into exile, leaving his deputy, Philip Effiong, to surrender to the Nig

    Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu flees Biafra into exile, leaving his deputy, Philip Effiong, to surrender to the Nigerian Army, effectively ending the Nigerian Civil War

  3. Movie rating system modifies "M" rating to "PG"

    Movie rating system modifies "M" rating to "PG"

  4. Biographical film "Patton" directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring George C. Scott premieres in New York (Academy

    Biographical film "Patton" directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and starring George C. Scott premieres in New York (Academy Awards Best Picture 1971)

  5. South Africa cricket team completes a 4-0 series drubbing of Australia in South Africa in the country's last official in

    South Africa cricket team completes a 4-0 series drubbing of Australia in South Africa in the country's last official international cricket Test for 22 years

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 26, 1969?
James William Godman (January 5, 1946 – May 3, 2001) was an American professional bowler who won eleven titles on the Professional Bowlers Tour, and was the first bowler to win the prestigious Tournament of Champions (then sponsored by Firestone) twice, winning in 1969 and 1973. Godman was ranked 32nd in a 2008 poll of the 50 Greatest PBA Bowlers of all-time. He is a member of the PBA and United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Halls of Fame.
Why is Firestone World Bowling Tournament (Mercury Open) won by Jim Godman significant?
James William Godman (January 5, 1946 – May 3, 2001) was an American professional bowler who won eleven titles on the Professional Bowlers Tour, and was the first bowler to win the prestigious Tournament of Champions (then sponsored by Firestone) twice, winning in 1969 and 1973.

Explore More

April 26 in HistoryYear 1969