Dick Ritger
Dick Ritger (born November 8, 1938), of River Falls, Wisconsin, was a right-handed ten-pin bowler in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), who spent his later years as a bowling coach and proprietor of Dick Ritger's Bowling Camp. He is one of only 16 players in history to have won at least 20 career PBA Tour titles.
Dick Ritger | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 November 1938 River Falls, Wisconsin, USA |
| Years active | 1964-1980 |
| Bowling Information | |
| Affiliation | PBA |
| Rookie year | 1964 |
| Dominant hand | Right (stroker delivery) |
| Wins | 20 PBA Tour |
PBA career
Ritger joined the PBA Tour in 1964, won his first PBA Tour title in 1966, and won his 20th and final PBA title in 1979. The 20 titles put him in a 13th-place tie with Wayne Webb and Amleto Monacelli on the all-time list. He won multiple titles in five different seasons on tour.
A gentleman on the lanes and off, Ritger won the PBA's Steve Nagy Sportsmanship award on two occasions. His status among the all-time greats was solidified with his election to the PBA Hall of Fame in 1978.
Ritger's best chance at a major title came in 1970, when he made the televised final of the Tournament of Champions and shot 268 in the final match. But he was on the wrong end of 26-time titlist Don Johnson's legendary 299 game. He also finished runner-up in the 1972 PBA National Championship and 1979 Tournament of Champions.
Bowling Instructor Career
In the 1980s, Ritger started a bowling pro shop business and went into the instructional field. Still active today with his Dick Ritger's Bowling Camps, he is recognized as one of the most effective bowling instructors in the world. He has taught professionals and amateurs in 24 countries covering five continents.[1] He also developed a three-part video series called Dick Ritger's "Feelings of Bowling"[TM].[2]
Already a member of the USBC Hall of Fame in the Performance category, Ritger was the first person inducted into the USBC's new Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame in June, 2008.[3]
Personal
Ritger graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse with a double major in Physical Education and Recreation.
Awards and recognition
- PBA Steve Nagy Sportsmanship award (1970, 1973)
- PBA President, 1977–78
- Inducted into PBA Hall of Fame, 1978
- Inducted into USBC Hall of Fame (Performance Category), 1984
- World Bowling Writers Distinguished Service Award, 1995
- John Martino Award for "Outstanding Contribution to the Sport of Bowling," 1998
- BPAA/Dick Weber Bowling Ambassador Award, 2006
- Inducted into USBC Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame, 2008
- Was ranked #14 on the PBA's 2008 list of "50 Greatest Players of the Last 50 Years"
- Inducted into Wisconsin State USBC Hall of Fame (Skills Category), 2009
References
- "Ritger selected as first Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame inductee." Article at www.bowl.com, May 22, 2008.
- "Feelings of Bowling" is a registered trademark of Dick Ritger Enterprises, Inc.
- U.S. Bowler, Fall, 2008 issue, p. 10
Other sources
- PBA.com, official site of the Professional Bowlers Association and the Lumber Liquidator's PBA Tour
- wibowl.com, Official site of the Wisconsin State USBC Bowling Association