1976 Firestone - Mashall Holman vs. Billy Hardwick, pt1
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- čas přidán 6. 08. 2007
- The date was April 16, 1976 at the Riviera Lanes, in Fairlawn, Ohio for the $125,000 Firestone Tournament of Champions. The number one qualifer was 34 year old Billy Hardwick, who won the initial Firestone in 1965. He was fresh of a victory the week before in Toledo after a 7 year winless drought. Marshall Holman, the 21 year old kid from Medford, Oregon was defeated Tim Harahan to meet Hardwick. The match was very close and exciting all the way to the end, with $25,000 to the winner, and $14,000 to the loser. The match sort of was the passing of the torch between the old school bowling style of Hardwick, who primarily played the track with his straight shot, and the power game of the upstart Holman. Let's join Chris Schenkel and Bo Burton with the call.
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Thank you Brian S. for the clip!
Billy Hardwick would be proud of his son, Chris Hardwick.
I was 27 years-young and bowled in many leagues back then. Love bowling and this was 'must watch' t.v. every Saturday!
Hardwick's pants are awesome! RIP Billy.
"How does he do it? Everybody wonders how Hardwick does it, Chris."
Amazing match. The bowling version of Jurassic park: Billy Hardwick, with his 1950's bowling style, bowling the conditions of the 70's. In my opinion, these two weeks (where Hardwick won the Toledo Open, then entered the finals of the Firestone at top position) comprise the most amazing pro bowling achievement in history. It's the bowling version of George Foreman winning the championship at 43 years old.
4:26
Wonderful Saturday afternoon in my living room. If Mom wanted to watch something else, there was my Nana's house. If she was watching something else, I was out of luck. Oh, those good old days.
With 4 year old Chris(topher) Hardwick in the crowd.
Way cool. I can still recall that Mr. Helling bowled a 280 on TV that day in '72, I think he used a Brunswick Gold Crown ball- he left a 7 pin in the second frame and converted it. I think Earl rolled a 257 or 267...
Don had the same bent-elbow backswing too. I also remember he took virtually no time at all to deliver the ball once he had it in hand. And his full-roller was truly the best I ever saw.
I think his nickname on tour was "blinky" or something similar...
Even in his 20s, Billy Hardwick struggled with rheumatoid arthritis. When he won 7 championships and bowler of the year in 1969, he had no joints in his ring finger.
Like Bo said: "How does he do it, Chris? Everybody wonders how Hardwick does it."
4:22
Funny- I remembered the comment on Billy Hardwick's uncanny (half-board) accuracy but didn't recall which tourney it was...
Sure don't see full-rollers anymore- this was the last one I saw. Don Helling rolled a brutal one and won against Earl Anthony circa 1972.
But Marshall won here. The Medford Meteor might have been a great bowler but I thought his arrogant attitude was repulsive.
rip billy hardwick
Imagine if these guys had access to the interchangeable thumb inserts that we have today. It made such a difference in my own bowling game, with a much more comfortable grip and very few issues with blistering and soreness. It makes a noticeable difference when you have a consistent surface rubbing against your skin rather than the transition from core to cover stock.
These hair styles are freaking me out!
Marshall went from having mounds of hair to having none.
Marsh is throwing the old AMF Pro Classic. I LOVED that ball.
Oh, one other thing about that tourney Don won- his comment to the TV commentator when he won: "It doesn't hurt to get lucky once in a while!" I will never forget that one.
I would love to see the first match featuring Tim Hanrahan and Teata Semiz!
It's weird seeing Holman without his trademark stache.
In his prime, Marshall Holman reminded me of Groucho Marx (short, quick steps and a big mustache). And then, there was his rivalry with Mark Roth who finished 13th in this tournament (2:42).