Brunswick News
Judy Soutar Retiring After More Than 50 Years with Brunswick
At the end of the 2012 Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Senior Tour, Judy Soutar will be saying good-bye to her fellow bowlers, proprietors and friends after more than 50 years in bowling.
In her 52 years in the sport, Soutar bowled as a Brunswick pro bowler for 30 years on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) tour. She then extended that to 22 additional years as the Brunswick Senior tour representative, including five years on the PWBA tour. Soutar has plans to contribute her knowledge by continuing to promote the sport of bowling, especially with women and seniors.
In 2010, Soutar celebrated her 50th year with Brunswick, where she was honored during the International Bowl Expo in Las Vegas and presented with a crystal bowling pin, as a token of the company’s appreciation. In front of a crowd of family, friends and fellow bowlers, Soutar thanked Brunswick for allowing her the opportunities and experiences she was able to achieve during her journey. The 50th year celebration with Brunswick was one of her most memorable accomplishments. “Brunswick has given me the opportunity to pursue my career from the age of 16, and has supported me for 50 years,” said Soutar.
“Judy will truly be missed by her Brunswick family,” said Brent Perrier, president Brunswick Bowling Products. “She is a true pioneer for women and senior bowlers, and we can’t thank her enough for the support she has provided Brunswick, our bowlers, and our industry over the years.”
Soutar, Bradenton, Fla., began bowling at the age of four at her father’s bowling center in Kansas City, Mo. Growing up, her father had a big impact as her mentor and teacher on Soutar’s success. He taught her the techniques and mental aspect of bowling until she turned 16 and joined the Professional Women’s Bowlers Association (PWBA) and Brunswick Pro Staff in December 1960. Remembering her early years getting started in the sport, Soutar said she was fortunate because she was both embraced early by her peers and also had Brunswick as her support system.
Soutar has experienced many changes throughout her 50-plus-year bowling career. “When I was on the ladies’ tour in the ‘60s, I would go to tournaments with three balls – one for oily lane conditions, one for dry lane conditions, and a spare ball, “ she said. “Spare shooting was a premium, as it was very difficult to string strikes. I was the high average on the tour with 200 to 202 in the early ’70s, and today, I would have to learn the modern game with equipment, technology, lane surfaces, pins, and the technical support from product specialists,” she said.
Soutar earned more than $190,000 in career earnings, eight national titles, including the Women’s International Bowling Congress (WIBC) Queens, and several awards, including induction into the WIBC (now United States Bowling Congress) Hall of Fame in 1976 for superior performance at the age of 31.
Soutar’s list of other titles and awards includes:
• Highest game series: 787
• Three-time WIBC All American
• Only back-to-back USBC Doubles Champion (with partner Gloria Bouvia) 1969 and 1970
• Kansas City, Mo., Hall of Fame – 1980
• PWBA Hall of Fame – 1987
• Missouri Hall of Fame – 1989
• PWBA Star of Tomorrow – 1973
• Bowler of the Year – 1973 & 1975
• USBC Team and All Events – 1974
