2026 Hall of Fame Inductee
ROBERT SMITH
Robert Smith is a native of Simi Valley and he currently lives in Ventura. But in between, the 52 year old has lived in some diverse locations, including Captain Cook, an area near the Kona Coffee Fields of Hawaii, and in Hong Kong.
Through all the moves his love for bowling has remained steadfast. Smith’s first big moment came in 1989, when he rolled his first 300 game at the tender age of 15, during the West Coast Junior Elims at Canoga Park Bowl.
He went on to win a total of 20 Junior Amateur Tour (JAT) events, catapulting him to the 1992 Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow Award, the premier honor for certified junior bowlers.
Robert attended San Diego State University, where he continued his winning ways in collegiate bowling. In 1993, at the age of 19, Smith won the US Amateur Championship, becoming the youngest in history to accomplish the feat. He was also a member of Team USA during his college years, in 1994 and 1995.
Smith joined the PBA at the age of 24. He received the nickname of “Maximum Bob,” for his amazing power, speed and revolutions he produced on a bowling ball.
Robert’s first PBA victory came at the 2000 US Open, in Phoenix, Ariz., making him the first to ever win the US Amateur and US Open. He went on to another seven major titles, including the Oronamin C Japan Cup in Tokyo, and the Storm International Masters Challenge in Manila, Philippines.
Robert also owns 10 PBA Regional titles, and 31 career perfect games in PBA competition. He made at least one TV finals in each of his first 12 seasons on tour, with an overall total of 25 championship round appearances.
It’s often been said that without numerous injuries, Robert Smith could have won many more titles. His best year on tour came in 2001, when he earned one title at Erie, Pa., and a total of $116,943. Two years later he cracked the $100,000 barrier once again with titles at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Tucson, Ariz., and $108,750 in earnings.
Smith announced his retirement from full-time PBA competition in 2010, citing a combination of ongoing injuries. He made a return to professional competition in 2024, when he joined the PBA50 Tour.
Without further ado, let’s welcome “Maximum Bob” to the California USBC Hall of Fame!
Award was presented at the CUSBC Awards Dinner on May 30, 2026 at the Staybridge Suites, Long Beach.