2023 Hall of Fame Inductee
BOB JOHNSON
Bob started at age 15 working for the Pacific Bowler newspaper in Orange County. He also spent several years as Editor of the California Bowling News based in Burbank. During more than a decade covering the bowlers and bowling events of California, Bob wrote with style and grace about everything from outstanding league accomplishments to local sweeper results to pro tournaments. Among his most-remembered feature stories were several about Glenn Allison’s 900 series (at La Habra “300” Bowl in 1982), one about Pete McCordic’s televised 300 game (at Gable House Bowl in Torrance in 1987) and one about how local bowlers and other residents prevented Midtown Bowl in Los Angeles from being burned down during the so-called “Rodney King riots” in 1992.
Bob also began writing feature stories for Bowlers Journal, Bowling Digest and Junior Bowler magazines. He wrote features about President Richard Nixon (a native of Whittier.) and “Peanuts” comic strip creator Charles M. Schulz (a long-time resident of Sonoma County).
During his career, Bob has served as Editor of six national magazines — Bowlers Journal International, Bowling Center Management, Bowling Entertainment Center, Pro Shop Operator, International Bowling Industry (then based in Westlake Village) and even a short stint with Bowling, the ABC magazine. He also was a volunteer member of the SoCal Bowling Writers Association for many years, serving as one of the presenters at the annual SoCal Bowling All-Star Awards Banquet and writing stories about the various award winners for the local media.
Johnson has won more than 80 national writing awards — earning him inductions into three national bowling halls of fame: USBC (2019), PBA (2019) and International Bowling Media Association (2009).
