100 years of bowling in Sweden celebrated with centennial gala
10/12/09
100 years ago on October 10, 1909, Sweden's first bowling center opened its doors in downtown Stockholm. Consequently, Swedish bowling celebrated the centennial with a gala held on October 10, 2009.
Almost 400 people, the Who-is-who of Swedish bowling and their relatives and friends gathered at the renowned Berns Salonger, a restaurant and entertainment venue in Berzelii Park in central Stockholm, which is just a few blocks away from where the first bowling balls were thrown exactly a century ago.
During the festivities awards were given in eight different categories, recognizing bowlers, sports leaders and bowling center proprietors for their leading roles during the first century.
The awards to the best male and female bowler were presented to Mats Karlsson and Ă…sa Larsson.
Mats (pictured right) was at his peak in the 1980s when he joined the PBA tour and became the first non-American to win a PBA title in 1986. He added another 3 PBA titles during his illustrious career.
Ă…sa (left) had a distinguished international career spanning 15 years, which was highlighted by the World Cup victory in 1991 and ten World Championship medals.
Other award winners were:
Greatest leader of the Swedish Bowling Federation: Ulf Andersson (1942-2007) for his outstanding achievement as national team coach for both women and youth teams during a period of almost 20 years.
Greatest leader of the Bowling Proprietors Association: Lennart Lindblad (1920-2005) for his leadership and vision when he initiated the BPA in 1973 and guided the organization through its first 20 years.
Most innovative bowling center proprietor: Bruno Söderström (1881-1969) who brought bowling to Sweden after a visit to the United States in 1908. Söderström, an Olympic pole vaulter of Sweden and a businessman, opened the first bowling centers in Sweden and made sure the new sport was established properly.
Greatest sports moment: Lena Sulkanen (right) for winning three gold medals including the Masters title in the World Championships in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1983.
The winners of the last two categories were selected through voting on the Internet. In each of these categories ten people were nominated. Most outstanding bowling center: Strike & Co, Gothenburg. Established in 2004, Strike & Co is a modern center with 27 lanes in downtown Gothenburg, serving both sports bowling and open bowling.
The greatest bowling personality: Olle Svensson, Gothenburg. Olle is unique personality in Swedish bowling, who has competed on the top level for more than 40 years, including international championships in the 1970s and 1980s.
A special award was given to Christer Jonsson, former secretary general of the Swedish Bowling Federation and current secretary general of World Tenpin Bowling Association for his invaluable achievements for Swedish and international bowling during several decades.
The celebration year, "Swedish Bowling 100 years", is a joint project of the Swedish Bowling Federation and the Swedish Bowling Proprietors Association.
Sweden
100 years ago on October 10, 1909, Sweden's first bowling center opened its doors in downtown Stockholm. Consequently, Swedish bowling celebrated the centennial with a gala held on October 10, 2009. Almost 400 people, the Who-is-who of Swedish bowling and their relatives and friends gathered at the renowned Berns Salonger, a restaurant and entertainment venue in Berzelii Park in central Stockholm, which is just a few blocks away from where the first bowling balls were thrown exactly a century ago.
During the festivities awards were given in eight different categories, recognizing bowlers, sports leaders and bowling center proprietors for their leading roles during the first century.
The awards to the best male and female bowler were presented to Mats Karlsson and Ă…sa Larsson. Mats (pictured right) was at his peak in the 1980s when he joined the PBA tour and became the first non-American to win a PBA title in 1986. He added another 3 PBA titles during his illustrious career.
Ă…sa (left) had a distinguished international career spanning 15 years, which was highlighted by the World Cup victory in 1991 and ten World Championship medals.
Other award winners were:
Greatest leader of the Swedish Bowling Federation: Ulf Andersson (1942-2007) for his outstanding achievement as national team coach for both women and youth teams during a period of almost 20 years.
Greatest leader of the Bowling Proprietors Association: Lennart Lindblad (1920-2005) for his leadership and vision when he initiated the BPA in 1973 and guided the organization through its first 20 years.
Most innovative bowling center proprietor: Bruno Söderström (1881-1969) who brought bowling to Sweden after a visit to the United States in 1908. Söderström, an Olympic pole vaulter of Sweden and a businessman, opened the first bowling centers in Sweden and made sure the new sport was established properly.
Greatest sports moment: Lena Sulkanen (right) for winning three gold medals including the Masters title in the World Championships in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1983. The winners of the last two categories were selected through voting on the Internet. In each of these categories ten people were nominated. Most outstanding bowling center: Strike & Co, Gothenburg. Established in 2004, Strike & Co is a modern center with 27 lanes in downtown Gothenburg, serving both sports bowling and open bowling.
The greatest bowling personality: Olle Svensson, Gothenburg. Olle is unique personality in Swedish bowling, who has competed on the top level for more than 40 years, including international championships in the 1970s and 1980s.
A special award was given to Christer Jonsson, former secretary general of the Swedish Bowling Federation and current secretary general of World Tenpin Bowling Association for his invaluable achievements for Swedish and international bowling during several decades.
The celebration year, "Swedish Bowling 100 years", is a joint project of the Swedish Bowling Federation and the Swedish Bowling Proprietors Association.
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