“Brian Voss wasn’t just bowling — he was performing.”
Discovering Bowling in the 1980s
When I first started watching bowling in the mid-1980s, the PBA Tour was full of stars. Mark Roth, Marshall Holman, and others dominated with raw power and fiery intensity. Like many fans, I tried to copy their styles whenever I bowled.
But then, one Saturday afternoon, I saw Brian Voss. And everything changed.
A Smooth, Classic Style
Voss was different. His smooth delivery, timeless form, and outgoing personality made him stand out immediately.
I began recording every show he was on—using my trusty VCR—and studied his game frame by frame. Before long, I was imitating his style. The results were real: my average jumped from 160 to 180 in less than a year.
Voss’s PBA Beginnings
Brian Voss found direction in his life after joining the U.S. Army as a teenager. It was a life-changing experience that taught him self-discipline and gave him lots of time to develop his bowling skills as well. Voss didn’t have the average needed to join the PBA at the time. His commander wrote a letter to the PBA to tell them about not having access to certified leagues and the conditions he bowled on in the Army. They allowed him to have a trial.
After his discharge, the two-time All-Army champion unsuccessfully tested the PBA waters in 1982. A year later, he won the first of 24 PBA titles and launched a career that earned him more than $2 million
Saturday Afternoons with the Greats
Of course, there were other legends who demanded attention:
- Norm Duke – versatile shotmaker who could play anywhere.
- Mike Aulby – smooth, clutch lefty.
- Earl Anthony – “The Machine,” the greatest of them all.
But Voss was the one who hooked me. His professionalism, charisma, and on-lane antics made Saturday afternoons must-watch TV.
Sidebar: How Voss Stood Apart
- Roth & Holman brought raw firepower.
- Duke dazzled with versatility.
- Voss blended fundamentals with flair — smooth, classic, and entertaining.
A Career of Accomplishments
- PBA Player of the Year (1988)
- Harry Smith PBA Points Leader (1987, 1988)
- PBA Hall of Fame (1994)
- USBC Hall of Fame (2007)
- 52 perfect 300 games in PBA events (through 2009)
- Ranked #13 on the PBA’s “50 Greatest Players of the Last 50 Years” list (2008)
Career Totals
- 25 PBA Tour titles (12th all-time)
- 1 major championship
- 2 PBA50 titles
- 1 PBA60 title
Fun Facts About Brian Voss
Appeared on TV more than 100 times.
Plays guitar and loves music off the lanes.
A natural showman, he inspired fans and taught bowlers worldwide.
More Than Just Numbers
For me, Voss wasn’t just a bowler on TV. He was a reason to believe in the sport. He showed that bowling could be both athletic and artistic.
His legacy isn’t only in his titles but in the countless bowlers he inspired — including me. Every time I step on the lanes, a little of that smooth Voss style is still with me.
