The 1998 PBA season commenced with the greatest crop of rookies in the history of the organization. Eleven of the most dominant non-PBA bowlers abandoned the "amateur" ranks to test their skills against the world's greatest keglers.
Although these talented players were not officially ranked as professionals, they nevertheless sustained their livelihood in High Roller, Eliminator, and Hoinke megabuck tournaments, plus several other high-paying contests.
Several became hired guns in Brunswick Team Challenge competition, prior to restrictions by ABC officials, whereby players having won a spot for the Grand Championship were prohibited from further engaging in competition.
The spirit of team concept may have enticed a few, but for the majority of the "lend leasees," it was primarily the lure of sweepers and brackets, an area in which they were overwhelmingly dominant.
Such outstanding players as Chris Barnes, Patrick Healey Jr., Kurt Pilon, and Robert Smith not only competed domestically; they established worldwide reputations in European, Asian, Australian, and African competition.
As amateurs, they probably netted more than 75 percent of PBA touring players. However, rules limiting their participation in sweepers and brackets in megabuck tournaments swayed their decisions to join professional ranks. Fortunately, for the PBA and bowling fans throughout the country, this was heaven sent: These guys can bowl!
They are the Don Carters, Earl Anthonys, Don Johnsons, Billy Hardwicks, Dick Webers, Mark Roths, and Marshall Holmans of the future. Although unsuccessful in capturing a title in 1998, they did quite well in their freshman years.
Newcomers hardly are expected to enter the professional ranks and perform as they did in league and amateur competition. On rare occasions, a Marshall Holman or a Rick Steelsmith will flash across the horizon and make an immediate mark on the PBA Tour--but this is indeed a rarity. More often than not, amateur phenoms are woefully discouraged by the demanding conditions facing PBA players.
The 1998 rookie crop was an exception. The 11 rookies who switched to pro status proved that years of rigorous amateur competition, both here and abroad, prepared them to compete at the highest level.
Chris Barnes led all players in earnings with $45,192. He cashed in 13 out of 22 tournaments, was a finalist in 12, had a high finish of seventh, and posted an average of 217.33.
Robert Smith was close behind in earnings with $38,020. The California youngster with the booming strike ball struggled early in the year, cashing only five times in 18 tournaments. However, he made match play in four of the five cashes and succeeded in crashing the top five twice. Smith averaged 214.77.
Sean Swanson entered 21 tournaments, cashed nine times, made six finals, and had a high finish of second. He earned $26,920 and averaged 212.11.
Patrick Healey Jr. joined the tour approximately three months later than the others. He cashed in six of 12 tournaments, made the finals four times, and made two TV shows. Healey had the highest earning average per tournament ($2,066) and posted the highest average (218.27) among the rookies.
Warren Guernsey rounded out the top five in earnings with $23,066. He participated in 20 tournaments, cashed eight times, crashed the top 24 on five occasions, and averaged 210.59.
Kurt Pilon earned $17,170 in 13 tournaments, cashed four times, made the top 24 three times, and averaged 212.29.
Rohn Morton bowled in 22 tournaments. He averaged 212.70 and earned $17,170, with $4,500 of this total won in the ABC Masters. He also cashed five times and made the match play finals twice.
Chris Hayden collected $16,758 in 10 tournaments, cashing three times. He made match play twice, finished fourth in one televised finals, and averaged 210.39.
Brian Ziesig participated in 20 tournaments, cashed eight times, made match play twice, averaged 214.09, and earned $16,350.
Jason Hurd earned $16,433 in 21 tournaments. He cashed seven times, made match play only once, and averaged 207.51, which was the lowest average of the rookie crop, due principally to a weakness in his spare game.
Lee Vanderhoef, possessor of one of the most devastating strike balls on tour, cashed six times in 22 tournaments. He made the top 24 finals five times, averaged 210.26, and earned $16,350.
Knowledgeable observers recognize that PBA lane conditions are far more difficult than those of league and amateur tournaments. Oil patterns vary. It is a learning process, requiring quality shots that can only be mastered through trial and experience.
The 1998 rookie crop has shown an innate ability to adapt to PBA conditions, and they have established their right to compete with the world's best.
They are the stars of the future.
PBA Hall of Famer John Jowdy is a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America.