Grace wins Pinacle Events SBWA Steinsiek Cartoonist Award

Bud Grace, who draws "The Piranha Club" strip, has been selected the winner of the Pinacle Events Southern Bowling Writers Association of America (SBWA) Steinsiek Cartoonist Award for 2005 by a select panel of judges from the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA). Jim Goodwin, SBWA president, made the announcement June 25 at the Las Vegas Hilton during BWAA's 73rd annual convention.

The award honors individuals for meritorious service, devotion, and contributions to the humorous side of the sport of bowling.

Grace, 62, was born in Chester, Pa., moved to Florida with his family when he was five years old. He "cheated his way through" Florida State and received his doctorate in physics in 1971. Eight years later with no previous experience, Grace decided to draw. He worked as a freelance cartoonist and sold his work to major magazines before approaching King Features with his ideas for The Piranha Club (Ernie), which was launched in 1987.

Grace currently lives in Oakton, Va., with his wife, Lorraine, and son, Allen.

Previous winners of this award:

• 1994 — Walt Ditzen, Denver, Col.
• 1995 — Maurice "Moe" LaRochelle, Alexandria, La.
• 1996 — Bill Finch, Grants Pass, Ore.
• 1997 — Charles M. Schulz, Santa Rosa, Calif.
• 1998 — William "Bubba" Flint, Dallas, Tex.
• 1999 — Matt Moore, Rochester, N.Y.
• 2000 — Dean Young, Clearwater, Fla.
• 2001 — Lola Yoakem, Los Angeles, Calif.
• 2001 — Walt Steinsiek, Micco, Fla.
• 2002 — Ted Drake, Elkhart, Ind.
• 2003 — Jim Davis, Marion, Ind.
• 2004 — Justin R. Edgerton, Lakewood, Calif.

Judges: John Archibald, Pat Clayton, Bob Cosgrove, Jim Dressel, Jim Goodwin, Jerry Levine, Dan McDonough, Martin Michael, Virgil Quattrocchi, Jerry Ramig, Don Wright, and Jim Wyckoff.