On the strength of an unprecedented streak of three consecutive Professional Bowlers Association major titles, Norm Duke of Clermont, Fla., has been elected Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Male Bowler of the Year for 2008.
Likewise, Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, has earned Female Bowler of the Year honors after winning back-to-back titles and $80,000 in prize money in the United States Bowling Congress Queens and USBC Clash of Bowling Champions.
Duke, who earned a PBA-best $229,350 for the calendar year despite battling injuries early in the year, won his third Bowler of the Year title. He received 69 first-place votes for a total of 388 points on BWAA's weighted points scale. He also was honored by BWAA in 1994 and 2000.
The newly-inducted PBA Hall of Famer also prevented a Barnes family sweep. Lynda Barnes' husband Chris was runner-up with 183 points and 13 first-place votes. Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, was third with 142 points (15 first-place votes) followed by Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., 94 (8) and Rhino Page of Topeka, Kan., 32 (1).
Lynda Barnes received 53 first-place votes for 331 points to out-distance Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., who had 281 points (36), and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, with 192 points (12). It was Barnes' first BWAA Female Bowler of the Year award, although she was BWAA's Amateur Female Bowler of the Year in 1991, 1998 and 2001.
Bowlers of the Year have been selected by the membership of BWAA since 1942. For a complete list of past winners, visit BWAA's official website, and click on the "awards" link.
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