Dick Ritger

Dick Ritger
Born November 8, 1983
River Falls, Wisconsin

Dick Ritger (born November 8, 1938), of River Falls, Wisconsin, was a right-handed ten-pin bowler in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), and now runs Dick Ritger's Bowling Camp.

PBA career

Ritger joined the PBA Tour in 1964, won his first PBA Tour title in 1966, and won his 20th and final PBA title in 1979. The 20 titles put him in a 12th-place tie with Wayne Webb and Amleto Monacelli on the all-time list. He won multiple titles in five different seasons on tour.

A gentleman on the lanes and off, Ritger won the PBA's Steve Nagy Sportsmanship award on two occasions. His status among the all-time greats was solidified with his election to the PBA Hall of Fame in 1978.

Ritger's best chance at a major title came in 1970, when he made the televised final of the Tournament of Champions and shot 268 in the final match. But he was on the wrong end of 26-time titleist Don Johnson's legendary 299 game. He also finished runner-up in the 1972 PBA National Championship and 1979 Tournament of Champions.

Bowling Instructor Career

In the 1980s, Ritger started a bowling pro shop business and went into the instructional field. Still active today with his Dick Ritger's Bowling Camps, he is recognized as one of the most effective bowling instructors in the world. He has taught professionals and amateurs in 24 countries covering five continents.[1] He also developed a three-part video series called Dick Ritger's "Feelings of Bowling"[TM].[2]

Already a member of the USBC Hall of Fame in the Performance category, Ritger was the first person inducted into the USBC's new Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame in June, 2008.[3]

Personal

Ritger graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse with a double major in Physical Education and Recreation.

Awards and recognition

References

  1. "Ritger selected as first Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame inductee." Article at www.bowl.com, May 22, 2008.
  2. "Feelings of Bowling" is a registered trademark of Dick Ritger Enterprises, Inc.
  3. U.S. Bowler, Fall, 2008 issue, p. 10

Other sources

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