ONE FINAL VICTORY LAP

In her final year as a professional bowler, Marion Ladewig went out with a bang by taking home the 1964 World’s Invitational championship. She posed with Jim St. John, winner of the men’s division, after claiming her fifth World’s Invitational title in eight years. In late 1964, Ladewig announced her retirement from the sport’s major competitions. “I’ve been fortunate to win many of bowling’s highest honors during my career and I’m grateful but I feel it’s time for me to step aside and dedicate myself to helping others discover the excitement and challenge of bowling,” she said. During her career, Ladewig won the All-Star Tournament eight times; won the World’s Invitational five times; and was named Bowler of the Year by the Bowling Writers Association of America nine times.