INDUCTED POSTHUMOUSLY ON MAY 16, 2009 -- Class of 2009...

SUMMARY

Walt McFatridge was inducted into the City of Firsts USBC Association Hall of Fame in the Star of Yesteryear Category, posthumously.

Walt was an excellent bowler in Kokomo from the early 1930’s to the 1950’s. An executive with Shell Oil Company, he also served as president of the KBA in 1950 and served as a league secretary for two leagues simultaneously. He seemed to save his best performances for tournaments as he recorded some of his top scores in the city and state tournaments. He also participated in the ABC Tournament.

LOCAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES

• He won Doubles Event in two consecutive years with Harry Davis with a 1246 in 1932 and 1252 scored in 1933
• in 1944, he won Singles Actual (698), Handicap and All Events Actual
• 1945, Doubles Actual (1264) with Hall of Fame Member Don Sellers
• 1945 Team Handicap
• 1946 Singles Actual (670)
• 1946, All Events Actual.

OTHER BOWLING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Walt was also active in other sports. From 1925 to 1938 he refereed basketball. For 14 years after that, he was the official scorekeeper for the Kokomo High School basketball games. He was a fine golfer posting scores of 67 at the American Legion and 69 at the Kokomo Country Club. He was on the Board of Directors that built the American Legion Golf Course.
• Walt’s bowling career highs include a 288 game, but also had the first 9 strikes in a 279 game in November 1945 and rolled a 278 game in 1939.
• His career high series is a 714, which was scored in the Kokomo Championship Tournament Team Event in 1948. He shot at least three 700 series including a 704 in the Kokomo Championship Tournament Doubles Event in 1942 when he rolled his 288 game. He also scored at least eight other series over 670.
• He posted a high year-end average of 192 in the 1939 Commercial League when he tied with Hall of Fame Member Fred Hurstel. It was the fourth high average in Kokomo in 1939.

CAREER HIGHS

Game - 288

Series - 714

Average - 192