Kelly Kulick living a dream By Chuck Pezzano
02/02/10
Kelly Kulick has had a feel for bowling history all her career and now she knows how it feels to become a big part of that history.
The 32 year-old from Union accomplished one of the most amazing feats in sports eight days ago by becoming the first woman to win a Professional Bowlers Association national tour stop in the 51 years of the organization. And it came in one of bowling's most prestigious events, the 45th running of the Tournament of Champions.
"I wasn't completely surprised that I won, I always felt that I had a great opportunity to be the first woman to win a tour title," said Kulick.
That was not bravado or boasting — just the facts from one of the most down-to-earth athletes you'll ever meet.
"Pioneers seldom receive the credit they deserve because few really know what they go through," the late Andy Varipapa once said. He was the man who put bowling on the national map with his schools, competitive wins and trick-shot artistry in the 1920s and for more than 60 years in person, in words, the movies and on TV.
Kulick went through the ups and down of pro women's bowling, and when she seemingly reached her peak, the women's pro tour went on hiatus, and left a big gap, one still to be filled.
But Kulick didn't give up, she gave more of herself. She rolled in the surviving women's competitions and bowled wherever she could, including the men's events that were open to her.
She worked at her father's auto body shop and dreamed of the return of the women's tour or making a dent in the previously all-men's circuit.
It all started when, as a high school senior, she starred in her favorite sport, basketball, but decided that her way to go was with bowling. She became a three-time All-American at Morehead State and earned her degree in physical and health education.
She was the 2000 (National) Amateur Champion, the 2001 Women's Pro Rookie of the Year and won the Women's U.S. Open and Queens title. In 2006, she became the first woman to earn an exemption for the (PBA) Tour in a qualifying tourney.
And she made more history when she won the PBA Women's World Championship last fall, the bonus being the first woman to be invited to the exclusive 64 person field of the Tournament of Champions.
It isn't earth-shattering news when a woman bowler beats a man in a game. But in order to gain her TV opportunity, Kulick rolled 48 tension-packed games, and averaged 250 for her final four games to finish second to Chris Barnes. On TV, she defeated Mika Koivuniemi, 227-223, then went on to best qualifying leader Barnes, 265-195.
She earned $40,000 and is third in money winnings with nearly $80,000. The bonus to the title is two years of tour exemptions, which means guaranteed prize checks in a number of events.
"I just hope my win will bring more interest and sponsorship to women's bowling," said Kulick.
The TV finale on ESPN drew the highest bowling show rating of the season, as the word got around that a woman was challenging the top men.
Kelly Kulick's long, uncertain road into the history books By Gianmarc Manzione
Kelly Kulick's win bigger that even that of Billie Jean King and other women By Dick Evans
Listen to Kelly Kulick's National Press Conference
Kelly Kulick's Tournament of Champions victory creates national news media blitz for bowling
Fans react to Kelly Kulick's historic victory
Kelly Kulick becomes first woman to win a PBA Tour title
Chris Barnes earns the No. 1 seed for the stepladder finals of the PBA Tournament of Champions
Chris Barnes takes lead in PBA Tournament of Champions heading into final match play round
Tony Reyes makes steady climb to PBA Tournament of Champions lead
Kelly Kulick making impressive showing as only woman in PBA Tournament of Champions
Rhino Page continues to lead in PBA Tournament of Champions after Round 2
Rhino Page leads after first round in PBA Tournament of Champions
PBA.com's Xtra Frame to provide unprecedented Tournament of Champions coverage
Elusive PBA Tournament of Champions crown still missing from Walter Ray Williams Jr.'s resume
45th PBA Tournament of Champions showcases Tour's elite
Column
Kelly Kulick has had a feel for bowling history all her career and now she knows how it feels to become a big part of that history.The 32 year-old from Union accomplished one of the most amazing feats in sports eight days ago by becoming the first woman to win a Professional Bowlers Association national tour stop in the 51 years of the organization. And it came in one of bowling's most prestigious events, the 45th running of the Tournament of Champions.
"I wasn't completely surprised that I won, I always felt that I had a great opportunity to be the first woman to win a tour title," said Kulick.
That was not bravado or boasting — just the facts from one of the most down-to-earth athletes you'll ever meet.
"Pioneers seldom receive the credit they deserve because few really know what they go through," the late Andy Varipapa once said. He was the man who put bowling on the national map with his schools, competitive wins and trick-shot artistry in the 1920s and for more than 60 years in person, in words, the movies and on TV.
Kulick went through the ups and down of pro women's bowling, and when she seemingly reached her peak, the women's pro tour went on hiatus, and left a big gap, one still to be filled.
But Kulick didn't give up, she gave more of herself. She rolled in the surviving women's competitions and bowled wherever she could, including the men's events that were open to her.
She worked at her father's auto body shop and dreamed of the return of the women's tour or making a dent in the previously all-men's circuit.
It all started when, as a high school senior, she starred in her favorite sport, basketball, but decided that her way to go was with bowling. She became a three-time All-American at Morehead State and earned her degree in physical and health education.
She was the 2000 (National) Amateur Champion, the 2001 Women's Pro Rookie of the Year and won the Women's U.S. Open and Queens title. In 2006, she became the first woman to earn an exemption for the (PBA) Tour in a qualifying tourney.
And she made more history when she won the PBA Women's World Championship last fall, the bonus being the first woman to be invited to the exclusive 64 person field of the Tournament of Champions.
It isn't earth-shattering news when a woman bowler beats a man in a game. But in order to gain her TV opportunity, Kulick rolled 48 tension-packed games, and averaged 250 for her final four games to finish second to Chris Barnes. On TV, she defeated Mika Koivuniemi, 227-223, then went on to best qualifying leader Barnes, 265-195.
She earned $40,000 and is third in money winnings with nearly $80,000. The bonus to the title is two years of tour exemptions, which means guaranteed prize checks in a number of events.
"I just hope my win will bring more interest and sponsorship to women's bowling," said Kulick.
The TV finale on ESPN drew the highest bowling show rating of the season, as the word got around that a woman was challenging the top men.
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