Bradenton's Dave Soutar ends 50-year run in pro bowling

Bradenton resident Dave Soutar fired three more strikes in the 10th frame of his final Professional Bowlers Association tournament Tuesday, then walked away after a hall of fame career that spanned more than 50 years.

Soutar finished his career, which featured 18 PBA titles and seven senior tour crowns, at the PBA Senior Decatur Open with a 214 in his final game. The 72-year-old, who began his career in 1961, was the only bowler to win both the United States Bowling Congress Masters (1973) and Senior Masters (2000).

“It wasn’t until the last game that I thought about it being my last tournament,” Soutar said, according to a release from the PBA. “Then I saw people gathering around, and it started to hit me. I don’t show much emotion, but I started to get tears in my eyes in the 10th frame — so much so that I couldn’t see my target. ... It wsa probably as nervous as I’ve ever been bowling in a tournament.”

Soutar is a member of both the PGA and USBC halls of fame. He was voted the 20th greatest PBA player of all time in 2009.

This story was originally published August 15, 2012 at 12:56 AM with the headline "Bradenton's Dave Soutar ends 50-year run in pro bowling."