Carter, Don

Don Carter, byname of Donald James Carter, (born July 29, 1926, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.—died January 5, 2012, Miami, Florida), American professional tenpin bowler who perfected an inimitable unorthodox right-handed backswing (he bent his elbow) that helped him dominate the game from 1951 through 1964.

Carter was a charter member and first president of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA; founded in 1958). He began bowling as a boy while working as a pinsetter. He built his own lane in the basement of the family home, and in 1953 he joined the St. Louis Budweiser team. Carter was bowler of the year six times (1953–54, 1957–58, 1960, and 1962) and in 1970 was named the best bowler of all time by bowling writers. He was the first bowler to win in one year (1961) the All-Star, World’s Invitational, PBA national championship, and American Bowling Congress Masters tournaments.

As bowling’s congenial ambassador, Carter brought the sport to television, where he appeared on such shows as Jackpot Bowling, Make That Spare, and Championship Bowling. In 1964 he became the first athlete in any sport to receive a $1 million endorsement contract (from bowling ball manufacturer Ebonite International). Carter retired from competitive bowling in 1972 owing to knee problems, but he continuted to bowl at lanes belonging to his national string of eponymous bowling alleys. In 1975 he was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame as a charter member.