The birth of the Philippine Senior bowlers in January 1989 may be considered a big step forward for tenpin bowling in this country. The PSB has not only provided an opportunity for an important sector in the bowling community to share its presence on the lanes but it also assures the continuity of the active involvement of all the members of the bowling family.
Since the early 80’s, the idea of putting up a senior bowling group had been discussed by the progressive and fertile minds in the bowling community. It looked like an ideal project; everybody seemed to go for it. But for a long time, it remained just that, a bright idea that nobody really cared to pursue for. But a good idea does not stay hidden forever. On January 11, 1989 during a dinner tendered by the Tanlimcos for their daughter Diana who placed first runner-up in the 1988 Bowling World cup, the presence of the heads of the families of the junior bowlers inspired a bowling writer to come up with a bold and novel proposal to propel the organization of a senior bowling association.
Consider the circumstance: The PBC President just informed those present that the first Open for the year had just been cancelled. There was a vacuum in the bowling schedule waiting to be filled. There were influential senior bowlers who had kicked the idea of a senior association around for years and would be supportive of the plan. Surely the PSB president would sanction the idea of a tournament, a mini-Open perhaps, to kick off the formation of the PSB. The writer’s proposal was timely, if not brilliant.
Indeed, the impromptu caucus at the dinner table that night was to be a historical evening…not only for the Tanlimcos, but likewise for the senior bowler present and future…for that was the very night the PSB was actually hatched… and it had to happen on the eve of the birthday of the eventual founder-president of the Philippine Senior Bowlers.
Within 17 days after that fateful evening, 63 golden-age bowlers participated in the first PSB mini-open championship, which was held at the Green Vally Country Club on January 29 and 29. Since then, the PSB’s monthly and annual bowling events have become a traditional reunion for senior bowlers, and have certainly enhanced the image of PSB as a responsible and important sector of the bowling community. Composed mainly of proffesionals and businessmen, with a few from government and the academe, a good majority of the members are self-relaint, a good reason to believe that the PSB will be self-sufficient because it only needs a few golden geesw from its roster of golden-age bowlers to manage and implement its greater goals.
Now it can be told. Senior bowling in Asia has arrived and the Philippine Senior Bowlers had a big hand in making it sooner than expected. Indeed the prime movers have good reason to be proud. Not only because they were the first to host an Asian Senior tournament, but most important to the members is their growth in numbers, in strength, and in their sense of belonging in the PSB and in the worldwide community of bowlers.