Dick McKain

2008

Dick McKain is being recognized for his Superior Bowling Ability.

The late Dick McKain performed at the highest levels of Butler County Bowling during both the era of rubber bowling balls/heavy wooden pins and the modern era with its technically advanced equipment.

McKain was a consistent top five average bowler in the most competitive Butler County leagues during both eras. He had the highest average (190) in the 1958-1959 Classic League. From the mid 1960’s to the mid 1970’s, he averaged in the high 190’s. During the 1980-1981 season, he posted the second highest average in the Imperial League at 207. The 1980’s included many 200 averages, including a career high of 212.

Between 1955 and 1958, McKain became the fourth bowler in BCBA history to shoot a 700 series (728). An exact date of this accomplishment is not known. Also during this period, he shot the first 298 game in BCBA history at that date.

Based on his very high skill level, it is reasonable to assume that he won several championships in the Annual BCBA Tournament. Unfortunately, only two can be documented; he anchored the team that won the championship in the late 1965 and 1966 tournaments.

At least one all time BCBA record was also achieved by McKain. He was a member of the team that set the all-time high triple at 3409 during the 1981-1982 season, contributing a 684 triple. His son, Rick, was also a member of that team.

McKain’s most significant accomplishment was winning the 1963 Pittsburgh-West Penn Singles Tenpin Tournament. This was a grueling tournament format consisting of a qualifying round followed by elimination and match play rounds. Approximately 800 bowlers would try to qualify for the finals. The top 11 qualifiers along with the defending champion advanced to the elimination/match play rounds.

McKain died in 1997 at the age of 69.