to be chartered by NBA, they combined to become the Twin City Senate. In 1960, the Twin City Senate hosted a NBA National Convention in Washington, DC. As membership grew in both DC and Baltimore, the cities agreed in 1961 to separate and form two new bowling senates. Fifty years later Chesapeake Bay and Greater Washington senates are still
in existence and very active.
Greater Washington held their organizational meeting on Saturday, August 19, 1961, in the ballroom on the second floor of the historic Masonic Temple, located at 10th and U Streets, NW, Washington, DC. A NBA representative was present to help with NBA questions.
Business that was completed at the meeting included the election of officers, ratifying the constitution, deciding all major issues such as dues, purpose and functions of the Senate. There was an overview of the National Bowling Association, why it was organized, its progress through the years, and its future. Upon completion of business the Greater Washington Bowling Senate was officially chartered.
The first elected officers were: President James Minor; Vice President Fred Coleman; Secretary Martha Burton; Treasurer Robert Edmonds; Publicity-Business Manager - James R. Hurley.
Our members have won many awards on the national level which include the Mary L. Wilkes Award (Martha Burton, Cornell Jackson), Hall of Fame (Martha Burton, Margarette Uncles, A. Jane Timmons Hassell, Cornell Jackson, and Ron Holt), Secretary of the Year (Catharyn Gullatt, Barbara Vaughan), Joe Blue (James “Sonny” Steward), President of the Year (Warren Hughes, Sr., Cornell Jackson). GWBS has also won Senate of the Year, twice and several membership increase awards. Crystal D. Garner, was the first GWBS youth bowler to receive a TNBA scholarship award. She went on to graduate in the top of her class in the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC.
To honor the exemplary services of Martha Burton and James “Sonny”
Steward, GWBS established outstanding service awards in their names. The
awards are given to individuals who have worked tirelessly and
faithfully to perpetuate the work of the senate like the awards’
namesakes. GWBS also established Hall of Fame honors for superior
bowling performance, meritorious service, and an honor for Senate
Sponsors and Founders. Several other awards such as the Willa Stanley
and President Awards were established as well. GWBS has an active
bowling awards program for bowling achievements.
Since the 1960’s GWBS has competed in The National Bowling Association’s
King & Queen Contest, a national fundraiser that supports TNBA’s general
fund. Our first king contestant was William Miles in 1963 and our first
queen contestant was Sarah Stubbs in 1964. After a succession of runner
up positions in the national contest, finally in 1985, Edward “Ed”
Woodbury, became the first GWBS King to bring home the crown. And in
1991, Johnnie Andrews, was the first GWBS Queen to bring home the crown.
We have had many GWBS Kings and Queens win the national crown, which has
benefited both TNBA and GWBS.
GWBS members enthusiastically support TNBA national, regional and local
senate tournaments. We have had a multitude of top winners in these
tournaments including the Bill Rhodman Singles Classic and Handicap,
Anthony J. Roberts Junior Championship, both regional and national,
Reed-Hawthorne Memorial Singles Classic and TNBA National Tournament,
all categories, in the men, women and senior divisions.
GWBS ardently supports the motto of The National Bowling Association,
“Sportsmanship, Fellowship, Friendship” as well as our own motto:
