Shirley Pfister
Shirley was 22 years old when she went on a date with her future husband Norm to Bob-Hi Lanes. It was there that she went bowling for the first time. She and Norm grew to love bowling so much that during that first year they got each other bowling bags, balls and shoes for Christmas. Shirley began bowling in league play in 1958-59 and in an effort to improve her game took a half hour lesson from bowling great, Andy Varipapa. To end the session, Andy told her that she didn't need any more teaching, "she was a natural athlete". It was quite obvious that Shirley was going to accomplish a lot in bowling.
Shirley has knocked down more than her fair share of pins and she continues to do so. Her high game of 290 was attained last August . Not to outdo herself, she followed it up with her highest series of 708 just over a month later in October. Her highest average was 189, a mark she reached in 1981-82 and this past season. One of Shirley's fonder moments in bowling had to be when she fired a 269 in 1971 at the Women's National Tournament in Texas, a score that turned out to be the high game at the tourney. She's won the Muskegon Chronicle trophy four times over the course of her bowling career (1963-64; 691- city record at the time, 69-70; 639, 71-72; 654, 73-74; 660), has finished with the high average for the GMWBA eight times and has finished with the second highest average six times. Shirley participated in the first annual Queen's Tournament in Muskegon and didn't surprise many when she won it. Five times Shirley has found herself winning the Actual All-Events for the Women's City Tournament and she has won the Actual Doubles event twice along with a Handicap Doubles title. To top it all off, Shirley has bowled in over 30 Women's State Tournaments as well as 37 National Tournaments.
Shirley also spent some time in the service department. She served mostly as the Legislative Chairman of the GMWBA Board of Directors for 13 years and held many fall workshops during that time. She's also been a league officer in many leagues in which she participated. Shirley Pfister is not only a great bowler, she's a fantastic person to be around. With numbers like these it's a wonder Shirley doesn't already have a blue jacket. Welcome to the Hall, Shirley, we've been waiting for you!.