Sylvia Wene Martin

Superior Performance

Sylvia Wene Martin
City: Philadelphia
State: PA
Inducted: 1966

Sylvia was the first woman to bowl more than one certified 300 game and the first woman to bowl two in the same season. Her career mark of three stood for 16 years. Mrs. Martin, at 4-foot-11 the smallest bowler among the top stars, won the 1959 USBC Women's Championships doubles title with Adele Isphording. She twice won the BPAA All-Star tournament, in 1955 and 1959. That earned her Bowler of the Year honors both years. Sylvia set a USBC record 206 league average in 1952-53. She also averaged 206 the next season and 208 a year later. Her 206 and 199 in 1953-54 were Nos. 1 and 2 in the nation. Sylvia was named Pennsylvania's most outstanding athlete in 1961. In 18 appearances in the USBC Women's Championships, she average 190.