points or make a couple top- eight finishes, so I’m pretty happy. This has validated what I can do out here.” When the day came to

compete for the title, though, Smallwood was all business. Facing Malott in the final match, Smallwood stayed close all match. Fortunately for Smallwood, Malott wasn’t able to put two strikes together in the final frames while Smallwood strung four strikes in a row — including two in the tension-filled 10th frame — to seal the victory, 244-228. Ironically, just days before

that heated match, G.M. called Smallwood to offer him his job back. “I said ‘No thanks,’” Smallwood recalled. “They were surprised and asked why. I told them I was a pro bowler and she was like, ‘Whatever.’ I wasn’t offended, I said ‘Actually I’ll be on ESPN on Sunday.’” The victory came with a

two-year exemption on the Tour, meaning at least two years of work for Smallwood, who has a wife and small child. Since winning the PBA

World Championship, Smallwood has the focus of a mainstream media barrage rarely seen in bowling.

USA Today covered

his story. So did the

Detroit Free Press, the Los Angeles Times,

TV’s Inside Edition and a host of other newspapers, Web sites and TV shows. But the real icing on the cake came when

Sports Illustrated

covered Smallwood’s story in a multi-page feature in its March 15 edition. Smallwood is adjusting to

his new life as a celebrated pro bowler. He finished the season with more than $100,000 in earnings, he signed on with Brunswick and he’s practicing for next season. “I’m having a great time,” he said. “I’m not always sure

26 USBOWLER SUMMER 2010

Tom Smallwood’s inspira- tional story is a testament to any local bowler dream- ing of making the big time.

how to handle it, but, you know, I’m still a guy who’s bowling for my house pay- ment, bowling to pay off my car. This is my job now and it’s pretty amazing.” These three stories are

just the highlights of great year for the bowling industry. Each of those stories garnered mainstream media coverage, which undoubtedly helped get

more people thinking about bowling. Will we ever see another

single season as crazy good as Kelly Kulick’s? Will we ever discover another heart- warming underdog tale like Smallwood’s again? Will any future player ever dominate the sport as much as Walter Ray Williams Jr. has? Only time will tell.