Join the Track Legion
EBONITE INTERNATIONAL SIGNS LIZ JOHNSON
Oct 08, 2010
Liz Johnson, All-Events gold medalist of the 2010 Pan American Bowling Confederation Women’s Championship, is the latest member of the Ebonite International, Inc., pro staff.
Johnson, who started bowling at age 5, is a pioneer in women’s bowling.
In September of this year, she became the first woman to win the 100th Annual Petersen Classic in Chicago.
In 2006, she became the first American woman to win a European Bowling Tour event when she won the Viernheim Open in Germany. In March 2005, she became the first woman to advance to a nationally televised Professional Bowlers Association Tour event, finishing second in the PBA Banquet Open. That August she became the first woman to win a PBA regional title with her victory at the PBA East Region Kingpin Lanes Open.
Johnson spent 7 years on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association tour before it folded in 2003; the PBA then allowed women the chance to join its ranks.
“I was fortunate to be able to continue my career through the Professional Bowlers Association,” she said. “I feel like I’m one of the very fortunate ones that I’m able to continue my career and I’m looking forward to continuing that career with Ebonite International.”
Johnson said that the quality of products coming out of the Ebonite International manufacturing facility was a key point in her joining the company.
“I believe that Ebonite has some great products out there,” she said. “They are one of the best companies in bowling.”
As a member of the four brand staff, Johnson will be able to use Ebonite, Hammer, Columbia 300 or Track, depending on what product or products she feels best suits the lane conditions and her style of play.
“I’ve thrown Track, Columbia 300, Ebonite and the Hammer stuff and I think it’s going to be a good match for my style of play,” she said.
Johnson is eager to begin a new phase in her career, especially with the World Series of Bowling, which begins Oct. 25, in Las Vegas, Nev.
“I’m looking forward to a new direction in my career,” she said. “I think being able to use the four brands of Ebonite International will give me better choices for the variety of patterns that are out there. I have a variety of options for the pro tour or wherever I may go.”
Johnson has four major tour titles to her credit, including the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Women’s Queens Championship, two U.S. Women’s Open titles and the 2001 Hammer Players Championship.
Also among her list of career highlights is an 843 series in match play at the 2007 Masters, a record for the event.
In the last season, Johnson won her fifth Queens title, was named captain of the Bowler Journal International First Team All-American, second place for the U.S. Bowler First Team All-American, won the first Woman Greater Buffalo USBC Association’s George A. Obenauer Masters championship and won the VIPER Championship at the Women’s World Series.
She was named Bowler of the Year for 2009 and Bowler of the Decade by U.S. Bowler, and was inducted into the New York State USBC Women’s Hall of Fame.
Also announced Oct. 7, the day her contract became effective with Ebonite International, Johnson was named the Kegel BWAA Bowler of the Month for September.
A six-time member of Team USA, Johnson also won a gold medal for the team event in addition to the All-Events gold and two bronze medals in the trios and masters events at the 2010 PABCON. She holds a Team USA career total of six gold medals, six silver medals and three bronze medals.
“We have long been admirers of Liz Johnson as a professional bowler from afar,” said Vice President of Sales and Marketing Bob Reid. “We are both elated and flattered that Liz has chosen to join our Ebonite International pro staff and use our equipment in her competitive endeavors. We have no doubt that Liz will be even more successful in the future as she has been in the past.”
Johnson shares Reid’s sentiments.
“I’m looking forward to start working with Ebonite International,” Johnson said.
About Ebonite International
Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets domestically and internationally. The company’s consumer product brands include Ebonite,Hammer,Robby’s,Columbia 300,Track and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
