Carter, Don (1926-2012), an American bowler, was voted the greatest bowler of all time in 1970 in a poll of bowling writers. He was the first to achieve a grand slam—that is, to win the four major bowling titles of his day. These titles were for the World Invitational, All-Star, Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) National, and American Bowling Conference (ABC) Masters championships. Carter helped make bowling a popular television sport in the 1950’s.
Donald James Carter was born on July 29, 1926, in St. Louis. He won the World Invitational in 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1962. He also won the Bowling Proprietor’s Association of America All-Star Championship (now the U.S. Open) in 1953, 1954, 1957, and 1958. Carter won the PBA National in 1960, and the ABC Masters in 1961. He was elected to the ABC Hall of Fame in 1970 and the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975. He was a founding member and first president of the PBA. Carter died on Jan. 5, 2012.
