Connecticut Bowling Legend Larry Lichstein To Get Prestigious Award

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — Larry Lichstein, a Windsor Locks native who won an historic event on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour in 1971 and later held an executive post with the PBA for more than 20 years, has been selected as recipient of the 2022 President's Award by the Connecticut Sports Media Alliance (CSMA).

Lichstein, who has been inducted into six halls of fame including the PBA and United States Bowling Congress, will be feted at the 80th Gold Key Dinner on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022 at the Aqua Turf Club in the Plantsville section of Southington.

After graduating from Windsor Locks High School, Lichstein joined the PBA Tour at age 18, and earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1969. On Feb. 6, 1971, he reached the pinnacle of his career when he won the Ebonite Open in San Jose, California on ABC national television, taking home a $10,000 check as a result. The victory was significant in two ways: it was the first time in PBA history that all 16 match play qualifiers were left-handers, and it was the first national tour victory for a bowler from New England.

Two weeks later, Lichstein placed second in the Winston-Salem Classic, and he ended the year ranked among the top 10 bowlers in the world. However, he took a full-time job with the PBA Tour as Director of Player Services in 1974, and held that post for 22 years.

Six different halls of fame have recognized Lichstein for his accomplishments. In 1996, he was elected to the Central Connecticut Bowlers Association Hall of Fame, and the PBA honored him for meritorious service. He made the Connecticut Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1997, the Windsor Locks Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, the New England Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2017 and the U.S. Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 2019.

Gold Key recipients for 2022 are longtime Stonington High School tennis coach George Crouse, UConn associate women's basketball coach Chris Dailey, former Cincinnati Reds All-Star pitcher Rob Dibble, College Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinee Tom Penders and former PGA of America president Suzy Whaley.

Tickets for the Gold Key Dinner are $75, and are available by contacting CSMA president Tim Jensen of Patch Media Corp. at 860-394-5091 or tim.jensen@patch.com. Proceeds support the Bo Kolinsky Memorial Sports Media Scholarship, a $3,000 award named in memory of the noted high school sports editor of the Hartford Courant and past CSMA president, who passed away in 2003 at age 49.

Keep up with CT events and news by subscribing to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.