Paul Beckman grew up a few blocks from Casino Lanes where he launched his bowling career in youth leagues. He bowled in the vaunted Madison Area Junior Traveling League in high school, and was a junior bowler in the 1969 ABC tournament at the Coliseum. His habit of bowling big in tournaments started with his first 600 series in the Junior City Tournament.
Beckman’s first 700 came in the ABC Tournament in 1974 doubles, leading to a 40th place finish. He earned City Tournament titles in 1976 (team) and 1978 (singles). An avid tournament bowler, he participated in dozens of national, state, city, and other local and regional events. He won the 1974 Dream Lanes Team Tournament, and repeated 41 years later with his daughters as teammates. In the 52 years of the tournament this was the first team winner comprised of a father and daughters.
His seven perfect games span almost 40 years with his first in 1976, and his two most recent in Senior City tournament events in 2012 and 2014. Beckman has been a high level performer for the entirety of his 50+ year career, bowling with and against some of the best in the state.
Born: October 29, 1952
Inducted: August 18, 2016