BOB BARKER’S BOWLING BUSINESS CONNECTION

Beginning in 1953, when Art Linkletter served as the master of ceremonies, the Southern California Bowling Writers Association organized an annual All-Star Awards Banquet, at which the region’s top bowlers and industry contributors were honored.

In 1977 — two years after completing an 18-year run as the host of the “Truth or Consequences” TV game show and five seasons into what would be a 35-year run as the host of “The Price Is Right” — Bob Barker, who died today a few months shy of his 100th birthday, served as the banquet’s emcee. More than 600 people attended the event at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, Calif.

Barker is shown here in 1961 with Marge Aletto (left) and Jean Martinson after their “Truth or Consequences” team won the NBC-TV Bowling Championship for the second consecutive year.