You wouldn’t be wrong if you suggested that Pete Tountas is the top bowling figure in Tucson history. In the glory days of bowling, 1960-90, Tountas won three PBA championships, was elected to the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame and the Tucson Bowling Association Hall of Fame.
Sadly, Tountas died in Tucson last week. He was 86. Over four decades, his legacy was that he was the general manager of the highly popular Golden Pin Lanes, which was the host to about 25 PGA bowling championships.
Pete Tountas was the long-time manager at Golden Pin Lanes and host of the PBA Tucson Open and manager of Tucson's Greek Festival. Tountas won three PBA championships in his 36-year career. He was inducted into the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame and the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame.
Historical elements of that 59-year-old bowling establishment on Miracle Mile — torn down in 2019 — have been salvaged and preserved on site. The “BOWL” sign has been refurbished, along with the marquee sign and ever-popular bowling pin, that can be seen by everyone driving on Miracle Mile. It’s a tribute to Tountas as much as anyone.
