SHIRLEY TOPHIGH    (Deceased)

Inducted 1987 - Meritorious Service

Shirley Tophigh was born and raised in a little Colorado mining town at an elevation of 9,000 feet.  While only 400 people claimed the town as home, it did have a clubhouse that provided entertainment space for large dinner parties; it had a combination dance floor/basketball court, a room with pool tables, poker tables and two bowling lanes.  Shirley started bowling there when she was 14 years old.  Shirley eventually found herself living in Las Vegas.  Having nothing to do one evening, she decided to attend a meeting of the Las Vegas WBA.  At the end of that night, Shirley found herself elected a director, a position she served in for several years.   She was instrumental in helping the LVWBA win the bid for the 1973 and 1983 WIBC tournaments.  Her bowling career spanned a 30-year period, and included and infamous Guinness’ Book of Records entry that has yet to be beaten….14 consecutive splits while bowling a state tournament in Fallon, Nevada.  When she was active in bowling management, Shirley quickly established a reputation as a person who excelled in legislation and policy.  Often people would seek her out to get advice on rules or ask her guidance in setting up or running a league.  As Shirley moved up the management ladder in the Las Vegas WBA and later in the Nevada WBA, this facet of her personality soon made her a recognized expert on bowling rules and management.  Both the Las Vegas WBA and the Nevada WBA recognized Shirley for her tremendous contribution to their organizations by electing her a Member Emerita and to the Meritorious Service category for their respective Halls of Fame.