George Branham III is best known as the first African American to win a major Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) title and one of the very few men of color in professional bowling.  Branham was born on November 21, 1962 in Detroit, Michigan. His father, George Branham Jr., was an avid bowler who began teaching his son the sport in 1968. In 1977 Branham’s family moved to San Fernando Valley, California where he attended Polytechnic High School. Although a multisport high school athlete, Branham determined that bowling would be his major sport. After high school Branham chose to hone his bowling skills through working in bowling alleys and playing in bowling leagues. In 1983 he won Southern California’s Junior Bowler of the Year and two years later he turned pro at the age of 23. Branham professional bowling career got off to a quick start as he achieved eight consecutive tournament wins between 1985 and 1987 including the Brunswick Memorial World Open in 1986 where he became the first African American to win a major PBA event. His career stalled until 1993 when he moved to Indianapolis and soon afterwards won the Baltimore Open.  This win qualified Branham to participate in … Continue reading George Branham, III (1962- )