USBC Hall of Famer Wayne Zahn dies at age 84
August 28, 2025
ARLINGTON, Texas – United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Wayne Zahn died Aug. 20 at the age of 84.
Zahn was the youngest competitor to be enshrined in the hall of fame at the time of his induction, earning his spot in the Superior Performance category at just 39 years old in 1980.
The talented right-hander – originally from Milwaukee – left his mark at the highest level, winning 13 national titles on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour between 1963 and 1976. He was inducted to the PBA Hall of Fame in 1981.
After recording his first professional victory in 1963, Zahn posted a pair of wins in 1964. He captured three titles in 1966 – including a pair of majors (PBA Tournament of Champions and PBA National Championship) – to secure top honors as PBA Player of the Year.
He added a second three-win campaign in 1968, which included his third major and second victory at the PBA National Championship (now known as the PBA World Championship). Zahn’s final win took place in 1976, defeating Earl Anthony for the title at the Showboat Invitational in Las Vegas.
Zahn – a charter member of the PBA – also recorded the top average on the PBA Tour during the 1966 and 1967 seasons, becoming the first competitor to claim the award in back-to-back years.
Zahn's on-lane success at the professional level helped him secure the 31st position on the list of the 50 greatest players in PBA history, published in 2009.
He made 25 appearances at the USBC Open Championships, collecting an Eagle in Classic Team at the 1967 event in Miami Beach, Florida. Zahn helped the members of Balancer Glove of Fort Worth, Texas, claim the win with a 6,298 total.
Information concerning funeral services for Zahn is not yet available.
Zahn was the youngest competitor to be enshrined in the hall of fame at the time of his induction, earning his spot in the Superior Performance category at just 39 years old in 1980.
The talented right-hander – originally from Milwaukee – left his mark at the highest level, winning 13 national titles on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour between 1963 and 1976. He was inducted to the PBA Hall of Fame in 1981.
After recording his first professional victory in 1963, Zahn posted a pair of wins in 1964. He captured three titles in 1966 – including a pair of majors (PBA Tournament of Champions and PBA National Championship) – to secure top honors as PBA Player of the Year.
He added a second three-win campaign in 1968, which included his third major and second victory at the PBA National Championship (now known as the PBA World Championship). Zahn’s final win took place in 1976, defeating Earl Anthony for the title at the Showboat Invitational in Las Vegas.
Zahn – a charter member of the PBA – also recorded the top average on the PBA Tour during the 1966 and 1967 seasons, becoming the first competitor to claim the award in back-to-back years.
Zahn's on-lane success at the professional level helped him secure the 31st position on the list of the 50 greatest players in PBA history, published in 2009.
He made 25 appearances at the USBC Open Championships, collecting an Eagle in Classic Team at the 1967 event in Miami Beach, Florida. Zahn helped the members of Balancer Glove of Fort Worth, Texas, claim the win with a 6,298 total.
Information concerning funeral services for Zahn is not yet available.