Photos: Golden Pin Lanes closes doors after 59 years
Golden Pin Lanes at 1010 W. Miracle Mile, one of Tucson's largest bowling centers, closes its doors after 59 years. Pima County bought the building and will convert it to office space.
Golden Pins started in 1960 and hosted more than 100 amateur and professional tournaments, including the Professional Bowlers Association Tucson Open, which was broadcast on ABC-TV, and the Tucson Senior Open. And, of course, dozens of local bowling leagues played on nights and weekends.
The official close was 10 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2019.
Golden Pin Lanes
Derrick Taft approaches the line, bowling with his teammates on the Superstars team in the Raytheon Estimating and Pricing Bowling Tournament during the last day of bowling at Golden Pin Lanes, Friday, June 21, 2019, Tucson, Ariz. The Superstars won the inaugural tournament.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Don Johnson got a strike and a spare in his final frame to win the $5,000 prize at the 1975 Tucson Open at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson. More than 400 people attended.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
1966 ad for Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Women bowlers from the W&J Repair team beat the opposing men's team in all three games during the 1974 Midas All-Stars League at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson. Apparently, the signs weren't as intimidating as the men would have hoped.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Floyd Beaver holds a clear bowling bowl (well, clear except for the money inside) in 1974 at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
1968 ad for Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
News coverage of the opening of Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson, in 1960.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
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.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Al Davis of Tucson during the 1982 PBA Tucson Open at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Bowling legend Earl Anthony during the 1982 PBA Tucson Open at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Dennis Jacques turns in disbelief at his frame during the 1982 PBA Tucson Open at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
ABC television crew members set lights for the 1982 PBA Tucson Open at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Travis Miller and Robin Lewis take time out from their double date to do the two-step at Cowboy Country and Western Night at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson, in 1991.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Bowlers traded boots for bowling shoes at Cowboy Country and Western Night at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson, in 1991.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Ralph Armstrong and Carrie Weaver swing about during Cowboy Country and Western Night at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson, in 1991.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Don Johnson jokes with the crowd after winning the 1975 Tucson Open at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
The 1975 Tucson Open at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Tucsonan Eric Forkel during the 1999 PBA Tucson Open at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Dave Arnold of Gilbert during the 1999 PBA Tucson Open at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Norm Duke during finals of the 1991 PBA Tucson Open at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson. Duke won the Open.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Jess Stayrook converted a 7-10 split during finals of the 1991 PBA Tucson Open at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson, but came up short for the win.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Chris Barnes agonizes over a shot that went astray. Barnes was favored to win the tournament, but lost the final match to Duke at the MSN Open at the Golden Pins Lanes in 2000.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Pin spotters working on machines at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Pin spotters working on machines at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Pin spotters working on machines at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Pin spotters working on machines at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
SSGT. Brandon Duenas from Davis-Monthan Air Force base, right, shares a high-five with Special Olympian Juan Lopez from Sunnyside High School during the annual Special Olympics Coronado Area Bowling Competition at Golden Pin Lanes in 2012.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Senior bowler Dave Soutar of Bradenton, Fla. holds aloft his trophy after winning the championship game of the PBA Tucson Senior Open at Golden Pin Lanes in 2001.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Laser tagger Eric Janezic, 9, takes a shot during a nine minute game at Golden Pin Lanes in 1998.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Tyler Burhans, 14, drives in an arcade game called "Rush the Rock," at Golden Pins Lanes in 1998.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Pro bowlers (l-r) Parker Bohn III and Jason Couch get in some good practice time before the start of the 1999 PBA Tucson Open tournament held at the the Golden Pin Lanes.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Larry Truesdell, president of the Saturday Night Vegas League, sends one down the lane during league play at Golden Pin Lanes in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Mar. 11, 2006.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Kenny Parks bowls during the finals of the USBC Senior Masters at Golden Pin Lanes, June 13, 2008. Parks denied Tom Baker of potentially record setting third masters win.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Tom Baker bowls during the first game of the Professional Bowlers Association Senior Tucson Open finals at Golden Pin Lanes on June 14, 2006. Baker beat Pete Couture 259-210 in the first game.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Tzippora Chorney, 18-months-old, has a little challenge with ball control during Toddler Bowling at Golden Pin Lanes in 2013.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Shown in 2014, Lorraine Sandven, 78, poses for a portrait at Golden Pin Lanes, 1010 W. Miracle Mile, in Tucson, AZ. Lorraine has been bowling since 1960, attended 50 national tournaments and is still going strong. She says bowling is her way of making friends and getting exercise.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Professional bowler Bryanna Coté has a banner hanging at Golden Pin Lanes, the banner is in honor of her winning her first national title in 2016. Golden Pin Lanes held a practice for the PWBA Tucson Open on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. Tucson, Ariz.
Golden Pin Lanes bowling in Tucson
Laura Plazas, a Colombian native, practices for the PWBA Tucson Open tournament. Bowlers from across the world have come to compete at the tournament. Golden Pin Lanes held a practice for the PWBA Tucson Open on Thursday, June 6th, 2019. Tucson, Ariz.
Golden Pin Lanes in Tucson
Falcon Pool League at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson, on Jan. 13, 1988.
Golden Pin Lanes in Tucson
Falcon Pool League at Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson, on Jan. 13, 1988.
Golden Pin Lanes
A pair of well used bowling shoes waits to go back on the rack at the last day of bowling at Golden Pin Lanes, Friday, June 21, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Golden Pin Lanes
Kayden Dolan celebrates nailing a spare as he and his family bowl on the last day of bowling at Golden Pin Lanes, Friday, June 21, 2019, Tucson, Ariz. Kayden's dad, Stephen Dolan, said his family usually came to the center 3-4 times a month and now are looking for a new alley to get in their bowling. "This was our favorite place," he said.
Golden Pin Lanes
Corey Bobroski hurls her ball down the lane while bowling with her co-workers in the first Raytheon Estimating and Pricing Bowling Tournament on the last day of bowling at Golden Pin Lanes, Friday, June 21, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Golden Pin Lanes
Janet Lee gets in a little good natured ribbing on her husband Victor after she rolled a strike and he left one pin standing on the last day of bowling at Golden Pin Lanes, Friday, June 21, 2019, Tucson, Ariz. The couple bowled for three hours during the afternoon and planned to come back after a meal and bowl until the lights go off for the last time at 10 p.m.
Golden Pin Lanes
Brett Fischer winds up for his throw during a busy mid-afternoon of bowling at the last day of bowling at Golden Pin Lanes, Friday, June 21, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Golden Pin Lanes
Ray Stoddard can't quite body English the last pin down, leaving one up on his throw, during the last day of bowling at Golden Pin Lanes, Friday, June 21, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.The lanes are closing for good at 10 p.m. ending 59 years of bowling at the center, Tucson's largest, with 48 lanes and computerized automatic scoring. Pima County purchased the building in 2018 with plans to convert the alley into office space.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Front wall, sign from Golden Pin Lanes, will be featured in new service center, scheduled to open on Tucson's northwest side in 2024.