Marshall Holman

Marshall Holman (born September 29, 1954, in Medford, Oregon) is an American retired professional ten-pin bowler renowned for his flamboyant style and competitive intensity on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour.

Holman began his professional career in the mid-1970s, securing his first PBA title at age 20 in 1975 and ultimately amassing 22 Tour victories, ranking him among the most successful bowlers in history. His major championship wins include two U.S. Opens (1981 and 1985) and two Tournament of Champions titles (1976 and 1986), highlighting his dominance in high-stakes events. He led the PBA in scoring average three times (1982, 1984, and 1987) and was named PBA Player of the Year in 1987, while becoming the first bowler to exceed $1.5 million in career earnings, with total earnings over $1.7 million by his retirement from touring in 1996.

The Holman family was of Jewish heritage, a background that later contributed to Holman's recognition in Jewish sports circles. Growing up in Medford, a small town in southern Oregon, Holman experienced a modest childhood environment that lacked robust athletic opportunities. The local bowling scene was particularly limited, with few facilities or competitive leagues to engage young residents, which initially shaped a more subdued family approach to recreation.