Patty Costello


Patty Costello was an American professional ten-pin bowler and former member of the Professional Women's Bowling Association. She was one of the best female bowlers of the 1970s and 1980s. Costello is a member of the USBC and PWBA Halls of Fame.
Born to William Joseph and Marjorie Moran Costello in Washington, D.C., Costello did not begin bowling until the age of 16, but she quickly made a name for herself in the sport, winning four titles in 1970.

Professional career

Over her bowling career, Costello earned 39 professional titles, including eight major championships. Her majors include four titles in the PWBA Players Championship and three victories at the U.S. [Women's Open (bowling)|U.S. Women's Open].
In 1976, she won six PWBA events, setting a record for most titles earned in a year, plus another two titles in LPBA events. Costello was named Female Bowler of the Year by the Bowling Writer's Association of America in 1972 and 1976.
Costello's career suffered a setback in late 1977, when her father suddenly died of a heart attack while watching her provide commentary for a bowling telecast. Afterwards, she experienced depression and anxiety attacks for several years. She told Bowling Digest in 2002, "I was so ultrasensitive to everything around me that I could feel the hair on my arms standing straight up, and no one could comprehend that. I would go to doctors and tell them my symptoms, and they'd look at me like I was ready for the psych ward. It was an awful, lonely place to be." However, Costello recovered and won seven titles between 1978 and 1981, including capturing her third U.S. Women's Open crown in 1980. At the time, she was one of only two bowlers to win the U.S. Open at least three times. Kelly Kulick and Liz Johnson have since joined that exclusive group. Patty won three more championships in 1985, and was named Player of the Year by her fellow bowlers. Her final title was earned at the 1986 Ebonite Firebolt Classic.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Patty won a pair of WIBC Open Championship titles in the Classic Team category. Costello is a member of the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame and the PWBA Hall of Fame.

Costello's professional titles

Major championships in bold text.
  1. 1968 St. Paul Open
  2. 1970 Columbia 300 Open
  3. 1970 Showboat Open
  4. 1970 Canton Open
  5. 1970 Phoenix Open
  6. 1971 Ebonite Open
  7. 1971 PWBA Championship
  8. 1972 Japan Starlanes Classic
  9. 1972 Sacramento Classic
  10. 1972 El Cajon Classic
  11. 1972 PWBA Championship
  12. 1972 Ebonite Cavalcade of Stars
  13. 1974 U.S. Women’s Open
  14. 1974 Columbia 300 PWBA Championship
  15. 1974 Charlie Parker Pro Shop Open
  16. 1974 Canton Classic
  17. 1975 Ocean State Classic
  18. 1976 Greater Akron Classic
  19. 1976 LPBA Classic
  20. 1976 U.S. Women’s Open
  21. 1976 Houston Open
  22. 1976 Miami Open
  23. 1976 Jamestown Open
  24. 1976 Columbia 300 Classic
  25. 1976 PWBA Championship
  26. 1977 National Bowling Council Mixed Doubles
  27. 1977 Miami Classic
  28. 1977 Houston BPAA Open
  29. 1978 Montgomery Ward Los Angeles Open
  30. 1979 Robby’s Chicago Classic
  31. 1980 U.S. Women’s Open
  32. 1980 Pabst Extra Light Classic I
  33. 1980 Pabst Extra Light Classic II
  34. 1981 Dallas Classic
  35. 1981 Pabst Extra Light Classic
  36. 1985 Hammer Midwest Open
  37. 1985 Fairhaven Classic
  38. 1985 LPBT Tournament of Champions
  39. 1986 Ebonite Firebolt Classic
L = Tournament conducted by LPBA.

Accomplishments and honors

Personal

After retiring from competitive bowling, Costello began a career as a transport driver with the Community Medical Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. "Bowling was my job then; this is my job now. In both cases, I've always been happy to meet people, talk to them, and get them feeling good to be around me", she told Bowling Digest.
Costello lived with and subsequently became married to Steve Dain. They had divorced by 1985.