Duke, Barnes earn honors

    Norm Duke of Clermont, Fla., has been elected Bowling Writers Association of America Male Bowler of the Year for 2008 on the strength of an unprecedented streak of three consecutive Professional Bowlers Association major titles during the year.
    Duke, who earned a PBA-best $229,350 for the 2008 calendar year despite battling injuries early in the year, won his third Bowler of the Year title. He received 69 first-place votes. He also was honored by BWAA in 1994 and 2000.
    Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, earned Female Bowler of the Year after winning back-to-back titles and $80,000 in prize money in the United States Bowling Congress Queens and USBC Clash of Bowling Champions.
    Duke, inducted last month into the PBA Hall of Fame, prevented a Barnes family sweep. Lynda Barnes' husband Chris was runner-up with 183 points and 13 first-place votes
    (Courtesy: Bowling Writers Association of America)