Bob Markworth

[Clint B.]

Sometime back in the 1970's, I believe, I watched & admired the trickshooting feats of Bob Markworth. He was sort of like the Howard Hill or Byron Ferguson of that particular time period. I believe I watched him perform twice on a network tv show called "Circus of the Stars" and at least twice on other tv variety shows. He also wrote articles in the bowhunting magazines. Does anybody remember Bob Markworth? Whatever became of him? It would be cool if his trickshooting footage could be recovered for video release.

[vermonster13]

BOB MARKWORTH
August 19, 1936-

SHOWMAN, ARCHERY PROMOTER, HUNTER EXTRAORDINARE

Born in Los Angeles, California, Bob is often referred to as the 20th Century Robin Hood and the world's leading trick shot artist with the bow and arrow. Bob's professionalism on stage probably stems from the fact that both of his parents were vaudeville performers.

Bob first started shooting the bow at the age of fourteen. At fifteen he 'won his first title, California State Junior Field Champion. During the next two years he went on to win many titles including Junior Field and Target Championships in 1952 and 1953. In 1953, while still a Junior, Bob shot out of his classification and won the Southern California Men's AAA Quadruple American Target Cbampionship.

At age seventeen, Bob gave up his amateur status to go into show business. Bob started performing in the United States and then joined the Harlem Globetrotters and performed with them in Thirteen European countries and London. When the Globetrotters returned to the United States, Bob continued on and performed in fifty-four countries, including almost every capitol on the continent. Bob has performed before royalty, heads of state, (including Ronald Reagan), and also big-game and hunting clubs all aver the world. His many hunting articles have appeared in magazines across the country.

Bob has performed on such shows as the Ed Sullivan Show, Steve Allen, Mike Douglas, Thrill Seekers, Merv Grifin, Virginia Graham, 'Tempo 9, Circus of the Stars and many foreign TV shows. He has also appeared in several adventure films, hunting big game with bow and arrows. He has taken many trophies and surely his greatest love is hunting with bow and arrows, having hunted Asia, Africa, Australia and North America.

Of all his many TV appearances, his appearance on Japan's 1986 television special, "Super People of the World', is possibly his most spectacular. The show was viewed by over thirty-five million people.

Bob taught archery for the parks and recreation departments of both Burbank and Glendale. He also gave special instruction to the Junior Blind. In 1958, while still on tour in Japan, Bob started the first archery club in Hong Kong. For over fifteen years Bob has trained others and toured himself for the National School Assemblies. Bob's school assemblies have introduced millions of students to the sport of archery.

Bob Markworth - Showman, archery promoter and hunter extraordinare.

Inducted 1988

[vermonster13]

A video called the "Arrow MAster" was produced by him and has some shooting.

[Clint B.]

Thanks, Vermonster.  I wonder if that video could still be had? I'd never heard of it. I collect archery videos.

[vermonster13]

Do a google search and you might find a copy.

[Clint B.]

I did a search on 'arrow master' & came up with this link. Looks like he's still active & you can even get a nice paying job shooting for him!

 http://www.bowhuntingmag.com/markworth_0528/#cont

[Clint B.]

Of course, he does say you have to be able to shoot reasonbly well, so I'm fraid I wouldn't qualify. I shoot "reasonbly well" for me, but probably not by Mr. Markworth's standards.   )

[JohnV]

I remember an old article that appeared in Bow and Arrow magazine.  One of his tricks was to be blindfolded and shoot a balloon off the head of his lovely assistant using only her voice to guide his arrow to the mark.  I think that's one job I wouldn't want to apply for!