 In the 1978 edition of that event, he recorded his first victory, whitewashing Cliff Wilson 4–0, but was defeated in the next round 4–3 by Dennis Taylor.Having gained experience in the amateur game, Bales turned professional in 1984, aged 35, and immediately enjoyed good results on the main tour - at the International Open, his first professional tournament, he defeated Dessie Sheehan, Tommy Murphy, and Mick Fisher to reach the last 48, where he led Dean Reynolds 4–2 but could not prevent Reynolds from coming back to beat him 5–4.Beginning the 1985/1986 season ranked 66th, Bales reached the last 32 in a ranking event for the first time at the 1986 British Open; there, he beat Maurice Parkin 5–1 and Taylor, now the incumbent World Champion, 5–4, to set up a meeting with the veteran Rex Williams.