James Lui of Hong Kong and Nora Lyana Nastasia of Malaysia captured the toptitles at the50th MWA Thailand International Open Bowling Championshipsin Bangkok. 50th MWA Thailand International Open Bowling Championships In the men’s division, James Lui entered the stepladder finals as the top seedand needed just one match to claim the title. He defeated Muhd Jaris Goh of Singapore 209–183 in the championship match. Luistarted with three consecutive strikes to build an early lead, but Gohresponded with a strong run of strikes to close the gap. However, Goh's splitin the later frames shifted momentum to Lui's side and he secured the win withkey shots in the ninth and tenth frames. In the women’s division, Nora Lyana Nastasia claimed her second career Thailand Opentitle. She faced top seed New Hui Fen of Singapore in the final and had to wintwice to take the championship. Nastasia won the first match 217–171 to force a deciding game. In the secondmatch, she secured the title with a convincing 257–181 victory. Nastasia advanced through the stepladder by defeating Gillian Lim and QurratuAin Izdihar in the semifinal match. Last year Nastasia finished third. Last year Nastasia finished third Earlier in the tournament, both champions also led their respective qualifyingrounds. Lui topped the men’s Round 3 standings with 1372, while New Hui Fenled the women’s standings with 1368 before the finals. The 50th edition of the Thailand Open featured a strong international field,with 204 men and 71 women competing. Players bowled three blocks of five games during qualification, followed bythe Masters finals to determine the champions. The tournament took place fromApril 5 to April 20. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/50th-mwa-thailand-international-open-bowling-championship-lui-nastasia-winners/#article","headline": "James Lui and Nora Lyana Nastasia Win 50th MWA Thailand International Open","description": "Hong Kong's James Lui and Malaysia's Nora Lyana Nastasia captured the men's and women's titles at the 50th MWA Thailand International Open Bowling Championships in Bangkok.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-21T15:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-21T15:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/50th-mwa-thailand-international-open-bowling-championship-lui-nastasia-winners"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/50th-mwa-thailand-international-open-bowling-championship-lui-nastasia-winners/#event","name": "50th MWA Thailand International Open Bowling Championships","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-05","endDate": "2026-04-20","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "Bangkok","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Bangkok","addressCountry": "TH"}},"competitor": [{ "@type": "Person", "name": "James Lui" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Nora Lyana Nastasia" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Muhd Jaris Goh" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "New Hui Fen" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Gillian Lim" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Qurratu Ain Izdihar" }],"description": "The 50th edition of the Thailand Open featuring a strong international field, with 204 men and 71 women competing."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/50th-mwa-thailand-international-open-bowling-championship-lui-nastasia-winners/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who won the 50th MWA Thailand International Open Bowling Championship?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "James Lui of Hong Kong won the men's division, and Nora Lyana Nastasia of Malaysia won the women's division at the 50th Thailand Open."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Who did James Lui and Nora Lyana Nastasia defeat in the finals?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "James Lui defeated Singapore's Muhd Jaris Goh 209-183 in the men's final. Nora Lyana Nastasia defeated top seed New Hui Fen of Singapore by winning two consecutive matches in the women's final."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "When and where was the 50th Thailand Open Bowling Championship held?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The tournament took place in Bangkok, Thailand, from April 5 to April 20."}}]}]}

Liz Johnson secured her second consecutive USBC Senior Queens title on Sunday,winning the 2026 event in Las Vegas. The Hall of Famer defeated Lynda Barnes in the championship match, winningboth games 277–258 and 255–244 at Sam’s Town Bowling Center. With the victory, Johnson earned $8,000 and became the first repeat championat the USBC Senior Queens in ten years, joining Robin Romeo, Sandra Postma,Lucy Sandelin, and Shirley Levens as multiple-time winners of the event. Johnson, the No. 2 seed, advanced to the championship match after defeatingKristin McEntee 265–216 in the semifinal. Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick 3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now In the final match against top seed Lynda Barnes, Johnson had to win twice tosecure the championship. In the first title match, Johnson won a high-scoring game, 277–258. The finalgame followed a similar pattern, with both players starting strong. In theclosing frames, Johnson was more consistent and struck more, finishing with a255–244 win to secure the title. The stepladder finals began with Rina Sabo defeating Jodi Woessner 212–201 inthe opening match. McEntee then eliminated Sabo 257–214 to advance to thesemifinal. The 2026 USBC Senior Queens featured 86 competitors. 2026 USBC Senior Queens Stepladder Finals (#4) Rina Sabo 212 (#5) Jodi Woessner 201 (#3) Kristin McEntee 257 (#4) Rina Sabo 214 (#2) Liz Johnson 265 (#3) Kristin McEntee 216 (#2) Liz Johnson 277 (#1) Lynda Barnes 258 (#2) Liz Johnson 255 (#1) Lynda Barnes 244 {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/liz-johnson-wins-usbc-senior-queens-2026/#article","headline": "Liz Johnson Wins 2026 USBC Senior Queens Title","description": "Hall of Famer Liz Johnson secures her second consecutive USBC Senior Queens title, defeating Lynda Barnes in the stepladder finals at Sam’s Town Bowling Center in Las Vegas.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-20T11:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-20T11:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/liz-johnson-wins-usbc-senior-queens-2026"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/liz-johnson-wins-usbc-senior-queens-2026/#event","name": "2026 USBC Senior Queens","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-19","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "Sam's Town Bowling Center","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Las Vegas","addressRegion": "NV","addressCountry": "US"}},"competitor": [{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Liz Johnson" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Lynda Barnes" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Kristin McEntee" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Rina Sabo" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Jodi Woessner" }],"description": "The 2026 USBC Senior Queens stepladder finals, won by Liz Johnson."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/liz-johnson-wins-usbc-senior-queens-2026/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who won the 2026 USBC Senior Queens bowling tournament?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Hall of Famer Liz Johnson won the 2026 USBC Senior Queens, becoming the first repeat champion at the event in ten years."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "How much did Liz Johnson win at the 2026 USBC Senior Queens?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Liz Johnson earned an $8,000 top prize for winning the 2026 USBC Senior Queens title."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Who did Liz Johnson bowl against in the 2026 USBC Senior Queens finals?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Liz Johnson defeated the No. 1 seed Lynda Barnes in the championship match, winning both games of the double-elimination final (277-258 and 255-244)."}}]}]}

Korean bowler Ryu Seo-yeon is set to make history as the first Korean playerto compete on the PWBA Tour in the United States. As reported by Korea's Bowling In Magazine, The 39-year-old bowler will depart for the United States on April 22 and plansto compete in a series of PWBA events over the next two months. Korea's Bowling In Magazine "This is a path I have admired and dreamed of since my active career. Althoughthere was a bit of a hiatus due to my retirement from the professional leagueand marriage, I am heading to the PWBA stage with the determination to take onthe challenge before it is too late," Ryu said to the media. "As the firstKorean to make this challenge, I cannot deny the pressure, but I am alreadylooking forward to competing against world-class athletes. I am, of course,very excited about returning to active competition and making my debut on theAmerican stage." Although this will be her first appearance on the PWBA Tour, Ryu bringsextensive international experience as a former Korean national team memberwith a strong record. During her career, she won five gold medals at the World Championships and sixgold medals at the Asian Games, including four titles at the 2010 GuangzhouAsian Games. Over the past five years, she has competed in international open tournamentsin Korea and reached TV finals twice in 2024 and 2025. She will now compete onthe PWBA Tour as a player affiliated with Storm. Ryu is expected to participate in nine tournaments during her time in theUnited States, but first she will need to go through the PTQ. The new PWBA season will begin on April 29 with the PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open at The Cherry Bowl in Rockford, Illinois. new PWBA season {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/first-korean-ryu-seo-yeon-pwba-debut/#article","headline": "Ryu Seo-yeon Makes History as First Korean Bowler on PWBA Tour","description": "Former Korean national team member and multi-time World Champion Ryu Seo-yeon is set to become the first Korean bowler to compete on the PWBA Tour in the United States.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-19T10:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-19T10:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/first-korean-ryu-seo-yeon-pwba-debut"}},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/first-korean-ryu-seo-yeon-pwba-debut/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who is the first Korean bowler to compete on the PWBA Tour?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Ryu Seo-yeon, a 39-year-old former Korean national team member, is making history as the first Korean player to compete on the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "What are Ryu Seo-yeon's bowling accomplishments?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "During her international career, Ryu won five gold medals at the World Championships and six gold medals at the Asian Games, including four titles at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "When does Ryu Seo-yeon make her PWBA debut?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Ryu will begin her U.S. campaign by competing in the PTQ for the PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open, which kicks off the new season on April 29."}}]}]}

The 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships ended Saturday in Green Bay,Wisconsin, with Jacksonville State completing a successful title defense onthe women’s side and St. Ambrose finally breaking through for its first men’snational team title. 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships Jacksonville State’s win came just days after capturing the 2026 NCAA Bowling Championship, giving the program both major college team titles in the sameseason. St. Ambrose, meanwhile, turned past runner-up finishes in 2021 and2023 into a national title at the Intercollegiate Team Championships. capturing the 2026 NCAA Bowling Championship Jax State Defends Title Jacksonville State's Gianna Brandolino, Erin Klemencic, Abbie Leiendecker,Keira Magsam, Melia Mitskavich, Annalise Obryant, Kaitlyn Stull, and EmmaYoder defeated McKendree 3-0 in the women’s final to successfully defend itsIntercollegiate Team Championships title. The Gamecocks won the opening game 164-151. Both teams had a slow start, butJacksonville State finished stronger in the final frames and took the earlylead in the best-of-five Baker match. In Game 2, Jacksonville State increased the pace and won 227-196. That resultmoved the team one game away from another national title. The Gamecocks finished the match with a crushing 266-163 victory in Game 3 tocomplete the sweep and secure the championship. With the win, Jacksonville State became the first women’s team to repeat asIntercollegiate Team Championships champion since West Texas State wonback-to-back titles in 1987 and 1988. After the title match, Gianna Brandolino was named the 2026 ITC Women’s MVP. St. Ambrose Claims First ITC Title In the men’s final, St. Ambrose's Keaten Bieri, Tyler Close, Lucas Hersrud,Kevin Magnuson, Elias O’Hollaren, Devin Richards, Evan White, and KendricSiders defeated Mount Mercy 3-2 to win the program’s first men’sIntercollegiate Team Championships title. Mount Mercy started better and took Game 1 by a score of 189-180, but then St.Ambrose answered in Game 2 with a 166-149 win to even the match at 1-1. Mount Mercy moved back in front by winning Game 3, 183-176, and took a 2-1lead in the title match. St. Ambrose responded again in Game 4 with its highest score of the match tothat point, 210-175, forcing a deciding fifth game. The final game decided the championship. St. Ambrose won it 237-213 to closeout the match and secure the title. The victory gave St. Ambrose its first men’s national team title at theIntercollegiate Team Championships after runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2023. After the men’s final, Kendric Siders was named the 2026 ITC Men’s MVP. Earlier in the day, Tyler Close also added another national title for St.Ambrose by winning the Intercollegiate Singles Championships. winning the Intercollegiate Singles Championships The championship matches were taped for later broadcast on CBS Sports Network.The women’s final is scheduled to air on May 5 at 7 p.m. Eastern, while themen’s final will be shown on May 13 at 7 p.m. Eastern. CBS Sports Network 2026 ITC Finals Results Jacksonville State 3 McKendree 0 164-151 227-196 266-163 St. Ambrose 3 Mount Mercy 2 180-189 166-149 176-183 210-175 237-213 {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-team-championships-jacksonville-state-st-ambrose-win/#article","headline": "Jacksonville State and St. Ambrose Win 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships","description": "Jacksonville State successfully defends its women's title, while St. Ambrose claims its first men's national team title at the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships in Green Bay.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-19T10:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-19T10:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-team-championships-jacksonville-state-st-ambrose-win"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-team-championships-jacksonville-state-st-ambrose-win/#event","name": "2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships Finals","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-18","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "Green Bay","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Green Bay","addressRegion": "WI","addressCountry": "US"}},"competitor": [{ "@type": "SportsTeam", "name": "Jacksonville State" },{ "@type": "SportsTeam", "name": "McKendree" },{ "@type": "SportsTeam", "name": "St. Ambrose" },{ "@type": "SportsTeam", "name": "Mount Mercy" }],"description": "The final championship matches of the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships, where Jacksonville State and St. Ambrose claimed national titles."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-team-championships-jacksonville-state-st-ambrose-win/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who won the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Jacksonville State swept McKendree 3-0 to win the women's title, and St. Ambrose defeated Mount Mercy 3-2 to win the men's national title."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Who were named the MVPs of the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Gianna Brandolino of Jacksonville State was named the 2026 ITC Women's MVP, and Kendric Siders of St. Ambrose was named the 2026 ITC Men's MVP."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "When will the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships air on TV?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The finals will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The women's final airs on May 5 at 7 p.m. Eastern, and the men's final will be shown on May 13 at 7 p.m. Eastern."}}]}]}

The2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championshipscame to a close Saturday at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley in Green Bay,Wisconsin, with Tyler Close of St. Ambrose winning the men’s title andDannielle Henderson of Vanderbilt taking the women’s title. 2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championships The championship rounds were taped for later broadcast onCBS Sports Network.The women’s finals will air on Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. Eastern, whilethe men’s finals will be shown on Tuesday, April 28, at 9:30 p.m. Eastern. CBS Sports Network Tyler Close Wins Men’s ISC 2026 Title In the men’s division, no one came close to Close. The two-handed rightysecured the national title with two wins on the final day. He started with a217-164 victory over Kaeden White of Midland in the semifinal and thendefeated Landin Jordan of Savannah College of Art and Design - Savannah200-176 in the final. Jordan advanced to the title match by defeating Nate Trentler of Calumet191-177 in the other semifinal. Close’s win added another major result for St. Ambrose, which also capturedthe men’s team title later the same day. Dannielle Henderson Wins Women’s ISC 2026 Title In the women’s division, Henderson won two matches to become the 2026Intercollegiate Singles Championships champion. She opened the stepladderfinals with a 205-167 win over Kaitlyn Stull of Jacksonville State in thesemifinal. In the other semifinal, Katarina Hagler of Pikeville defeated GiannaBrandolino of Jacksonville State 207-192 to move into the title match. In the championship match, Henderson completed her run with a 200-175victory over Hagler. 2026 ISC Finals Results Tyler Close (St. Ambrose) (St. Ambrose) 217 Kaeden White (Midland) (Midland) 164 Landin Jordan (SCAD - Savannah) (SCAD - Savannah) 191 Nate Trentler (Calumet) (Calumet) 177 Tyler Close 200 Landin Jordan 176 Dannielle Henderson (Vanderbilt) (Vanderbilt) 205 Kaitlyn Stull (Jacksonville State) (Jacksonville State) 167 Katarina Hagler (Pikeville) (Pikeville) 207 Gianna Brandolino (Jacksonville State) (Jacksonville State) 192 Dannielle Henderson 200 Katarina Hagler 175 {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-singles-championships-2026-finals-results/#article","headline": "Tyler Close and Dannielle Henderson Win 2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championships","description": "Tyler Close of St. Ambrose and Dannielle Henderson of Vanderbilt captured the national titles at the 2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championships in Green Bay.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-19T09:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-19T09:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-singles-championships-2026-finals-results"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-singles-championships-2026-finals-results/#event","name": "2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championships Finals","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-18","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Green Bay","addressRegion": "WI","addressCountry": "US"}},"competitor": [{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Tyler Close" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Landin Jordan" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Kaeden White" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Nate Trentler" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Dannielle Henderson" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Katarina Hagler" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Kaitlyn Stull" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Gianna Brandolino" }],"description": "The semifinal and championship matches of the 2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championships."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-singles-championships-2026-finals-results/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who won the men's 2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championships?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Tyler Close from St. Ambrose won the men's 2026 ISC title by defeating Landin Jordan 200-176 in the championship match."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Who won the women's 2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championships?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Dannielle Henderson of Vanderbilt won the women's 2026 ISC title, defeating Pikeville's Katarina Hagler 200-175 in the finals."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "When will the 2026 Intercollegiate Singles Championships air on TV?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The finals will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. The women's finals air on Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. Eastern, and the men's finals air on Tuesday, April 28, at 9:30 p.m. Eastern."}}]}]}

After a full day of match play Friday at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley inGreen Bay, Wisconsin, the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships finals areset. On the women’s side, Jacksonville State and McKendree advanced to the titlematch. On the men’s side, St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy earned the two spots inthe final. Jacksonville State reached the women’s final with a perfect 4-0 match-playrecord. The team defeated Maryville 4-1 and Central Missouri 4-0 on Thursday.On Friday, Jacksonville State added two more wins over North Carolina A&T,first by a 4-0 score in Winners Bracket play and then by a 4-3 score in thebracket final. Jacksonville State McKendree also finished unbeaten in match play and moved into the women’schampionship match with a 4-0 record. After entering the bracket as the No. 14seed, McKendree defeated Mount Mercy 4-3 and Tulane 4-1 on Thursday. OnFriday, McKendree edged Newman 4-3 and then defeated Louisiana Tech 4-1 in thebracket final to secure its place in the title match. The men’s final will feature St. Ambrose against Mount Mercy, with both teamsstill unbeaten through bracket play. St. Ambrose opened match play Thursday with a 4-1 win over Marian-Wisconsinand then defeated Wichita State 4-3. On Friday, St. Ambrose continued its runwith another 4-3 win over Southern Nazarene, which had been one of the biggest stories of Day 1, in Winners Bracket play. In the bracket final, St. Ambroseagain won by one point, defeating Marian-Wisconsin 4-3 to move into thechampionship match. which had been one of the biggest stories of Day 1 Mount Mercy advanced to the men’s final with a 4-0 match-play record. The teamdefeated Belmont Abbey 4-1 and Milligan 4-1 on Thursday. On Friday, MountMercy beat Lawrence Tech 4-2 and then Spring Arbor 4-2 in the bracket final. Both championship matches will use a best-of-five Baker format. The finals will be recorded Saturday in Green Bay and later shown on CBS Sports Network in May. CBS Sports Network The women’s show is scheduled to air on May 5 at 7 p.m. Eastern, while themen’s final is scheduled for May 13 at 7 p.m. Eastern. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-team-championships-finals-set-2026/#article","headline": "Finalists Set for the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships","description": "Jacksonville State, McKendree, St. Ambrose, and Mount Mercy advance to the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships title matches after an undefeated run in bracket play.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-18T10:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-18T10:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-team-championships-finals-set-2026"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-team-championships-finals-set-2026/#event","name": "2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships - Finals","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-18","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Green Bay","addressRegion": "WI","addressCountry": "US"}},"competitor": [{ "@type": "SportsTeam", "name": "Jacksonville State" },{ "@type": "SportsTeam", "name": "McKendree" },{ "@type": "SportsTeam", "name": "St. Ambrose" },{ "@type": "SportsTeam", "name": "Mount Mercy" }],"description": "The best-of-five Baker format championship matches for the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/intercollegiate-team-championships-finals-set-2026/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Which teams made the finals of the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "For the women's division, Jacksonville State and McKendree advanced to the finals. For the men's division, St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy will compete for the national title."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "What is the format for the ITC championship matches?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Both the men's and women's Intercollegiate Team Championships title matches will be decided using a best-of-five Baker format."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "When will the 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships air on TV?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The finals will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network in May. The women's show airs on May 5 at 7 p.m. Eastern, and the men's final airs on May 13 at 7 p.m. Eastern."}}]}]}

Brandon Bohn, a senior at Webber International University, and ElizabethWeeks, a junior at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, havebeen selected by the International Bowling Media Association as the 2026IBMA/Storm® Collegiate Bowlers of the Year. The winners were announced prior to the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships "Night of Champions" banquet. USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships Brandon Bohn, a Marketing major from Jackson Liberty High School in Jackson,Michigan, who also attended Mount Mercy University before transferring toWebber International, finished the season ranked first in all four keyperformance metrics - average (227.4), adjusted average (230.9), averagedifferential (+40.8), and adjusted average differential (+49.6). Bohn earned first-place individual honors at three events: the SCAD Bee Bash I(222.0), the NAIA Southeast Open #1 (258.4), and the Tier 1 Hoosier Classic(240.8). He finished in the top 3% in six of the seven events he competed in during theseason. Elizabeth Weeks, an Industrial Design major from South Florence High School inFlorence, South Carolina, finished the season second in both averagedifferential (+37.4) and adjusted average differential (+43.0), and fourth inadjusted average (207.0). She claimed first-place individual honors at the Tier 1 McKendree Match Games(216.0) and the NAIA Southeast Open #1 (225.2). Weeks also recorded top-five finishes at the Mid-South Conference GreaterNashville Open (208.0) and the MSC Brandon Burns Memorial Tournament (213.5).In addition, she placed in the top 5% in three of her other five events. In March, Weeks also became 2026 NAIA Player of the Year. She became the first female player to win the honor in the history of SCAD Bowling. To be eligible, players must complete at least 32 games and rank among the top20 in either Average or Average Differential, or win a Tier 1 eventindividually. The award, established in 1987, has been earned by many professional andhigh-level amateur bowlers and continues to recognize the sport’s topcollegiate performers.For more information please visit IBMA official website. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/ibma-storm-collegiate-bowler-of-the-year-2026/#article","headline": "Brandon Bohn and Elizabeth Weeks Named 2026 IBMA/Storm Collegiate Bowlers of the Year","description": "Webber International's Brandon Bohn and SCAD Savannah's Elizabeth Weeks have been selected by the International Bowling Media Association as the 2026 IBMA/Storm Collegiate Bowlers of the Year.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-18T10:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-18T10:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/ibma-storm-collegiate-bowler-of-the-year-2026"}},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/ibma-storm-collegiate-bowler-of-the-year-2026/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who won the 2026 IBMA/Storm Collegiate Bowler of the Year?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Brandon Bohn from Webber International University and Elizabeth Weeks from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) won the 2026 IBMA/Storm Collegiate Bowler of the Year awards."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "What were Brandon Bohn's stats for the 2026 season?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Brandon Bohn ranked first in all four key performance metrics during the 2026 season, posting a 227.4 average, 230.9 adjusted average, +40.8 average differential, and +49.6 adjusted average differential."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "What are the eligibility requirements for the IBMA Collegiate Bowler of the Year award?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "To be eligible, collegiate bowlers must complete at least 32 games and rank among the top 20 in either Average or Average Differential, or win a Tier 1 event individually."}}]}]}

The 2026 Intercollegiate Team Championships began Thursday at The AshwaubenonBowling Alley in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with the top 16 men’s and top 16women’s college teams in the country battling for national titles. The opening day started with 24 Baker games of qualifying to set the bracket.After that, teams moved into double-elimination match play, where everycontest was a best-of-seven Baker match. By the end of the day, four unbeaten teams remained in each division. The biggest story on the men’s side came from Southern Nazarene. The programis competing at the national finals for the first time and entered match playas the No. 16 seed after qualifying with 4,195. Despite that, Southern Nazarene stayed perfect through two rounds and movedinto the Winners Bracket semifinals. Southern Nazarene opened match play by defeating top-seeded WebberInternational 4-3. Webber had led men’s qualifying with 4,809, averaging 200.4over 24 Baker games. Southern Nazarene followed the upset by beating No. 9 McKendree 4-1 in thesecond round. That win placed the team among the final four unbeaten teams inthe men’s bracket. The other three unbeaten men’s teams were St. Ambrose, Lawrence Tech, andMount Mercy. St. Ambrose qualified fifth with 4,647 and then defeated No. 12Marian-Wisconsin 4-1 in Round 1. In the second round, St. Ambrose edged No. 4Wichita State 4-3. Wichita State had qualified fourth with 4,673 and enteredthe event as the 2025 runner-up, but the Shockers dropped into the EliminationBracket after that loss. Lawrence Tech also stayed unbeaten with two 4-1 wins. The team defeated No. 10St. Francis-Illinois in the opening round and then beat No. 15 Trine by thesame score in Round 2. Mount Mercy advanced in similar fashion. After qualifying sixth with 4,624,Mount Mercy beat No. 11 Belmont Abbey 4-1 and then defeated No. 3 Milligan 4-1to remain in the Winners Bracket. In Friday’s Winners Bracket, Southern Nazarene will face St. Ambrose, whileLawrence Tech will meet Mount Mercy. On the women’s side, defending national champion Jacksonville State ledqualifying with 4,799 and also finished Thursday unbeaten. The Gamecockscontrolled both of their matches, first defeating No. 16 Maryville 4-1 andthen sweeping No. 9 Central Missouri 4-0. Jacksonville State was one of four women’s teams to finish 2-0 on Thursday.The others were North Carolina A&T, Newman, and McKendree. North Carolina A&T qualified fourth with 4,521 and opened match play witha 4-3 win over No. 13 Savannah College of Art and Design - Savannah. In thesecond round, the team beat No. 5 Sacred Heart 4.5-1.5 to stay in the WinnersBracket. Newman entered match play as the No. 10 seed after qualifying with 4,326. Theteam then won two seven-game matches. First came a 4-3 win over No. 7Cumberland, followed by another 4-3 victory over No. 2 Louisiana Tech. Newmantrailed 3-1 in that second-round match before coming back to win. McKendree also made a strong move through the bracket. After qualifying 14thwith 4,255, the team upset No. 3 Mount Mercy 4-3 in Round 1 and then defeatedNo. 11 Tulane 4-1 in Round 2. Friday’s schedule starts with Elimination Bracket play, followed by WinnersBracket matches in the afternoon, where Jacksonville State will face NorthCarolina A&T, while Newman meets McKendree. The finalists for Saturday’s championship matches will be decided by the endof Friday. 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With one match play round remaining at the PBA Tournament of Champions, therace for the top five is tightening at AMF Riviera Lanes in Fairlawn, Ohio. Jason Belmonte returned to the lanes after skipping two PBA events and leads the field after 34 games with a total of 8,180 pins,including bonus pins from match play. Close behind is PBA Roth/Holman Doubles champion Zach Wilkins in secondwith 8,171, followed by PBA Players Championship winner Brandon Bonta in third with 8,169. returned to the lanes after skipping two PBA events PBA Roth/Holman Doubles champion Zach Wilkins PBA Players Championship winner Brandon Bonta Andrew Anderson sits fourth with 8,142, while Alex Horton currently holds thefifth and final stepladder position with 8,114. Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick 3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now Mitch Hupé is just outside the cut in sixth place with 8,057, followed closelyby EJ Tackett in seventh with 8,056. Tackett has climbed the standings butstill trails the top five heading into the final round. Santtu Tahvanainen holds eighth with 8,000, while Tim Foy Jr. is ninth with7,957. Matt Ogle rounds out the top 10 with 7,891. Full results can be found here. here The top five players after 42 total games will advance to the stepladderfinals, set to air live Sunday onThe CW. The CW {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/belmonte-leads-pba-tournament-of-champions-match-play/#article","headline": "Jason Belmonte Leads PBA Tournament of Champions Match Play","description": "Jason Belmonte takes the lead after 34 games at the PBA Tournament of Champions match play in Fairlawn, Ohio, as the race for the top five stepladder finals tightens.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-24T22:50:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-24T22:50:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/belmonte-leads-pba-tournament-of-champions-match-play"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/belmonte-leads-pba-tournament-of-champions-match-play/#event","name": "2026 PBA Tournament of Champions","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-22","endDate": "2026-04-26","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "AMF Riviera Lanes","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Fairlawn","addressRegion": "OH","addressCountry": "US"}},"competitor": [{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Jason Belmonte" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Zach Wilkins" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Brandon Bonta" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Andrew Anderson" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Alex Horton" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "EJ Tackett" }],"description": "The match play rounds of the 2026 PBA Tournament of Champions, where players compete for the top five stepladder finals spots."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/belmonte-leads-pba-tournament-of-champions-match-play/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who is leading the PBA Tournament of Champions match play?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Jason Belmonte leads the field after 34 games with a total of 8,180 pins, including bonus pins from match play."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Who is currently in the top five at the PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Heading into the final match play round, the top five players are Jason Belmonte, Zach Wilkins, Brandon Bonta, Andrew Anderson, and Alex Horton."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Where can I watch the PBA Tournament of Champions stepladder finals?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The top five players will advance to the stepladder finals, which will air live on Sunday on The CW."}}]}]}

Qualifying is complete at the PBA Tournament of Champions at AMF Riviera Lanesin Fairlawn, Ohio, with 24 players advancing to match play after 18 games. Brandon Bonta continued his dominance and finished in first position with4,260 pins. Kris Prather secured second place with 4,227, followed by DarrenTang in third with 4,178. Most recent PBA Tour champion Zach Wilkins tookfourth with 4,162, while Santtu Tahvanainen rounded out the top five with4,159. continued his dominance Most recent PBA Tour champion Zach Wilkins Kyle Troup finished sixth with 4,155, Chris Via placed seventh with 4,130, andAndrew Anderson was eighth with 4,127. Tim Foy Jr. also reached 4,127 to takeninth, while Jason Belmonte completed the top 10 with 4,123. Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick 3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now BJ Moore, Mitch Hupé, Anthony Simonsen, Marshall Kent, Austin Grammar, AlexHorton, Kevin McCune, Matt Ogle, Patrick Dombrowski, EJ Tackett, Jake Peters,Ronnie Russell, and Sean Lavery-Spahr also advanced to match play. Ethan Fiore claimed the final qualifying spot in 24th place with a total of3,984. Just below him, Richie Teece finished 25th with 3,979, missing matchplay by five pins. Full results can be found here. here All 24 advancing players will now move on to round-robin match play. The first round of match play will be bowled later today, starting at 5 p.m.ET. Two additional match play rounds are scheduled for Friday. The top five players after 42 total games will advance to the stepladderfinals, set to air live Sunday onThe CW . The CW {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying-top-24/#article","headline": "Top 24 Advance to Match Play at PBA Tournament of Champions","description": "Qualifying is complete at the PBA Tournament of Champions in Fairlawn, Ohio. Brandon Bonta finishes in first place as the top 24 players advance to round-robin match play.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-23T23:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-23T23:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying-top-24"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying-top-24/#event","name": "2026 PBA Tournament of Champions","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-22","endDate": "2026-04-26","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "AMF Riviera Lanes","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Fairlawn","addressRegion": "OH","addressCountry": "US"}},"competitor": [{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Brandon Bonta" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Kris Prather" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Darren Tang" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Zach Wilkins" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Santtu Tahvanainen" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Ethan Fiore" }],"description": "The qualifying rounds and match play of the 2026 PBA Tournament of Champions, where the top 24 players advanced to the next stage."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying-top-24/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who led the qualifying at the PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Brandon Bonta led the 18-game qualifying block with a total of 4,260 pins, securing the first position heading into match play."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "How many players advance to match play at the PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The top 24 players advance to round-robin match play after 18 games of qualifying."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Who secured the final cut spot at the PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Ethan Fiore claimed the final qualifying spot in 24th place with a total of 3,984 pins, edging out Richie Teece by just five pins."}}]}]}

Brandon Bonta leads the PBA Tournament of Champions qualifying at AMF RivieraLanes in Fairlawn, Ohio, with only six games remaining before the field is cutto the top 24. The 23-year-oldPBA Players Championship winneradded another strong block on Wednesday evening and now sits atop thestandings with a total of 2,893 pins over 12 games. PBA Players Championship winner PBA Roth/Holman Doubles champion Zach Wilkinsremains in second place with 2,849 (237 average). Tim Foy Jr. holds third with2,815, while Kris Prather is fourth with 2,804. Mitch Hupé completes the topfive with 2,778. PBA Roth/Holman Doubles champion Zach Wilkins Hupé had a strong opening block andled the field after six games, but a few lower games in the second round dropped him a couple of positionsin the standings. led the field after six games BJ Moore currently sits in sixth place with 2,765, followed by Chris Via in seventh with 2,752. Darren Tang is eighth with 2,739, while Brett Lloyd holds ninth with 2,726. Finland’s Santtu Tahvanainen rounds out the top 10 with 2,716. Michael Davidson, who led the PTQ on Tuesday, holds the last qualifying spot with 2,641 total. Full qualification results can be found here. here According to Nolan Hughes from PBA.com, the defending champion Jesper Svensson had to withdraw from the competition after the first six games due to illness. CW Network color analyst Kyle Sherman also pulled out of the event. According to Nolan Hughes from PBA.com CW Network color analyst Kyle Sherman The final six-game round will start at 11 a.m. ET, after which the field will be cut to the top 24 players advancing to round-robin match play. The first round of match play will be bowled later in the day. The top five players after 42 total games will advance to the stepladder finals, set to air live Sunday on The CW. The CW Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now PBA Tournament of Champions Oil Pattern {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/brandon-bonta-pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying/#article","headline": "Brandon Bonta Leads PBA Tournament of Champions Qualifying After 12 Games","description": "Brandon Bonta overtakes the lead at the PBA Tournament of Champions qualifying in Fairlawn, Ohio, as the field prepares for the final six games before the top 24 cut.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-23T14:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-23T14:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/brandon-bonta-pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/brandon-bonta-pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying/#event","name": "2026 PBA Tournament of Champions","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-22","endDate": "2026-04-26","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "AMF Riviera Lanes","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Fairlawn","addressRegion": "OH","addressCountry": "US"}},"competitor": [{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Brandon Bonta" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Zach Wilkins" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Tim Foy Jr." },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Kris Prather" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Mitch Hupé" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Jesper Svensson" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Kyle Sherman" }],"description": "The qualifying rounds of the 2026 PBA Tournament of Champions, held at AMF Riviera Lanes."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/brandon-bonta-pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who is leading the PBA Tournament of Champions qualifying?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Brandon Bonta leads the qualifying after 12 games with a total of 2,893 pins, followed by Zach Wilkins in second place."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Why did Jesper Svensson withdraw from the PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Defending champion Jesper Svensson withdrew from the competition after the first six games due to illness."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "How many players make the cut at the PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "After 18 games of qualifying, the field is cut to the top 24 players, who will then advance to round-robin match play."}}]}]}

The first six games of qualifying are complete at thePBA Tournament of Champions, held at AMF Riviera Lanes in Fairlawn, Ohio, and two Canadians sit at the top of the leaderboard. PBA Tournament of Champions Mitch Hupé is first in the standings after the opening round with a 1,481 total over six games, averaging 246. Fellow Canadian Zach Wilkins follows in second with 1,450 (241 average), carrying momentum from his win at last Sunday’sPBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship. PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship. Hupé put together a consistent block with games of 203, 206, 262, 263, 267, and 280 to take the early lead. Wilkins stayed within reach throughout the round, highlighted by games of 279 and 287, keeping pressure on the leader. PBA Players Championship winner Brandon Bontacurrently holds third place with 1,426, followed by Finland’s Santtu Tahvanainen in fourth with 1,409. Tim Foy Jr. rounds out the top five with 1,401. PBA Players Championship winner Brandon Bonta Kris Prather sits in sixth place with 1,400, just one pin behind Foy. Ronnie Russell follows in seventh with 1,394, while Nick Pate is eighth with 1,393. BJ Moore holds ninth place with 1,388, and Andrew Anderson completes the current top 10 with 1,386. The defending champion Jesper Svensson is currently in 63rd place with a total of 1,190. Full results can be found here. here The second round of qualifying will begin at 6 p.m. ET later today. Tournament Format The format begins with 18 games of qualifying, split across three rounds onWednesday and Thursday. After qualifying, the top 24 players move on toround-robin match play. Match play continues on Friday, where players bowl additional games and earnbonus pins for wins. After a total of 42 games, the top five players advanceto the stepladder finals. The finals will be held on Sunday, April 26, and will be broadcast live onThe CWat 4 p.m. ET. The CW Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now PBA Tournament of Champions Oil Pattern {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/hupe-pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying-round-1/#article","headline": "Mitch Hupé Leads Round 1 Qualifying at PBA Tournament of Champions","description": "Mitch Hupé takes the early lead after the first six games of qualifying at the PBA Tournament of Champions in Fairlawn, Ohio, with Zach Wilkins close behind.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Screenshot_2026-04-22_at_15.50.56.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-22T22:05:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-22T22:05:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/hupe-pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying-round-1"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/hupe-pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying-round-1/#event","name": "2026 PBA Tournament of Champions","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-22","endDate": "2026-04-26","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "AMF Riviera Lanes","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Fairlawn","addressRegion": "OH","addressCountry": "US"}},"competitor": [{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Mitch Hupé" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Zach Wilkins" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Brandon Bonta" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Santtu Tahvanainen" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Jesper Svensson" }],"description": "The qualifying rounds and match play of the PBA Tournament of Champions, held at AMF Riviera Lanes."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/hupe-pba-tournament-of-champions-qualifying-round-1/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who is leading after Round 1 of the PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Canadian Mitch Hupé is leading after the first round of qualifying with a 1,481 total over six games, averaging 246."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "What is the format for the PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The tournament starts with 18 games of qualifying across three rounds. The top 24 players advance to round-robin match play, and the top five players after 42 total games advance to the stepladder finals."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "When are the TV finals for the PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The stepladder finals will be broadcast live on The CW on Sunday, April 26 at 4 p.m. ET."}}]}]}

Top bowlers from around the world are arriving at AMF Riviera Lanes inFairlawn, Ohio this week, as the PBA Tournament of Champions gets underway,featuring one of the most exclusive fields in bowling. The PBA Tournament of Champions is not only exciting for fans, but highly valued by players as well. Many want to compete, but only a limited group earns the chance to be in the ToC, as the event is reserved only for PBA champions. Every player in the field has previously won a title, whether on the PBA Tour, PBA Regional Tour, or PBA50 Tour. PBA Tour champions qualify directly, whileRegional title winners must advance through the Pre-Tournament Qualifier(PTQ). BowlingLife Fantasy Win Free Dexter Shoes! The PBA Tournament of Champions is the final event of Round 2! Submit yourroster now for a chance to win any pair of bowling shoes of your choice fromDexter. Dexter Submit Your Team Seventy-two players are ready for the season's fourth major title. Sixty PBAchampions were already qualified as previous winners on the PBA Tour, and 12more advanced through the PTQ tocomplete the lineup. complete the lineup Michael Davidson led the PTQwith 1,695 pins over seven games. Tim Foy finished second with 1,617, followedby Nicholas Pate with 1,612 and Andrew Hall with 1,611. Ryan Barnes and ZachWeidman both advanced with 1,565, while Brian Robinson (1,562), Brett Lloyd(1,553), Casey Cohagan (1,546), and Jeff Mann (1,514) also secured theirplaces. Alexander Horton (1,512) and Sean Lavery-Spahr (1,510) claimed thefinal two advancing spots. Michael Davidson led the PTQ All eyes will be on Jesper Svensson, whoreturns as the defending champion. Last year he led after match play and secured the title with a 221-197 winover Jakob Butturff in the championship match. returns as the defending champion Tournament Format The format begins with 18 games of qualifying, split across three rounds onWednesday and Thursday. After qualifying, the top 24 players move on toround-robin match play. Match play continues on Friday, where players bowl additional games and earnbonus pins for wins. After a total of 42 games, the top five players advanceto the stepladder finals. The finals will be held on Sunday, April 26, and will be broadcast live onThe CWat 4 p.m. ET. The CW Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now PBA Tournament of Champions Oil Pattern {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pba-tournament-of-champions-2026-preview/#article","headline": "2026 PBA Tournament of Champions Preview","description": "A complete preview of the 2026 PBA Tournament of Champions in Fairlawn, Ohio, including players to watch, schedule, and TV broadcast details.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-22T10:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-22T10:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pba-tournament-of-champions-2026-preview"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pba-tournament-of-champions-2026-preview/#event","name": "2026 PBA Tournament of Champions","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-22","endDate": "2026-04-26","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "AMF Riviera Lanes","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Fairlawn","addressRegion": "OH","addressCountry": "US"}},"description": "The 2026 PBA Tournament of Champions featuring a field of 60 PBA champions and 12 PTQ qualifiers competing for a major title."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pba-tournament-of-champions-2026-preview/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "When is the 2026 PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Qualifying rounds begin on Wednesday, April 22, with match play continuing through Friday, April 24. The live television finals will take place on Sunday, April 26."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Who is the defending champion at the PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Sweden's Jesper Svensson returns as the defending champion for the 2026 PBA Tournament of Champions."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Where can I watch the PBA Tournament of Champions finals?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The championship round will be broadcast live on The CW on Sunday, April 26 at 4 p.m. ET."}}]}]}

Michael Davidson led the Pre-Tournament Qualifier (PTQ) at the PBA Tournamentof Champions. Davidson posted a total of 1,695 pins over seven games, averaging 242 andfinishing first among the 12 players who advanced into the main field inFairlawn, Ohio. Tim Foy followed in second place with 1,617, while Nicholas Pate took thirdwith 1,612. Andrew Hall finished fourth with 1,611, just one pin behind Pate.Ryan Barnes and Zach Weidman tied for fifth place, each totaling 1,565. Brian Robinson claimed seventh place with 1,562, followed by Brett Lloyd ineighth with 1,553. Casey Cohagan placed ninth with 1,546, and Jeff Manncompleted the top 10 with 1,514. Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick 3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now Alexander Horton secured the 11th position with 1,512, while Sean Lavery-Spahr, who finished second in PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship last week, claimed the final advancing spot in 12th place with 1,510. Full results can be found here. PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship here. These 12 players now join a field of 60 PBA champions, who will battle for oneof the season’s major titles. Sweden’s Jesper Svensson will return as the defending champion. Jesper Svensson will return as the defending champion The tournament begins with qualifying rounds starting Wednesday, April 22.After three rounds of qualifying, the field will be cut to the top 24 formatch play. Match play continues through Friday, April 24, before the top five playersadvance to the stepladder finals. The championship round will be broadcast live on The CW on Sunday, April 26 at4 p.m. ET. The CW {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/michael-davidson-ptq-pba-tournament-of-champions/#article","headline": "Michael Davidson Leads PTQ at PBA Tournament of Champions","description": "Michael Davidson topped the Pre-Tournament Qualifier (PTQ), leading 12 players who advanced to the main field of the PBA Tournament of Champions in Fairlawn, Ohio.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-21T22:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-21T22:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/michael-davidson-ptq-pba-tournament-of-champions"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/michael-davidson-ptq-pba-tournament-of-champions/#event","name": "PBA Tournament of Champions","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-22","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "Fairlawn","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Fairlawn","addressRegion": "OH","addressCountry": "US"}},"competitor": [{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Michael Davidson" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Tim Foy" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Nicholas Pate" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Andrew Hall" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Ryan Barnes" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Sean Lavery-Spahr" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Jesper Svensson" }],"description": "The PBA Tournament of Champions and its Pre-Tournament Qualifier (PTQ) held in Fairlawn, Ohio."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/michael-davidson-ptq-pba-tournament-of-champions/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who led the PTQ at the PBA Tournament of Champions?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Michael Davidson led the Pre-Tournament Qualifier with a 1,695 total over seven games, averaging 242."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "How many players advanced from the PTQ to the PBA Tournament of Champions main field?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "12 players advanced from the PTQ to join the main field of 60 PBA champions."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "When will the PBA Tournament of Champions finals air on TV?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The championship round will be broadcast live on The CW on Sunday, April 26 at 4 p.m. ET."}}]}]}

Spencer Robarge continued his strong run in the past month by winning the PBA BowlersDiscount Pro Shop Open, securing his second PBA Regional title of the season. The victory comes just weeks after Robarge claimed his first national title atthe PBA Ohio Classic and his first regional title at the PBA Copperfield BowlChallenge on March 22. PBA Ohio Classic In the championship match, Robarge defeated Will Vidulich with a 279–243 scoreto take the title. Earlier in the event, Robarge finished second in qualification with a total of1,736 pins over seven games. That result earned him a bye into the bracketstage. In match play, he defeated Talon Clemons 2–0 with game scores of 223–179 and234–214. Robarge then advanced to the final after a 237–212 win over JohnFurey in the semifinal. With the win, Robarge earned $2,500. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/robarge-wins-pba-bowlers-discount-pro-shop-open/#article","headline": "Spencer Robarge Wins PBA Bowlers Discount Pro Shop Open","description": "Spencer Robarge claims his second PBA Regional title of the season, defeating Will Vidulich 279-243 at the PBA Bowlers Discount Pro Shop Open.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-21T17:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-21T17:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/robarge-wins-pba-bowlers-discount-pro-shop-open"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/robarge-wins-pba-bowlers-discount-pro-shop-open/#event","name": "PBA Bowlers Discount Pro Shop Open","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-21","competitor": [{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Spencer Robarge" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Will Vidulich" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Talon Clemons" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "John Furey" }],"description": "The PBA Bowlers Discount Pro Shop Open bowling tournament, won by Spencer Robarge."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/robarge-wins-pba-bowlers-discount-pro-shop-open/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who won the PBA Bowlers Discount Pro Shop Open?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Spencer Robarge won the PBA Bowlers Discount Pro Shop Open, securing his second PBA Regional title of the season."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Who did Spencer Robarge defeat in the finals of the PBA Bowlers Discount Pro Shop Open?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Spencer Robarge defeated Will Vidulich with a score of 279-243 in the championship match."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "How much did Spencer Robarge win at the PBA Bowlers Discount Pro Shop Open?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Spencer Robarge earned a $2,500 top prize for winning the tournament."}}]}]}

Anthony Neuer and his father Andy Neuer claimed the title at the 2026PBA/PBA50 Doubles/Clutch Lanes Central Open, held in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The father-son duo defeated Brad Angelo and Kris Prather in the final match,winning the series 3–1 to secure the title. The Neuers opened the final with a two strong wins 267–215, 246-227. Angeloand Prather responded in Game 3, winning 276–242. However, the Neuers closedstrong, winning Game 4 with a dominant 290–196 performance to seal thechampionship. Earlier in the event, the Neuer team performed strongly in qualification,finishing in second place with a total of 3,785 pins over eight games. Thatresult earned them a bye. Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick 3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now In match play, they defeated Dino Castillo and Andrew Anderson 4–2, followedby a 3–1 victory over Larry Verble and Patrick Dombrowski to advance to thechampionship match. With the win, Anthony Neuer and Andy Neuer earned $4,000. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/neuer-wins-pba-pba50-doubles-central-open-2026/#article","headline": "Anthony and Andy Neuer Win 2026 PBA/PBA50 Doubles Central Open","description": "The father-son duo of Anthony and Andy Neuer claimed the title at the 2026 PBA/PBA50 Doubles/Clutch Lanes Central Open in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, defeating Brad Angelo and Kris Prather.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-20T21:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-20T21:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/neuer-wins-pba-pba50-doubles-central-open-2026"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/neuer-wins-pba-pba50-doubles-central-open-2026/#event","name": "2026 PBA/PBA50 Doubles/Clutch Lanes Central Open","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-19","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "Clutch Lanes","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Cuyahoga Falls","addressRegion": "OH","addressCountry": "US"}},"competitor": [{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Anthony Neuer" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Andy Neuer" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Brad Angelo" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Kris Prather" }],"description": "The 2026 PBA/PBA50 Doubles Central Open bowling tournament, won by Anthony Neuer and Andy Neuer."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/neuer-wins-pba-pba50-doubles-central-open-2026/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who won the 2026 PBA/PBA50 Doubles Central Open?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The father-son duo of Anthony Neuer and Andy Neuer won the 2026 PBA/PBA50 Doubles Central Open."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Who did Anthony and Andy Neuer defeat in the finals?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The Neuers defeated Brad Angelo and Kris Prather 3-1 in the championship match to secure the title."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "How much did Anthony and Andy Neuer win at the PBA/PBA50 Doubles Central Open?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Anthony and Andy Neuer earned a top prize of $4,000 for winning the tournament."}}]}]}

The PWBA has announced a new sponsorship agreement with Storm Bowling thatwill begin in the 2026 season. As part of the deal, Storm will become the presenting sponsor of one PWBA Tourevent each year, beginning 2026 season. The 2026 PWBA Columbus Open, will be renamed the PWBA Barbara Chrisman Classicpresented by Storm. The event is named in honor of Barbara Chrisman, owner ofStorm Bowling. According to the announcement, the agreement also includesfinancial support that will go toward PWBA Tour prize funds. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 4 to June 6, 2026, at HPLBowling Center in Columbus, Ohio. The 2026 PWBA season will begin earlier with the PWBA Bowlers Journal RockfordOpen on April 29 in Rockford, Illinois. 2026 PWBA Tour Schedule April 29 – May 2, 2026 – PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open – The Cherry Bowl,Rockford, IllinoisMay 7 – 9, 2026 – PWBA Northern Colorado Open – Highland Park Lanes, Greeley,ColoradoMay 13 – 19, 2026 – USBC Queens – Gold Coast Bowling Center, Las Vegas,NevadaMay 26 – June 1, 2026 – PWBA Summer Series – Rochester – ABC Gates Bowl, NewYorkJune 4 – 6, 2026 –PWBA Barbara Chrisman Classic presented by Storm – HPL BowlingCenter, OhioJune 9 – 16, 2026 – U.S. Women’s Open – Royal Pin Woodland, Indianapolis,IndianaJuly 30 – August 2, 2026 – PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer MixedDoubles – Copperfield Bowl, Houston, TexasAugust 11 – 18, 2026 – PWBA Tour Championship Week – Yorktown Lanes, ParmaHeights, Ohio PWBA Barbara Chrisman Classic presented by Storm Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews -all wrapped up in a quick 3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pwba-storm-sponsorship-barbara-chrisman-classic-2026/#article","headline": "PWBA Announces Sponsorship with Storm, Renames Event to Barbara Chrisman Classic","description": "The PWBA and Storm Bowling have announced a new sponsorship agreement, renaming the 2026 Columbus Open to the PWBA Barbara Chrisman Classic presented by Storm.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-23T22:30:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-23T22:30:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pwba-storm-sponsorship-barbara-chrisman-classic-2026"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pwba-storm-sponsorship-barbara-chrisman-classic-2026/#event","name": "2026 PWBA Barbara Chrisman Classic presented by Storm","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-06-04","endDate": "2026-06-06","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "HPL Bowling Center","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Columbus","addressRegion": "OH","addressCountry": "US"}},"description": "The 2026 PWBA Barbara Chrisman Classic presented by Storm, a premier event on the 2026 PWBA Tour schedule."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/pwba-storm-sponsorship-barbara-chrisman-classic-2026/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Why was the PWBA Columbus Open renamed?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Following a new sponsorship agreement with Storm Bowling, the event was renamed the PWBA Barbara Chrisman Classic presented by Storm in honor of Barbara Chrisman, owner of Storm Bowling."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "When and where is the 2026 PWBA Barbara Chrisman Classic?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 4 to June 6, 2026, at HPL Bowling Center in Columbus, Ohio."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "When does the 2026 PWBA season start?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The 2026 PWBA season kicks off with the PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open on April 29 in Rockford, Illinois."}}]}]}

The PWBA has officially announced the 2027 National Tour schedule. The 2027 PWBA season will feature 12 events and will begin in Rumford, RhodeIsland, at East Providence Lanes on May 6. The tour will run until August. East Providence Lanes will host a PWBA National Tour stop for the firsttime since the relaunch of the tour in 2015. One week later, the tour will move to Middletown, Delaware, for the PWBADelaware Open from May 13 to 15. The first major of the season, the USBC Queens, will take place from May 19 to25 at New Victory Lanes in Mooresville, North Carolina. After a short break, the tour will continue with the PWBA Summer Series inGreen Bay, Wisconsin, from June 1 to 7. The event will feature three separatetournaments across one week at The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley. The schedule will then move to Lansing, Michigan, where Royal Scot Bowl willhost the PWBA Lansing Open from June 10 to 12. Another major stop will follow shortly after, as the U.S. Women’s Open willtake place from June 15 to 22 at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York, wherethe PBA New York Classic is taking place this week. Following a break in the schedule, the tour will resume with a joint PBA andPWBA event – PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles. The eventwill take place in Houston, Texas, from July 29 to August 1. The 2027 season will conclude in Orlando, Florida, with PWBA Tour ChampionshipWeek from August 10 to 17 at Boardwalk Bowl. The week will include multipleevents, ending with the PWBA Tour Championship. All qualifying and match play rounds throughout the 2027 season will bestreamed live on BowlTV, with broadcast details for the finals to be announcedat a later time. 2027 PWBA Tour Schedule May 6 – 8, 2027 – PWBA Rhode Island Open – East Providence Lanes, Rumford, Rhode IslandMay 13 – 15, 2027 – PWBA Delaware Open – Mid County Lanes and Entertainment, Middletown, DelawareMay 19 – 25, 2027 – USBC Queens – New Victory Lanes, Mooresville, North CarolinaJune 1 – 7, 2027 – PWBA Summer Series – Green Bay – The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley, WisconsinJune 10 – 12, 2027 – PWBA Lansing Open – Royal Scot Bowl, Lansing, MichiganJune 15 – 22, 2027 – U.S. Women’s Open – ABC Gates Bowl, Rochester, New YorkJuly 29 – August 1, 2027 – PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles – Copperfield Bowl, Houston, TexasAugust 10 – 17, 2027 – PWBA Tour Championship Week – Boardwalk Bowl, Orlando, Florida 2026 PWBA Tour Schedule April 29 – May 2, 2026 – PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open – The Cherry Bowl, Rockford, IllinoisMay 7 – 9, 2026 – PWBA Northern Colorado Open – Highland Park Lanes, Greeley, ColoradoMay 13 – 19, 2026 – USBC Queens – Gold Coast Bowling Center, Las Vegas, NevadaMay 26 – June 1, 2026 – PWBA Summer Series – Rochester – ABC Gates Bowl, New YorkJune 4 – 6, 2026 – PWBA Go Bowling Columbus Open – HPL Bowling Center, OhioJune 9 – 16, 2026 – U.S. Women’s Open – Royal Pin Woodland, Indianapolis, IndianaJuly 30 – August 2, 2026 – PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles – Copperfield Bowl, Houston, TexasAugust 11 – 18, 2026 – PWBA Tour Championship Week – Yorktown Lanes, Parma Heights, Ohio {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "FAQPage","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "When does the 2027 PWBA Tour start?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The 2027 PWBA Tour begins on May 6, 2027, with the PWBA Rhode Island Open at East Providence Lanes in Rumford, Rhode Island."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "What are the major tournaments in the 2027 PWBA season?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The major tournaments for the 2027 season include the USBC Queens from May 19 to 25 in Mooresville, North Carolina, and the U.S. Women’s Open from June 15 to 22 in Rochester, New York."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Where can I watch the 2027 PWBA Tour?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "All qualifying and match play rounds throughout the 2027 season will be streamed live on BowlTV, with broadcast details for the finals to be announced later."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Where is the 2027 PWBA Tour Championship being held?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The 2027 season concludes with the PWBA Tour Championship Week from August 10 to 17 at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando, Florida."}}]}

Brooke Roberts captured her second PWBA Regional title by winning the PWBAOrlando Regional at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Roberts, who earned a No. 1 seed after qualifiers, defeated Maranda Pattisonof California in the championship match, 234–201. Roberts earned $2,600 for the victory, while Pattison received $1,300 as therunner-up. The stepladder finals began with Morgan Kramer defeating Alyssa Ferraro,221–184. Then in the semifinal, Pattison advanced with a 257–201 win overKramer. This was second PWBA Regional Tour title for Roberts. With the win, shesecured an automatic berth into the season-ending PWBA RegionalShowdown. The PWBA Regional Tour continues March 28 with the PWBA Eastern PennsylvaniaRegional in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The new PWBA National Tour season begins on April 29 in Rockford, Illinois.

The PWBA Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026, with three new membersset to be inducted during tournament week of the United States BowlingCongress Queens in May. Two inductees were selected in thePerformance category, while one was chosen in the Meritorious Service andBuilder category. Kelly Kulick and Cara Honeychurch will be inducted for their success ascompetitors, while Leila Wagner will be recognized for both her bowling careerand her many years of contribution to the sport beyond the lanes.Theinduction ceremony will take place on May 13, 2026, at the Gold Coast Hoteland Casino in Las Vegas, alongside the USBC Queens tournament, which runs fromMay 13 to May 19. A Legend Both on PWBA and PBA Kelly Kulick built a long career that spans collegiate bowling, professionalcompetition, and international play. She joined the PWBA Tour in2001 after a successful college career at Morehead State. That same year, sheearned Rookie of the Year honors and finished among the tour leaders in bothpoints and earnings. Kulick won five major championships duringher career, including titles at the Queens and the U.S. Women’s Open.In 2010, she made history by becoming the first woman to win a PBATour title when she captured the Tournament of Champions. Kullicklater added two more PWBA titles after the tour returned in 2015. Kulick alsorepresented Team USA on 1998-2001, 2008, and 2010-2021, won multipleinternational gold medals. She currently serves as the head coach of JuniorTeam USA and assistant coach of the Team USA. Australia's Bowling Icon Cara Honeychurch joined the PWBA Tour in 1999 after early internationalsuccess for Australia. Before turning professional, she won theAMF World Cup and earned gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. On the PWBATour, she quickly became a regular presence on television and won severaltitles, including major events. Honeychurch earned Rookie of theYear honors in 2000 and remained a top competitor through the early 2000s.She claimed eight career PWBA titles and received recognition forboth performance and sportsmanship. After the tour paused, she returned toAustralia and later served as the chief executive officer of Tenpin BowlingAustralia. A Voice of Women's Bowling Leila Wagner earned her place in the PWBA Hall of Fame through her work as acompetitor, broadcaster, and ambassador for bowling. As aprofessional bowler, she made numerous television finals and won two careertitles. She later became a familiar voice and face of women’sprofessional bowling as a lead announcer and commentator during televisedevents for more than a decade. Wagner also traveled extensively topromote bowling through clinics, exhibitions, and public appearances. Her workhelped bring women’s bowling to a wider audience across multiple countries.Withthe addition of the Class of 2026, the PWBA Hall of Fame will include 54members across all categories. The upcoming induction continues the Hall ofFame’s role in recognizing both competitive success and long-term service toprofessional women’s bowling.For more information visitpwba.com pwba.com

Shannon Pluhowsky won the 2025 PWBA Tour Championship at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York. Pluhowsky, the No. 1 seed, defeated England’s Verity Crawley 235-167. She earned $50,000 for the win, while Crawley took home $25,000 for second place. The title match was low scoring in the early frames. Pluhowsky had 85 through five frames after leaving a 4-6-10 split, while Crawley had 70 with two strikes and two opens. After the commercial break, both players struck twice in a row, but Pluhowsky added two more strikes to take control. A strike in the ninth and another in the 10th secured the match for Pluhowsky. The victory marked Pluhowsky's third career major title, sixth overall and second in a row PWBA title. Just 3 days ago, Pluhowsky won PWBA Pepsi Open. won PWBA Pepsi Open Crawley reached the title match by defeating No. 5 seed Stephanie Zavala, 233-215 in the semifinals. Zavala had earlier defeated No. 4 seed Jordan Snodgrass, 185-150, and No. 3 seed Lauren Russo, 233-170. Snodgrass earned $10,000 for fifth place, Russo earned $12,000 for fourth, and Zavala collected $15,000 for third. 2025 PWBA Tour Championship was the last event of the 2025 PWBA season. Singapore's New Hui Fen was named 2025 PWBA Player of the Year. She led the tour with 94,550 points and three titles, including the U.S. Women’s Open, Rock 'n' Roll Open and BowlTV Open. Snodgrass finished second in the points race with 93,125. U.S. Women’s Open Rock 'n' Roll Open BowlTV Open

The stepladder finalists are set for the 2025 PWBA Tour Championship at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York. Five players remain in the season’s final major event, and the PWBA Player of the Year race is still undecided.Singapore’s New Hui Fen, who led the PWBA Tour season in points and earnings, did not advance to the stepladder finals, finishing ninth. She will receive 10,600 points, bringing her total to 94,550 Tour points accumulated throughout the season. Jordan Snodgrass, who earned the No. 4 seed, will fight against fifth seed Stephanie Zavala in the opening match of the stepladder. With a single win, Snodgrass can overtake New in season points with 94,625. Meanwhile, Zavala moved into the stepladder during the position round, defeating 2025 Rookie of the Year Malaysia’s Gillian Lim 226–202 to jump from seventh to fifth place. 2025 Rookie of the Year The winner of the opening match will face third seed Lauren Russo. Russo is making her second television appearance of the season after finishing third at the U.S. Women’s Open earlier this year. Second seed Verity Crawley of England will await the winner of that match as a No. 2 seed, only two wins away from the major title. In qualifiers, Crawley averaged over 244 during her block on the 38-foot oil pattern, becoming the first player since the format change in 2021 to start 8-0 in match-play. to start 8-0 in match-play Crawley is also appearing on TV for the second time this season, having reached the finals of the PWBA Anniversary Open in June. Top seed Shannon Pluhowsky, will bowl in the championship match. Pluhowsky is looking for her second straight title after winning the PWBA Pepsi Open and her third career major title. winning the PWBA Pepsi Open The finals will take place Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

The PWBA Tour Championship began at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York, with winners from this season and the top 24 in points competing in match play. Day one kicked off with the first eight games of the 24-game match play, and with a major title up for grabs, UK's Tenpin Hall of Famer wasted no time making history. UK's Tenpin Hall of Famer Verity Crawley became the first player since the format change in 2021 to start the event 8-0 in match-play.Crawley averaged over 244 during her block on the 38-foot oil pattern, scoring 1,957 before bonus pins for a total of 2,197. This is the fifth-highest eight-game match-play total since the PWBA Tour’s relaunch in 2015. Shannon Pluhowsky, the PWBA Pepsi Open champion, sits in second place with 2,066, while Lauren Russo holds third with 1,992. Singapore’s New Hui Fen, the season leader in points and earnings, and Josie Barnes, ranked second in earnings and third in average, share fourth place at 1,973. Positions six through ten after day one are Dasha Kovalova of Ukraine (1,957), Julia Bond (1,941), Jordan Snodgrass (1,926), Lindsay Boomershine (1,926), and Natasha Roslan of Malaysia (1,914). Match play continues Monday morning at 10 a.m. Eastern with another eight games, followed by the final eight games starting at 5 p.m. Eastern. After 24 games, the top five players will advance to the stepladder finals on Tuesday night, broadcast live on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. Eastern. Both rounds of match play are being livestreamed on BowlTV. BowlTV

Malaysia’s Gillian Lim has been named the 2025 PWBA Rookie of the Year. She became the first Malaysian player in history to receive the award. Lim led all rookies in points, earnings, and top-12 finishes during the 2025 season. Her consistent performances across events secured her the top rookie spot. The announcement comes as Lim competes in the season-ending PWBA Tour Championship. After the first eight games of match play, she is in 15th place with two wins, five losses, and one tie, for a total pinfall of 1,848. Meanwhile, England’s Verity Crawley made history by becoming the first player since the format change in 2021 to start the event 8-0 in matches. Crawley averaged over 244 during her block on the 38-foot oil pattern, scoring 1,957 before bonus pins for a total of 2,197 to lead the 24-player field. Match play continues Monday morning at 10 a.m. Eastern with another eight games,followed by the final eight games starting at 5 p.m. Eastern. After 24 games, the top five players will advance to the stepladder finals on Tuesday night, broadcast live on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. Eastern. Both rounds of match play are being livestreamed on BowlTV. BowlTV

The TAT European Amateur Classic 2026 has been cancelled, tournament organizers confirmed.. TAT European Amateur Classic 2026 The event was scheduled to take place from August 3 to August 9, 2026, atDream-Bowl Palace in Munich, Germany. It was set to feature a €400,000 prize fund and bring one of the mostrecognized amateur bowling formats from the United States to Europe. True Amateur Tournaments (TAT) is widely known as one of the most successful amateur bowling events in the United States. Its format, built aroundhandicap divisions, allows players of different skill levels to compete onequal terms. The European edition aimed to replicate that model and attract awide international field. most successful amateur bowling events in the United States Your Weekly Bowling Digest The latest bowling news, tips, and gear reviews—all wrapped up in a quick 3-minute read delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe Now Tournament organizers noted that several key factors led to thecancellation. According to the official statement sent by the TAT President/Director Jamie McWilliams, Germany’s 19% VAT on entry fees createdfinancial pressure on the event structure. In addition, current regulationswould result in a 100% import tax on bowling equipment brought into Europe,increasing costs significantly for participants. Organizers also cited rising global travel costs, including airfare andaccommodation, which would make participation difficult for many players. Below is the full official statement from TAT President/Director JamieMcWilliams: Dear Participants, Partners, and Supporters, We regret to inform you that the 2026 TAT European Challenge, scheduled forAugust 3–9, 2026 in Munich, Germany, has been officially cancelled. Over the past several months, we have worked extensively to bring thisevent to life at the level of quality and value that our players andpartners expect. However, several unforeseen and unavoidable factors havemade it impossible to proceed as planned. First, Germany’s 19% VAT tax applied to all tournament entry feessignificantly impacts the overall cost structure of the event, creatingfinancial challenges that would ultimately make the event very expensive foreveryone involved and affect player value and payout integrity. In addition,current regulations result in a 100% import tax on bowling equipment broughtinto Europe, increasing the cost of bowling balls by over $200 to thecustomer. Finally, ongoing global conflicts have driven travel costs considerablyhigher than originally projected. Airfare, accommodations, and logisticsexpenses have all increased to a point where participation would befinancially prohibitive for a large portion of our community. Our priority has always been to deliver a fair, accessible, andhigh-quality experience for amateur bowlers, and under these currentconditions we believe we are unable to accomplish that. We sincerely appreciate the enthusiasm, support, and interest shown by allof you. We remain committed to exploring future international opportunitiesunder more favorable conditions and will continue to deliver premier eventsthrough True Amateur Tournaments. If you have already registered or made arrangements, our team will bereaching out directly with next steps and support. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/tat-european-amateur-classic-2026-cancelled/#article","headline": "TAT European Amateur Classic 2026 Officially Cancelled","description": "The TAT European Amateur Classic 2026 scheduled for August in Munich, Germany, has been cancelled due to VAT costs, import taxes on equipment, and rising global travel expenses.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-22T20:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-22T20:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/tat-european-amateur-classic-2026-cancelled"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/tat-european-amateur-classic-2026-cancelled/#event","name": "TAT European Amateur Classic 2026","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-08-03","endDate": "2026-08-09","eventStatus": "https://schema.org/EventCancelled","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "Dream-Bowl Palace","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Munich","addressCountry": "DE"}},"description": "The cancelled 2026 TAT European Amateur Classic bowling tournament that was scheduled to take place in Munich, Germany."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/tat-european-amateur-classic-2026-cancelled/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Why was the TAT European Amateur Classic 2026 cancelled?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The event was cancelled due to Germany's 19% VAT applied to entry fees, a 100% import tax on bowling equipment brought into Europe, and rising global travel and accommodation costs."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Where was the TAT European Amateur Classic 2026 supposed to be held?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The tournament was scheduled to take place from August 3 to August 9, 2026, at Dream-Bowl Palace in Munich, Germany."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "What happens if I already registered for the 2026 TAT European Challenge?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Tournament organizers have stated that their team will reach out directly to registered players regarding next steps and support."}}]}]}

Qualification is in full swing at the Storm 4th No Urethane Open in Lahti,Finland, as players continue to battle for positions in the next stage of thetournament. Storm 4th No Urethane Open From more than 220 players registered for this year’s event, only 40 willadvance to the finals on Sunday. As the tournament name implies, the event stands out with its unique rule –urethane bowling balls are not allowed. Every first shot must be thrown with areactive ball, forcing players to rely on ball motion, lane reading, andadjustments as conditions change. The tournament begins with six-game qualification squads, with unlimitedre-entries available. After the first eight squads, Roni Leskinen leads the field with a strong 1459total over six games. Close behind is Aatu Tapanimäki with 1454, followed byJuhani Tonteri in third place with 1428. Last year’s champion Joonas Jähi sitsfourth with 1383, while Jarno Lahti rounds out the top five with 1378. Last year’s champion Joonas Jähi Rami Mukkula holds sixth place with 1376, just ahead of Henry Laine in seventhwith 1375. Kaaron Salomaa is eighth with 1367, Nooa Vilokkinen is ninth with1365, and Timo Alho completes the current top 10 with 1363. With multiple squads still to come, the standings remain open, and scorescontinue to rise as players adapt to the demanding lane conditions. The Storm 4th No Urethane Open features a €40,000 prize fund, with €8,000awarded to the winner. Oil Pattern This year’s oil pattern measures 41 feet with a 2:1 ratio and a total volumeof 29.25 mL. Organizers aim for a medium scoring pace, using Kegel ICEconditioner to create less friction at the front and more carrydown as playprogresses. Exclusive Seminars with Matt McNiel Exclusive Seminars with Matt McNiel In addition to the tournament action, Matt McNiel - Storm InternationalTechnical Director and 4-time USBC Open Championships titlist - will behosting two awesome seminars. On Thursday, April 23rd at 18:30, he'll cover "How to navigate in urethanetraffic," and on Friday, April 24th at 18:30, he'll dive into "Championsmindset, deeper in to mental game." Each seminar costs 150 €, and as a massive bonus, every single participantwill walk away with a brand new Roto Grip Gremlin Tour-X included! Follow all the updates on the tournament’sFacebookandInstagramchannels. Facebook Instagram {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/roni-leskinen-leads-storm-4th-no-urethane-open-qualification/#article","headline": "Roni Leskinen Leads Storm 4th No Urethane Open Qualification","description": "Roni Leskinen takes the early lead at the Storm 4th No Urethane Open in Lahti, Finland. See the current standings, oil pattern details, and Matt McNiel's exclusive seminars.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-20T19:30:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-20T19:30:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/roni-leskinen-leads-storm-4th-no-urethane-open-qualification"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/roni-leskinen-leads-storm-4th-no-urethane-open-qualification/#event","name": "Storm 4th No Urethane Open","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-04-20","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "Lahti","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Lahti","addressCountry": "FI"}},"description": "A unique bowling tournament in Lahti, Finland featuring a €40,000 prize fund where urethane bowling balls are completely banned from the first shot."},{"@type": "FAQPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/roni-leskinen-leads-storm-4th-no-urethane-open-qualification/#faq","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who is leading the Storm 4th No Urethane Open qualification?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Roni Leskinen currently leads the qualification field with a 1459 total over six games, followed closely by Aatu Tapanimäki and Juhani Tonteri."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "What is the rule about urethane balls at the Storm No Urethane Open?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "As the tournament name implies, urethane bowling balls are completely banned. Every first shot must be thrown with a reactive bowling ball."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "What seminars are being held at the Storm 4th No Urethane Open?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Matt McNiel, Storm International Technical Director, is hosting two seminars: 'How to navigate in urethane traffic' and 'Champions mindset, deeper into the mental game.' Each participant also receives a brand new Roto Grip Gremlin Tour-X."}}]}]}

TheBowlingGP Series Youth 2026came to an end on Sunday in Grand-Quevilly, France, after two days ofinternational youth competition. BowlingGP Series Youth 2026 56 young bowlers from five countries gathered at Bowling Plaza Grand-Quevillyto compete in a format built around 16 games on multiple oil patterns. After four qualification blocks, the top players in each category advanced tothe Final Four, where the medals were decided. In the U14 category, Adam Cotton from France secured first place after leadingthe final standings. Evie Darny finished second, followed by Matt Da SilvaPortefaix in third place, while Naé Proust took fourth. The U17 boys division was led by Jordan Baron-Mouhet, who finished at the topof the standings. Tom Levant placed second, Axel Forestier took third, andAlexis Labourier completed the top four. In the U21 boys category, Arenui Ambiehl claimed the win after finishing aheadof Tom Lefebvre in second place. Ethan Mortreux secured third, while BenMarston from Great Britain finished fourth. The combined U17 and U21 girls category was won by Manon Clément, who toppedthe standings after the final stage. Clément recently became European Youth Champion afterwinning gold in the Masters eventat the 2026 European Youth Championships in Berlin. Olivia Rogers from GreatBritain finished second, followed by Perrine Royer in third place, with AgatheColson in fourth. winning gold in the Masters event During the event, organizers also recognized the achievements of all playersfrom the European Youth Championships in Berlin. During the award ceremony, all players who represented their country in Berlinwere honored, including French medalists Thomas Laymet-Carre, RaphaelDurivault, Axel Forestier, Timéo Dujardin, and Manon Clément. It was an incredibly successful European Championship for France. Along withthe gold medal in Girls Masters, France also won bronze in Boys Singles,bronze in Boys Team, and bronze in Girls All-Event.

Sweden has announced its national team for the upcoming European Women'sBowling Championships 2026, which will take place in Odense, Denmark, fromJune 12 to June 20. The team will feature Anna Andersson, Hanna Engberg, Nora Johansson,Victoria Johansson, Josefin Hermansson, and Ottilia Gunnarsson. Gunnarsson will make her senior championship debut. She previously competedat the 2022 World Youth Championships in Helsingborg, where she won a bronzemedal in the team event. The remaining five players bring experience from previous internationalchampionships and have been part of Sweden’s recent success at EuropeanWomen's Championships. At the 2022 European Women’s Championships in Denmark, Sweden claimed 14 ofthe 17 available medals. Two years later in France, Sweden continued thatsuccess by winning medals in every discipline, including gold in Singles,All-Event, Masters, and Team. Singles, All-Event Team According to coach Robert Andersson, the team has shown strong form in recentcompetitions and enters the championship prepared for the challenge ahead. "We have a strong team for the European Championship. The players feel in goodshape and have been responsible for good competition results recently." The European Women's Bowling Championships 2026 will be held at OdenseBowling Center from June 12 to June 20, bringing together national teams from across Europe tocompete in singles, doubles, trios, team, all-event, and masters disciplines. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@graph": [{"@type": "NewsArticle","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/sweden-announces-team-european-womens-bowling-championships-2026/#article","headline": "Sweden Announces Team for 2026 European Women's Bowling Championships","description": "Sweden reveals its national bowling team for the 2026 European Women's Bowling Championships in Odense, Denmark. See the full roster including debutant Ottilia Gunnarsson.","image": ["https://fsn1.your-objectstorage.com/bowlinglife/media/Posts_Uploads/Discord_ad_banner_bowlinglife.png"],"datePublished": "2026-04-08T12:00:00+03:00","dateModified": "2026-04-08T12:00:00+03:00","author": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu"},"publisher": {"@type": "Organization","name": "BowlingLife","logo": {"@type": "ImageObject","url": "https://bowlinglife.eu/logo.png"}},"mainEntityOfPage": {"@type": "WebPage","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/sweden-announces-team-european-womens-bowling-championships-2026/"}},{"@type": "SportsEvent","@id": "https://bowlinglife.eu/sweden-announces-team-european-womens-bowling-championships-2026/#event","name": "European Women's Bowling Championships 2026","sport": "Bowling","startDate": "2026-06-12","endDate": "2026-06-20","location": {"@type": "Place","name": "Odense Bowling Center","address": {"@type": "PostalAddress","addressLocality": "Odense","addressCountry": "DK"}},"competitor": [{"@type": "SportsTeam","name": "Sweden National Team","athlete": [{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Anna Andersson" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Hanna Engberg" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Nora Johansson" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Victoria Johansson" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Josefin Hermansson" },{ "@type": "Person", "name": "Ottilia Gunnarsson" }],"coach": {"@type": "Person","name": "Robert Andersson"}}],"description": "The 2026 European Women's Bowling Championships held in Odense, Denmark, featuring national teams from across Europe."},{"@type": "FAQPage","mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question","name": "Who is on the Swedish national team for the 2026 European Women's Bowling Championships?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The Swedish national team roster includes Anna Andersson, Hanna Engberg, Nora Johansson, Victoria Johansson, Josefin Hermansson, and debutant Ottilia Gunnarsson. They are coached by Robert Andersson."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "Where is the 2026 European Women's Bowling Championships being held?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The 2026 European Women's Bowling Championships will take place at the Odense Bowling Center in Odense, Denmark."}},{"@type": "Question","name": "When is the European Women's Bowling Championships 2026?","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The tournament runs from June 12 to June 20, 2026, and features competition in singles, doubles, trios, team, all-event, and masters disciplines."}}]}]}

On Monday, Nora Johansson claimed the title at the Motiv AIK Ladies Tournamentin Sweden. Two-hander claimed the title after a close final battle with her Spader Damteammate Anna Andersson. The two players set the pace early and stayed at the top of the leaderboardthroughout the competition. Andersson led the qualification round with 1,490,just ahead of Johansson on 1,483. The tournament was decided in the match play stage, where bonus points playeda key role. Johansson won five of her seven matches and collected 150 bonuspoints, while Andersson won three matches for 90 bonus points. That difference proved decisive. Johansson finished with a total of 3,805,while Andersson followed in second place with 3,741. Victoria Johansson completed the podium in third place. With the victory, Nora Johansson earns 50 points in the Elit-SM tourstandings. In the HCP division, Josefine Linderoth took the win with a total of 3,899,finishing well ahead of Doris Lundsten in second and Jessica Lindqvist inthird.

The European Youth Championships 2026 concluded with the Masters finals, wherethe final European champions of the week were crowned in dramatic head-to-headbattles. In the Girls Masters, France’s Manon Clement captured the European title afterdefeating Sweden’s Saga Johansson in a three-game final. Clement closed the match with a powerful 267–226 performance to secure thegold medal. Masters gold became the only gold medal in the girls division that Sweden didnot win at these championships. In the Boys Masters, Slovakia’s Matúš Hrušovský claimed the European crownafter overcoming Sweden’s Philip Strandgren in the final 2–1. Team Competition Yesterday, the Team and All-Event medals were also decided at the EuropeanYouth Championships 2026. In the Girls Team event, Sweden confirmed their dominance with a strongperformance in the final against the Czech Republic. Elin Bergqvist, Lova Nilsson, Elissa Mehmet, and Saga Johansson combined for922 to defeat the Czech team’s 824 and secure the gold medal. The Boys Team final delivered high scoring from both sides, but Denmark provedstrongest when it mattered most. Denmark's Tobias Kastfelt Bryde, Oscar Emil Porskrog, Buster Mads Christensen,and Lasse G. Thomsen posted 971 in the gold medal match to defeat Norway’s942. All-Event The All-Event medals were awarded to the players with the highest totalpinfall across 18 qualification games, combining Singles, Doubles, and Teamscores. In the Girls division, Sweden’s Saga Johansson finished with 4015 total pins,averaging 223.1 for the week, claiming gold. Germany’s Fiona Lindemann securedsilver with 3870, while France’s Manon Clement took bronze with 3864. In the Boys division, Denmark’s Tobias Kastfelt Bryde led the standings with4228, averaging nearly 235 across the tournament. Czech Republic’s JaroslavZapletal followed closely with 4214, while Malta’s Nicolai Mallia rounded outthe podium with 4163.

The European Youth Championships 2026 have reached their loudest and mostchaotic stage - the Team event. Ball returns are working overtime, stacked with Purple Hammers like it’s atwo-floor warehouse for the very last time, as this marks the final eventbefore the new urethane hardness rules come into effect. new urethane hardness rules come into effect After the opening three games, Germany and France have taken early control intheir respective divisions. Girls Division In the Girls division, the host nation Germany leads the standings after theopening block with a total of 2,471 pins. The team of Fiona Lindemann, SaskiaKirschke, Lea Hassforth, and Laura Nisch built their lead through consistentscoring across all three games, highlighted by a strong 867 opening game. Close behind is the Czech Republic with 2,455. Ema Iwazawa led the team effortwith 699, including two games of 259. England sits in third place with 2,430. Ava Andrade was the standout performerwith 701, the highest individual total among the top teams. Sweden currently holds the fourth and final cut position with 2,403. Singles champion Saga Johansson led the team with 676 across three games. Singles champion Saga Johansson RankTeamTeam TotalTeam Avg.1Germany2,471205.92Czech Republic2,455204.63England2,430202.54Sweden2,403200.2CUT TO SEMIFINALS5Finland2,305192.16Ireland2,244187.07Estonia2,205183.88Denmark2,193182.89Norway2,147178.910Iceland2,073172.811Netherlands1,960163.3 RankTeamTeam TotalTeam Avg. Rank Team Team Total Team Avg. 1Germany2,471205.92Czech Republic2,455204.63England2,430202.54Sweden2,403200.2CUT TO SEMIFINALS5Finland2,305192.16Ireland2,244187.07Estonia2,205183.88Denmark2,193182.89Norway2,147178.910Iceland2,073172.811Netherlands1,960163.3 1Germany2,471205.9 1 Germany 2,471 205.9 2Czech Republic2,455204.6 2 Czech Republic 2,455 204.6 3England2,430202.5 3 England 2,430 202.5 4Sweden2,403200.2 4 Sweden 2,403 200.2 CUT TO SEMIFINALS 5Finland2,305192.1 5 Finland 2,305 192.1 6Ireland2,244187.0 6 Ireland 2,244 187.0 7Estonia2,205183.8 7 Estonia 2,205 183.8 8Denmark2,193182.8 8 Denmark 2,193 182.8 9Norway2,147178.9 9 Norway 2,147 178.9 10Iceland2,073172.8 10 Iceland 2,073 172.8 11Netherlands1,960163.3 11 Netherlands 1,960 163.3 Boys Division In the Boys division, France takes the early lead with 2,652. Timéo Dujardinled all players with 719, while Thomas Laymet-Carre added 670. Malta is second with 2,618. Samuel Caruso led the way with 679, supportedclosely by Kayden Lagana’, Tomas Caruso, and Nicolai Mallia. Norway sits in third place with 2,601. Christian Danielsen Otting posted 681,while Mathias Danielsen Otting followed with 670. The Czech Republic holds fourth place with 2,546. David Mojka led the teamwith 710, while Singles champion Jaroslav Zapletal added 643. Three more games will be played tomorrow, followed by the semifinals andfinals. RankTeamTeam TotalTeam Avg.1France2,652221.02Malta2,618218.23Norway2,601216.84Czech Republic2,546212.2CUT TO SEMIFINALS5Finland2,541211.86Romania2,499208.27Sweden2,493207.88Croatia2,476206.39Denmark2,462205.210Iceland2,436203.011Germany2,412201.012Belgium2,371197.613Italy2,361196.814Slovakia2,353196.115Estonia2,330194.216Hungary2,322193.517Greece2,322193.518Netherlands2,276189.719Poland2,274189.520England2,258188.221Scotland2,237186.422Ireland2,235186.223Austria2,220185.024Turkey2,195182.925Switzerland2,083173.6 RankTeamTeam TotalTeam Avg. Rank Team Team Total Team Avg. 1France2,652221.02Malta2,618218.23Norway2,601216.84Czech Republic2,546212.2CUT TO SEMIFINALS5Finland2,541211.86Romania2,499208.27Sweden2,493207.88Croatia2,476206.39Denmark2,462205.210Iceland2,436203.011Germany2,412201.012Belgium2,371197.613Italy2,361196.814Slovakia2,353196.115Estonia2,330194.216Hungary2,322193.517Greece2,322193.518Netherlands2,276189.719Poland2,274189.520England2,258188.221Scotland2,237186.422Ireland2,235186.223Austria2,220185.024Turkey2,195182.925Switzerland2,083173.6 1France2,652221.0 1 France 2,652 221.0 2Malta2,618218.2 2 Malta 2,618 218.2 3Norway2,601216.8 3 Norway 2,601 216.8 4Czech Republic2,546212.2 4 Czech Republic 2,546 212.2 CUT TO SEMIFINALS 5Finland2,541211.8 5 Finland 2,541 211.8 6Romania2,499208.2 6 Romania 2,499 208.2 7Sweden2,493207.8 7 Sweden 2,493 207.8 8Croatia2,476206.3 8 Croatia 2,476 206.3 9Denmark2,462205.2 9 Denmark 2,462 205.2 10Iceland2,436203.0 10 Iceland 2,436 203.0 11Germany2,412201.0 11 Germany 2,412 201.0 12Belgium2,371197.6 12 Belgium 2,371 197.6 13Italy2,361196.8 13 Italy 2,361 196.8 14Slovakia2,353196.1 14 Slovakia 2,353 196.1 15Estonia2,330194.2 15 Estonia 2,330 194.2 16Hungary2,322193.5 16 Hungary 2,322 193.5 17Greece2,322193.5 17 Greece 2,322 193.5 18Netherlands2,276189.7 18 Netherlands 2,276 189.7 19Poland2,274189.5 19 Poland 2,274 189.5 20England2,258188.2 20 England 2,258 188.2 21Scotland2,237186.4 21 Scotland 2,237 186.4 22Ireland2,235186.2 22 Ireland 2,235 186.2 23Austria2,220185.0 23 Austria 2,220 185.0 24Turkey2,195182.9 24 Turkey 2,195 182.9 25Switzerland2,083173.6 25 Switzerland 2,083 173.6

After an intense final day, the Doubles competition at the European YouthChampionships 2026 in Berlin has come to a close. In the girls division, Sweden continued its dominance by placing both of theirteams inside the top four after qualification. Saga Johansson andElissa Mehmet, who won gold and silver in Singles, led the standings with2,579, followed closely by their teammates Lova Nilsson and Elin Bergqvistwith 2,570. who won gold and silver in Singles Julie Racova and Ema Iwazawa of Czech Republic secured third place inqualification with 2,525, while Laura Nisch and Lea Hassforth of Germanyclaimed the final semifinal spot with 2,468. In the first semifinal, Laura Nisch and Lea Hassforth delivered a strongperformance to defeat Johansson and Mehmet, 453–404, securing their place inthe gold medal match. In the second semifinal, Sweden's Nilsson and Bergqvist edged past Racova andIwazawa, 378–368. In the final, Swedish pair defeated Nisch and Hassforth, 438–375, to claim thegold medal. Germany’s duo took silver, while Johansson and Mehmet, alongside Racova andIwazawa, completed the podium with bronze medals. In the boys division, Denmark’s Oscar Emil Porskrog and Tobias KastfeltBrydeled the qualification standings with a total of 2,936, setting the paceacross all six games. With a standout performance, Denmark’s duo set newEuropean records for the highest 1-game total (558), 3-game total (1,486), and6-game total (2,936). Andrii Gadiatskyi and Viktor Miroshnychenko of Ukraine followed in secondplace with 2,756 after their strong performance yesterday, while Austria's Dominic Groß and Fabian Groß took third with2,741. Tristan Mani Ninuson and Asgeir Karl Gustafsson of Iceland secured thefinal semifinal spot with 2,705. after their strong performance yesterday, The semifinals produced two very competitive matches. Porskrog and KastfeltBryde defeated Ninuson and Gustafsson, 449–438, to move into the final, whileGadiatskyi and Miroshnychenko overcame Austria's pair, 458–379, to securetheir spot in the title match. In the final, Denmark’s duo once again delivered under pressure, as Porskrogand Kastfelt Bryde defeated Gadiatskyi and Miroshnychenko, 446–420, to claimthe gold medal. Ukraine took silver, while Austria and Iceland earned bronze. Tomorrow the Team competition will begin with two opening squads scheduledfrom 9 AM local. European Youth Championships 2026 Oil Patterns Girls' Pattern Boys' Pattern Schedule Time (CET)EventFriday, April 3, 2026 – Team Event (Block 1)08:00 – 09:00Lane maintenance09:00 – 12:15Team Block 1 (Boys, Games 1–3)12:15 – 13:15Lane maintenance13:15 – 16:30Team Block 1 (Boys and Girls, Games 1–3)Saturday, April 4, 2026 – Team Finals08:00 – 09:00Lane maintenance09:00 – 12:15Team Block 2 (Boys and Girls, Games 4–6)12:15 – 13:15Lane maintenance13:15 – 16:30Team Block 2 (Boys, Games 4–6)16:30 – 17:30Lane maintenance17:30 – 18:45Team semi-finals18:45 – 20:00Team finals20:00 – 20:30Team medal ceremony20:30 – 21:00All-events medal ceremonySunday, April 5, 2026 – Masters Finals07:00 – 08:00Lane maintenance08:00 – 09:15Masters Step 1 (Boys Top 16)09:15 – 10:15Lane maintenance10:15 – 11:30Masters Step 1 (Girls Top 16)11:30 – 12:30Lane maintenance12:30 – 13:45Masters Step 2 (Top 8 Boys and Girls)13:45 – 14:30Lane maintenance14:30 – 15:45Masters semi-finals15:45 – 17:00Masters finals17:00 – 17:30Medal ceremony Time (CET)Event Time (CET) Event Friday, April 3, 2026 – Team Event (Block 1)08:00 – 09:00Lane maintenance09:00 – 12:15Team Block 1 (Boys, Games 1–3)12:15 – 13:15Lane maintenance13:15 – 16:30Team Block 1 (Boys and Girls, Games 1–3)Saturday, April 4, 2026 – Team Finals08:00 – 09:00Lane maintenance09:00 – 12:15Team Block 2 (Boys and Girls, Games 4–6)12:15 – 13:15Lane maintenance13:15 – 16:30Team Block 2 (Boys, Games 4–6)16:30 – 17:30Lane maintenance17:30 – 18:45Team semi-finals18:45 – 20:00Team finals20:00 – 20:30Team medal ceremony20:30 – 21:00All-events medal ceremonySunday, April 5, 2026 – Masters Finals07:00 – 08:00Lane maintenance08:00 – 09:15Masters Step 1 (Boys Top 16)09:15 – 10:15Lane maintenance10:15 – 11:30Masters Step 1 (Girls Top 16)11:30 – 12:30Lane maintenance12:30 – 13:45Masters Step 2 (Top 8 Boys and Girls)13:45 – 14:30Lane maintenance14:30 – 15:45Masters semi-finals15:45 – 17:00Masters finals17:00 – 17:30Medal ceremony Friday, April 3, 2026 – Team Event (Block 1) 08:00 – 09:00Lane maintenance 08:00 – 09:00 Lane maintenance 09:00 – 12:15Team Block 1 (Boys, Games 1–3) 09:00 – 12:15 Team Block 1 (Boys, Games 1–3) 12:15 – 13:15Lane maintenance 12:15 – 13:15 Lane maintenance 13:15 – 16:30Team Block 1 (Boys and Girls, Games 1–3) 13:15 – 16:30 Team Block 1 (Boys and Girls, Games 1–3) Saturday, April 4, 2026 – Team Finals 08:00 – 09:00Lane maintenance 08:00 – 09:00 Lane maintenance 09:00 – 12:15Team Block 2 (Boys and Girls, Games 4–6) 09:00 – 12:15 Team Block 2 (Boys and Girls, Games 4–6) 12:15 – 13:15Lane maintenance 12:15 – 13:15 Lane maintenance 13:15 – 16:30Team Block 2 (Boys, Games 4–6) 13:15 – 16:30 Team Block 2 (Boys, Games 4–6) 16:30 – 17:30Lane maintenance 16:30 – 17:30 Lane maintenance 17:30 – 18:45Team semi-finals 17:30 – 18:45 Team semi-finals 18:45 – 20:00Team finals 18:45 – 20:00 Team finals 20:00 – 20:30Team medal ceremony 20:00 – 20:30 Team medal ceremony 20:30 – 21:00All-events medal ceremony 20:30 – 21:00 All-events medal ceremony Sunday, April 5, 2026 – Masters Finals 07:00 – 08:00Lane maintenance 07:00 – 08:00 Lane maintenance 08:00 – 09:15Masters Step 1 (Boys Top 16) 08:00 – 09:15 Masters Step 1 (Boys Top 16) 09:15 – 10:15Lane maintenance 09:15 – 10:15 Lane maintenance 10:15 – 11:30Masters Step 1 (Girls Top 16) 10:15 – 11:30 Masters Step 1 (Girls Top 16) 11:30 – 12:30Lane maintenance 11:30 – 12:30 Lane maintenance 12:30 – 13:45Masters Step 2 (Top 8 Boys and Girls) 12:30 – 13:45 Masters Step 2 (Top 8 Boys and Girls) 13:45 – 14:30Lane maintenance 13:45 – 14:30 Lane maintenance 14:30 – 15:45Masters semi-finals 14:30 – 15:45 Masters semi-finals 15:45 – 17:00Masters finals 15:45 – 17:00 Masters finals 17:00 – 17:30Medal ceremony 17:00 – 17:30 Medal ceremony

If you had a rough night at your local league last weekend and finished with a150, don’t feel too bad. This past Sunday, a score like that would have madeyou a PBA Tour champion. In a match that opened jaws even for seasoned bowling spectators, Marshall Kent outlasted top seed Boog Krol to win the 2026 PBA Indiana Classic. Marshall Kent outlasted top seed Boog Krol to win the 2026 PBA Indiana Classic. The final score of the title match instantly set three new PBA Tour records -lowest title match in PBA Tour history, lowest combined match score onnational TV, and lowest winning score on national TV. Maybe it is not the record you'd ever want to break, but hey - a record is arecord. Historic PBA Records Broken 2026 PBA Indiana Classic Lowest Winning Score New Record 152 Marshall Kent (2026) Previous Record 157 Dennis Jacques (1983) Lowest Combined Score New Record 288 Kent vs. Krol (2026) Previous Record 296 Jacques vs. Staton (1983) What makes this even crazier is that the whole week was a scoring fest. The Mike Aulby 39-foot oil pattern was producing big scores - according to Lanetalk stats, the field averaged 234 throughout the entire week of qualifying. Even during the stepladder finals, before the title match, players were averaging 219, including Timmy Tan’s 172 against Tackett. big scores Lanetalk But when the lights came on for the trophy match, something changed. Marshall Kent walked off the lanes with his eighth career title, but he wasn'texactly celebrating with a backflip. He looked exhausted. Just half an hour earlier, he was carving up the lanes with a 250 game using a Hammer Zero Mercy Solid in thesemifinal against EJ Tackett. Then, suddenly, it was pins who showed zero mercy for Kent. Hammer Zero Mercy Solid "What really threw me for a loop was the second frame when I 2-8-10’d. Then Ichanged balls and washed out, because to me, it felt like those two shotsshould have come off the pattern down lane a lot harder than they did. Ididn’t think they warranted the results they got, and I think because of that,I got subconsciously scared to throw it to the right again," Marshall Kentsaid to the media after the match. "I overcompensated, hit the living crap out of it at the bottom, and made sureit didn’t get there. Then I ended up missing the headpin left twice in a row.I’m not going to lie - in that moment, I felt really kind of down anddefeated." Field AVG. of different stages at PBA INDIANA CLASSIC Qualifiers 234 Stepladder 219 Title Match 144 Luckily for Kent, his opponent, No. 1 seed Boog Krol, was throwing shots justas bad. Maybe even worse. At least the scoreboard above the lanes said so. No. 1 seed Boog Krol, "I think Boog threw the ball way better than he scored, for sure. It justseemed like every little tiny miss was the absolute worst result you couldthink of. It wasn’t like we were getting away with anything," Kent said. With both bowlers failing to pick up spares, not to mention building anystrikes, Kent realized that doing the "right" thing wasn't working. He decidedto throw a Hail Mary, changing his entire strategy on the fly. Luckily, itpaid off. "When that window opened for me, I said, 'I just have to change balls, changelines, just change everything and hope it works out,' because obviously what Iwas doing wasn't working. I just got fortunate enough that I made the rightguess at the right time. Boog made a great shot in the 10th when he needed to,and - kind of the theme of the game - 4-7-9. I don't think he deserved thatresult on that shot. It was about as good as you could execute in the moment,and he got absolutely penalized for it. It was just a strange match ingeneral, but I’m very fortunate to be coming out on top." One of the biggest elephants in the room was Krol’s decision to stick withurethane. In a five-man field, he was the only one to keep Hammer Black Urethane in his hand duringthe finals, and the community was quick to second-guess the move. It’s hard to argue with the logic, though. Krol rode that same urethanestrategy through Friday’s elimination rounds, averaging a massive 255 tosnatch the top seed. snatch the top seed While most players wouldn't dream of touching urethane,Marshall Kent was quick to defend Krol for sticking to his guns. "I wasn’t really sure because, personally, I wouldn’t. But he also took thelead in the last block of qualifying doing that, so I could see it. He has alittle trick he can do better than most people; even when urethane doesn'twork for a lot of guys, he has his own way to make it work late in the block.Honestly, if I was him, I probably would have made the same call. That’s justthe hard part about bowling on TV - you have to make those calls in the momentand commit to them. Sometimes you just make the wrong guesses, and sometimesyou make the right ones. It’s just the nature of the beast."

Last Sunday, Patrick Dombrowski secured the biggest victory of his career in Indianapolis, defeating Anthony Simonsen by just mere two pins to win the 2026U.S. Open and capture his first PBA Tour title. Patrick Dombrowski secured the biggest victory of his career in Indianapolis, defeating Anthony Simonsen The dramatic championship match came down to the final shot, when Simonsenleft a pocket 7–10 split that sealed the win for the 47-year-old formeraccountant. For Dombrowski, the moment marked the culmination of years of persistence onthe PBA Tour. After years competing mostly on regionals and committing to thenational tour full-time only recently, the breakthrough finally arrived onbowling’s biggest stage. In the title match against Simonsen, Dombrowski did everything he could tokeep the pressure on his opponent. Simonsen needed three strikes in the tenthframe to force a roll-off, but after two strikes, the third never came.Speaking with BowlingLife after the win, Dombrowski reflected on the tensefinal moments of the championship match. “I was shocked. I was thinking about my next shot. I thought he was going tostrike out to tie me.” Instead of preparing for a roll-off against one of the sport’s biggest stars,Dombrowski suddenly realized the title was his. Not just the final match, but the entire week turned into an emotional ride.Dombrowski, a big fan of amusement parks and rollercoasters, admitted the U.S.Open felt just as intense. “It was a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the week and even on the show.I just tried to shake the no strike frames out of my mind and throw the nextshot better," Dombrowski said. "Wish there was a park close by so I cancelebrate the win but I’ll have to save my celebration for a bit and focus onthis weeks tournament in Illinois.” The stepladder finals were also marked by six pocket 7–10 splits in four games- including the final shot by Simonsen that ultimately decided the title. Whenasked why they were appearing so often, Dombrowski said he also experiencedhis share of tough breaks earlier in the tournament, but fortunately they didnot come in the most decisive moments. “I’m not really sure how there was so many 7-10’s on the show. I left my shareof them this past week. I think I left 10. Three in one game on pattern 3. I’mlucky that I didn’t leave any. It was just my day." The PBA Tour now moves to Decatur, Illinois, where the Groupon PBA IllinoisClassic is already taking place at David Small’s Victory Lanes from March 9–15. OnMonday, Johnny Quach led the PTQ as 19 players advanced into the main field.

Each year, many talented bowlers earn spots on collegiate teams in the UnitedStates. Yet many others with similar potential - or even bigger - never makethat move. That’s unfortunate, because often the issue isn’t skill, but a lackof know-how. Many young players, especially international ones, simply don’t realize thatcollege bowling is an option for them as well, or they don’t know how theprocess works or where to begin. Fortunately, there are examples of those who have made that path successfully. Not that long ago, I watched French U21 national champ Yaari Lapid bowling in BowlingGP tournaments in France. Today, he competes for Wichita State University, one of the mostprestigious collegiate bowling programs and a proven pathway for futureprofessional bowlers. BowlingGP tournaments in France In our latest interview, we talked about the challenging path to joining aU.S. college bowling program, how recruitment works, and what bowlers shouldknow before considering the move. From Europe to Wichita State 19-year-old Yaari Lapid, from Paris, France currently studies InternationalBusiness at Wichita State University, one of the most recognized collegiatebowling programs in the United States. For him, the decision to move acrossthe Atlantic was driven by a long-term dream of becoming a professionalbowler. Wichita State has long been known for developing elite players and nationalchampions like Kris Prather, Packy Hanrahan, Ryan Barnes, or recent PBA Players Championship winner Brandon Bonta, so theopportunity to train alongside top athletes played a major role in Lapid’sdecision. recent PBA Players Championship winner Brandon Bonta “I chose Wichita State because the coaches are absolutely amazing and full ofknowledge. And the players are Junior Team and Team USA members, so they haveexperience and practicing with them makes you learn a lot.” Recruitment Process for International Bowlers For the 19-year-old, the road to Wichita State was a long one, demanding notonly desire, but also determination and patience. Unlike many other NCAA sports, collegiate bowling on the men’s side does notalways follow a traditional recruitment system. Instead, international bowlersoften need to take the initiative themselves. “There is not really a recruitment process on the men’s side because we arenot NCAA, so I contacted the coaches of a few schools almost two years priorto my arrival and I also came on a visit to Wichita State University.” According to Lapid, the process itself is manageable, but choosing the rightschool can be the real challenge. “The process is not particularly difficult but the choice of where to go canbe tricky depending on what you are looking for, whether it’s bowling level,academic level, the amount of scholarship money you can get and even whetheror not you get a guaranteed spot on the team roster.” He also strongly recommends visiting schools before committing, to feel theatmosphere, see the city you will live in, and meet the personnel. “I also recommend visiting some schools here. It will give a better idea ofthe area you are in and allow you to get to know the coaches, players and theenvironment better.” Understanding the Collegiate Bowling Season The collegiate bowling season is divided into two main parts: the regularseason and the postseason championships. During the regular season, programs compete in tournaments throughout theacademic year. Which events a team attends often depends on the school’sschedule and competitive strategy. “There is a certain number of tournaments the school has to bowl in order tobe eligible for Nationals. Some schools decide to bowl more tournaments andsome only do the minimum required,” Lapid said. The postseason begins with regional qualification events known as Sectionals,where teams compete for spots at the national championships. “Post-season is basically Sectionals, regional qualification with four regionswhere the top teams advance. Same for singles.” At the end of the season, the best collegiate teams in the country advance tothe USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships, the most prestigious event incollege bowling. The tournament features the top 16 men’s and top 16 women’steams in the nation competing for national titles. Teams reach thechampionships through sectional qualifiers held across four regions of theUnited States. Alongside the team event, USBC also hosts the Intercollegiate SinglesChampionships, which determine the individual national champions. Bowlersqualify through the same sectional events before advancing to the nationalfinals. The competition format itself is also unique compared to most internationaltournaments. “The format for almost all events is 5–6 traditional games of 5-man onSaturday. Then Sunday it’s 16 Baker games, four blocks of four games, on fourdifferent pairs. Then it’s the top 8 that advance to a match play eliminatorbracket, usually best 2 out of 3 or best 3 out of 5, to determine thechampions.” Advice for International Bowlers Considering the Move For young bowlers thinking about pursuing collegiate bowling, Lapid emphasizespreparation and early communication with coaches. “If any young European bowler wants to bowl collegiately in the US, theyshould start contacting coaches a year or two prior to their arrival so thatthey have enough time to discuss everything, mainly because coaches are busyduring the season.” Lapid also recommends researching programs carefully and making sure theenvironment fits both academically and athletically. “They should scout schools where either the bowling team is strong or theacademic program they want is well structured. They should start preparing atleast a year before they come so they can understand the practicing rhythm.” When asked what mistakes future collegiate bowlers should avoid, Lapid pointedout that collegiate athletics in the United States demands a high level ofcommitment. “A mistake to avoid is thinking Americans do not take it seriously. They arevery serious about collegiate sports. Although college can be a funexperience, college sports are very demanding.” At the same time, he encourages future players to consider the lifestyleaspect as well. “Second, not checking whether the place you are moving to has things to offer,like places to go out or spend time with friends. If there is nothing to do,you might get bored unless you truly don’t care about that.”

Just hours after announcing that he will step away from competitive bowling,Pontus Andersson spoke with Erikas Jansonas from BowlingLife about the decision, the timing, andwhy the next chapter felt right. The 30-year-old Swede has competed internationally for nearly 13 years,represented Sweden at both youth and men’s championships, and earned more than20 medals for the national team. But despite still performing at a high level,he felt this was the moment to move on. Time for the Next Chapter Asked what made this the right moment to end his competitive career, Anderssonexplained that the feeling had been building for some time. “Been bowling for such a long time and I feel I’ve been doing that part of mylife. Almost 13 years international competition and seeing a lot of parts ofthe world. It’s time for the next chapter!” The Thrill of Developing Others Even though Andersson is still performing well on the lanes, he shared thatcoaching has slowly become just as meaningful as competing. “I definitely feel I can compete, however the thrill of making other bowlersbetter and seeing how they develop is just as of a big thrill. It’s alwaysbeen in my mind to help out people through bowling and at this time it feltlike a great moment.” That mindset ultimately led him to accept a long-term coaching position withthe Qatar Youth Team, beginning in June. Full Focus Some players manage to coach and compete at the same time, even at theirprime. Many PBA and PWBA stars run clinics and offer coaching, but Anderssonfelt that splitting his attention would not allow him to give young bowlerswhat they expect - or what he wants to deliver. “With the move to Doha I’d like to put all my dedication towards the playersin Qatar. Focus will be 100% on them.” He added that the team’s potential is a major motivation. “I know how much potential they have at a young age. If I can help them becomeeven better and compete at the highest level, I would be so excited.” Goodbyes and Undone Business Andersson will be leaving not only the international stage, but also his teamin the Swedish Elitserien. Last season, he helped lead Team Clan to the trophy, and this year they sit in second place with two games in reserveagainst leaders BK Full House. Last season, he helped lead Team Clan to the trophy When asked about leaving the team without one of its key players, Anderssondidn’t hesitate. “They will be more than fine without me for sure!” With Team Clan, Andersson experienced some of the best moments of his professional career, lifting the league trophy twice - the first one nearly a decade ago, in 2016. One Last Ride Although Andersson will retire in June, he still has goals he wants to chasein his final months on the lanes. His first priority is to defend the titlewith Team Clan. The other is more individual. As the winner of the inaugural PBA Sweden regional event, he holds a covered-entry invitation to the World Series ofBowling in Minnesota at the end of April - an opportunity he intends to use. winner of the inaugural PBA Sweden regional event “Still a few things I wanna bowl and try to do my best in before I’m done!Like winning Swedish league one more time and bowl the WSOB!”

ThePBA USA vs. The World Captains Matchdelivered more than just a Sunday exhibition - it offered a rare early-seasonlook at two of the sport’s biggest living legends. Inside theInternational Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, on a pair of real wood lanesinstalled without markings or arrows, and human pinsetting machines,EJ Tackett struck 11 of 12 shots to defeat Australian Jason Belmonte266–227. PBA USA vs. The World Captains Match EJ Tackett struck 11 of 12 shots to defeat Australian Jason Belmonte266–227 Even though the match’s main purpose was to raise donations for theInternational Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, Team USA still gained astrategic advantage heading into the April 4 televised finals: lane choice andlineup control.Tackett selected Andrew Anderson and Ethan Fiore tojoin him, while Belmonte chose Jesper Svensson and Dominic Barrett for TeamWorld. The final roster spot for each team will be awarded based on competitionpoints after the PBA Indiana Classic in March. The rivalry between Tackett and Belmonte remains one of the definingnarratives of PBA - and Sunday’s match added another chapter. But for fans - and for Belmonte himself - now entering his 19th season with 15majors, a Super Slam, and a stated goal of reaching 20 major titles, thebigger story is what the year ahead represents. At 42, the Australian icon has openly acknowledged that the last two yearshave been among the most difficult of his career. Yet heading into 2026, something feels different. And Belmonte knows it. BowlingLife spoke with him in an interview following the CaptainsMatch to talk rivalry, tgood lads, and what he describes as a long-awaitedreturn to feeling like the old self again. It Was More About a Preview Asked whether the Captains Match carried extra weight, especially given therivalry narrative between him and Tackett, Belmonte brushed off the idea. “I don’t think this match was about making a statement. The environment wasunique and the atmosphere was cool, but I doubt very much either EJ or myselfused this match as a statement match. It was more about a preview and teamselections.” The Winning Trio Team World, led by Jason Belmonte, won the last two editions of PBA USA vs.The World - sweeping Team USA in 2023 and winning again in 2019. Belmonte didn't think that Sunday’s result carries any weightheading into the April 4 event, especially since he’ll once again rely on thesame winning trio. His selections for Team World mirror the winning 2023 lineup: Dom Barrett and JesperSvensson. And according to Belmonte, the reasons go far beyond their résumés. A Rebuilt Mindset In the last two seasons, Belmo was always somewhere in the contest for thetitles, cashing in neary every PBA Tour event. But despite finishing 3rd inpoints last season and 5th in 2024, Belmonte has only two titles across hislast three campaigns - a stark contrast to the five titles he collected in2022 alone. Belmonte acknowledged how difficult the last few yearshave been and shared, how much sweat he put in to change that. “I’ve worked really hard on having a strong 2026. I’ve worked out more than Iever have. 4–5 times a week for 5 months. I’ve redefined my physical gameslightly. Re-engineered parts of it. However the biggest change has beenmentally. It has been a very difficult couple years for me mentally and Isuffered through it. I feel much healthier and happier now which has releasedthe version of old of me. I’m excited to be me again on the lanes.” If Belmo truly feels like himself again, the PBA may be heading toward one ofits most 'BOOM' seasons in years - and perhaps the beginning of another pushtoward the 20 majors Belmonte been chasing for the last decade. It won't take long for the fans to see if Belmo's hard work payed off, as thenew PBA Tour season starts today in Arlington, Texas, with the first majortitle on the line - PBA Players Championship. The qualification will take place from Tuesday, February 17, until Friday,February 20, with the first broadcast on Sunday, February 22 at 4 p.m. EasternonThe CW. The CW

The PBA entered a new era last week with the announcement of Peter Murray as its new CEO. In addition, Murray will also serve as Head of Media for the PBAowners, Lucky Strike Entertainment.Taking on either of these roles would be a significant responsibility. Takingon both at the same time... well, a much bigger challenge. announcement of Peter Murray as its new CEO The positive takeaway is that this responsibility is being placed in the handsof someone who, at first impression, appears well equipped to handle it. Coming from a background that includes major sports and media organizationssuch as Professional Fighters League (PFL), Under Armour, and Insignia Sports,Murray's resume signals a strong candidate not only to manage both roles, butalso to lead the PBA - and potentially the whole sport - into a new phase.Shortly after the announcement, BowlingLife’s Erikas Jansonas spoke with Mr. Murray, asking about his early impressions, vision forthe PBA, potential new events, and changes in PBA Tour telecasts. A Great Team With Rich History Stepping into the leadership of the PBA would intimidate many, but Murrayappeared calm and confident. He expressed excitement about taking on bothroles and spoke positively about the people he is surrounded by. “Very excited to join Lucky Strike Entertainment, obviously PBA. It's a great teamwith such rich history and tradition related to the PBA and the sport, and tohave the opportunity to really develop this next phase of growth and grow thesport and grow PBA.” A Deeper Appreciation For the Sport Before taking on the role, Murray’s connection to bowling was similar to thatof millions around the world - a social activity and a way to spend timetogether. Stepping into the PBA structure, however, has given him a new level of respectfor the sport, its athletes, and the competitive landscape. Everyone has a favorite bowling memory, and it often reveals how a persontruly views the sport and approaches it. When asked about his most meaningfulbowling memory, Murray shared that it isn’t tied to high scores. Instead,those moments come from time spent bowling with his daughters. “Bowling with my two daughters was definitely a big part of their childhood, along with playing other sports. It was a great family activity," the new PBA CEO said."I live in Westchester County, New York, and there's a Bowlero in White Plains.Been there for many, many years. So it really has a tie that runs in myfamily.” Immediate Priorities Murray is joining the PBA at one of the busiest and most demanding times ofthe year - the launch of a new season.Format changes, new events, and a new broadcast partner all add to thechallenge, especially following the PBA’s announcement that it would movefrom FOX to The CW Network. This transition is Murray’s key focus now. The CW Network will air tenconsecutive Sunday telecasts. The goal is not simply to broadcast professionalbowling on a new platform, but to sell it to a new audience the broadcastercan offer. “We are very excited about the launch, having ten consecutive Sundays on CWfor the first time. A consistent day, Sunday afternoons, from 4 to 6 EST.It's a great time slot and I'm super excited about what CW is going to bringto the sport, the PBA, and the partnership as promotional plans start to rollout. Along with that, launching on CBS broadcast or expanding that relationship.We're spending our time not only on the product and getting ready for thelaunches, but also on how we focus on appealing not just to avid bowling fansand PBA fans, but casual fans. And introducing them to the sport, introducingthem to the PBA. That's what we're going to have some fun with.” Providing Access to the Athletes Coming from the PFL, Murray knows the value of athlete storytelling. In PFL, strong storytelling helped turn athletes into relatable figures -heroes, rivals, and sometimes even villains - making it easier for fans,especially younger audiences, to connect with them. That connection didn’t just grow interest in the athletes themselves, but alsodrove engagement around the sport through social media. These personal storiesof rivalry, struggle, and success create deep emotional bonds with audiences,elevating a sport beyond pure competition. The stories add something thatbowling, for a long time, has often been missing. “We're going to do more storytelling, not just tied to live events and liveproduct, but year-round. We're bringing more resources on the storytellingfront and production front to provide access to the athletes, which is key,and humanize them even further. So fans get access to them not just whenthey're in competitive mode on telecasts, but get to know them.” More Changes in Telecast? Over the past two weeks, much of the attention has focused on changes withinthe PBA broadcast team.Kimberly Pressler announced that she will no longer be part of PBA Tour telecasts after 15 years, while Jeff Richgels of 11thframe.com reported that The CW Network is targeting Kyle Sherman as a potential color analyst for upcoming PBA Tour broadcasts. If Sherman joins the booth, that could impactthe long-standing role of Randy Pedersen. Kimberly Pressler announced that she will no longer be part of PBA Tour telecasts Jeff Richgels of 11thframe.com reported that The CW Network is targeting Kyle Sherman as a potential color analyst for upcoming PBA Tour broadcasts When asked about the possibility of further changes in the broadcast booth,Murray indicated that additional updates are very likely. “The production team has spent a lot of time and will be rolling outannouncements tied to expanding the broadcast team. In addition to bringingnew voices into the sport and into the PBA, there will be other broadcastenhancements designed to further engage the audience. We're excited aboutthese enhancements and will be announcing them in partnership with CW in thenext two weeks,” Murray said. Global Expansion: One of the Top Priorities As an international bowling media representative, I could not help but askhow the global growth of the PBA stands for the newly appointed CEO. Accordingto Murray, the PBA is ready to evolve further into a truly global property. “We have a massive opportunity to grow internationally. As we look at regionsand countries within Europe, Asia, and other markets, there are great players,and we already have some competing in the PBA today. There is other talent that would like the opportunity to have a pathway intothe PBA, and there is demand among media companies and fan bases in thosemarkets. You'll see us begin to open up our distribution starting this year inkey markets. So fans have more access to the PBA, live competition, original content,highlights, and their favorite athletes from those countries.” Schedule Expansion and New Events This year, the PBA Tour will feature 21 different events, ranging from singlescompetitions to doubles, team formats, and international stops. According to Peter Murray, the PBA is also exploring opportunities to expandthe season calendar in the coming years, with fans likely to see additionalPBA Tour stops next season. “More broadly, we're looking forward to expanding the format and creating aworld tournament, and more to come on those details for spending time on further developing new formats to consider and roll out as early as 2027." When asked if the fans can expect more PBA Tour stops in 2027, Mr. Murray responded with a clear “Absolutely.” The PBA Tour season kicks off with the PBA Players Championship on January 16,with the televised finals set for February 22 on theCW Network. CW Network

The Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC)announced a major equipment rule change yesterday, confirming that slow oil-absorbing high-performance urethane bowling ballsare now disallowed in all MTBC-sanctioned tournaments. announced a major equipment rule change yesterday "My initial reaction was surprise, but also understanding," Malaysian National Team member and PBA Tour title winner Tun Hakim told BowlingLife as he reflected on what the decision means for the sport going forward. PBA Tour title winner Tun Hakim Tun Hakim According to MTBC, the goal is to protect competitive integrity, keep laneconditions fair, and address equipment-governance issues that have becomeharder to monitor. While the ban introduces a major shift, Hakim acknowledges that MTBC is tryingto balance between fairness and long-term athlete development. “Urethane has becomea big part of modern lane play, and any restriction will naturally createdebate. At the same time, I believe MTBC’s intention is to protect laneintegrity and ensure fair competition, so I respect the effort to manage thesport responsibly,” said Hakim. A Shift Toward Versatility For many bowlers worldwide, urethane has been an essential part of theirarsenal. A new generation of players has grown up with urethane as afoundational tool on all sorts of patterns. Naturally, removing it will force adjustments - something Hakim sees as bothchallenging and beneficial. “I think it will encourage bowlers to rely more on versatility and technicalskills rather than a single equipment option. Adjustments will be challengingat first, especially for players who frequently use urethane, but in the longrun it could lead to more diverse ball choices and strategic play during MTBCevents.” A Disadvantage Internationally? Since urethane is still allowed at big international tournaments like the IBFWorld Championships, some people wonder if Malaysia might fall behind by notusing it locally. At the world level, urethane has been everywhere on the ballracks in recent years. Hakim doesn’t dismiss the concern. “It could be a concern if players do not have enough opportunities to competewith urethane locally. However, I don’t see it as a major disadvantage ifMalaysian bowlers continue to train internationally and prepare specificallyfor IBF events. Adaptability has always been an important part of high-levelbowling, and that remains true here.” MTBC said the decision followed a detailed review with technical experts,coaches, and elite athletes, along with an evaluation of global trends, locallane conditions, and USBC research. In September 2025, the USBC announced that beginning January 1, 2026, slowoil-absorbing high-performance balls will face strict new limits in nationaltournaments, with some events banning them entirely and others allowing onlymodels made at 78D hardness or higher.

The 56th Brunswick Ballmaster Open finished on Sunday in front of a packed Tali Bowling Hall crowd - the legendary 36-lane bowling center in Helsinki, whereFinland’s own Santtu Tahvanainen lifted the trophy after a composed 204–170victory over Rami Mukkula in the championship match. Santtu Tahvanainen lifted the trophy The victory secured him the €10,000 first prize and placed his name on thewall at Tali Bowling Hall, alongside respected world-class bowlers such asMika Koivuniemi and Parker Bohn III – champions of the tournament he grew upwatching. After the final, BowlingLife caught up with the new champion to talk aboutnerves, childhood memories inside Tali Bowling Hall, and what this win meansheading into the upcoming PBA Tour season. “Stressful… and then way less stressful.” The TV finals did not start the way Tahvanainen had hoped. In the semifinal,the defending champion Jarno Lahti started with a four-bagger, whileTahvanainen was struggling to find the rhythm. But as the framesprogressed, Tahvanainen found his footing. defending champion Jarno Lahti The turning point came mid-match. The moment he reset mentally, the gameshifted. “Stressful and then way less stressful," Santtu said with a smile when askedabout his performance in the TV finals. "I was actually stressing it and whenJarno left the split in the fifth frame, it was like kind of a relief. I struggled on my first two shots, I even changed to the four steps. But when hesplit, I thought I have a chance. And I collected my head, and it was way,way better bowling after that.” In the title match, the29-year-old met fellow Finn, 22-year-old rising star Rami Mukkula, who had been leading the tournament since the Top 32 and reached the final by edgingLinus Boström 216–211 in the semifinal. who had been leading the tournament since the Top 32 Moreover, Mukkula already knew what it takes to win at Tali Bowling Hall,having taken the International Hammer Challenge title there in 2024. International Hammer Challenge title there in 2024 Hands Were Not Shaking Even though Tahvanainen began the title match striking only once in hisfirst five frames, he was dealing with the pressure better, picking upspares with confidence, until finally found the rhythm again with three straight strikes in frames six through eight to seal the victory 204-170. Even though Tahvanainen began the title match striking only once in hisfirst five frames, he was dealing with the pressure better, picking upspares with confidence, until finally found the rhythm again Santtu agreed that his PBA experience gave him an advantage under pressure as it kepthis hands steady. "I definitely felt it that I haven't bowl so much of tournaments because Iinjured my hand during the Hammer Challenge, so I haven't been able to bowlalmost at all. I wasn't completely confident on my bowling, but my hands werenot trembling or anything like that anymore, like they used to on the TV. Soit definitely helped to have that experience on me.” Why the Ballmaster Hits Differently For many bowlers winning Ballmaster is a career highlight. For SanttuTahvanainen, it is something else entirely - a childhood dream come fullcircle. “I grew up here, I bowled my first Ballmaster when I was like 13 or 14, and Isaw all kind of big names like a Dino Castillo and Sean Rash and Tommy Jones,and I met Parker when I was young, and we always chatted for years andyears." For Finnish bowlers, the Ballmaster Open carries a special weight. Winning at Tali Bowling Center means more than a title – it means becoming part of the history many grow up dreaming about. "It has it's own meaning over here, like because it's an environment. Andeveryone always talked about it when I was a kid, how cool it is to win." On Sunday, he had a chance to taste that win. For a kid who once watched the greats roll strikes on these lanes, lifting the Ballmaster trophy of his own means everything. Momentum for the PBA Tour season The new PBA season begins soon, and this victory couldn’t have come at abetter time. After battling injury last year, Santtu finally feels the rhythmreturning. “The fact that I'm able to put some practice in before I go there is huge,because last year I came off the injury, so I didn't like get to practice atall.” The PBA Tour season kicks off with the PBA Players Championship on January 16,with the televised finals set for February 22 on the CW Network. CW Network

Over the past few years, European bowling has seen plenty of tournaments come and go. Many are well-intended, some are memorable, but only a few manage to build a real identity. BowlingGP is one of those rare cases – a tournament brand that doesn’t just organize events, but consistently raises expectations of what a bowling tournament in Europe can be. BowlingGP Hosted in France and open to players from across the continent, BowlingGP has quietly become a reference point for quality, professionalism, and international appeal. When BowlingLife first attended BowlingGP back in 2024, the first thing that stood out was how well structured the event was. Formats were clear, communication was solid, and schedules were built to work for players, not against them. From qualification squads to finals, everything felt smooth rather thanimprovised, which is often the case at bowling tournaments. Not to mentionthat finals usually finish by Sunday lunchtime, leaving enough time forplayers to safely return home. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BowlingGP Tournaments (@bowling.gp_tournaments) View this post on Instagram A post shared by BowlingGP Tournaments (@bowling.gp_tournaments) Main Focus Is Players First of all, although BowlingGP takes place in France, it never feels like alocal-only event. International players are genuinely welcomed, which isclearly reflected in the entry lists that regularly include bowlers frommultiple countries. Moreover, BowlingGP also deserves credit for how it treats different playergroups. The organization now focuses primarily on two categories – youth andseniors. For youth bowlers, BowlingGP offers several tournament formats,ranging from individual to team events. On the senior side, BowlingGP hostsone of the best-attended stops on the International Senior Bowling Tour,further underlining its strong international appeal. Youth tournaments are clearly designed to be genuinely meaningful, not justrandom weekend bowling events. They give young players a proper internationalexperience, focused on development rather than being just another competitionwith little long-term value. Meanwhile, senior events remain competitive and professionally presented,avoiding the common trap of turning into purely social gatherings. Details That Shape the Experience BowlingGP also understands that the quality of an event is often defined bysmall details. Branding is consistent, visuals are modern, and updates are shared clearlythroughout the tournament. Players and fans are never left guessing where tofind information. That attention to detail extends beyond the lanes. One moment that stood outto us was seeing a live band performing during the BowlingGP party dinner. Itis a small touch, but a telling one. It shows that BowlingGP views thetournament as a full experience, not just a competition. The social side is treated with the same care as the sporting side, whichstrengthens the sense of community around the event. Respect for Culture BowlingGP also benefits from embracing French hospitality. The food inNormandy plays an important role, with players welcomed to tables filled withlocal cuisine. For international visitors – and for locals as well – this addsanother layer to the experience, turning meals into shared moments rather thansimple breaks between squads with a frozen pizza slice. It all comes down to thoughtfulness. These touches help players feel like theyare investing in a complete experience, not just purchasing squad entries –something many tournaments still tend to overlook. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BowlingGP Tournaments (@bowling.gp_tournaments) View this post on Instagram A post shared by BowlingGP Tournaments (@bowling.gp_tournaments) Raise the Bar What is most fascinating is that BowlingGP does not try to reinvent thebowling wheel. Instead, it focuses on doing the essentials exceptionally wellwhile adding just enough personality to make the events memorable. From BowlingLife’s perspective, BowlingGP stands out because it respects thesport and the people around it. It just feels complete. In a European bowling landscape where consistency is often missing, BowlingGPshows what is possible when events are built with care, planning, and a clearvision. That is why BowlingGP is no longer just a strong tournament series in France.It is setting a new high standard for bowling events in Europe. Upcoming Events In December, BowlingGP France Youth 2025 showcased two days of high-levelyouth competition. Two additional youth events are scheduled forthe spring, beginning with the BowlingGP Series Youth Grand Quevilly 2026 onApril 11–12. Registration is already open. For seniors, BowlingGP France Senior 2026 returns to the lanes inGrand-Quevilly from September 30 to October 4. More details will be announcedlater, so make sure to follow BowlingGP on social media and atbowlinggp.com. bowlinggp.com

BowlingLife has officially launched the BowlingLife Fantasy League, andplayers can already submit their picks for the PBA Players Championship usingthe BowlingLife Fantasy League form. BowlingLife Fantasy League form BowlingLife Fantasy League is a new way for fans to follow the PBA Tour andplay along throughout the season. a new way for fans to follow the PBA Tour The idea behind the Fantasy League is simple. Instead of just watching events,fans can build their own fantasy teams using real PBA Tour players and scorepoints based on how those players perform on the lanes. BowlingLife Fantasy League is built around the PBA Tour calendar, but not alltour stops are included. For a full breakdown of which events are part of thegame, check the BowlingLife Fantasy rules. rules Before each event, fantasy managers submit a new team made up of sixprofessional bowlers. Five players are selected from ranked tiers based on theTop 50, while the sixth pick is a Wildcard player chosen from outside the Top50. One of the six players is selected as Captain and earns 1.5x fantasypoints for that event. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bowling News • Reviews • Tips (@bowlinglife.eu) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bowling News • Reviews • Tips (@bowlinglife.eu) Fantasy points are awarded based on tournament results, meaning every block,cut, and title run matters. Teams are ranked on a global leaderboard thatupdates after each event, with the season also split into multiple rounds togive players more chances to compete and, of course, more prizes to win. The BowlingLife Fantasy League is free to play. There is no app to downloadand no payment required. To join, players simply submit their team through theofficial Fantasy League form before each event. The BowlingLife Fantasy League form for the PBA Players Championship is liveand can be submitted here. here Most BowlingLife Fantasy League managers gather in the BowlingLife Discord community, where deadlines, updates, rankings, and discussions are sharedthroughout the season. While Discord is not required to play, it is the mainplace where fantasy managers stay updated and interact with each other.Members also get exclusive BowlingLife content that cannot be found anywhereelse. Here is your invitation to the BowlingLife Discord. BowlingLife Discord community Here is your invitation to the BowlingLife Discord Team submissions for the BowlingLife Fantasy League will remain open until thestart of Qualification Round 1 at the PBA Players Championship, scheduled for11:00 AM CET on February 16.

Watching the PBA Tour has always been fun. Watching it while arguing withfriends about who will choke, who will peak, and who you should’ve picked?Even better. Just a few weeks before the new PBA Tour season, BowlingLife's team wasalready deep into predictions, power rankings, and “this is his year” takes.At some point, the question came up naturally - why not turn all of this intoa fantasy game and play along together? No big plans or bold promises - just a simple bowling fantasy built to makewatching bowling more enjoyable.And that is how BowlingLife Fantasy League came to life. Right now, BowlingLife Fantasy League runs on simple tools, forms, standings,and regular updates. It might feel a bit clumsy at times - and that is okay.The goal was never perfection. The goal was to launch it before the season starts and create something fun,something social, and something that makes waiting for the next PBA Tour eventmore exciting. Because now, you are not just watching - you are part of it. Most importantly, this fantasy league is being built together with thecommunity. We are paying attention to how people play, talk, and react. Ifthis turns into something people truly enjoy and want to keep, we can alwaysmake it smoother and more user-friendly in future seasons. How the Bowling Fantasy Game Works BowlingLife Fantasy League is a bowling fantasy game built entirely around thereal PBA Tour season. For every PBA Tour event in the fantasy schedule, you submit a new team madeup of six real professional bowlers. Five players are selected from rankedtiers based on the Top 50, which keeps teams balanced. The sixth player is aWildcard pick, letting you take a chance on someone outside the Top 50. From those six players, you choose one Captain. Your Captain scores 1.5xfantasy points for that event. Your fantasy results depend completely on how your players actually perform onthe lanes. Higher finishes earn more points, and consistency across events iswhat separates the best fantasy teams from the rest. It is easy to start, but it gets competitive quickly. Why Play Bowling Fantasy? Because it changes how you watch bowling. BowlingLife Fantasy League gives youa reason to follow more storylines, track form changes, and stay engaged fromthe first frame to the final title match. It adds tension, debate, andexcitement to every PBA Tour stop. If you already watch bowling, fantasy simply makes it better. How Do I Join the BowlingLife Fantasy League? Getting started is simple. You register your fantasy team using a Googleaccount, which is used to track your team and points. There is no app todownload and no payment required - the BowlingLife Fantasy League is free toplay. Everything follows the PBA Tour calendar. Before each event, you submit yourteam through the official BowlingLife Fantasy form. Miss a submission and youscore zero points for that event, so staying updated matters. That is why theBowlingLife Discord is the best place to keep track of everything. Standings, Rounds, and Prizes In BowlingLife Fantasy League, fantasy managers are ranked on a globalleaderboard based on the total fantasy points they earn across the PBA Tourseason. Alongside the overall standings, the season is divided into three rounds, eachcovering a group of PBA Tour events. These rounds act as mini competitionsinside the season, giving everyone more chances to compete, reset the fight,and stay involved. Standings are updated after every PBA Tour event. Players are not justfighting for bragging rights, but also for prizes. Top performers in both theoverall standings and individual rounds will be rewarded with BowlingLifemerchandise, bowling equipment, or other prizes. Details are announced ahead of time through BowlingLife Discord and officialBowlingLife channels. Bowling Fantasy Community Lives on BowlingLife Discord While the fantasy league runs alongside the PBA Tour, the community lives ontheBowlingLife Discord. BowlingLife Discord That is where most of the action happens. Updated tiers are posted therefirst. Fantasy deadlines, reminders, news, and reactions are shared beforeevery event. It is also where fantasy managers talk picks, argue about captainchoices, celebrate wins, and complain about bad breaks. If you enjoy bowlingconversations, that is where you will feel at home. You do not have to join Discord to play, but if you want the full BowlingLifeFantasy experience, that is where it comes alive.Join BowlingLife Discord and be part of the community! Join BowlingLife Discord and be part of the community! Ready to Play Along? If you already follow the PBA Tour, this fantasy league is built for you. Sametour, same bowlers. Just one more reason to care when the next event starts.Join the BowlingLife Discordto get live updates and stay in the loop when the BowlingLife Fantasy Leaguegoes live. Join the BowlingLife Discord

Over the decades, the PBA Tour has seen many of the sport’s biggest names riseto the top. Some players captured the Player of the Year awardonce, while others returned year after year and built long runs of dominance.No matter how often they won it, every Player of the Year left a clear mark onbowling history. With a new PBA Tour season approaching, BowlingLife has put together acomplete list of every PBA Tour Player of the Year winner since the award wasofficially recognized in 1963. The list starts with BillyHardwick, the first honoree and still the youngest ever to win it at age of23, and runs through to EJ Tackett, who has claimed the award for threestraight seasons now. Below is the full list of PBA Tour Player of the Year winners, beginning withthe most recent and going back to the very start. PBA Tour Player of the Year Award Winners List 2025 – EJ Tackett2024 – EJ Tackett2023 – EJ Tackett2022 – Jason Belmonte2021 – Kyle Troup2020 – Jason Belmonte2019 – Jason Belmonte2018 – Andrew Anderson2017 – Jason Belmonte2016 – EJ Tackett2015 – Jason Belmonte2014 – Jason Belmonte2013 – Jason Belmonte2012 – Sean Rash2011 – Mika Koivuniemi2010 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.2009 – Wes Malott2008 – Chris Barnes2007 – Doug Kent2006 – Tommy Jones2005 – Patrick Allen2004 – Mika Koivuniemi2003 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.2002 – Parker Bohn III2001 – Norm Duke2000 – Norm Duke1999 – Parker Bohn III1998 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.1997 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.1996 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.1995 – Mike Aulby1994 – Norm Duke1993 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.1992 – David Ferraro1991 – David Ozio1990 – Amleto Monacelli1989 – Amleto Monacelli1988 – Brian Voss1987 – Marshall Holman1986 – Walter Ray Williams Jr.1985 – Mike Aulby1984 – Mark Roth1983 – Earl Anthony1982 – Earl Anthony1981 – Earl Anthony1980 – Wayne Webb1979 – Mark Roth1978 – Mark Roth1977 – Mark Roth1976 – Earl Anthony1975 – Earl Anthony1974 – Earl Anthony1973 – Don McCune1972 – Don Johnson1971 – Don Johnson1970 – Nelson Burton Jr.1969 – Billy Hardwick1968 – Billy Hardwick1967 – Jim Stefanich1966 – Dave Davis1965 – Wayne Zahn1964 – Dick Weber1963 – Billy Hardwick

Bowling has come a long way. From rolling stones thousands of years ago towooden balls and today’s high-tech gear with advanced cores and coverstocks,the game has constantly evolved. This time, we’re hopping in thetime machine to explore theHistory of bowling ballsand see how each era shaped the sport we know today. History of bowling balls Stone era: Ancient Egypt (~3200 BC) The earliest bowling balls were carved from stone in Ancient Egypt. Theseheavy spheres had no holes, no cores, or polish - just raw shape and weight. They were used in ritual games and early forms of pin play, proving that theidea of rolling a ball toward targets has been around for thousands of years. Wood era: Before the 1900s By the 1800s, balls were being made from lignum vitae, a dense tropical wood.Many were crafted in two halves, pegged together, and often cracked with use. While they lacked consistency, these wooden balls marked the beginning ofmodern equipment design and represented a huge step forward in the history ofbowling balls. Rubber era: 1905–1960s The introduction of rubber balls changed the sport forever. In 1905, the Evertrue became the first of its kind, followed in 1914 byBrunswick’s Mineralite, which used a secret rubber formula. Rubber balls weresmoother, more durable, and consistent compared to wood. For decades, rubber was the competitive standard, often built with cork cores. Polyester era: 1960s–1980s The 1960s broughtplastic (polyester) bowlingballs. Columbia’s Crown Jewel and other models became popular for their motionand durability. But pros soon complained about the lack of hook. Some bowlerstried chemical soaks to soften covers until safety rules banned such tries. plastic (polyester) Even though stronger hooking balls eventually took over, most bowlers stillkeep a plastic ball in their bag today. Urethane era: 1980s The early 1980s marked another leap forward with urethane. Models like the AMF Angle created more friction and stronger hook potential,especially on shorter or drier lane conditions. Urethane sparked a shift in ball performance expectations and still has aloyal following for its smooth, controllable motion. Reactive resin era: 1990s In the early 1990s, reactive resin covers took over. Balls like the Nu-LineX-Calibur introduced microscopic pores that absorbed oil, creating explosivebackend hook and higher pin carry. This innovation fueled a scoring boom and forever changed how bowlers attackedlane conditions. Reactive resin remains the dominant material in performancebowling today. Modern design: technology meets performance Today’s bowling balls combine engineered coverstocks and advanced cores.Manufacturers fine-tune specs like RG, differential, and surface finish togive bowlers specific options for heavy oil, medium conditions, or dry lanes.Most bowlers now carry 6–12 balls to tournaments, each with a specializedpurpose. Final thoughts From stone to wood, rubber to polyester, urethane to reactive resin, thehistory of bowling balls is the story of constant innovation. Every new material changed the way the game was played and opened newpossibilities for scoring and strategy. Understanding this history makes today’s equipment even more fascinating - andshows just how far the sport has come.

This article is based on historical information shared by Gary Beck on Facebook, who provided valuable insight into one of the most debated moments in bowling equipment history. This article is based on historical information shared by Gary Beck on Facebook Facebook Facebook , who provided valuable insight into one of the most debated moments in bowling equipment history. This week, the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) released an official statement confirming that it is in advanced talks to ban urethane bowling balls from certified competition. in advanced talks to ban urethane bowling balls in advanced talks to ban urethane bowling balls According to USBC, urethane affects lane pattern integrity, creates possible imbalances in competitive fairness, may limit player development, and presents enforcement challenges due to its softness over time. USBC’s Equipment Specifications Committee is currently reviewing survey feedback and manufacturer input, with a decision expected later in 2025. But this is not the first time the sport faced such a crossroads with urethane bowling balls. Back in 1981, the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) came very close to banning urethane bowling balls entirely. This wasn’t due to long-term softness or lane integrity concerns, but because of how dramatically the new ball changed performance during competition. By 1974, AMF, a major bowling brand, was struggling with market share. It had shut down its ball factories and outsourced ball production to competitors. Not satisfied with the results, AMF hired Edmond Leary, MIT engineer, to design a new kind of ball that would dominate the lanes. Leary began testing his designs at the 1979 Bowling Proprietors' Association (BPAA) U.S. Open and returned a year later with 36 prototypes, tested by six PBA players. Ten months later, 125 newly built bowling balls were delivered to the 1981 PBA National Championship in Toledo, Ohio. The ball, later named the AMF Angle, was black with a pancake weight block - just like most of the balls on the market. But on the lanes, it was anything but ordinary. It hooked more and hit harder than anything bowlers had used before. Within a month, AMF gave away over 2,000 Angles to players on tour. For free, as a marketing campaign. After that, even bowlers known for throwing straight suddenly were hooking like crazy. The change was hard to ignore. Concerned about how much the ball was impacting scoring, the PBA Tournament Committee had to make a move. In early April 1981, just a yar after AMF Angle was released,all eleven committee members voted unanimously to ban urethane bowling balls. But when the PBA Executive Committee met later that month in Las Vegas, the plan was rejected. The reason was financial. The PBA depended on support from bowling ball manufacturers, and banning urethane would hurt those relationships. So, despite the serious concern, the ban on urethane never became official. The ball stayed on tour. Over time, it changed how equipment was developed and how the game was played. More than 40 years later, the debate continues wether should urethane be banned or not. This article is based on information originally provided by Gary Beck on Facebook. This article is based on information originally provided by Gary Beck on Facebook Gary Beck on Facebook Gary Beck on Facebook .

The 2025 PWBA Anniversary Open was a massive occasion for bowling. Everyone was talking about it. With so many photos and videos flooding social media, even those who weren’t at the Resch Center on Sunday night could feel like they were part of it. It was a breath of fresh air - just what bowling needed. 2025 PWBA Anniversary Open 2025 PWBA Anniversary Open After WBA, USBC, and BPAA did the math, 6,559 spectators packed the Resch Center - a venue that holds up to 10,200 fans in its standard configuration for basketball, hockey, or indoor football events. That’s over 64% of the seats filled - not too shabby for an event where sitting on the other side of the pin deck (meaning one sector remains unseated) isn’t an option. Of course, the organizers were intentionally aiming for a big crowd: it was an anniversary event, entry was free, several tournaments were merged into one, and thousands of youth bowlers (plus their families) were already in town. It worked. I do wonder what attendance would’ve looked like if it had been a regular PWBA title event. But this piece isn’t about that. This time, let’s take a look back through history - looking at the most attendance-wise successful events, the ones that failed, and reflect on what bowling in arena can mean for the sport. Bowling’s All-Time Attendance Record 6,559 spectators is a lot for bowling - no doubt about that. But it’s not the record. The current attendance record belongs to the other women's bowling event - 2011 U.S. Women’s Open, where 8,017 fans watched the finals inside AT&T Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. Built in 2009, the stadium was a perfect fit for bowling. With seating for 80,000, cutting-edge tech, and that “stadium feel,” it gave bowling something it rarely gets - true center-stage energy. Traditional bowling venues typically only fit a few hundred spectators around the lanes and don’t surround players with big-time atmosphere - AT&T Stadium was completely different. The 2011 U.S. Women's Open was a huge success. It smashed the previous record of 7,212 fans, set at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit in 1995 during the BPAA U.S. Open - the most-attended PBA Tour event to this day. So, if I’ve done my math right, the 2025 PWBA Anniversary Open ranks as the third most-attended bowling event in history. Well, at least in modern bowling. It’s followed by the 2004 USBC Masters at Miller Park, which had 4,303 spectators. The BPAA All-Star Tournaments of the 1950s and 60s may have drawn similar numbers - venues like the National Guard Armory in Minneapolis had capacities over 8,000, but without verified public attendance records, those numbers are just speculation. Not Every Bowling In Arena Attempt Worked Stadium-sized bowling events come with big risks. And sometimes, they don’t pay off. After the success of the 2004 Masters at Miller Park, expectations were high. But due to financial limitations and poor turnout in later years, the Masters quickly returned to smaller venues. But in 2007, the organizers took one last shot - bringing the event back to Miller Park. On paper, the timing looked great. The local footbal team played the day after, meaning no sports competition that Sunday. Two lanes were built, four finalists were ready, and 12,000 seats were opened for fans. Everything was in place. Except the crowd. Only 2,712 people showed up, despite tickets ranging from $10 to $75, to watch 25-year-old future Hall-of-Famer Sean Rash win the title and $50,000 top prize. That disappointment left a lasting mark. Since then, no PBA Tour event has returned to a stadium venue - and with Bowlero not focused on arena-style events, there’s little indication that will change soon. But maybe the success in Green Bay will spark some discussions, hope, and courage to change that. Bowling may be a small sport compared to football, basketball, or hockey - sports that fill stadiums every weekend - but it’s big enough to say that the vast majority of people have tried knocking down pins at least once. Big events like the PWBA Anniversary Open are important - not just for fan excitement, but for the sport’s image, growth, and the players themselves. They show what bowling could look like if we all put in just a little more effort. After all, who really wants to sit in a poorly ventilated, rusty bowling alley under a shopping mall for three hours watching bowling without proper seating for fans? We may be small, but we have big hearts. Big enough to fill stadiums. We just need a little more courage to open the big doors - and let the fans walk in.

Is bowling a sport or just a fun activity with family or friends? This question keeps coming up on socials and in private talks. Some say it's clearly a sport. Others think it’s more of a hobby or a leisure activity. In this article, we’ll explore both views and share facts that help answer the question: is bowling a sport? Why People Say Bowling Is a Sport Let’s look at the most common reasons people believe bowling is a real sport. Bowling Has Official Recognition One of the strongest arguments that helps answer the question “is bowling a sport” is its official recognition by major sports bodies. The International Olympic Committee has recognized the International Bowling Federation (IBF) since 1979. The IBF governs the sport worldwide and sets rules and rankings. Professional leagues also exist. The most popular one - The PBA Tour - includes athletes from around the world. Players on PBA Tour follow strict rules, train hard, and earn prize money. FOX Sports, CBS, and ESPN have aired major bowling events to large audiences. That supports the idea that bowling is a sport. Bowling Requires Skill and Effort Bowling may seem simple, but it requires strength, accuracy, and control. The ball can weigh up to 16 pounds and some players throw it faster than 20 mph. A spare ball - up to 35 mph! Bowlers who hook the bowling ball generate strong rotation. Studies show the motion puts stress on the wrists and shoulders. Also, releasing the bowling ball puts strong force on the knees and leg muscles. hook the bowling ball hook the bowling ball Even though bowling is not as physical as contact sports, it also puts stress on the heart. A typical bowler’s heart rate during a session can range from the low 100s to the high 170s. This level of physical and mental effort is exactly why so many agree the answer to is bowling a sport is yes. Bowling Has Real Competition To answer the question "is bowling a sport," we must also look at its competitive structure. Unlike many games, bowling includes leagues, tournaments, and both continental and world championships. It has coaches, training camps, and organized event schedules. Players compete for titles and prize money, just like in other recognized sports. The sport includes junior events, championships, and national team events. This level of structure supports the view that bowling is a sport. Millions Compete Worldwide Over 100 million people bowl in more than 80 countries every year. It’s one of the most played indoor sports on Earth. Also, one of the oldest ones. Archaeologists discovered miniature pins and balls in an Egyptian tomb dated to 3200 BC, proving bowling's ancient origins. By the 14th century, bowling grew so popular in England that King Edward III banned it to keep archers practicing. The modern version of bowling took shape in 1895, when the American Bowling Congress formed in the United States. For decades, bowling has been part of the World Games, Pan-American Games, and African Games. Many national teams take it seriously, with trials and selection criteria in place. Being a sport in these kinds of events often unlocks athlete support and funding from national governments. With funding and millions of people involved, it’s only fair to ask again - is bowling a sport or a pastime? Bowling Has Its Own Industry and Lane Challenges Another angle to explore when asking is bowling a sport is the depth of its equipment and playing conditions. Bowlers face different alleys and oil patterns that can change the strategy entirely. Each pattern changes how the ball moves, which adds strategy and skill to every shot. Bowlers must prepare for varying conditions, which is why the industry offers gear tailored for different patterns. There are many different balls for different conditions, performance shoes, bags, jerseys, lane machines. Everything is built for performance, just like in any other serious sport. oil patterns oil patterns different balls different balls performance shoes performance shoes bags bags This proves that bowling is a sport with its own gear, science, and playing environment. Why Some Say Bowling Is Not a Sport Despite strong evidence, some still believe bowling does not qualify as a sport. Here’s why. Low Physical Intensity Some argue sports must involve hard physical activity. Bowling does not require much running, jumping or canging direction fast. You don’t often sweat or get out of breath. This leads critics to say bowling is not a sport, but rather a skilled game. It Feels Like a Game People often associate bowling with birthday parties or casual nights out. Many people first try it for fun, not for competition. That light setting shapes how the public sees it. If bowling alleys featured more sports visuals, trophies, or televised events, the perception might be different. But because of this casual image, people often ask: is bowling a sport or just a game? Bowling Is Not in the Olympics Another point critics raise is bowling’s Olympic status - and this one hits hard, especially in recent years. Bowling was a demo sport in 1988 but never became part of the official Olympic program. In 2023, organizers unexpectedly removed bowling from the 2025 World Games competition program. Then in 2025, officials excluded bowling from the 2027 Pan American Games. unexpectedly removed bowling from the 2025 World Games competition program. unexpectedly removed bowling from the 2025 World Games competition program. excluded bowling from the 2027 Pan American Games. excluded bowling from the 2027 Pan American Games. A lack of action from decision-makers and limited global youth programs may be part of the problem. However, the Olympic Games still leave out many widely played sports, not just bowling. Still, many wonder: if it’s missing from the Olympics, is bowling a sport or just a competitive game? So, Is Bowling a Sport? Bowling has every trait a sport should have. It has rules, training, rankings, and physical demands. It meets the same standards as many accepted sports. Thus, is bowling a sport? All signs point to yes. Still, public views are mixed. Much depends on how someone first experiences the game. But after learning more, most would agree that bowling is a sport. Conclusion So, is bowling a sport? Yes. It fits the key elements: competition, skill, effort, and official structure. While not everyone agrees, the facts support bowling’s place among real sports. Whether you bowl for fun or compete at a high level, you’re still part of a true sport.