ARLINGTON, Texas – In grabbing player of the year honors in the return of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour last season, Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, New York, won three titles, including two majors.

This week, she returns to defend her PWBA Greater Detroit Open title when the tour stops at Super Bowl in Canton, Michigan. A practice session is set for Thursday, with qualifying rounds taking place Friday and Saturday.
 
Once again, Johnson is making her presence felt on the PWBA Tour. She captured the PWBA Las Vegas Open title, and this past week qualified for the stepladder finals of the Pepsi PWBA Lincoln Open. She also has top-10 finishes in two other standard events this year.

She said the momentum of last year’s success helps, but 2016 is a new year and the PWBA Tour is continuing to provide more challenges.

“These ladies are so good and there are so many up-and-coming great ladies, it just keeps getting better and better,” Johnson said. “Last year was great, this year is even better. It’s exciting to be a part of it.”

The USBC Hall of Famer said she came into the season in better shape. With more events added for the 2016 PWBA Tour season, the veteran knows the importance of balancing competition, practice and the lifestyle of being on the road for weeks at a time.

“I had some knee problems last year and it still gives me twinges here and there,” Johnson said. “Being 42 – I’m proud to say that – it doesn’t get any easier physically, so you try to stay on top of it. I try to stay as healthy off the lanes, and diet and exercise are super important.”

She became the first two-time winner on the PWBA Tour when she won the PWBA Greater Detroit Open last year, saying she remembers “getting very overwhelmed” when she won the title. She already has punched her ticket to the season-ending PWBA Tour Championship with her victory at the PWBA Las Vegas Open. 

“You cherish every tournament, every TV show, every win,” Johnson said. “I very thankful to be able to do what I love to do, and make a living at it.”

All rounds of the PWBA Greater Detroit Open will be broadcast on Xtra Frame, the exclusive online bowling channel for the Professional Bowlers Association. Visit XtraFrame.TV for more information.

2016 PWBA GREATER DETROIT OPEN
Thursday, June 16
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.:  Media event
5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Practice
7 p.m.:  VIP event
Friday, June 17
8 a.m. – 9 a.m.: Practice
10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Six games of qualifying
6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Six games of qualifying
Saturday, June 18
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Cashers’ round – six games
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Round-robin match play – six games
5 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Group stepladder finals
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Pro-Am
Sunday, June 19
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Youth Clinic
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Pro-Am