PWBA and Storm announce event sponsorship
April 23, 2026
ARLINGTON, Texas – The Professional Women’s Bowling Association and Storm Bowling have reached a naming rights agreement that will make Storm a presenting sponsor of one PWBA Tour event annually beginning with the 2026 season.
As part of the agreement, Storm has secured naming rights to the 2026 PWBA Columbus Open, which will be renamed the PWBA Barbara Chrisman Classic presented by Storm. The event will be contested at HPL Bowling Center in Columbus, Ohio, June 4-6.
The agreement marks a continued investment in the PWBA Tour, providing enhanced visibility for both the tour and its partners while supporting the long-term sustainability of professional women’s bowling.
“Storm is proud to step in as a presenting sponsor of a PWBA Tour event,” said Tyler Jensen, President of Storm Bowling. “This partnership reflects our continued commitment to supporting women’s bowling at the highest level and elevating the visibility of the Tour. We’re excited to align with the USBC and BPAA on an event that showcases the best in the sport. It’s a true win-win for bowling.”
The money that Storm puts forward each year will go toward Tour prize funds, ensuring player payouts remain consistent and competitive.
“When we saw that the USBC and BPAA were reinvesting directly into the PWBA prize fund, it made the decision an easy one for us,” said Jensen. “Supporting the best players in the world has always been at the core of who we are as a company.
“We also saw this as a meaningful opportunity to honor our owner, Barb Chrisman, by naming an event in her honor. She is incredibly excited to present the trophy to the first winner of the Barb Chrisman Classic, and we look forward to this event celebrating her legacy and women’s bowling for many years to come.”
The PWBA National Tour begins April 29 with the PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open in Rockford, Illinois. For more information on the PWBA National Tour, visit PWBA.com/national-tour.
As part of the agreement, Storm has secured naming rights to the 2026 PWBA Columbus Open, which will be renamed the PWBA Barbara Chrisman Classic presented by Storm. The event will be contested at HPL Bowling Center in Columbus, Ohio, June 4-6.
The agreement marks a continued investment in the PWBA Tour, providing enhanced visibility for both the tour and its partners while supporting the long-term sustainability of professional women’s bowling.
“Storm is proud to step in as a presenting sponsor of a PWBA Tour event,” said Tyler Jensen, President of Storm Bowling. “This partnership reflects our continued commitment to supporting women’s bowling at the highest level and elevating the visibility of the Tour. We’re excited to align with the USBC and BPAA on an event that showcases the best in the sport. It’s a true win-win for bowling.”
The money that Storm puts forward each year will go toward Tour prize funds, ensuring player payouts remain consistent and competitive.
“When we saw that the USBC and BPAA were reinvesting directly into the PWBA prize fund, it made the decision an easy one for us,” said Jensen. “Supporting the best players in the world has always been at the core of who we are as a company.
“We also saw this as a meaningful opportunity to honor our owner, Barb Chrisman, by naming an event in her honor. She is incredibly excited to present the trophy to the first winner of the Barb Chrisman Classic, and we look forward to this event celebrating her legacy and women’s bowling for many years to come.”
The PWBA National Tour begins April 29 with the PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open in Rockford, Illinois. For more information on the PWBA National Tour, visit PWBA.com/national-tour.