ARLINGTON, Texas – The Professional Women’s Bowling Association now is accepting entries for the first four events of the 2016 season and also has expanded the member benefits for PWBA members.

PWBA membership is open to women who have achieved a USBC-certified league average of 180 or better in their career. The benefits for becoming a member for the 2016 season include:

• $100 entry fee discount on PWBA Standard events
• Entry priority for PWBA Standard events
• Discounted practice rates at official PWBA Practice Centers
• Free PWBA award ring for first 300 bowled during standard PWBA event
• Ability to compete in all PBA events at PBA member entry fees
• Right to receive a PWBA champion’s banner for winning a PWBA national tour event
• Right to transport equipment on the PWBA Player Services truck (transport fees apply) 
• Personalized membership card
• Five PWBA bag tags
• Right to wear the logo of a pro shop or business they own or operate (subject to PWBA Product Registration rules)
• Right to enter the PWBA Players Championship
• Opportunity to qualify for the Smithfield PWBA Tour Championship
• Name listed on the PWBA website

Some of the new benefits added for 2016 include tournament entry priority, discounted practice at select bowling centers and a new awards program that will offer a ring to any member who rolls a 300 game in a PWBA event.

“The new benefits should encourage qualified bowlers, who might not have joined last year because they didn’t plan on bowling multiple events, a great reason to become a PWBA member,” PWBA spokesperson Kelly Kulick said. “The discounted practice benefit alone could save a member enough to cover the cost of the membership.”

In addition to the new member benefits, the PWBA now is accepting entries for the first four events on the Tour schedule.

The PWBA Las Vegas Open at Texas Station kicks off the 2016 schedule followed by PWBA Sonoma County Open, PWBA Storm Sacramento Open and the USBC Queens.

The PWBA Las Vegas Open will take place in conjunction with the annual USBC Convention, with competition unfolding on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1. Competition for all other standard events will be contested on Friday and Saturday.

Entries for the PWBA Wichita Open, PWBA Lincoln Open, PWBA Greater Detroit Open and PWBA Players Championship will open Feb. 4, with entries for the remainder of the schedule opening March 12.

The PWBA also has published a revised version of its Official Rules and Regulations. A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) outlining a number of the key rule changes for 2016 can be found at PWBA.com, along with the full version of the rulebook.

The PWBA Tour schedule for 2016:

• April 28-May 1: PWBA Las Vegas Open, Texas Station, Las Vegas, Nevada
• May 5-8: PWBA Sonoma County Open, Double Decker Lanes, Rohnert Park, California
• May 12-15: PWBA Storm Sacramento Open, Steve Cook’s Fireside Lanes, Sacramento, California
• May 20-26: *USBC Queens, The Orleans, Las Vegas, Nevada
• June 2-5: PWBA Wichita Open, Northrock Lanes, Wichita, Kansas
• June 9-12: PWBA Lincoln Open, Sun Valley Lanes, Lincoln, Nebraska
• June 16-19: PWBA Greater Detroit Open, Super Bowl, Canton, Michigan
• June 23-26: *PWBA Players Championship, The Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley, Green Bay, Wisconsin
• June 30-July 3: PWBA Lexington Open, Collins Bowling Center - Eastland, Lexington, Kentucky
• July 7-10: PWBA Rochester Open, AMF Gates Lanes, Rochester, New York
• July 14-17: PWBA St. Petersburg-Clearwater Open, Seminole Lanes, St. Petersburg, Florida
• July 29-31: PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles, Palace Lanes, Houston, Texas
• August 2-7: *U.S. Women’s Open, TBD
• TBD: *Smithfield PWBA Tour Championship, TBD

   *Major PWBA Tour event

Go to PWBA.com for more information about the PWBA Tour and players.