Return of the PWBA

Return of the PWBA

For the first time in more than a decade, the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour will be back to showcase the top female bowlers in the world starting in the summer of 2015.

Through a three-year funding commitment from the USBC and BPAA, women will have a tour to call their own for the first time since 2003. 

The tour will consist of 10 stops, kicking off with the USBC Queens in May and concluding with the PWBA Tour Championship in September. Events will run from Friday-Sunday, giving competitors the flexibility for family or job obligations during the week.

With the new PWBA.com recently launched, players and fans alike can start to get excited about the future of women’s bowling. This month’s Source Spotlight will take a glance at some of the story lines to look forward to once the season is in full swing.

LOOK WHO’S BACK

With the return of the PWBA, there will be some familiar names re-emerging onto the scene looking to add a few more accomplishments to their resume. 

Liz Johnson, who recently was elected to the USBC Hall of Fame, already owns 11 PWBA titles and has kept her name at the forefront of women’s bowling with two Women’s U.S. Open titles (2007 and 2013) and a win at the 2009 USBC Queens. Johnson also made history on the PBA Tour by becoming the first woman to make a PBA televised final in 2005, and also has made shows at the 2014 Cheetah Championship and 2015 DHC PBA Japan Invitational.

Fellow hall of famer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard will be looking to recapture the magic of her 2001 season, when she took home a record-tying seven titles, including the Queens. Dorin-Ballard has captured more than 20 professional titles in her storied career. 

MAKING THEIR MARK

Several players missed their opportunity to tour after 2003, but already have made names for themselves and will look to continue the trend in 2015.

Kelly Kulick made her way into the mainstream media after winning the 2010 PBA Tournament of Champions. She also has taken home three Women’s U.S. Open (2003, 2010, 2012) and two Queens (2007, 2010) victories.

Missy Parkin (2011 Queens), Shannon Pluhowsky (2006 Queens and 2014 BPAA Women’s All-Star) and Stefanie Johnson (11-time member of Team USA) all have found continued success on the lanes and will be contenders on the PWBA circuit.

STARS OF TOMORROW

We can’t forget about some of the up-and-comers who will be looking to add their name to the history books similar to those already mentioned.

Latvia’s Diana Zavjalova burst onto the scene in 2013 with a victory at the Queens and rolled that success into a title at the 2014 XBowling Intercollegiate Singles Championships while bowling collegiately for Webber International.

Some other fresh faces out of college to be on the lookout for include Elise Bolton, Josie Earnest and Danielle McEwan. Each of them shined throughout their collegiate careers, and will hope to translate that experience into their first PWBA title.

So who’s going to win? Let the discussion begin and root for your favorite competitor starting in the summer of 2015!