PWBA

PWBA stands for the Professional Women’s Bowling Association. It is the principal professional organization and touring circuit for female tenpin bowlers in the United States. The PWBA organizes a season of competitive events across multiple venues, provides prize funds, and crowns season champions and award winners. The association works to promote women’s bowling, support player development, and raise the sport’s visibility through media and sponsor partnerships.

History and governance

The original PWBA began in the 1960s as a formal tour for professional women bowlers and built a prominent circuit through the 1980s and into the 1990s. After a period of inactivity and restructuring, the modern PWBA tour was relaunched in the mid-2010s, with events funded by sponsors and organized in coordination with the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) and World Bowling. The PWBA operates as a standalone tour under the PWBA umbrella, with the aim of providing ongoing competitive opportunities for women bowlers and aligning with international standards for the sport.

Competition format

A PWBA season typically features a series of tournaments held at different bowling centers, often including qualifying rounds and match-play or stepladder finals to determine event winners. Points and earnings from events contribute to the season rankings, leading to year-end accolades such as Player of the Year and various title wins. The tour emphasizes fairness, sportsmanship, and professional conduct, and it collaborates with host venues, sponsors, and media partners to broaden exposure for the sport.

Notable players and impact

Prominent PWBA competitors have included Liz Johnson, Shannon O’Keefe, Danielle McEwan, and Kelly Kulick, among others. The PWBA provides a platform for elite female athletes, supports youth development, and contributes to the growth of women’s bowling on national and international stages.