PWBA Tour re-launching with backing of USBC, BPAA

With the help of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), there will be a Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour in 2015. This also includes a three-year financial commitment from both entities.

Equal investment from both the USBC and BPAA will be required for the initial framework approved by the Board of Directors to go through. This will ensure proper operations support and guaranteed prize money for the 2015, 2016, and 2017 seasons. This “re-launch” will be an effort to restore a Women’s PBA option that dissolved in 2003 after financial strains halted the tour.

During a conference call with Bowl.com, USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy expressed his excitement about the impact that re-launching the tour would bring to the bowling world,

“We are extremely excited about the possibilities this tour will bring us, especially in the area of woman bowlers, but also the youth that will be coming up through our system.”

Some of the details revealed during the conference call divulged that USBC/BPAA will be committed to nine tour events tentatively slated to be held from July 10th through September 7th of 2015. This will include a guaranteed cash prize fund of $60,000 per event and a guaranteed first place minimum prize amount of $10,000. This will extend through the 2017 season. The events will take place in a Friday-Sunday format allowing each tour participants to take out for family and other jobs.

“The new PWBA Tour must fit the lifestyle balance today’s women need,” BPAA President Tom Martino said. “Women shouldn’t have to choose between pursuing their dream as a professional bowler and the stability of traditional home life. We want the new tour to be an option for as many women as possible.”

The 2015 Tour will consist of eight regular-season tour events culminating with a PWBA Championship as the ninth event. All events will be live-streamed with a broadcast partner yet to be determined. To find out more about host centers and other PWBA Tour information, visit Bowl.com