Luby Hall of Fame Award

The IBMA Luby Hall of Fame Award is given to an individual (living or deceased) who has made a distinguished contribution to bowling in print, broadcast, telecast or photographic coverage over a period of at least ten years. The IBMA (BWAA/NWBW) has been presenting this award, considered the most prestigious bowling media award, for more than six decades.

The Award is named after the Luby family - Dave, Mort Sr. and Mort Jr. - for their dedication and longevity in the bowling print publication business.

IBMA Hall of Fame inductees also includes the World Bowling Writers (WBW) Hall of Fame Award (1993 – 2012)
WBW Hall of Famers are chosen strictly on the basis of athletic performance. To qualify for consideration, a player must have been amateur and accumulate a minimum of 15 points in any combination of four specifically designated international competitions; the Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ) adult World Championships; the Bowling World Cup; the Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ) adult Zone Masters Championships; and the Olympic Games.

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2023 Luby Hall of Fame Winner

Mark London

London, of Dubuque, Iowa, beat out long-time Professional Bowlers Association color commentator Randy Pedersen for the honor.

London has developed into a multimedia reporter and storyteller since his first bowling news story, a Charlie Tapp feature for his college television station in 1984. Later that year he earned a broadcast degree from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota and, enhanced by his own high-level bowling background, used those skills to land commentating roles for a local league and PBA Midwest Regional finals activity broadcast on local cable in the 1990s.

Besides his professional radio work, London began a mostly bowling-themed column that has been picked up by bowling publications since 1998. The subject of his “Just Paying Attention” column received additional national attention from the ABC quarterly magazine Bowling when it featured his Top 25 TV Bowling Moments list. Along with sport bowling articles in Bowling This Month magazine, London recently highlighted the 50th anniversary of the famed Don Johnson 299 game to win the 1970 PBA Tournament of Champions on FloBowling.com and the obituary of the first TV 300 game bowler, Jack Biondolillo on PBA.com.

In addition to the weekly column for The Bowling News, London served as chair of the IBMA Bowler of the Month Committee from 2009 through 2021. In 2017 he contributed six articles and a photograph to Bowlers Journal International, commentated on the PBA Xtra Frame Storm Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles (the Luci) and served as a live stream guest analyst for the Sam Houston State Kat Klash NCAA women’s bowling tournament.

“It’s very much an honor especially going against somebody who has been a national television commentator going on 25 years now,” London said. “Also, I want to thank the HOF committee and my fellow IBMA members for their support for this humbling honor.”

For five years London had a regular guest segment on the Bowlers Show, a weekly internet bowling program. He was the first to commentate on all four major bowling live stream services: PBA Xtra Frame, USBC bowl.tv, InsideBowling.com and BowlStreamtv.

London also had the unique distinction of being publicly thanked by TV producer Chuck Lorre at the end of the pilot episode of CBS-TV’s “Young Sheldon” on one of Lorre’s famed ‘Vanity Cards,’ because of London’s assistance in scouting a potential shooting site for the series. 

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Alberta E. Crowe Meritorious Service Award

This award is presented to an individual or organization that has achieved outstanding long-term accomplishments in service to the sport of bowling. It is named after the longest serving president of the WIBC, Alberta E. Crowe. The award encompasses past winners of the now defunct BWAA's John O. Martino Award and the now defunct NWBW's Jo Ettien Lieber Award. Martin was the first BWAA president in 1934 and Jo Ettien Lieber was a founding member of NWBW in 1948.

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2023 Crowe Meritorious Service Award Winner

Fran Deken

Deken, who recently moved back to Kansas City from Oklahoma, has been a long-time advocate for the growth and promotion of women’s bowling. She served nearly three decades as a tournament operator for both the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour and the Professional Women’s Bowling Association.

Before serving in an administrative capacity, Deken was a top-tier collegiate player at the University of Iowa. She was a four-time national champion at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) National Championships, has earned multiple state and local titles, has represented the United States multiple times and found success as a senior at the USBC Senior Queens and National Golden Ladies Classic. And yes, she was the 2001 Bowling Writers Association of America Senior Bowler of the Year.

She also bowled professionally in the early 1970s before serving on the PWBA Board of Directors from 1976 to 1981. When John Sommer and John Falzone decided to start the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour, Deken was the choice to serve as tournament director as a way to serve as a bridge between competing women’s professional organizations.

“It’s wonderful. You made my day!” said Deken upon being notified of her award. “It’s an honor. Any award is an honor.”

In the years between and since her stints with the PWBA, Deken's service to the sport has included key roles in the Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, bowling communities, time behind the keyboard as an esteemed bowling writer and administrative or contributory roles within the International Bowling Media Association (formerly BWAA), USBC Hall of Fame Committee, PWBA Hall of Fame Committee, PWBA Athlete Advisory Committee and in the state and local bowling associations in Oklahoma.

The operating philosophy for Deken has been simple: make sure the tournaments are fair, and that all the bowlers have to do is bowl. That philosophy was evident when she ran events on the local, state and professional levels. Deken says that no tournament is perfect and believes that an event should always strive to improve.

Others considered for the award were 11thFrame.com and the Let’s Go Bowling! Radio Show.

IBMA HENNESSY AWARD OF MERIT

This award is presented to an individual who has made a major contribution of service to the IBMA for a period of 10 or more years. The award is named after Mike Hennessy, who was an outstanding past BWAA President and superb BWAA Executive Director for many years. Hennessy served as Executive Director of the Ohio BPAA and worked for the PWBA. He also produced and directed a King of the Hill television program in Dayton, Ohio.

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2023 Hennessy Award of Merit Winner

Dave DeLorenzo was the “go-to guy” for the American Bowling Congress and most of the bowling world.

Before joining ABC, the Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, resident was a dedicated newspaperman in Auburn, New York, and an award-winning local writer. He served ABC for nearly 30 years (including many as the editor of Bowling) retiring as the Public Relations Manager. He traveled the U.S. setting up pressrooms and distributing the news and did the same from international sites as well.

He gave of his time and talents to all in the bowling world. He is a Past President of the Bowling Writers Association of America and served that group as an officer for decades and was a recipient of the Mort Luby Award. He was instrumental in the creation of the Mid-America Bowling Writers and was honored with its Gold Quill award.

He was a decorated bowling writer from the Professional Bowlers Association. (Dave was ineligible to win writing awards from ABC because he ran that program.) He was a vital cog for the ABC and created and managed the ABC Speakers Bureau.

Besides editing and writing annual reports, the ABC Yearbook, Bowlers Guide and the ABC Tournament program, Dave also shot a 300 game in the ABC Tournament in 1988.

A friend to all, if you wanted to know anything about the world of bowling, you would go to Dave. 

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IBMA HENNESSY AWARD OF MERIT RECIPIENTS

2023 - Dave DeLorenzo
2021 - Steve Lawson
2020 - Keith Hamilton
2019 - Chris Beard
2018 - none selected
2017 - Joan Romeo, CA & Bill Vint, IL
2016 - Fran Deken, Coweta, OK
2015 - Chuck Pezzano, Clifton, NJ
2014 - Steve James, Fox Point, WI
2013 - Mark Gerberich, Akron, OH
2012 - John LaSpina, Brooklyn, NY
2011 - Jim Goodwin, Rockwall, TX

Bowler of the Year

The purpose of this award is to honor a male and female bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar year. Professional and amateur bowlers are eligible to receive this award.

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2022 Bowlers of the Year Winners

Australia’s Belmonte captured five Professional Bowlers Association titles in 2022 including the season-opening Players Championship. He also led the PBA in points with 34,230 and earnings ($302,535) and was second in average at 234.28. He beat out Anthony Simonsen and E.J. Tackett in the voting.

While O’Keefe, who lives in Shiloh, Illinois, won only one title, she led the Professional Women’s Bowling Association in points with 109,250 and average at 214.94. She topped Bryanna Cote and Danielle McEwan in the voting.

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Senior Bowler of the Year

The purpose of this award is to honor a male and female bowler, 50 years or older, for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar year. Professional and amateur bowlers are eligible to receive this award.

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2019 Senior Bowler of the Year

Norm Duke & Jeannie Naccarato

Norm Duke earned this year's IBMA Senior Male Bowler of the Year with stats coming in from both the PBA and PBA50 Tours. Duke won the Go Bowling! PBA Indianapolis Open and Go Bowling! PBA Jonesboro Open, and was in the top five in three other events on the regular PBA Tour. On the PBA50 Tour, Duke finished in the top seven in all six tournaments he entered, with a high finish of third in three events. Between both tours, Duke pocketed a cool $126,415 and was the front runner for this award. He easily outdistanced runner-up Walter Ray Williams Jr., who won the first three PBA50 titles in 2019.

Jeannie Naccarato won the title over fellow bowlers Debbie Ayers and Linda Walbaum for the 2019 Senior Female Bowler of the Year. Naccarato’s impressive championship performance in the 2019 USBC Queens and a runner-up finish in the Golden Ladies Classic made her the clear chioce on the ballot. She was also the leading money winner among the women’s senior finalists, earning $9,302 in 2019.

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IBMA (BWAA) Collegiate Bowler of the Year Award
Presented by Storm Bowling

The IBMA Collegiate Bowler of the Year Award, presented by Storm Bowling, was established in 1987 to recognize and honor a male and female bowler for their outstanding accomplishments in collegiate competition. The award is presented each year during the Intercollegiate Team Championships in April.

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2018 Male & Female Winners

 

 

2017 Male & Female Winners

 

 

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2016 Male & Female Winners

 

 

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Rip Van Winkle Award

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Rip Van Winkle Award Winner List

(Award discontinued in 2007-2020)

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2012 Male & Female Winners

(Award Discontinued in 2012)

Amateur Bowlers of the Year

A special IBMA committee has selected the nation's best non-professional Male and Female Bowlers of the Year since 1991.

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Sam Levine Flowers for the Living Award

Although not an official IBMA award, the Flowers for the Living Award is one of the sport's most coveted forms of recognition. The award was created in 1961 by Cleveland Kegler publisher Sam Levine and a small group of newspapermen. It was inspired by a poem written by one of the founders, Ohio Associated Press editor Fritz Howell. His poem, “Flowers for the Living” suggests that deserving people be honored “while they are still alive to smell the flowers.” The award remains in the custody of a "secretive panel" which prides itself on making surprise presentations to unsuspecting recipients; and no recipient has been more surprised than Howell was when he received the first bouquet.

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Flowers for the Living by Fritz Howell

It seems that when a fellow dies, no matter what he’s been, A saintly chap or one whose life was darkly steeped in sin - That folks forget the bitter words they spoke but yesterday And seem to find a multitude of pretty things to say.

And maybe when I go to rest, someone will bring to light Some kindly word or goodly act, long buried out of sight, But if it’s all the same to you, just give to me instead, The bouquets while I’m living, and the knocking when I’m dead.

Don’t save your kisses to imprint upon my noble brow, While countless maledictions are hurled upon me now. Just say a kindly word to me, as I mourn here alone, And don’t save all your eulogy to carve upon a stone.

What do I care if, when I’m gone, the whole newspaper world Gives me a glowing writeup and the nation’s flags are furled? Why, it won’t flatter me a bit, no matter what is said, So kindly throw your flowers now, and knock me when I’m dead.

It may be fine, when one is gone, to have folks talk so, And have the flowers come in loads from all the guys you know. It must be nice to have these things for those you leave behind But, so far as I’m concerned, I really will not mind.

I’m quite alive and well today, and while I linger here, Give me a helping hand at times, give me a word of cheer. Let’s change the game a bit, just sorta swab the decks, For I will be no judge of flowers, when I cash in my checks.

 

Flowers for the Living Recipients

 

 

 

IBMA Bowler of the Decade

The purpose of this award is to honor a male and female bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a decade. (To be decided in 2019)

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2000 - 2009 Winners

 

 

KULICK, MALDONADO, BARNES NAMED IBMA BOWLERS OF THE MONTH FOR SUMMER 2021

The International Bowling Media Association’s Bowler of the Month initiative is back from a summer hiatus with selections for each of three months: June, July, and August.

Kelly Kulick’s first PWBA Tour victory since 2017 and seventh overall proved enough to narrowly edge Verity Crawley in a tight contest for June Bowler of the Month honors. Kulick’s PWBA Albany Open win on June 5 punctuated a sizzling start to her PWBA Tour season, as she previously had enjoyed back-to-back BowlTV stepladder finals appearances in the PWBA Twin Cities Open on April 24, when she finished runner-up, and the PWBA Lincoln Open on May 1, when she finished third. The USBC Hall of Famer did not compete in January’s PWBA Kickoff Classic Series.

Also receiving votes for June were Anthony Simonsen, who won the PBA Tour Finals on June 27 for the 24-year-old’s eighth career PBA Tour title; Dasha Kovalova, who outdistanced Missy Parkin in the title match of the PWBA Louisville Open on June 19 to capture her fourth career PWBA Tour victory, and Chris Barnes, who won his first PBA50 Tour title on June 30 at the PBA50 Cup.

Shawn Maldonado ran away with July IBMA Bowler of the Month honors as he won his second PBA Tour title of 2021 in the 2021 PBA Lubbock Sports Open on July 25. A decision last fall to convert to a thumbless delivery has propelled the two-hander to new heights, as he won his first career PBA Tour title in March during the World Series of Bowling.

Also getting votes for July were PBA50 Odessa open Winner Amleto Monacelli; Darren Tang, who topped the 2021 Bowlers Journal Championships standings for Open Singles, Open Doubles and Dual Entry to become the first person to lead three categories in the tournament since Craig Nidiffer achieved the feat in 2017; USBC open Championships Regular All-Events winner Chris Via; Maria José Rodriguez, who won the Diamond Doubles crown with partner Sofia Granda as they combined for the first-ever 1,500+ doubles set in tournament history (1,560); Sharon Powers, who won the USBC Women’s Championships Diamond Singles title in her 45th consecutive tournament at age 64; Eugene McCune, who won the PBA50 South Shore Open on July 29 for his second official PBA50 Tour title; Shalin Zulkifli, who won Diamond All-Events in the USBC Women’s Championships with a near-record score of 2,253 — the third-highest in tournament history; USBC Open Championships Singles titlist Andrew Anderson, and Cameron Crowe, who won the Boys U20 title in the 2021 Junior Gold Championships.

The August Bowler of the Month race culminated with a landslide win by Josie Barnes, who bagged the first six-figure top prize in PWBA Tour history on Aug. 31 when she won the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open title for her first career major and fourth PWBA Tour victory overall.

Also earning votes for August were Danielle McEwan, whose spectacular month saw her win two PWBA Tour titles in three stops when she teamed with EJ Tackett to win the Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles title on Aug. 1, then won the PWBA Spokane Open on Aug. 21; Parker Bohn III, who won four titles in 10 days including two PBA50 Tour victories and two regional wins; Jillian Martin, who became the youngest PWBA Tour champion in PWBA history when she won the BowlTV Classic on Aug. 10; Darren Tang, who won the PBA BowlersStore.com Classic Presented By Moxy’s Xtra Pair on Aug. 15 to also win the $20,00 bonus for topping the PBA Summer Tour points list; Matt Russo, who won the PBA Jonesboro Open for his first career PBA Tour title on Aug. 8, and Dylan Taylor, the amateur with an unorthodox style who stunned PBA Tour star Francois Lavoie by defeating him twice in the double-elimination title match of the New Mexico Open on Aug. 22.

About the IBMA: Located at the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, the International Bowling Media Association (IBMA) promotes bowling journalism as a career choice to youth bowlers throughout America and provides awards and recognition to professional and amateur bowlers, industry volunteers, and bowling writers. The IBMA was formed when the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) and the National Women Bowling Writers (NWBW) merged into one group in 2007, forming the new BWAA. The name was changed in 2011 to include more forms of media. Membership in IBMA is open to individuals and corporations who support the ideals of the organization. Corporate membership fees help fund the $5,000 Chuck Pezzano Media Scholarship presented by the Billiards and Bowling Institute of America.

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TROUP CLAIMS PBA PLAYOFFS BELT AND IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, North Carolina has been selected as the May 2021 Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

Troup outlasted Sam Cooley, Australia, to win the Kia PBA Playoffs, 3 games to 1, the $100,000 first prize and the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) championship belt. It is Troup’s eight career PBA title, tying him with his father, Guppy, a PBA star in the 1970’s and 1980’s.

In the sixteen player bracket format, Troup, ousted former USBC Masters winner Andrew Anderson in the Round of 16, current USBC Masters champ Thomas Larsen in the Round of 8, and current PBA Tournament of Champions winner Francois Lavoie in the Round of 4 to reach the finale.

Cooley evened the championship match at one game apiece by rolling the 31 st TV 300 game in PBA history, only one of two games Troup lost in route to the title.

In very close voting this month, others receiving votes this month were Stephanie Zavala, winner of the PWBA BVL Open, her second PWBA title in only her fifth career PWBA tournament, Julia Bond, winner of the USBC Queens, Liz Johnson, winner of the PWBA Lincoln Open, and Pete Weber, winner of the PBA50 Greenville Financial Open.

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CHRIS VIA VIES TO BE NAMED APRIL IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Chris Via, Springfield, Ohio has been selected as the April 2021 Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

Via joined a select group to win a major title as his first PBA title by defeating Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Arizona, 214 to 213 for the 2021 U.S. Open championship.

The television stepladder finals began with fifth seeded Cristian Azcona, Clermont, Florida, downing fourth seeded Jason Sterner, Rochester New York, 258 to 256. Third seeded Anthony Neuer, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, ousted Azcona, 236 to 200. In the semifinal, the second seeded Butturff bested Neuer 257 to 203.

Neuer attracted a great amount of attention from the sports world and social media by becoming the first bowler in thirty years and fourth overall to convert the 7 - 10 split on a PBA telecast.

Also receiving votes this month were Thomas Larsen, winner of the USBC Masters, Walter Ray Williams, Jr., winner of the PBA50 Lightning Strikes Open presented by Hammer, a record 15 th PBA50 title, Pete Weber, winner of the Florida Blue Medicare PBA50 National Championship, Francois Lavoie, winner of the Guaranteed Rate PBA Super Slam, Jason Couch, winner of the PBA50 Johnny Petraglia BVL Open presented by Lucas & Magazine and Brunswick, and Dasha Kovalova, winner of the PWBA Greater Twin Cities Open.

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DAUGHERTY DOUBLES DOWN AS MARCH IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Florida, has been unanimously chosen as the March 2021 Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

Daugherty captured two titles at the PBA World Series of Bowling (WSOB) XII, his third and fourth career PBA titles. He outlasted Jakob Butturff, Tempe Arizona, 263 to 257 to win the Guaranteed Rate PBA World Championship. Five days later, he defeated Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, North Carolina, 266 to 254 to capture the PBA Scorpion Championship.

In the Guaranteed Rate PBA World Championship, the stepladder finals began with fourth seed Chris Via, Springfield, Ohio, ousting Troup 210 to 201. Third seeded Butturff bested Via 249 to 227 and second seed E.J. Tackett, Bluffton, Indiana, 210 to 178 to advance to the title match.

The PBA Scorpion Championship eliminator championship round saw the first of four bowlers eliminated as Michael Tang, Pickerington, Ohio, lost a one ball rolloff to Kris Prather, Plainfield, Illinois, 10 to 9 after tying at 182. Troup countered with 213 and Daugherty posted 244. Prather was the next out in the second round shooting a 237 to Troup’s 279 and Daugherty’s 276, setting up the title match.

Others obtaining votes this month were Shawn Maldonado, winner of the WSOB XII PBA Chameleon Championship, Sam Cooley, winner of the WSOB XII Cheetah Championship, and Spencer Robarge and Jillian Martin, the PBA Jr. Boys and Girls National Champions.

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TROUP PICKS HIS WAY TO FEBRUARY BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, North Carolina, has been selected as the February 2021 Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

Troup defeated Dick Allen, Lexington, South Carolina, 257 to 212, to win his first PBA major title, the PBA Players Championship. It is also his seventh career PBA title.

The television stepladder finals started with fourth seeded Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Michigan, bested fifth seeded Anthony Simonsen, Little Elm, Texas, 278 to 225. The second match saw the third seeded Allen defeat Smallwood, 216 to 195, then oust Francois Lavoie, Canada, 244 to 227, in the semifinal to set up the final match with Troup.

The head of Team Fish won the Players Championship East Region stepladder finals as top seed with a 257 game, then shot another 257 as the top seed in the Players Championship final and a record tying $250,000 first place prize.

Others obtaining votes this month were Francois Lavoie, winner of the Kia PBA Tournament of Champions and third place PBA Players Championship, Anthony Simonsen, runner up, Kia PBA Tournament of Champions and fifth place, PBA Players Championship, Tom Smallwood, fourth place PBA Players Championship and fifth place Kia PBA Tournament of Champions.

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THAT'S BOND, JULIA BOND, JANUARY IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

 

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

Julia Bond, Aurora, Illinois, has been named the January 2021 Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

Bond won the PWBA Hall of Fame Classic over Lindsay Boomershine, Perry, Utah for a 222 to 210 win and her first PWBA national tour title.

The former University of Nebraska standout and Team USA member won each of her four matches in the stepladder finals. As the fourth seed Bond ousted fifth seed Dasha Kovalova, Ukraine, 213 to 157, third seed Erin McCarthy, Omaha, Nebraska, 213 to 191, second seed Jillian Martin, Stow, Ohio, 245 to 211, before meeting Boomershine in the final.

The PWBA Hall of Fame Classic consisted of qualifying scores from the PWBA Bowlers Journal Classic and the PWBA ITRC Classic, the first PWBA events since the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Bond finished 22 nd in the Bowlers Journal Classic and sixth in the ITRC Classic, placing her 11 th for the twenty four games of match play going 14 and 10 landing as the fourth seed in the stepladder final.

Others obtaining votes this month were Shannon O’Keefe, winner of the PWBA Bowlers Journal Classic, Anthony Simonsen, PBA Players Championship West Region winner, Francois Lavoie, PBA Players Championship Southwest Region winner, Jillian Martin, runner up, PWBA ITRC Classic, Bryanna Cote`, winner of the PWBA ITRC Classic, and Tom Smallwood, PBA Players Championship Central Region winner.

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MALOTT CAPTAINS NOVEMBER IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, has been named the November 2020 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

Representing this year’s PBA League (PBAL) champion Portland Lumberjacks, won the inaugural PBA All Star League Clash ousting Norm Duke in the final round among the most title winners on each of the twelve 2020 PBA League teams. Malott and Duke have been doubles partners in PBA competition, including the 2011 and 2015 Roth/Holman Doubles Championships.

The PBA Clash format features each player rolling one ball, eliminating the bowler with the low count until one remains. Ties with the low count are eliminated with one ball roll offs.

Malott was also named PBA League MVP for the second time, leading the Lumberjacks to its second consecutive PBA League crown as team captain.

Others obtaining votes this month were Walter Ray Williams, Jr., winner of the PBA60 Wilson & Sons Pest Control Super Senior South Open, his 118th PBA title, Jakob Butturff, winner of the PBA Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort Championship, Tom Hess, winner of the PBA Plaza Bowl Midwest Open, Paul McCordic, winner of the PBA50

Beaumont Southwest Open, and Kerry Smith and Ryan Shafer, winners of the PBA/PBA50 New England Over/Under 50 Doubles, presented by buddiesproshop.com, Cambridge Credit Counseling, and TechVision.

WRW WINS TWICE IN OCTOBER TO CAPTURE IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

Walter Ray Williams, Jr., Oxford, Florida, has been selected the October 2020 Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

Williams, Jr. won two PBA50 regionals in October, the PBA50 Timber Lanes East Open in Oxford, Pennsylvania, and the PBA50 AMF Mechanicsville South Open in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Those two wins are the 116th and 117th in his remarkable PBA career, the most tournament wins by any PBA player.

The PBA Hall of Famer won five of eight match play games in the PBA50 Timber Lanes Open win over Troy Lint, Blanton, Florida, and Brad Angelo, Lockport, New York. In his second win of the month, Williams, Jr. won all twelve match play games in the PBA50 AMF Mechanicsville South Open, outdistancing runner-up Gary Faulkner, Norfolk, Virginia, and fellow PBA Hall of Famer Tom Baker, King, North Carolina.

Others obtaining votes in voting this month were Jason Belmonte, winner of the Storm World Series of Bowling (WSOB) PBA Chameleon Championship, Sean Rash, winner of the Storm WSOB PBA Cheetah Championship, Jakob Butturff, winner of the PBA Odessa Southwest Super Open, Carsten Hansen, winner of the WSPB PBA Scorpion Championship, and Anthony Neuer, winner of the PBA AMF Strathmore Lanes East Open.

About the IBMA: Located at the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, the International Bowling Media Association (IBMA) promotes bowling journalism as a career choice to youth bowlers throughout America and provides awards and recognition to professional and amateur bowlers, industry volunteers, and bowling writers. The IBMA was formed when the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) and the National Women Bowling Writers (NWBW) merged into one group in 2007, forming the new BWAA. The name was changed in 2011 to include more forms of media. Membership in IBMA is open to individuals and corporations who support the ideals of the organization. Corporate membership fees help fund the $5,000 Chuck Pezzano Media Scholarship presented by the Billiards and Bowling Institute of America.

BARNES ROLLS ON TO SEPTEMBER IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, has been voted as the September 2020 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

Barnes won the PBA Liberal Kansas Southwest Region Open by 133 pins over runner up Francois Lavoie, Canada, and third-place finisher Shawn Maldonado, Houston, Texas by 139 pins. The victory is his 29th PBA regional title.

The PBA Hall of Famer finished qualifying in sixth place, then took the lead in match play, winning his first five of eight matches in the modified match play round, eventually posting a 7 and 1 record.

He clinched the title with a decisive 257 to 127 win over A.J. Chapman, Manchester, Iowa in the position round match, dropping Chapman from second to fourth place.

Others obtaining votes this month were Nate Stubler, winner of the Greater Iowa Bowling Association (GIBA) Ebonite Fall Classic, Cortez Schenk, winner of the PBA Bowlero Mesa West Region Open, Portland Timbers, winners of the 2020 PBA League Elias Cup, Matt Russo, winner of the PBA Bowlersmart Midwest Region Open, and Chris Via, winner of the PBA Boss Snow Plow/O’Brien Auto Central Region Open, and Rick Benard, winner of the PBA50 Waxahachie Southwest Region Open.

 

HOLLIMAN REIGNS AS AUGUST IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

 

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

Mykel Holliman, Collierville, Tennessee, has been voted as the August 2020 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

Holliman won the PBA Southwest Region FireLake/Grand Casino Resort Open, defeating runner up Shawn Maldonado by 140 pins, along with six national PBA Tour winners.

After eight games of qualifying, Holliman averaged 238, eight pins behind qualifying leader Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Florida. After five games in the Casher’s Round, Holliman dropped to third place, 51 pins behind leader Shawn Maldonado, Houston Texas, and two pins behind second-place player Anthony Lavery-Spahr, Pasadena, Texas.

In the match-play rounds, the 2019 USBC Masters runner up won six of the eight matches averaging nearly 256, including a 279 game against Maldonado in the position round to clinch the tournament victory.

Holliman bested familiar names from the Go Bowling! PBA National Tour. Besides runner up Maldonado, among the match play bowlers in order of their finish were Nathan Bohr, PBA Hall of Famer Chris Barnes, Stuart Williams, Daugherty, A.J. Chapman, two time U.S. Open Champ Francois Lavoie, Sean Lavery Spahr, his twin brother Anthony, and 2010 USBC Masters champ Tom Hess.

Also receiving votes this month were Jerry Marrs, winner of the Greater Iowa Bowling Association 11thframe.com Open, Jakob Butturff, winner of PBA Southwest Region Fort Sill Open, Brad Angelo, winner of the PBA50 Central/Midwest Region Progressive/Gerdeman Insurance Agency Open, and Giorgio Clinaz, Jr., winner of the PBA Southwest Region Houston/Emerald Bowl Challenge.

 

TEAM FISH LEADER TROUP CLAIMS JULY IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

 

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

 

Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, North Carolina, has been voted as the July 2020 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

Troup won the 2020 PBA Tour Finals defeating Anthony Simonsen, Little Elm, Texas, 40 to 39 in a ninth and tenth frame rolloff after tying in the Race to Two points title match. The PBA Tour Finals is Troup’s third win of the season and sixth career win.

In qualifying, Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Arizona, rolled the 28th nationally televised 300 game. Butturff lost to Simonsen, 2 to 0, in the Group 1 stepladder final.

After the leader of “Team Fish” posted a 299 game in the Tour Finals Group 2 qualifying round, he ousted Kris Prather, Plainfield, Illinois, 2 to 1 in the Group 2 stepladder Race to 2 final. After dropping the first game 227 to 213, Troup won the second match 257 to 232, then the tie-breaking ninth and tenth frame rolloff 60 to 49, setting up the title match with Group 1 winner Simonsen.

Also receiving votes this month were Darren Tang, winner of the Columbus HP 10K Mega Singles Event and the PBA SouthPoint Member/Non-Members Doubles with Alex Hoskins, Kris Prather, winner of the PBA King of the Lanes, Jason Couch, winner of the QubicaAMF Some Strings Attached Open and runner up of the QubicaAMF Some Strings Attached Invitational, Kenny Ryan, winner of the QubicaAMF Some Strings Attached Invitational, and Anthony Simonsen, runner up in the PBA Tour Finals.

 

KEGEL BOWLER OF THE MONTH

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

BELMONTE MARCHES TO MARCH IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Jason Belmonte, Orange, New South Wales, Australia, has been selected as the March 2020 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

The top seeded Belmonte defeat third seeded Anthony Simonsen, Little Elm, Texas, 213 to 190, to capture his third consecutive PBA World Championship title, 13 th major title, and 24 th overall PBA title.

Fourth seeded Francois Lavoie, Canada, ousted fifth seeded Chris Via, Springfield, Ohio, 269 to 258 in the opening match of the stepladder final. Simonsen downed Lavoie, 224 to 204, advancing to the semifinal. He defeated E.J. Tackett, 215 to 177, setting up the title match with Belmonte.    

The PBA World Championship was completed early as part of an abbreviated PBA World Series of Bowling XI (WSOB), as PBA officials and players agreed to abbreviate competition due to safety and travel concerns from the coronavirus pandemic.

The other three scheduled WSOB tournaments, Go Bowling! Cheetah Championship, Scorpion Championship, and Chameleon Championship will resume at a later date.

Belmonte leads qualifying in the Scorpion Championship.

Others obtaining votes this month were Pam Pancoast, winner of the 30 th National Golden Ladies Classic, Tom Adcock, winner of the PBA50 Plaza Lanes Central/Midwest Regional Open, Danny Clark, winner of the PBA50 Strike Zone Lanes Central/Midwest Regional Classic, Jakob Butturff, qualifying leader of the WSOB PBA Chameleon Championship, and Matt McNiel, qualifying leader of the WSOB PBA Cheetah Championship.    

KEGEL BOWLER OF THE MONTH

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

BELMONTE’S SUPER SLAM SEALS FEBRUARY BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Jason Belmonte, Orange, New South Wales, Australia, has been selected as the February 2020 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

Belmonte defeated Anthony Simonsen, Little Elm, Texas, 226 to 201, for the 2020 U.S. Open title, his 23 th overall PBA career title and a record 12 th major title

In the television stepladder finals, fifth seed Perry Crowell IV, Hoquiam, Washington, outlasted fourth seed Chris Via, Springfield, Ohio, 241 to 203. The third seed Dick Allen, Columbia, South Carolina downed Crowell IV, 205 to 181, and the second seed Belmonte ousted Allen, 215 to 187, to set up the final match with the top seed Simonsen.

With the U.S. Open win, Belmonte became the second bowler to claim the Super Slam, joining PBA and USBC Hall of Famer Mike Aulby to win all five majors. Besides the Open, both players have won the Tournament of Champions, PBA World Championship, USBC Masters, and PBA Players Championship. In addition, both Aulby and Belmonte have rolled nationally televised 300 games on PBA telecasts.

Others obtaining votes this month were Bill O’Neill, winner of the PBA Players Championship, Kris Prather, winner of the PBA Tournament of Champions, Kyle Troup, winner of the PBA Greater Jonesboro Open, Jesper Svensson, winner of the PBA Indianapolis Open, and Tom Hess, winner of the Greater Iowa Bowling Association Ebonite Winter Classic.

 

KEGEL BOWLER OF THE MONTH

 

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

TOMMY JONES PERFECT AS JANUARY IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, South Carolina, has been named the January 2020 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

Jones capped off a dream week by not only being inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame, but winning the PBA Hall of Fame Classic rolling a perfect 300 game in the title match the following day, defeating Darren Tang, Las Vegas, 300 to 237.

The title is Jones’ 20 th PBA crown, joining seventeen others with at least 20 titles.

After qualifying into the last spot for match play, Jones posted a 11 and 3 match play mark, good for the second seed into the television stepladder final.

The stepladder final began with fifth seed Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas outlasting Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Arizona, 256 to 223, and Osku Palermaa, Finland 254 to 249. Jones downed Barnes, 190 to 161 in the semifinal, setting up the title match with the top seeded Tang.

Jones’ nationally televised 300 game is the 27 th in PBA history, and is only the third in a title match, joining Bob Benoit’s 1988 and Mike Aulby’s 1993 games.

Others obtaining votes this month were Sean Rash, winner of the PBA Oklahoma Open, Christopher Sloan, winner of the 40 th AIK International Tournament powered by Track, Nathan Ruest-Lajoie, Canada, winner of the 50 th Brunswick Ballmaster Open, and Kelly Kulick and Matt Russo, women’s and men’s gold medalists of the Team USA Trials.

 

KEGEL BOWLER OF THE MONTH

 

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

CHERIE TAN CLAIMS DECEMBER IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Cherie Tan, Singapore, has been named the December 2019 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

Tan rang out 2019 helping Team Singapore capture a gold medal in the 30 th Philippines Southeast Asia Games (SEA), then winning the 14 th Storm Domino’s Pizza Cup tournament in South Korea.

Tan averaged over 218 as Singapore won the team gold medal with teammates and PWBA standouts Daphne Tan, New Hui Fen, and Shayna Ng. Team Indonesia took the silver medal while the host Team Philippines claimed the bronze medal.

In the Storm Domino’s Pizza Cup, the 2019 PWBA QubicaAMF Players Championship winner qualified in second place, averaging 248. Tan defeated Ireland’s Chris Sloan and South Korean Oh Gyu-seok in best of three Round of 32 and the Round of 16.

Tan ousted Matt Mcniel 3 to 1 in the best of five Round of 8 to reach the championship elimination round with American Steve Kloempken, South Korean Hong Seong Woo, and Hong Kong’s Michael Mak.

After Kloempken and Hong were eliminated, Tan bested Mak 238-227 for the title.

Others obtaining votes this month were Tommy Jones, winner of the December Bowlero Elite Series, New Hui Fen, women’s singles, all events, and Masters gold medalist at the SEA Games, Tannya Roumimper, singles silver and doubles gold medalist at the SEA Games, and Pete Weber and Mykel Holliman, winners of the PBA/PBA50 Southwest Doubles, presented by Mike Austin’s Bowling Dynamix Pro Shops.

 

KEGEL BOWLER OF THE MONTH

 

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

BARRETT DOMINATES AS NOVEMBER IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Dom Barrett, Colchester, England, has been named the November 2019 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

Barrett won twice in November, the WBT - PBA Kuwait International Open with a two games to none win over Arnar Jonsson of Sweden. The second win was a 276 to 232 decision, also over Arnar Jonsson, for Barrett’s second career World Bowling Tour Finals title.

In the Kuwait International Open, Barrett qualified in 12 th place, rising to third heading into the stepladder final. The 2018 U.S Open winner defeated the fourth seed Ildemaro Ruiz, Mexico, 276 to 223, second seed Mitch Hupe, Canada, 253 to 230, and the top seed Jonsson twice per tournament rules for the title, 289 to 235, and 278 to 277.

Barrett qualified as top seed for the WBT Tour Finals stepladder. Jonsson ousted third seed Sean Rash, Montgomery, Illinois, 289 to 223, setting up the title match with Barrett.

Both Kuwait International Open and World Bowling Tour Finals used the World Bowling scoring system.

Others obtaining votes this month were Francois Louw, South Africa, men’s gold medalist, Rebecca Whiting, Australia, women’s gold medalist, 52 nd QubicaAMF World Cup, Maria Jose` Rodriguez, Columbia, women’s division winner, WBT Finals, Danielle McEwan, women’s division winner, WBT - PBA Kuwait International Open, and Sean Rash, winner of the PBA China Tiger Cup.

 

KEGEL BOWLER OF THE MONTH

 

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

LAVOIE TWICE AS NICE AS OCTOBER IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Francois Lavoie, Quebec City, Quebec, has been selected the October 2019 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

Lavoie captured his second U.S. Open crown, defeating top seeded Sean Rash, Montgomery, Illinois, 221 to 172, for his fourth PBA title.

The Team Canada standout lead qualifying before slipping to second after the cashers’ round, then retook the lead after winning six of right games in the first round of match play. Lavoie dropped to second and maintained that position through the second and third rounds of match play.

The television stepladder finals began as the fifth seed Anthony Simonsen, Little Elm, Texas, downed the fourth seed and 2009 U.S. Open champ Bill O’Neill, Yakima, Washington, 226 to 193. Barrett outstruck the third seed Jason Belmonte, Australia, 214 to 164. The second seed Lavoie dismissed Simonsen, 214 to 164, setting up the championship match with Rash.

At age 26, Lavoie is the youngest two time U.S. Open champion in the 80 year history of the tournament.

Others obtaining votes in voting this month were A.J. Johnson, winner of the 21 st DSD Samho Korea Cup, Dane Mikkel Sorenson, winner of the European Bowling Tour (EBT) 3 rd Brunswick Open, Jolene Persson Planefors, women’s gold medalist, European Champion of Champions, James Blomgren, winner of the EBT Norwegian Open, and Sean Rash, 2019 U.S. Open runner up.

 

KEGEL BOWLER OF THE MONTH

 

The purpose of this award is to honor a bowler for outstanding accomplishments during a calendar month.

BOOMER GOLDEN AS SEPTEMBER IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Leanne Hulsenberg, Pleasant View, Utah, has been voted as the September 2019 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

Hulsenberg won four gold medals in the World Bowling Senior Championships in women’s doubles, team of four, women’s all events, and women’s Masters.

She and Team USA teammate and fellow USBC Hall of Famer Tish Johnson downed Team Germany’s Martina Beckel and Bianca Volkl-Brandt 443-372.

Hulsenberg helped Team USA capture the team of four gold medal, with teammates Johnson, Lucy Sandelin, and Sharon Powers. They downed Team Australia with Jeanette Baker, Heather Robinson, Christine Clark, and Mary Dodds, 232-164, and 236-180 in a best of three Baker System final.

The 2008 USBC Hall of Famer and 2019 PWBA Hall of Famer out averaged the field by nearly nine pins to take the all events gold over silver medalist Baker and bronze medalist Team Sweden’s Susanne Olsson.

Hulsenberg notched her fourth gold medal by taking the Masters division, 2-1, in a best of three final, also over Sweden’s Olsson.

Others obtaining votes this month were Shannon O’Keefe, winner of the PWBA Tour Championship, Cherie Tan, winner of the PWBA Tour Championship, Lennie Boresch, Jr., winner of three gold medals at the World Bowling Senior Championships and Carsten Warming Hansen, winner of the PBA International-World Bowling Tour (WBT) Storm Lucky Larsen Masters.

KEGEL BOWLER OF THE MONTH

O'KEEFE GOLDEN AS AUGUST IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Shannon O’Keefe, Shiloh, Illinois, has been voted as the August 2019 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

O’Keefe began August with her first PWBA triumph in the East Hartford Open, downing second seeded Birgit Poppler, Germany 225-203 in the title match. Two weeks later in the BowlerX.com PWBA Orlando Open, O’Keefe ousted top seeded Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, New York, 207-202 for her second PWBA title of the month. It is her fourth title this season and 12 th PWBA career title.

Rounding out the month, O’Keefe captured the Women’s Doubles gold medal with partner Stefanie Johnson at the Pan American Games. Their twelve game combined total was 264 pins better than silver medalists Illiana Lomeli Lemus and Miriam Aseret Setter Velazco of Mexico. Aumi Guerra and Astrid Valiente of the Dominican Republic were 303 pins behind in third place, taking home bronze medals.

At the World Bowling Women’s Championships, fourth seeded and Team USA teammate Danielle McEwan defeated the third seeded O’Keefe 259-193 for the Singles gold medal. Lee Nayoung, South Korea, and Sandra Andersson, Sweden, won the bronze medals.

 

LECLAIR’S BACK TO BACK TITLES CLAIMS JULY BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Brian LeClair, Albany, New York, has been voted as the July 2019 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.

LeClair won back-to-back titles on the PBA50 Tour, the River City Extreme Open presented by Hammer and South Shore Open presented by Ebonite, his fourth and fifth PBA50 career titles.

For the River City Extreme Open crown, LeClair qualified in tenth place, then vaulted to the top seed for the stepladder final where he defeated Pete Weber, St. Ann, Missouri, 225-200. Weber was making his first championship round appearance in more than a year.

LeClair kept up the hot pace in the South Shore Open presented by Ebonite, finishing qualifying in sixth place, then ending match play as the top seed again for the stepladder final. He ousted fellow upstate New Yorker Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, New York, 214-203. Ventura had won three stepladder matches of his own leading up to the championship match.

Also receiving votes this month were Amanda Greene and Kyle Sherman, winners of the Storm Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles, E.J. Tackett, winner of the PBA Tour Finals, Ron Mohr, winner of the PBA50 David Small’s Championship Lanes Classic, Arnar Davio Jonsson, winner of the 10 th Track Dream-Bowl Palace Open by Erdinger, and Daniel Fransso, winner of the 15 th Storm San Marino Open.

PRATHER CLIMBS THE BRACKET TO JUNE IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Kris Prather, Plainfield, Illinois, has been selected as the June 2019 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

Prather defeated Bill O’Neill, Langhorne, Pennsylvania, in the Race to Two Points format championship round, 226-215, and 216-185, for the inaugural PBA Playoffs title.

As the 9 th-seed in the 24-man field, Prather won five matches in route to the title. In order he ousted the 24 th-seed Darren Tang, 8 th-seed Tom Daugherty, top-seed Jason Belmonte, and 7 th-seed O’Neill. Players were seeded based on PBA points from the first thirteen events of 2019.

A key moment in the final match occurred in the first game as Prather left the 3-4-6-7-10 split on the first ball of the tenth frame. He spared and struck, forcing O’Neill to throw three strikes to win by a pin. O’Neill left the 2-8 on his second ball in the tenth, giving Prather the 226-215 win.

Other receiving votes in close voting this month were Danielle McEwan, winner of the U.S. Women’s Open, Amleto Monacelli, winner of the USBC Senior Masters, Jakob Butturff, winner of the PBA XtraFrame Lubbock Sports Shootout, presented by Ebonite, Ty Dawson, winner of the USBC Super Senior Classic, Shannon O’Keefe, winner of the PWBA Tucson Open, and Tore Torgerson, winner of the Suncoast PBA Senior U.S. Open, presented by Storm

ALL HAIL QUEEN KOVALOVA AS MAY IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Dasha Kovalova, Ukraine, has been selected as the May 2019 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

Kovalova defeated Sin Li Jane, Malaysia, 226 - 216, for the USBC Queens title, her first PWBA championship.

Increasing her lead due to a Sin open frame in the fifth, Kovalova maintained her lead through the match, needed only a strike and a nine count in the tenth. The former Wichita State University All-American threw a double to clinch her first professional crown and the coveted Queens tiara.

The television stepladder finals began with the fourth seed Tannya Roumimper, Indonesia, ousted fifth-seed Daphne Tan, Singapore, 231-195. The third seed Clara Guerrero, Columbia, downed Roumimper in a close match, 242-232. In the semifinal, the second seed Sin tossed the first eight strikes to eliminate Guerrero, 267-224, setting up the final match for the first major title of the season

The five finalists finished in a variety of places after qualifying. Kovalova qualified in 15 th place, Sin in 57 th place, Guerrero in 19 th, Roumimper in 32 nd. Tan finished the highest of the five, qualifying in 9 th place.

Also receiving votes this month were Walter Ray Williams, Jr. winner of the PBA50 Mooresville Open, presented by Mooresville Convention and Visitors Bureau and Storm Bowling, Shannon O’Keefe, winner of the PWBA Twin Cities Open, Joel Carlson, winner of the PBA50 Hamilton Lanes and Entertainment Center Open, presented by Columbia300, Jordan Richard, winner of the PWBA Lincoln Open, Charlene Lim, Singapore women’s winner of the 40 th Malaysian International, and Parker Bohn III, with three top five finishes in the month’s PBA50 tournaments.

BUTTURFF MAJORLY MASTERFUL AS IBMA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Arizona, has been unanimously selected as the April 2019 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

Butturff defeated Mykel Holliman, Collierville, Tennessee, 228 - 196, for the USBC Masters title, his first major and sixth overall PBA title.

The television stepladder finals began with fifth-seeded Christopher Sloan, Ireland, ousting fourth-seeded Mitch Hupe`, Canada, 10-9 on a one-ball roll off after tying at 214. The third-seeded Jake Peters, Henderson, Nevada, defeated Sloan, 254-226. In the semifinal, the second-seeded Holliman downed Sloan, 217-199, sending Holliman to the championship match.

Showing the unique nature of the tournament format, four of the top five seeds placed in the top 12 after qualifying. Butturff started from third, Peters seventh, Sloan ninth, and Holliman 12 th. Hupe` qualified in the 33 rd spot.

Also receiving votes this month were Walter Ray Williams, Jr., winner of the PBA50 Johnny Petraglia BVL Open, presented by Lucas Magazine and Brunswick and the PBA50 National Championship presented by Spanish Spring Lanes and Radical, Jason Belmonte, winner of the DHC PBA Japan Invitational, A.J. Johnson, Team USA, doubles, team, and all-events gold medalist in the Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON) Men’s Championships, and Josie Barnes, winner of the Nationwide PWBA Greater Cleveland Open.

BELMONTE’S TENTH MAJOR SEALS FEBRUARY BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Jason Belmonte, Orange, New South Wales, Australia, has been selected as the February 2019 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

Belmonte defeated E.J. Tackett, Bluffton, Indiana, 225-196, to win the PBA Tournament of Champions for the third time. It is also his tenth major and 19 th overall PBA career title. The ten major titles ties a PBA record he now shares with the late Earl Anthony.

In the television stepladder finals, fourth seed Josh Blanchard, Mesa, Arizona, outlasted fifth seed Sean Lavery-Spahr, Pasadena, Texas, 190-180. The third seed Tackett downed Blanchard 264-236, and the second seed Marshall Kent, Yakima, Washington, 238-192 to set up the final match with the top seed Belmonte.

For the second straight month, a bowler achieved the unique distinction of being the top seed going into the television stepladder finals in three straight tournaments, joining Johnny Petraglia, Earl Anthony, Walter Ray Williams, Jr., and in January, Jakob Butturff. The Tournament of Champions was the second of the three tournaments Belmonte was top seed going into the television finals.

Others obtaining votes this month were Norm Duke, winner of the PBA Indianapolis Open, Anthony Simonsen, winner of the PBA Players Championship, E.J. Tackett, runner up in the PBA Tournament of Champions and fourth place in the PBA Players Championship, and Marshall Kent with three top ten finishes in each of the month’s PBA tournaments.

BUTTURFF CLOSES THE DEAL FOR JANUARY BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Arizona, has been selected as the January 2019 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association

Butturff won the PBA Oklahoma Open defeating Jesper Svensson, Sweden, 267-201, for his fifth career PBA title.

Fourth seeded Dom Barrett, England, began the television stepladder final with a 245-162 victory over fifth seeded Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Florida. The third seeded Svensson defeated Barrett, 267-231, then downed the second seeded Patrick Girard, Canada, 239-218, setting up the title match.

Butturff achieved the unique distinction of being the top seed going into the television stepladder finals each of the last three tournaments, joining Johnny Petraglia, Earl Anthony, and Walter Ray Williams, Jr.

Also in the month, the Arizona left-hander achieved another unique distinction as the fastest player to win 20 PBA regional titles, winning a PBA Southwest Regional tournament in Lubbock, Texas the week before the PBA Lubbock Sports Open. Since his first regional win on January 31, 2016, Butturff needed just 59 tournaments to secure 20 victories.

Others obtaining votes this month were Kelly Kulick, winner, Women’s Team USA Trials, Bill O’Neill, winner, PBA Hall of Fame Classic, John Janawicz, winner, Men’s Team USA Trials, Sean Rash, winner (with Matt Ogle) of the Mark Roth/Marshall Holman PBA Doubles Championship and runner up of the PBA Lubbock Sports Open, Joonas Jehkinen, winner, 49 th Brunswick Ballmaster Open, and Dick Allen, winner, PBA Lubbock Sports Open.

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Past Winners

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Rip Van Winkle Award

The Rip Van Winkle Award honors those who have made major contributions to the sport of bowling and have been overlooked or under-appreciated for more than 20 years.

2023 Rip Van Winkle Award

Carmen Salvino

Salvino, 89, one of the PBA's charter members, was a natural "showman" and always popular with fans. He had only attained a high school education when he taught himself physics out of his daughter's college textbooks. He later taught himself chemistry and conducted his own experiments in search of a better bowling ball.

“I thank the committee for putting me on. I really appreciate it,” Salvino said. “No matter how many awards you get it’s always nice to have another one especially as you get a little older.”

The Schaumburg, Illinois, resident’s research into ball motion and composition led to the introduction of new weight block and cover stock technologies utilizing his patented designs. He is a PBA and USBC Hall of Famer and has won 17 PBA Tour titles and 2 PBA50 (senior) titles.

Chuck Lande was the other finalist for the award.