2023 PBA Tour season

Last updated
2023 PBA Tour season
League Professional Bowlers Association
Sport Ten-pin bowling
DurationJanuary 29 – September 27
PBA Tour
Season MVP E. J. Tackett
PBA Tour seasons
2024  

The 2023 PBA Tour season, the 64th season of play for the U.S. Professional Bowlers Association's ten-pin bowling tour, began on January 29 with the pre-tournament qualifier (PTQ) of the U.S. Open. [1]

Contents

On August 17, 2023, the PBA and Fox announced they have agreed to a two-year media rights extension for tournament coverage on Fox and FS1 channels, as well as Fox digital channels, through the 2025 season. Initial commitment is for eight two-hour program windows on Fox and 22 two-hour windows on FS1. Bill Wanger, EVP-Head of Programming and Scheduling at Fox Sports, stated during the announcement that viewership for the 2023 season was up almost 15% from 2022. [2]

Season overview

On November 1, 2022, the PBA released the 2023 schedule, including Fox and FS1 broadcasts. For the first time in PBA history, the final rounds of all five major events were broadcast live on over-the-air network television (Fox network). The PBA also announced that match play or extended stepladder rounds for multiple tournaments would be broadcast on FS1, another PBA first. In addition, the 2023 season schedule includes nine standard singles title events and two doubles title events that will have final rounds broadcast on FS1 or live-streamed on BowlTV (the PBA's YouTube channel). [1] The one exception is the PBA Tour Finals, which continues to be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

Following the U.S. Open finals broadcast on February 5, other major finals broadcasts included the Tournament of Champions on March 19, the USBC Masters on April 2, the PBA World Championship on April 23 (part of the World Series of Bowling in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin that also includes three standard title events), and the PBA Players Championship on May 14. Fox also broadcast the PBA Super Slam finals on May 21, This special event featured all major tournament winners from the 2023 season. [1] The five majors and the Super Slam each paid out a $100,000 top prize.

In February-March, there were five "Classic Series" tour stops each awarding a standard PBA singles title. The top eight points earners from these five events were invited to compete in a special, non-title Skill Ball Challenge event on July 22–23. In that event, all eight players were required to use an identical low-technology Skill 3.02 bowling ball. [3]

The PBA League Elias Cup team competition, previously a summer event, was moved to the fall, with the finals broadcasts held on September 27 on FS1.

Season awards

Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year: E. J. Tackett (82.5% of first-place votes)

Harry Smith PBA Points Leader Award: E. J. Tackett (41,200)

George Young High Average Award: E. J. Tackett (227.18)

Harry Golden PBA Rookie of the Year: Cortez Schenck

Steve Nagy PBA Sportsmanship Award: BJ Moore

Tony Reyes PBA Community Service Award: Johnny Petraglia

Tournament summary

The events currently scheduled for the 2023 PBA season are shown below. [4] [5] Major tournaments are in bold. Career PBA title numbers for winners are shown in parentheses (#). Winner's share prize money is shown in US dollars ($), except where indicated.

Tour points are awarded for most events. Besides the season-ending Harry Smith PBA Points Winner award, points are one consideration for Player of the Year voting and also affect eligibility and seeding for the PBA Tour Finals (with 2022 points).

EventAirdateCityPreliminary roundsFinal roundOil patternWinnerNotes
U.S. Open presented by Go BowlingFeb 4 (match play) FS1
Feb 5 (finals) Fox
1.007 million viewers [6]
Indianapolis, IN Jan 30–Feb 4
(PTQ: Jan 29)
LiveU.S. Open Custom (4 patterns, 37 to 45 feet) Flag of Indiana.svg E. J. Tackett, USA (17)Open event (Tier 1). PBA major. $100,000 top prize.
PBA Springfield ClassicFeb 11 BowlTV Springfield, MO Feb 7–10 BowlTV (all rounds)LiveWolf 32 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sam Cooley, Australia (2)Open event (Tier 2). $25,000 top prize.
PBA Shawnee ClassicFeb 17 BowlTV Shawnee, OK Feb 13–16 BowlTV (all rounds)LiveBear 41 Flag of Indiana.svg E. J. Tackett, USA (18)Open event (Tier 2). $25,000 top prize.
PBA Collegiate ChampionshipFeb 19 FS1Indianapolis, INFeb 2 BowlTV (all rounds)Feb 3Rick Steelsmith 42Women: Wichita State University
Men: Indiana Tech University
Special event featuring top six men's and top six women's college bowling teams (by USBC ranking), presented by the PBA. Top two teams from men's and women's qualifying appear in the televised finals.
PBA Wichita ClassicFeb 24 BowlTV Wichita, KS Feb 20–23 BowlTV (all rounds)LiveDragon 45 Flag of Nevada.svg Anthony Simonsen, USA (11)Open event (Tier 2). $25,000 top prize.
PBA Jackson ClassicMar 9 BowlTV Jackson, MI Mar 6–8 BowlTV (all rounds)LiveChameleon 39 & Billy Hardwick 44 Flag of Indiana.svg E.J Tackett, USA (19)Open event (Tier 2). $25,000 top prize.
PBA Tournament of ChampionsMar 17 & 18 (match play) FS1
Mar 19 (finals) Fox
Fairlawn, OH Mar 14–18
(PTQ: Mar 13)
Live Don Johnson 40 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jason Belmonte, Australia (31)Invitational event (Tier 1). PBA major. $100,000 top prize.
PBA Kokomo ClassicMar 24 BowlTV Kokomo, IN Mar 21–23 BowlTV (all rounds)LiveViper 36 & Harry Smith 41 Flag of Kansas.svg Packy Hanrahan, USA (1)Open event (Tier 2). $25,000 top prize.
USBC MastersMar 31 (match play) FS1
Apr 2 (finals) Fox
Allen Park, MI Mar 26–31LiveUSBC custom patterns
Final round: USBC 46
Flag of Nevada.svg Anthony Simonsen, USA (12)Open event (Tier 1). PBA major. $100,000 top prize.
PBA WSOB XIV USA vs. The WorldApr 15 (singles) FS1
Apr 16 (doubles & team) FS1
Wauwatosa, WI Apr 9–15Live Carmen Salvino 44The World team (12–2): Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sam Cooley, Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dom Barrett, Flag of Sweden.svg Jesper Svensson, and Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jason BelmonteNon-title event featuring 4 U.S. and 4 international players selected by captains Jason Belmonte and Tommy Jones. $40,000 to winning team.
PBA WSOB XIV Cheetah ChampionshipApr 17 FS1Wauwatosa, WIApr 9–10 (WSOB PTQ: Apr 7)LiveCheetah 35 Flag of Indiana.svg E. J. Tackett, USA (20)Open event (Tier 3-short format). $20,000 top prize.
PBA WSOB XIV Scorpion ChampionshipApr 18 FS1Wauwatosa, WIApr 11–12 (WSOB PTQ: Apr 7)LiveScorpion 42 Flag of Arizona.svg Jakob Butturff, USA (8)Open event (Tier 3-short format). $20,000 top prize.
PBA WSOB XIV Shark ChampionshipApr 19 FS1Wauwatosa, WIApr 13–14 (WSOB PTQ: Apr 7)LiveShark 48 Flag of Kentucky.svg Matthew Ogle, USA (2)Open event (Tier 3-short format). $20,000 top prize.
PBA World ChampionshipApr 23 FoxWauwatosa, WIApr 9–14, 20LiveQualifying: Cheetah 35, Scorpion 42, Shark 48
Match play & finals: Earl Anthony 43
Flag of Indiana.svg E. J. Tackett, USA (21)Open event for WSOB entrants (PBA members only) (Tier 1). PBA major. Top 12 in 60-game qualifying pinfall from the three animal pattern events (20 games each) advance to World Championship round-robin match play. $100,000 top prize.
PBA Players Championship presented by SnickersMay 6, 7 (match play) FS1
May 13 (semi-finals) FS1
May 14 (finals) Fox
North Brunswick, NJ Apr 30 (PTQ)
May 1–4 (qualifying)
May 6–7 (match play)
Live Mike Aulby 39 (PTQ)
Don Carter 39 & Dick Weber 45 (all other rounds)
Flag of Indiana.svg Kevin McCune, USA (1)PBA members-only event (Tier 1). PBA major. $100,000 top prize.
Roth/Holman PBA Doubles ChampionshipMay 11 BowlTV Middletown, DE May 8–10 BowlTV (all rounds)LiveMarshall Holman 38 & Mark Roth 42 Flag of Kansas.svg Packy Hanrahan, USA (2)
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mitch Hupé, Canada (1)
Open event (Tier 3-short format). $20,000 top prize (team).
PBA Super Slam Cup presented by BowleroMay 20 (prelims) FS1
May 21 (finals) Fox
Jupiter, FL May 20Live Del Ballard 34 & Johnny Petraglia 46 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jason Belmonte, AustraliaNon-title event featuring all 2023 major champions. $100,000 top prize.
PBA Tour FinalsJun 24 (seeding rounds) CBS Sports
Jun 25 (group stepladders & finals)
CBS Sports
Arlington, WA Jun 23–24Live Wayne Webb 38 & Earl Anthony 43 Flag of North Carolina.svg Kyle Troup, USA (10)Invitational title event. Starting field includes Top 8 players in Tour points since start of 2022 season. $30,000 top prize.
PBA Skill Ball ChallengeJul 22–23 BowlTV
Allen Park, MIJul 22LiveSkill 34 & Skill 46 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dominic Barrett, England Non-title event. Top 8 players in points from the five 2023 Classic events use identical low-technology Skill 3.02 bowling balls. $16,000 top prize.
PBA-PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles (a.k.a. The Luci)Jul 30 Bowl TV Houston, TX Jul 27–29LiveCustom 41-foot Kegel pattern Flag of Nevada.svg Anthony Simonsen, USA (13) & Flag of New York.svg Danielle McEwan, USAOpen PBA and PWBA title event. Tier 3-limited field. $25,000 Top prize.
PBA-WBT Storm Lucky Larsen MastersN/A Helsingborg, Sweden Sep 1–9Sep 10Not reported Flag of Illinois.svg A. J. Johnson, USA (1)PBA and WBT title event (Tier 3–limited field). Top prize 150,000 SEK (approx. $13,500 USD).
PBA League Elias Cup presented by Pabst Blue RibbonQuarterfinal play-in: Sep 24 FS1
Quarterfinals: Sep 25 FS1
Semifinals: Sep 26 FS1
Elias Cup Finals: Sep 27 FS1
Portland, ME Seeding rounds: Sep 23 (not aired)LiveMark Roth 42 Snickers Waco Wonders (Parker Bohn III, Jason Sterner, BJ Moore, Frank Snodgrass, Ryan Ciminelli-MVP, Mgr-Johnny Petraglia)Non-title team event. Ten-team starting field. Top prize: $100,000 to winning team.
PBA Strike DerbyOct 22 Fox
Portland, MEN/ASep 28Mark Roth 42 Flag of Ohio.svg Chris Via, USANon-title event. 8-player field selected based on number of strikes thrown during the 2023 season. $20,000 top prize.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "PROFESSIONAL BOWLERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES 2023 PBA ON FOX SCHEDULE". pba.com. November 1, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  2. "PBA AND FOX SPORTS ANNOUNCE TWO-YEAR MEDIA RIGHTS EXTENSION". pba.com. August 17, 2023. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  3. Hughes, Nolan (December 13, 2022). "2023 PBA CLASSIC SERIES PREVIEW". pba.com. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  4. "2023 PBA TOUR SCHEDULE". pba.com. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  5. Hughes, Nolan (December 1, 2022). "BREAKING DOWN THE FULL 2023 PBA TOUR SCHEDULE". pba.com. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  6. "SKEDBALL: Weekly TV Sports Ratings 1.30-2.5.2023". showbuzzdaily.com. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.