The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) hands out four awards to honor tour competitors for their accomplishments both on and off the lanes after each PBA Tour season.
No awards were given in 2001, as the PBA transitioned from a calendar year format to a "seasonal" (September to March) format, one of the league's many changes as a result of the PBA's sale in March 2000. In 2014, the PBA returned to a calendar year format for each tour season.
This award was voted by writers of the The Sporting News from 1963 to 1970. Since 1971 (with the exception of 2008 to 2010), the award has been voted on by the players and media. In 1999, the PBA named the award after the long-time play-by-play television announcer for the Professional Bowlers Tour , Chris Schenkel of ABC Sports.
Season | Bowler | Nationality | # of Wins | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1963 | Billy Hardwick | ![]() | 4 | Won PBA National Championship. Youngest player (22) to win this award to date. |
1964 | Bob Strampe | ![]() | 1* | Won PBA National Championship and BPAA All-Star. Leading money winner. |
1965 | Dick Weber | ![]() | 2* | Won BPAA All-Star and George Young High Average Award (211.90) |
1966 | Wayne Zahn | ![]() | 3 | Won Tournament of Champions and PBA National Championship. George Young High Average Award (208.66) |
1967 | Dave Davis | ![]() | 6 | Won PBA National Championship |
1968 | Jim Stefanich | ![]() | 5* | Leading money winner. Won BPAA All-Star. |
1969 | Billy Hardwick (2) | ![]() | 6* | Won BPAA All-Star and George Young High Average Award (212.96) |
1970 | Nelson Burton Jr. | ![]() | 4 | George Young High Average Award (214.91) |
1971 | Don Johnson | ![]() | 6 | First year awarded by player vote. Won George Young High Average Award (213.98) |
1972 | Don Johnson (2) | ![]() | 3 | Won BPAA U.S. Open and George Young High Average Award (215.29) |
1973 | Don McCune | ![]() | 6 | 10-time finalist and leading money winner. |
1974 | Earl Anthony | ![]() | 6 | Won Tournament of Champions, PBA National Championship, and George Young High Average Award (219.39) |
1975 | Earl Anthony (2) | ![]() | 7 | Won PBA National Championship. George Young High Average Award (219.06). Leading money winner and first player in PBA history to eclipse $100,000 in season earnings. |
1976 | Earl Anthony (3) | ![]() | 6 | George Young High Average Award (215.9) and leading money winner. |
1977 | Mark Roth | ![]() | 4 | George Young High Average Award (218.17) and leading money winner. |
1978 | Mark Roth (2) | ![]() | 8 | George Young High Average Award (219.83) and leading money winner. PBA record 8 wins in a season. [1] |
1979 | Mark Roth (3) | ![]() | 6 | George Young High Average Award (221.66) |
1980 | Wayne Webb | ![]() | 3 | Won Tournament of Champions. Leading money winner. |
1981 | Earl Anthony (4) | ![]() | 4 | Won PBA National Championship. |
1982 | Earl Anthony (5) | ![]() | 3 | Won PBA National Championship. First to surpass $1,000,000 in career earnings. |
1983 | Earl Anthony (6) | ![]() | 2 | Won 6th career PBA National Championship. George Young High Average Award (216.65) |
1984 | Mark Roth (4) | ![]() | 4 | Won BPAA U.S. Open and PBA Touring Players Championship |
1985 | Mike Aulby | ![]() | 6 | Won PBA National Championship. First to win $200,000 in a single season. [2] |
1986 | Walter Ray Williams Jr. | ![]() | 3 | 9-time finalist |
1987 | Marshall Holman | ![]() | 0 | First to win award without a tournament victory. 3-time tournament runner-up. George Young High Average Award winner (216.80) |
1988 | Brian Voss | ![]() | 2 | Won PBA National Championship. Leading money winner with then-record $225,485. |
1989 | Amleto Monacelli | ![]() | 4 | Won PBA Touring Players Championship. Harry Smith Points Leader Award winner. First player born outside the US to win award. |
1990 | Amleto Monacelli (2) | ![]() | 3 | George Young High Average Award winner (218.16) |
1991 | David Ozio | ![]() | 4 | Won the Tournament of Champions. Leading money winner. [3] |
1992 | Dave Ferraro | ![]() | 2 | Harry Smith Points Leader and George Young High Average (219.70) Award winner. Cashed in 26 of 28 events bowled. [4] |
1993 | Walter Ray Williams Jr. (2) | ![]() | 7 | George Young High Average Award winner (222.98) and leading money winner. [5] |
1994 | Norm Duke | ![]() | 5 | Won the Tournament of Champions. George Young High Average Award (222.83) and leading money winner. [6] |
1995 | Mike Aulby (2) | ![]() | 1 | Won the Tournament of Champions. George Young High Average Award (225.49). Leading money winner. |
1996 | Walter Ray Williams Jr. (3) | ![]() | 5 | George Young High Average Award Winner (225.37) and leading money winner. |
1997 | Walter Ray Williams Jr. (4) | ![]() | 2 | George Young High Average Award Winner (222.95) |
1998 | Walter Ray Williams Jr. (5) | ![]() | 5 | Won the BPAA U.S. Open. George Young High Average Award Winner (226.13) |
1999 | Parker Bohn III | ![]() | 5 | George Young High Average Award Winner (228.04), leading money winner, cashed in 20 of 24 events. [7] |
2000 | Norm Duke (2) | ![]() | 3 | Won PBA National Championship |
2002+ | Parker Bohn III (2) | ![]() | 5 | Won 2001 ABC Masters. George Young High Average Award (221.08) [8] |
2003 | Walter Ray Williams Jr. (6) | ![]() | 3 | Won BPAA U.S. Open and PBA World Championship. George Young High Average Award (221.08) and leading money winner with a then-record $419,700. [9] |
2004 | Mika Koivuniemi | ![]() | 2 | 7-time finalist. George Young High Average Award (222.73) [10] |
2005 | Patrick Allen | ![]() | 3 | Top-five finish in all four majors. Won PBA World Championship. [11] Led tour in earnings. [12] |
2006 | Tommy Jones | ![]() | 4 | Won the BPAA U.S. Open. Also won Rookie of the Year. [13] |
2007 | Doug Kent | ![]() | 2 | Won USBC Masters and PBA World Championship. Leading money winner. [14] |
2008 | Chris Barnes | ![]() | 2 | First award based on points system. [15] |
2009 | Wes Malott | ![]() | 3 | 8-time finalist. George Young High Average Award (222.98) [16] |
2010 | Walter Ray Williams Jr. (7) | ![]() | 2 | Won USBC Masters. George Young High Average Award (222.89). Tour earnings leader. [17] Oldest player (50) to win this award. |
2011 | Mika Koivuniemi (2) | ![]() | 1 | Won Tournament of Champions. George Young High Average Award (222.50). [10] Award went back to voting. |
2012 | Sean Rash | ![]() | 1 | Won Tournament of Champions. George Young High Average Award (228.13). Harry Smith Point Leader Award. [18] |
2013 | Jason Belmonte | ![]() | 3 | Won USBC Masters and George Young High Average Award (228.81). [19] |
2014 | Jason Belmonte (2) | ![]() | 3 | Won Tournament of Champions, USBC Masters, George Young High Average Award, and Harry Smith Point Leader Award [20] |
2015 | Jason Belmonte (3) | ![]() | 2 | Won Tournament of Champions and USBC Masters. Best Bowler ESPY Award. [21] |
2016 | E.J. Tackett | ![]() | 4 | Won PBA World Championship [22] |
2017 | Jason Belmonte (4) | ![]() | 6 | Won PBA Players Championship, USBC Masters, and PBA World Championship. George Young High Average Award (229.39) [23] |
2018 | Andrew Anderson | ![]() | 2 | Won USBC Masters. 2-time runner-up. [24] |
2019 | Jason Belmonte (5) | ![]() | 4 | Won Tournament of Champions and PBA World Championship. [25] |
2020 | Jason Belmonte (6) | ![]() | 3 | Won U.S. Open and PBA World Championship. [26] |
2021 | Kyle Troup | ![]() | 2 | Won PBA Players Championship. Tour earnings leader with record $496,900. Harry Smith PBA Points Leader. [27] [28] |
2022 | Jason Belmonte (7) | ![]() | 5 | Won PBA Players Championship. Harry Smith PBA Points Leader. [29] |
2023 | E.J. Tackett (2) | ![]() | 5 | Won U.S. Open and PBA World Championship. Earned George Young High Average Award (227.18) and Harry Smith PBA Points Leader Award. [30] |
2024 | E.J. Tackett (3) | ![]() | 2 | Won U.S. Open and PBA World Championship. Earned George Young High Average Award (229.37) and Harry Smith PBA Points Leader Award. [30] |
Candidates receive votes for this honor by PBA members and media. In 1992, this award was renamed in honor of Harry Golden, longtime PBA tournament director. [31]
Season | Bowler | Nationality | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1964 | Jerry McCoy | ![]() | Won the Seattle Coca-Cola PBA Open. 3-time runner-up. |
1965 | Jim Godman | ![]() | Finished in 3rd at the PBA Oxnard Open. |
1966 | Bobby Cooper | ![]() | Cashed in 9 tournaments. |
1967 | Mike Durbin | ![]() | Won the Tampa Bay-Sertoma Open and Youngstown Open. Finished 4th at the Tournament of Champions. |
1968 | Bob McGregor | ![]() | |
1969 | Larry Lichstein | ![]() | Runner-up at Bellows-Valvair Open. Finished 3rd at the PBA National Championship. |
1970 | Denny Krick | ![]() | Cashed in 17 tournaments |
1971 | Tye Critchlow | ![]() | |
1972 | Tommy Hudson | ![]() | Qualified for match play in 4 of the first 6 tournaments he entered. |
1973 | Steve Neff | ![]() | Cashed in 21 or 27 events bowled |
1974 | Cliff McNealy | ![]() | |
1975 | Guy Rowbury | ![]() | Runner-up at Tucson Open. |
1976 | Mike Berlin | ![]() | Won the AMF Regional Champions Classic. |
1977 | Steve Martin | ![]() | |
1978 | Joseph Groskind | ![]() | Runner-up at the PBA National Championship. [32] |
1979 | Mike Aulby | ![]() | Won the PBA National Championship (def. Earl Anthony). Runner-up at Amarillo Open. |
1980 | Pete Weber | ![]() | Finished 4th at Long Island Open |
1981 | Mark Fahy | ![]() | Finished 5th at Fair Lanes Open [33] and 4th at Showboat Doubles Classic (with Pete Weber) |
1982 | Mike Steinbach | ![]() | Finished 5th at Miller High Life Open and 4th at Showboat Doubles Classic (with Bill Spigner) |
1983 | Toby Contreras | ![]() | Won AC-Delco Classic |
1984 | John Gant | ![]() | Won the Denver Open. |
1985 | Tom Crites | ![]() | |
1986 | Marc McDowell | ![]() | Runner-up at Ebonite-Firebolt Open. 3rd place at King Louie Open. |
1987 | Ryan Shafer | ![]() | |
1988 | Rick Steelsmith | ![]() | Runner-up at Miller Lite Classic. Cashed in 10 of 15 events. |
1989 | Steve Hoskins | ![]() | Finished 4th at Showboat Atlantic City Open. Cashed in 17 events. |
1990 | Brad Kiszewski | ![]() | 5th place finish at Chevy Trucks Classic. Cashed in 16 events. |
1991 | Ricky Ward | ![]() | 3rd place finish at El Paso Open. Cashed in 10 events. |
1992 | Jason Couch | ![]() | 3rd place finish at Columbia 300 Open and Quaker State Open. Led rookies in earnings and cashes. |
1993 | Mark Scroggins | ![]() | 5th place finish at Tucson Open. Cashed in 9 total events. |
1994 | Tony Ament Jr. | ![]() | Led rookies in earnings, cashes, and match play appearances. |
1995 | Billy Myers Jr. | ![]() | Led rookies in earnings and average (215.70). Finished 3rd at the Brunswick Johnny Petraglia Open and 5th at the Indianapolis Open. [34] |
1996 | C.K. Moore | ![]() | Rolled a perfect game in his TV debut en route to winning the Columbia 300 Open. [35] |
1997 | Anthony Lombardo | ![]() | Led tour rookies in earnings (over $20,000) [36] |
1998 | Chris Barnes | ![]() | Reached match play in 12 events. |
1999 | Paul Fleming | ![]() | |
2000 | Joe Ciccone | ![]() | Garnered 86% of the votes. Led rookies in average (210.50) [37] |
2002 | Tommy Jones | ![]() | 3rd place at PBA Orleans Casino Open Top rookie in earnings ($45,440) and points. [38] |
2003 | Brad Angelo | ![]() | |
2004 | Chris Johnson | ![]() | PBA Toledo Open runner-up |
2005 | Not awarded | ||
2006 | Bill O'Neill | ![]() | Greater Omaha Classic runner-up |
2007 | Billy Oatman | ![]() | Motel 6 Classic runner-up |
2008 | Rhino Page | ![]() | Won The Go RVing Classic |
2009 | Jason Belmonte | ![]() | Won The Bowling Foundation Long Island Classic |
2010 | Anthony LaCaze | ![]() | Won the Earl Anthony Memorial Classic |
2011 | Scott Norton | ![]() | Won the World Series of Bowling - Chameleon Championship |
2012 | Josh Blanchard | ![]() | 3rd place - PBA Cheetah Open presented by Ebonite |
2013 | E.J. Tackett | ![]() | 4th place - Lucas Oil PBA Wolf Open |
2014 | Marshall Kent | ![]() | Won two championships (one as an amateur, one as a PBA member) |
2015 | Jesper Svensson | ![]() | Won two titles, including PBA Chameleon Championship |
2016 | François Lavoie | ![]() | Won U.S. Open and PBA Shark Championship |
2017 | Matt Sanders | ![]() | Won the PBA Xtra Frame Billy Hardwick Memorial Open |
2018 | Kamron Doyle | ![]() | Finished 3rd in the Xtra Frame Gene Carter's Pro Shop Classic |
2019 | Mykel Holliman | ![]() | Runner-up at USBC Masters |
2020 | Not awarded due to COVID-19 | ||
2021 | Matt Russo | | ![]() | Won the PBA Jonesboro Open. |
2022 | Santtu Tahvanainen | | ![]() | Lead all first-year bowlers in earnings and average. |
2023 | Cortez Schenck | | ![]() | Lead all first-year bowlers in points, earnings and average. |
2024 | Nate Purches | | ![]() | Lead all first-year bowlers in points, earnings and average. |
The PBA's sportsmanship award honors PBA founding member and Hall of Famer Steve Nagy. The award has been awarded since 1966, the year of Nagy's passing.
Source [39]
Awarded annually to a PBA member who exemplifies extraordinary community service, charitable and/or educational contributions over the course of a tour season. Created in 2013 by the PBA to honor and continue the legacy of Tony Reyes. [40]
Season | Bowler |
---|---|
2013 | Parker Bohn III |
2014 | Missy Parkin |
2015 | Ed Godbout |
2016 | Rhino Page |
2017 | Del Ballard Jr. |
2018 | Chris Barnes |
2019 | Chuck Garner |
2020 | Danny Wiseman |
2021 | Warren Eales |
2022 | Ryan Shafer |
2023 | Johnny Petraglia |
2024 | Kyle Troup |
The following awards are earned solely on statistics of the bowler, whereas the above are given based on voting by the media and PBA members.
This award is earned by the bowler who has the highest average during a season with a minimum of 180 games bowled in PBA competition. The award is named after American Bowling Congress (ABC) Hall of Famer George Young, who had a lifetime 202 average in ABC tournament play from 1942 to 1958, the highest of any competitor during that era covering over 20 tournaments. [41]
Season | Bowler | Average |
---|---|---|
1962 | Don Carter | 212.84 |
1963 | Billy Hardwick | 210.35 |
1964 | Ray Bluth | 210.51 |
1965 | Dick Weber | 211.90 |
1966 | Wayne Zahn | 208.66 |
1966 | Wayne Zahn | 212.14 |
1967 | Wayne Zahn | 212.14 |
1968 | Jim Stefanich | 211.90 |
1969 | Billy Hardwick | 212.96 |
1970 | Nelson Burton, Jr. | 214.91 |
1971 | Don Johnson | 213.98 |
1972 | Don Johnson | 215.29 |
1973 | Earl Anthony | 215.80 |
1974 | Earl Anthony | 219.39 |
1975 | Earl Anthony | 219.06 |
1976 | Mark Roth | 215.97 |
1977 | Mark Roth | 218.17 |
1978 | Mark Roth | 219.83 |
1979 | Mark Roth | 221.66 |
1980 | Earl Anthony | 218.54 |
1981 | Mark Roth | 216.70 |
1982 | Marshall Holman | 212.84 |
1983 | Earl Anthony | 216.65 |
1984 | Marshall Holman | 213.91 |
1985 | Mark Baker | 213.72 |
1986 | John Gant | 214.38 |
1987 | Marshall Holman | 216.80 |
1988 | Mark Roth | 218.04 |
1989 | Pete Weber | 215.43 |
1990 | Amleto Monacelli | 218.16 |
1991 | Norm Duke | 218.21 |
1992 | Dave Ferraro | 219.70 |
1993 | Walter Ray Williams, Jr. | 222.98 |
1994 | Norm Duke | 222.83 |
1995 | Mike Aulby | 225.49 |
1996 | Walter Ray Williams, Jr. | 225.37 |
1997 | Walter Ray Williams, Jr. | 222.95 |
1998 | Walter Ray Williams, Jr. | 226.13 |
1999 | Parker Bohn III | 228.04 |
2000 | Chris Barnes | 220.93 |
2002* | Parker Bohn III | 221.08 |
2003 | Walter Ray Williams, Jr. | 224.94 |
2004 | Mika Koivuniemi | 222.73 |
2005 | Walter Ray Williams, Jr. | 227.07 |
2006 | Norm Duke | 224.29 |
2007 | Norm Duke | 228.47 |
2008 | Walter Ray Williams, Jr. | 228.34 |
2009 | Wes Malott | 222.98 |
2010 | Walter Ray Williams, Jr. | 222.89 |
2011 | Mika Koivuniemi | 222.50 |
2012 | Sean Rash | 228.13 |
2013 | Jason Belmonte | 228.81 |
2014 | Jason Belmonte | 226.71 |
2015 | Jason Belmonte | 225.40 |
2016 | Jesper Svensson | 226.07 |
2017 | Jason Belmonte | 229.39 |
2018 | Jason Belmonte | 221.38 |
2019 | Jason Belmonte | 225.62 |
2020 | Not awarded | |
2021 | Not awarded | |
2022 | E.J. Tackett | 225.27 |
2023 | E.J. Tackett | 227.18 |
2024 | E.J. Tackett | 229.37 |
Walter Ray Williams, the reigning Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year...
He's been named PBA player of the year four times since 2013...