BWAA Bowlers of the Month

KULICK UNANIMOUS CHOICE FOR JANUARY 2010 BWAA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

ARLINGTON, Texas - Kelly Kulick of Union, NJ, has been unanimously named the January 2010 BWAA Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America.

Kulick became the first woman to capture a Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour title, the PBA Tournament of Champions, by defeating top-seeded Chris Barnes, 265-195.  The second-seeded Kulick finished with four strikes to oust Mika Koivuniemi in the semifinal, 227-223.  The win also earns Kulick a two-year PBA Tour exemption beginning in the 2010-11 season.  This is Kulick's third BWAA Kegel Bowler of the Month award, also claiming honors in May 2007 and June 2006.

The unprecedented victory has attracted attention of local, national, and online media outlets worldwide.  Kulick personally appeared on ESPN, CBS-TV, ABC-TV, Fox Business as well as major media market outlets in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.  Offering congratulations was Women's Sports Foundation founder and women's professional sports pioneer Billie Jean King.  "Kelly Kulick's win at the PBA Tour's Tournament of Champions is not only historic, it serves as a motivational and imspirational event for girls and women competing at all levels all around the world," said King.

Kulick's exposure on a national stage began over a decade ago helping Morehead State University to the women's national championship in the 1998-99 season.  That was followed by being named 2001 PWBA Rookie of the Year, the 2003 Women's U.S. Open title, and the 2007 USBC Queens titles.  She is also currently a member of Women's Team USA and was also a member in 1998-2001, 2006, and 2008.  Kulick was also the first woman to qualify for the all-exempt PBA Tour with a sixth place finish in the 2006-07 PBA Tour Trials.  Two victories highlight her PBA Women's Series play this season, the Women's Shark Championship and the Women's World Championship, the latter qualifying Kulick for the PBA Tournament of Champions.

Other nominees capturing votes were Anthony LaCaze, winner of the PBA Earl Anthony Memorial Classic, Michael Fagan, winner of the PBA One-A-Day Dick Weber Open, Mika Koivuniemi, winner of the Burnswick Ballmaster Open, and Stefanie Nation, winner of the PBA Women's Series Earl Anthony Memorial Classic.

SMALLWOOD CLAIMS DECEMBER 2009 BWAA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

ARLINGTON, Texas - Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Michigan, has been named the December 2009 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America.

  WEBER TAPPED AS NOVEMBER 2009 BWAA BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Pete Weber of St Ann, Missouri, has been named the November 2009 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America.  In addition to 34 victories on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, his win at the PBA Midwest Region Plamor Lanes Open in Muscatine, Iowa, was Weber’s 43^rd PBA Regional title and overall 77^th PBA titles, both PBA records.  The PBA and USBC Hall of Famer continues a steady steak of Bowler of the Month awards, also winning the award in March 2007 and December 2005

O’NEILL NAMED BWAA SEPTEMBER 2009 BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Bill O’Neill of Southampton, Pennsylvania has been named Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America for September 2009.

The two-time Collegiate Player of the Year won his first PBA title, the PBA Chameleon Championship over Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 205-192, and then continued his hot hand in the Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON) Championships in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Competing as a Team USA member for the first time, O’Neill took home four out of a possible six gold medals in Men’s Team, Men’s Trios, Men’s All Events, and Men’s Singles. He broke an eight year old record in the Men’s Singles event averaging 245, and won the Men’s All Events by over 300 pins.

In very close voting this month, other nominees capturing votes were Kelly Kulick, PBA Women’s World Championship and Women’s Series Shark Championship winner, and Shannon Pulhowsky, PBA Women’s Series Chameleon Championship winner, PBA World Championship runner up, PABCON Women’s Team Gold Medalist, PABCON Women’s Trio’s Gold Medalist.

For additional information, contact Mark Miller, awards@bowlingwriters.com.,

Bowling Writers Association of America, 621 Six Flags Dr., Arlington, TX 76011
Telephone: 1-800-343-1329.

BOOMERSHINE WINS BWAA AUGUST 2009 BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Tammy Boomershine of North Ogden, Utah has been named Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America for August 2009.

Boomershine captured the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open defeating USBC Hall of Famer  Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller Texas, 269-225.   After qualifying fourth for the 12-woman television finals round, she continued with wins over Shalin Zulkifli, Malaysia, 212-206, and Missy Bellinder, Fullerton, California, 269-205.

The win marked a comeback to the winners circle since a 1997 back surgery limited her tour career. In reference to her power game and a popular movie of the era, the “Taminator” was the 1994 Professional Women’s Bowling Association’s Rookie of the Year and 1996 PWBA Player of the Year.

Boomershine also qualified third for the 2009-10 PBA Women’s Series Tour Trials.

Other nominees capturing votes were Ron Mohr, PBA Senior DickWeber Open winner, Mark Williams, PBA Senior Decatur Open winner, Norm Duke, PBA Cheetah Championship victor, and Andrew Koff, 3-time Tournament of the Americas gold medalist.

For additional information, contact Mark Miller, bwaa@bowlingwriters.com.,
Bowling Writers Association of America, 621 Six Flags Dr., Arlington, TX 76011
Telephone: 1-800-343-1329.

NATION WINS BWAA JULY 2009 BOWLER OF THE MONTH

Arlington, Texas - Stefanie Nation of Arlington, Texas has been named the July 2009 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America.

Nation captured the singles gold medal at the World Tenpin Bowling Association Women’s Championships in Las Vegas. After qualifying as top seed, Nation defeated Krista Pollanen of Finland, 220-195. Nation then downed Mexico’s Sandra Gongora in the final match, 167-131.

Nation became the third American woman to win the gold medal at the WTBA Women’s Championships, following Kelly Kulick in 1999 and Shannon O’Keefe in 2007.  

Other nominees capturing substantial votes were Stephen Conn, Crestwood, Ky. and Maggie Zakrzewski, Palatine, Ill., USBC Junior Gold Boys and Girls Division winners and USBC Youth Open All-Events Boys and Girls Division winners Andrew Koff, Miami, Fla. and Katie Thornton, Chesapeake,Va.

For additional information, contact
Jackie Wyckoff, President
Bowling Writers Association of America
650-704-3230

BWAA SELECTS WAYNE WEBB AS KEGEL BOWLER OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE 2009

Wayne Webb of Sacramento, Calif. has been named BWAA Kegel Bowler of the Month for June, 2009‏‏‏‏.

Webb, a member of the PBA Hall of Fame, successfully defended his title in the 2009 PBA Senior U.S. Open at the Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas. His 214-188 victory over Senior Tour rookie Brian Voss in the championship match earned him the top prize of $20,000 and his second career victory on the PBA Senior Tour.

Other nominees garnering significant votes were Dale Traber of Cedarburg, Wis., who defeated Ross Packard in consecutive three-game matches to win the 2009 USBC Senior Masters; Brenda Edwards, Mansfield, Texas, who helped set the all-time doubles record at the USBC Open Championships (1,566) and added 300/785 for eighth place in singles; and Bo Goergen, Sanford, Mich., who took the lead in the USBC Open Singles with a record 862 series, and finished with a 2,190 All-Events total (3rd overall).

CICCONE WINS BWAA's MAY 2009 KEGEL BOWLER OF THE MONTH HONORS

Joe Ciccone of Buffalo, N.Y., has been named the Kegel Bowling Writers Association of America's Kegel Bowler of the Month for May.

Ciccone, who lost his exemption on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour after the 2008-09 season, reclaimed an exemption for the 2009-10 season by leading the PBA Tour Trials in Allen Park, Mich. The 2000 PBA Rookie of the Year averaged 214 during the five-day, 45-game test on five different PBA conditions. Immediately prior to the Tour Trials, Ciccone also won the PBA Regional Players Championship at Thunderbowl Lanes, earning a berth in the 2010 PBA Tournament of Champions.

Other nominees garnering significant votes were Dale Eagle, who claimed the PBA Senior Mooresville (N.C.) Miller High Life Classic; Johnny Petraglia, who broke four PBA Senior Tour scoring records on his way to winning the PBA Senior Sun Bowl in The Villages, Florida; and Dale Traber, who won his first PBA Senior Title at the Northern California Classic.

BWAA NAMES SCROGGINS BOWLER OF MONTH FOR APRIL 2009

Mike Scroggins has been selected as Kegel Bowling Writers Association of America Bowler of the Month for April.

Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, captured his second career major title by winning the 66th Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open in N. Brunswick, N.J. The 45-year-old lefthander defeated 2005 U.S. Open winner Chris Barnes before beating defending champion Norm Duke 191-173 in the title match. The win was worth $100,000 to Scroggins, who counts the 2005 USBC Masters among his six career titles on the PBA Tour.

Other nominees garnering significant votes were Patrick Allen, winner of the PBA DYDO Japan Cup; Liz Johnson, who won the 2009 USBC Queens tournament; and Ron Mohr, who posted back-to-back wins in the first two PBA Senior events of 2009.

CHRIS BARNES NAMED BWAA'S KEGEL BOWLER OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH 2009

Reigning PBA Player of the Year Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, has been named the Bowling Writers Association of America's Kegel Bowler of the Month for March after claiming back-to-back titles for the first time in his 11-year PBA career.

Barnes successfully defended his title at the PBA Don Johnson Buckeye State Eliminator in Columbus, Ohio before winning the PBA Go RVing Match Play Championship in Norwich, Conn. In five PBA events during the month, he made four TV appearances, and posted fifth and third place finishes to go along with his two victories.

Other nominees garnering significant votes were Wes Malott, who won his third title of the season in the PBA Etonic Marathon Open in Indianapolis; Australian Jason Belmonte, who used his two-handed bowling technique to win the PBA Bowling Foundation Long Island Classic, and Bill O’Neill, who posted four top 10 finishes in PBA play in March.

BOWLING WRITERS SELECT MASTERS CHAMPION NOLEN AS BOWLER OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY 2009

United States Bowling Congress Masters champion John Nolen of Waterford, Mich., has been named Kegel Bowling Writers Association of America Bowler of the Month for February, 2009.

Nolen, a 29-year-old right-hander, was the Masters' leading qualifier after 15 games, and emerged from the three-game, double-elimination match play rounds undefeated to advance to the ESPN-televised final. In his national television debut, Nolen defeated 2004 Masters champion Danny Wiseman, 202-193, to win the $60,000 top prize, is first national professional title and a two-year exemption to compete on the PBA Tour.

Earlier in the month, Nolen had finished eighth in the PBA's Denny's Dick Weber Open.

Other nominees garnering significant votes were Norm Duke, who won the PBA Denny’s Dick Weber Open in Fountain Valley, Calif.; and Jeff Carter, who ended a 122-event quest for his first title by capturing the PBA GEICO Plastic Ball Championship in Wheat Ridge, Colo.

BOWLING WRITERS SELECT ALLEN AS JANUARY'S TOP PLAYER

Patrick Allen was a unanimous choice as recipient of the Bowling Writers Association of America Kegel Bowler of the Month Award for January 2009.

The 38-year-old Wesley Chapel, Fla., left-hander posted three top-five finishes, winning his first major championship in the Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association's H&R Block Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas and the National Bowling Stadium Championship in Reno, Nev., an event that featured multiple lane conditions during the championship finals.

Other nominees garnering significant votes were Wes Mallot, who successfully defended his title at the Bayer Earl Anthony Medford Classic, and Wendy Macpherson, who won the Earl Anthony Medford Classic PBA Women’s Series title.

BOWLING WRITERS SELECT BOHN AS PLAYER OF THE MONTH (December 2008)

Parker Bohn III has been selected Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for December 2008.

Bohn, a PBA Hall of Famer from Jackson, N.J., captured his 32nd career title in the PBA Cheetah Championship in Cheektowaga, N.Y. He entered the championship round as the No. 1 seed, and defeated Mike Scroggins, 242-198, in the title match. Bohn also finished third at the Lumber Liquidators Shark Championship in Baltimore the following week.

Other nominees garnering significant votes were Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, who won the PBA Women's Series Cheetah Championship and finished second at the Lumber Liquidators Shark Championship Women's Series in Baltimore; Liz Johnson, who won the USBC Team USA Trials in Las Vegas; and Rhino Page, who picked up his second career PBA title at the Lumber Liquidators Shark Championship.

Michelle Feldman BWAA Kegel Bowler of Month (November 2008)

Michelle Feldman of Auburn, N.Y. dominated the first three events of the Professional Bowlers Association Women’s Series presented by the United States Bowling Congress.

After only making one cut in last year’s series of tournaments, Feldman has bowled in the first three title matches of the Women’s Series events. She finished second at the Pepsi Viper Championship in Omaha, Neb. and won the next two events in Taylor, Mich. and Vernon Hills. Ill.

Other nominees garnering significant votes were Brad Angelo, who broke through for his first PBA title in Omaha; Derek Eoff, who won the 2008 Quibica/AMF World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico; Wes Malott, who made three TV finals and won the CLR Carmen Salvino Scorpion Championship, and Walter Ray Williams Jr., who had a pair of top-three finishes including a victory at the Lake County Indiana Golden Anniversary Championship.