The inaugural World Bowling Tour point ranking winners, Mika Koivuniemi (l.) of Finland and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (r.) of Keller, Texas, claimed the 2011 men's and women's World Bowling Tour Finals titles Thursday in Las vegas., Nev.. In the men's final, Koivuniemi defeated Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., 237-224, while Dorin-Ballard defeated Sandra Andersson of Sweden, 207-162 for the women's title. The winners took $10,000 each.
Field set for World Bowling Tour Finals Nov. 17 in Las Vegas
Finland's Mika Koivuniemi (l.) and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (r.), United States, finished first in the inaugural men's and women's WTBA World Bowling Tour point ranking. The top three players in the final World Bowling Tour points list in both the men's and women's divisions advanced to the World Bowling Tour Finals, which will take place Nov. 17 in Las Vegas with a total prize fund of $40,000. The event will be aired nationally in the United States.
Finland's Mika Koivuniemi (l.) and the United States' Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (r.) have mathematically locked up spots in the year-end WTBA World Bowling Tour Finals. With just one event remaining on the 2012 World Bowling Tour, the two point leaders have secured enough points to earn spots in the finals. The top three men and top three women advance to the season-ending event. The tour wraps up with the AMF Australian Masters from Oct. 10-22.
PBA bowlers win more than fifty per cent of the $132,000 prize fund
Jason Belmonte (pictured left) of Australia rolled his second 300 game in the finals of the PTT Thailand Tournament 2011 in the deciding match against Michael Fagan (right), United States to win the title and the one million baht top prize (approx. $32,258). The two-hander from Down Under fired the first perfecto in the last game of the Round of 20 to rocket from 9th place to first en route to earn the No. 1 seed for the eight-player stepladder finals. Fagan, who had to defeat Belmonte twice to win the title, easily won the first game, 300-211, but Belmonte rebounded with his second perfecto to seal the victory, 300-205.
With two events remaining on the World Bowling Tour, Finland's Mika Koivuniemi (l) holds a massive lead in the men's rankings, while the United States' Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (r.) stayed at the top of the women's rankings. Koivuniemi was the only player on either the men's or women's side among the top three in the rankings to compete in the Korean Daejeon International Open, the most recent event on the World Bowling Tour, presented by the World Tenpin Bowling Association.
Daejeon World Cup Stadium Bowling Center in Daejeon, Korea (Aug. 8-26, 2011)
In an all-Korean TV Stepladder final, third seeded Jeong Seung-Joo (l.) won three consecutive matches to claim the title in the World Bowling Tour's Daejeon International Bowling Tournament, Friday afternoon in Daejeon, Korea. In the title match, Seung-Joo defeated Korea Professional Bowlers Association member Kim Young-Kwan (r.), 229-188, to earn 50 million Korean Won or approximately USD46,000.
WTBA International Open will be presented by Sunset Station and supported by Brunswick
The World Tenpin Bowling Association will conduct its first owned and operated World Bowling Tour event in 2012 when the WTBA International Open takes place in Henderson, Nev., next year. The WTBA International Open will be held at the 72-lane Sunset Station Strike Zone Bowling Center from Jan. 28 through Feb. 5. The prize fund will exceed $100,000 with at least $20,000 going to the winner. In addition to presenting sponsor Sunset Station, Brunswick has also signed on as a supporting sponsor.
Tournament offers prize fund of nearly $185,000 with approx. $46,000 going to the winner
The prestigious Korean Daejeon International Open has been added to the World Bowling Tour schedule for 2011, the World Tenpin Bowling Congress announced today. The event, which will be organized by the Korea Professional Bowling Association, will be held from Aug. 21-26 at Daejeon World Cup Bowling Center in Deajeon, Korea. The addition of the event brings the total number of tournaments on the 2011 World Bowling Tour Schedule to eight.
Rash, Palermaa move into second and third place in the men's rankings after five events
Although there was no movement among the leaders after five events, the top three in the World Bowling Tour rankings were shaken up a little bit after the conclusion of the Kuwait Open. Finland’s Mika Koivuniemi (l.) and the United States’ Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (r.) did not compete in the Kuwait Open but held onto the top spot in the rankings of the World Bowling Tour, presented by the World Tenpin Bowling Association.
Helen Johnsson wins women's stepladder finals and finishes fourth in Open
PBA exempt player Chris Loschetter (l.), United States, defeated Tore Torgersen, Norway, 255-186, in the title match of the 8th Kuwait International Open Tuesday afternoon at Cozmo Bowling Center en route to claim the $25,000 top prize. Sweden's Martin Larsen and Helen Johnsson finished third and fourth with Osku Palermaa, Finland, fifth. Johnson (r.) defeated compatriot Sandra Andersson, 266-212, to win the women's extra stepladder final.
With four events now completed, there was no change atop the World Bowling Tour rankings with Mika Koivuniemi of Finland and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (l.) of the United States remaining the leaders. In the title match at the Brunswick Euro Challenge in Saint Maximin, France, Dorin-Ballard fell in the championship match to Colombia's Clara Guerrero (r.), 229-204, but added 40 ranking point to bring her points total to 145.
Defeats Carolyn Dorin-Ballard in the title match to pocket 15.000 Euro
Two-time World Champion and World Ranking Masters champion Clara Juliana Guerrero (pictured) won yet another big title when the Colombian defeated Syafiq Ridhwan of Malaysia and top seeded Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, United States, en route to win the 2011 Brunswick Euro Challenge Sunday evening at Le Plaza Bowling in Saint Maximin, France. Latest News: The stepladder finals will air on Eurosport 2 on Thursday, April 14 at 11.30 p.m. CEST (10.30 p.m. in the UK).
Americans dominate men's and women's rankings after three events
Nine-time PBA champion Mika Koivuniemi (pictured left), a native Finn who lives in the Unites States, and American Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (right) maintained the lead at the top of their respective divisions after three events on the new World Bowling Tour presented by the World Tenpin Bowling Association. The next stop on the World Bowling Tour is the Brunswick Euro Challenge from March 4-13 in Saint Maximin, France.
Mika Koivuniemi misses 10-pin in final frame to hand Duke the title
Norm Duke (l.) of Clermont, Fla., won his 34th PBA title and seventh career major in the 68th Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open at Brunswick Zone-Carolier Sunday with a stunning 225-216 victory over Mika Koivuniemi of Hartland, Mich., when Koivuniemi missed a 10 pin spare in the 10th frame. Duke earned $80,000 and moved into a tie for fourth place on the PBA Tour's list of all-time title-winners.
Next stop is the 68th Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open
After two events on the new World Bowling Tour presented by the World Tenpin Bowling Association, Finland’s Mika Koivuniemi (pictured left) maintained his lead at the top of the men’s rankings, while Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (right) of the United States moved into the women’s lead. The World Bowling Tour is made up of various events around the world throughout the course of 2011. The next stop on the World Bowling Tour is the 68th Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open.
National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., USA (Feb. 6-13, 2011)
Tom Hess of Urbandale, Iowa, thrust his hands to the sky, jumped into the air and relished his place in bowling history as he claimed the title at the 2011 Bayer USBC Masters on Sunday at the National Bowling Stadium. Hess defeated top seed Jack Jurek of Lackawanna, N.Y., 225-214, to win his first career PBA Tour title. Hess defeated Mika Koivuniemi of Finland, 254-219, for the right to bowl Jurek. In the opening match, Koivuniemi eliminated Mike DeVaney of Murrieta, Calif., 230-206.
Seven events on board for the inaugural year of the Tour
The WTBA has announced that two additional events have been added to the World Bowling Tour schedule for 2011. The 68th U.S. Open and the AMF Australian Masters bring the total of events on the Tour to seven. "We are very pleased to welcome these prestigious events to the World Bowling Tour schedule," WTBA President Kevin Dornberger (r.) said.
Taped for broadcast during the PBA's World Series of Bowling
The first World Bowling Tour schedule will culminate with a special made for television event featuring the top three men and top three women in the season-ending points list. The WTBA World Bowling Tour Finals presented by the PBA will be taped for broadcast during the PBA's World Series of Bowling. The one-hour long event will feature a total prize fund of $40,000 and be broadcast on national television in the United States.
Extends Finnish winning streak to 15 and becomes fourth player to win three Ballmaster titles
Defending champion Mika Koivuniemi (l.) won three consecutive matches to claim his third Brunswick Ballmaster Open title in the 41st running of Europe's most prestigious event Sunday at Tali Bowl in Helsinki, Finland. In the title match, Koivuniemi topped fellow PBA champion and No. 1 seed Sean Rash (r.), United States, 236-191, to earn the 12.000 Euro top prize and 150 ranking points. Koivuniemi will automatically overtake the lead in the 2011 ranking.
The USBC Masters will be a part of the new 2011 WTBA World Bowling Tour bringing the signature USBC event even more visibility internationally. The Masters, which will be contested Feb. 7-13 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., is one of five founding events that will be a part of the new tour, which links events from the American, European and Asian zones.
The inaugural World Bowling Tour point ranking winners, Mika Koivuniemi (l.) of Finland and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (r.) of Keller, Texas, claimed the 2011 men's and women's World Bowling Tour Finals titles Thursday in Las vegas., Nev.. In the men's final, Koivuniemi defeated Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., 237-224, while Dorin-Ballard defeated Sandra Andersson of Sweden, 207-162 for the women's title. The winners took $10,000 each.
Jason Belmonte (pictured left) of Australia rolled his second 300 game in the finals of the PTT Thailand Tournament 2011 in the deciding match against Michael Fagan (right), United States to win the title and the one million baht top prize (approx. $32,258). The two-hander from Down Under fired the first perfecto in the last game of the Round of 20 to rocket from 9th place to first en route to earn the No. 1 seed for the eight-player stepladder finals. Fagan, who had to defeat Belmonte twice to win the title, easily won the first game, 300-211, but Belmonte rebounded with his second perfecto to seal the victory, 300-205. 
With two events remaining on the World Bowling Tour, Finland's Mika Koivuniemi (l) holds a massive lead in the men's rankings, while the United States' Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (r.) stayed at the top of the women's rankings. Koivuniemi was the only player on either the men's or women's side among the top three in the rankings to compete in the Korean Daejeon International Open, the most recent event on the World Bowling Tour, presented by the World Tenpin Bowling Association.
In an all-Korean TV Stepladder final, third seeded Jeong Seung-Joo (l.) won three consecutive matches to claim the title in the World Bowling Tour's Daejeon International Bowling Tournament, Friday afternoon in Daejeon, Korea. In the title match, Seung-Joo defeated Korea Professional Bowlers Association member Kim Young-Kwan (r.), 229-188, to earn 50 million Korean Won or approximately USD46,000. 
The World Tenpin Bowling Association will conduct its first owned and operated World Bowling Tour event in 2012 when the WTBA International Open takes place in Henderson, Nev., next year. The WTBA International Open will be held at the 72-lane Sunset Station Strike Zone Bowling Center from Jan. 28 through Feb. 5. The prize fund will exceed $100,000 with at least $20,000 going to the winner. In addition to presenting sponsor Sunset Station, Brunswick has also signed on as a supporting sponsor.
Although there was no movement among the leaders after five events, the top three in the World Bowling Tour rankings were shaken up a little bit after the conclusion of the Kuwait Open. Finland’s Mika Koivuniemi (l.) and the United States’ Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (r.) did not compete in the Kuwait Open but held onto the top spot in the rankings of the World Bowling Tour, presented by the World Tenpin Bowling Association.
PBA exempt player Chris Loschetter (l.), United States, defeated Tore Torgersen, Norway, 255-186, in the title match of the 8th Kuwait International Open Tuesday afternoon at Cozmo Bowling Center en route to claim the $25,000 top prize. Sweden's Martin Larsen and Helen Johnsson finished third and fourth with Osku Palermaa, Finland, fifth. Johnson (r.) defeated compatriot Sandra Andersson, 266-212, to win the women's extra stepladder final.
With four events now completed, there was no change atop the World Bowling Tour rankings with Mika Koivuniemi of Finland and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (l.) of the United States remaining the leaders. In the title match at the Brunswick Euro Challenge in Saint Maximin, France, Dorin-Ballard fell in the championship match to Colombia's Clara Guerrero (r.), 229-204, but added 40 ranking point to bring her points total to 145.
Two-time World Champion and World Ranking Masters champion Clara Juliana Guerrero (pictured) won yet another big title when the Colombian defeated Syafiq Ridhwan of Malaysia and top seeded Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, United States, en route to win the 2011 Brunswick Euro Challenge Sunday evening at Le Plaza Bowling in Saint Maximin, France. Latest News: The stepladder finals will air on Eurosport 2 on Thursday, April 14 at 11.30 p.m. CEST (10.30 p.m. in the UK).
Nine-time PBA champion Mika Koivuniemi (pictured left), a native Finn who lives in the Unites States, and American Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (right) maintained the lead at the top of their respective divisions after three events on the new World Bowling Tour presented by the World Tenpin Bowling Association. The next stop on the World Bowling Tour is the Brunswick Euro Challenge from March 4-13 in Saint Maximin, France. 
Norm Duke (l.) of Clermont, Fla., won his 34th PBA title and seventh career major in the 68th Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open at Brunswick Zone-Carolier Sunday with a stunning 225-216 victory over Mika Koivuniemi of Hartland, Mich., when Koivuniemi missed a 10 pin spare in the 10th frame. Duke earned $80,000 and moved into a tie for fourth place on the PBA Tour's list of all-time title-winners. 
Tom Hess of Urbandale, Iowa, thrust his hands to the sky, jumped into the air and relished his place in bowling history as he claimed the title at the 2011 Bayer USBC Masters on Sunday at the National Bowling Stadium. Hess defeated top seed Jack Jurek of Lackawanna, N.Y., 225-214, to win his first career PBA Tour title. Hess defeated Mika Koivuniemi of Finland, 254-219, for the right to bowl Jurek. In the opening match, Koivuniemi eliminated Mike DeVaney of Murrieta, Calif., 230-206.
The WTBA has announced that two additional events have been added to the World Bowling Tour schedule for 2011. The 68th U.S. Open and the AMF Australian Masters bring the total of events on the Tour to seven. "We are very pleased to welcome these prestigious events to the World Bowling Tour schedule," WTBA President Kevin Dornberger (r.) said.
Defending champion Mika Koivuniemi (l.) won three consecutive matches to claim his third Brunswick Ballmaster Open title in the 41st running of Europe's most prestigious event Sunday at Tali Bowl in Helsinki, Finland. In the title match, Koivuniemi topped fellow PBA champion and No. 1 seed Sean Rash (r.), United States, 236-191, to earn the 12.000 Euro top prize and 150 ranking points. Koivuniemi will automatically overtake the lead in the 2011 ranking.
The USBC Masters will be a part of the new 2011 WTBA World Bowling Tour bringing the signature USBC event even more visibility internationally. The Masters, which will be contested Feb. 7-13 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., is one of five founding events that will be a part of the new tour, which links events from the American, European and Asian zones.