Host state well-represented at PWBA Sonoma County Open

03 May, 2016

PWBA Tour

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Recent pop culture has taught us that California girls are undeniable, and some of the best bowlers from The Golden State will have the chance to prove it at the upcoming Nationwide Professional Women’s Bowling Association Sonoma County Open.

The event is the second of the 2016 PWBA Tour season and will run May 5-7 at Double Decker Lanes in Rohnert Park, California, with nearly 80 players representing nine countries, battling for a $10,000 top prize.

Among the expected competitors with California ties are two-time defending United States Bowling Congress Senior Queens winner and USBC Hall of Famer Robin Romeo (left; Newhall), 2011 USBC Queens champion Missy Parkin (right; Laguna Hills), former Team USA member Emily Fagan (Berkeley) and a pair of USBC Hall of Famers who now live elsewhere, but earned many accolades as California residents, Leanne Hulsenberg and Lynda Barnes.

“I’m excited to be home near my family and friends, and it’s always nice when you get to do what you love, while also spending time catching up with those you don’t get to see enough,” said Barnes (below left), a two-time Queens champion, longtime Team USA member and a former standout at San Jose State University. “And, at heart, I’ll always be a California girl.”

All competitors at the Nationwide PWBA Sonoma County Open will bowl two six-game blocks Friday, with the field being cut to the top 32 based on the 12-game pinfall totals. Advancing players will bowl six additional games Saturday morning, before the field is cut to the top 12 for match play.

At the conclusion of round-robin match play, the two top qualifiers automatically will earn spots in the televised finals, where they will be joined by two additional bowlers advancing through the unique dual-stepladder format.

The finals of the Sonoma County Open will be taped during the USBC Queens (May 26) and will air on CBS Sports Network on June 14.

The PWBA made its return in 2015 after a 12-year hiatus, and the schedule has grown in 2016, from 11 events to 14.

The 2016 season kicked off April 29 in Las Vegas, and as part of an agreement with USBC, CBS Sports Network will televise 23 major championship bowling events in 2016, including 13 PWBA Tour events.

Click here for complete coverage of the PWBA Tour, including player biographies and the 2016 Tour schedule.

2016 PWBA Tour Schedule & Champions

Nationwide PWBA Sonoma County Open Schedule

Double Decker Lanes in Rohnert Park, Calif., United States (May 5-8, 2016)

All times local

Thursday, May 5, 2016
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.: PWBA Qualifier (if necessary)
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Practice

Friday, May 6, 2016
8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Practice
11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Six games of qualifying
6:15 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.: Six games of qualifying

Saturday, May 7, 2016
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Cashers’ round – six games
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Round-robin match play – six games
5 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Group stepladder finals
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Pro-Am

Herbert Bickel