The best female bowlers in the world will return to Topeka, Kansas, for the first time in nearly 30 years this week when the Professional Women's Bowling Association Topeka Open presented by Prairie Band Casino & Resort begins Friday.
Topeka hosted the 1985 and 1986 U.S. Women's Open and now will welcome back the PWBA Tour at West Ridge Lanes. The players will take part in 12 games of qualifying Friday before the top 16 advance to round-robin match play Saturday.
The event concludes with the stepladder finals at 6:30 p.m. Central on Saturday. All rounds will be broadcast live on Xtra Frame.
As the PWBA Tour hits the middle stretch of the schedule, Stefanie Johnson of Grand Prairie, Texas, sits atop the race for PWBA Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year with six events remaining.
"I set high, yet realistic, expectations for myself, so I'd say that overall and I am exceeding those," said Johnson, an 11-time Team USA member. "Each week is a new event that has no bearing on the prior, so I am just taking it one at a time and enjoying every moment."
Johnson leads the points list with 37,425 points after four events. She won the PWBA Wichita Open and finished second at the PWBA Lubbock Sports Open. She also had an eighth place finish at the PWBA Storm Sacramento Open and was 35th at the United States Bowling Congress Queens.
The PWBA Tour ceased operations in 2003 and has been rejuvenated this year thanks to the support from the bowling industry. The PWBA Topeka Open is one of 11 events being held this season.
Bowling fans can watch all the action live on Xtra Frame. For more information, visit XtraFrame.tv. For updates on the PWBA Tour, visit PWBA.com.
About the PWBA: The Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) originally was formed in 1960. The PWBA Tour has events throughout the country, offering high-level competition and top prize money for women bowlers. The PWBA is supported by the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA) and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).
PWBA Topeka Open Presented by Prairie Band Casino & Resort at West Ridge Lanes, Topeka, Kan.
Schedule of events (All times Central)
Thursday, Aug. 6
4-6 p.m. - Practice session for all tournament bowlers
Friday, Aug. 7
7-8 a.m. - Practice session for all tournament bowlers
9 a.m. - Qualifying Round 1 (six games)
2:30 p.m. - Qualifying Round 2 (six games - field cut to top 16)
Saturday, Aug. 8
8:30 a.m. - Top 16 round-robin match play (eight games)
1:30 p.m. - Top 16 round-robin match play (eight games - field cut to top four)
6:30 p.m. - Stepladder finals
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