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About Us


About 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).

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In 1959, Georgia Veatch, then Editor of the Woman Bowler magazine, and Mary Bundrick, Executive Director of the Les Dames De 700 Bowling Club, convened a meeting during the Congress in Chicago. They invited the era's top female bowlers to discuss forming a women's organization similar to the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) for men. This initiative led to the creation of the Professional Women’s Bowlers Association (PWBA), with twenty-three charter members signing up.

The first PWBA tournament took place at Pinerama Bowl in North Miami Beach on September 3-4, 1960, attracting 100 participants and culminating in Marion Ladewig’s victory.

Mary Bundrick served as the organization's first president from 1959 to 1963, while Georgia Veatch took on the role of the first Executive Director, serving until her resignation in 1969. Despite leadership changes and various executives steering the organization, the PWBA experienced a series of transformations, including name changes from PWBA to WPBA and back.

Additionally, a rival organization, the Ladies Professional Bowlers Association (LPBA), attempted to establish itself during this period. Unfortunately, the original PWBA organization folded in 1982. However, a new organization, the Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour (LPBT), emerged in 1981 to take its place.

John Falzone, a bowling proprietor from Rockford, Illinois, introduced a new initiative called the Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour (LPBT). This departure from the previous PWBA model was notable, as Falzone and his partner John Sommer opted to fund and manage the operations themselves, rather than through a board primarily composed of women professionals.

In its inaugural season, LPBT organized nine events, including the prestigious $100,000 Tournament of Champions, with four finals televised on cable networks.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the tour continued to operate successfully. However, financial constraints led to its closure after the 2003 season, prompting the sale of its assets to the Women’s International Bowling Congress (WIBC).

In 2014, the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) and Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA) announced the relaunch of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA), with its first season beginning in the summer of 2015. The inaugural year featured 10 tournaments.

Since its relaunch, the PWBA Tour has organized over 110 events, awarding millions of dollars in prize money to hundreds of PWBA members. The tour continues to expand, now boasting a membership of over 150 women bowlers who compete annually, drawing competitors from around the globe.

Each PWBA event is streamed live in its entirety on BowlTV, with select tournaments showcasing their stepladder finals on CBS Sports Network. This extensive coverage plays a pivotal role in promoting and advancing the sport of professional women’s bowling.

Shannon Pluhowsky giving a young fan high-five at a PWBA Tour event.The Professional Women's Bowling Association provides the highest level of competition for women bowlers, actively promotes the sport in communities and inspires young athletes to pursue their dreams on the lanes.