PWBA Founder and Chairman John Sommer has stated in spite of the fall cancellation he will continue to pursue new investors and explore all options for the 2004 season. This leaves questions as to the future of not only ladies professional bowling, but also the future of the PWBA, if there is one.
Sommer did not state that the PWBA was closing their doors, rather canceling the remainder of the current season.
The 2003 PWBA campaign was highlighted by increased television ratings for the fifth consecutive year, two titles by Tiffany Stanbrough, Oklahoma City, Okla, a Women's International Bowling Congress Queens championship by Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nev. and a U.S. Open victory by Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J.
According to the Neilson Media Research, 2003 PWBA telecasts averaged a .64 overall rating, up from .44 in 2002. The 45% improvement is one of the largest in the tour's 23-year history. The .64, garnered a 1.6 household share, translating into an average of 551,740 households (51% more than '02). In addition, this seasons' ratings came close to doubling its audience in two key demographic groups with the 25-54 demo increasing 85.4% while the 18-49 category improving 100%.
Seven different winners took home championship hardware in '03. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N.Richland Hills, Texas, who won her 20th title by claiming the Greater Cincinnati Open, led the tour in all three major statistical categories including earnings ($53,750), competition points (5,330) and averages (215.22).
The Professional Women's Bowling Association, founded in 1981 as the Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour, provides a professional tournament program for the most skilled women bowlers in the world. The PWBA's key sponsors include the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC), Pepsi Cola, Miller Brewing, BowlersParadise.com, and more than a dozen other bowling industry sponsors. For the latest information on the PWBA go to www.pwba.com.