By JILL WINTERS
PBA Communications
LAKEVILLE, Minn. – For the third straight day, PBA50 Tour players put on an impressive show during the 2026 World Series of Bowling IV.
After seeing Packy Hanrahan and Darren Tang each celebrate their PBA World Series of Bowling XVII wins with their parents in the same bowling center, Tom Hess was able to celebrate with his mom, wife, and kids on Monday at the PBA50 Petraglia Championship.
“I am so glad that they came,” Hess said. “Just having them here is incredible.”
Hess, the top seed, came out fired up to be live on the CBS Sports Network. He opened up with a double at Lucky Strike Lakeville and yelled, “Yeah baby, come on. Let’s go.”
His opponent, 28-year United States Air Force veteran Ron Hurt started with a strike before leaving the challenging 3-6-10 combination. Unfortunately, he got just the 6-10 but came back with a strike. Hess picked up a 4-pin before putting together four straight strikes.
In the fifth frame, Hurt made a 4-pin then smiled after a messenger took out a 9-pin. After the TV commercial break, Hurt covered the 2-8 then doubled as Hess struck then picked up a spare. Finishing the match first, Hess struck in the ninth and after a strike on his first shot in the 10th frame, Hess yelled out, “Yeah baby, yes. We belong on TV.” Hess pointed toward his family, and he tried to hold back tears. He added two more strikes for 257 earning his 12th PBA50 title. Hurt struck out in the 10th for 228.
Since winning PBA50 Tour Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year both in 2021, Hess quickly moved up the all-time title list. He is now tied with Tom Baker, Gary Dickinson and Dale Eagle. Walter Ray Williams Jr. has the most with 16.
“We are four tournaments into year six and I have 12. That is past my wildest dreams,” Hess said. “I have two goals that I want to finish on this PBA50 Tour. One is to catch Walter Ray. He is the greatest winner that our sport has ever seen. And to get into that rarefied air with him, to pass him, Oh my gosh.”
His other goal is to win the PBA50 World Championship, so he can complete the senior grand slam.
“Hopefully, I have got a good 5, 6, 7, 8 years to chase those and see if we can get it done,” said the 56-year-old.
In the opening match, Hurt faced Andres Gomez. Hurt’s only mistake came after starting out with three straight strikes. He then left the 3-6-7-10 split for an open frame in the fourth. Gomez began with a strike, spare then a double to take a five-pin lead.
Hurt followed up his open frame with four strikes, while Gomez went spare, double, spare then a strike through nine frames. Again, Hurt’s ball came up slightly high leaving the 3-6-10 in the ninth frame. He covered the difficult spare and needed a double and seven to shut out Gomez.
He got the first strike before leaving the 3-6-10 combination and made the spare for 231. Gomez stepped up on the right lane with the chance to win. Needing a double and five pins, Gomez left a 10-pin. He made the spare and finished with 216.
The final event of the WSOB IV is the World Championship scheduled for 6 p.m. Eastern Tuesday live on CBS Sports Network. Last year’s PBA50 Rookie of the Year Tom Daugherty will face No. 2 seed Michael Machuga in the first match. The winner will advance to face top seed Mika Koivuniemi. The champion receives $25,000 and a major title.
PBA50 Petraglia Championship Final Standings:
- Tom Hess $10,000
- Ron Hurt $5,000
- Andres Gomez $3,000
MATCH SCORES:
Match 1: Hurt def. Gomez 231-216
Championship match: Hess def. Hurt 257-228
See complete Petraglia scores here:
https://www.leaguepals.com/league-info?id=69a8c8701277328b428b16fc