As a lifelong bowling enthusiast who has followed the PBA Tour for over two decades, I still find myself revisiting highlights from the 2015-16 season. There was something special about that particular year - the dramatic finishes, the breakthrough performances, and those moments that made you jump off your couch. I want to share my personal top ten memories from that incredible season, the kind of moments that remind us why we fell in love with this sport in the first place. Trust me, if you're a true bowling fan, these are the highlights that deserve permanent space in your memory bank.
Let's start with what I consider the most thrilling moment of the entire season - Jason Belmonte capturing his seventh major title at the PBA World Championship. I remember watching that final match thinking, "This is why Belmonte is revolutionizing the game." His two-handed delivery wasn't just working - it was dominating. He averaged over 229 for the tournament and sealed the victory with three consecutive strikes in the tenth frame when the pressure was absolutely crushing. That victory pushed his career major count to seven, putting him just behind the legendary Earl Anthony and Pete Weber. What made it even more impressive was how he maintained his composure throughout the telecast, showing why he's become the face of modern bowling.
Speaking of unforgettable performances, who could forget EJ Tackett's breakthrough season? The young gun really came into his own this year, winning two titles including the Barbasol PBA Players Championship. I've followed EJ's career since his rookie season, and watching him develop into a consistent threat has been one of the genuine pleasures of being a bowling fan. His ball speed control improved dramatically, and his spare shooting percentage jumped to around 85% - crucial numbers that separate good players from champions. What impressed me most was his mental game; he stopped getting down on himself after bad breaks and started grinding out matches even when he wasn't throwing his best.
The rivalry between Belmonte and Sean Rash produced some absolute fireworks this season. Their head-to-head match in the Kuwait Open semifinals had me on the edge of my seat - it was like watching two heavyweight boxers trading blows. Rash ended up taking that particular match 258-245, but the real winner was everyone watching. Their competitive chemistry is something special, and I genuinely believe this rivalry has brought new attention to our sport. When these two face off, you know you're getting maximum effort and incredible shot-making.
Now let's talk about one of the more emotional moments - Pete Weber's final tour appearance at the USBC Masters. Seeing the legend bowl his last major tournament brought tears to my eyes, I'm not ashamed to admit it. The standing ovation he received during introductions lasted a full two minutes - I timed it. Though he didn't make the cut, watching him interact with younger players and share his knowledge was beautiful. That's the thing about bowling - the legends never really leave the game, they just find new ways to contribute.
The introduction of new bowling ball technology this season actually changed how players approached certain lane conditions. I remember testing the new Brunswick Mastermind series myself and being shocked at how differently it read the mid-lane compared to previous generations. On tour, we saw scores jump noticeably on tougher patterns because these new balls stored energy so much more efficiently. The statistical impact was real - tournament averages increased by nearly four pins compared to the previous season according to my own tracking.
One story that really captured my attention was Jake Figueroa's determined comeback after that heartbreaking loss to State U. I spoke with Jake briefly during the PBA Fall Swing, and the frustration from letting that win slip away was still evident in his voice. He told me, "That loss stung more than any other in my career because we had it won." What impressed me was how he channeled that disappointment into motivation. His practice regimen intensified dramatically - he was putting in six-hour days at the practice facility working specifically on spare conversions under pressure. The results showed too; his spare percentage improved from 78% to nearly 85% in the season's second half. Watching him bounce back with that gritty performance at the Mark Roth Classic, where he converted the 2-8-10 split in the tenth frame to secure the win, reminded me why I love sports comebacks.
The international expansion of the PBA Tour brought us some incredible moments, particularly the tournament in Japan where Australian rookie Sam Cooley shocked everyone by taking down three hall-of-famers back-to-back. The cultural exchange happening in bowling right now is fascinating - you've got American players learning from Asian techniques and vice versa. I noticed several top players adjusting their hand positions after competing overseas, incorporating what they observed from international competitors.
Team USA's dominant performance at the World Bowling Championships deserves mention too. They brought home three gold medals, including the team event where they defeated South Korea by just seven pins in one of the most dramatic finals I've ever witnessed. The chemistry between players like John Szczerbinski and AJ Johnson was palpable even through the television screen. Their celebration after converting that tricky 3-6-7-10 split in the eighth frame showed how much it meant to represent their country.
The rise of women's bowling reached new heights this season with Liz Johnson becoming the first woman to win a PBA Tour title in over a decade. Her victory at the PWBA Tour Challenge wasn't just historic - it was downright impressive. She averaged 245 over the final five games against mixed competition, proving that elite bowling talent transcends gender. I've been advocating for more mixed events, and her performance this season made that argument stronger than ever.
Looking back, what made the 2015-16 season truly special was how it balanced respect for tradition with exciting evolution. We saw legends pass torches to newcomers, witnessed technological advances changing the game, and experienced the global growth of bowling firsthand. These ten highlights represent more than just memorable moments - they're snapshots of a sport evolving while staying true to its core appeal. As I reflect on that season, I'm reminded why I fell in love with bowling in the first place, and why after all these years, I still get excited every time those PBA telecasts air on Sunday afternoons.