January 27, 2023 Nolan Hughes

One of the highlights of the 2023 Guaranteed Rate PBA Tour is the return of the USA vs. The World event at the World Series of Bowling XIV.

During a pair of FS1 telecasts on April 15-16, four Americans will compete against four international stars for the right to the Hall of Fame Cup, which will reside at the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame in Arlington, Texas.

Tommy Jones is set to captain the Americans, while Australia’s Jason Belmonte leads the World team. The remaining players will be determined during the 2023 PBA Tour.

On Feb. 13, before the PBA Shawnee Classic, each captain will select one player to join their team. Belmonte can choose any international player, while Jones can tab any American.

The final roster spots will be determined following the Tournament of Champions based on the 2023 PBA Tour points list. The top two Americans and international players in points through the Tour’s first six tournaments will join the USA and World teams, respectively.

Jones is an 11-time Team USA member, and one of five players to win PBA Rookie and Player of the Year during his career. The 44-year-old South Carolinian owns 20 career titles, including two majors, and was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2020.

“I’ve always enjoyed bowling with USA on my jersey, whether it's been for the Weber Cup or bowling for Team USA,” Jones said. “This is a little bit of a different animal and something that is pretty cool, bowling and coaching some of the greatest guys throwing the ball these days.”

The 39-year-old Belmonte is still at the peak of his powers, earning a record-tying seventh PBA Player of the Year award in 2022. Belmonte owns 30 career titles, including a PBA-record 14 majors.

“I can’t wait to captain the World team against the USA,” said Belmonte, who was a member of the victorious World team at the last USA vs. The World event in 2019. “I have a few players on my radar I’m looking at for my selection, but before that I’m excited to bowl TJ for the seeding at the historic Holler House.”

Milwaukee’s Holler House will host a one-game match between Jones and Belmonte at the World Series of Bowling. Its two wood lanes are the oldest sanctioned pair in the United States. To this day, oiling, scoring and pinsetting are done by hand.

“I’ve been there a couple of times just to see the place and it’s pretty nostalgic,” Jones said. “I’m really looking forward to bowling a match there. I'm not sure that either one of us have had a whole lot of experience with that. I'm hoping that straighter is going to be greater and that we'll be able to prevail.”

The winner of the match will earn the top seed for the TV finals and lane choice for every match of the finals. The match will be livestreamed on the PBA’s YouTube channel for free. Any proceeds will be donated to the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.

The two-part TV finals will be held at Bowlero Wauwatosa, kicking off the seven-telecast World Series of Bowling XIV. Both shows will air live on FS1.

On April 15, the teams will square off in four singles matches with five points up for grabs (one point per match and one point for total combined pinfall).

Teamwork becomes crucial on April 16 as doubles and baker matches take center stage. Two points will go to the winning teams of an alternate shot doubles match and best ball doubles match. A Race to Two team baker match worth five points will close out the competition.

The team with the most points will claim the Hall of Fame Cup.

“As competitive bowling continues to grow globally, we aim to make USA vs. The World the ultimate international team event,” said PBA Commissioner Tom Clark. “With this year’s twists of Tommy and Belmo as the playing captains, a new trophy and its spot at the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, the captain’s match at historic Holler House and two days of live multi-event coverage on FS1 from the WSOB, we will reintroduce and elevate this annual competition.”