Tom Hess wins 11th title in Bud Moore PBA50 Players Championship
Woodbridge, Virginia – In the title match of the first major championship of the 2025 PBA50 season, Tom Hess posted a nearly perfect game Wednesday evening in the Bud Moore PBA50 Players Championship. After winning three straight matches as the No. 5 seed, Hess saved his best performance for No. 1 seed John Janawicz, who had dominated the tournament since Saturday.
Hess’s comfort level on the lanes inside tournament sponsor Bill Moore’s home finally paid dividends after coming up short in two previous attempts. He was not about to let that happen again. Hess capitalized on a few high shots rolling 11 straight strikes before getting eight on his final ball for 298. Janawicz opened the match with four straight spares before making a ball change and playing further right on the lanes. From that point on, he threw seven out of eight strikes to finish with 235.
“I bowled a pretty good game against JJ. I did get a couple of good breaks but other than that, I threw a bunch of really good shots,” Hess said. “All of the pressure was on him when he got up there to bowl that game. There was no pressure on me; just go make good shots. I was able to come through.”
Hess, who won $20,000, was quick to praise Janawicz’s incredible performance throughout the tournament saying he truly felt “JJ won this tournament, but I get to go home with the trophy.” These two each won five titles last season making for a tight PBA50 Player of the Year race, which went to Janawicz. There is no doubt these two powerhouse bowlers will be meeting up many more times this season.
“JJ is an incredible bowler. I beat him last week in The Villages (Classic). That three-game match was the best I had bowled all year on tour because I knew I had to have my ‘A’ game for JJ,” Hess said. “There is so much talent on this tour. It is unreal that I am one of the guys that the guys are aiming for. Eleven titles, don’t pinch me anytime soon.”
After competing since Saturday at Bowl America Woodbridge then having to bowl for the title in Moore’s home, Hess was prepared for what he was walking into. He finished second there in 2022 and fourth in 2023.
“There are some differences from lane 13 to 14 and I know those. I trusted my moves and I was able to clear my mind, relax and go out and bowl,” Hess said. “I did have some approach issues on the left lane, which actually helped me because I had to keep my feet slow. If I got a little quick, I stuck on the left lane.”
In the opening match, Dino Castillo started with a double followed by two single-pin spares, as Hess put together two strikes and two spares. Controlling his speed was going to be key for Castillo, yet he got too quick in the fifth and sixth frames resulting in back-to-back splits for open frames. Hess was able to stay clean with four straight strikes in the end for the 226-202 victory.
After climbing from 13th place at the start of his day to third place, Pete Weber would face Hess in the second match. Hess kept striking with five strikes in his first six frames, while Weber started with strike, open, strike and a spare before reeling off four straight strikes. Hess put together a three-bagger starting in the eighth frame on the way to close out the match 246-193.
In the semifinal match against Michael Haugen Jr., Hess almost opened with a four-bagger, except for a pesky 8-pin in the third frame. Haugen Jr. struggled to look comfortable on the right lane throwing a Brooklyn strike and going through the nose. He then had back-to-back splits for opens in the fourth and fifth frames as Hess filled frames. Haugen Jr. closed out the match with five straight strikes for 208. Needing just a mark in the 10th, Hess struck on his first shot and tested another ball for 214.
Hess credits his win to fellow PBA50 bowler and ball rep Mitch Beasley for keeping him calm and focused all week, but especially in the final position round game against Pete Weber. Hess was lost on the pair, and it came down to the 10th frame with Hess needing to mark and get at least eight on his fill ball to make the stepladder.
“I went back in the ninth frame, and I talked to Mitch Beasley. He said I need to move 3-and-2. It is great that he is back out here, and I am working with him,” Hess said. “My mind was racing 100-miles-an-hour that game because of all the guys chasing me Pete Weber, Tom Daugherty and Dino. They are all great bowlers. I got fortunate to get through there to make the show.”
With his 11th PBA50 title, Hess is now tied with his great friend Parker Bohn III, Ron Mohr and Gene Stus. “Anytime you are mentioned with the greats of this game like Parker Bohn III, Ron Mohr and Gene Stus, it’s special. I was tied with Amleto (Monacelli) at 10. My goal is to catch Walter (Ray Williams Jr.) at 16,” Hess said. "It is nice to be able to see success. Wow, tied with Parker Bohn.”
Another goal remaining on Hess’s list is to win the PBA50 World Championship. If he can accomplish that in his career, he will achieve the Triple Crown and the Grand Slam on the PBA50 Tour. “Look out Jackson, Michigan. I am coming for you,” Hess said.
Next up on the PBA50 schedule is the USBC Super Senior Classic for those aged-60 and over. This event will begin on May 29 at Sam’s Town Bowling Center in Las Vegas. You can see it all on BowlTV.
Final standings — PBA50 Bud Moore Players Championship:
- Tom Hess
- John Janawicz
- Michael Haugen Jr.
- Pete Weber
- Dino Castillo
Championship Round Scores
Match 1: Hess def. Castillo 226-202
Match 2: Hess def. Weber 246-193
Match 3: Hess def. Haugen Jr. 214-208
Championship match: Hess def. Janawicz 298-235