Danny Wiseman Wins 2026 PBA50 The Villages Classic
The Villages, Florida – A title in five decades. That is just one of the feats Danny Wiseman achieved by winning the 2026 PBA50 The Villages Classic on Thursday.
“The evolution of changes from the ‘80s, ‘90s and 2000s; the game changed so fast in my era,” said Wiseman, a PBA and USBC Hall of Famer. “I was always proud of being able to change, adapt and do whatever I wanted with a bowling ball. You talk about versatility, and I pride myself on that.”
For his first win in 14 years, Wiseman put on an impressive show inside Spanish Springs Lanes. He averaged 256 in his three stepladder finals matches defeating Randy Weiss, Tom Hess, then overall tournament leader John Janawicz.
“I have been chasing this title for 14 years and I have had some chances, but I don’t bowl a lot,” he said. “It is gratifying because I beat two of the best senior players of the last decade. It’s like back in the day bowling Walter, Parker and Duke. These guys bowl all the time, and they are the top level.”
During his 24 games prior to the stepladder, Wiseman had just one game over 250. He clearly saved his best performance for last with games of 255, 258 and 255. In the title match against Janawicz, who had been outperforming the entire field, Wiseman started by picking up a 10-pin then delivering eight straight strikes.
Janawicz made two straight 10-pins on the right lane with a strike in between. In the fourth frame, Janawicz did what he had done all week; he put strikes together. He posted five in a row before leaving the 4-7 in the ninth frame. After making his spare, he stepped up and struck out for a solid 248. Yet, it wasn’t enough to stop Wiseman who finished with 255. Wiseman struck 26 times out of his 32 shots.
“I saw where JJ (Janawicz) was playing with urethane and knew there was going to be hold there. I knew I had friction to the right because of what Randy (Weiss) was throwing,” the 58-year-old said. “I knew if I could get a slot there, I could manipulate it.”
Clearly disappointed after the match, Janawicz said, “It’s part of the game. You are not going to go 100-0 and you also aren’t going to go 0-100 either. You are going to get days like this. You just have to keep putting yourself in position.”
In the opening match, Weiss started with five strikes and two spares in his first seven frames. Brian Leclair doubled followed by a pocket 8-10 then 7-10 split for opens. Leclair rebounded with three strikes and a spare going into the final two frames. Finishing first, Leclair struck in the ninth and on his first shot in the 10th before leaving a solid 9-pin. He picked it up for 213. After back-to-back spares in the eighth and ninth frame, Weiss delivered a double and eight for 226.
Wiseman came out firing in match two. He started with eight straight strikes before converting a 10-pin and leaving a pocket 8-10 split on the left lane, which he jokingly responded to by flexing his muscles at the crowd. Weiss had three single pin spares in his first four frames before putting together a double. It was all too late as Wiseman earned the 255-225 win.
The semifinal match between Wiseman and Hess began with Hess leaving a pocket 7-10 on the left lane. Wiseman doubled, watched a wide right shot crumble the pocket and picked up a 10-pin through four frames. Hess covered a 10-pin before putting together some strikes. Working on three straight strikes, Hess watched a messenger take out the 10-pin in the sixth frame as he emphatically shouted, ‘boom baby.’ He added another strike in the seventh.
Wiseman doubled before making another 10-pin in the seventh followed by a strike. Hess left a 7-pin in the eighth frame and struck in the ninth frame finding himself slightly behind Wiseman. Finishing first, Wiseman struck in the ninth and added three more strikes for 258 with a fist pump. Hess doubled in the 10th before leaving a blower 7-pin for 247.
Wiseman won $7,500 for first place. While sporting one of his always noticeable bowling shirts with flames on it, Wiseman continued to reflect on the meaning behind this victory.
“I am running out of time. I am 58, but I still love the sport,” he said. “I study the PBA. I watch the evolution of the game. I want to stay on top of what is going on because it’s my life and it has been my life.”
The next stop on the schedule is the PBA50 World Series of Bowling IV April 30-May 12 in Minnesota with four titles up for grabs.
“I am leading for Player of the Year. Guess what, one and done for me,” Wiseman said, of most likely, his only senior tournament of the season. “I looked forward to this because I wanted to win and I did.”
PBA50 The Villages Classic final standings:
- Danny Wiseman
- John Janawicz
- Tom Hess
- Randy Weiss
- Brian Leclair
Championship Round Scores
Match 1: Weiss def. Leclair 226-213
Match 2: Wiseman def. Weiss 255-225
Match 3: Wiseman def. Hess 258-247
Championship match: Wiseman def. Janawicz 255-248