EJ TACKETT is celebrated as the 2023 Professional Bowlers Associaton PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The recent Player of the Year announcement has thrust EJ Tackett into the annals of bowling greatness, marking one of the most mind-blowing seasons in the sport's history! What EJ did this season in 16 tour stops, each one a battleground of intensity at the highest echelon of competition, is hard to fathom. 

Let's dive into the sheer spectacle of EJ's 2023 season: 

Player of the Year Triumph: EJ clinched the PBA Player of the Year title with a jaw-dropping 82.5% of the vote, a whopping 75% higher than any other contender. Even with the phenomenal Anthony Simonsen in the mix, EJ's dominance was undeniable. Also winning Player of the Year in 2016, this was his second Player of the Year award, a feat achieved by only 12 bowling legends in history. 

Points Maestro: EJ didn't just bag the points title; he obliterated records, amassing more points than any player since the inception of the tiered points system on the PBA Tour. He also clinched the Classic Series point championship with two wins during the abbreviated points swing. 

High Average: For the second straight year, Tackett carried the highest average for the PBA Tour season. In a sport where every single pin is critical, EJ averaged over 227, which was two pins better than anyone else on tour. 

Earnings Extraordinaire: EJ wasn't just bowling strikes; he was raking in cash. Leading tour earnings by over $100k, he closed the year at a historic $458,450—the second-highest season total in PBA history and the highest for a player whose highest single check was a cool $100k. 

Major Mic Drop: When the lights shone brightest, EJ outshone them all. At four of the five PBA Tour majors, he stood as the tournament leader. Qualifying? Dominated. EJ was the tournament leader at four of the five PBA Tour Majors. Titles? Two (US Open and World Championship) including a secondplace finish (TOC), and a fifth-place spot (Players Championship). It was major domination at its finest. 

Winning Ways: In just 16 events, EJ clinched victory five times—a feat untouched by any player in the 21st century. Starting strong with wins at the US Open, Shawnee Classic, and Jackson Classic, he didn't ease off the gas pedal, finishing the season with a breathtaking World Series of Bowling, where he had finishes of 1st (World Championship), 1st (Cheetah Championship), 2nd (Scorpion Championship), and 9th (Shark Championship). 

Consistent Brilliance: EJ's not just a flash in the pan. With five top finishes in 16 events, he graced the top three a staggering 10 times. EJ never slipped outside the top 3 for more than two events in a row, a consistency that puts him in a league of his own. To put that into perspective, only eight players cashed as many times in 2023 as EJ Tackett finished in the top 3. 

Legendary Status: In 2023, EJ etched his name in the bowling pantheon. A two-time Player of the Year, the ninth Triple Crown winner in PBA history, the youngest player to 21 titles, and the 13th winningest player of all time (behind Marshall Holman)—Tackett continues to distinguish himself amongst the greatest to ever throw a bowling ball. And did we mention he casually tossed a perfect 300 at the PBA Super Slam semifinal? 

MOTIV is so proud of EJ Tackett and all his accomplishments. We are even more proud to say that every shot that EJ has thrown as a PBA Member on the national tour has been with a MOTIV® bowling ball. Congratulations, EJ, and best of luck in the upcoming 2024 season.

Rash Named PBA Player of the Year

Sean Rash now living in suburban Chicago (Montgomery, IL), was named as 2011-12 Professional Bowlers Association Chris Schenkel Player of the Year Monday, concluding one of the most competitive Player of the Year contests in years.

Rash, who made a record five-consecutive television finals during the 2011 PBA World Series of Bowling and concluded his season with a victory in the PBA Tournament of Champions, was elected over a field of 11 eligible candidates in balloting conducted among his fellow PBA Tour competitors and veteran members of the bowling news media.

In the end, Rash received 29.04 percent of the Player of the Year votes, Australia’s Jason Belmonte 26.61 percent and Mike Fagan of Dallas, TX 18.32 percent in the closest voting contest in years. Pete Weber of St. Ann, MO, received 11.89 percent and Norm Duke of Clermont, FL, 10.23 percent to round out the top five vote-getters.

The announcement was made live on PBA’s Xtra Frame online bowling channel as a special kickoff to the made-for-television PBA Summer Shootout special event at 10pin bowling lounge in Chicago.

During the 2011-12 PBA Tour season, Rash, a 29-year-old right-hander, won the season-ending PBA Tournament of Champions (TOC) for his only title, but had six championship round finishes, including third place in the PBA World Championship. Qualifying for a record five consecutive TV finals during the World Series of Bowling helped the Alaska native dominate PBA Tour stats where he finish first in average, points and earnings.

“We all had great seasons, but I think winning the TOC put a stamp on it,” Rash said. “I’m a stats guy. When I voted in the past, I voted by the numbers. They don’t lie. If one of those guys had won the TOC, he would have got my vote.

“I felt a big sign of relief,” he said of the moment PBA Commissioner Tom Clark announced his win. “It meant a lot to have the waiting finally over.

“Jason and Mike and I have bowled in 15 different countries during the past year. We travel around the world to stay sharp,” Rash added. “You take a lot of satisfaction after all of the travel, the practice, the sacrifices you make. We’ve made each other better.”

Belmonte, a 28-year-old two-handed player, won three titles, had championship round finishes, finished third in average and second in both points and earnings. Belmonte also finished third in the U.S. Open and Tournament of Champions, fourth in the PBA World Championship and ninth in the USBC Masters.

Fagan, a 31-year-old right-hander, won the Alka-Seltzer Plus Liquid Gels USBC Masters for his first major title and he won the Brunswick Euro Challenge in Paris, France. The Long Island, NY, native had three additional championship round finishes including second place in the U.S. Open and fourth place in the Tournament of Champions. Statistically, he was second in average, and third in points and earnings.

Also contending in the Player of the Year race were Weber, the 2012 U.S. Open champion, and Duke, three-time winner during the 2011-12 season.

The Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year Award is named in honor of the late hall of fame announcer who served as the voice of the PBA on ABC Television for 36 years.