PBA50 Regional Bowling Tournament Rolls into Front Royal: Big Weekend Ahead at Royal Family Bowling Center

The lanes are heating up this weekend at the Royal Family Bowling Center in Front Royal as the town proudly hosts a PBA50 Regional Tournament, bringing professional bowlers from across the country to compete in this prestigious event.

Rick Novak, owner of the Royal Family Bowling Center, shares the excitement along with Steve Taylor, PBA South Region Director, and Lee Gant, co-owner of Lee’s Pro Shop, located right inside the center. “We’re thrilled to be one of the regional locations for the PBA50,” Novak said, noting that the event is co-sponsored by QubicaAMF, a leader in bowling equipment. “This is a big deal for our center and for the community.”

What is PBA50?

Steve Taylor explained that the PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) is divided into three key divisions:

• PBA Junior (under 18),
• PBA Tour (for bowlers 18 and up),
• PBA50 Tour, which features bowlers aged 50 and over — the division competing this weekend in Front Royal.

Some of the sport’s most decorated pros will be participating, including legends like:

• Walter Ray Williams Jr., with over 130 titles,
• Tom Baker, a national and regional champion from North Carolina,
• Darrell Bauer from Pennsylvania.

Weekend Schedule & Events

The action-packed weekend begins Friday with a Pro-Am Event at 7:00 p.m. Local league bowlers and enthusiasts can bowl alongside the pros—not against them—in a relaxed, fun setting. The format is a nine-pin no-tap, making it accessible for all skill levels. “It’s just $45 to bowl with the pros,” Lee Gant shared. “It’s a great opportunity to learn from the best — especially for youth bowlers. These pros love to teach.”

There are 72 spots available, with more than 50 already filled. Spectators are welcome to come watch the pros in action throughout the weekend.

Saturday & Sunday – Tournament Play Begins

The official tournament kicks off Saturday with three squads of pro bowlers competing in seven-game series across the day. The top 16 scorers will advance to a bracket-style elimination round, culminating in a championship match between the final two competitors.

• First place earns $3,000
• Second place earns $1,500
• Plus: bragging rights and a banner hung at the center for new champions.

Behind the Lanes – Technology & Growth

Novak also highlighted the center’s investment in QubicaAMF Edge String pinsetter systems, calling it “the wave of the future.” “They meet all the PBA and USBC standards and make operations more efficient,” he said. “Most bowlers don’t even notice the difference.”

Steve Taylor added that the center’s upgrades and professional-level facilities helped bring this regional tournament to town — a strong nod to the quality of Front Royal’s bowling scene.

Pathway to the Top

Taylor shared that top-performing bowlers earn points toward the RPI (Regional Players Invitational) and have the potential to advance to major tournaments such as those held in Gastonia, NC, or Reno, NV. “All it takes to start a PBA journey is a 200-average over 36 games in a sanctioned league,” Taylor explained. “That’s how many local bowlers begin their path to professional competition.”

A Community Effort

Novak also praised local sponsor Two Fat Butchers for providing dinner for the pros on Friday night, part of the hospitality that makes this event special. “We’ve got good food, great bowling, and world-class talent coming through our doors,” Novak said. “I hope this is the first of many PBA events in Front Royal.”

With the combination of professional competition, community engagement, and top-tier facilities, this weekend’s tournament is shaping up to be a milestone event for local bowling — and a whole lot of fun for anyone who stops by.

Spectators are welcome all weekend, and there’s plenty to see whether you’re a lifelong bowler or just curious to watch the pros in action.

For more information, contact the Royal Family Bowling Center.

About the PBA
Founded in 1958 by 33 pioneering bowlers, the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) has grown into the world’s premier organization for professional bowling. In 2000, a group of former Microsoft executives purchased the PBA with a vision to expand the sport’s global reach. In 2019, Bowlero Corp, the world’s largest owner of bowling centers, acquired the PBA and has since elevated its presence through enhanced broadcasting, technology, and larger prize funds—most notably through a major partnership with FOX Sports.

Today, the PBA boasts approximately 3,000 members from over 20 countries, competing across multiple levels, including the PBA Tour, PBA50 Tour (for bowlers age 50 and over), and PBA Regional Tour.