PWBA season opens in Rockford with elite women bowlers
The PWBA Rockford Open runs April 30–May 2, bringing 65 of the world’s top women bowlers to The Cherry Bowl to open the 2026 season.
The world’s top women bowlers are set to compete in Rockford , with several local athletes among the contenders. The Cherry Bowl will host the PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open from April 30 to May 2, marking the opening event of the 2026 Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour, according to a community announcement. The event will feature 65 of the top-ranked pros from more than 10 countries.
The field includes seven bowlers from Illinois, three of whom are from the Rockford area: Kayla Sommer of Rockford, and Rebecca Hagerman and Kayla Verstraete, both of Loves Park. Four others from the Chicagoland area will also compete. International players return Malaysia’s Sin Li Jane, who won the last PWBA event at The Cherry Bowl in 2024 and earned PWBA Player of the Year honors, will return to compete.
The 2026 season will feature 12 events across the country, with Singapore’s New Hui Fen as the reigning PWBA Player of the Year and Malaysia’s Gillian Lim as the 2025 Rookie of the Year, according to the announcement. Qualifying rounds are scheduled for Friday at 10 a. m.
and 5 p. m. , followed by the cashers round Saturday at 9 a.