Tom Hess Wins 2024 PBA50 Tournament of Champions with a Stunning Performance

A Season of Triumph for Hess

Tom Hess has once again proven his dominance on the lanes by securing his 10th career title at the 2024 PBA50 Tournament of Champions. This victory comes in the same year as his induction into the PBA Hall of Fame, marking an unforgettable season for the veteran bowler.

Hess admitted he never expected to reach this milestone, considering the level of talent in the PBA50 Tour. “Did I believe that I was going to ever get to 10 titles? No,” Hess said. “The competition is just incredible, full of Hall of Famers.”

A Perfect Game and a Major Win

Walking into AMF Riviera Lanes, Hess saw the iconic sign: “Through these doors pass the world’s finest bowlers.” By the end of the week, he had cemented his place among them with a perfect 300 game in match play and a major championship victory.

In Game 39, Hess bowled a 300 against Chris Warren, securing the No. 1 seed for the stepladder finals. His dominance was clear—he led second-place Mika Koivuniemi by 322 pins heading into the championship match.

A Dramatic Championship Showdown

The final match saw Hess facing Koivuniemi, who had made an impressive eight consecutive stepladder appearancesthis season.

The match started with Koivuniemi striking first. Hess faced early trouble but quickly found his rhythm, rolling six consecutive strikes to take a 32-pin lead. Koivuniemi fought back with three strikes in a row, keeping the match close.

Heading into the final frames, Hess needed a double in the 10th to secure the win. His first shot struck, but his second left a difficult 3-6-9-10 spare. He took a deep breath, converted it, and finished with 248.

Koivuniemi had a chance to force a roll-off by striking out, but despite delivering a strong shot, he left a 10-pin, finishing with 237. The victory belonged to Hess.

A Memorable Season for the PBA50 Tour

Reflecting on the season, Hess praised his competitors. “What a season. Mika made eight shows in a row, John Janawiczwon five titles, and I won five as well. It’s been an incredible year.”

While Hess finished as the Player of the Year runner-up, the title went to John Janawicz, who secured the most points and earned $76,250 in prize money. Hess followed closely, winning $63,850.

Championship Round Results

• Match 1: Brad Angelo def. Dan Knowlton 225-199
• Match 2: Angelo def. Chris Warren 236-209
• Match 3: Mika Koivuniemi def. Angelo 215-187
• Championship Match: Tom Hess def. Koivuniemi 248-237

Final Standings and Prize Money

🥇 Tom Hess – $15,000
🥈 Mika Koivuniemi – $8,000
🥉 Brad Angelo – $6,000
4️⃣ Chris Warren – $5,000
5️⃣ Dan Knowlton – $4,000

As Hess reflected on his journey, he became emotional. “I belong. I wish I could have done this 20 years ago, but back then, I was a different person. Right now, I’m just enjoying the moment.”

With an unforgettable season behind him, Tom Hess has solidified his legacy as one of the greats in PBA50 history.