ONE-BALL SUDDEN DEATH Saturday, May 10, 5-6 p.m. ET MAN VS. WOMAN FINAL Sunday, May 11, 4-5 p.m. ET
In 2006, Kulick, 31, of Union, N.J., became the first woman to qualify for the PBA Tour’s exempt field and went on to compete in 19 events during the 2006-07 Denny’s PBA Tour season. She was PWBA Rookie of the Year in 2001 and, two years later, won her first tour title by taking the 2003 U.S. Women’s Open. A three-time Collegiate Bowler of the Year at Morehead State, Kulick also was a four-time Team USA member and the 2000 U.S. Amateur champion.
“This event is something new and exciting. To me, it's another opportunity that I am fortunate to be able to take part in.”
In 2005, Johnson, 33, of Cheektowaga, N.Y., made history by becoming the first woman to win a PBA regional and finished second in a PBA national tour event. She is an 11-time PWBA Tour titlist, including the 1996 U.S. Women’s Open title. Before joining the PWBA Tour, Johnson was a three-time Amateur Bowler of the Year, two-time U.S. Amateur champion and 1993 Collegiate Bowler of the Year at Morehead State.
“I’m still learning more each day about the Clash, and I’m very excited to be a part of it. I know I will be around a lot of other great and talented bowlers. To me, that is a great honor.”
A 20-time winner on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour, Macpherson, 40, of Henderson, Nev., made history when she became the first woman to win the Regular Singles title at the USBC Open Championships in 2006. She is one of only two players to win the USBC Queens three times (1998, 2000 and 2003), was the Bowler of the Decade for the 1990s and, at age 18, became the youngest winner of the U.S. Women’s Open.
“I think this is a very exciting format and with each ball being sudden death, it will definitely require skill and a bit of luck. I also think the competition in the Clash will be some of the best there is and the winner can be any of the 16 players. I am really looking forward to it.”
A 10-time Team USA member, Sandelin, 51, of Tampa, Fla., has extensive experience in international competition. She won silver and bronze medals at the 2003 World Championships and won the 1976 AMF World Cup. Sandelin also was the 1996 U.S. Amateur champion and won gold medals in singles and doubles at the 2007 Florida Senior Games.
“An event like this would be fun to watch in person but getting to bowl is priceless. Since we are all champions who love to bowl, my guess is the person who can control their nerves the best with a strong mental game will come out as the champion.”
A three-time U.S. Amateur champion and record 11-time Team USA member, Barnes, 40, of Double Oak, Texas, has won dozens of medals in international competition, including two silvers and one bronze at the 2007 Women’s World Championships. Barnes, whose husband is PBA superstar Chris Barnes, is a member of the World Bowling Writers Hall of Fame and was the 1988 and 1989 Collegiate Bowler of the Year at San Jose State.
“I am excited about having an opportunity to compete in an arena setting, not to mention a chance at $50,000. It will be a tough field but our family is known for doing well at special events - can you say Roll to Riches? - so I will try to hold up my end this year.”
A 17-year-old from DeLand, Fla., Brown is a two-time Junior Team USA member and considered one of the best high school bowlers in Florida. She led DeLand High School to the state title in 2004, 2005 and 2007 while also winning the individual state title in 2007.
“I think this event will be an amazing, exciting experience for me, and it’s sure to be something I will always remember. If I bring my best game, I think I will have a very good chance to be the winner.”
Recently named the USBC Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow, Hamilton, 17, of Webster, N.Y., is a senior at Webster Thomas High School and has signed a letter of intent to bowl at Vanderbilt University next season. In her time as a USBC Youth member, Hamilton has accumulated $30,000 in scholarships through bowling, and in 2006, she won the Teen Masters, which was broadcast on ESPN.
"I am very excited for this event. I feel as though it will be a great opportunity and a unique experience. I try to approach every tournament with an open mind, positive attitude and determination with hopes of becoming a champion in the end."
Just weeks after leading Wichita State University to the national title at the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships and being named a first-team All-American, Current, 23, of Ephrata, Pa., claimed the national singles title. A two-time member of Junior Team USA (2005 and 2006), she was the 2003-04 Collegiate Player and Rookie of the Year at Fairleigh Dickinson University. "I am very excited to be given this opportunity. I think it will be fun and I expect to see a lot of great bowling from the other competitors. Hopefully this event will help bowling become more recognized with people outside of the bowling industry."
