Bowling One-On-One with Dan Knowlton: Two-Time PBA50 Champion
As a poised and stoic bowler on the lanes, when he walks back from delivering the ball, whether a good shot or bad, you might mistake him for a professor walking in between lab sessions. He has that calmness and confidence about him even in the heat of competitive battle. Two-Time PBA Champion, Dan Knowlton has been bowling since a young child and throughout his life but didn’t realize his professional bowling aspirations until recent years. I had the opportunity to connect with Dan and asked him about his bowling journey.
“I began bowling at the age of 8 and it has been a part of my life ever since. Bowling helped pay the bills when I was going through college, but I realized very quickly that that I wasn’t good enough for bowling to be my career. I bowled a few tournaments here and there but didn’t have much real success, so I didn’t have a lot of expectations for the PBA50.”
You joined the PBA just a few years ago when you were 50-years-old. In your first season (2021) on the PBA50 tour, you finished in the Top 10 three times. You knew then that you belonged. Then in July of 2023 you won your first PBA50 national title, the PBA50 Ballard Championship, in Jackson, Mich. You had to beat the eventual 2023 Player of the Year winner Troy Lint in a best of three finals match. To even get to the finals match with Troy, you had to beat quite the lineup of players.
A few months later in October, you won your first PBA50 Regional title, the PBA50 Cherokee Lanes Canton Open, in Canton, GA. beating Michael Ritz. A very successful year I would say. Talk about these two championship matches and what winning these titles means to you.
“I am probably still in disbelief that I am a PBA champion. I had come very close a few times but always seemed to have someone throw the back 8 strikes to knock me out of the stepladders. I told Michael Haggitt that one of these days I need to be the one that throws the back 8 to win! In the Ballard Championship I did just that. I managed to throw the last 8 to close out the last 3 matches of that tournament. On top of that it was against Walter Ray Williams Jr., (best of all time), John Janawicz (Rookie of the Year) and Troy Lint (Player of the Year).”
“The win in Canton was very special as Canton was the location of my first PBA50 regional tournament in 2021. Being able to have a banner in your home region is something to look forward to. To have your name next to all of those great bowlers is something I never thought was possible.”
Man, it was exciting bowling a friend for a title. For Dan it was his first. I struggled on the left lane and could never get left enough. Dan bowled incredible that whole tournament. It was an awesome feeling bowling Dan. He had so many people rooting him on; his parents, close friends and several bowlers. It was a special moment and I got to share it with him.
–Troy Lint
I’ve always loved watching the PBA50 matches, it’s a treasure trove of experienced and very talented bowlers. What’s it like to compete against these bowlers? Also, do you have any specific goals set for the upcoming season in 2024?
“The PBA50 is arguably the strongest it has ever been with many of the best to ever throw a bowling ball still competing. To be able to compete against them has truly been a dream come true. I am sure some of them are tired of me asking them questions on how to improve. I just try to be a sponge and watch how they prepare, compete, and handle themselves both on and off the lanes.”
“On goals, I have never really been someone that sets specific goals. I try not to look too far ahead. My goal is to be in contention every week. I don’t want to be labeled as a bowler that is only good on a specific oil condition.”
You own a pro shop named Bowlaholics Pro Shop, in Zephyrhills, FL. You’ve been drilling for more than 15 years now. How did this endeavor come about?
“Myself and a friend, Rick Dunn, bought an old drill press from a friend in 2008 to drill our equipment. After word spread that we had a drill press I began to field inquires to drill their equipment. At the time I owned K&K Glass and had some unused rental space so in 2009 decided to open up Bowlaholics Pro Shop as a standalone pro shop in my glass shop building. In 2017 I bought the pro shop at Pin Chasers East Pasco and closed the stand-alone shop. We currently have another pro shop in Pin Chasers Midtown as well. After 2017 I have not operated the shops on a daily basis. Chris Domske operates East Pasco and Tony Johnson operates Midtown location.”
We love to share the knowledge on Bowling One-On-One and hearing from someone like yourself who started late and has had the kind of success that you have had is valued by the bowling community. What tips or advice might you give to bowlers working to improve their game?
“The best advice I can give any bowler is work on your observation skills and adapt accordingly. Find a BowlU class and sign up. Understand the current environment that you are in. Knowing the pattern is helpful but there is far more than just knowing what “was” the pattern at the beginning of the day. Bowlers affect what happens to the lane and that becomes a larger part of where to play the lanes. Add on top of that the style of lane bed, age of lanes, type of oil used, etc. It is almost impossible to look at an oil pattern ahead of time and know where to play the lanes.”
Dan, thank you for taking some time to share your bowling journey. Your coolness on the lanes is something to model after and I enjoy watching you compete. The PBA50 just keeps getting more competitive and you are a big reason for that. Again, congratulations on a hugely successful season in 2023 and best of luck to you and your continued success in 2024.
“Thank you to so many friends, colleagues and sponsors, Hammer, Genesis, Coolwick and Turbo. Without the support of everyone both at home and on the road, this wouldn’t be as special as it is. My wife and I have made so many new friends during these past 3 years through the PBA50 and am thankful for each and every one of them.”
*Images courtesy of USBC, PBA and Dan Knowlton
