Bowling One-On-One with Troy Lint: 2023 PBA50 Player of the Year
There are stories and then there are cinderella stories. When you go through life without a thought of competing professionally until nearly 50 years old, then make the commitment and have the kind of success competing at the highest level that Troy Lint has, it is truly inspiring. He has battled through significant knee injuries in his first full season on the PBA50 Tour but refused to quit and powered through the best he could. Troy is a Champion and also known as a Warrior on the lanes. I was fortunate to catch up with Troy recently and asked him about his bowling journey.
Talk about your first exposure with bowling and how you got started in the sport. Was there a moment when you realized that bowling had a special place in your heart?
“I started bowling around 8, my parents were bowlers and traveled around to a few centers in the area. When I was young, I joined Jr. league around 12 years old. The event that probably set me on my path was watching Earl Anthony in person at an exhibition my uncle was bowling in.”
You joined the PBA in 2019. You’ve won 9 regional titles since then, the latest regional title being the 2022 PBA50 Regional Players Invitational in early January this year. You were quoted as saying that if it wasn’t for a good friend of yours, Mike Markis, who suddenly passed away in April of 2021, you wouldn’t be bowling in the PBA at all. Talk about what brought you to join the PBA and please share how your late friend inspired you to do so?
“Mike had gotten me involved with his nationals group and we had success right away. Then we started hanging around PBA events. He was always a PBA member since I’ve known him. So, he talked me into bowling against the kids, I think I was 48 at the time and I missed the cut by 4 pins or so. He started saying you need to join the PBA50 Tour, age 50 is right around the corner. I’m like yeah OK whatever. Then I turned 50 and we bowled the over under events and had success again. So, I joined the PBA because he kept pushing me, razing me is a better word, lol. We traveled together; we talked all the time. All of this success I’ve had, it’s his success as well as mine.”
*Image credit: Steve Spatafore
In January this year, after winning the 2022 PBA50 Regional Players Invitational, beating your doubles partner and long time PBA great Darryl Bower, you committed to bowling the PBA50 Tour full-time. You wanted to prove you could play with the best in the nation – which you have done convincingly. After an amazing 2023 season, you’re currently ranked #1 on the PBA50 Tour.
In June this year, you won your first PBA50 Tour title, the PBA Senior US Open (Major) in Greeley, CO. You beat Parker Bohn III, 211-195.
Then in August, you won your second title, the PBA50 Morgantown Classic in Morgantown, West Virginia. You defeated one of the hottest players on tour in Tom Hess, 269-227. Talk about what these titles mean to you?
“Well, January really set the plan in motion to commit full time going forward. First, I was sick as a dog while bowling the regional (PBA50 Regional Players Invitational) and if not for Ryan Shafer I wouldn’t have brought a pure hammer. I shot a 300 in game one, and never looked back. I bowled my doubles partner in the finals which was just incredible because Darryl Bower is one of those guys I looked up to. He is still my over under partner so whenever there is one of those tournaments, we bowl.”
“Bowling Parker Bohn III for the biggest title in the world (PBA Senior US Open) was just surreal. I loved Greeley CO.”
“Man, West Virginia (PBA50 Morgantown Classic) was just incredible also because I had a bunch of my friends I grew up with take vacation to come watch me bowl. I bowled the first two matches against roommates Michael Haggitt and Dan Knowlton in tough matches. Then I faced HOF’er Jason Couch and finally Tom Hess in the title match. I just had a shot in my knee the Thursday before the tournament.”
Troy is an outstanding bowler. He is one of those guys that never got his chance to bowl on the PBA Tour, but took a chance later in life and proved to everyone that he belonged. Winning the PBA50 US Open and also in Parkersburg, WV to earn the Player of the Year honors. He is one of the fiercest players on the lanes but the nicest human being off the lanes. I’m glad that our friendship has grown over the last year.
-Tom Hess
The competition on the PBA50 tour is full of great and talented players, many are legends of the game and still competing at a very high level. Your thoughts on bowling with this elite group?
“As I like to say, you always know you’re good, but you don’t know how good you can be until you bowl against the best in the world. It’s such an honor to bowl these guys out on tour. Guys like Tom Hess, and also Parker is one of those guys I’ve looked up to and admired. Plus, he’s a really good friend.”
Obviously, the health of your knee is top priority with 2024 around the corner. Have you set any particular goals and expectations for 2024?
When I finally get better, I will tell you this; I will be a better bowler and ready to regain my form and defend my titles.
-Troy Lint
“Tim, all I’m worried about right now is my knee. It has not been well, and walking is a struggle let alone bowling. When I finally get better, I will tell you this; I will be a better bowler and ready to regain my form and defend my titles. Right now, I have no goals except for the health of my knee, I will set goals later but not now.”
Bowling fans across the globe are showing the love and passion for the sport and filling up bowling centers. With the success that you’ve had joining the PBA at age 50, you are an inspiration to the bowling world. What tips might you share with those who working to improve their game?
“Never give up on your dreams. Believe in yourself no matter what and never let them see you settle!!! Watch everyone that’s bowling great and figure out what makes them special. Hard work does pay off but heart trumps all, never quit!”
Thank you, Troy, for sharing insights into your amazing bowling journey. Watching you this season, you were one of the most consistent and most competitive players on tour and always in the hunt. You were able to put on strong physical and mental performances week in and week out despite dealing with various injuries. You absolutely are a warrior out on the lanes and the bowling community world-wide is looking forward to watching you compete again in 2024. Best of luck to you, your health, and your continued success.
“I can’t thank you enough Tim for reaching out for the interview. I love to talk to the spectators that come out to watch, it means the world to me. I’m new to all this but I always try to be positive even when things aren’t going my way.”
*Images courtesy of USBC, PBA and Troy Lint
