Preview – 62nd TBA Australian Masters
By Matt Stevens
The stage is set for one of Australian bowling’s most prestigious events – the 62nd TBA Australian Masters, taking place this weekend at the TBA National High Performance Centre on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
After four nationally ranked events across the 2025 season, the Masters will serve as the final stop for the Women’s division on the calendar with the Open division still having one event remaining.
A Legacy that Spans Generations
Since its inaugural edition in 1963, when Hall of Famer Eric Jang etched his name in history, the Australian Masters has stood as a benchmark for excellence in Australian tenpin bowling.
Over six decades, it has crowned legends, inspired newcomers, and remained a proving ground for the country’s elite. This year continues that tradition – with ranking points, prestige, and a national title all on the line.
Ranking Race Reaches its Climax
For Australia’s top-ranked bowlers, this event is more than just an event – it’s a mathematical showdown.
Under the 2025 ranking formula for Open and Women’s divisions, each athlete’s three best ranked events plus their Masters result contribute to their overall season tally. That means a strong finish here could shake up the leaderboard in a big way.
Who’s In – and Who’s Missing
Two-time defending champion Adam Hayes won’t be defending his crown this weekend, as he’s currently representing Australia at the IBF World Seniors Championship in Reno, Nevada. His absence opens the door for a new men’s champion to rise for the first time in three years – and the field is hungry to seize that moment.
On the women’s side, Rebekah Martin is back to defend her title. After an injury-interrupted season, the Victorian star captured a win at the season opener Suncity Women’s Open, and remains one of the most formidable bowlers in the country. Now healthy and confident, Rebekah looms large as a favourite to keep your eye out on.
Format Breakdown
Saturday: Qualifying
All competitors will bowl eight games in one block on Saturday afternoon, with the top 16 advancing to Sunday’s finals.
Sunday: Finals Day
- Stage 2: The top four qualifiers receive byes, while seeds 5-16 roll six more games (added to qualifying totals) to determine who joins the top four in Stage 3.
- Stage 3: The final eight battle it out in best-of-three head-to-head matchups through quarterfinals, semifinals, and the grand final – where the 2025 Australian Masters champions will be crowned.
What’s at Stake
For some, it’s a shot at redemption. For other’s, it’s the chance to etch their name alongside icons of the sport. For the Women’s division, it’s the culmination of a year’s hard work – and the perfect way to close the 2025 ranked season.
Tenpin Bowling Australia wishes all competitors the best of luck and high scoring at the 62nd TBA Australian Masters this weekend.
TBA AUSTRALIAN MASTERS
PAST CHAMPIONS
| Year | Men | Women |
| 1963 | Eric Jang (NSW) | |
| 1964 | Richard Hall (Vic) | Denise Boness (Vic) |
| 1965 | Gary Burling (NSW) | Nellie Schlanger (NSW) |
| 1966 | Joe Velo (NSW) | Ruth Guerster (Vic) |
| 1967 | Steve Mackie (NSW) | Doreen Dockery (Vic) |
| 1968 | Keith Cummings (Vic) | Jean Soderlund (NSW) |
| 1969 | Brian Burge (NSW) | Jean Soderlund (NSW) |
| 1970 | Steve Mackie (NSW) | Trish Datson (NSW) |
| 1971 | Mick Neylan (Vic) | Margaret. Rothenberg (SA) |
| 1972 | Ray Reid (Qld) | Ivy Woodard (WA) |
| 1973 | Anthony Haralambous (WA) | Barbara Ward (NSW) |
| 1974 | Bruce Kennedy (Vic) | Barbara Wright (NSW) |
| 1975 | Alan Coleman (Tas) | Ruth Guerster (Vic) |
| 1976 | Jim Ferguson (Qld) | Jill Pask (Qld) |
| 1977 | Fred Sullivan (Vic) | Del Da-Re (WA) |
| 1978 | Peter Pengelly (SA) | Sue Paull (SA) |
| 1979 | Eric Thompson (Vic) | Lavina Pietens (NSW) |
| 1980 | Chris Batson (NSW) | Ruth Guerster (Vic) |
| 1981 | Ted Krystofiak (NSW) | Jeanette Baker (SA) |
| 1982 | Frank Ryan (Vic) | Jeanette Baker (SA) |
| 1983 | Terry Maher (NSW) | Ruth Guerster (Vic) |
| 1984 | Mark Sheehan (Qld) | Pam Pope (Tas) |
| 1985 | Brian Bridges (Vic) | Jeanette Baker (ACT) |
| 1986 | Kevin Harding (SA) | Jeanette Baker (ACT) |
| 1987 | Warren Stewart (Vic) | Leanne Moyle (Qld) |
| 1988 | Brenton Manning (SA) | Debbie Biviano (NSW) |
| 1989 | Russell Morris (Qld) | Dana Miller-Mackie (NSW) |
| 1990 | Robert Zikman (Vic) | Patricia Kourtesis (WA) |
| 1991 | Peter van Kempen (NSW) | Sue Cassell (NSW) |
| 1992 | Terry Wenban (NSW) | Kelly Hird (Qld) |
| 1993 | Ian Bradford (Vic) | Sue Cassell (NSW) |
| 1994 | Ian Bradford (Vic) | Ann-Maree Putney (NSW) |
| 1995 | Ashley Riley (Tas) | Cara Honeychurch (Vic) |
| 1996 | Andrew Frawley (NSW) | Cara Honeychurch (Vic) |
| 1997 | Fred Allsopp (NSW) | Cara Honeychurch (Vic) |
| 1998 | Ashley Riley (Tas) | Maxine Nable (NSW) |
| 1999 | Steve Hart (WA) | Tanya Bush (ACT) |
| 2000 | Brenton Davy (SA) | Jo Spencer (SA) |
| 2001 | Fred Allsopp (NSW) | Amanda Ladlow (WA) |
| 2002 | Michael Little (NSW) | Kate Wilton (NSW) |
| 2003 | Andrew Lloyd (NSW) | Narelle Baker (Vic) |
| 2004 | Andrew McArthur (NT) | Sharyn-Lee Calder (Vic) |
| 2005 | Ashley Riley (Tas) | Rebecca Simpson (Qld) |
| 2006 | Mac Stewart (Vic) | Jayde Flanagan (NT) |
| 2007 | Mac Stewart (Vic) | Rebecca Simpson (NT) |
| 2008 | Mitch Marris (WA) | Ann-Maree Putney (NSW) |
| 2009 | Paul Trotter (Vic) | Jacinta Gilliland (Qld) |
| 2010 | Sam Cooley (NSW) | Lynda Barnes (USA) |
| 2011 | Siu Hong Wu (HGK) | Shannon Pluhowsky (USA) |
| 2012 | Jason Belmonte (NSW) | Diandra Asbaty (USA) |
| 2013 | Ashley Riley (TAS) | Rebecca Whiting (VIC) |
| 2014 | Glen Loader (NSW) | Rebecca Whiting (VIC) |
| 2015 | Glen Loader (NSW) | Dena Buxton (VIC) |
| 2016 | George Frilingos (Qld) | Alexia Hicks (NSW) |
| 2017 | Brendan Meads (Qld) | Kelly Kulick (USA) |
| 2018 | David Porto (VIC) | Jaime Maglieri (NT) |
| 2019 | Sam Cooley (NSW) | Rebecca Voukolos (NT) |
| 2021 | Cameron Stein (QLD) | Rebekah Commane (VIC) |
| 2022 | Zane Carlson (NZ) | Chloe Jones (QLD) |
| 2023 | Adam Hayes (VIC) | Bianca Flanagan (QLD) |
| 2024 | Adam Hayes (VIC) | Rebekah Martin (VIC) |
