Jerry Schneider
Professional Bowlers Association
Bowlers Journal has just learned of the passing of John Hricsina, one of the great bowlers in the history of the PBA Senior Tour (now the PBA50 Tour).
We'll have more information later, and in the September issue of BJI.
UPDATE, 3:47 p.m.: The Professional Bowlers Association has provided the following details on the passing of John Hricsina, and his PBA Tour career:
The PBA has learned that seven-time PBA50 Tour champion and 1990 PBA50 Player of the Year, John Hricsina of Franklin, Pa., died Monday at age 77.
Hricsina competed in 193 PBA50 (Senior Tour) events, making 48 television appearances and compiling nearly $394,000 in career earnings. In addition to his seven PBA50 Tour wins, he also won five PBA50 regional titles.
Hricsina’s Player-of-the-Year season included one title (St. Charles AMF Bobcat Open), but in 1993 he recorded his only multiple-win season, claiming two titles (Canadian Senior Open and Rocky Mountain Senior Open). His last PBA Tour win came in the 1998 Showboat Vermont PBA Senior Classic, in which he tied Pete Couture in the championship match 215-215 and then went on to win the sudden-death roll-off 10-9.
Other notable accomplishments during his PBA50 career included becoming one of seven players to bowl a 300 game in a championship round when he defeated Avery LeBlanc, 300-213, in the second match of the 1996 Reno Open. He finished third in the tournament, losing to eventual winner, Pete Couture, 205-189 in the semifinal.
He also bowled four 300 games during the 1991 season, which is a record he holds with three other players.
Additional details regarding his passing and services are pending.
