PWBA Award Testament to New's Consistency

Dream comes true for bowler, who is first Singaporean named Tour's Player of the Year

- Deepanraj Ganesan

New Hui Fen created history for Singapore bowling on Aug 13, when she was crowned the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour Player of the Year.

New is the first Singaporean and just the second Asian to win the coveted title, joining an elite group that includes American legends Liz Johnson, Lisa Wagner and Wendy Macpherson. Malaysia's Sin Li Jane won the award in 2024.

New, 33, called it a "dream come true" to have clinched the annual honour.

"Ever since competing on the PWBA Tour, I've always wanted to win the Player of the Year title because it is a true testament of my consistency and skills," she said.

"I feel very honoured to be representing Singapore and winning this award. Watching past winners like Liz Johnson and Shannon O'Keefe winning Player of the Year back to back was truly inspiring for me."

Ahead of the Aug 10-12 season-ending PWBA Tour Championship at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York, New was leading the race to capture the Tour Player of the Year gong.

The accolade is determined annually by competition points racked up at 11 events throughout the year.

But after finishing ninth to miss out on the stepladder finals with her 94,550-point total, it seemed like her closest competitor Jordan Snodgrass had seized the initiative.