Player Intro:

World Games champion Sam Cooley will headline the TPL Wodonga Classic, heading into the inaugural event in red-hot form. The New South Welshman has been a part of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) since 2015 and is seeking to grow and improve the platform of Tenpin Bowling in Australia. Competing at tenpin bowlings’ pinnacle for 7 years through the Professional tour, Cooley’s years of experience has uplifted his game to reach new heights.

At the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, Cooley created history with his gold medal display in the men’s singles. Since Cara Honeychurch and Andrew Frawley earned a silver medal in the mixed doubles in the 1997 World Games in Finland, Australia had not won a World Games bowling medal, propelling Cooley to Australia’s first ever World Games tenpin gold medalist.

The Tenpin Bowling Australia Hall of Fame inductee also experienced great success in the PBA, claiming his first career title in March 2021 with the PBA Cheetah Championship at the PBA World Series of Bowling XII in Tampa Bay, Florida. Chasing the dream for the past six years, the Australian star defeated Kris Prather 247-185, shooting seven strikes in the championship match.

Adding to his stellar 2021 PBA season, Cooley bowled quite literally a perfect game in May 2021. In the PBA Cheetah Championship Round of 8, Cooley achieved a score of 300, rolling a strike on each of his bowls. The spectacle went viral on social media, receiving over 3.8 million views on Youtube, elevating the status of tenpin bowling around Australia.

Bowling style: Right handed, one handed