Johnson Headlines WWPB Event

Tish Johnson, the top player on the Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour, is one of 16 touring pros entered in the Mission Hills Bowl Open today and Sunday.

Johnson, the 1992 LPBT player of the year who lives in Panorama City, is one of three tour players from the Valley competing in this regional event sponsored by the Western Women Professional Bowlers Tour.

Johnson was the top money winner on the LPBT last year, earning $96,800. She also has won 15 WWPB championships.

Joining Johnson are Robin Romeo of Van Nuys, the 1989 LPBT player of the year, and Lauren Takahashi of Canoga Park. Romeo is a four-time winner on the WWPB. Romeo also set an earnings record on the LPBT in 1989 that still stands: $113,750.

“It’s going to be an exciting event because it’ll be full of top-notch players,” said Bill Massonte, tournament director. “A lot of them are coming here because the national tour is on hiatus until October.”

Today’s qualifying will be in two squads, each with two six-game blocks. Bowling starts at 8:30 a.m. The top 16 scorers will return for the match-play final Sunday, consisting of a nine-game block that starts at 8:30 a.m.