Vandalia native Josie (Earnest) Barnes’ first major PWBA title and fourth PWBA title win overall is one for the record books, with the newly crowned champion winning the largest payout for first place for a women’s professional bowling tournament in history. Barnes qualified for Tuesday night’s final round of the U.S Women’s Open with the top seed after four qualifying rounds and three match play rounds. In the final, Barnes defeated Cherie Tan of Singapore 198-194 to claim the title and the coveted green jacket awarded to the winner.
Barnes, who currently serves as the Associate Head Women’s Bowling Coach for Vanderbilt University, has a total of four PWBA titles under her belt now winning the 2019 Nationwide Greater Cleveland Open, the 2018 East Hartford Open and the 2016 Rochester Open prior to last night’s U.S. Women’s Open championship. Barnes is a member of the Vanderbilt Athletic Hall of Fame and during her collegiate career at Vanderbilt, won a National Championship in 2007, was the 2007 NCAA Bowling Championship Most Outstanding Player, four-time NTCA All-American team member, two-time NTCA Division 1 Player of the Year and 2008 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Co-Female Amateur Athlete of the Year amongst other accolades. Barnes is a graduate of Vandalia High School and is the daughter of Larry and the late Lisa Earnest, former owners of Vandalia Bowl.
***Josie Barnes headshot photo courtesy of PWBA.com
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