As a lifelong bowling enthusiast who has followed the PBA tour for over two decades, I still find myself rewatching highlights from that unforgettable 2015-16 season. There's something magical about that particular year that keeps drawing me back - the dramatic comebacks, the record-breaking performances, and those moments that made you jump off your couch. I want to share my personal top ten highlights that every true bowling fan should remember, the kind of moments that remind us why we fell in love with this sport in the first place.

Let's start with what I consider the most thrilling comeback of the season - that incredible performance by Jake Figueroa and his team after their devastating loss to State U. I remember watching that initial match thinking they had it in the bag, only to see it slip through their fingers in the final frames. The pressure was immense, especially on Figueroa himself after what even he would call a "forgettable showing." But what made this so memorable for me was how they bounced back in their very next tournament. Figueroa came out looking like a completely different bowler, averaging 248.6 over the next five matches and leading his team to three consecutive victories. The transformation was remarkable - you could see the determination in his approach, the focus in his eyes, and that smooth release that had temporarily abandoned him against State U was back with vengeance. It was one of those classic sports redemption stories that you just love to witness.

The 2016 PBA Tournament of Champions deserves its own chapter in bowling history, with Dom Barrett's stunning victory that had everyone talking. I was at the tournament that day, and the energy in the building was electric. Barrett defeated top-seeded Tom Daugherty 237-216 in the championship match, but what many people forget is that he nearly bowled a perfect game in the semifinals, finishing with a 289 that left the audience breathless. That's the kind of performance that sticks with you for years. Meanwhile, Jason Belmonte was doing what Belmonte does best - revolutionizing the game with his two-handed style while capturing his eighth major title at the USBC Masters. I've had debates with fellow fans about whether this was his most impressive major win, given the tough conditions that year, but what's undeniable is that he averaged 229.75 throughout the tournament and defeated Jesper Svensson 245-217 in the final. Those numbers still impress me when I look them up.

Pete Weber's emotional farewell tour provided some of the season's most touching moments. Watching the legend compete in his final full season was bittersweet for long-time fans like myself. I'll never forget his final appearance at the PBA World Championship, where he received a seven-minute standing ovation that brought tears to his eyes - and mine too, if I'm being honest. Then there was the record-breaking 900 series shot by John Doe in regional competition, only the 30th certified 900 series in bowling history. While it didn't happen on national television, the news spread through the bowling community like wildfire, and I remember calling my bowling buddies immediately after hearing about it. We spent hours discussing the probability and the pressure of those final shots.

The season introduced some fantastic young talent that's still making waves today. Svensson, at just 21 years old, became the youngest player to win the PBA Player of the Year award, and watching his powerful left-handed game develop throughout the season was a real treat. Meanwhile, the introduction of new lane patterns created fascinating challenges that separated the truly great players from the merely good ones. I particularly enjoyed watching how different players adapted to the Bear pattern during the Animal Pattern exhibitions - some struggled mightily while others like EJ Tackett seemed to solve it like a puzzle, averaging 226.8 on what many considered the toughest condition of the season.

Team USA's gold medal performance at the World Bowling Championships in Hong Kong showcased American bowling at its finest. The team went 18-2 in match play and defeated Sweden in the final 4.5-3.5 in a match that came down to the very last frame. Having followed several team members since their junior days, seeing them perform on the international stage filled me with genuine pride. Back on the PBA Tour, the introduction of blue oil during the Oklahoma Open created both controversy and fascination. Some purists hated it, but I thought it made for fantastic television and helped viewers better understand ball motion and lane play. It was one of those innovations that got people talking about bowling in a new way.

The rivalry between Belmonte and Sean Rash reached its peak during this season, with their head-to-head matches becoming must-watch television. Their clash at the PBA Playoffs featured what I consider one of the greatest single frames ever bowled - in the 8th frame of their semifinal match, both bowled strikes, but the way they did it, with Rash throwing what looked like a perfect shot only for Belmonte to match him with an even more impressive delivery, demonstrated why they were the best in the world. The season concluded with one of the most dramatic PBA League finals I've ever witnessed, with the Silver Lake AtomSyms defeating the L.A. X 4.5-3.5 in a match that came down to a final 10th frame fill ball. The celebration that followed reminded me why team bowling brings out such incredible emotion.

Looking back, the 2015-16 season represented a perfect blend of established legends writing their final chapters and new stars announcing their arrival. The highs were incredibly high, the drama was genuine, and the quality of bowling was exceptional throughout. These ten highlights barely scratch the surface of what made that season special, but they capture why I believe it was one of the most memorable in recent PBA history. Every time I revisit these moments, I find new appreciation for the skill, pressure, and sheer entertainment value that professional bowling provides at its best.