PBA50 Tour rookie Tom Hess closed the 2021 season with victories in the Senior U.S. Open and USBC Senior Masters—defeating Chris Barnes in the title match of both—to claim the PBA50 Bowler of the Year and PBA50 Rookie of the Year awards.

“It’s not very often you set a lofty goal like that and go get it done,” said Hess, who set personal pre-season goals to win both awards. “There was a lot of joy and a little relief too. It was nice justification that I’m good enough to compete out here and come through with so much on the line.”

Hess competed in 13 events during the 2021 PBA50 season and finished in the top 10 seven times. He made it to the stepladder finals in five of those events, winning the two season-ending major championships to prevail in a close contest for the awards, both of which are based on competition points.

PBA50 Player of the Year AND PBA50 Rookie of the Year! 🏆

Is there anything Tom Hess couldn’t do this year?

Read about Hess’ successful season ➡️ https://t.co/sKqvWB1fkW pic.twitter.com/GunlI3CP1J

— PBA Tour (@PBATour) December 10, 2021

Going into the season’s final event, the USBC Senior Masters, three players—Hess, Barnes and Brad Angelo—were still in contention for the Rookie of the Year Award. Those three, along with then-leader Pete Weber, were also vying for the Player of the Year Award.

Hess qualified fourth for the USBC Masters stepladder finals and defeated Donnie Hogue to earn a match with Weber, who qualified third. Hess got past Weber and No. 2 seed Doug Kent, setting up another major championship match with Barnes and guaranteeing the winner would receive both Bowler of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.

Because Barnes was undefeated through the double-elimination match-play bracket, Hess had to win twice to claim the title. He did so, winning 278-226 and 237-203. Hess is the third player in PBA50 history to win the Senior U.S. Open and USBC Senior Masters in the same season, joining Tom Baker (2006) and Weber (2016).

“It’s unreal,” said Hess. “I tried to be as prepared as possible and work as hard as I could all year, but even the best in the world don’t expect to have a season like that. Especially the last two months. To have the season end the way it did was just magical.”

Hess is the first player since 2014, and third ever, to win both PBA50 Bowler of the Year and Rookie of the Year Awards in the same season, joining Norm Duke (2014) and Tom Baker (2005).