Wes Malott facts for kids

Wesley Clint Malott, also known as "Big Nasty," is a professional bowler from the United States. He was born on October 26, 1976. He grew up in Pflugerville, Texas, and now lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Wes has won ten big PBA Tour championships. He was even named the best player of the year in 2008–09. His biggest win was the U.S. Open in 2012–13. He also came in second place five times in other major tournaments.

He won other events too, like the Showplace Lanes Megabucks Shootout. He also became the 'King of Bowling' in 2009 and kept that title for eight years! Wes has also won 18 titles on the PBA Regional Tour. By 2019, he had earned over $1.3 million from his PBA Tour career. He has bowled 41 perfect 300 games in PBA events. Two of these perfect games were shown on TV during the 2009 King of Bowling tournament.

Wes is part of the Pro Staff for Roto Grip bowling balls, 3G shoes, and Vise Grips. In January 2022, Wes Malott was chosen to join the PBA Hall of Fame. He was officially inducted on February 26, 2022.

Wes Malott's PBA Career

Wes Malott started winning titles in the 2005–06, 2006–07, and 2007–08 seasons. His biggest year was the 2008–09 season. He won the PBA Player of the Year Award that season. It was a very close race!

Becoming Player of the Year

In his best season yet, Wes made it to the TV finals nine times. He won three tournaments and earned a lot of money, about $174,680. He also won an award for having the highest average score that season. His average was 222.98 points per game.

Major Tournament Challenges

At the 2009 PBA World Series of Bowling, Wes made it to the TV finals for two events. These were the PBA Shark Championship and the PBA World Championship. However, he did not win either of them. In the World Championship, he lost to Tom Smallwood. This meant Wes did not get his first major title then.

Even though Wes did not win a tournament in the 2009–10 season, he still did very well. He had the second-highest average score on the Tour. He also made it to the TV finals five times that season.

Winning with a Partner

In the 2011–12 season, Wes won a title with his partner, Norm Duke. They won the Mark Roth-Marshall Holman Exempt Doubles Championship.

First Major Championship Win

In the 2012–13 season, Wes came in second place at the USBC Masters. He lost to Jason Belmonte. Later that season, Wes got his chance for revenge. He beat Belmonte in the final match of the U.S. Open in Columbus, Ohio. This was Wes's first major championship win!

He won his ninth PBA title later in the 2012–13 season. This was at the Cheetah Championship during the 2013 World Series of Bowling. It was the first time since 2008–09 that he won more than one title in a single season. He also had his highest average score ever in Tour events, with 228.09.

Wes and Norm Duke won their second Mark Roth-Marshall Holman Doubles Championship in 2015. This win gave Wes his tenth PBA Tour title. Reaching ten titles is a big deal because it means he could be considered for the PBA Hall of Fame.

King of the Hill and PBA League

On April 12, 2017, Wes won the PBA "King of the Hill" competition. This was a special event that was not a regular title. It was broadcast live online.

Wes was the main bowler for the Portland Lumberjacks team in the 2019 PBA League tournament. His team won, and Wes won the Mark Roth League MVP award. He bowled incredibly well, getting strikes on almost all his turns. The Lumberjacks won the PBA League competition again in 2020. Wes also won his second straight Mark Roth MVP award. He is the first player to win this award two years in a row. At the same event, Wes won the PBA League All-Star Clash. He won $25,000 for himself and $50,000 for his team.

Hall of Fame Induction

During an interview in 2022, PBA commissioner Tom Clark surprised Wes. Clark told Wes that he had been chosen to join the Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Fame. Wes was the only person inducted in the 2022 class. The ceremony happened on February 26, 2022.

King of Bowling Challenges

Wes Malott won the "King of Bowling" event in 2009. This was a special TV event. Wes won all five of his matches. He even bowled two perfect 300 games during these matches!

After that first event, the King of Bowling became a challenge match. Wes would defend his title against other bowlers. His challengers were chosen by PBA fans.

Wes never lost his King of Bowling crown until 2020. He defended it eight times! His eighth win was against Jason Belmonte on February 6, 2018. Wes won that match 2–0. He had also beaten other famous bowlers like Tommy Jones, Parker Bohn III, and Walter Ray Williams Jr..

Wes was invited to defend his crown again in July 2020. However, he was defeated in his first match by his friend and doubles partner, Norm Duke.

Career Highlights

Here are some of Wes Malott's biggest wins and achievements:

PBA Titles

• 2005–06 – Mile High Classic (Lakewood, Colorado)
• 2006–07 – Discover Card Windy City Classic (Vernon Hills, Illinois)
• 2007–08 – Earl Anthony Medford Classic (Medford, Oregon)
• 2008–09 – Carmen Salvino Scorpion Championship (Vernon Hills, Illinois)
• 2008–09 – Bayer Earl Anthony Medford Classic (Medford, Oregon)
• 2008–09 – Etonic Marathon Open (Indianapolis, Indiana)
• 2011–12 – Mark Roth-Marshall Holman Exempt Doubles Championship with Norm Duke (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• 2012–13 – Lipton U.S. Open (Columbus, Ohio) - This was a major championship!
• 2012–13 – WSOB Cheetah Championship (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• 2015 – Mark Roth-Marshall Holman PBA Doubles Championship with Norm Duke (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Other Top Finishes

Wes also had many other great finishes in tournaments:

• 2003–04 – 3rd place, PBA World Championship
• 2006–07 – 1st place, Showplace Lanes Megabucks Shootout (not a PBA title event)
• 2006–07 – 2nd place, U.S. Open
• 2008–09 – 1st place, PBA King of Bowling (not a PBA title event, but included 2 perfect games!)
• 2009–10 – 2nd place, PBA World Championship
• 2012–13 – 2nd place, USBC Masters
• 2014 – 2nd place, Barbasol Tournament of Champions
• 2014 – 2nd place, PBA World Championship
• 2017 – 3rd place, U.S. Open

About Wes Malott's Family

Wes is married to Sarah, and they live in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Wes has three sons named Jordan, Camden, and Graham French. He also has two daughters, Brooke and Maggie French. His son Jordan, who is 15, also bowls! Jordan competed in a PBA Regional Tour event in 2019 and finished in third place.