FRANKLIN—Newsoms resident Jason Holloman isn’t intimidated by names like Walter Ray Williams Jr. or Parker Bohn III.

That’s because he’s played beside them in a number of Professional Bowling Association events.

“It’s intimidating the first couple of times you see those guys,” said the owner of J&J Home Repair in Franklin. “They are my competitors. I can’t be intimidated by them.”

A PBA bowler, Holloman has competed in nine tournaments this year and has traveled as far away as Florida.

This weekend, though, Holloman will be able to compete on tour and commute from home, as he is one of 62 participants in an inaugural PBA Regional Tournament hosted by Franklin Bowling Center.

“Hopefully, it’s going to be good,” Holloman said. “It’s like your home-field advantage.”

Holloman has yet to cash in or place in the top 16 in a tournament as a PBA member. He hopes his luck will change this weekend.

Another area bowler, Suffolk’s Mike Graham, is a member of the PBA Senior Tour. He has been a PBA member since 1977. Graham said he has never been in a PBA televised final, but he has finished as high as third in pro tournaments during his career.

“The only reason I bowl this (tournament) is it’s the local event,” he said. “It’s our house.”

Among the PBA bowlers expected to be in Franklin is Tom Baker, winner of the 2004 PBA World Championship. He owns 10 PBA titles in his career and has made more than $1 million on tour, according to PBA.com. He resides in King, N.C.

Franklin Bowling Center owner Chuck Guyann said the event will kick off with a pro-am tonight at 6 and 8. The PBA tournament will start Saturday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. The tournament finals will start Sunday at 10 a.m.

The event will not be televised.