FRANKLIN—William Newsom can hang with the best of most adult bowlers and with the pros.

To prove that, the 12-year-old Burdette boy and other youth participated in the Pro-Am Bowling Tournament at the Franklin Bowling Center on Friday.

Prior to the Saturday-Sunday event, the pros bowled with the youth, like Newsom, who qualified one week earlier with a perfect game during a tap-in tourney.

Franklin is one of a few bowling alleys in Virginia that makes this available to youth, said owner and pro bowler Chuck Guynn.

The youth were divided into groups, and the pros bowled with them, providing instructions to improve their skills.

William placed fourth among youth bowlers.

Tammy Newsom, who is William’s mother, noted that for these youth to bowl with a pro is like a little league baseball player, playing with the New York Yankees. The Professional Bowlers Association rewards youth with a college fund. They earn funds from individual and team play.

William bowls for the Tidewater Team Challenge travel team, which placed second in the league in 2011. He also bowls in the youth league sponsored by Franklin Bowling Center. For both, youth can earn money for college.

As for Saturday and Sunday, a field of 50 bowlers was narrowed to 16 by Sunday. George Pappas of Charlotte, N.C., defeated Steve Lickliter of Beckley, W.Va., for a $1,500 prize. Lickliter received $900.