In the past two seasons, Bob Learn Jr. has made nine stepladder finals on the PBA50 Tour out of 22 events he has competed in. It’s a staggering number by any standards. The problem? He’s won zero times during that stretch.

A three-time PBA50 Tour winner since turned 50 in 2012, Learn will look to get back in the winner’s circle this week in the season-ending PBA50 Cup presented by DV8. The major event will be broadcast live on FloBowling.

After making six stepladder finals last season, Learn has made three this season and each time lost to the eventual champion.

“There’s been a couple shows I’ve bowled extremely well and didn’t win just because I got outscored,” Learn said. “Then there’s been tournaments where I got to the show, and I just didn’t pick the right ball and play the right area. I think on a whole though, I’ve bowled pretty well, but I am frustrated by not having a win or multiple wins during the past two seasons.”

At the PBA50 Johnny Petraglia BVL Open presented by Brunswick earlier this season, he lost to Michael Haugen Jr., 244-191, in the semifinal. In the championship match of the PBA50 River City Extreme Open presented by Ebonite, he lost again to Haugen, this time 247-246.

In his most recent championship round appearance, Learn fell to Eugene McCune, 248-215, in the semifinal to finish third for a second time this season.

So, with so much success reaching the stepladder finals, what does Learn think he needs to change to finally break through again?

“The problem I have is I can play as straight as a straight player and I can hook it as much as anyone on our tour,” Learn said. “So, because I have so many options with how I throw the ball, sometimes I think I try too hard to be creative instead of just trying to play one game and just keep it simple. I think that’s the one thing, just try to keep it simple.”

Learn said winning on the PBA50 Tour these days is extremely difficult given the level of talent that has turned 50 in recent years.

“When I got to the PBA50 Tour, I thought a lot of the guys who I competed against on the regular tour in the 90s would be bowled out,” said Learn, who has five regular PBA Tour titles. “Much to my surprise, these guys are still pretty sharp and as competitive as they have ever been. We’ve got a really strong group of players, and these guys want it as much as they ever have.”

Off the lanes, Learn took on a new role last year as a college coach at Martin Methodist University. Although it prevents him from working on his own game during the PBA50 offseason, he said the change has been extremely rewarding for him.

“At the college level, the sport is flourishing,” Learn said. “I like to be a part of what’s good in bowling and be a positive influence in the growth of bowling. To be able to work with kids and mold them over four years to try and make them the best player they can be? That’s a great opportunity.”

Even though the PBA50 season ends after the PBA50 Cup, Learn won’t be quite done competing. He said he’s heading to Canada, where he will represent Senior Team USA at the Pan American Bowling Confederation Senior Championships.

After that, all his time will be spent chasing a collegiate national championship with the men’s and women’s teams from Martin Methodist.

“We just had a big recruiting class, and we are going to be even busier than ever this year,” Learn said. “I just hope that I can find some dedicated time to be prepared for next season when I get to the senior tour.”