ARLINGTON, Texas – Dexter Bowling and the United States Bowling Congress have agreed on a partnership that will keep Dexter as the exclusive title sponsor of the USBC High School All-American Team.

The three-year agreement also includes Dexter’s sponsorship of the USBC Coach/Player Luncheon at the Intercollegiate Team Championships. Dexter has been the official sponsor of the USBC High School All-American Team since 2005-06.
“Dexter has been a big supporter of high school and youth bowling, and it is great that we can continue our relationship with them in the coming years,” USBC Executive Director Stu Upson said. “Being named to the Dexter All-American Team is one of the most prestigious honors a high school bowler can achieve and the recognition of these bowlers is because of the commitment Dexter has made to this program.”

Each year, five male and five female USBC High School members are selected for the Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team. Each All-American receives a $1,000 scholarship.

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with USBC to promote high school and collegiate bowling,” Dexter Shoe Company Vice President Bud Clapsaddle said. “It is important to recognize the many young bowlers who are not only great ambassadors for the sport but also make important contributions to their communities.”

Coaches or team administrators nominate eligible contenders for the Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team. Selection to the team is based on bowling accomplishments, academic achievement, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities and community involvement, and submitted essays and resumes. Minimum requirements include a 3.0 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and at least one letter of recommendation.

The Dexter/USBC All-American Team awards are presented at the USBC Junior Gold Championships in July.

Dexter Bowling also will sponsor the USBC Coach/Player Luncheon at the ITC. The ITC is the pinnacle event of the college bowling season, bringing together the top 16 men’s and top 16 women’s teams in the country to compete for national titles.

Go to BOWL.com/highschool for more information about the Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.

Bowl with US

MUNICH, Germany – At the halfway point of qualifying, Team USA holds the lead in the coveted five-player team event at the 2010 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Men’s Championships.

The Americans put together a three-game set of 3,314, an average of 220.9, to take the lead Thursday heading into the final round of qualifying Friday. The top four teams after six games will advance to the semifinals, which will be contested Friday night.

Team USA had games of 1,142, 1,122 and 1,050 and leads Finland by 29 pins on the medium oil pattern. Chris Barnes led the Americans with a 692 series and was followed by Tommy Jones (670), Bill O’Neill (663), Patrick Allen (645) and Wes Malott (644).

“I think we are in good shape because tomorrow’s long pattern plays to our strengths,” Barnes said. “The goal is to get the top seed so you can have choice of lane pattern in the semifinals and final. I like our chances in the semifinals, especially if we can get there and choose the pattern.”B

arnes said the team was satisfied with the score, but felt like they could have finished a little stronger in the third game to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the field.

“The last game today was a little disappointing,” Barnes said. “I thought the third game we could make up some pins and pull away a little bit. At the end of the day, 1,050 is a good score, but we left some pins out there.”

Rhino Page also bowled Thursday, but his 640 series did not count toward the five-man team total. In Friday’s second round, Malott’s score will not count. Both players scores will be credited toward their all-events score, however.

BowlingDigital.com will provide live streaming of the semifinals and finals of each event and coverage also can be viewed live on BOWL.com. The team semifinals and final are scheduled to begin Friday at 1:30 p.m. Eastern.

In the all-events race, O’Neill maintained the top spot with just three games remaining. He has totaled 4,717 for 21 games, an average of 224.6, and leads Barnes, who has 4,633, by 84 pins. Korea’s Jang Dong-Chul is third, 94 pins behind Barnes.

The top 16 players in the all-events standings after 24 games advance to Masters match play Saturday. Allen sits in fifth at 4,489, Jones is ninth with 4,437 and Malott is 12th with 4,406. Page is currently 26th at 4,323.

The 2010 WTBA World Men’s Championships features 356 competitors from 65 countries competing for medals in six events – five-player team, trios, doubles, singles, all-events and Masters match play.

For complete coverage of the World Men’s Championships, including photos, videos, stories and results, visit BOWL.com.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.

Bowl with US

MUNICH, Germany – When the Team USA men won four of six gold medals at the 2008 World Men’s Championships, it did not come easy against a field of the world’s top bowlers. The 2010 edition should prove to be just as challenging.

The United States will send its latest version of bowling’s Dream Team to compete at the 2010 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Men’s Championships in Munich, Germany, from Aug. 12-21 at Dream Bowl Palace.

Selected to compete are Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour stars Chris Barnes, Wes Malott, Bill O’Neill, Tommy Jones, Rhino Page and Patrick Allen. It marks the World Championships debut for Malott and O’Neill.

“It will be our goal to win every event, but many teams will also have the same goal,” Barnes said. “I think it will be very difficult to match or improve on our success in 2008. Although our team is even deeper this time with the addition of Wes and O’Neill, the short six-game equalizer format with a top four bracket final makes it very difficult.”

The United States won the coveted five-player team gold medal with a team of amateur bowlers in 2006 in Busan, South Korea. After a change in WTBA legislation that allowed professional bowlers to compete, the United States sent a team of five pros and one amateur and successfully defended the title at the most recent World Championships in 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Team USA’s victory in 2008 did not come easy, however. The Americans took on Korea in the one-game finals and the teams finished tied at 1,084, forcing a roll-off. Page defeated Korea’s Kim Tae-Young, 49-39, in the one-player, ninth-and-10th frame roll-off to win the title.

In total, Team USA came away with four gold medals in 2008. The Americans won doubles (Page and Allen), while Walter Ray Williams Jr. won gold in singles and Masters.

“I think there are many teams that will be there that don’t think we will dominate,” Barnes said. “The overall talent worldwide has improved dramatically over the last 15 years. The European teams have always been good, but the Asian teams have been gaining over the past decade quickly with Korea leading the charge. Their work ethic is unmatched, and we were fortunate to beat them in the team event in Thailand.”

The six players heading to Munich will meet up at the International Training and Research Center in Arlington, Texas, for a couple days of last minute training before heading to Munich.

“We plan to work hard as a team and fine-tune prior to the World Championships,” Team USA and ITRC head coach Rod Ross said. “We will be evaluating how some of the new equipment works on the WTBA lane patterns and making our equipment selections for the tournament.”

The 2010 WTBA World Men’s Championships will feature more than 370 competitors from 68 countries competing for medals in six events – five-player team, trios, doubles, singles, all-events and Masters match play.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.

ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress will bring an international touch to the sport this fall with the launch of Team USA Experience leagues, a new Sport Bowling option that will allow bowlers to test their skills on the lanes.

Team USA Experience leagues were developed to give bowlers the opportunity to compete on the same challenging lane conditions that members of Team USA face when competing against the top players in the world at international competitions. These patterns are used by the World Tenpin Bowling Association in major contests such as the World Championships, Pan American Games and QubicaAMF World Cup.

“Taking on these types of conditions can really help a bowler learn more about their game,” said Team USA head coach Rod Ross. “Our teams have put in a lot of work to learn the nuances of the patterns and that has helped us achieve the success we have had at the international level.”

Team USA Experience leagues will be Sport Bowling leagues. Advancements in technology and the prevalence of forgiving lane conditions tend to conceal weaknesses in the games of even the top bowlers, which led to the development of Sport Bowling.

Sport Bowling provides lane oil patterns that are more challenging than typical league conditions. Bowlers who compete in Sport leagues are eligible for exclusive awards, special discounts on equipment through USBC partnerships with pro shops, a monthly e-newsletter that highlights honor scores and access to a members-only page on BOWL.com.

The new Team USA Experience leagues will offer a great variety of challenges since there are 12 patterns available – four short, four medium and four long patterns. Each pattern is named after an Olympic host city.

The short patterns start with Sydney at 33 feet, followed by Stockholm (34 feet), Beijing (35 feet) and Los Angeles (36 feet). Atlanta, at 38 feet, is the first of the medium patterns along with Seoul (39 feet), Athens (40 feet) and Montreal (41 feet). The long patterns include Tokyo (43 feet), London (44 feet), Mexico City (45 feet), and Paris (47 feet).

You can learn more about the Team USA Experience leagues, including a look at the lane patterns, on the Sport Bowling page of BOWL.com. You also can go to BOWL.com to learn about the Team USA program.

For Sport Bowlers who wish to compete in PBA Experience leagues, in which bowlers take on the same lane conditions used in PBA competitions, those leagues also will be available this fall.

United States Bowling Congress

The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.

Bowl with US

FORT WORTH, Texas – Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., finished the opening day of match play frustrated but at the top of the leaderboard Monday at the U.S. Women’s Open, a United States Bowling Congress event.

After 12 games of match play, Kulick found herself leading with a 5-7 record and a 36-game total of 7,879, including 30 bonus pins for each victory, at Cityview Lanes. Two players are right on Kulick’s heels, however, as Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., is second, 11 pins back, and Amanda Beck of Plano, Texas, is third, just 25 pins off the lead.

“The lanes have really played differently each round so far,” said Kulick, who made history in January by defeating Chris Barnes to become the first woman to win a Professional Bowlers Association Tour title. “Any hypothesis you come up with to be better prepared for the next block is out the door. I don’t think anyone has seen a consistent look each block because no one has really pulled away.”

Kulick said the lanes played much more difficult during Monday’s match-play round than they did in qualifying, and her game plan to continue to stay near the top of the standings is simple – don’t make mistakes.

“At this point it’s really all about executing shots and not giving up the pocket,” Kulick said. “Spares are the key to keep progressing and then finding the pairs where you can shoot 230s or 240s. There’s no magic ball that’s going to help anyone strike, it’s just about executing.”

Johnson finished the day with a 5-7 record and a total of 7,868, while Beck had a 7-5 record and 7,854 total. Shannon O’Keefe of Arlington, Texas, is fourth at 7,697 after going 6-6 in matches, while Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, went 10-2 and is fifth at 7,688.

Round robin match play continues Tuesday with the final 12 games, which will be broadcast live on BOWL.com, as the players will complete their 48-game totals.

The top five players after 48 games, including bonus pins, will advance to the championship round at the International Training and Research Center in Arlington for the live ESPN2-televised finals at 8 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 12.

For more information on the U.S. Women’s Open, including results, stories and videos, visit BOWL.com.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.

Bowl with US

2010 U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN

(At Cityview Lanes, Fort Worth, Texas)
Monday’s Results

MATCH PLAY
(Pos., name, hometown, match-play record, 36-game total including 30 pins for each win)

1, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 5-7-0, 7879.
2, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 5-7-0, 7868.
3, Amanda Beck, Plano, Texas, 7-5-0, 7854.
4, Shannon O’Keefe, Arlington, Texas, 6-6-0, 7697.
5, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, Texas, 10-2-0, 7688.
6, Clara Guerrero, Pflugerville, Texas, 8-4-0, 7680.
7, Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 4-8-0, 7677.
8, Leanne Hulsenberg, Roseville, Calif., 8-4-0, 7669.
9, Carol Gianotti, Australia, 8-4-0, 7648.
10, Michelle Feldman, Auburn, N.Y., 8-4-0, 7638.
11, Tennelle Milligan, Arlington, Texas, 5-7-0, 7579.
12, Jodi Woessner, Oregon, Ohio, 6-6-0, 7575.
13, Cherie Tan, Singapore, 6-6-0, 7571.
14, April Ellis, North Richland Hills, Texas, 6-6-0, 7566.
15, Anita Manns, Austin, Texas, 8-4-0, 7535.
16, Stefanie Nation, Grand Prairie, Texas, 6-6-0, 7498.
17, Bryanna Caldwell, Tucson, Ariz., 3-9-0, 7481.
18, Tammy Boomershine, North Ogden, Utah, 3-9-0, 7384.
18, Jennifer Petrick, Canton, Ohio, 6-6-0, 7384.
20, Megan Kelly, Kettering, Ohio, 6-6-0, 7355.
21, Tish Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo., 5-7-0, 7331.
22, Geraldine Ng, Singapore, 7-5-0, 7297.
23, Jazreel Tan, Singapore, 5-7-0, 7288.
24, Kim Terrell-Kearney, Grand Prairie, Texas, 3-9-0, 7237.

Nev. – Member delegates heard announcements about program changes, voted on two dozen legislative proposals and elected four members to the United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors during the 2010 USBC Annual Meeting.

Headlining announcements made during the meeting was news of the creation of a new independent corporation to oversee and manage SMART (Scholarship Management and Accounting Reports for Tenpins) funds. The corporation will have its own board of directors comprised of bowling industry leaders with financial backgrounds.

“This corporation was created to have a total focus on the care of SMART funds and promote youth bowling scholarships,” USBC President Jeff Boje‚ said. “This board will remain consistent with people eminently qualified to manage those funds.”

USBC Executive Director Stu Upson detailed several program changes designed to improve the overall financial strength of the organization.

“USBC must build reserves in order to strengthen our position to invest in the sport in the future,” Upson said. “We need the membership to support our program changes this year, while USBC develops vastly new products and benefits for bowlers.”

Some of the program changes Upson discussed include:

• USBC will offer a new credit card partnership with Nationwide that gives card users free USBC national membership and other bowling-related benefits.
• USBC will put the U.S. Women’s Open on hiatus for 2011.
• U.S. Bowler magazine will be an electronic-only publication, while U.S. Youth Bowler will continue to be mailed to homes.
• The 2011 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships will be broadcast exclusively on BOWL.com.

Delegates approve eight proposals and reject 16.

The most discussed item of the legislative session by the 1,049 voting delegates related to proposal B-7, which would have given the USBC Board of Directors authority to change bylaws.

The proposal required a two-thirds majority for passage and was rejected. Overall, delegates approved eight amendments and rejected 16.

Two incumbents, two newcomers elected to USBC Board of Directors

Current USBC directors Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, Texas, and Michael Italia, Warrington, Pa., joined newcomers Mark Martin, Waterford, Mich., and Deanna Rose, Fairport, N.Y., in being elected to the USBC Board of Directors by the delegates attending the Annual Meeting. All were elected on the first ballot with 956 ballots cast.

Dorin-Ballard had 787 votes, Italia 623; Martin 507; Rose 486; Bill Vint, East Troy, Wisc., 413; Michael Carroll, Huntington, W.Va., 407; Dale Bohn, Collinsville, Ill., 205; Steve Kaplan, Monroe, N.J., 158; Gary Anderson, Taylors, S.C., 119.

Baker named USBC president

Darlene Baker, Mahomet, Ill., was named USBC president at the Annual Meeting. She is the first female president in the history of the organization. Baker will begin her term Aug. 1. The remaining board officers will be announced following the June board meeting.

USBC raises nearly $2 million for charity

USBC once again generated significant financial support for charity. USBC Bowl For The Cure led to a more than $1.1 million donation to Susan G. Komen For The Cure at the 2010 meeting. Contributions to Bowlers to Veterans Link from USBC were nearly $826,000, an increase of more than $100,000 from the previous year.

Results of 2010 USBC Annual Meeting Legislative Session

League Rules
Amendment No. LR1 (Rejected)
Rule 100h. Senior
Deletes the rule related to senior leagues.

Amendment No. LR2 (Approved)
Rule 102c. Duties of the President, Item 3
Requires bank statements to be sent to the president.

Amendment No. LR3 (Approved)
Rule 102f. Duties of the Treasurer, Item 7
Changes the time frame for retaining treasurer records from 120 days to one year from completion of the season.

Amendment No. LR4 (Rejected)
Rule 105. Absentee and Vacancy Scores
Allows for individuals on a team to bowl baker format for one absentee or one vacancy score if the team is comprised of three, four or five players.

Amendment No. LR5 (Approved)
Rule 106a. Series – How Bowled
Allows for each game or frame to be bowled on a different pair of lanes.

Amendment No. LR6 (Approved)
Rule 111c.
Gives leagues more flexibility for requesting pre/post bowling.

Amendment No. LR7 (Rejected)
Rule 111f. Time Limit for Bowling
Restricts a league from adopting a rule that requires less than 15 days to pre- or post-bowl unopposed.

Tournament Rules
Amendment No. TR1 (Rejected)
Rule 315. Multiple Participation
Allows individuals to place more than once unless the tournament has a rule otherwise.

Amendment No. TR2 (Approved)
Rule 319a. Conditions that Apply
Treats all averages, including summer averages the same.

Amendment No. TR3 (Rejected)
Rule 319a. Conditions that Apply
Requires bowlers to report their current average if it is higher than their previous season’s book average, not just the 10 pin increase.

Amendment No. TR4 (Rejected)
Rule 319a. Conditions that Apply
Requires bowlers to use a composite average of all leagues if higher than the bowler’s highest 21 game average.

Amendment No. TR5 (Rejected)
Rule 319e. Average Adjustment for Entry
Requires bowlers to report their 21 game tournament average if it is higher than their highest USBC average.

Amendment No. TR6 (Approved)
Rule 320a. Two Lanes Required
Allows for each tournament game or frame to be bowled on a different pair of lanes.

Amendment No. TR7 (Approved)
Rule 329. Protests and Appeals
Changes the time frame for protesting rule infractions to 72 hours and the time frame for appealing tournament management’s decision to 10 days.

USBC National Bylaws
Amendment No. B1 (Approved)
Article VI, Meetings
Section A. Annual Meeting, Item 2
Provides for electronic balloting as the final system used for voting, unless the president determines the circumstances require a different method.

Amendment No. B2 (Rejected)
Article II, Purposes
Section B. Chartering State and Local Bowling Associations
Requires non-merged local associations to be merged by Aug. 1, 2012. (Amended)

Amendment No. B3 (Rejected)
Article III, Membership and Dues
Section B. Dues
Raises state and local dues maximums in the same increments as national.

Amendment No. B4 (Rejected)
Article III, Membership and Dues
Section B. Dues
Changes maximum USBC adult state membership dues from $1 to $5.

Amendment No. B5 (Rejected)
Article III, Membership and Dues
Section B. Dues
Changes maximum USBC adult membership dues from $10 to $15. Changes maximum state adult membership dues from $1 to $2 if the association is merged adults. Changes maximum state adult membership dues from $1 to $3 if the association is merged adult and youth.

Amendment No. B6 (Rejected)
Article IV, Board of Directors
Section B. Election, Item 2
Changes requirement for credentials to be filed with USBC from 24 hours to 90 days.

Amendment No. B7 (Rejected)
Article IV, Board of Directors
Section E. Authority and Duties, Item 14
Gives the board the authority to make important decisions any time of the year.

Amendment No. B8 (Rejected)
Article VI, Meetings
Section A. Annual Meeting, Item 3(b), Elections
Allows affiliate associations to have delegates and voting rights at the Annual Meeting.

Amendment No. B9 (Rejected)
Article VIII, Amendments
Allows legislation for General Playing Rules, League Rules and Tournament Rules to be conducted in even-numbered years.

Amendment No. B10 (Rejected)
National Bylaws
Changes the national bylaws

Resolution for Articles of Incorporation (Withdrawn)
Gives the board the authority to make important decisions any time of the year.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.

The next scheduled board meeting is scheduled for

May 14 at the GDUSBC at 6:30 pm.

We welcome your input and participation.

The Annual GDUSBC Membership meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18th, 6:30 pm, Association Office, 50 Walnut Street.

The Ambassador program is for those folks that do not want to have to attend meetings or do some of the other responsibilities of a Director. This allows the Ambassador to be at tournaments, fish fry, etc and be a part of helping the bowling community without the total responsibility. This is an ideal way to have an understanding of what it’s like to be part of the GDUSBC and we could sure use the help.

If you are interested in being a part of the GDUSBC, please contact Barbara Raglin at 222-2695

RENO, Nev. – Team USA member Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix has enjoyed many successes at the National Bowling Stadium, so it’s no surprise to see her name atop the leaderboard at the 2010 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.

The 27-year-old left-hander took a step toward adding another piece of hardware to her trophy case when she moved into the Regular All-Events lead with a 2,083 total Sunday night.

Pluhowsky opened with a 642 series in team and caught fire during doubles and singles. She posted games of 279, 193 and 268 for a 740 doubles series and kept the momentum going in singles, rolling games of 239, 268 and 194 for 701. Matt Smith of Altoona, Iowa, and George Kontos of Joliet, Ill., previously shared the all-events lead with 2,073.

In all, Pluhowsky cracked the top 10 in four events this weekend. She helped Capri Lanes of Dayton, Ohio, into seventh place in Regular Team with a 3,073 total and teamed up with Megan Kelly of Huber Heights, Ohio, for a 1,361 doubles total, which is eighth overall. Together, Pluhowsky and Kelly helped Capri Lanes into ninth place in Team All-Events with 9,171.

“It’s exciting,” said Pluhowsky, who made her sixth consecutive USBC Open Championships appearance. “I have been bowling pretty well the last three months, so to be able to continue that here was a great thing.”

Pluhowsky didn’t know the all-events number during her doubles set, but decided to inquire about it right before singles began. When she found out, she was focused and determined.

“I am not even sure what made me ask,” said Pluhowsky, whose previous high all-events total was 1,958 at the 2007 event, also in Reno. “From there, it was about making good shots, and if it happened, it happened. If not, I still would have walked out happy because this is my best tournament to date.”

Pluhowsky’s success at the Stadium dates back to her days as a youth bowler when she claimed the last of her three consecutive wins at the USBC Junior Gold Championships in 2001. That same year, she won the first of two consecutive USBC Team USA Trials titles at the NBS, before adding a third straight win in Las Vegas. Her most recent victory at the Stadium came at the 2006 USBC Queens.

“Some people try to say the left is better here,” said Pluhowsky, who is the general manager at Capri Lanes. “I just match up here, and my ball reaction is good here. I always try to take advantage when I am here and do the best I can.”

Outside of the Stadium, the former University of Nebraska standout owns three collegiate national championships, three Professional Bowlers Association Women’s Series titles, two QubicaAMF World Cup titles and dozens of medals in international competition.

While Pluhowsky was making her all-events run Sunday, Dayton’s Mandy Wilson was a few lanes away making a run of her own.

The right-hander started the day with a shot at the Regular Doubles lead, too, but a missed 2-8 spare in her final frame left her and Douglas Stone of Troy, Ohio, two pins shy of Terry Hall of Rocklin, Calif., and Andrew Udahl of Elk Grove, Calif., who lead with 1,421.

Wilson was 14 pins off Pluhowsky’s all-events pace heading into her ninth and final game, but finished with 184 and a 2,059 all-events total, which is fourth overall. She had 727 in doubles, 699 in singles and 633 in team.

“My mindset in doubles is don’t let my partner down, fill frames and make spares,” said Wilson, who is a member of the Ohio USBC Hall of Fame. “I am happy about my finish, but unfortunately, I missed a couple makeable spares that hurt my doubles and all-events chances.”

ARLINGTON, Texas - USBC Collegiate has determined sectional-qualifying assignments for the 2010 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships. Now, the nation’s top men’s and women’s collegiate bowling teams can begin charting their courses toward the 2010 national title.

The four sectional qualifiers will be held March 13-14 at AMF Parkway Lanes in Allentown, Pa.; Holiday Bowl-Brainerd in Chattanooga, Tenn.; Landmark Lanes in Peoria, Ill.; and the South Point Hotel and Casino Bowling Center in Las Vegas.

The top four teams in each division at each sectional will advance to the 2010 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships, which will be held April 14-17 at the El Paso (Texas) Convention and Performing Arts Center.

On the men’s side, defending national champions Wichita State, the No. 1 program in Team Ranking System points, will compete in the Peoria Sectional. No. 2 Lindenwood will headline the field at the Chattanooga Sectional. No. 3 Fresno State and No. 4 Robert Morris (Ill.) will head to the Las Vegas Sectional, making No. 5 Webber International the lone top-five team at the Allentown Sectional.

In women’s competition, No. 1 Central Florida, which is coming off a victory at the 2010 Backhaul Direct Hoosier Classic, will be the featured team at the Chattanooga Sectional. No. 2 Wichita State, the reigning women’s national champions, will head to the Peoria Sectional while No. 3 Pikeville and No. 4 Webber International will compete in the Allentown Sectional. No. 5 Robert Morris (Ill.) will participate in the Las Vegas Sectional.

The complete men’s and women’s 2010 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships Sectional Qualifier field (teams listed in alphabetical order):

MEN
Allentown Sectional
Briarcliffe, Erie Community College, George Mason, Hudson Valley Community College, Michigan State, Mohawk Valley Community College, Monmouth, Ohio State, Penn State, Penn State-Berks, Pikeville, Robert Morris (Pa.), Rochester Institute of Technology, Sacred Heart, St. John’s, Webber International, William Paterson, Youngstown State.

Chattanooga Sectional
Central Florida, Davenport, Florida State, Houston, Indiana, Lindenwood, Louisiana State, Michigan-Ann Arbor, Missouri Baptist, North Carolina State, Purdue, Rock Valley, Saginaw Valley State, Santa Fe, Urbana, Virginia Tech

Peoria Sectional
Bellarmine, Calumet College of St. Joseph, Delta, Kansas, McKendree, Morehead State, Nebraska-Omaha, Newman, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Toledo, Vincennes, Viterbo, Western Illinois, Wichita State, Wisconsin-Madison, Wright State.

Las Vegas Sectional
Arizona State, Fresno State, Martin Methodist, Nebraska-Lincoln, North Texas, Robert Morris (Ill.), San Jose State, St. Ambrose, UC-Davis, UNLV, West Texas A&M, Wisconsin-Stout, Wisconsin-Whitewater.

WOMEN
Allentown Sectional
Adrian, Briarcliffe, Erie Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, Michigan State, Mohawk Valley Community College, Notre Dame College, Ohio State, Penn State, Penn State-Berks, Pikeville, Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Institute of Technology, Webber International.

Chattanooga Sectional
Calumet College of St. Joseph, Central Florida, Davenport, Florida State, Grand Valley State, Houston, Indiana, Lindenwood, Louisiana State, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Michigan-Ann Arbor, Missouri Baptist, Missouri State, Purdue, Rock Valley, Southern, Union, Urbana, Virginia Tech.

Peoria Sectional
Bellarmine, Elmhurst, Illinois State, Illinois-Urbana, McKendree, Newman, Robert Morris-Peoria, South Dakota State, Viterbo, Western Illinois, Wichita State, William Penn, Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Wisconsin-Green Bay, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin-Platteville, Wisconsin-Whitewater, Wright State.

Las Vegas Sectional
Arizona, Ball State, Fresno State, Martin Methodist, New Mexico, North Texas, Robert Morris (Ill.), St. Ambrose, San Jose State, Texas A&M, UC-Davis, Washington State, West Texas A&M.

Sectional assignments are based on the Team Ranking System points earned in USBC Collegiate-certified competition throughout the season. USBC Collegiate attempts to place no more than two of the top eight schools and no more than four of the top 16 schools in a sectional based on final TRS totals. Sectional Qualifier fields are determined by taking geographic distance, economics and field size into consideration.

The sectionals will consist of 32 Baker System games each day for a total of 64 Baker games. The top four teams based on total pinfall in each division following the completion of competition at each sectional will advance to the 2010 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships.

In addition, these four locations will host qualifying for the 2010 USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships on March 12. All participants will bowl six games with total pinfall determining final standings. The top four finishers in each division (men and women) at each Sectional Qualifier advance to the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championships, scheduled for May 16-18 at AMF Euless Lanes in Euless, Texas.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

Bowl with US

Shortly after exiting his flight to Reno on Sunday, Johnson put $20 into an airport slot machine, and minutes later, he was the winner of the $10,422,754.08 Megabucks MegaJackpot.

“When it hit, we all kind of looked at each other and wondered what happened,” Johnson said. “I kept telling my wife that something was going to go well this week, whether it was bowling well or winning something, but I never could have imagined winning $10 million.”

“The Biggest Little City in the World” has become a special destination for the 36-year-old Johnson and his teammates. Three of Johnson’s six USBC Open Championships appearances have come at Reno’s National Bowling Stadium, and while in town for the 2007 event, he and his wife, Stephanie were married.

“Three years ago, I married my wife, Stephanie, here in Reno,” Johnson said. “All of us use the Open as a vacation every year, and we just come out to have a good time. Plus, bowling is a big part of my life. It’s really the best of everything.”

Johnson, a mechanical designer for BCER Engineering near Denver, tried not to let his big win and the flurry of media requests that followed distract him from helping Kamikaze Keglers on the tournament lanes Monday. The right-hander posted games of 222, 138 and 192 for a 552 series and helped his team to a 2,566 total. Pandorum of Buford, Ga., leads Regular Team with 3,063.

Johnson was joined on the lanes by Aaron Franks (534), Scott Maakestad (509), Clint Cator IV (492) and Jon Hanson (479).

“I don’t think I shot really well, but all in all, I’m pretty happy with how we did,” Johnson said. “I plan to keep coming to the Open wherever it may be, but for tomorrow, I plan on coming in and winning doubles and singles.”

Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah’s Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.

For more information on the USBC Open Championships, visit USBCopen.com.

The 2010 event marks the sixth time the tournament has been held at the 78-lane National Bowling Stadium, and 265 bowlers and their friends and families helped usher in the 107th USBC Open Championships on Saturday afternoon.

Reno mayor Bob Cashell, Sparks mayor Geno Martini, USBC Hall of Famers Jim Schroeder and Bob Hart, dignitaries and sponsors took part in the opening festivities, which also included the traditional Mass Ball Shot, ribbon cutting and the crowning of Joe Bowler.

Ted Thomas, 53, of Lafayette, Colo., earned the distinction of Joe Bowler, a tradition that began in 1951, and rolled the ceremonial first ball (a nine count), signifying the official start of the 2010 event. The tournament will run from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily until July 5.

“I actually enjoyed it a lot,” said Thomas, who bowls at Coal Creek Sports Center and made his third appearance at the Open Championships. “I was a little nervous, but I felt very privileged. My mother was an officer in the national tournaments, so it was good to see hall of fame bowlers like Bob Hart and Jimmy Schroeder walk out with me. I will be here every year. I like the competitiveness, camaraderie and having a fun time away with the guys.”

This year, more than 14,000 five-player teams (70,000 bowlers) will test their skills on the championship lanes. The Open Championships has been held at the Stadium every third year since 1995, and previously was held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in 1977, ’84 and ’90.

On the lanes Saturday, Pandorum of Buford, Ga., moved into the top spot in Regular Team with a 3,063 three-game effort. The group put together games of 1,028, 1,042 and 993 to pace the 53-team Opening-Day squad. Although all five bowlers bowl league at Brunswick Zone Lilburn (Ga.), Saturday marked the first time they bowled on a team together.

Mark McClung led the way for Pandorum with a 682 set and was followed by Justin Gibbons (666), Leigh Trostel (609), Settee Johnson (582) and Darin Belsito (524).

“We started off slowly, but talked to each other about the adjustments we could make, and it worked out pretty well,” said McClung, who made his fourth Open Championships appearance. “We could’ve finished a little bit stronger, but it still feels good to be in the lead. It was also nice to be a part of the opening and see how everything comes together.”

In the Classified Division, 3 Jokers and 2 Queens, also of Buford, Ga., grabbed the early lead with a 2,536 total. The team, which includes three USBC Board members- Mitch Mitchell, Kayla Chick and Tommy Gann- posted games of 809, 788 and 939.

Jason Reynolds led the way for 3 Jokers and 2 Queens with a 580 series and was followed by Gann, USBC’s second vice-president, (538), Mitchell (532), Susan Pickford (453) and Chick (433).

“I’m happy and excited, since it’s the first time I’ve ever been a part of the lead in 31 years here,” Mitchell said. “We’ll cherish the moment while it lasts. Hopefully, it shows that our leadership team is not only made up of good businessmen and women, but some good bowlers as well.”

To be eligible for the Classified Division, a team must have a combined average of 900 or less.

It’s not too late to enter the 2010 Open Championships. There are still some prime bowling times available. The final entry deadline is April 1.

Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah’s Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.

For more information on the USBC Open Championships, visit USBCopen.com

Related articles of Bowling Interest you may find worth reading.

• More on Gender Controversy in Sports (bilerico.com)
• Senior Citizen Rolls 40 Perfectos in Wii Bowling [Bowling] (kotaku.com)

Click image above or here for complete list.

The option will be available Feb. 1 for teams looking to enter the 2011 event, which will be held at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. Team captains will be able to enter and pay online in six easy steps.

With the new system, returning team captains will be recognized by their entry numbers from 2010, and their personal information will appear automatically. They’ll simply be asked to edit or add information, select or change their dates, choose the number of doubles and all-events entries and pay the deposit or entire balance by credit card. New captains will have to enter their information manually the first time, but will not have to do so again in the future.

As the automated system continues to evolve, captains soon will be able to sign back into the system and add or change roster information, input participation information and pay remaining balances to lock in doubles and singles times.

Beginning March 1, the automated system will be available for USBC Women’s Championships team captains looking to enter the 2011 event slated for Syracuse, N.Y.

Paper entries still will be accepted for both events.

“Since so much of what we already do revolves around the Internet, the automated online system is the natural next step in the evolution of our tournaments,” said USBC Championships Director Brian Lewis. “We want to make things as convenient as possible for our bowlers, and the new system really streamlines the process.”

ENTRY DEADLINES EXTENDED FOR 2010 OPEN AND WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS

Although the start of the 2010 USBC Open Championships is less than a month away, it’s not too late to enter. The entry deadline has been extended until April 1.

So far, more than 14,000 teams are scheduled to make the trip to Reno’s National Bowling Stadium during the tournament’s 136-day run. It will be the event’s record ninth visit to Reno and the sixth time the tournament will be held at the 78-lane NBS.

For the first time, the Women’s Championships will be held in a convention-center setting. USBC will install 48 lanes and the world’s largest mobile scoreboard inside the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center, and the tournament will feature three divisions, instead of five, and an all-handicap format for the first time.
For more information on the USBC Open and Women’s Championships, visit BOWL.com.

ARLINGTON, Texas, January 6, 2010 – For the first time in the 5,000-year history of the sport, the bowling industry will be united under one roof with the grand opening of the International Bowling Campus (IBC) in Arlington, Texas, an unprecedented event in sports history. The IBC, located at 621 Six Flags Drive, is in close proximity to the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the Rangers Ballpark and the Six Flags Over Texas theme park. The 100,000-plus square foot IBC complex will house more than 200 employees. At 2:30 pm on January 25, the campus will open its doors with a historic ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by a star-studded gathering of national and local celebrities.

The campus will serve as home to the new and expanded International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame. The state-of-the-art museum will feature interactive displays and exhibits along with rare, one-of-a-kind items from the various eras dating back to 3,200 B.C. The IBC will also house the International Training and Research Center (ITRC) and an expansive pro shop making it the premier pro shop of the bowling industry. Additionally, the IBC will act as the central operating facility for the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).

“The International Bowling Campus marks a first in sports and its impact on the bowling industry simply cannot be understated. Bringing together all of the leading entities in bowling under a single roof is a tremendous step forward in uniting and strengthening our industry,” said Steve Johnson, executive director of the BPAA. “With already more than 69.3 million bowlers in the U.S. alone, the opening of the IBC sets the stage for a new era of growth for bowling and signifies the incredible worldwide resurgence in popularity that bowling has seen in recent years.”

“The grand opening of the International Bowling Campus is a historic event that ushers in a thrilling new era for bowling. Through the creation of the IBC, which includes the first International Training and Research Center, we have a world-class facility that enables us to offer tremendous resources to help enhance the sport of bowling across all levels of play,” said Stu Upson, executive director of the USBC. “Additionally, working side-by-side with the BPAA will further enable us to enhance and strengthen the sport of bowling on a local level.”

In addition to the BPAA and USBC, the International Bowling Campus will include the:

International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame – Formerly located in St. Louis, Missouri, the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame collects, preserves and displays the 5,000-year history that has lead to the sport of bowling’s worldwide success. In addition to outlining the history of bowling, the completely interactive 21st century International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame will focus on the contemporary era of the sport, specifically its youth programs and international competition. The museum will also house the Celebrity Hall of Fame exhibit, including inductees Lynn Swann, Jerome Bettis and Tom Candiotti. Custom bowling industry merchandise and branded memorabilia will be available at “Spare Partz,” a unique concept in museum stores.

International Training and Research Center (ITRC) – A United States Olympic Committee-recognized training center, the ITRC will serve as a world-class training facility for professional and amateur bowlers, and will include 20 lanes for training, research, testing and television broadcasts (of the 20 lanes, six will be used exclusively to test and certify bowling equipment prior to worldwide distribution, replicating all lane conditions). The center’s research area will include cutting-edge tools such as a robotic ball thrower, a computerized ball tracking system and a state-of-the-art biomechanics package designed to analyze actual bowling movements and test equipment. The center will be the training home for Team USA, Junior Team USA, international teams, numerous college and high school teams and elite coaches.

The campus will also be home to the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA), the School for Bowling Center Management, the Billiard and Bowling Institute of America (BBIA), Bowling News Network (BNN), Strike Ten Entertainment (STE), Bowling Writers’ Association of America (BWAA) and The Bowling Foundation (charitable arm of the industry).

“The new facility will bring events such as the BPAA Bowling Summit, International Bowl Expo in 2011 and numerous nationally televised bowling competitions, which will enhance Arlington’s reputation as a leading Southwestern tourism destination,” said Dr. Robert Cluck, mayor of Arlington.

The grand opening celebration will also include:

• International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame and ITRC ribbon-cutting by state and local officials
• Ceremonial “first roll” on the lanes at the ITRC
• Unveiling of the “Walk of Fame” commemorative brick walkway at the main entrance to the IBC
• Grand opening of the ITRC pro shop and “Spare Partz” museum store
• Burying of a historic time capsule
• Open house and touring of the new facilities

The grand opening events will be held in conjunction with the BPAA’s Bowling Summit, which will be attended by proprietors representing thousands of bowling centers from across the United States as well as the industry’s leading manufacturers and suppliers. For more details about the International Bowling Campus, please visit http://internationalbowlingcampus.com/.

About International Bowling Campus

The International Bowling Campus (IBC) is the headquarters for the bowling industry and directly serves the more than 69 million bowlers in the United States. The IBC houses the resources of the United States Bowling Congress, the governing body and membership organization for the sport; the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, representing the business interests of bowling centers; Strike Ten Entertainment, the marketing arm for the industry; the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame; The Bowling Foundation; the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association; the Bowling Writers’ Association of America; the Bowling News Network; the Billiard and Bowling Institute of America; and the International Training and Research Center.

So far this season, USBC Collegiate has added 25 new schools to its roster of institutions fielding collegiate bowling teams. Those additions are expected to push USBC Collegiate’s total number of certified schools to 175, which would represent a 16.4-percent increase over the 152 schools that participated in 2008-09.

The current growth spurt has been felt across the country, but spikes have been seen in Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Viterbo University, located in Lacrosse, Wis., is among the schools that are newly-registered this season. Director of Athletics Barry Fried explains what prompted Viterbo’s decision to begin fielding bowling teams.

“One of the primary reasons we decided to add intercollegiate bowling was the increasing popularity of the sport,” Fried said. “It’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the country as 46 of 50 states have club or varsity bowling programs in high school. We felt the addition of bowling might give us a recruiting niche and help increase our enrollment.”

Currently, USBC Collegiate has approximately 2,775 registered bowlers in its program. That is nearly 150 more bowlers than it had last season and nearly 300 above its final number from 2007-08.

The current growth pattern can be attributed to many factors, but USBC Collegiate Manager Gary Brown thinks it is largely due to the financial benefits experienced by both schools and bowlers.

“Of the 25 new schools we have added this season, just about half offer at least some form of financial assistance to bowlers,” Brown said. “The student-athletes and their parents definitely see that and want to take advantage of it. Collegiate bowling already offered the opportunity to pursue the sport they love and compete for team and individual national titles. Now, it can help them pay for their educations, too.

“For the schools, bowling costs very little in the way of equipment to buy and facilities to use and maintain, and it boosts enrollment by allowing these schools to tap into the huge number of high school bowlers across the country. It’s a win-win situation for them. I think that’s why we’ve seen this huge spike this year and why we already have schools expressing interest in starting new teams in 2010 and 2011.”

United States Bowling Congress

ARLINGTON, Texas – A group of 13 of the country’s top bowlers will lead Team USA into international competition in 2010 as part of the team’s roster was announced Wednesday.

A selection committee of United States Bowling Congress and Professional Bowlers Association representatives picked seven men and six women to join Team USA.

Walter Ray Williams Jr., Chris Barnes, Wes Malott, Tommy Jones, Patrick Allen, Rhino Page and Bill O’Neill were selected for the men’s team. On the women’s side, Stefanie Nation, Shannon O’Keefe, Shannon Pluhowsky, Liz Johnson, Kelly Kulick and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard were the selections.

“We are very fortunate that we had such a talented pool of players to choose from,” said Rod Ross, who takes over as Team USA head coach in 2010 in addition to his role as head coach of the International Training and Research Center. “It is extremely difficult for the committee to make these types of decisions, but I feel we have put together a great nucleus of players who will continue to lead Team USA to success next year and in the future.”

Ross said the selection committee elected to go with seven men as the team gears up for the 2010 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Men’s Championships next August in Munich, Germany. Barnes, Jones, Allen, Page and Williams were part of the team that led Team USA to four of six gold medals at the 2008 World Men’s Championships.

All but one of the players selected were members of Team USA in 2009 with the lone exception being Kulick, who has been on the team five times in the past.

Two women picked the past two years elected not to submit their names for consideration this year. Lynda Barnes, a 12-time Team USA, member recently announced her retirement from the team, while Kim Terrell-Kearney has decided to focus her attention on her role as assistant head coach at the International Training and Research Center.

To be considered for selection to 2010 Team USA, men were required to be exempt players on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, while the women must have been on Team USA at least once since 1999 and/or former Professional Women’s Bowling Association/Ladies Professional Bowlers Tour members.

The selections only represent a portion of the final roster of 2010 Team USA players. All USBC members will have a chance to join the team by competing in the 2010 USBC Team USA Trials, scheduled for Dec. 14-18, 2009 at Sunset Station Hotel and Casino’s Strike Zone Bowling Center in Las Vegas.

The top three men and top three women finishers at the Team USA Trials will earn automatic spots on Team USA, while the National Selection Committee will pick two additional men and two additional women to join the team.

Team USA will represent the United States in several international events throughout 2010, including the World Men’s Championships, the Pan American Bowling Confederation Women’s Championships and the QubicaAMF World Cup.

For more information on the Team USA program or for entry information for the USBC Team USA Trials, visit BOWL.com.

Congratulations to High Roller Pro Shop, who, to a bowler, averaged around 228 for their combined 12 games. Scratch.

Additional, a hearty congratulations to Andy Parker and Jane Bloom for their 1516 total. It nearly smacked as a walk-away, until Lisa and Kevin Rogers made their near-snatch of the title and fell only 4 pins short,  at 1512.

Congratulations to all participants for a well attended tournament that saw an increase in doubles entries and only a slight decrease in total team entries.

• Click here for complete Official Team Results
• Click here for complete Official Doubles Results

Prize checks will be mailed the week of Nov. 9th. Thanks again to everyone that participated.

The event was designed to give coaches and bowling enthusiasts a closer look at the unique two-handed style that is sweeping the globe and also give participants a chance to revolutionize their own games with on-lane coaching from Belmonte and Kearney as well as United States Bowling Congress coaches Bryan O’Keefe and Stefanie Nation.

The group spent more than an hour on the lanes with youth and adult bowlers of all ages and skill levels from 13 Detroit-area bowling centers, answered questions submitted by the participants and signed autographs. The youth bowlers then returned to the lanes for a scholarship tournament.

The Next Revolution event even featured a few local two-handed bowlers who enjoyed the opportunity to get tips from a two-handed pioneer. In the two-handed approach, the bowler swings the ball with both hands until the release point. This style generates considerably more revolutions as the ball rolls down the lane, resulting in increased pin action.

“It was incredible just to be able to get some feedback from Jason and hear what he thinks,” said Steve Pydyn, a local two-hander who recently watched Belmonte compete at the seven-event Professional Bowlers Association World Series of Bowling in nearby Allen Park, Mich. “He’s a real friendly guy, and this was a great experience.”

The day concluded with a special Baker match that teamed the top two boys and top two girls from each of the scholarship tournament’s two divisions (11 and Under and 12 and Older) with Kearney and Belmonte. Kearney joined the boys, while Belmonte bowled with the girls.

“This was a really fun event,” said 11-year-old Ryan Winters of Livonia. “We worked a little bit on how I push the ball away, which definitely helped. I also was excited about the tournament after.”

Belmonte’s return to the Motor City marked the first of four Next Revolution events scheduled for the Australian. On Sunday, the 26-year-old will team up with Team USA member Diandra Asbaty at Brunswick Zone Hawthorn in Vernon Hills, Ill.

Next Saturday, Belmonte and Colombian star Clara Guerrero will roll into Copperfield Bowling Center in Houston, and then Belmonte will team up with PBA star Chris Barnes at AMF Euless Lanes near Dallas on Sunday.

“The enthusiasm that both the kids and adults here have is more than I ever expected,” Belmonte said. “They just seem to love the game, and they’re so eager to learn, but they’re also here to have fun. Just based on the numbers, I’d say this event is a proven success.”

Belmonte, the 2008-09 PBA Rookie of the Year, became the first two-handed bowler to win a Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour event by capturing The Bowling Foundation Long Island Classic.

During his journey into the spotlight, Belmonte has competed on six continents, winning on four. He has bowled in more than 30 countries and been named World Bowler of the Year on two occasions.

The schedule for the rest of The Next Revolution events (prices and entry fees have been set by the host bowling centers) is as follows:

SUNDAY, NOV. 1

Brunswick Zone Hawthorn
316 Center Drive
Vernon Hills, IL
367-1600

• Noon – The Next Revolution
  Featuring: Jason Belmonte and Diandra Asbaty

SATURDAY, NOV. 7

Copperfield Bowling Center
15615 Glen Chase Dr
Houston, TX 77095
550-8710

• Noon – The Next Revolution
  Featuring: Jason Belmonte and Clara Guerrero

SUNDAY, NOV. 8

AMF Euless Lanes
1901 Airport Freeway
Euless, TX 76040
540-0303

• 9 a.m. – USBC Coaching class
• Noon – The Next Revolution
  Featuring: Jason Belmonte and Chris Barnes

For more information about The Next Revolution, visit BOWL.com.

United States Bowling Congress

The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

The competition at Cityview Lanes, which will be held May 6-11, kicks off a series of major bowling events in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The 2010 USBC Hall of Fame dinner will take place May 11 at the City Club in downtown Fort Worth, while the 2010 USBC Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place May 12 on the grounds of the International Bowling Campus in Arlington.

Following the Hall of Fame ceremony, the live televised finals of the U.S. Women’s Open will take place at the International Training and Research Center in Arlington at 6:30 p.m. CDT on ESPN2.

For the first time since returning in 2007, the U.S. Women’s Open will feature round-robin match play. Players will compete in three eight-game blocks from May 7-9 with the top 24 players advancing to match play May 10-11. The four players with the best 48-game totals, including match-play bonus pins, will compete in the live stepladder finals.

“Match play is a traditional part of major bowling tournaments, and this format is more representative of a true U.S. Women’s Open test,” USBC Vice President of Media Pete Tredwell said. “And having one live TV finals show instead of five taped TV finals shows creates additional excitement while being more cost effective.”

Tammy Boomershine of North Ogden, Utah, topped a field of 170 players, including 59 international competitors, to win the 2009 event, which was held at Strike Zone Bowling Center inside the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Henderson, Nev.

The qualifying and match play portions of the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open will shift to Cityview Lanes, the largest center in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

“This will bring a lot of prestige for us,” Cityview General Manager Bill Blackerby said. “It’s an opportunity for us to show off the new look we have at the center.”

In conjunction with the U.S. Women’s Open, USBC will conduct its Hall of Fame ceremony outdoors and separate from its annual tournament or convention venue for the first time.

“Our goals in moving the inductions to Arlington are to spotlight the new International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame and International Bowling Campus while possibly growing the event into something big every year,” Tredwell said. “The inspiration for this idea comes from the annual baseball and pro football ceremonies. Those venues allow for large crowds and major media coverage. Plus having it the same day as the U.S. Women’s Open brings more focus to both events.”

The Veterans and Meritorious Service part of the class of 2010 will be announced in November with the Superior Performance inductees to follow in December or January.

Schedule of Events

May 6-11

• Women’s Open Practice, Qualifying and Match Play
  Cityview Lanes, Fort Worth

May 11

• USBC Hall of Fame Dinner
  City Club, Fort Worth

May 12

• USBC Hall of Fame Ceremonies
  International Bowling Campus, Arlington

• Women’s Open Stepladder Finals, 6:30 p.m. CDT
  International Bowling Campus, Arlington (live ESPN2 broadcast)

United States Bowling Congress

The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.