2007 USBC Open Championships by the numbers
In all, more than 85,000 bowlers - teams and individuals - competed for a share of the record prize fund that topped off at approximately $7.2 million. Recently, the tournament staff mailed out 46,759 prize checks, which means that more than half of the participants cashed in at the Stadium this year.
Of the teams registered, 14,311 will be getting at least one prize check, with the largest one going to Regular All-Events champion Mike Rose Jr. of West Henrietta, N.Y., who took home a record total of $16,824.
And while the tournament had its share of high scores and memorable moments, there also were a few numbers that didn't show up on the leaderboards.
For example, the event featured 64,206 Regular Division bowlers, who averaged 175.7, while 21,461 Classified bowlers (180 average and below) averaged 157. Together, the whole field bowled 715, 822 games and knocked down 122,331,548 pins for a combined average of 170.9. The spare percentage for the 2007 event was 53.4, compared to 54.9 in 2006, 53.4 in 2005 and 53.2 in 2004, also in Reno. There were 513 clean sets in 2007.
On the way to a record doubles total (1,544) and the Regular Doubles title, first-time participant Jonathan Masur of West Orange, N.J., rolled one of the year's five 800 series (810), while Team USA member Bill Hoffman of Columbus, Ohio, rolled the 600th perfect game in tournament history on the way to an 801 series.
In all, there were 27 perfect games, 16 299s, nine 298s and 53 bowlers earned 11 in a row awards. Along with five 800s, there were 830 700 series rolled.
"We always enjoy going to Reno, and the turnout proves that the bowlers enjoy it too," said USBC Open Championships Tournament Director Brian Lewis. "It is another great year in the books, and now we will focus on matching that success in Albuquerque (N.M) in 2008."
Entries for the 2008 event are coming in at a steady pace, with nearly 10,000 teams already registered. Of course, there's still is plenty of time to enter, as the deadline to register isn't until Dec. 14, 2007. The event will run from Feb. 16, 2008 until June 28, 2008, unless extended.
The Open Championships trip to Albuquerque in 2000, also its first visit to New Mexico, attracted 10,688 teams, the then largest event ever held outside of Reno. Now, Baton Rouge, La., holds that distinction after 13,222 teams turned out in 2005.
Presenting sponsors for the 2007 USBC Open Championships were Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Sands Regency Casino and Hotel, official brackets sponsor and supporting sponsors Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa and Harrah's Casino and Hotel.
By Matt Cannizzaro USBC Communications