Final entry numbers in for 2008 USBC Open Championships
By Matt Cannizzaro USBC Communications
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - In less than a month, the 2008 USBC Open Championships will begin its 143-day run as the Albuquerque Convention Center opens its doors to welcome the first of 12,615 teams.
A late rush of entries heading into the Jan. 18 deadline helped this year's event earn its place in history as the second largest USBC Open Championships held outside of the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. Only the 2005 event in Baton Rouge, La., attracted more teams with 13,222.
The 2008 Open Championships will be the seventh largest in 105 years of competition. The largest turnout in history was 17,285 teams in 1995 when the 78-lane National Bowling Stadium hosted the event for the first time.
"It's great to see this tournament continue to grow, and this year's numbers prove how much the bowlers enjoy the competition and the chance to come to great cities like Albuquerque," USBC Vice President of Membership/Tournament Services Jack Mordini said. "And even though we've been to Albuquerque once before, a lot has changed in eight years, so there will be something new for each bowler to experience."
The tournament's inaugural trip to New Mexico and Albuquerque in 2000 attracted 10,688 five-player teams, approximately 54,000 bowlers.
This time around, more than 63,000 bowlers will make the journey to the Land of Enchantment to compete for more than $5 million in prize money. The event officially kicks off on Feb. 16 and will run from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily until July 7.
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR TO APPEAR ON PHANTOM RADIO
USBC Open Championships Tournament Director Brian Lewis is scheduled to appear on Phantom Radio on Wednesday, Jan. 30.
Phantom Radio is a weekly Internet radio show that often features some of the bowling's most notable and recognizable pioneers, players, officials and dignitaries to discuss the sport from all angles.
Lewis and The Phantom will talk about the Open Championships and its storied history as well as the progress of preparations for this year's event.