USBC/Storm Bowlers Journal Championships receiving record entries in 2006
By Matt Cannizzaro and David Ellis USBC Communications
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - For 60 years now, the USBC/Storm Bowlers Journal Championships has been held in conjunction with the USBC Open Championships.
The Bowlers Journal, presented by the Professional Bowlers Association, offers a challenging lane condition, which is determined by the same crew that maintains the lanes at the Open Championships. The tournament is used by many bowlers as a warm up for the main event, or as a secondary opportunity to get their competitive juices flowing.
The event is being held at nearby AMF Saratoga Lanes until July 3, and its new four-game format and variety of jackpots have the entries coming in at a record pace. Total entries are up 19.9 percent from the 2005 tournament in Baton Rouge, La., and are 14.2 percent higher than Reno, Nev., in 2004.
"The Bowlers Journal has a new look this year, and the bowlers are really taking to the new features," USBC Chief Tournament Officer Roseann Kuhn said. "The tournament is an important complement to the Open Championships experience, and we're proud of its continued growth."
With a new Dual Entry option, bowlers can get more for their time and money, as they use the same four-game score toward singles and doubles. The return of the Instant Payback feature adds some extra motivation for competitors, who will receive prize money on-site if they reach one of the posted target scores.
Also, the addition of a Strike Jackpot, Clean 40 Jackpot and 300 Game Jackpot give bowlers more opportunities to take home some extra prize money. Each jackpot is projected to pay more than $10,000.
So far, three bowlers have been clean in all 40 frames and will share the purse, while three bowlers have stuck in 11 of 12 frames necessary to claim the Strike Jackpot. If no one hits all 12, the three will split the pot. Paul Banovic of Burr Ridge, Ill., is the only bowler entered in the 300 Game Jackpot to roll a perfect game, so if the feat is not matched, he will take home the entire amount.
"We are expecting more than 6,400 entries this year, and we have even more improvements in mind for next year's event in Reno, Nev.," Kuhn said. "Hopefully the bowlers will continue to come out and enjoy what the tournament has to offer."
Presenting sponsors for the 2006 USBC Open Championships are Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Texas State Aquarium, Majestic Ventures Yacht Charters, Inc., USS Lexington Museum and Texas Treasure Casino Cruises.
For more information on the USBC Open Championships, visit USBCOpen.com.