U.S. Women's Open has successful debut on ESPN

GREENDALE, Wis. - Last Sunday, USBC High School spokesperson and former professional star Carolyn Dorin-Ballard was back to her winning ways on television, and while the win earned her the first of four finals spots at the U.S. Women's Open, a USBC event, it was a major victory for women's bowling too.

The telecast was the premiere of the five-part U.S. Women's Open series on ESPN, and the debut was a success with a household rating of .70.

More than 780,000 households tuned into ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday to see Dorin-Ballard defeat USBC Collegiate spokesperson Kim Terrell to advance to the Oct. 14 finals, which will be televised live from the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev. An additional 300,000 viewers watched the replay of the show on ESPN2 on Wednesday night.

"Gaining a number like this is a positive sign toward the future of bowling on TV and the future of women's pro bowling on TV," said USBC Vice President of Marketing/Communications Tom Clark. "Let's hope the momentum continues into the next four weeks, culminating with the Oct. 14 final."

The five U.S. Women's Open telecasts all will feature PBA Hall of Famers Nelson Burton Jr. and Marshall Holman in the broadcast booth, along with sideline help from USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan and visits from USBC Youth spokesperson Diandra Asbaty.

The first hour-long show included a feature about Dorin-Ballard and her role as the USBC High School spokesperson, an interview with USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger and coaching tips from USBC spokespeople Chris Barnes of the PBA and Chris Paul of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets. Each show will include different features, interviews and coaching tips.

The U.S. Women's Open series continues over the next four Sundays at 1 p.m. Eastern, and this week's show features Team USA member Shannon Pluhowsky against 11-time Professional Women's Bowling Association and 1996 U.S. Women's Open champion Liz Johnson, while former collegiate standout Missy Bellinder takes on defending U.S. Women's Open champion Kelly Kulick.

The 2007 U.S. Women's Open, a USBC event, is sponsored by Banquet, the Eldorado Hotel/Casino in Reno, Nev., the National Bowling Stadium and Kegel, the official lane maintenance provider for USBC.

By Matt Cannizzaro USBC Communications