Thursday, May 5, 2011

The PBA Returns to Chicago with a Team Tourney


Bill “The Real Deal” O’Neill, who shot the men’s target score for this year’s Chicago Sun-Times "Beat The Champions" event, will be among 20 pro bowlers running out shots at 10Pin Bowling Lounge (330 North State Street, Chicago, IL 60654) during Memorial Day week.

O’Neill & Co. will be in town for the $180,000 “Geico PBA Team Shootout.” Four five-person teams will compete at the Marina City center May 31-June 1 for a $75,000 first prize after pro-ams May 29.

The Shootout is the first national Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) event held within the Chicago city limits since the long-gone Bowlium on North Sheridan Road hosted the 1963 Coca-Cola Open.

Tom Clark, deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the PBA, said this also would be the first time a modern “boutique-style” center welcomes the PBA.

“We’re signed, sealed and delivered and can’t wait to get to ­Chicago for this,” Clark said.

The pros will bowl on teams representing four of the major ball manufacturers. Points earned during round-robin qualifying will determine seeding for the Baker-game stepladder finals Sunday.

Unlike other PBA competitions, qualifying will include novelty ­formats such as “best ball” along with traditional team bowling.

The Shootout rounds will be ­videotaped and broadcast on ESPN as part of the “PBA Summer Series” ­beginning June 25.

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