USBC Women's and Open Championships in Las Vegas, Baby

United States Bowling Congress News: South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), Las Vegas Events (LVE) and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) have announced a 12-year deal to host several annual USBC events, including the USBC Open Championships and USBC Women's Championships, both citywide, and inside a new, $30 million bowling tournament facility at South Point starting in 2013.

Over the course of the agreement, USBC will host seven Championship events inside South Point's new bowling tournament facility, including the USBC Women's Championships in 2016, 2020 and 2022 and the USBC Open Championships in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023.

There also will be more than 40 additional tournaments, conventions and short-duration events held throughout Las Vegas during the agreement, including events such as the USBC Masters, USBC Queens, USBC Senior Masters and USBC Team USA Trials. "Las Vegas is excited to continue a partnership with the United States Bowling Congress that began four decades ago when we hosted the USBC Women's Championships," said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

"We look forward to strengthening the partnership over the next decade and becoming the premier destination for USBC events."

The USBC, LVE and LVCVA are partnering with South Point to enhance this new agreement by building a permanent, world-class bowling tournament facility at one of Las Vegas' premier bowling destinations.

Construction of the new arena at South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa will commence in May 2013. South Point's current bowling center, which will still continue operations, is already a world-renowned facility that annually hosts top professional and amateur events, including the Professional Bowlers Association's World Series of Bowling.
The new tournament facility will include more than 60 lanes featuring the latest bowling technology, tournament registration area, squad room, locker area and more.

With participation estimates for the seven Championship events taken into account, event organizers estimate that 27 percent of attendees will have the ability to stay at the South Point, while the remaining 73 percent will occupy rooms throughout the city during events held for the duration of this agreement.

"We are extremely excited about our partnership with the USBC and South Point Hotel and Casino," said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events.

"This would not have been possible without the commitment from Michael Gaughan to build a state-of-the-art bowling venue and the USBC's commitment to host an unprecedented number of its events in Las Vegas."

In 2009, the 106th USBC Open Championships, held at Cashman Center in Las Vegas, ran for a record 154 consecutive days with a capacity total of 17,200 teams competing from Feb. 21 to July 24, 2009.

The total estimated attendance for bowling participants and their travel parties was 292,750 with an average room stay of 4.3 nights and a non-gaming economic impact of more than $120 million.

Las Vegas also hosted the USBC Open Championships in 1986. The USBC Women's Championships previously was held in Las Vegas in 1973 and 1983, attracting 9,644 and 14,430 teams, respectively.

"The creation of a new bowling arena as part of a Las Vegas casino will be an amazing experience for our bowlers to enjoy," USBC Executive Director Stu Upson said.

"This agreement required tremendous public and private support in order to come together. We look forward to seeing the construction of a great venue that will be a source of pride for the entire bowling industry."

AMF Introduces The Incinerate in May

This ball is all about MAXIMUM HOOK! AMF Incinerate wraps a symmetric core shape with their strongest cover ever (F90) in Black with Blue Shimmer. The AMF Incinerate is finished with the NEAT system E pad (1,500 grit).

In balls weighing 15 pounds the Radius of Gyration (RG) is 2.49, while RG differential is .050.

World Wide Release Date is May 15th, 2013.

Bob Learn Overcomes a Strong Field to Win PBA50 Pasco County Suncoast Open Benefiting Wounded Warriors

Overcoming a back injury suffered in qualifying, Bob Learn Jr. of Erie, PA, won the
PBA50 Pasco County Suncoast Open Benefiting Wounded Warriors Wednesday at Lane Glo Bowl for his second career PBA50 Tour title.

In the first tournament of the 2013 PBA50 Tour (formerly Senior Tour) season, Learn defeated PBA Hall of Famer Wayne Webb of Columbus, Ohio, 226-206, in the championship match.

Learn, also a five-time PBA Tour winner, injured his back when he slipped slightly on his approach during the fourth frame of the first game of Tuesday’s second round of qualifying which caused a sprain in his lower back. He managed to struggle through the rest of the round but didn’t know how long he would last.

With the help of Gulf Coast Spinal Center, one of the tournament’s sponsors, Learn was able get treatment on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning to at least make an effort to bowl in Wednesday’s match play.

“I thought I might have to withdraw after a couple games in the second round of qualifying but I managed to struggle through it,” said the 51-year-old Learn. “The treatment helped to the point where I felt good enough to at least start match play but I had no idea how far I could go after that. The expectation was not to win but maybe make it through a match or two.

“I felt about 20 percent yesterday but felt about 80 percent today,” said Learn, who had to win five matches to get to the championship match.

“I was actually getting better as the day went on and was probably in my best shape when I had some of my toughest matches toward the end of the day.”

One of those matches was the semifinal where Learn defeated Hall of Famer and reigning PBA50 Player of the Year Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, FL, 229-216, to advance to the championship match.

Webb, who was trying to win his sixth PBA50 Tour title, defeated Tim Kauble of Marion, Ohio, in the other semifinal match, 245-206.

Woman amateur standout Lucy Sandelin of Tampa, who qualified third, was eliminated in the Round of 16, losing to Mike Dias of Lafayette, CO, 3 games to 1.

The United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer was making a bid to become the first woman to win a PBA50 Tour tournament.

The next stop for the PBA50 Tour will be The Villages, FL, for the PBA50 Sun Bowl In The Villages presented by Hammer April 20-23.

Monacelli Leading After Round 2 of PBA50 Pasco County Suncoast Open Benefiting Wounded Warriors

Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Hall of Famer Amleto Monacelli retained his lead in the PBA50 Pasco County Suncoast Open benefiting Wounded Warriors after Tuesday’s second round but standout woman amateur Lucy Sandelin of Tampa made a statement by finishing qualifying in third.

Monacelli, the 2012 PBA50 Senior Rookie of the Year, finished qualifying with a 3,819 16-game pinfall total (238.6 average) to outdistance PBA Hall of Famer and four-time PBA50 Player of the Year Tom Baker by 117 pins who was second with 3,702.

In Monacelli’s second eight-game round Tuesday, he bowled games of 276, 269,
245, 255, 239, 235, 181 and 266. He leads a field of 40 players who advanced to Wednesday’s match play rounds.

“Overall I’m bowling real well and I feel good,” said Monacelli, who won the
2012 Senior U.S. Open and is a 19-time PBA Tour champion. “My whole life I’ve worked hard to stay in shape and combine that with the right amount of practice which is working well for me now."

“Another thing that is working well for me is to not wasting time making a
change whether it be with my equipment or with ball speed and where to play on the lane,” he added.

Sandelin, a member of the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame, qualified third with a 3,651 pinfall total (228.1 average) and will be hoping to add another chapter to Professional Bowlers Association history as she tries to become the first woman to win a PBA50 Tour (formerly known as PBA Senior Tour) tournament. She had games of 236, 224, 211, 242, 216, 257, 258 and 214 in the second round.

Her job will be made easier as she earned byes for three match play rounds as a
result of finishing in the top eight in qualifying.

“When I entered the tournament I was hoping to make match play because I
thought, hey, I can make it to the top 40,” said Sandelin, who was the 1996
women’s national amateur champion and United States Olympic Committee Athlete of the Year for bowling in 1992 and 1996. “But then as qualifying went on I was bowling better and I thought maybe I can make the top 30 or top 20 but here I am in the top eight."

“One thing that really helped today was I studied my equipment and knew when I needed to throw which ball,” the 10-time Team USA member added. “I wasn’t having to fish for what balls would work during the second block. Heading into match play I need to continue to be smart about my equipment and just stay in the moment.”

Sandelin is trying to become the first woman to win a PBA50 Tour tournament. The highest finishes by women in a PBA50 event are ninth by Linda Kelly in the 2006 Senior Decatur Open and Robin Romeo who finished 22nd in the 2007 USBC Senior Masters.
Kelly Kulick of Union, NJ became the only woman to win a PBA Tour event when she won the PBA Tournament of Champions in 2010.

PBA’s online bowling channel Xtra Frame is providing start to finish coverage

of the Pasco County Suncoast Open. For subscription and schedule information visit the pba.com homepage and click on the Xtra Frame logo.

Match play continues all day Wednesday with championship rounds scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET.

PBA50 PASCO COUNTY SUNCOAST OPEN BENEFITING WOUNDED WARRIORS  Lane Glo Bowl, New Port Richey, Fla., Tuesday

Second Round Qualifying (after 16 games)
Top 40 advance to match play
a-amateur, s-super seniors out of the regular prize list cashing for $700

1, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 3,819.
2, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 3,702.
3, a-Lucy Sandelin, Tampa, Fla., 3,651.
4, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp, Mich., 3,629.
5, Kenny Parks, Hammond, Ind., 3,579.
6, Don Blatchford, Santa Monica, Calif., 3,560.
7, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 3,554.
8, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 3,548.
9, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 3,544.
10, John Petraglia, Jackson, N.J., 3,540.
11, Wayne Webb, Columbus, Ohio, 3,539.
12, Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 3,506.
13, John Shreve Sr., Elyria, Ohio, 3,475.
14, a-Widmar Vargas, Riverview, Fla., 3,465.
15, Bo Goergen, Sanford, Mich., 3,457.
16, Peter Knopp, Germany, 3,445.
17, Ron Mohr, Eagle River, Alaska, 3,442.
18, Nick Morgan, Sacramento, Calif., 3,439.
19, Mike Dias, Lafayette, Colo., 3,386.
20, Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 3,375.
21, Dave Bernhardt, Romeo, Mich., 3,365.
22, Joel Carlson, Omaha, Neb., 3,358.
23, Timothy Kauble, Marion, Ohio, 3,356.
24, Steve Neff, Homosassa Springs, Fla., 3,351.
25, Dale Eagle, Tavares, Fla., 3,349.
26, William Peters, Dayton, Ohio, 3,347.
27, a-Larry Barwick, Wauchula, Fla., 3,346.
28, Tom Carter, Rockford, Ill., 3,327.
29, Michael Henry, Brunswick, Ohio, 3,324.
30, Robert Harvey, Boise, Idaho, 3,316.
31, Bob Brady, Santa Monica, Calif., 3,300.
32, Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 3,292.
33, Dennis Rakauskas, Apopka, Fla., 3,284.
34, Doug O'Bryant, Jasper, Ga., 3,270.
35, Tom Howison, Chillicothe, Ohio, 3,265.
36, Marc Lineberry, Camanche, Iowa, 3,264.
37, Steve Ferraro, Kingston, N.Y., 3,262.
38, (TIE) Todd Kjell, Roscoe, Ill., and Joe Scarborough, Mars Hill, N.C., 3,260.
40, Guppy Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 3,254.

FAILED TO ADVANCE
41, a-Duane Podgorski, Lakeland, Fla., 3,250
42, (TIE) Randy Robertson, Evansville, Ind., s-Frank Gallo Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 3,231, $700
44, David Zelger, Red Lion, Pa., 3,227.
45, s-Bob Kelly, Dayton, Ohio, 3,226, $700.
46, Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 3,224.
47, s-Bill Henson, Westerville, Ohio, 3,223, $700.
48, (TIE) Lee Rucker, Fort Myers, Fla., and Michael Owen, Gainesville, Fla., 3,209
50, Jeffrey Herman, Bonaire, Ga., 3,208.
51, a-Jeffery Roberson, Land O'Lakes, Fla., 3,206.
52, Kevin Foley, Reno, Nev., 3,189.
53, (TIE)a-Edgar Gomez, Colombia, and Ron Dixon, Boynton Beach, Fla., 3,185.
55, s-Rick Minier, Houston, Texas, 3,179, $700.
56, (TIE) Christopher Keane, New City, N.Y., and s-Thomas Ream, Tampa, Fla., 3,178, $700.
58, Gary Morgan, Marietta, Ga., 3,166.
59, Tom Kennedy, Shepherdsville, Ky., 3,165.
60, s-Lee Brosius, Ashburn, Va., 3,164, $700.
61, a,s-Robert Morrison, New Port Richey, Fla., 3,161, $700.
62, (TIE) Ted Staikoff, Black Hawk, S.D., a-Patrick Trudeau, St. Petersburg, Fla., 3,158.
64, Wayne Bolin, Lumberton, N.C., 3,154.
65, s-Nick Panicaro, Ocala, Fla., 3,142, $700
66, Henry Gonzalez, Colorado Springs, Colo., 3,139.
67, Sal Bongiorno, Hollywood, Fla., 3,134.
68, Richard Esposito, Clearwater, Fla., 3,129.
69, Vince Mazzanti Jr., Levittown, Pa., 3,128.
70, Bob Handley, Winter Park, Fla., 3,127.
71, Dan Ahlquist, Sweden, 3,118.
72, Leif Sjoberg, Sweden, 3,095.
73, Ed Cutter, Manassas Park, Va., 3,088.
74, a-Philip Frey, Lutz, Fla., 3,087.
75, Ron Woods, Hudson, Fla., 3,084.
76, Larry Graybeal, Elizabethton, Tenn., 3,056.
77, Don Sylvia, Lady Lake, FL, 3,048.
78, Dale Lee, Brandon, Fla., 3,044.
79, Ken Waters, Kingsport, Tenn., 3,042.
80, Bill McCorkle, Westerville, Ohio, 3,038.
81, Chuck Gardner, Charlotte, N.C., 3,037.
82, Dave Sill, Titusville, Fla., 3,034.
83, Keith Glasgow, St. Petersburg, Fla., 3,024.
84, Michael Truitt, Orland Park, Ill., 3,022.
85, (TIE) Paul Lemond, Jasper, Ind, and Andy Ippolito, Forest Hills, N.Y., 3,012.
87, William Keenan, Jr., Orlando, Fla., 3,000.
88, (TIE) Mark Scime, Winter Garden, Fla., and Brian Cooper, Visalia, Calif., 2,995.
90, Garry Blanton, Owensboro, Ky., 2,988.
91, Peter Brainard, Tampa, Fla., 2,985.
92, Bob Chamberlain, The Villages, Fla., 2,968.
93, a-Dave Titer, Land O' Lakes, Fla., 2,958.
94, Ron Glick, Morganville, N.J., 2,947.
95, John Younger, Ledyard, Conn., 2,940.
96, Sam Perrotta, Lincoln Park, N.J., 2,934.
97, Timothy Bates, Orlando, Fla., 2,932.
98, Dave Schultz, Jackson, Wis., 2,925.
99, a-Donald Helsel, Tampa, Fla., 2,920.
100, Tommy King, Oakdale, N.Y., 2,909.
101, Danny Gould, Palm Bay, Fla, 2,908.
102, Patsy DellaPenna, Palm Harbor, Fla., 2,907.
103, Steven Boxerman, University City, Mo., 2,903.
104, Daniel Miner, East Moline, Ill., 2,900.
105, Steve Stein, Staten Island, N.Y., 2,899.
106, a-Nicholas Crisafulli, Tarpon Springs, Fla., 2,857.
107, Don Michaelsen Sr., Plant City, Fla., 2,855.
108, Bob Pazur, Venice, Fla, 2,844.
109, Douglas Weese, Carson City, Mich., 2,838.
110, Larry Montgomery, Safety Harbor, Fla., 2,837.
111, Jim Heintz, St. Charles, Mo., 2,801.
112, George Lord, Lakeland, Fla., 2,779.
113, Dan Howsmon, Lutz, Fla., 2,775.
114, Bob Andersen, Forest City, N.C., 2,770.
115, Steve Bova, Massapequa, N.Y., 2,760.
116, Stephen Lippman, Palm Harbor, Fla., 2,749.
117, Lindell Woolard, Tallahassee, Fla., 2,718.
118, Dennis Amato, Pine Brook, N.J., 2,704.
119, Ray Randall, Dearborn, Mich., 2,585.
120, a-Rolando Sebelen, Dominican Republic, 2,490.

 300 Games, 1 - Todd Kjell

Brunswick to Add 4 to Entry Level Ball Line

Brunswick announces the new Strike King, a ball in four color combinations being added to it’s entry level product line. The SK13 reactive coverstock is Brunswick’s newest formulation for a low friction veneer with a High Gloss box finish (500 Siaair Micro Pad; Rough Buff; High Gloss Polish).

SK13 formula is described as a less aggressive reactive coverstock that easily projects down the lane without making the coverstock highly sensitive to the dry and oily parts of the lane.

The new Strike King symmetrical core features a single density light bulb shape design. This core design promotes skid through the front and mid-lane with flip on the backend. Additional benefits from Brunswick: “to make a great ball for entry level bowlers, rev dominant and slower ball speed players on light oil conditions.

Hammer True Blood Spare Ball Arrives in May

Like the predecessor Taboo Spare from Hammer, the Hammer True Blood is a polyester coverstock. With Blood Red/Black/White poly cover and the First Blood core, the design intention is for "Super Dry" lanes. The True Blood factory finish is 800, 800, 1000, 2000 Abralon® w/ Powerhouse Factory Finish Polish. World Wide Release Date: 5/7/13

Dave Ryan and Randy Pederson to Team Up for GEICO PBA Summer Swing

from Bill Vint 

Veteran Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) announcer Dave Ryan returns as play-by-play announcer for the PBA, partnering with color analyst Randy Pedersen, for the five-event GEICO PBA Summer Swing series on CBS Sports Network.

Ryan, who served as Voice of the PBA for five years (2002-07), joined CBS Sports Network in 2009 and has spent the past four years covering college football, basketball and baseball, college and professional lacrosse, as well as professional tennis.

“It’s been awhile since I’ve done PBA coverage, but I’m really looking forward to it,” Ryan said. “I joined CBS Sports Network in 2009 and it’s been great. I’ve done a lot of events for CBS. I’ve pretty much had the same role I had with ESPN, but with a different network.

“I’m thrilled, really excited. I miss being around the guys, and I’m particularly excited to work with Randy again. We’re good friends. I’ve been following the PBA since I left,” he added.

Ryan is a graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in broadcast journalism.

Pedersen, a 13-time PBA Tour champion and 2011 PBA Hall of Fame inductee, is currently in his 12th season as color analyst for PBA Tour telecasts.

“Dave called me and started singing, ‘Reunited.’ I didn’t know what he was talking about until then, but it was great news,” Pedersen said. “Dave Ryan is a great guy, a friend and he’s a real professional. It’ll be great to work with him again. I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a lot of fun.”

The GEICO PBA Summer Swing will feature five two-hour telecasts on CBS Sports Network – the Badger, Wolf and Bear Opens, the Milwaukee Open and the GEICO Summer King of the Swing – which will air on consecutive Tuesdays at 7 p.m. ET beginning June 11.

The GEICO PBA Summer Swing will be held at three different Milwaukee area bowling centers – AMF Waukesha, AMF West and AMF Bowlero – May 20-June 2. PBA’s online bowling channel, Xtra Frame, will provide wall-to-wall coverage of all preliminary rounds of the Summer Swing. For subscription information, visit pba.com and click on the Xtra Frame logo.