Tip of the Month: Mental Checklist for the Approach

A good bowler must be relaxed to make precise shots. Check out this month’s tip from USBC Coaching to get a grip on your nerves and bowl your best.

To locate a USBC certified coach in your area, visit the USBC Coaching section of bowl.com and click on the "Find A Coach" feature or call (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3169.

Summer is USBC Sport Bowling Time

Summer isn’t just about barbecues, biking, hiking and vacations. Summer is USBC Sport Bowling time.

Short season Sport Bowling leagues form all over the country during the summer months because proprietors have empty lanes to fill and bowlers can experiment with new equipment and techniques to prepare for the next fall/winter season.

Many USBC members of all abilities are looking for new, exciting and challenging bowling experiences. They want to have fun and compete, but at the same time learn more and improve. More bowlers are realizing that Sport Bowling can give the competitive experience that they have been missing.  

Call (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3177 to find summer Sport Bowling leagues in your area. For more information about Sport Bowling, visit the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com.

Register Now for IBPSIA/Coaching Summit in Las Vegas

Registration is now open for the 16th annual International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association International Educational Conference and fourth annual Bowling Coaches Summit to be held June 25-27 in Las Vegas.

The 2006 event will be held at the Texas Station hotel-casino complex. A wide variety of the bowling industry's most educated speakers will present seminars covering strategies to strengthen individual coaching businesses, a better understanding of bowling ball technology and an update about important programs that will benefit coaches at all levels. You do not have to be a certified coach to attend.

This is the fourth year that a cooperative summit is being organized for adult, youth, high school and collegiate coaches, pro shop personnel and ball manufacturing representatives. The event is being sponsored by the United States Bowling Congress Coaching Program, IBPSIA, USBC Collegiate and USBC High School.

Enter the USBC Senior Masters

The best senior bowlers in the world will return to Reno, Nev., when the 2006 United States Bowling Congress Senior Masters is conducted at the National Bowling Stadium July 10-14. It will mark the first time the event has been held in Reno since 2001, and it is sponsored by the Eldorado Hotel Casino and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.

The USBC Senior Masters features PBA Senior professionals and non-professional USBC members age 50 and older who will compete for a projected $140,000 prize fund. Join them by calling (800) 514-2695, ext. 3415, or download the entry form.

While in Reno, stay at the Eldorado for a reduced hotel rate of $49.99 plus tax for July 9 – 13. This price is good for single or double occupancy; add $10 per person over double occupancy.

And if that’s not enough, the Eldorado is offering a special $5,000 prize fund for it's hotel guests who are the highest finishers who don’t cash in the USBC Senior Masters.

Limited rooms are available at the discounted rate. Place your reservation by the cut-off date of June 19, by calling USBC Housing at (800) 269-5885 - mention the 2006 USBC Senior Masters group block.

Contests Set for National Bowling Week

Three national contests sponsored by USBC and the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America will help launch a spectacular celebration of National Bowling Week set for Aug. 26 - Sept. 1.

National Bowling Week also will feature bowling clinics, equipment checks, a youth bowling blast-off and more. Check bowl.com often for updates.

National Bowling Art and National Bowling Photography Contests feature divisions for youth, amateur adults and professional artists. The subject matter of all entries must be bowling-related and will be accepted June 1 through Aug. 1.

The National Bowling Essay Contest encourages writers to share their best bowling moment or describe how bowling has positively impacted their lives. All youth 17 years or younger may enter and there also will be a separate division for adults who are USBC members. Teachers will be encouraged to incorporate the essay contest in their lesson plans this spring. Entries will be accepted through July 1.

Download contest rules and application forms

• National Bowling Art and National Bowling Photography Contest
• National Bowling Essay Contest

National contest winners will be recognized during National Bowling Week. Adult winners will receive cash prizes; youth winners will receive scholarship awards. Winning art, photos and essays will be featured in USBC and BPAA publications.

Champions Crowned at USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships

With help from their key players in the final frame, the Lindenwood women and Saginaw Valley State men claimed national championships recently at the 2006 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships.

Both teams swept their opponents in the best-of-three Baker games championship match. The Lions defeated Central Florida 194-168 and 192-191 while the Cardinals took care of Newman 201-189 and 176-174.

The USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships is the pinnacle event of the college bowling season and featured the top teams in the country vying for national titles at The Cherry Bowl in Rockford, Ill.

Fairleigh Dickinson Captures First NCAA Bowling Title

Paced by seniors Kristina Szalay and Lisa Friscioni, Fairleigh Dickson capped its three-year rise through the ranks of collegiate bowling by capturing its first NCAA Women's Bowling crown by defeating Alabama A&M 4-1 at Emerald Lanes in Houston. The 2006 NCAA Bowling Championships were hosted by Prairie View A&M and the Harris County Houston Sports Authority.

"It feels like a child that has finally grown up," Knights Head Coach Mike LoPresti said "These (Kristina Szalay and Lisa Friscioni) were my first two recruits and to make it this far and win the whole thing in four years is poetic justice.”

"Bowling With The Stars" Charity Event

With popular television shows such as “Skating with Celebrities” and “Dancing with the Stars,” could a similar formula work for bowling?

After a positive reception from rising young celebrities and Los Angeles-area bowling fans, the United States Bowling Congress Bowling with the Stars charity event held on May 8 could be the start of something big.

Some of Hollywood’s popular young television and movie stars teamed up with three top woman bowlers in a Baker format competition to benefit USBC’s Bowl for the Cure®, a fund-raising initiative in partnership with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The event was held at Corbin Bowl in Tarzana, Calif.

Former Professional Women’s Bowling Association stars competing were Kim Terrell and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard along with amateur standout Diandra Asbaty. All will be contenders for the title at the 2006 USBC Queens - the only major event in women’s bowling - to be conducted June 17-21 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.

Enter the USBC Queens/Senior Queens

Compete in the $200,000 USBC Queens presented by Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus, which will be conducted June 17-21 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.

The USBC Queens’ $200,000 prize fund is guaranteed, with the top prize of $30,000 going to the winner. Each bowler qualifying for match play will earn a minimum of $1,200. The top 100 places, including ties, will receive prize money. The finals are scheduled to be televised nationally.

Are you a female USBC member age 50 or over? Then enter the USBC Senior Queens, sponsored by Storm, taking place at the same time as the USBC Queens at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno.

Because of the unique qualifying and double-elimination match play format, every woman has a legitimate chance to become the USBC Senior Queens champion.

Visit bowl.com or call (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3173 for more information on either tournament.

USBC Youth Bowling Opportunities

The February issue of US e-Bowler announced the addition of Ally, Scratch and Coach D to the USBC Youth team. Look for this fun, new group to be featured in a pull-out poster in this month's issue of US Youth Bowler, the USBC youth member magazine. Now is the perfect time to sign up a child you know to become a USBC Youth member and join in the fun. Also, encourage youth members to participate in these exciting tournaments where they can receive scholarships and national titles:

USBC Junior Gold Championships USBC Junior Gold program members can compete in exclusive events with the chance to win thousands of dollars in scholarships throughout the season, including more than $50,000 at the USBC Junior Gold Championships. More than 1,300 athletes annually participate in this premier national competition for Junior Gold bowlers. The event, contested on USBC Sport Bowling lane conditions, features the best North American and international youth bowlers competing for college scholarships, individual national titles and berths on USBC Junior Team USA. A complimentary USBC Sport Bowling membership upgrade and the special Gold Approach insert in US Youth Bowler magaine are included for USBC Junior Gold program members. Pepsi USBC Youth Championships This tournament is an opportunity for youth to become involved in a premier international tournament. Youth members compete in league qualifying competitions in both scratch and handicap divisions in order to move on to the international finals. The Pepsi USBC Youth Championships has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships through the Scholarship Funds Program and the international finals. An estimated $300,000 in scholarships will be awarded this season through state/zone competitions. The NEW USBC Youth Open Championships For the first time, USBC Youth members can compete for scholarships and national titles against other youth bowlers in a non-qualifying setting - they can even bring friends and family who are USBC Youth members to bowl with them! With a format that includes singles, doubles, four-person teams and all-events competitions, there’s something for everybody to enjoy when this new event debuts in 2007. More information

USBC Convention Complete in Orlando, Fla.

Attendees at the inaugural United States Bowling Congress Convention spoke with their hearts and their heads at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

The nearly 1.700 in attendance took part in the glow stick ceremony that highlighted the Meet for the Cure® celebration for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. That culminated when breast cancer survivors Diane Bower, Easton, Pa., and Betty Knott, Columbus, Ohio, brought to the stage a symbolic check for $656,500 - the amount raised this season in USBC leagues, tournaments and special events around the country. That brings the six-year total for the Bowl for the Cure program to nearly $4.5 million.

The 1,302 voting delegates approved 16 amendments, rejected four and referred one back to committee. All 21 amendments dealt with general playing, league and tournament rules. The 2007 USBC Convention in Nashville, Tenn., will include voting on five USBC Board of Directors positions and any bylaws amendments submitted by Sept. 1.

Future Focus will be on Changes for USBC and Bowling

Dramatic philosophic changes are needed in the United States Bowling Congress and bowling overall to give the sport a chance to grow. That was the message delivered loud and clear by leaders of the organization during the first day of the USBC Annual Meeting at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Presentations by President Michael Carroll, Strategic Planning Chair Darlene Baker and Chief Executive Officer Roger Dalkin all focused on the future. The 1,700 audience members now should have a clear picture of USBC's goals and expectations for the next several years.

"Our board's goal is to make USBC a successful organization, and folks, that takes commitment not only in actions by our board, but a financial commitment from our membership and those who want to be part of a vibrant organization," said Carroll. "USBC, in order to be prosperous and grow the sport for bowlers, needs that financial leverage to investigate, study and put in place programs and services that have significant meaning to membership and engages recognition in the sporting world not only of today, but tomorrow."

Bowlers raise $656,500 to Fight Breast Cancer with Komen Foundation

Bowlers nationwide rallied their families, friends and communities to raise $656,500 this season for the fight against breast cancer, bringing the Bowl for the Cure® program's six-year total to nearly $4.5 million.

During the inaugural United States Bowling Congress Convention in Orlando, Fla., on April 22, bowlers and breast cancer survivors Diane Bower, Easton, Pa.; and Betty Knott, Columbus, Ohio, presented a check to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation representatives.

"It is the commitment and teamwork of the USBC and the bowling communities that have made this program such an outstanding success," said Cindy Schneible, Komen Foundation vice president of cause related marketing and sponsorship. "You bowl for each other and you bowl for people everywhere who have been touched by breast cancer. You are making a difference in the world."

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Initial Lane Oil Conditions

There are three basic types of lane conditions - oily, medium and dry - and basic patterns of oil application. While we have discussed the lane conditions in general terms, there are many variations for each of them.

Each condition may require some adjustments from where you normally stand and aim to compensate for differing amounts of hook.

Let’s look at some basic lane conditions to understand how they affect the way your ball reacts.

Dry lanes: Lower amounts, or absence, of lane dressing on the lane surface constitutes dry lanes. A dry lane increases the friction between the ball surface and the lane, resulting in a ball that hooks earlier or more than expected.

Medium lanes: If there is a medium amount of dressing on the lane, small adjustments may still be necessary. This lane condition will be familiar to you and you should not need to adjust your target or delivery very much.

Oily lanes: An abundance of lane dressing on the lane surface characterizes oily lanes. Sometimes oily lanes are referred to as being “wet.” The presence of lane oil reduces the amount of friction between the ball and lane surface. This reduction in friction results in less or later hook. Balls on this surface react very late, if at all.

Enter the USBC/Storm Mixed Team Challenge

The 2006 USBC/Storm Mixed Team Challenge series features 14 events across the country from January through May and offers four-player handicap team competition for bowlers of all abilities.

Only two tournaments are left:

• May 20, Indianapolis – Western Bowl
• May 21, Cincinnati – AMF King Pin Lanes

All USBC adult members are eligible to compete except Denny's PBA Tour exempt players. Each event features its own prize fund (estimated at $8,400 based on 40 entries) and bowlers also can enter brackets and other side events.

For more information, contact:
Tom Boedecker
(800) 514-2695 ext. 3415
Tom.Boedecker@bowl.com

USBC Women’s Championships Update

The USBC Women’s Championships, presented by Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus, are now taking place, with the world’s largest participatory sporting event for women running until July 2 in Reno, Nev. Nearly 55,000 women are competing at the National Bowling Stadium for their share of more than $2.5 million in prize money. See all the latest updates here, including current standings, prize fund updates and other tournament news.

Missed this year’s tournament or want to bowl next year in The Queen City of Charlotte, N.C.? Visit USBCwomenschampionships.com and download the entry form; reservations will be open soon.

USBC Open Championships Update

The USBC Open Championships, sponsored by Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus, are almost complete, with less than two months to go! This year’s tournament currently is running in Corpus Christi, Texas, until July 3. The event is the second-largest ever outside of Reno, Nev., and features a prize fund of more than $4.5 million. Check USBCOpen.com for the most up-to-date tournament information, including current standings, prize fund updates and the tournament’s live Web cams.

Missed this year’s tournament or want to sign up for next year? You’re in luck - the 2007 USBC Open Championships are taking reservations. The online reservation service is available now on bowl.com. If you bowled in the 2006 USBC Open Championships and did not meet the March 1 deadline to make a reservation, your date might still be available. Please give the tournament reservation staff a call at (877) 539-7930 and book your trip today.

Bowling Shootout Postponed

The $250,000 Bowling Shootout has been postponed. For more information visit bowlingshootout.com or call (310) 829-4800.