Tip of the Month: Eliminating Corner Pins

You just rolled a great shot that hooked into the pocket, but you left a corner pin standing. Sometimes what may have appeared to be a perfect shot didn’t hit quite so perfectly. Find out why this happens and how you can correct this common problem . For more information on adjustments, see the the coaching tips page.

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.

The Difference

USBC Women’s Challenge Champion Crowned

Complete Women’s Challenge Coverage
GEICO Watch & Win
Check out the event photos

Cara Honeychurch of Melbourne, Australia, proved why she's still one of the best bowlers in the world as she struck on the first shot of her final frame to defeat Colombia's Clara Guerrero 235-225 in the championship match of the USBC Women's Challenge.

The accomplished left-hander and eight-time Professional Women's Bowling Association titlist hasn't bowled much since the PWBA ceased operations in 2003, but averaged more than 234 in four victories on the way to the title and $25,000 top prize.

In the Oct. 9 semifinal, Honeychurch topped 26-time PWBA titlist Leanne Barrette of Elk Grove, Calif., 232-156 to advance to the championship match. But because she is now a wife and a mother, the Women's Challenge could be the final title of her career.

"I haven't thrown a ball competitively in three years, so no one is more surprised about this win than me," said Honeychurch, who was the PWBA Rookie of the Year in 2000. "I tried not to focus on the outcome and took it one shot at a time. I am satisfied with what I've accomplished in my career and to be able to leave on a good note is fantastic."

Watch the USBC Masters live Oct. 29 on ESPN

The U.S. portion of the Denny’s PBA Tour kicks off in grand style with the first major of the 2006-07 season when the USBC Masters returns to Milwaukee Oct. 24-29. Don’t miss the ESPN finals telecast on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. Eastern.

If you want to attend the Masters in person, tickets are still available for $20 general admission and may be purchased by calling (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3283.

As a major on the Denny's PBA Tour, an expected field of more than 450 of the world’s top professional and amateur bowlers will compete for a $350,000 prize fund and $100,000 first prize.

There are many compelling story lines surrounding this year’s Masters. Kelly Kulick debuts as the first and only woman to qualify for the PBA exempt tour and Walter Ray Williams Jr., who set the all-time tour title mark by winning his 42nd title in Japan Sept. 24, will be trying for his second Masters title.

In addition to the exciting bowling action on Oct. 29, every ticket purchased for the Masters finals will include a FREE ticket to USBC Bowlfest ($10 value) held 6-9 p.m. the night before the TV finals at State Fair Park’s Wisconsin Exposition Center. All fans will have the opportunity to bowl on the TV finals championship lanes for a charitable donation. Among the attractions planned for Bowlfest are a PBA stars trick-shot exhibition, live music, a Team USA match and Legends and Ladies match featuring Marshall Holman, Kim Terrell, Carmen Salvino and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard..

Unlocking the Cage...Unleashing the Experience

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Show Your Passion, Share the Promise - Wear Pink Any Day in October! You choose the date. You choose the outfit. You make the difference. An exciting new program of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation inspired by the passion and creativity of its supporters, Passionately Pink for the Cure™ kicked off at the start of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Participants can pick any day in October, make a $5 or more personal contribution to the Komen Foundation and wear pink to share the promise of finding a cure.

The program encourages companies, schools and organizations to take that promise, make it their own, and make a difference by supporting breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.

Don’t forget to also show your support for the fight against breast cancer with Bowl for the Cure® merchandise from USBC and start planning now for Bowl for the Cure® month in February.

Last Chance: USBC Award Recognition Nominations Due Nov. 1

Nominations for USBC awards recognizing people who have made important contributions to bowling at different levels will be accepted until Nov. 1.

Recipients of the USBC Joyce Deitch Trailblazer Award, USBC Helen Baker Outstanding Association Service Award and USBC Proprietor of the Year Award will be announced in November. They will be honored March 30 during the 2007 USBC Convention in Nashville, Tenn.

The Joyce Deitch Trailblazer Award, named for the seventh Women’s International Bowling Congress' president, honors organizations and individuals who have made important contributions to bowling by being motivators, visionaries, leaders and inventors. The Helen Baker Outstanding Association Service Award is given in honor of WIBC’s fifth president and recognizes an outstanding bowling leader who has made invaluable contributions to local and state associations as an innovator, creator and mentor. The Proprietor of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding bowling center proprietor for his or her enthusiastic support of local and state bowling associations and of national programs.

Nomination forms are available on bowl.com. Individuals may nominate others or themselves. For more information, call (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3159.

Denny’s PBA Tour News

See Walter Ray win No. 42!

Fans will get the chance to watch history on Sunday, Oct. 22, as Walter Ray Williams Jr.’s record-breaking 42nd career Denny’s PBA Tour title will air tape-delayed on ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. Williams passed Earl Anthony on the titles list with a 289-236 win over long-time rival Pete Weber in the title match of the Dydo Japan Cup 2006. View the entire 2006-07 Denny’s PBA Tour schedule.

Enter Denny’s PBA Tour Events Online

With the 2006-07 Denny’s PBA Tour season just weeks away, it’s time for bowlers to start thinking about entering Denny’s PBA Tour Qualifying Rounds. Last season, Sean Rash went from the Qualifying Round to Tour champion, and this season the Tour will once again offer a full-season exemption to the top non-exempt bowler in the PBA World Point Rankings. Members and non-members are encouraged to enter online now for the TQRs, the U.S. Open and the USBC Masters, while members also are welcome to sign up for the Denny’s World Championship.

Now Available!

The PBA has teamed with GoPlay Network to provide bowling fans with the 2006-07 Denny’s PBA Tour Fantasy Bowling Challenge. Weekly and end-of-season prizes are available.The Challenge opens to fans for registration on Oct. 16, with the first draft day set for Oct. 23. Draft your team or create a league

USBC Youth Open Holds Inaugural Championships in Buffalo, N.Y.

USBC will hold the first USBC Youth Open Championships July 13-21, at AMF Thruway Lanes in Buffalo, N.Y. This event will feature a four-person Team event, a Doubles/Singles event and a gender based All-Events division. Athletes will be divided into four divisions based on their average. Registration opens Nov. 1. For the first time, you will be able to register and select your squad times online.

For more information visit bowl.com, call (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3153, or e-mail USBCyouthopen@bowl.com.

USBC Helps NBA Stars Look Good on the Lanes

LeBron James

NBA superstars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwight Howard all were recently on the same team, but they weren't wearing matching basketball jerseys. Instead, they wore USBC bowling shirts as they knocked down pins for charity on Sept. 16 at AMF Major League Lanes in Winston-Salem, N.C. The celebrity pro-am bowling event was part of the Chris Paul Winston-Salem Weekend, a series of fund-raising efforts for Paul's CP3 foundation benefiting the youth of his native Winston-Salem. Paul, the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets point guard who won the 2006 NBA Rookie of the Year award, is an avid bowler, practicing whenever he can.

"Basketball is just a hobby," said Paul, who starred at Wake Forest University and also teamed with James, Anthony, Wade and Howard at the 2006 FIBA World Championships for Team USA. "Bowling is what I really do."

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