Come join the fun at the new USBC Youth Open Championships!

Now youth bowlers can compete in a national scholarship tournament without having to qualify at the state or local levels.
 
The 2007 USBC Youth Open Championships will debut in Buffalo, N.Y., and is open to all USBC Youth members. The event will be conducted alongside the USBC Junior Gold Championships and Pepsi USBC Youth Championships.

Bowlers will compete in singles, doubles and four-player team events at the annual USBC Youth Open Championships, which will be held at AMF Thruway Lanes from July 13-21, 2007 (unless extended).
 
"As an open event, this tournament will give thousands of bowlers the opportunity to compete for scholarships at the national level," USBC Chief Officer of Tournaments/Events Roseann Kuhn said.
 
The tournament features four average divisions (129 and below, 130-159, 160-189 and 190 and above). As a scratch competition, scoring will be based on actual pinfall. One of every four entrants in team, doubles and singles will receive scholarships, while one in six will receive scholarships in all-events.
 
Starting on November 1, bowlers can register their teams for the event, as well as select their squad times and pay for their entries. (Click on the tournament name in the reference box for more information and an easy link to registration information.)
 
Bowlers taking part in the Junior Gold or Pepsi events also are eligible to compete in the USBC Youth Open Championships.

Nikki Lewandowski, 20, is a Buffalo native and nine-time participant in the Junior Gold Championships. She aims to compete in as many national events as possible.

"I'm already planning for next summer," Nikki said. "I'll be working on my strengths and weaknesses, things that I've let slide over the years and the good things I was surprised about (in my 2006 performance).

"The national tournaments are coming to my hometown next year. It will be a lot of fun!"