Planning ahead for a national bowling tournament
If you’ve ever participated in a USBC national bowling tournament, you may know the planning that goes into that event, especially for the team captains.
Typically, you need your tournament reservations about a year or more in advance for the USBC
Open Championships, (this season in Las Vegas), or the USBC Women’s Championships, (this year in nearby Addison, Ill… about a five-hour drive to just west of Chicago.)
The actual bowling format for these national bowling tournaments is very similar to state and local association tournaments, (5-person or 4-women team event, Doubles, Singles, and All-events, however, you get to make this into a vacation, family gathering, or just some fun days with your “bowling family”.
Last season, (after over a year of COVID delays), I was finally able to attend my 40th consecutive USBC OPEN Championships in Las Vegas. Four teams made the journey with us and I was able to arrange my team to be my three sons, (Jason, Rob and Carter), along with my brother John S. Jones, and myself.
During and after the tournament, two more teams sprouted from those with us wanting to field a team of their own. Now I have six teams planning to go in late April (23-24). There will be openings on a couple of those teams so, if interested, contact me.
National tournaments: More expensive than state or local association tournaments.
Tournament differences: National tournaments run daily, not just weekends. The Open Championships have side-events such as The Forty Frame Game & the Bowlers Journal, along with three separate divisions: Classified: (155 and below), Standard: (156 to 175), and Regular: (176 and up). (All averages converted to Sport Averages using an established conversion chart developed by USBC.)
For the Women’s Champion
ships, (4-women teams), there are six average divisions: Diamond (175 & up), Ruby (161 thru 174), Emerald (149 thru 160), Sapphire (138 thru 148), Amethyst (125 through 137) and Topaz (124 & below). Try them out!
Local high school bowling tryouts scheduled for this week. Plan to attend both tryout days!
• Shepherd high school tryouts (both girls and boys teams): Tuesday and
Wednesday, Nov. 16 and 17, at Riverwood Lanes.
• MPHS tryouts (both girls and boys teams): Thursday and Friday, Nov. 18 and 19, 3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. at Riverwood Lanes.
Remember your state tournaments! 20212022 state tournament destinations (women’s, youth and open)
(Entry for Women’s and open state tournaments both using a new online registration system — see below for more details.) MS USBC online tournament reservation/payment system (women’s and open) call 616-635-2032for additional help.
• 95th Annual MS USBC
Women’s State Tournament, Muskegon, weekends Feb. 19 through May 8 (unless extended). Visit the Website: www.michiganstateusbc.com for additional details. Questions: Contact the MS USBC office directly at 616-6352032.
• 119th Annual MS
USBC Open State Tournament, Livonia & Westland, weekends Feb. 5 through May 8. Visit the Website: www.michiganstateusbc. com for additional details. Questions: Contact the MS USBC office directly at 616635-2032.
• Michigan State USBC Mixed Tournament, The Bowling Alley, in Ionia, October one remaining weekend (30-31)
• Michigan State USBC Senior Tournament (50 and older), Monitor Lanes, in Bay City, 4 more dates in October 28-31. This tournament used to be held in early May each season — (56th Annual Open & 46th Annual Women’s)
• Separate divisions for ages 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and 75 & up for both men & women. All-events Winner/tournament representative advances to represent Michigan at National Seniors in August.
• 40th Annual MS
USBC Youth State Tournament, Bay City (Monitor & Alert Lanes), March 12 to April 24 (unless extended). All weekends currently open. Contact Becky Pope (989/506-6299) for entry forms and additional details. Reserved entry request deadline: January
26, 2022 Final entry deadline: Feb. 16, 2022 Website: www.michiganstateusbc. com
• 36th Annual Michigan Queens Tournament, Battle Creek (M-66 Bowl), Nov. 20-21, 2021 (Entry Blanks available)
Northern Michigan Tournaments
• Annual Northern Michigan Women’s Championship, Traverse City, March 5 to March 27, additional details pending. If interested in bowling in one of these March weekends, Contact Pam, 231947-2610 ext. 306 at Lucky Jack’s.
• Annual Northern Michigan OPEN Championship, Traverse City, April 10 — May 23, some details still pending. Contact Pam, 231-947-2610 ext. 306 at Lucky Jack’s for opening any weekend during the tournament next spring. MP USBC reserved weekend: April 30 -May 1 — Locally, contact Dave Lewis (989-560-8009) to reserve your team’s entry.
See you “on the lanes” at Riverwood Lanes during the 2021-2022 season.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy. Mid-michigan finds their bowling needs at Riverwood, Gateway, & Pins!