Tom Clark: Open Letter to Tournament Bowlers re: World Series of Bowling

[onefrombills]

Seattle, Wash. - 7/13/2009


From: Tom Clark, PBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer
To: Tournament bowlers

Hello.

If you are reading this letter, chances are you are one of the best bowlers in the world.

You have shown confidence in yourself to put your talent and practice to the ultimate test as either a member of the PBA or entrant in a Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Tournament Qualifying Round, the USBC Masters, U.S. Open, PBA World Championship or Senior PBA Tour and PBA Women’s Series events.

I am writing to make sure you are aware of the unique opportunities that will be afforded you at the inaugural PBA World Series of Bowling in the Detroit, MI, area this Aug. 2-Sept 6. I am also writing to personally invite you to be part of the WSOB.

Among many goals for the inaugural PBA World Series of Bowling is to serve as a catalyst for the rejuvenation of high-level competitive bowling in the USA and provide the world the optimum environment for tournament bowling. We believe in the sport, admire your skill and respect the challenges of facing the conditions, formats and quality of competitors that you embrace. The success of this ground-breaking event, devised for you the tournament bowler, will get bowling back where it belongs near the top of the sports world.

In other words, we want to see you there competing. You have never had a better opportunity to test yourself, fight for cash at the highest level of bowling and showcase your talent. Total prize money up for grabs for the WSOB will exceed $2 million. Seven nationally-broadcast ESPN shows will emanate from the World Series and a dramatically-improved Xtra Frame streaming video service on pba.com will webcast over 100 hours of LIVE action during the World Series. The sport has never had a greater series of events to exhibit its reach and power. Established stars of our sport will add to their legends and without a doubt, new stars will emerge given this exciting platform.

For the first time ever at the World Series, the PBA is staying in one area for an extended (5-week) period of time. This cuts down on your travel costs and headaches, enabling you to concentrate on bowling. The WSOB includes seven Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour events, four PBA Women’s Series presented by BOWL.COM events and one PBA Senior Tour major championship.

Unlike a typical TQR or Open-field event that is a one-shot opportunity in any given city, at the WSOB there is the chance to bowl multiple events on one trip. We have also established several side events and sweepers administered by the experienced PBA Tournament staff to provide even more opportunities to compete (the sweepers will feature prize funds that take no money out – every penny from entry fees goes completely back to the bowler). Some of these side events, particularly those scheduled near TQR dates, are exclusive to non-exempt players.

To summarize the PBA World Series of Bowling opportunities for you, the tournament bowler:

• There are two “Open” Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour events. The Motor City Open at Taylor Lanes in Taylor, MI, from Aug. 2-6, and the PBA World Championship at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, MI, from Aug. 28-Sept. 4. Both give all entrants regardless if they are an amateur, first-timer or exempt PBA Tour star an equal chance at advancing through extended rounds of qualifying prior to match play portions of the events.

• Specifically for the bowlers’ convenience, the five separate Tournament Qualifying Rounds for exempt Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour championships on five different PBA oil patterns have been “bundled” into two weekends. This way, for example on the weekend of August 8-9 you can compete in three different TQRs (Cheetah, Viper and Chameleon Championships) rather than have to return for separate TQRs. If you qualify in one or more of the TQRs, you will be assured of cashing in the event, so your associated costs are essentially taken care of. For players choosing to make a weekend out of it, this chance to try out for multiple PBA Tour events is one not to pass up.

• To give you a better chance of advancing past the TQR round, the PBA has increased the size of the field for the Lumber Liquidators exempt Tour events from 64 to 72. So, there will be a minimum of 10 spots available out of the TQRs for each of the oil pattern championships. Past years the number was closer to 5, and will return to five for most TQRs in the more traditional second half of the 2009-2010 season. Also helping a greater number of players chances of advancing, at the WSOB there will be no distinction between PBA members and non-members qualifying for the main draw (previously only the high amateur advanced). Plus, do not forget the separate chances to cash in the TQR competition alone.

• There are more opportunities for women bowlers than ever. The PBA Women’s Series presented by BOWL.COM is for the first time is offering a chance to win your way into fields through women’s Tournament Qualifying Rounds at the World Series. Two players in each of the four PBA Women’s Series 20-player exempt fields will advance through TQRs at Thunderbowl Lanes. And, the PBA has created the third major championship in women’s bowling – the first-ever PBA Women’s World Championship from Aug. 30-Sept. 4, which is an open-field event just as the U.S. Women’s Open and USBC Queens are.

• The rejuvenated PBA Senior World Championship will also run Aug. 30-Sept. 4 at Thunderbowl Lanes and becomes the third major on the Senior Tour schedule. This is an open field event for all players over the age 50.

• The Tournament Qualifying Round entry fee is $300 for PBA members and $325 for non-members. Open tournament entry fee is $500 for members and $600 for non-members. Some other prize fund facts:

1. The Motor City Open will pay 53 places (1 in 3) based on 160 entries. First place - $25,000; last cash - $1,400.

2. TQR events feature a separate prize fund (1 in 4). For example, a TQR field of 80 players, the prize fund will guarantee 20 total checks (10 for a minimum of $1,400 for those who advance, $1000 for first out or 11th place) and then a graduated payout with a last cash guarantee of $300 for 20th.)

3. The five “oil pattern” championships feature a guaranteed prize fund of $192,600 (72 places). First place - $25,000; last cash - $1,400.

4. The World Championship will pay out 1 in 4 with a minimum 53 places based on 160 entries. A 54th place will be added when the field size reaches 216. First place - $50,000; last cash - $1,600.

5. The Senior World Championship will pay out 1 in 3 based on 140 entries. First Place - $15,000; last cash - $1,000 with ten, $700 super senior checks

6. The Women’s World Championship will pay out 1 in 3 based on 100 entries. First place - $15,000; last cash - $1,100.

This just scratches the surface. Industry leaders and ball manufacturers will be on hand throughout with new product releases and information. You will be competing alongside and sometimes against some of the greatest names in the history of the sport such as Walter Ray Williams Jr., Pete Weber, Parker Bohn III, Norm Duke, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard and Wendy Macpherson. Also one of the largest contingents of international players ever is expected. It will truly be the greatest festival of competitive bowling in the history of the sport.

Taylor Lanes and Thunderbowl Lanes in the Detroit area will be great hosts. Taylor loves the PBA and has hosted Tour events for the past 20 years. Thunderbowl Lanes is one of the most unique bowling centers in the world and the second largest in the USA. Within Thunderbowl’s complex is an “arena” bay that will host most of the match play rounds, plus a comedy club, poker room and lounge.

The Detroit area and its very knowledgeable bowling fans are excited to host the greatest bowlers in the world, and great opportunities for leisure are at every turn, with beautiful golf courses and Detroit Tiger Stadium beckoning.

A full calendar of daily activities at the PBA World Series of Bowling is available at http://pba.com/worldseries/schedule2.html
To enter online, please visit: http://www.pba.com/worldseries/tournamententries.html

PBA members may use a special entry hotline: (206) 654-6025.

Be a part of this inaugural event. We can envision a day when all competitive PBA members make the trek to the World Series – indeed all competitive bowlers in the world will consider the PBA World Series of Bowling a destination event with no rival in the sport. That will propel us with sponsors and fan support into a new era of growth for professional bowling.

I admire your athletic discipline and dedication to this incredible sport. I also look forward to watching you compete at the PBA World Series of Bowling.

Thank you for your time and good luck on the lanes,

Tom Clark
tom.clark@pba.com

[JAnderson]

If you are reading this letter, chances are you are one of the best bowlers in the world.

Wow, you got that wrong, at least on my part

[JAnderson]

We have also established several side events and sweepers administered by the experienced PBA Tournament staff to provide even more opportunities to compete (the sweepers will feature prize funds that take no money out – every penny from entry fees goes completely back to the bowler). Some of these side events, particularly those scheduled near TQR dates, are exclusive to non-exempt players.

Nice.

It will be sad to hear of bowlers sustaining injuries in week 2. Unlike a normal season, there will be no time for rest and rehab.

To give you a better chance of advancing past the TQR round, the PBA has increased the size of the field for the Lumber Liquidators exempt Tour events from 64 to 72

About time - the field of 64 wasn't giving the "name recognition" the exempt tour was originally designed to promote. Why not go to 80? You're still only going to pay 64 places...

indeed all competitive bowlers in the world will consider the PBA World Series of Bowling a destination event with no rival in the sport

Maybe when the PBA is giving $100k, a new house, and a new car for first place. Even so, it's a nice little bundle and I hope it is wildly successful. I also hope it moves around the country from year to year.