Great thread Pinbuster and some really great points being made.
I suppose my answer is in regards to a "perfect world". I've always been the type to define the "perfect world", and then try to find the solution to get there. In a "perfect world"...
There would be at least 100 exempt touring PBA Players on the tour every season making a living, but the PBA would still be open to at least 28 more spots every week. Obviously, if both of those numbers were even bigger, that would be great!
There would be at 28 events during the season and another 14 or so in the summer for a "Summer Tour". That's 42 weeks giving the players 10 weeks off as vacation time.
Of the 28 season events, there would be 4 tournaments or more that are open to as many entries as they can fill, sort of like they do now with the U.S. Open, Championship, and ABC Masters. These 4 events would represent The Grand Slam of Bowling.
The Regional Circuit would in fact be a minor league system for bowling. These players would make names for themselves, and their fellow regional players would pull for them when they bowl in the 4 touring events and other Touring events close to home. Perhaps those spots open on Tour would be only open to Regional PBA players in that region and 2 amateurs or so. Throwing a couple of amateurs in always makes things a little more exciting.
There would be enough money so that the 100th bowler in the world (on Tour) is making $120,000 per year revenue (before expenses and entry fees) assuming he bowls all 42 events. At $2000 expense/event or $84,000 for the season, the person would still have $36,000 for the other 10 weeks of vacation time and to pay bills back at home.
Bowling on Tour would actually be a profession. Bowlers would be paid a regular salary in addition to their winnings to go around and do seminars in between events and meet with the local folk in small town America.
Again, this is "in a perfect world" which we are far away from at this time. But who knows, maybe it can happen.
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Brian
MichiganBowling.com
http://www.MichiganBowling.comFamous Last Words of a Pot Bowler--"Ok, but this is my last game!"