Now you've done it. They're going to march onto the white horse with smelly storm balls and placards displaying "Pros lives matter". 

I believe I have a unique perspective as I just got my PBA card last month. I competed as an above average amateur for many years and was always better than the average player but not as knowledgeable(equipment, layouts, lane play, etc.)as the successful pro.

I came to a point in my bowling career of over 40 years; that before I am no longer competitive, I wanted to know how much I don't know. The only way to evaluate where my game is against the best in the world, is to compete against the best in the world. The voids in my bowling knowledge base come from the lack of competition at higher levels.

To answer the OP; if there is not a rule in your tournament stopping me from playing, you can either a)choose to not play b) play but consider yourself defeated before you throw a ball or c)compete with all you have and know that win or lose, you have given your all against formidable opposition. Either way, how you feel won't get you paid, it's how you bowl.   

By the way, I cashed in my first regional as a pro with limited knowledge. Just think what will happen once I learn from these guys. They will eventually teach me how to compete on their level if I just pay attention.

BTW: having a PBA card in no way guarantees victory or even above average chances to succeed in a sport shot tournament. The guy who throws it the best on that pattern will win. Who knows, it may be you.

Where do you draw the line. When I lived in Texas, and after the USBC moved to Arlington, in the State Tournament you had the likes of Derek Eoff, Bryan O'Keefe, and others now bowling in it. You also had Wes Malott, Chris Johnson, and Chris and Lynda Barnes bowling in it as they lived in TX as well. So do you now boycott the State Tournament too, along with your "local" scratch tournaments because they let "pros" enter?

I can't see the mindset of someone who goes to a tournament, sees someone enter said tournament and decides that they can't win and packs up and goes home. I have seen 130 average bowlers shoot 300. I have seen 170 and 180 average bowlers shoot 300 and/or 800. I have seen 230 average bowlers shoot 550 (and have done that personally a time or two). So how does seeing a "pro" come in and enter a tournament automatically mean you can't win? Plus, is the tournament only paying 1 place? If not, then guess what you can still make a profit even if you don't win. I also don't understand why this is called "elitist". Why do people assume if 1 or 2 pro's show up, you are automatically a donator? Do you feel that poorly about your own skills? And if so, why bother showing up in the first place, you would probably have been a donator even if that pro hadn't have shown up.

I can't see the mindset of someone who goes to a tournament, sees someone enter said tournament and decides that they can't win and packs up and goes home.

This, to me, is a reflection of the individual.  Some see this as smart and some view it as pretty weak.......I can't help but naturally see it as weak.