Dave, I'm assuming you're in the ABT Masters Division, right? In Minneapolis we only get a handful of entries (17-30 max with the former being the average turnout) for the Masters and the first place prize is usually only $300 or so, while the classic can be as high as $3K with 150 entries. Alot of it has to do with the CBA tournaments that attract the best bowlers from the midwest. The fee for a CBA is $75 for 8 or 10 games depending on the format, while the ABT is also about the same fee once you get into the pots and yet it's only 4 games. I think many people feel it's just not a good value.
Congratulations on your victory! Nice to see the ABT Masters flourishing in good old Utah (where I have many relatives!).