I found it interesting that the PBA's current membership stands at 2,902 as of yesterday, according to commissioner Tom Clark on his Facebook post.

Membership according to regions: East 749, South 496, Central 350, Midwest 261, Southwest 306, West 398, Northwest 133, and International 209.

Top 10 states according to membership: California 243, Florida 229, New York 211, Texas 210, Pennsylvania 163, Ohio, 152, Virginia 122, New Jersey 114, Illinois and North Carolina 113.

Bottom 10 states according to membership: Hawaii and South Dakota 5; Alaska, New Hampshire, Wyoming, and North Dakota 3; Maine 2, Montana 1; Mississippi and Vermont 0.

California leads membership, and there isn't a single regional scheduled south of the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Oh you expected them to put these stats to good use in their planning?? 

Quote from: AlonzoHarris on July 13, 2017, 02:25:35 PM

Quote from: Steven on July 13, 2017, 02:13:04 PM

California leads membership, and there isn't a single regional scheduled south of the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Oh you expected them to put these stats to good use in their planning?? 

 
I understand the increasingly difficult realities of getting centers to host PBA tournaments. It's just ironic that the state with the most members has zero tournaments in the most populous region.
 
I really enjoy Regionals, but 6-8 hour drives are limiting.

I completely agree.

One of the reasons I never joined back in the 80s was that there was only 1 or 2 tournaments within 250 miles, but I would have been barred from bowling in multiple local tournaments because of the many regionals held on the west side of the state, just inside the 300 mile radius. 

122 in Va?? I might know 20 LOL I wonder where they're all at?

>Southwest 306

Considering our population normally that would be great but not if its anything like our Scottsdale 30k millionaires posers.

I wonder how many of those are carrying a card just to say they're carrying a card . .

 
I have a card. I don't discuss it in my league circles, and I really don't know anyone who tries to use it as a calling card for prestige.
 
It's pragmatic. It more than pays for itself if you actually bowl a few Regionals. The dollar per game PBA rate for practice is a huge saver. I'm saving $20-$30 per week on that alone. You also get great deals on Hada type tape, cleaners, and other stuff. 
 
Regionals are becoming more rare within reasonable driving distance. But I'll keep the card as long as I can enjoy the other benefits.