I just registered a couple of teams for next year's Open at Southpoint.


Does anyone else think that Vegas is going generate a large number of teams?


With only 60 lanes available in the new venue at Southpoint, it is possible that those 60 lanes are used for team and the 70 lanes in the casino building will be for doubles/singles which would open up the tournament for a record number of entries.

I personally am really excited for Vegas.  I think the participation numbers will increase.

Yea, I'm looking forward to it myself. I'm in Reno 6 to 8 times a year for bowling as it is, so I love it when the Open is held elsewhere.

I just registered a couple of teams for next year's Open at Southpoint.


Does anyone else think that Vegas is going generate a large number of teams?


With only 60 lanes available in the new venue at Southpoint, it is possible that those 60 lanes are used for team and the 70 lanes in the casino building will be for doubles/singles which would open up the tournament for a record number of entries.

It definitely could. Plus with it being at South Point, accessibility won't be a problem. You practically needed a car when they had it at Cashman Center last time it was there. This also doesn't displace leagues which will still be going on.

I wonder.. If they indeed do this, and host minors in the lanes in the casino, would they open up those lanes for open play after the conclusion of the day for the tournament?

I know they normally wouldn't, but if they did, that could offer players more access to the actual pattern than getting it from the USBC site, running down to a local house and try to convince them to lay that pattern down.

Obviously, you'd have to be local for it, but could this provide even more exposure than what the USBC is trying to prevent?

BL.

Quote from: milorafferty on March 07, 2016, 03:16:45 PM

I just registered a couple of teams for next year's Open at Southpoint.


Does anyone else think that Vegas is going generate a large number of teams?


With only 60 lanes available in the new venue at Southpoint, it is possible that those 60 lanes are used for team and the 70 lanes in the casino building will be for doubles/singles which would open up the tournament for a record number of entries.

It definitely could. Plus with it being at South Point, accessibility won't be a problem. You practically needed a car when they had it at Cashman Center last time it was there. This also doesn't displace leagues which will still be going on.

I wonder.. If they indeed do this, and host minors in the lanes in the casino, would they open up those lanes for open play after the conclusion of the day for the tournament?

I know they normally wouldn't, but if they did, that could offer players more access to the actual pattern than getting it from the USBC site, running down to a local house and try to convince them to lay that pattern down.

Obviously, you'd have to be local for it, but could this provide even more exposure than what the USBC is trying to prevent?

BL.

Good point about the pattern, I had not thought of that one. It's going to get out to some people no matter what they do. But for 95% of us, knowing the pattern and even practicing on it doesn't seem to help. 

I am hearing well under 10k teams for Reno this year.  I think there will be a big one time bounce back for Vegas, but I doubt it will be even close to big venues 10 years ago.  With new classifications, the money is going to be poorer and that will push more guys into not going in the future. 

Just not near enough new guys going to nationals to replace us old codgers.

Agreed...my team dropped out this year, we had about all the Reno we could stand for a lifetime. After seeing plans for the additional division and bringing in the tour players for 2017 we won't be back. If I wanted to donate my money to tour players I would enter the USBC Masters.

Couple of problems with allowing tour guys IMHO...

1. The pattern isn't being announced, but players can practice on the showcase lanes and Bowlers Journal Tournament and have greater access to drill balls onsite which isn't really cost effective for the average bowler. So you're already at a disadvantage because they're the best bowlers in the world, but even a good bowler is picking his best 6 balls with no knowledge of the pattern and hoping he matches up. If they really want to level the playing field, shut down the showcase lanes and don't allow players to enter the Bowlers Journal until they have completed their open championships competition.

2. The elite players in our sport already have a tournament sponsored by the USBC, it's call The Masters. If I wanted to compete against touring players, I know how to sign up...but I know how good those guys are so I save my money.

3. As you said, we now have another division thanks in large part to the addition of the touring players. I guess we will have to wait and see, but in all likelihood the prize fund will be watered down.

I have no doubt you will see an increase in entries because it's in Vegas, the next several years will tell the story but with the continuing decline in membership, the pool of members to draw from is getting pretty dry.

The addition of more pro tour guys won't impact anything.  I don't like the new divisions because its going to easier for the sandbaggers to do their thing.  They won't have to shave chunks of pins off their average...only pins, to get under the limit for a division.  One of the reasons for not releasing the patterns was the lack of access to practice on it by all bowlers.  By not releasing it they are amplifying the very reason they chose not to release it...the only people that will have access to the pattern are the locals that can go to the venue.

Whining about something that hasn't even happened yet. Quitting before even trying it once. All I can say is, "Wow."

Bowler's will go to certain local and out of town tournaments every year that are held in the exact same place and never complain. The Hoinke, Petersen and Hamtramck to name a few. But oh no, the USBC is holding a tournament in the same place once every three years and that's too much. You guys crack me up.