Solid data, of course, the elitists will say its "supposed to be this way" and "they are too easy". More of the same, with the elitists "smelling their own farts", like they have been for years.

Those averages are dreadful, but comparing the "haves" to the "have nots" is a exercise in futility. Make them softer and the guys at the top will put up phone numbers, sure the overall average will rise. But the top players will shoot near 2250+ for AE. The only real solution is opening up the divisions.

When you get over 40 feet patterns have a tendancy to set up with some inside hold.  I definitely saw that this year with the 41 foot pattern.  The Ice oil might have also been a contributing factor.  Not talking about house guys who need extreme swing area to get comfortable, but the more serious scratch bowlers who are accustomed to playing flatter patterns.  These guys can exploit a little hold at 4th arrow. 

Also another interesting stat from this year.  Look at the low to cash scores for seniors compared to the open division.  It is higher across the board.   

The advantage is to those who bowl on the shot consistantly prior to the event. If you have that advantage you will compete.

Most are going into it blind and the scores reflect that.

Spares, spares,....spares

Why is it "Elitist" to say the National Bowling tournament should be contested on a difficult shot? It is supposd a test of skill, a test of teamwork. Not a carry contest. The best of the best should be at the top. A person that bowls once a week on an easy THS shouldn't be wining this event.
 
Also, who says the scores are too high? I have never heard that complaint. We have what maybe 30 300 games in a year, that is like .01% of the games are honor scores. If there are 10 800 series in a year, that comes out to the same .01% of series that are honor scores. Doesn't seem to high to me, seems to be just about right. Anyone who says "scores are too high" is just trying to justify a reason to make the shot easier so they can score better. I didn't bowl well this year, in fact I haven't bowled well here in the last 2-3 years, some of my worst scores ever actually. The reason was because I failed to execute and some bad decisions by teammates not following the gameplan we set forth before bowling. Simple as that.
 
The last thing I will add, is that the person who made the OP has a hatred of the USBC. No matter what they do, it will be wrong in his eyes. Every mistake that may make, and the people at the USBC are human like you and I and make mistakes, is blown out of proportion, turned into a huge conspiracy by him. Take anything he says about the USBC, or bowling in general with a very large grain of salt. Because more than likely it will spun into the worst possible light with the truth stretched like a rubber band set to fire across the room.

I thought the shot was a fair "Sport Shot". Unfortunately my sport shot average is almost 50 pins under my house shot average.  Our house shot is very easy to get to the pocket and carry is pretty good too.  Naturally my house average went from 209 3 years ago to 226 this year and was as high as 240.   I have no illusions about my skill.  I should be in the 200-210 range.  "Spares-Spares-Spares" is a good mantra, but when the 4 pin/7 pin/ or 10 pin spares turn into super washouts, 2-8-10, pocket 7-10 it is harder to cover those spares.  My issue was trying to find the "magic line", the right hand position or the perfect ball.  Instead, after my wife yelled at me, I just executed my game and shot 630 in singles after a 520 in doubles.  In the summer PBA sport league, I am doing better now that I have focused on my shot and not the approved PBA recommendations.

no i beleive bowlers of all skill levels attend the tournament in droves.