You are probably correct in the three you listed, but perhaps I can add one more.

I feel that the Open is an excellent way to promote the sport of bowling. Sure, most bowlers who enter the tournament have zero chance of winning(realistic or otherwise), and at best will only earn "lunch money" for their effort. Most of these bowlers will also be donors in the brackets as well. However, as a bowler who is somewhat new to the sport, it has an allure that I always enjoy.

I went to my first Open in Las Vegas and loved every minute of it. I have not missed one since and organize multiple teams to bowl as a group. When it's in Reno, I try to get bowlers who have never been before so they can have the experience of the tournament. For the most part, the new bowlers are thrilled by the entire thing, even when they don't win anything. It's the experience they value. I have heard the phrase "Thank you for inviting me, that was so much fun!" many times and almost always by bowlers who won nothing. Of course there have been some others, usually the "elite" who walked away with the obvious sad face of a bruised ego too.

As bowlers get better, there seems to be some kind of mental change that comes over us that actually hurts the sport. The "elite" bowlers tend to get a condescending if not not downright destructive attitude about the lower average bowlers. Ironically, the Open helps put that in perspective, at least when it comes to the local house hacks. The oil pattern they put down is not that big of a change for Mr/Ms 150 +/- average, but the hotshot 200+ "king of the hill" house bowler, it's a serious comeuppance.

So, is the Open a chance to crown champions? Yes, it is.

Does it serve as a revenue source for a cash strapped USBC? Yes, it does.

Does it educate bowlers about how difficult sport shots can be? Very much so, especially the ones who have come to believe their local fame is worthy, but never step outside their local house.

I still believe that it's the best promotion for the sport and an experience that all league bowlers should try at least once.

One thing I think it is worth noting-and I agree with almost everything said so far- is about crowning champions. This tournament is our amateur national championship. The masters already exists where we as amateurs can bowl against the best of the best. This is the tournament that those guys chose to write off to chase TV and stardom. I would say money but come on, most of us make more than most of them. Lol

Quote from: milorafferty on March 09, 2015, 12:06:46 PM

As bowlers get better, there seems to be some kind of mental change that comes over us that actually hurts the sport. The "elite" bowlers tend to get a condescending if not not downright destructive attitude about the lower average bowlers. Ironically, the Open helps put that in perspective, at least when it comes to the local house hacks. The oil pattern they put down is not that big of a change for Mr/Ms 150 +/- average, but the hotshot 200+ "king of the hill" house bowler, it's a serious comeuppance.

I agree with this statement. In fact many want those who they feel have inferior games to fail miserably.

I used to look at the tournament as a vacation venue and to see different parts of the country. But with constant return to Reno and reusing previous sites it has lost that appeal.

The inclusion of Las Vegas now means we will be visiting the same cities 2 out of 3 years. Vegas is at least easy to get to and has a lot of attractions other than bowling but it will eventually get stale as well.

I totally agree with you about having the tournament at the same site over and over. As I said, Las Vegas was my first one, then we had Reno, Reno before going to Baton Rouge.  I really enjoyed the Baton Rouge trip as I'm in Reno 6 to 8 times a year for bowling even without the Open.

With having a Reno, Reno back-to-back after Baton Rouge, I'm ready for El Paso. I love the stadium and Reno is very convenient for me but I would love for the Open to cycle all around the country like it used to do. Syracuse will be a welcome change after another Reno cycle and a visit to the new Vegas facility.

I think it is also meant to be something of a giant convention.  A chance for bowlers to meet and observe bowlers from all over the country.  Crowning champions is nice recognition, and something many of us would love to have, but it is not really designed to find the best amateur bowler, just the guy who gets hottest in a short format at the right time.