The nation’s top youth bowlers will have the opportunity to compete on Professional Bowlers Association lane conditions and rub elbows with the greats in the game when Teen Masters qualifiers will be conducted in conjunction with selected PBA Regional tournaments in 2012.
PBA has entered into an agreement with Killer ‘B’ Promotions to conduct 18 Teen Masters qualifiers at PBA Regional events beginning in March through the end of May. The Teen Masters qualifiers will be conducted on lanes designated for Teen Masters competition.
The Teen Masters, America's longest running national championship event for youth bowlers, has featured challenging lane conditions since its beginning in 1997. “Our slogan has always been ‘Bring Your Spare Game!’ Our partnership with the PBA strengthens the opportunity for America’s top high school competitors to test their bowling skills and mental fortitude in a demanding environment,” said Teen Masters founder, Gary Beck.
“This is a great program because it will provide youth bowlers with additional topflight competitive bowling opportunities through the setting of PBA competition,” said PBA Commissioner Tom Clark. “The goal is to grow competitive bowling among youth bowlers who love the sport and this is a great vehicle in which to do it.”
Many Teen Masters champions have gone on to advance to the top levels of the sport. On the boys side, Mike Fagan, the 1997 champion, and Ryan Ciminelli, the 2004 champion, have both become national PBA champions. On the girls side, Brittni Hamilton, the 2006 champion, and Danielle McEwan, the 2009 champion, have both claimed NCAA titles and membership on Team USA.
Teen Masters will also conduct a regular schedule of stand-alone qualifiers that youth bowlers can enter to earn spots for the National Championships. All qualifying events will determine invitations for the Teen Masters National Championships which will be conducted July 8-12 in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Teen Masters conducted a landmark national championship event in 2011 that culminated with the Grand Championships being conducted on a specially-constructed lane in New York’s Grand Central Terminal where Zack Hattori of Las Vegas earned a record $64,000 scholarship.
The Teen Masters consists of four youth divisions: Boys High School, Boys Under 14, Girls High School, and Girls Under 14.
Entries are now being taken for Teen Masters qualifiers. For entry and additional schedule information visit http://www.teenmastersbowling.com/.
PBA Regional schedule that will include Teen Masters qualifiers
Midwest
March 2-4 – Pla Mor Lanes Open Presented by Brunswick, Muscatine, Iowa
March 30-April 1 – Liberty Lanes Senior Open Presented by Chuck Suda Allstate, Carpentersville, Ill.
May 18-20 – Stars & Strikes Open Presented by Ebonite, Scott AFB, Ill.
Central
April 20-22 – Grove City Open, AMF Stardust Lanes, Grove City, Ohio
May 18-20 – Baldo Campana Senior Open, Rebman Recreation, Lorain, Ohio
Southwest
March 2-4 – Etonic Open, Freedom Lanes, Duncan, Okla.
April 13-15 – Shawnee Firelake Bowling Center/Flintco Open, Shawnee, Okla.
May 18-20 – Fort Sill Open, Twin Oaks Lanes, Fort Sill, Okla.
Northwest
March 16-18 – DV8 Open, Caveman Bowl, Grants Pass, Ore.
March 30-April 1 – Tacoma Dodge Open Presented by Pawn Brokers, Paradise Bowl, Tacoma, Wash.
April 20-22 – Hawaii Storm Open, Hickam AFB, Honolulu
West
April 6-8 – Non-member Doubles Presented by Storm, South Point Bowling Center, Las Vegas
April 27-29 – Earl Anthony Memorial Classic, Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl, Dublin, Calif.
East
March 23-25 – Mt. Greylock Bowl Open, North Adams, Mass.
April 5 – Kingpin Lanes Open Presented by Brunswick, Rome, N.Y.
South
March 23-25 – Fayetteville Senior Open, Lafayette Lanes, Fayetteville, N.C.
May 10-12 – Canton Open Presented by Columbia 300, Cherokee Lanes, Canton, Ga.
May 24-26 – Wild Magnolia Senior Open, Presented by Track, Sport Lanes, Martinsville, Va.