2006 Teen Masters

For four United States Bowling Congress Youth members, the 2006 Teen Masters National Finals was an opportunity to live like professional bowlers for a day. From the arena setup to the television cameras, bowlers in the boys' and girls' championship matches got to experience first-hand what professional bowlers deal with each week during the Denny's PBA Tour season.

When I say gold, I am not intending it means a medal. I use this term about a person intending to get the best or most out of some endeavor. In this case it is a score in bowling. I watch people in a practice session before any bowling event. After each first throw, if it is not a strike, many either foul intentionally or push the reset to attain a full rack. So they can practice their first throw or should I say their strike shot. It puzzles me.

17-year-old Jake Peters, Decatur, Illinois and 16-year-old Brittni Hamilton, Webster, New York are the 2006 Teen Masters National Champions, each winning the title at Universal Studios Orlando August 6. The show was taped for airing on ESPN2 October 16. The qualifying portion of the event was held at Boardwalk Entertainment Center in Orlando.

Today, four of the best youth bowlers in the nation will square off in one of the most unique venues ever to stage a televised bowling event for the 2006 Teen Masters National Championships. The matches begin at 1 pm inside Sound Stage 33 at Universal Studios Orlando. The show will be taped for viewing on ESPN2 October 16.

At first glance, the arena setup at the 2006 Teen Masters National Finals looks pretty normal. It quickly becomes apparent what's different, though. The four lanes inside Sound Stage 33 at Universal Studios Orlando are equipped with everything but pin-setting machines and modern-day ball returns. Instead, a dozen volunteers man the pins, setting them up and sending back the bowling ball after each shot.

The 2006 Teen Masters National Finals is now down to the final four in both girls and boys divisions at Boardwalk Family Entertainment Center in Orlando, Fla. In the Boys Division Jon Brady will meet Brett Cunningham in the first semi-final. Jake Peters (right) will take on 2005 TM Champion John Szczerbinski (left) in the other semi-final.

Only a dozen of the top youth bowlers in the USA are now in contention to win the 2006 Teen Masters National Championship. After Friday afternoon matchplay at Boardwalk Entertainment Center, the top 16 were established, and Friday evening, the top eight girls competed in a unique arena environment at Universal Studios Sound Stage 33. The eight boys who remain will face off in best-of-five matchplay Saturday at noon and 1 pm in the arena.

The skills of the players at the 2006 Teen Masters National Finals were put to the test Friday as a cutting-edge lane conditioning procedure was used at Boardwalk Entertainment Center. In a format not seen by nearly all of the players at the event, the odd-numbered lanes were conditioned with a short-oil pattern while the even-numbered lanes had a long-oil pattern.

Starting the matchplay portion of the 2006 Teen Masters National Finals, the #1 seeds are Craig Hanson and Ashly Galante.Hansen, 16, rolled a brilliant 1351 in his third Round of qualifying to move from third to take the lead. Galante, 17, maintained her lead by rolling an 1176 for the final six games of qualifying.

After 12 games of qualifying on both a short and long Sport Bowling oil pattern over two days, the qualifying leaders thus far in the Teen Masters National Finals are Jake Peters, Decatur, Illinois and Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Florida. Both are 17-year-old high school juniors.

After the first six games of qualifying, Jason Fitzgerald, Burgan, NC and Brittni Hamilton, Webster, NY are the early leaders in the 2006 Teen Masters National Finals in Orlando, Fla. Hamilton was the best of 117 girls with a 201.6 average for her first 6 games, while Fitzgerald averaged 220.5 totaling 1323.

Before the 2006 Teen Masters National Finals qualifying rounds, a special Chris Barnes Leaders Challenge was held, open only to Teen Masters bowlers who won their local qualifiers. Ashley Belden, Tigeras, New Mexico was one of the girls that defeated all the boys in her hometown qualifier, and here in Orlando, she did it again.

Tuesday was practice day here at the 2006 Teen Masters Tournament National Finals, and the day gave TM finalists a chance to fine tune their games. Tuesday was also highlighted by a visit from one of the greatest bowlers in the world, Walter Ray Williams Jr. Walter signed autographs and posed for photos with hundreds of youth bowlers in a three-hour autograph session.

Nearly 300 USBC youth members from across the country will battle for the unique opportunity to compete in a nationally-televised, arena setting next week in Orlando, Fla., at the Teen Masters, sponsored by USBC. In addition to the arena setting and ESPN2-televised finals, throw in the fact the final rounds will be held at Universal Studios Orlando and it has all the makings of an unprecedented event.

With additional sponsorship money in the 2006 Teen Masters Tournament, Gary Beck's Killer 'B' Promotions is giving something back to the bowler - drastically reduced entry fees! The entry fee into all local qualifying events has been reduced from $90 to only $55, and $25 of every entry fee will be awarded during the qualifying event as local scholarship awards.

What's it like to play in the big leagues? Hundreds of 2006 Teen Masters national finalists will find out August 1-5 at the TM National Finals. The preliminary rounds of the finals at Boardwalk Family Entertainment Center and the arena finals at Universal Studios Orlando will be officiated by the Professional Bowlers Association National Tour Director Kirk von Krueger and his event staff.