Although bowling has experienced a gradual decline for the past 15 years, a bright future looms over the horizon. There is
bad news and good news. First, let's face the bad news. Membership in the ABC/WIBC/ (and now the USBC) tapered off at an alarming rate. Phony high scores made a mockery of the game. 300 games, 800 series and averages ranging from 220 to 250 became routine. 900 series were being recorded regularly. Worse though, the ABC sanctioned these scores by mere average bowlers, yet refused to accept a 900 series by Glenn Allison, a Hall of Fame bowler.
Major League Baseball struck out by not signing Sean Rash and the rash newcomer struck out to beat Steve Jaros and win the USBC Masters Tournament at Miller Park, home of the National League’s Milwaukee Brewers. 
Sean Rash (pictured) deserved to win the Masters, being the top seed for the TV stepladder finals. The personable 25-year-old Wichita State graduate, who now owns four Denny's Professional Bowlers Assn. titles, recorded his first major triumph, good for $100,000. Amazingly, Rash is still undefeated (7-0) in televised matches. The tall (6-1), handsome right-hander is exciting to watch. He has all the tools to be one of the PBA's most popular stars. And yes, ladies, he's a bachelor.
Bowling is one of the few sports where women have a chance of beating male rivals because timing is more important than power and precision is more important than a big hook ball. In addition, some bowling formats provide female bowlers with a more even playing field since anyone can win in one-game matches. Still, no one imagined that a young lady who stands only five-feet-four and weighs just 115 pounds could beat fellow Professional Bowlers Association male members not once but twice.
As a bowling writer, I must laud the USBC head honchos who were savvy enough to recognize the outstanding communications personnel at USBC headquarters. One of the most strategic moves by the USBC was the addition of Tom Clark (pictured right), a former sports reporter for USA Today. Clark, who has an unbelievable passion for bowling, occupies the role of USBC Chief Officer of Marketing and Communications. 
Doesn't it make sense that the USBC and BPAA should support those who support bowling? 
This is the story of the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open, presented by the USBC (United States Bowling Congress) and the PBA (Professional Bowlers Assn.). The action takes place from Aug. 13-18 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno. The plot (a.k.a. tournament format) starts out as a mystery, but as the tournament progresses, it makes a lot of sense. In fact, you could even say that the format, devised of television, was brilliant. 
While surfing the World Wide Web recently, I came across a March 2007 Golf Digest Feature article by golfing great Jack Nicklaus and his "state of the game" thoughts about golf. 
On occasion, amateurs take half-court basketball shots for prizes, or get to run the bases before a big game, but never will you see amateurs running up against pros in these sports.