Sport Bowling enjoys exceptional season

The USBC Sport Bowling program enjoyed explosive growth across the board this past season, due largely to the remarkable popularity of PBA Experience leagues which allow Sport members to compete on the same lane oil patterns as professional bowlers.

Final statistics for the 2006-07 season show impressive participation increases for bowlers, leagues and centers hosting Sport Bowling competition. The number of Sport Bowling members rose 120 percent over the previous season, with 27,921 competing in 2006-07 compared with 12,689 in 2005-06. Sport Bowling leagues were up 134 percent (678 from 289) while centers holding Sport events increased 155 percent (813 from 318).

State comparisons showed that Illinois and Florida led the nation in Sport Bowling members with 1,411 each. Rounding out the list of top 10 states for Sport Bowling participation in 2006-07 were: California (1,250); Indiana (1,218); Michigan (1,214); Texas (1,129); Ohio (1,116); New York (1,087); Pennsylvania (882); and Wisconsin (804).

The top 10 states for Sport Bowling leagues in 2006-07 were: Florida (47); California (46); Texas (40); New York (39); Indiana and Michigan (36 each); Ohio (34); Illinois and Pennsylvania (29 each); and Wisconsin (24).

A large majority of those Sport Bowling members and leagues participated in the PBA Experience, part of the USBC Sport Bowling program.

In PBA Experience leagues, bowlers compete on the same oil patterns used on the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association Tour. The patterns - named Chameleon, Cheetah, Scorpion, Shark and Viper - offer bowlers a unique challenge and comply with USBC Sport Bowling guidelines, which allow a maximum of three times as much oil on the inside boards versus the outside boards. This oil application typically is described as a ratio, in this case 3:1.

"USBC is extremely pleased with the increased interest in USBC Sport Bowling and its PBA Experience leagues this past season," said Director of USBC Sport Bowling Steve Wunderlich. "Bowlers are realizing how exciting it is to compete in PBA Experience leagues where they bowl on the same oil patterns as pros such as Norm Duke, Chris Barnes and Tommy Jones. As a new bowling season begins, we're looking forward to even more bowlers getting in on the fun and exciting competition of Sport Bowling in 2007-08."