Steltronic scoring to be used for the 2013-2014 Open and Women’s Championships in Reno
Reno to Host 2013 and 2014 USBC Open and Women’s Championships with Steltronic Automatic Scoring
For the first time in history, the United States Bowling Congress will bring the USBC Open and Women’s Championships to the same city simultaneously when Reno, Nev., hosts both events in 2013 and 2014.
Plans call for the Open Championships to be held in the National Bowling Stadium, while the Women’s Championships will take place in a custom-built arena inside the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. USBC will install dozens of lanes and the largest indoor mobile scoreboard with Steltronic scoring in the world at the convention center continuing the spectacular feel bowlers expect. The convention-center setting first was introduced to the Women’s Championships at the 2010 event in El Paso, Texas.
“Hosting USBC’s two largest championships in the same city will create great new opportunities and experiences for our bowlers,” USBC Executive Director Stu Upson said. “We want families to have the option of traveling to the national tournaments together, but we also respect the need to preserve the tradition of separate tournaments.”
USBC plans to develop additional events that will coincide with the two main tournaments in Reno. These new events will potentially involve mixed teams and youth entry options. The lanes of the Women’s Championships arena will remain in the Reno-Sparks Convention Center between the 2013 and 2014 tournaments, saving construction resources and allowing for greater flexibility in scheduling new events.
USBC received bids from several cities interested in hosting the Open and Women’s Championships. The 2013 Open Championships already was scheduled to be at the National Bowling Stadium, allowing Reno to provide a natural fit for bringing both events to the same city by offering two arena settings for a multi-year agreement. Now there will be greater opportunities for couples who might only be able to afford one bowling trip a year to travel together and both have events to enjoy.
“Reno is a fantastic family destination and our aim is to develop a reason for every type of bowler to visit there in 2013 and 2014,” Upson said. “Our partners in Reno have a great track record of creating a first-class experience for bowlers and they have done it again by committing to a second championship venue.”
Historically, Reno has proven to be a popular destination for tournament bowlers. The Open Championships has averaged more than 80,000 bowlers, while the Women’s Championships has averaged more than 60,000 bowlers in Reno host years since 1995. “We’re just tickled to have these two prestigious bowling tournaments in the biggest little city,” Reno Mayor Bob Cashell said. “I just know they’ll love visiting Reno and competing at the National Bowling Stadium – it’s the only facility of its kind in the world.”
Looking ahead to 2013, USBC plans to investigate new ideas for the Open and Women’s Championships, including potential adjustments of incentive programs, lane conditions, squad schedules, price structure and entry process. Hosting two major events in one city should allow for improved staffing and better customer service. The focus will be on providing the best possible experience for bowlers in Reno and attracting more participants to USBC’s national tournaments.
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