WAUKESHA, Wis. - Four-time PBA Tour winner Bill O’Neill averaged 252 and opened with a 300 game to take the first round lead in the GEICO PBA Summer Swing Badger Open at Waukesha Lanes today.

Competing on PBA’s new 52-foot Badger lane conditioning pattern on a wood surface, O’Neill had a 1,262 five-game pinfall total with games of 300, 279, 223, 212 and 248.

“Bowling on a wood surface, which is something we never do, it makes you think and I like that,” O’Neill said. “I grew up bowling on wood surfaces so I know what to expect.

“For me bowling on wood lanes means you have to make your adjustments faster than on a wood surface. Every game I was having to move three or four boards to the left but I was still able to throw hard which is what I like to do.”

O’Neill is trying for his second win of the season having won the Alka Seltzer Plus Cold Cheetah Championship at the World Series of Bowling.

“I’ve had my ups and downs this season but overall I’m bowing well,” said the 2010 U.S. Open winner. “I felt like I really had only one bad event in the (USBC) Masters but other than that it’s been pretty good this year.”

Rounding out the top five are reigning PBA Player of the Year Sean Rash, 1,228; four-time titlist Mike Fagan, 1,185; Ryan Ciminelli, 1,172 and Jake Peters, 1,170.

Qualifying for the Badger Open continues this afternoon with the second round at 5 p.m. After Monday’s qualifying the field will be cut to the top 24 for match play on Tuesday.

Following the Badger Open will be the Wolf Open May 22-24 at AMF West Lanes, the Bear Open May 26-28 at AMF Bowlero and the Milwaukee Open May 29-30 also at AMF Bowlero. The top 28 qualifiers based upon 30 games, total pinfall from the three animal pattern events, will advance to the Milwaukee Open. Stepladder finals will be taped over two days by the CBS Sports Network June 1-2 at Bowlero for airing on five consecutive Tuesdays at 7 p.m. ET beginning June 11.

The GEICO Summer King of the Swing special event featuring the four Summer Swing event champions plus the next highest points leader will compete in a five-player, $25,000 stepladder final for a $10,000 first prize to conclude the summer series on June 2.

PBA BADGER OPEN
AMF Waukesha, Waukesha, Wis., Tuesday
First Round (after 5 games; top 24 after 10 games advance to round robin match play Wednesday)

1, Bill O’Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 1,262.
2, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 1,228.
3, Mike Fagan, Dallas, 1,185.
4, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,172.
5, Jake Peters, Decatur, Ill., 1,170.
6, Josh Blanchard, Gilbert, Ariz., 1,167.
7, Ronnie Russell, Marion, Ind., 1,161.
8, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 1,155.
9, Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, Ill., 1,154.
10, Quinton Bohlen, Decorah, Iowa, 1,151.
11, Mike Dole, Loves Park, Ill., 1,135.
12, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,131.
13, Erik Gulbrandson, Superior, Wis., 1,128.
14, Patrick Girard, Canada, 1,123.
15, Aaron Lorincz, Belleville, Mich., 1,121.
16, Michael Haugen Jr., Phoenix, 1,120.
17, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 1,118.
18, Scott Norton, Mission Viejo, Calif., 1,116.
19, Brett Cunningham, Clay, N.Y., 1,114.
20, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 1,113.
21, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1,112.
22, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 1,110.
23, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 1,108.
24, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 1,107.
25, Kurt Pilon, Warren, Mich., 1,098.
26, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 1,094.
27, Brian Gunn, Chicago, 1,092.
28, Jon VanHees, Charlestown, R.I., 1,090.
29, Brad Miller, St. Charles, Mo., 1,083.
30, Greg Thomas, Oak Creek, Wis., 1,081.
31, Dan MacLelland, Canada, 1,079.
32, Scott Newell, Deland, Fla., 1,077.
33, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 1,075.
34, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 1,073.
35, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 1,071.
36, T.P. Peterson, Evergreen Park, Ill., 1,070.
36, Tom Hess, Urbandale, Iowa, 1,070.
38, Tom Daugherty, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 1,069.
39, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 1,062.
40, Missy Parkin, Laguna Hills, Calif., 1,053.
41, Brian Valenta, Lockport, Ill., 1,051.
42, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,047.
43, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,040.
44, Paul Moor, England, 1,038.
44, Joe Alivo, Lannon, Wis., 1,038.
46, Andres Gomez, Colombia, 1,036.
47, Kenneth Bland Jr., Lorton, Va., 1,033.
48, Jason Sterner, McDonough, Ga., 1,030.
49, Dick Allen, Columbia, S.C., 1,027.
50, Jesse Buss, Belvidere, Ill., 1,026.
50, Christopher Glaz, Elmwood Park, Ill, 1,026.
52, Gary Exner Jr., Racine, Wis., 1,025.
53, Dom Barrett, England, 1,024.
54, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 1,022.
55, Jonathan Schalow, Evansville, Wis., 1,017.
56, Andrew Graff, Las Vegas, 1,013.
57, E.J. Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 1,007.
58, William Guszczo, Orland Park, Ill., 1,006.
59, John Szczerbinski, North Tonawanda, N.Y., 1,005.
59, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 1,005.
61, Dave Wodka, Henderson, Nev., 1,003.
62, Chris Cundiff, Lake Station, Ind., 996.
63, Julio Cesar Blancas, Mexico, 992.
63, Justin Bychkowski, Fairfield, Conn., 992.
65, Lee Vanderhoef, Greenville, S.C., 987.
66, Aaron Ramsden, Pleasant Valley, Mo., 986.
67, Armando Santacruz, Ecuador, 983.
68, Gerald Marrs, Huntley, Ill., 980.
68, Andrew DeCaluwe, Mt. Prospect, Ill., 980.
70, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 978.
71, Kenneth Kempf, Appleton, Wis., 975.
72, Randy Weiss, Columbia, S.C., 966.
73, Brian Robinson, Morgantown, W.Va., 961.
74, Osku Palermaa, Finland, 960.
75, Mike Larson, Menomonee Falls, Wis., 959.
76, Craig Nidiffer, Trenton, Mich., 953.
77, Lindell Woolard, Tallahassee, Fla., 939.
78, David Beres, Waukesha, Wis., 936.
79, Johnathan Bower, Middletown, Pa., 935.
80, Humberto Vazquez, Mexico, 931.
81, Darren Andretta, New Hyde Park, N.Y., 930.
82, Jonathan Russell, Rockwood, Tenn., 928.
83, Van McNeil, West Allis, Wis., 923.
84, Stephen Pavlinko Jr., Sewell, N.J., 912.
85, Ralleigh Grandberry III, Maryland, Hts., Mo., 908.
86, Dale Renken, St. Jacob, Ill., 900.
87, Brett Spangler, Niles, Ohio, 895.
88, Matt Beyer, Manawa, Wis., 846.
89, Brandon Gronwoldt, LeRoy, Minn., 799.
90, Mo Collins, Oxford, Mich., 735.
91, Dakoda Christianson, Rice Lake, Wis., (withdrew).

PBA BADGER OPEN, AMF WAUKESHA, WAUKESHA, WIS.
Sunday, May 19
2 p.m. – Practice session
6:30 p.m. – Pro-am
Monday, May 20
10 a.m. – All players, 5 qualifying games
5 p.m. – All players, 5 qualifying games
        Top 24 after 10 games advance to round robin match play (qualifying scores for all players carry over to Milwaukee Open)
Tuesday, May 21
11 a.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
5:30 p.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
        Top 5 after 26 games advance to stepladder finals

PBA WOLF OPEN, AMF WEST, MILWAUKEE, WIS.
Wednesday, May 22
2 p.m. – Practice session
6:30 p.m. – Pro-am
Thursday, May 23
10 a.m. – All players, 5 qualifying games
5 p.m. – All players, 5 qualifying games
        Top 24 after 10 games advance to round robin match play (qualifying scores for all players carry over to Milwaukee Open)
Friday, May 24
11 a.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
5:30 p.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
        Top 5 after 26 games advance to stepladder finals
Saturday, May 25
No competition

PBA BEAR OPEN, AMF BOWLERO, WAUWATOSA, WIS.
Sunday, May 26
11 a.m. – Brunswick Youth Challenge (special event)
2 p.m. – Practice session
6:30 p.m. – Pro-am
Monday, May 27
10 a.m. – All players, 5 qualifying games
5 p.m. – Squad A, 5 qualifying games
        Top 24 after 10 games advance to round robin match play (qualifying scores for all players carry over to Milwaukee Open)
Tuesday, May 28
11 a.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
5:30 p.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
        Top 5 after 26 games advance to stepladder finals

PBA MILWAUKEE OPEN, AMF BOWLERO, WAUWATOSA, WIS.
(Field will consist of cashers based on 30 game-totals from Badger, Wolf and Bear qualifying rounds)
Wednesday, May 29
11 a.m. – 5 qualifying games (top 24 after 35 games advance to match play)
5:30 p.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
Thursday, May 30
11 a.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
5:30 p.m. – Top 24, 8 games round robin match play
Friday, May 31
No competition

GEICO PBA SUMMER SWING TELEVISION FINALS, AMF BOWLERO, WAUWATOSA, WIS.
Saturday, June 1
11 a.m. – PBA Badger Open, five-player stepladder finals (airs Tuesday, June 11, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network)
2:30 p.m. – PBA Wolf Open, five-player stepladder finals (airs Tuesday, June 18, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network)
6 p.m. – PBA Bear Open, five-player stepladder finals (airs Tuesday, June 25, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network)

Sunday, June 2
Noon – Milwaukee Open, five-player stepladder finals (airs Tuesday, July 2, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network)
3:30 p.m. – GEICO PBA Summer King of the Swing, five-player stepladder final (airs Tuesday, July 9, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network)

Barta, Girard, OH, left Reno in late April with the lead in the Regular Singles competition, which is hosted this year at the Grand Sierra Bowling Center. Along with the Singles lead, the 33-year-old right-hander also holds the lead in Regular Doubles, while placing in five of the top 10 spots in Doubles.

“We always make it a point to bowl the BTM,” said Barta, who was in town to roll in the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships Tournament. “We bowl lots of side action, and the BTM is always on our list of side tournaments to hit.”

In the Singles competition on April 20th, Barta used the Hammer Taboo Jet Black to post a 932 four-game total on games of 184-258-231-259. If the score holds, he would receive the first prize of $5,000.00.

“My look wasn’t very good the first game,” admitted Barta. “I decided that I needed to move left and throw it softer to allow the ball a chance to hook a little more and sooner. It seemed to work out pretty well with 748 for my last three games.”

Barta proved to be the player everyone wanted to bowl Doubles with. By the time he was done, he held the first and fourth spots with Scott Pohl, Burnsville, MN at 1,848 and 1,807. He was also in second place with Brian Waliczek, Birch Run, MI, at 1,829, seventh place with Mike Rose Jr., West Henrietta, NY at 1,757, and ninth place with Patrick Donaghue, Honeoye Falls, NY, 1,731.

“I usually bowl as much as possible while I’m at USBC,” he said. “We were bowling as a team for the first time this year, and tune-up events like the BTM helped us get more comfortable with each other.”

Along with the BTM, Barta also took part in the Bowlers Journal Championships at Reno’s National Bowling Stadium. Again it was the Taboo Jet Black that took center stage, giving Barta and Robert Gotchall, Lincoln, NE, a 1,413 score, which was good for second on the standings list.

“I had my best look with the Black Taboo at the BTM and Bowlers Journal,” he said. “The ball gets through the fronts smooth, and created a great angle to the pocket at both tournaments.”

In the USBC Team Event, Barta bowled with NABRankings.com and moved into 9th place in Regular Team with a 3,361 total. Lodge Lanes Too of Orlando, Fla., leads with a score of 3,538. Barta rode the hot hand of Gotchall in Regular Doubles, and they moved into 5th place with 1,373. Gotchall led with a 764 score with Barta shooting 609.

“I know that I bowled much better than the score indicates,” said Barta, who recorded a 1,919 All-Events total. “I had some games with really bad carry.”

Even with his carry issues, Barta says he kept his head in the game the entire time, and made the best shots he could.

“I didn’t let the carry get me down. I gave 100% all the time as I always do. Even in the last game of doubles, I threw the last four strikes for a 181 game, which saved us a lot of spots in the Doubles Event.”

Although he did not score the way he hoped at the USBC, Barta says his week was a great success, and he’s proud of his NABRankings.com team.

“We came in with the mindset that we have one of the strongest teams in the event,” he said. “All of us were on different teams in years past, and after last year we all talked and decided to give this dream team a try.”

According to Barta, communication was the key.

“The key in this event is to have a team and companion team that are all willing to work with each other. The goal is to break the lanes down right to give the teams a chance to win. We knew if we worked as a team and communicated as a team, we would have great success together. And our 3,361 proves it.”

Newell has one PBA Tour title and four PBA Regional titles to his name, and is known as one of the top prospects on the PBA Tour since joining in 2008. He was also named as the 2011-2012 PBA South Region Player of the Year.

“I’m looking forward to the chance to bowl for Hammer,” said Newell. “The most exciting part for me is to be part of a great team and represent an awesome brand while winning some tournaments. Hopefully I can brand myself in the process with the toughest company out there, and connect with other bowlers along the way.”

Bowling isn’t Newell’s only passion. A self-professed lover of anything with horsepower and speed, as a kid Newell wanted to either race cars or bowl, and bowling won out.

“I still have a passion for all racing, but mostly I follow NASCAR and NHRA,” explained Newell. “I’m a sucker for four-wheeling though.”

Joining the team has some challenges, but Newell has already been throwing the equipment and is pleased with his new arsenal.

“So far, I really like the First Blood,” said Newell. “It’s a great ball – it looks cool and strikes a lot!”

Newell has a busy summer planned already.

“Since I’m adding some new tools to my arsenal, I’m working on some changes to my game,” he said. “Lots of practice in my future, and I’m already planning to bowl the Summer Swing, the US Open, and the Southern Shootout here in Florida. I’ll be at a few trade shows and Junior Gold, too.”

Newell will be a great fit for the Hammer brand.

“Scott and I have bowled together in the past, and we get along really well,” said Jeff Ussery, Hammer Brand Manager. “He’s got a great attitude and a strong future.”

Newell is equally glad of the partnership with Ussery.

“I would like to thank Jeff for giving me a chance to bowl for the Hammer team. I’m looking forward to a fun and successful relationship.”

O’Neill was the top seed for the stepladder finals after eight games of qualifying and 16 match games. The field featured more than 200 bowlers representing 28 states. In a nail-biter that had observers on the edge of their seats, O’Neill, Langhorne, Pa., beat Craig Nidiffer, from Trenton, Mich., 190-180 in the title match to win the tournament’s top prize of $8,000.

“Winning anything always feels great,” said O’Neill, a four-time winner on the PBA Tour. “But this event was a little more satisfying. Because of the quality of the field, it was great to come out on top.”
In a title match that mirrored the conditions throughout the weekend, O’Neill used solid shotmaking and was able to grind his way to the title. His only double came in the sixth and seventh frames, and Nidiffer’s 10-pin miss in the seventh frame became the turning point in the match.

“When Craig missed the 10-pin, I knew that was my chance to put the match away,” said O’Neill. “Both of us made great shots in the tenth, but fortunately for me I had the lead going in so I was able to win.”
O’Neill used the Hammer Arson in the title match. He says that a strong drilling on the mid-performance ball helped smooth out the wet/dry reaction of the tough lane conditions.

“The reason the scoring pace went down so much is because the lanes started playing very wet/dry,” he said. “Every time we got the ball in a little, it didn’t want to hook, but the moment we got it right, it hooked very early.”

O’Neill says he was fortunate to come out with the title.

“Honestly, I didn’t really make the right moves the last game,” he admitted. “But I was fortunate that Craig didn’t either, and the difference in the match was when he missed the 10 pin.”

Competitors and bowling fans have praised the staff of Insidebowling.com for running a memorable event, and O’Neill commented on how smooth the tournament ran.

“I thought the tournament was very well put together,” he said. “They had an incredible amount of entries which is a testament to what kind of tournament it was. The scoring pace is exactly what you would want in a competitive event. A 230 game became very good, and 190 didn’t kill you.”

The five-player stepladder finals began with Rob Gotchall of Lincoln, Neb., beating Hammer Staff player Adam Barta of Girard, Ohio, 223-208. Nidiffer then came in and beat Gotchall 250-196 in match two.
Nidiffer moved on to take down local favorite Brad Miller of Raytown, Mo., 205-186 to set up his meeting with O’Neill. Nidiffer received $4,000 for his runner-up finish, with Miller taking home $2,500 for third, Gotchall $2,000 for fourth and Barta $1,500 for fifth.

Heninger, a 27-year-old from Grandview, MO, rolled the 41st and 42nd 300 games of his career, and was two strikes away from his 43rd perfect game and a 900 series. However, a 10-pin leave stopped his string of 34 consecutive strikes, and left him with an 889 series.

“I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I’d ever have the chance to shoot 900,” said Heninger. “On the 11th one, I knew I missed a little bit at the bottom of the swing, and I left the 10.”

Heninger was bowling in the Anything Goes Doubles tournament at Summit Lanes in Lee’s Summit, MO. He says that the nerves didn’t hit him until the last game.

“We were bowling so fast, it didn’t really hit me that I had a chance for 900 until the 6th frame of the third game,” Heninger said. “Everyone started migrating towards my pair. I just kept thinking about taking one shot at a time.”

The Hammer First Blood was Heninger’s ball choice for the tournament. The First Blood features Hammer’s NBT (Next Big Thing) coverstock, which allows for the longest and sharpest backend reaction in Hammer’s history.

“I like the First Blood because of its versatility,” said Heninger. “Out of the box it handles medium/heavy conditions and is driller friendly. If you put surface on it, it can handle the heavier conditions better.”

According to Heninger, the First Blood is a must-have for serious bowlers.

“It pretty much gives me any look I need,” he said. “With the tweak of my hand, I’m able to get the ball to do whatever I want.”

A Hammer Staff player for the past three years, Heninger had recorded 24 series of 800 or better before the 889, with a previous high series was an 837 series. He says the Hammer line of products has been great for his game.

“I like Hammer equipment because it is the best fit for my game,” he said. “From top to bottom, we have a ball that is able to handle every condition.”

One of Heninger’s 800 series came two years ago at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno. His 803 series in the United States Bowling Congress Championships Tournament was with the Hammer Arson in the Regular Doubles event.

“I drilled a Hammer Arson the day it came out, and I absolutely loved it,” he said. “I drilled an Arson Hybrid just like the original Arson for this year’s event. I’m hoping that lightning strikes twice.”

Heninger says his inspiration is wife Raven, and their one-month old son Jaxon, who watched his 889 score.

“That’s what I will remember most about the 889 series,” he said. “Am I disappointed? Sure, but it just makes me hungrier to get better, and to make my family and Hammer Bowling proud.”

The eight individuals were formally inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame at the Eldorado Hotel and Casino.

Jason Couch of Clermont, Fla., and Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, were inducted for superior performance, while Don McCune of Las Vegas was inducted in the Veterans category.

The Outstanding USBC Performance category welcomed four new members - Rick Steelsmith of Wichita, Kan., Sandra Postma of Lansing, Ill., Shirley Levens of Titusville, Fla., and the late Frank Santore of New York City. Tamoria Adams of Charlotte, N.C., was inducted for Meritorious Service.

Couch made history in 2002 by becoming the only bowler in Professional Bowlers Association Tour history to win three consecutive Tournament of Champions titles. His 16 career PBA titles include four majors - the three TOC victories and the 1993 PBA Touring Players Championship.

“When you’re born into a bowling family, you never think of halls of fame and being a pro on the PBA Tour for 21 years; you dream of being a great bowler like your mother and father,” said Couch, who finished in the top 10 at the USBC Masters four times, with his best finish being second in 2001. “I always looked up to my parents in bowling and in life. That’s why I’m so proud to thank my parents for giving me my passion for this great game.”

Barnes, a two-time USBC Queens champion (1998, 2008), had six top-five finishes at the U.S. Women’s Open and has won dozens of international medals competing for Team USA, including the 2005 QubicaAMF World Cup. Barnes owns four USBC Women’s Championships titles and was a standout collegiate bowler at San Jose State.

“I have often wondered what it would feel like to be inducted, and now that it is here it’s very hard for me to put into words what is in my heart,” Barnes said. “It’s truly an honor to be a part of this amazing class of inductees.”

McCune enjoyed success at multiple levels of the game. His 10 top-10 finishes at the USBC Open Championships between 1968 and 1974 included Classic Team (1968) and Classic Doubles (1969) titles, but his biggest impact came on the PBA Tour. He collected eight PBA Tour victories, including six on the way to PBA and International Bowling Media Association Player of the Year honors in 1973.

“In my career, I never in my wildest dreams started out thinking I would make it into the Hall of Fame,” McCune said. “But people do make it, and when they get here, they are really, really thankful for the opportunity.”

Postma won the USBC Queens in 1995, but made a bigger impact at the senior level. She is the only three-time winner of the USBC Senior Queens, taking the title in 2004, 2006, and 2008. She was the first of two bowlers to have won both a Queens and a Senior Queens title. She owns seven city titles and six state crowns.

“I’d like to thank the Hall of Fame committee for giving me this honor,” Postma said. “This is something I never thought I would get, and I’m eternally grateful.”

A former Team USA member and collegiate national champion at Wichita State, Steelsmith was the player to beat in the late 1980s. The four-time All-American was the World Bowling Writers, International Bowling Media Association and Collegiate Bowler of the Year in 1987. He won the USBC Masters in 1987 and returned to the tournament lanes in 1988 to win Regular All-Events and Team All-Events at the USBC Open Championships.

“I think the greatest reward that comes with this induction is the gift of reflection that this night brings with it,” Steelsmith said. “Being a recipient of an award of this magnitude forces you to reflect on what led to this night.”

Levens won three titles at the USBC Women’s Championships - Classic Doubles in 1982 and back-to-back Classic Team titles in 1993 and ‘94 - and was dominant at the state and local level with 16 Florida Queens titles, 14 state championships and 12 city tournament victories. She was the first two-time winner of the USBC Senior Queens (2002, 2005).

“I had a great career spanning 40 some years with many, many wonderful memories,” Levens said. “This sport has not only given me the joy of success and results for hard work but it has also given me a handful of amazing friendships that I have carried on long past my professional career.”

Adams is a USBC Life Member and current USBC board member, and her service to the sport of bowling spans four decades. She has served a number of leadership and delegate roles in local and state associations, and was on the first USBC Board of Directors in 2005 following her time as a Women’s International Bowling Congress Board member and vice president. Her committee assignments over the years include college bowling, legislation, diversity, volunteer services and now USBC National Policy and Legal/Legislative.

“It has said by many people before that one does not arrive at this destination alone,” Adams said. “You are helped along the way by many people. I’ve been very fortunate to have such wonderful folks who mentored me, gave me opportunities, encouraged me and followed me while I was on this journey.”

Santore, who was inducted posthumously, was a New York City and New York State Hall of Famer and a standout individual during the heyday of team bowling. He claimed three individual titles at the USBC Open Championships - Regular All-Events in 1950 and 1953, and Regular Singles in 1953. He also had third-place finishes in Regular Singles and Regular Team in 1950, and a fifth-place team effort in 1949.

With the eight inductees Thursday, there now are 402 members of the USBC Hall of Fame - 267 in Performance, 115 in Meritorious Service and 20 Pioneers.

The USBC Hall of Fame was created in 2005 by merging the former American Bowling Congress and Women’s International Bowling Congress halls of fame.

For more information on the USBC Hall of Fame, visit BOWL.com/HallofFame.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body for the sport. USBC is a membership organization that provides standardized rules, regulations and benefits to make bowling fair and fun for everyone.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.

Over the course of the 12-year agreement, USBC will host seven Championship events inside South Point’s new bowling tournament facility, including the USBC Women’s Championships in 2016, 2020 and 2022 and the USBC Open Championships in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023. There also will be more than 40 additional tournaments, conventions and short-duration events held throughout Las Vegas during the agreement, including events such as the USBC Masters, USBC Queens, USBC Senior Masters and USBC Team USA trials.

“Las Vegas is excited to continue a partnership with the United States Bowling Congress that began four decades ago when we hosted the USBC Women’s Championships,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “We look forward to strengthening the partnership over the next decade and becoming the premier destination for USBC events.”

The USBC, LVE and LVCVA are partnering with South Point to enhance this new agreement by building a permanent, world-class bowling tournament facility at one of Las Vegas’ premier bowling destinations. Construction of the new arena at South Point will commence in May 2013. South Point’s current bowling center, which will still continue operations, is already a world-renowned facility that annually hosts top professional and amateur events, including the Professional Bowlers Association’s World Series of Bowling. The new tournament facility will include more than 60 lanes featuring the latest bowling technology, tournament registration area, squad room, locker area and more.

“South Point already runs a premier bowling center where casual fans, amateurs and professionals from all over the world come to play the game they love,” said Michael Gaughan, owner of South Point. “This new bowling tournament facility we’re building with USBC will provide an unrivaled destination for bowling enthusiasts and add another dynamic element to attract visitors to South Point and Las Vegas.”

With participation estimates for the seven Championship events taken into account, event organizers estimate that 27 percent of attendees will have the ability to stay at the South Point, while the remaining 73 percent will occupy rooms throughout the city during events held for the duration of this agreement.

“We are extremely excited about our partnership with the USBC and South Point Hotel and Casino,” said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events. “This would not have been possible without the commitment from Michael Gaughan to build a state-of-the-art bowling venue and the USBC’s commitment to host an unprecedented number of its events in Las Vegas.”

In 2009, the USBC Open Championships, held at Cashman Center in Las Vegas, ran for a record 154 consecutive days with a capacity total of 17,200 teams competing from Feb. 21 to July 24, 2009. The total estimated attendance for bowling participants and their travel parties was 292,750 with an average room stay of 4.3 nights and a non-gaming economic impact of more than $120 million. Las Vegas also hosted the USBC Open Championships in 1986. The USBC Women’s Championships previously was held in Las Vegas in 1973 and 1983, attracting 9,644 and 14,430 teams, respectively.

“The creation of a new bowling arena as part of a Las Vegas casino will be an amazing experience for our bowlers to enjoy,” USBC Executive Director Stu Upson said. “This agreement required tremendous public and private support in order to come together. We look forward to seeing the construction of a great venue that will be a source of pride for the entire bowling industry.”

About United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body for the sport. USBC is a membership organization that provides standardized rules, regulations and benefits to make bowling fair and fun for everyone. The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com.

About the LVCVA

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center.  With approximately 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and more than 10 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area.
http://www.lvcva.com or http://www.LasVegas.com

About Las Vegas Events

Las Vegas Events is a private, not-for-profit organization that serves as the exclusive major special events agency for the city.  Founded in 1983, LVE is funded by hotel room tax.  Through its Signature Event initiative, LVE has created a model to integrate all elements of special events and formally improve communication between event producers and Las Vegas’ hotel properties and sponsors.  Since 1991, Las Vegas Events has produced, presented or supported more than 600 events. For more information, visit http://www.lasvegasevents.com.

About South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa
Featuring 2,200 guestrooms, South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa overlooks the famous Las Vegas Strip and the serenity of the surrounding landscape. Each oversized guest room features state-of-the-art LED televisions as well as WiFi with high-speed internet connections. Guests visiting South Point will experience affordable luxury through a casino offering top-of-the-line gaming technology, more than 60 table games and a race and sports book area featuring separate viewing areas for both horse racing and general sporting events; a wide variety of dining options, including the award-winning Michael’s Gourmet Room; the world-class Costa Del Sur Spa and Salon; a fabulous 400-seat showroom featuring headliner entertainment; a 16-screen Cinemark movie complex; a state-of-the-art, 64-lane bowling center; and a 165,000-square foot convention center. In addition, South Point holds one of the finest event facilities in the country with the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center, which features more than 1,200 climate-controlled stalls and plays host to some of the country’s most unique events. South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa is at 9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89183.

For more information or for room reservations, call (702) 796-7111 or visit the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa website. Connect with South Point on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and foursquare.

Feinblum, of Santa Rosa, Calif., dedicated more than five decades of service to bowling at the local, state and national levels, including four years of work on the committees and task forces that helped develop USBC.

Feinblum spent more than a decade on the Women’s International Bowling Congress Board of Directors, and most recently served as chairperson of the USBC Nominating Committee and the USBC Hall of Fame Committee.

“I stand here humbled and grateful and I just can’t believe it,” Feinblum said at last year’s USBC Hall of Fame inductions. “What a privilege it is to be inducted. This isn’t about me. It’s about the passion of all those who work and volunteer in this industry. I know that bowling has a big future.”

Feinblum caught the attention of WIBC officials through her behind-the-scenes activities with the Redwood Empire and California Women’s Bowling Associations, an organization for which she later served as director. After serving as president of both organizations, she was elected a WIBC director in 1994 and served as a Vice President for five years (1999-2004).

In 1988, while serving California as a mental health administrator, she was honored with an Outstanding Manager Award - a tribute to her experience as a physical education instructor and teacher of emotionally disturbed children.

Feinblum’s ability on the lanes became evident in 1965, when she won the Santa Rosa Women’s Bowling Association Bowler of the Year award. A longtime member of the Bowling Writers Association of America as well as the National Women Bowling Writers, Feinblum has earned the NWBW Dudley Peebles Photography Award as well as the NWBA Jo Ettein Leiber Award.

In addition to being a member of the USBC Hall of Fame, Feinblum was also inducted into the California WBA and the Redwood Empire WBA Halls of Fame.

Services are pending.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body for the sport. USBC is a membership organization that provides standardized rules, regulations and benefits to make bowling fair and fun for everyone.

The interactive home of USBC is BOWL.com. Go to twitter.com/USBC for the fastest USBC headlines.

Maryland Eastern Shore, the 2011 ITC champion, swept Pikeville, 2-0, to take the trophy, while Robert Morris knocked off McKendree, 2-0, to take the men’s title. CBS Sports Network will air the women’s championship match May 17 at 10 p.m. Eastern, while the men’s final will be shown May 24 at 10 p.m. Eastern.

The Hawks’ victory in the women’s title match gave the program five national championships in the past six years (three NCAA titles and two ITC wins). They claimed victories of 209-180 and 173-171 in making quick work of Pikeville in the best-of-three match.

“So few people get to go out with a win, to go out on top, what a great way to end a great experience,” Maryland Eastern Shore senior Anggie Ramirez said.  “My last day of collegiate bowling couldn’t be any more perfect.”

Senior anchor T’nia Falbo clinched the win for the Hawks, tossing a clutch double in the final frame of the second game to take a slim come-from-behind victory.

“To be under all these lights with everyone staring at you there’s a little more pressure,” Falbo said. “I just realized that my girls trusted me to make the shots, and everything I have practiced the last four years came out in that final frame.”

In the men’s final, Robert Morris-Illinois won its first collegiate national title in school history by defeating McKendree in consecutive games, 223-192 and 258-207.

“This is what we worked for all season,” Robert Morris coach William Clark said. “These guys have done all the hard work, and I’m proud of them.”

Robert Morris anchor and college bowling’s most valuable player Marshall Kent doubled in the 10th frame of the first game to help the Eagles to the victory. McKendree’s AJ Johnson had a chance to win the game in the final frame but left the 4-6-7 split.

In the second game, Robert Morris came out of the gates quickly, starting with a spare and seven consecutive strikes to roll to the victory.

“Relief, joy, excitement - it’s a mixture of a lot emotions right now,” said Kent. “It’s an incredible feeling to share this moment with seven other guys and our two coaches.”

The tournament’s most valuable player honors went to Lindenwood’s Amanda Greene and Webber International’s Gary Faulkner.

Joining Greene on the women’s all-tournament team was Ramirez, Falbo, Jazreel Tan of Wichita State, Brandy Hensley of Pikeville and Deanne Dirado of Kutztown. Faulkner was joined on the men’s all-tournament team by Chris Via of Notre Dame-Ohio, Zack Hattori of Marian, Kiel Jordan of Fresno State and Johnson.

The xbowling Intercollegiate Team Championships featured the top 16 men’s and top 16 women’s college bowling teams in the country vying for national titles. All 32 teams competed in best-of-seven, double-elimination match play in the Baker format Friday, after which the field was pared down to the finalists in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

For more information on the xbowling Intercollegiate Team Championships, visit BOWL.com/ITC.

xbowling is the title sponsor of the collegiate national championships. xbowling is a first-of-its-kind bowling app that empowers bowlers to connect and compete using their smart phone or tablet devices while bowling within xbowling enabled centers locally, across the country and around the world.  The xbowling platform allows bowlers to enter challenges, view live scoring, and compete remotely while bowling.

About International Bowling Campus
The International Bowling Campus (IBC) is the headquarters for the bowling industry and directly serves the more than 71 million bowlers in the United States. The IBC houses the resources of the United States Bowling Congress, the governing body and membership organization for the sport; the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, representing the business interests of bowling centers; Strike Ten Entertainment, the marketing arm for the industry; the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame; The Bowling Foundation; the International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association; the International Bowling Media Association; the Bowling News Network; the Billiard and Bowling Institute of America; and the International Training and Research Center.

2013 XBOWLING INTERCOLLEGIATE SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday’s results
(At Sun Valley Lanes, Lincoln, Neb.)

MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Robert Morris-Illinois def. McKendree, 2-0 (223-192, 258-207)

WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
Maryland Eastern Shore def. Pikeville, 2-0 (209-180, 173-171)