BOOZE OKed for USBC OPEN TOURNAMENT

The 2010 USBC Open begins tomorrow at the Bowling Stadium in Reno.

Want a cocktail while bowling in the tournament?

Go ahead, it's ok.

Wednesday, the USBC announced bowlers will be able to drink more than just water during the tournament. That includes alcohol.

Tournament manager Duane Hagen told Jeff Richgel's 11th frame the reason for the change.

"USBC's goal is to provide the best possible experience for participants at our championships. Some bowlers come to the tournament for camaraderie and would like to enjoy a drink with their teammates. We believe offering this service will be well received by many of our bowlers while also helping provide some additional revenue for the tournament. If there is an indication this change affects the integrity of the event or negatively impacts the bowlers' experience, USBC will re-evaluate the decision."

No specific business reasons are known why the sudden change just days before the event, it is known that team entries this year are under 15,000 and some speculate the additional revenue from drink sales could make up the difference.

While the news is welcomed by thousands of bowlers, there are purists and bowling leaders who are criticizing the decision. Some say it cheapens the game - at a time during the Winter Olympics when people wonder why curling is played in Vancouver while bowling is not - while others say the last minute change was another under-the-radar decision made by a select few with little input or polling.

We must point out the USBC stresses the decision to allow alcohol is not permanent. The change is being done on a trial basis.

Therefore, BOWLING HOOD's opinion will wait. We'll wait to see the conduct of bowlers during the tournament. Get drunk and disorderly and mess up what's always a top-notch way to compete, and Bowling Hood will side with prohibition.

Behave, and it's a win-win for everyone. Change is ok. Change can be good. Next time, let's hope the USBC opens the process a bit more and more in advance of a deadline.

MORE OPEN CHANGES: From the USBC

The changes include new Scale Room procedures, the allowance of beverages while competing, special check-in accommodations for team captains with four or more teams, opportunities for team captains registered for both 2010 and 2011 and a fully-automated registration process.

Bowlers have traditionally had all of their bowling balls weighed and checked prior to both team and doubles and singles, but the procedure has been adapted. All balls still must be checked prior to bowling team, but only balls not present during team must be checked before doubles and singles competition. All bowlers are still required to report to the squad room with their equipment, however.

Behind the scenes, team captains with four or more teams will be able to enjoy a stress-free check-in experience in the tournament's new VIP check-in area, which is set away from the general check-in counter.

In addition, captains are encouraged to register for 2011 so they can begin reaping the benefits of the Eagle's Nest, a special club for dedicated captains.

Eagle's Nest members will receive a monthly 'E-Nest' Newsletter - a monthly e-newsletter featuring tournament tips, latest bowling trends and special offers from Reno sponsors, USBC Travel and the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.

All Eagle's Nest members also will be eligible to win one of five cars or trucks that will be awarded at the 2011 Open Championships, airfare and lodging for the 2011 event or one of the high-performance Storm bowling balls awarded each day during the 2011 tournament.

Captains with four or more teams also will be eligible for free upgrades on lodging in 2011.

Any current or potential team captains interested in registering for 2011 now can do so using USBC's fully-automated registration system on USBCopen.com. This option was introduced earlier this month, and the step-by-step process has proven to be simple and quick.