A Toast to USBC Management

I waited a month-and-a-half to decide if the USBC decision to allow alcohol sales at the tournaments was a good idea.

The verdict is in. It's a solid common sense decision. Thousands of bowlers love it. And that's what it's all about – them.

There are a lot of bowlers, including me, who initially were critical of the decision that was announce just days before the Open Championship commenced in February. Basically, the opposition to this decision uses the typical foundation, "It shouldn't be changed, that's the way we've always done it."

Many said it cheapened the image of bowling and tarnished tradition. Others said it bowlers would get unruly, and even some at USBC headquarters thought it might result in squads going over their allotted time.

There have been no incidents after six weeks. Squads start on time, no one has soiled the stadium carpet, and the bowling stadium itself is still standing.

By the way, scoring doesn't seem to have suffered because of booze.

Well if we're going to have debate, let's be honest. Bowlers in past years snuck it into tournaments. I've seen it. So did the USBC staff.

Booze and bowling have been around forever. Do you think the famed Budweisers in 1958 were drinking iced tea when they shot their record team series? And when was the last time you saw an alcohol free elite scratch league, in house or traveling?

In summary, "That's the way we've always done it."

The USBC Open isn't the Tournament of Champions. It's an everyman and everywoman tournament. Including women in the Open didn't wreck it even though the same critics predicted it would. Up until this year's declining entries due to the economy, past year entries including women in the field have been growing.

And that's another plus for this policy. The revenue replaces funds lost when some of you couldn't bowl this year for whatever circumstance. I've got it on good authority 20 cents of every dollar you spend on cocktails at the tournament goes to you. It goes to the USBC, but if you are a member, you are the USBC which gets back to the original argument:

There were a lot of yous who wanted it. Can't seem to remember hearing anyone campaign in past years, "Keep Booze out of USBC Bowling!"

But for you naysayers, there's hope. This is only a one year trial policy. So if you want to really want booze to stay out of the USBC Open Championship, then drink to excess in the stadium, be loud and let everyone know it, take your time ordering more cocktails before it's your turn to bowl and if someone does something you don't like, get in their face and let them know you mean business.

Oh, if the Reno police happen to take you away, don't call me for bail. After all, we're in a recession.

In the meantime, I'll be raising a glass to Stu Upton and Jeff Boje'. Good job.

Now they can turn their attention to bowl.com.