Bowlers Journal International - February 2008 - (Page 46) USBC OPEN PREVIEW BY THOMAS MADRECKI OUT WITH THE CHILL, IN WITH THE CHILE Albuquerque will serve up a red-hot bowling and culinary experience. tional challenge in Albuquerque (apart from downing all those peppers). As a bonus, bowlers competing in the Sport Challenge will get a sneak peak at the future of the Open tournament: Six of the 12 lanes used for the side event will feature test versions of state-of-the-art LED scoreboards. Using the latest in 10-mm technology and featuring approximately 4.4 million colors, it’s a preview of what will be the “world’s largest mobile scoreboard” next year in Las Vegas and beyond. Bowlers have other competitive options as well, including the venerable Bowlers Journal Championships (see sidebar on next page), the BTM Tournament and The Forty Frame Game USA tournament. And, speaking of those bowlers, there’s going to be more than a handful descending on Albuquerque with the hopes of taking home an “eagle.” More teams — 12,410, as of January 10 — have signed up for the 2008 Open Championships than bowled in any non-Reno year other than the 2005 Championships in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the 2006 Championships in Corpus Christi, Texas. That represents a substantial Chiles promise a hot time for USBC competitors in the Old Town neighborhood and all over Albuquerque. growth in participation since 2000, the last time the Championships took many things you can put red and green place in Albuquerque. In Y2K, 10,688 pin tournament, scheduled to begin on chiles on,” says Megan Mayo of the teams, then a tournament record for February 16 and run through July 7. Albuquerque Convention and Visitors non-Reno years, made the trip to New The USBC Open’s lanes are 60 in Bureau. Mexico. This year, demand was so high number and have been assembled just Those chiles, in case you didn’t know, that the USBC extended the deadline. for the occasion by Brunswick. Fortyare central to the rich tapestry that is eight will be used for the main event, Bowling isn’t the only thing awaitAlbuquerque culture. They’re everyand the remaining 12 lanes will be used ing Open participants. Perhaps you’ve where — dried, bunched, and hanging for a separate two-game side tournaheard: Albuquerque is the hot-air balin colorful ristras; on burgers, tacos, ment, the Roto Grip Sport Bowling looning capital of the world. It even has seafood and pizzas; and even adorning Challenge. Divided into two average its own world-famous festival devoted this year’s tournament logo design. In divisions and contested on USBC Sport to ballooning and, according to Mayo, fact, those heading to the Southwest Bowling-compliant lane conditions, it’s most residents and visitors to the city would do well to be prepared for — designed for bowlers desiring an addiwill see six to eight balloons in the sky COURTESY ITSATRIP.ORG THE COLD CHRISTMAS SEASON IS now but a memory. But for those with a still-unsatisfied hunger for all things red and green, a hot new hope will soon be unveiled in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, home to the 2008 USBC Open Championships and — you guessed it — some fiery peppers. “You would not believe how and possibly beware — the fearsome chile, lest they spend an inordinate amount of time cooling their tongues like a parched coyote. Worse, bowlers ignoring such sage advice might find themselves unable to compete down on the freshly installed lanes inside the Albuquerque Convention Center, in the biggest and most famous amateur ten- 46 bowlers journal international FEBRUARY 2008
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