Some people do, when I used to bowl in it, I would bowl in all of the satellite tournaments as well, it would be close to if not more than 20 games.

Beefers, there are 2 divisions, regular and classified, and it really is over/under 185 sanctioned average. There is also a Senior Division over 55. So, you have an opportunity to bowl against a reasonably close group in average and age.

In Vegas, I don't know the exact amount of entrants, but let's say there are 120,000 bowlers from all over the Country that you are bowling against, in the same pattern, and can compare your results against. And, you do that in a 5-man team event, Doubles and Singles competitions. So, yes that is only 9 games.

It is kind of humbling, but you know where you stack up against some equal quality, and what it is you should work on.

The added interest is the brackets of many types that you can enter. So, there is a little wagering that goes on too. But, it is a good time for most too get away for a bowlers weekend or short trip.

But, hey, It's Vegas for a getaway with or without your significant other.
http://www.bowl.com/tournaments/usbcopen/national/main.aspx

And, the opening ceremonies are cool. All bowlers march in together, in lane assignment order, and walk to their lanes. The Cashman Center looks massive and intimidating with wall to wall 60 lanes. Reno has 80. You go through a pretty serious ball check-in and weigh procedure. I found a ball 2 oz over in top weight a couple of years ago. You get to rub elbows with the major Ball Mfgrs in their booth, and talk the newest and most improved equipment. Ask questions of the reps, and get a good appreciation for their equipment. All are partial, of course.

After 3 hours of bowling, you go off and enjoy the nightlife of the town, and most have a really good time, even though you may find out you rank 24,345 out of those who bowled. That can be humbling.

http://www.bowl.com/tournaments/usbcopen/National/lowtocash.aspx

These numbers really aren't that intimidating, are they?

http://www.bowl.com/articleView.aspx?i=15800&f=1

Entering the final week of competition, the excitement of last weekend was generated by tournament rookie Jonathan Schalow of Marshfield, WI, who had games of 299, 255, and 253 in doubles for an 807, the 6th 800 series of the tournament, and PBA Hall of Famer Wayne Webb of Sacramento, CA (Erin probably knows him ), who had the 34th perfect game of the Open Championships in his singles event.

http://www.bowl.com/articleView.aspx?i=15819&f=1

First-timers Robert Carter (636) and Michael Warren (614) of Clinton, NC teamed for a 1,250 to take the Classified Doubles lead with the tournament winding down this weekend.

http://www.bowl.com/articleView.aspx?i=15822&f=1

A record-breaking 2009 USBC Open Championships are now in the history books. The article linked above has a good recap, including photos of all of this year's champions.

Well, it looks like I may not have a team for Reno. I am in charge of my 4 teams next year. I have contacted everyone and so far I have received back 10 people who are not going or have other teams already. Looks like I will be spending my Memorial Day at home next year. At least the wife will be happy.

I might have a spot available that weekend on my team. Jonathan my doubles partner (when I could bowl) may not be able to go, he and his wife are having twins due in december, I think he will have his hands full and will most likely not be able to make it. He barely made it last year, so I would be shocked if he made it this year.

The only thing is the team I bowl on is no where near the caliber of bowlers you are used to traveling with, but I'm sure they would be happy to have you. They aren't horrible, but they aren't bringing home any eagles any time soon either, we cashed in 300th place 4 years ago in team and they all usually cash and do ok in brackets.

Let me know if you are interested and I will ask if the spot is available.

Thanks Coach. I promised my wife though that if I got on with another squad that I would try to do it a different weekend. She doesn't like her Memorial Day "ruined" every year by me going away. I have a few guys around here who have been asking me if I want to go that I have a spot with them. I'm going to make a few more phone calls/send a few more e-mails to my current teammates and see where they stand. I have a feeling that most of the rest will still go but they procrastinate. They are the reason why we always get the zombie squads.

I've been going out there the last 6 years. Last year was the Tues/Wed following Memorial Day. Every other year was the Tues/Wed before Memorial Day. Next year I'm going out with a different squad and will be going early July which is better for my wife as she works in the school systems and the end of May is very hard for her to get off. When it goes to Baton Rouge, we will be going out at the same time as Mardi Graus which actually falls on Spring Break for her. The guy is is setting all this up has family in that area. In my 6 trips out I have cashed twice in Singles and Twice in Doubles. 2 years ago we got the DVD of us bowling teams and I used that to figure out where I need to play and I felt this years tourney was my most consistant.

It' official. My teams aren't going. I was able to get a few of the guys but most of them don't want to go to Reno again. If it was anywhere else, I wouldn't have any problems fielding at least 2 teams. I'm going to wait on the results of my wrist before I commit to a new team though. I went to NM a couple years ago when I was 3+ months removed from ACL surgery. Hindsight I shouldn't have gone. If I have to have any work done on my wrist, I won't go. It's wouldn't be fair to my new team.