It's very good to hear that the BPAA and the PWBA have come to an agreement.

However, I still believe that the Bowling Industry should act unified and supportive of each other instead of creating situations like this that lead to disunion. To this end, The BPAA should have never permitted the PBA to take control of the their own event and which through their "improvements" excluded the women from having equal parts in it (especially in terms of the TV time).

Even though it appears the BPAA is trying to make amends I question if they are worthy of supporting through my renewal of membership. The question should not be what will be the best way for the BPAA to save some dollars, but, how can we as an organization best support bowling as a whole and promote the entire sport. Surrendering to the PBA fat cats, who are only interested in filling their own deep pockets, doesn't serve the rest of industry and the majority of proprietors.

Steve Mermelstein
Owner, Milton Bowling Center, Milton, VT

I just hope that they can still agree to make both tournaments go on at the same time in the same venue.

You are so right! BRAVO!

The PWBA and BPAA announced today that the BPAA has agreed to license the rights for the Women's U.S. Open to the PWBA for the year 2001, with future years to be negotiated at a later date.

Read the full story: PWBA Obtains Licensing Rights To Women's U.S. Open

The problem with unifying the industry is that even though everyone in the industry claims they want solidarity, they want it on their terms. All these organizations have their own little agendas, and it is these little agendas that is keeping the entire industry back. Bowling Inc was created to move in this direction, but they became just another group with its own agenda. The BPAA saw a fast way to make some money on a tournament they had claimed they lost money on, and instead of sitting down and thinking about what it would do to the sport as a whole, they take the money, and sell the soul of the sport. Does the PBA deserve to be immune to all blame? No. But it was the BPAA's shortsightedness that brought us here. Hopefully they will make amends, and salvage at least some of their crediblility. However, they may never fully be able to do that in the minds of alot of female athletes across the country.

The Daily Herald had a very good article on the USOpen today, "Female bowlers stand their ground."

Read it here: http://www.dailyherald.com/search/main_story.asp?intID=37226181