11th Frame – 10/18/2018

By Bill Ryan 

A survey from a third-party research firm shows that participants at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships support recent changes to the tournament, including the addition of a third average-based division and withholding publication of lane conditions to improve fairness. 

The USBC Open Championships survey was reviewed and analyzed by Victus Advisors. 

In 2017, USBC introduced significant changes to the Open Championships designed to improve the experience and competitive environment of the event, including a new division intended to increase peer-to-peer competition. Now that bowlers have experienced the changes for two years, USBC conducted a survey to determine the acceptance and approval of the changes. 

Victus found bowlers responded with an overwhelming acceptance and approval of the change in division structure for competitiveness (85 percent) and a strong positive majority (76 percent) about overall changes to the division structure and average requirements. 

Registration trends for the 2019 Open Championships in Las Vegas also support these findings. To date, 8,230 teams have registered for the event. If current registration trends continue, 2019 projects to be the largest tournament since 2012. 

Victus’ key findings from the Open Championships survey data include: 

• The overwhelming majority (85 percent) said that the new division structure allowed them to be more competitive or made no difference to the competitiveness of the Open Championships. This is a clear indication that the addition of a third average-based division at the tournament had its intended effect of increasing peer-to-peer competition at the event. 

• Overall, 76 percent of respondents said they think the three-division structure is positive for the long-term success of the tournament or that they agree with the goals of the changes. This is indicative of the generally positive view of the new division structure. 

• A total of 65 percent of respondents indicated they agreed with or had no opinion about keeping lane patterns secret until after the conclusion of the event. This majority shows a positive leaning toward the changes made in lane condition communications in 2017 and 2018. 

The survey also asked bowlers to identify their levels of satisfaction relating to 19 aspects of the 2018 tournament. Victus observed that overall satisfaction with tournament operations was among the best performing categories in terms of bowler satisfaction, which further indicates there has not been a significant backlash to the operational changes made in 2017 and 2018. 

The complete Victus Advisors report on the 2018 Open Championships survey is published onBOWL.com/OpenChamp. 

Surviving the Game

Results of the first week of Al-Mar's Surviving the game found the first three bowlers eliminated were all from the Ladies Major League. They are Diane Swisher, 75 under; Dar Mauk, 74 under and Laura Partin, 69 under

Upcoming events

Annual Basebowl Tournament, Oct. 28; Bowling for Boobs, Nov. 4; and annual City tournament also later in November.

League highlights through Oct. 14 

• ASD I Remodeling Tour Trials (featuring professional=style lane conditions) :

Njee Holmes, 614; Juan Ybanes, 224, 613; Jeff Piekarzewski, 608; Justin Moungie, 604; Mallory Friz, 233; Mickey Higham, Bill Whitman and Moungie, each 217.

Standings:  Wammes, 30-15; Piekarzewski, 29.5-15; BGSU 2, 29-16.

• Rally’s Junior All Stars: 

Conner Main, 116, 323; Easton Duncan,115, 277; Porter Dimick, 103, 277; Girls: Madisyn Duncan, 100, 277; Kyleigh Leu, 87, 240; Adylynn Babcock, 72, 177. 

Standings: Strike Kings, 33-9; Need a Name, 26-16; The Gutter Gang, 25-17, 22-13. 

• Bobcat 2 a Days:

Avery Latta, 208, 471;Colin Fahy, 167, 454; Jerrad Main, 433; Miguel Lorenzen, 177; Girls: Linda Alfaro 186, 277; Kaitlyn Roesser, 139, 366; Kaylee Gonyer, 141, 347.

Standings: Boys Avery Latta 60 wins; Garrett Genson, 46 wins; Girls ; Savanah Garner, 47; Kaylee Gonyer, 42.

• Ladies Major: 

Cheyenne Kolczynski, 225,565; Betty Winnick, 214, 529; Tricia Green, 201, 525.  

Division Leaders, Marsh & Marsh, 28-14; Groom Room, 31-11.

• Elks:

Gary Wachter, 249, 688; Al Seifert, 2334, 659; Tony Iler, 643; Jordan Franks, 233; Women: Mallory Fritz, 225, 647; Sheila Kessler, 455; Rosie Koontz, 179..

Division leaders, Iler, 131-58 and Sweddy Balls, 100.5-33.5.

• American:

Chris Deluca Jr. 715; Lucas Jenne, 257, 685; Zeke Varella, 665; John Ferrera Jr. 268; Doug Trumbull 257.

Division leaders, ASD I Remodeling 38-11; and Dunipace Builders, both 28-21.

• Eagles: 

Bill Riffner, 257, 703; Jordan Franks, 6868; Ron Steinman Jr., 683; Brian Murray, 266, 663; Pancha Melendrez  and Joe Kolczynski, both 266.

Division leaders: ASD Remodeling 45-4 and Main & Sons Plumbing and Heating, 32-17. 

• Randy Miller Doubles (four games): 

Kris Kolk, 269, 966;Shaun Crusa, 879; Joe Kolczynski, 889; Rodd Buehrer, 241; Mark Wolford Sr., 239

Standings: Crusa-Miller, 89-51; Kolk-Wammes, 87.5-52.5 

•Tuesday Coffee (two games)

Cathy Lowry, 186, 318; Susan Enright, 279, 306; Juanita Huss, 166, 301..

Standings: Team 7, 28-2; Teams 3 and 10, 22-8.

•Monday All Stars (two games):

Jonathan Snyder, 145, 273; Caden Crawford, 153, 272; Jack Schall, 155, 260;  Girls: Isabella Starkey, 140, 261; Addison Brokaw, 141, 246; Adelyn Davis, 243; Maggie Landry,195.

Standings: Team 15, 20-5; Team 14, 18-7

• Tuesday All Stars: (two games) 

Adam Rohleder, 157, 305; Robert Cooley, 169, 286; Sam Hise, 280; Liam Binion, 158; Girls: Tristan White, 165, 307; Emily Lantz, 155, 297;  Alison Malani, 157, 292.

Standings, Team 12, 18-7; Team 7, 15.5-9.5.

•BG/Eastwood:

Miguel Lorenzen, 151, 407; Jayden Gartee, 97, 257; Girls: Kadence Jagielski, 121, 237; Jessalyn Mott, 20, 215.

Standings: Teams, 1, 5 and 7, each, 7-0.

• Fantasy Doubles: 

Chris Deluca Jr., American, League; 715; Kris Kolk, Randy Miller League, 269,  699; Lucas Jenne, American League, 257, 685; Joe Kolczynski, 266; Doug Trumbull, American, 257; Women, Mallory Fritz, Elks League 255, 647; Pancha Melendrez, 266, 599; Denise Miller, 593; Cheyenne Kolczynski, 225

Standings:Dilsaver-Close, 27-3; Luca Jenne, and Kolczynski-Kolczynski, both 21-9.