PBA WORLD SERIES OF BOWLING Q & A
From Tournament Director Kirk von Krueger

PBA Vice President and Tour Director Kirk von Krueger is a former PBA Tour player and has served as the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Director since 1996. Kirk returns to his Tournament Director duties for the PBA World Series of Bowling and answers some frequently asked questions regarding the bowling extravaganza.



What are the dates for WSOB events and where are they conducted?
The PBA World Series of Bowling will take place in two locations between Aug. 2 and Sept. 6. PBA will be at Taylor Lanes in Taylor, Mich. from Aug. 2 – 6 for the Motor City Open. The remainder of the events will be conducted at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park beginning Aug. 8. The WSOB consists of seven Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour events (including the PBA World Championship), the first five of seven PBA Women’s Series presented by BOWL.COM events (including the PBA Women’s World Championship) and the PBA Senior World Championship.

The basic schedule looks like this:

Aug. 2-6 - Motor City Open, Taylor Lanes, Taylor, Mich.

Aug. 8-13 - PBA Cheetah Championship, Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Mich.

Aug. 14-16 - PBA Viper Championship and PBA Women’s Series Viper Championship, Thunderbowl Lanes

Aug. 18-20 - PBA Chameleon Championship and PBA Women’s Series Chameleon Championship, Thunderbowl Lanes

Aug. 23-25 - PBA Viper Championship and PBA Women’s Series Viper Championship, Thunderbowl Lanes

Aug. 27-29 - PBA Shark Championship and PBA Women’s Series Shark Championship, Thunderbowl Lanes

Aug. 30-Sept. 4 - PBA World Championship, PBA Women’s World Championship and PBA Senior World Championship, Thunderbowl Lanes

Sept. 5-6 - ESPN taping of final rounds for all events except the PBA Cheetah Championship and the PBA World Championship will take place in Thunderbowl’s arena. The televised finals for the PBA World Championship will be telecast live from Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kan., on ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern Dec. 13.



A detailed schedule which also features sweepers and side events can be found by visiting http://www.pba.com/worldseries/schedule2.html



Q. Who is eligible to compete in WSOB events?



A. All events are open to professionals as well as amateurs. Amateurs may enter directly into the open event fields (Motor City Open, PBA World Championship, PBA Women’s World Championship and PBA Senior World Championship). Amateurs can also enter Lumber Liquidators PBA Exempt Tour events but must qualify through Tour Qualifying Rounds. Under a new rule for 2009-10, all amateurs who finish among the top 10 in TQRs will advance to the field of 72.



If an amateur makes the field in a PBA Exempt Tour event and cashes, he/she will be required to become a PBA member to compete in future exempt events. However, an amateur who cashes in a TQR but does not advance to the field of 72 is not required to become a PBA member.



Also, keep in mind that women are eligible to enter any PBA Tour event to bowl against the men if they choose to do so. Obviously, male bowlers are not allowed to enter PBA Women’s Series events.



Q. Who makes up a Lumber Liquidators PBA Exempt Tour field?



A. Exempt Tour events during the WSOB will feature expanded fields of 72 players (standard Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour events during the rest of the season feature 64 players with five players coming through Tour Qualifying Rounds). PBA Women’s Series events will consist of 18 exempt players (up from 16 last season) with at least two additional players making the field through TQRs.



WSOB exempt events will consist of 41 players from the 2008-09 PBA Tour points list, eight players from the PBA Tour Trials, seven players from PBA Regional Players Invitational, three international player exemptions, one Golden Parachute qualifier, one player returning from a medical deferment in 2008-09, the 2008-09 TQR points list leader and 10 players (including one amateur) advance from TQRs. If any of the exempt players can’t bowl, his spot will be added to the TQR for that particular tournament.



WSOB Women’s Series presented by BOWL.COM events consist of 12 players from U.S. Women’s Tour Trials, six champions from 2008 and at least two players qualifying through TQRs. If an exempt woman can’t bowl, her spot will be added to the TQR.



Q. What is the entry fee for WSOB events?



A. For PBA members, the open field event entry fee is $500 (Motor City Open, PBA World Championship, PBA Women’s and Senior World Championship): Non-member open field entry is $600.



Lumber Liquidator PBA Tour and PBA Women Series presented by BOWL.COM TQR entry fees for the TQRs are $300 for PBA members if paid in advance, or $325 if paid on the day of the TQR. The non-member (amateur) entry fee is $325 in advance or $350 if paid on the day of the TQR.



It is strongly recommended that members and non-members enter by visiting

http://www.pba.com/worldseries/tournamententries.html. PBA members also may use the

special entry hotline, (206) 654-6025. Onsite entries must be paid to the Tournament Director.



Q. What is the size of the fields for the open events?



A. Capacity for the Motor City Open is 196. For the PBA World Championship it is 200 entries and PBA Senior World Championship, the maximum is 140. The maximum for the PBA Women’s World Championship is 100.



Q. What is the prize fund for Lumber Liquidators PBA Exempt Tour events?



A. Each will pay a $192,600 total purse with a $25,000 first prize. PBA Women’s Series presented by BOWL.COM events will pay a $50,800 total purse with a $10,000 first prize.



Q. What is the prize fund for open events?



A. Prize funds vary depending on the event. For example, the Motor City Open prize fund payout ratio will be 1 in 3 based on the number of entries with a guaranteed first prize of $25,000 and last to cash of $1,400. For the PBA World Championship the prize fund payout ratio is 1 in 4 with a minimum of 53 checks based on 160 entries. A 54th place check would be paid when entries reach 216. First place pays $50,000; last to cash $1,400. For the PBA Senior World Championship, the prize fund payout ratio is 1 in 3 based on the number of entries; first place will be $15,000, last cash $1,000 with an additional 10 Super Senior checks (ages 60 and over out of the regular prize list) that pay $700 each. The Women’s World Championship also sports a $15,000 first prize with a payout ratio of 1 in 3 based on entries; first place will be $15,000 and last cash $1,100.



Q. I heard there will be side events and sweepers as well?



A. For those who just can’t get enough there will be eight side events and sweepers, all scheduled for the bowler’s convenience. Entries for those will be taken onsite. Three special side tournaments with a $250 entry fee are restricted to amateurs and non-exempt PBA members. Five sweepers with entry fees of $100 and $80 are open to all players, exempt or not. Check out www.pbaworldseriesofbowling.com< href="">">http://www.pbaworldseriesofbowling.com/> for side event schedule. The prize fund payout ratio for sweepers is 1 in 5.



All side action entry fees go directly into the prize fund; no lineage or administrative fees will be deducted. In order to participate in any side event, a bowler must enter at least one of the main tournaments or any of the TQRs. Each of the five sweepers will be contested on a different PBA lane pattern: Earl Anthony, Tournament of Champions, U.S. Open, Dick Weber and Shark.



Q. What is the PBA World Championship format?



A. It is open to exempt and non-exempt professionals as well as amateurs. It will consist of 18 qualifying games on three different lane patterns followed by a six-game semifinal round. The top 40 will advance to best-seven-game, single-elimination match. The top eight will earn first and second-round byes, advancing directly to the Round of Super 16. The four survivors will advance to the live ESPN final on Dec. 13 in Wichita, Kan.



Q. What is the format for the PBA Women’s and PBA Senior World Championships?



A. Both are open to exempt and non-exempt professionals as well as amateurs. Each will consists of 18 qualifying games followed by a six-game semifinal round with the top 20 advancing to best-of-seven-game, single-elimination match play. The top four in each division earn first and second round byes advancing directly to the Round of Super 8. The two surviving senior players and two surviving women will advance to the finals Sept. 5 at Thunderbowl Lanes.



Q. What is the format for the five WSOB PBA Exempt Tour events?



A. The Cheetah, Viper, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark Championships will consist of 14 qualifying games leading to a cut to the top 28 for best-of-seven-game, single-elimination match play. The top four will earn byes to the Round of 16. Elimination matches will continue until four remain for the finals, except for the Cheetah Championship. The Cheetah Championship will continue with best-of-seven matches all the way to its conclusion.



Q. What is the format for WSOB PBA Women’s Series presented by BOWL.COM Exempt Tour events?



A. The Women’s Viper, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark Championships will consist of 14 qualifying games leading to a cut to the top eight for best-of-seven-game, single-elimination match play. The top eight will bowl matches until two remain for the finals. There will not be a Women’s Cheetah Championship.



Q. What lane conditions will be used for WSOB events?



A. PBA World Championship events will be conducted on a PBA World Championship pattern. The Motor City Open will be conducted on last season’s Shark pattern. The other WSOB events will be conducted on the PBA lane conditions that each is named after: Cheetah, Viper, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark.



Q. If I enter WSOB events, what equipment am I allowed to use?



A. For a complete list of PBA-approved equipment, visit http://www.pba.com/resources/equipmentSponsors.asp?Type=1



Q. Where and how do my friends and family get tickets?



A. Tickets are available for TQRs, practice days, qualifying rounds, match play rounds and ESPN telecasts. PBA is offering a wide variety of ticket options and packages. They may be purchased by visiting www.pbaworldseriesofbowling.com< href="">">http://www.pbaworldseriesofbowling.com/> or onsite at Taylor Lanes and Thunderbowl Lanes.



Q. When will ESPN telecasts of WSOB events air?



A. WSOB taped events air in their usual Sunday 1 p.m. Eastern timeslot on ESPN beginning Oct. 25. WSOB events will essentially make up the first half of the 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season.



The second half of the 2009-2010 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season will be more traditional, with live television and stops across the country between January and April, including three major championships – the Tournament of Champions, USBC Masters and U.S. Open.



As always, you are encouraged to check your local listings.



Q. What’s the best way to follow WSOB action?



A. PBA.com, of course. Bowling fans throughout the world will be able to follow WSOB action through pba.com and its new subscription-based bowling channel feature called Xtra Frame. More than 100 hours of programming is planned that will also feature an ESPN Sports Center-style program called PBA: 39x60.



Q. Are there going to be PBA Pro-Ams?



A. Absolutely. Pro-Ams give bowling fans a unique opportunity to bowl with PBA pros. They are fun events for all ages and skill levels.



Q. When are the PBA World Series of Bowling Pro-Ams?



A. Taylor Lanes Pro-Ams are on Aug. 2 at 4 and 7 p.m. and on Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. Thunderbowl Pro-Ams are on Aug. 14 at 3 and 6 p.m. and Aug. 23 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.



Q. How do I enter a Pro-Am?



A. Go to http://www.pba.com/worldseries/tickets.html to enter a Thunderbowl Lanes Pro-Am. Packages start at $65 and include options for enhancements like the latest Brunswick bowling balls at significant discounts.


About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) features the best bowlers in the world competing in National, Regional and Senior Tour events and awarded more than $4.3 million in prize money during the 2008-09 Lumber Liquidators PBA National Tour. The organization has more than 4,000 members spanning 13 countries, and nearly one million viewers tune-in to watch the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour every Sunday on ESPN throughout the season. PBA sponsors include Bayer, Brunswick, CLR, Denny's, Etonic, Flomax, GEICO, Go RVing, H&R Block, Lumber Liquidators, Pepsi-Cola and the USBC, among others. For more information on the PBA, log on to www.pba.com< href="">.">http://www.pba.com/>.