Columbia 300 Forty Frame Game to Join USBC Open Championships at NBS

The Forty Frame Game and the United States Bowling Congress have agreed on a partnership that will bring the popular tournament to the National Bowling Stadium's Showcase Lanes in 2014, and Columbia 300 will serve as the event's title sponsor.

The Columbia 300 Forty Frame Game, which started in 1989, has been held in the same host city as the USBC Open Championships since 1992, but Reno, Nev., in 2014 will mark the first time for the two events to be held in the same venue.

"The Columbia 300 Forty Frame Game draws thousands of competitors each year with its fun format and unique jackpots, and we're looking forward to adding it to the variety of events at the NBS," said Brian Lewis, USBC Managing Director of Tournaments. "We saw last year that bowlers love the convenience of the on-site side tournaments, and the uniqueness of The Columbia 300 Forty Frame Game will ensure that bowlers of all skill and interest levels can find an event for them."

The Columbia 300 Forty Frame Game is a handicap singles tournament of 40 continuous frames that includes no-tap frames, mulligans, bonus pins and other fun challenges. There also is a variety of side events and doubles for bowlers to earn additional prize money.

The tournament has welcomed more than 300,000 bowlers and paid more than $10.5 million in 25 years of competition.

"We are thrilled to be partners with Columbia 300, one of the top ball brands in bowling, and to be part of the offerings to USBC bowlers," said Jim Walter, owner of The Forty Frame Game. "Our unique format is a lot of fun and also gives participants the chance to practice and possibly win some money in the same atmosphere where they will be competing for bowling's national championships."

The Columbia 300 Forty Frame Game will be held on the Showcase Lanes, which also are used for team practice sessions. There will be specific afternoon and evening squad times for The Columbia 300 Forty Frame Game as well as morning and early-afternoon times set aside for team practice sessions on the Showcase Lanes.

"Columbia 300 represents fun bowling competition with your friends, making partnership with The Forty Frame Game a perfect fit," Columbia 300 Brand Manager Bugsy Kelly said. "We look forward to helping make The Columbia 300 Forty Frame Game a special experience that every bowler will want to make part of their Reno visit."

Prize money for Forty Frame Game tournaments nationwide, including The Forty Frame Game in the event's hometown of Toledo, Ohio, and a Ladies Doubles, traditionally held alongside the USBC Women's Championships (since 1995), is approximately $450,000. Top performers also earn an all-expense-paid trip to The Forty Frame Game National Championship Finals held each November in Las Vegas, where they can win additional prize money.

United States Bowling Congress: The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body for the sport. USBC is a membership organization that provides standardized rules, regulations and benefits to make bowling fair and fun for everyone.

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