America's bowling fans are in for a real treat. The happening: The first FIQ International Seniors Open.
Beginning January 7 through January 14, one of bowling's greatest productions will unfold at the National Bowling Stadium. The cream of the crop in every classification of the game will flock to the most famous bowling establishment in the world.
The opening ceremonies will begin on the 7th of January at 5 p.m. with entertainment and a reception courtesy of headquarters hotels Circus Circus, Silver Legacy, and Eldorado. The awards banquet, featuring dinner and dancing, will be at the National Bowling Stadium on January 14 at 7 p.m., courtesy of the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority.
The festivities will kick off January 2 with the annual ABC Seniors Masters Tournament featuring the world's greatest seniors bowlers, both amateur and professional. Numerous foreign bowlers will compete against America's top amateur seniors.
Following the ABC Senior Masters, the PBA Seniors will join with the regular touring players for a doubles tournament, which will be contested at the same site on the same days as the FIQ events.
The International Seniors Open is a designated FIQ tournament. The FIQ (Federation Internationale des Quilleurs) is the governing body of all bowling organizations around the world and is divided into three zones—the American Zone, the European Zone, and the Asian Zone.
This is the first time a tournament of this type has been staged. As an added incentive, multiple entries will be permitted for those who fail to get off on the right foot or perhaps barely miss qualifying on their first attempt. Deadline for this tournament is December 31.
This will be the greatest opportunity for America's non-professional seniors to compete against the world's best players in international competition. Furthermore, it will likely be the most inexpensive. Reno, unlike Las Vegas, continues to maintain economical and affordable rates for lodging, food, and entertainment.
The main feature of this exciting week is competition between the best senior amateur players on the planet. The schedule includes team, singles, regular doubles, and mixed doubles events.
The tournament will offer a four-person team event open to any combination of bowlers who meet eligibility guidelines. Teams may consist of four men, four women, or any combination of men and women with no age restrictions. Players may be drawn from the 50-56, 57-66, or 67-plus age divisions established for singles play.
Adding spice to the tournament, teammates may be from different countries. This is a far departure from regular FIQ tournaments. Team and doubles events consist of three games. Singles will consist of six games, with the top 16 scorers in each division advancing to the Masters competition. This segment of the tournament is similar to the format of the regular FIQ Tournament held every four years and recognizes the winner of each division as the world's individual champion.
The city of Reno has thrown its full support behind this internationally flavored contest. Sponsoring hotels include Circus Circus, Eldorado, Silver Legacy, Peppermill, Harrahs, and Fitzgerald's.
Bowling has encountered some bumpy roads during the past few seasons. However, encouraging signs loom on the horizon. The BPAA and the ABC/WIBC are seemingly displaying a greater sense of cooperation, the PBA has been rejuvenated by Chris Peters and his group, and NBC's new hit show "Ed" has given the game a great boost.
What better way can bowling start the 21st century?
And remember, the 21st century starts January 2001.
John Jowdy, a member of the ABC and PBA Halls of Fame, is a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America.