FAQs - Two oil patterns at USBC Open Championships

ARLINGTON, Texas - For the first time in 110 years of tournament history, the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships will feature two lane conditions - one oil pattern for team competition and another for doubles and singles.

A new daily schedule will be introduced at the 2013 event to allow for the lanes to be oiled before every squad. The change creates the opportunity to use two different lane conditions.

"We've worked hard to find a way to have fresh oil for every squad because it gives everyone an equal starting point, and having two lane conditions really will test the bowlers' versatility," said Brian Lewis, USBC's Managing Director of Tournaments. "The Open Championships is the premier event for USBC members, and it's our goal to provide an environment that reflects that."

In order to make fresh oil for every squad possible, six bowlers will be on each pair of lanes for doubles and singles, compared to four in the past.

To keep the pace of play steady, all six games of doubles and singles will be contested on the same pair of lanes. In the past, competitors would bowl doubles then flip to an adjacent pair for singles.

Team squads will be held at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day, and doubles/singles squads will take place at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. The tournament will be held at the one-of-a-kind National Bowling Stadium from March 1 until June 30.
 
Storm Bowlers Journal Championships will utilize doubles and singles pattern

Bowlers interested in getting a sneak peek of the doubles and singles lane condition can do so by competing in the Storm Bowlers Journal Championships presented by USBC.

For the first time, the Bowlers Journal Championships will be held in the same venue as the Open Championships, and the 2013 edition of the BJ will utilize the doubles and singles oil pattern from the main tournament.

The Bowlers Journal Championships, which has complemented the Open Championships for more than six decades, will be held on the high end of the 78-lane NBS.

The 2013 edition of the Bowlers Journal Championships will feature:

* Lower entry fees
* A new three-game format
* Extended hours
* Traditional and senior singles and doubles competition
* Return of the 199 & Under Handicap Singles as well as a new Women's Handicap Doubles
* All new Super Senior Singles (for bowlers 60 and older)
* Instant Payback and jackpots
 
Team-event lane condition will be available on 900 Global Showcase Lanes

Bowlers looking to practice on the lane condition that will be used for the team event at the 2013 Open Championships can do so on the 900 Global Showcase Lanes on the ground floor of the National Bowling Stadium.

The 10 custom-built lanes will be used for coaching, team or individual practice and two more unique side tournaments, the 900 Global Two-Game Challenge and Who's Got the Look Baker Bonanza presented by 900 Global.

The cost to practice on the 900 Global Showcase Lanes will be:

* $200: One-hour session with a USBC-certified coach (based on availability)
* $100: One hour of practice for up to 10 bowlers (no coach)