Membership in the United States Bowling Congress continues to surpass the 1 million mark, a development that has USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy optimistic about the future of league bowling.
Murphy, in his 2025 State of the Association report, said that “participation trends look terrific as does engagement throughout the association at all levels.”
For the 2023-24 season (August through July), 1,093,000 bowlers joined the USBC – only 909 less than the membership figure for 2022-23. In 2021-22, the USBC jumped back over the million mark with 1,053,129 members.
Murphy said that the 2024-25 season has been steady, although the final number may fall a percentage point or two short of 2023-24.
Overall, we feel great about the state of league bowling,” he said, adding that the same can be said about the USBC’s national showcase tournaments – the Open Championships and the Women’s Championships.
The Open Championships at South Point in Las Vegas last season drew 11,012 teams – the highest total in 12 years and 1,447 more that competed in 2022-23. The Women’s Championships in Reno attracted 3,668 teams – down from the 4,148 that participated in Las Vegas the year before.
Murphy pointed out that membership dues and proceeds from these two tournaments make up more than 90 percent of USBC’s revenue.
Speaking of revenue and dues, Murphy shared that the USBC will not be increasing national dues until 2027 at the earliest “and maybe even further down the line.”
Currently, the USBC receives $15 from every membership paid at the local association level. In the Genesee Region USBC, for example, bowlers pay $25 to join a full-season league with $15 going to the USBC, $9 staying with the GRUSBC and $1 going to the New York State USBC.
Murphy said the USBC will be using investment reserves to cover any losses.
“Thanks to overperformance of the tournament and membership revenue, USBC is performing better than expected,” he said. “We will continue our practice of giving a detailed update at the Convention but know that things are looking bright for USBC financially as we start 2025.”
Another side of the USBC is its commitment to governance, testing and technology.
In 2024, USBC equipment techs tested and approved more than 244 ball models, 24 pin permit renewals, five lane panel renewals, three new approved string pinsetter models and 12 other products, including ball cleaners, lane oils and ball plug, Murphy reported.
Concerning string pinsetters, Murphy said there are 65 centers nationwide that have installed USBC-approved string pinsetters. Livingston Lanes in Geneseo converted to string pinsetters a few years ago, but those are not approved by the USBC due to noncompliance with USBC parameters.
Murphy said that, beginning in 2021, USBC also began tracking certified centers that converted to non-approved string pinsetters.
“In that time, 30 centers switched to uncertified machines impacting about 4,000 members total. However, since USBC announced standards for approved string pinsetters, only one certified center in the country has switched to an uncertified machine,” he noted.
USBC team members inspected the lanes at 1,107 centers – covering 23,718 lane beds — in 2024, Murphy said, bringing the total center and lane bed counts inspected by the national team to 2,273 centers and 48,683 lanes.
“This program continues to be very successful due to the new ACE Tool providing a much more efficient inspection experience and increased confidence in the accuracy of the data,” he reported.
Looking ahead, Murphy said, “We will continue to make quality service a priority for USBC.”
“Quality service to our members, associations, centers and industry partners is an everyday commitment,” he said.
The 2025 USBC Open Championships will take place in Baton Rouge, La., and the 2025 USBC Women’s Championships are set for Las Vegas.
Murphy said 11,480 teams already have registered for the Open Championships, marking a fifth straight year of growth. About 4,000 teams have signed up for the Women’s Championships and that, too, represents an increase from last season.
ADULT-JUNIOR TOURNEY NEXT WEEKEND
Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion is hosting the 11th annual Genesee Region USBC Adult-Junior Doubles Tournament next weekend with squads at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
The tournament, which offers scholarships for the top teams in 12 & Under and 13 & Over youth divisions, runs in conjunction with the GR Youth Travel League session set for 1 p.m. on Sunday.
About 20 teams already have signed up for the handicap tournament and plenty of openings are available.
The cost is $48 per team. Participants must be members of the Genesee Region USBC. To enter or for more information, send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com. Entry forms can be downloaded from the association website – www.bowlgr.com.
LE ROY TO HOST HELP-R-HEROES
Le Roy Legion Lanes once again is holding the Help-R-Heroes four-person handicap no-tap tournament. First place, based on 32 teams, is $1,000. One in six teams will cash.
Squad dates and times are as follows:
— Fri., Jan. 31, 7 p.m.
— Sat., Feb. 1, noon and 3 p.m.
— Sun., Feb. 2, 2 p.m.
Proceeds will be used to benefit wounded soldiers returning home. A chicken BBQ is set for Saturday night. Fundraisers will take place all weekend.
For more information, contact Scott O’Neill at 585-409-0459.
‘SUPER BOWL’ EVENT AT MANCUSO’S
Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia is hosting the ‘Super Bowl” Handicap Singles tournament on Feb. 9. First place is $450. Entry fee is $45.
All competitors will bowl four games – starting at noon – with the top eight (with at least 32 bowlers) or 1:4 advancing to match play.
To enter, contact Mark Brown at 716-474-7960.
ROCHESTER LEFTY WINS IN ALBION
Left-hander Mike Feola of Rochester, a multiple champion on the 60-and-Over Tour presented by Batavia Downs Gaming, placed first in a special “Wild Card Sunday Sweeper” event on Jan. 12 at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.
Feola won three stepladder finals’ matches to win the $220 top prize – defeating Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls, 289-228; Bob Day of Rochester, 247-225, and Jim Doerrer of Rochester, 200-149.
Doerrer, the high qualifier with a 728 three-game series, earned $165, while Day won $125, and Gray pocketed $100. Other cashers were Rochester residents Pete Pilaroscia, Ron DiMartino and Keith Garceau, and Perry resident Brett Van Duser.
The next 60-and-Over Tour event is set for 11 a.m. Jan. 26 at Transit Lanes in Williamsville. Check-in starts at 10 a.m.