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Bowling tournament worth $2M to local economy

Tammy Dabbelt, Mindy Schlegel and Linda Kelly will be defending titles in the Ohio USBC WBA 84th Championship Tournament that begins Saturday, March 6, at Dayton-area lanes, including Beaver-Vu Lanes in Beavercreek, where they are pictured.

Chris Stewart/Staff photographer Tammy Dabbelt, Mindy Schlegel and Linda Kelly will be defending titles in the Ohio USBC WBA 84th Championship Tournament that begins Saturday, March 6, at Dayton-area lanes, including Beaver-Vu Lanes in Beavercreek, where they are pictured.

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By Debbie Juniewicz, Contributing Writer Updated 12:22 PM Friday, March 5, 2010

Bowling is bigger than Broadway — at least in terms of dollars pumped into the local economy.

The 84th Ohio United States Bowling Congress Women’s Bowling Association state championship will take place at two area lanes starting Saturday, March 6.

The event, which will draw more than 7,000 bowlers during 12 weekends through early June, will have an estimated economic impact of at least $2 million, tournament officials said. In comparison, “Wicked,” the smash-hit musical that ends its run Sunday at Dayton’s Schuster Center, is expected to bring in $1.6 million.

Yes, bowling is big. Just ask Michael Cooney, general manager of the Holiday Inn Fairborn. The tournament’s host hotel has half of its 203 rooms booked with bowlers every weekend until the event ends.

“In this horrible economy, this event is extremely important for us,” Cooney said. “But it will also impact the entire area.”

Singles and doubles competition will be held at Beaver-Vu Bowl in Beavercreek, while the team event will be at Poelking Marian Lanes in Huber Heights.

The Dayton area is hosting the event for the first time since 2001. It was awarded the tourney in 2007 through a bidding process that takes more than lane requirements into account.

“Dayton has a lot to offer beyond bowling,” said Jean Tondola-Smith, president of the Ohio USBC WBA. “And it’s usually the activities in the area that help a city get votes.”

The area is ready, according to Sue Fillers, Greater Dayton USBC vice president.

“There is a lot of anxiety, but it’s also very exciting,” Fillers said. “It’s fun when you can show off your city to bowlers from all over the state.”

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Not sure if it was mentioned or not but Dayton will also be hosting the 2011 Mens State Bowling championships next year. Capri Lanes and Poelking South will be the 2 local houses hosting the event. Usually the mens tourney starts in early January and runs thru mid May. Dayton is a top 5 bowling town in Ohio and has the bowling facilities to prove it. Go down to a Cincinnati house and bowl and you'll see exactly what I mean. Cincy has a couple decent bowling lanes but not many.

Joe Bowler
11:29 AM, 3/6/2010

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Even though Dayton proper is dying, the surrounding areas are rather nice and have a lot to offer.

This bowling tournament is a nice example. The organizers have wisely avoided dayton proper, and staged the event in the burbs.

I'm not even sure if the City of Dayton has any bowling alleys...? Lots of sex shops and tattoo parlors, though.

It's Great in Dayton!!
8:01 AM, 3/6/2010

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Would be Decent if the Local Bowling association was worth a ****. They can not get awards out on time. When the men's and Women's association merged the Clickish Women's Association Did whatever they could to get rid of the Best Association manager the Dayton area has ever seen only to install the worthless one the GDWBA had.

What a Joke

unwilling member
4:56 PM, 3/5/2010

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Congratulation's Dayton that seems to be a very good turnout for the womens state tournament. I was born in Dayton, but moved away over 30 years ago. I grew up bowling at McCooks, and a 10 lane house called Pasttime. Bowlers are from all walks of life. Having a State Tournament held in your city is an honor. Other cities politic for those tournaments. So welcome the women bowlers Dayton.

Bruce Sallee
4:51 PM, 3/5/2010

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First of all, this tournament is bringing together women from all over the state of Ohio. It is bringing money to the city of Dayton, which is a great thing. These women are not "rednecks", they are women who have worked hard at an activity that they love, and many of them are very competitive. Dayton is well respected in the bowling community around the country. Go watch the tournament before you make any comments about the kind of women that will be there.

Jessica
3:17 PM, 3/5/2010

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