“Championship-Worthy” Line-Up Of Presenting Sponsors Announced For Historic 2013 Bowling’s U.S. Open

The historic 2013 Bowling’s U.S. Open just got even bigger as the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA), the bowling industry’s premier trade organization announced today the presenting sponsors for the tournament. The Open, which will be held in Columbus, OH beginning July 20, will combine the Men’s, Women’s and Senior Women’s tournaments. To support this ground-breaking event, the following major global brands have signed on as presenting sponsors: The Brands of Ebonite & Columbia 300, Brunswick Bowling & Billiards, Jani-King and Storm Bowling Products.

The unprecedented event is the result of a collaborative effort between four of the leading organizations in bowling – the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA), the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and Strike Ten Entertainment (STE).

“This historic 2013 Bowling’s U.S. Open is the pinnacle event of professional bowling. Never before has there been so much excitement as evidenced by the stature of the iconic brands that have already signed on as presenting sponsors,” said John Losito, tournament director of the event. “Just like the Open itself, each of these brands are in the upper echelon of their respective categories, and by signing on as sponsors, they continue to help elevate and enhance what is already a great sport.”

The Brands of Ebonite & Columbia 300, Storm Bowling Products and Brunswick Bowling & Billiards are some of the leading brands in the sport today. Additionally, Jani-King the “Official Cleaning Provider of the BPAA” returns again as a presenting sponsor, continuing to offer cleaning services to the more than 3,500 bowling centers that are members of the BPAA.

“As a bowler, it’s thrilling and inspiring to see the collaboration between our sport, the industry and our sponsors,” said Kelly Kulick, the 2003, 2010 and 2012 Bowling’s U.S. Women’s Open champion. “Through the U.S. Open, and with the help of these presenting sponsors, we look forward to an exciting tournament that will captivate bowlers and fans nationwide.”

“The U.S. Open is the number one tournament on my calendar every year,” said PBA and USBC Hall of Famer Pete Weber, who won the U.S. Open for a record fifth time in 2012. “It’s the most challenging and prestigious event in the sport, as far as I’m concerned, and I can’t wait until July when I plan to come to Columbus and win it for a sixth time.”

The Men’s and Women’s U.S. Open competition will take place simultaneously, beginning Saturday, July 20, at three host centers – Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl, Columbus Western Bowl and Holiday Lanes. The event will conclude with the top four men and top four women bowlers earning a spot in the finals, taking place Saturday, July 27, at Columbus Western Bowl. As one of the most influential brands in sports, the U.S. Open finals will be telecast live in a two-hour event on ESPN at noon EST that Saturday, where the winner of the Men’s and the winner of the Women’s U.S. Open will be crowned. ESPN has been broadcasting the Open since 1997.