2012 USBC Women's Championships
April 14 - July 7 (last team date)
National Bowling Stadium
Reno, Nev.
Things to do in Reno
Each year, more than 30,000 bowlers compete at the USBC Women's Championships, the world's largest participatory sporting event for women.
From a convention and tourism perspective, the influx of approximately 600 bowlers plus family and friends each day provides an estimated economic boost of more than $40 million to the host city during the course of the event.
The first Women's Championships (formerly called the Women's International Bowling Congress Championship Tournament) was conducted in St. Louis in 1916 shortly after the formation of WIBC. The first event attracted just eight five-player teams, which competed for a total prize fund of $225. In its 92-year history, the event has grown to become the largest participatory sporting event for women.
The 2012 Women's Championships will welcome more than 6,100 five-player teams back to the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., and the prize fund is expected to exceed $2 million.
The tournament is the highlight of the bowling season for USBC female members. It's a vacation as well as the opportunity to compete in one of the sport's most prestigious tournaments. The three-division, all-handicap format has been well-received, and the excitement will continue in 2012 as the defending champions put their titles on the line.
The three divisions based on skill level are: Diamond for bowlers with averages of 180 and above (handicap is based on 220); Ruby for averages of 150-179 (handicap based on 180) and Sapphire for averages of 149 and below (handicap based on 150). Prizes also are awarded for the top overall scratch scores.