Las Vegas Bowling Competition Scheduled For Veterans and Military

By Chuck N. Baker

(Las Vegas) — Being in the military is not all training for combat, shooting weapons and marching the whole day through. There is also time for recreation each week and each month. And on an annual basis, there is something many consider very special — hefting bowling balls and attempting to topple ten-pins. Enter the Military Bowling Championships held in Las Vegas. It’s a real knock-down competition exclusively for active duty, veterans, retired military and DOD employees. And there is no lack of the types of grouping individual participants or teams can be a part of.

The tournaments will be held at the South Point Hotel in January, and will mark the 66th annual competition. Events will be broken down into various categories. As of now the categories include Retired & Senior Retired, Active Duty and Veterans, Scratch Teams, Doubles and Singles 4-game events. According to the Championships website, “More and more women have been coming out each year so we are increasing the added All Events prizes for women only.” Even prize categories are detailed. More than 1,200 prizes are scheduled to be awarded including many that have been added this time around: For Retired players aged 80 and up; Retired players aged 70-79; Players aged 50-59 in the Active Duty and Vets division; Players aged 60-69 in the Active Duty & Vets division.

Retired or Senior Retired teams or individuals may bowl in Active Duty/Vets division by choice, and as squads fill, teams will be placed in any available squad, first-come, first-served. Although the event is not until next January, entrants tend to fill up quickly. The entry fee is $185, and $107 of that is slated for prizes, which includes cash, trophies, plaques, pennants, lapel pins and other awards.
The mission of the championships is to bring together military bowlers from home and worldwide assignments to participate in outstanding competition. The organization says that the competition establishes a comradeship for those who participate, and develops, decides and delivers a tournament using integrity, commitment, innovation and teamwork. It maintains tradition and notes that the tournament is “of our bowlers, by our bowlers and for our bowlers.”

There is a dress code that bowlers must adhere to. The organization requires a “casual but respectable” appearance while bowling, and players are asked to appear presentable fro their peers, guest and sponsors. The committee recommends long pants and customary bowling shirts, however shorts and t-shirts will be acceptable attire.

More information, applications and additional details can be obtained through any of the following telephone or internet contacts: (800) 257-6179; info@high-roller.com; www.high-roller.com; www.militarybowlingchampionships.com.

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