14,000 Bowlers Flock to the Capital City

1/9/09 Posted in News  |  0 Comments

The Greater Lansing Sports Authority (GLSA) is pleased to announce the opening weekend of a huge sporting event for the area, the 2009 USBC Men’s State Bowling Tournament. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at Pro Bowl in Lansing.

Back to the area for the first time in over a decade, the event is slated to draw over 14,000 bowlers, as well as their friends and family, to Lansing every weekend from January through the first weekend in May. With tournament participants coming in from as far away as the Upper Peninsula, estimates are indicating the need for over 8,000 hotel rooms for the group over the five-month tournament period.

“In terms of sports tournament participants, this one really packs some big numbers,” said Mike Price, Manager of Sports Development for the Greater Lansing Sports Authority (GLSA.) “In fact, because of the high number of registered bowlers in Michigan, this event is one of the largest of its kind in the nation. We really feel Lansing residents, league bowlers or not, will feel the impact.”

That is certainly the hope throughout the community as businesses struggle to attract new customers in a tight economy. Restaurants, shopping malls and, of course, bowling facilities, are all hoping to see added traffic with the influx of visitors. As host facilities, Royal Scot and Pro Bowl will naturally be buzzing with activity, but other bowling alleys in the area are also hoping to get a shot in the arm. As tournament participants look to get in practice rounds, or Lansing residents, who find that their usual lanes are busy, explore other area bowling centers.

“We’re not directly involved with the Men’s State Tournament but we’re still very happy to see it come to Lansing,” said Joe Townsend, Manager of Holiday Lanes in Lansing. “We hope to see all kinds of overflow business from this huge event. Our numbers for families and recreational bowlers should be way up on weekends, and that will be a nice boost.”

Recruiting these types of sports events and stimulating the local economy with dollars from visiting tournament participants and their families is the main goal of the GLSA. Part of the process leading up to break through wins like the USBC Men’s State Bowling Tournament is creating winning partnerships like the GLSA is currently developing with the Lansing USBC, various local sports facilities, Michigan State University and many more.

For those seeking more information about the USBC Men’s State Bowling Tournament or the GLSA please call 517-377-1411 or visit www.lansingsports.org