What has evolved into the premier showcase of bowling competition with five Tour titles up for grabs, the PBA World Series of Bowling V returns to the South Point Bowling Center in Las Vegas Oct. 25-Nov. 3.
The WSOB V tournament package is open to PBA members for a $750 entry fee and includes five events – the Cheetah, Viper, Chameleon and Scorpion Championships – as well as the PBA World Championship, with the finals of each telecast by ESPN.
Entries are now being accepted online for PBA members via pba.com, or by calling Membership Services at 206-332-9688. The field for the World Series is limited on a first-come basis to the first 240 players who enter. The entry deadline is Oct. 12 or whenever the field fills (whichever comes first).
In addition to the PBA Tour events, PBA members and non-members are eligible to enter the All-Region Singles and Doubles tournaments (Nov. 1-3) for extra entry fees.
International bowlers applying for International membership must be affiliated with a WTBA WBT bowling federation. If they are not, they must apply for PBA Full membership. International members will be unable to enter through the on-line system and will need to use the entry form that will be available on the schedule page. Full PBA members can enter by going on-line, faxing the entry form or contacting Barb Wilt at PBA Headquarters at (206) 332-9688, ext. 6025.
All WSOB participants will be eligible for discounted room rates of $50 weekdays and $90 weekends at South Point Hotel through Nov. 3. To lock in the special rates, rooms must be reserved by Oct. 4. To make reservations visit www.southpointcasino.com or call (702) 796-7111 and use entry code “PBA World Series of Bowling” for special rates.
World Series of Bowling V will get underway with an open practice session on Friday, Oct. 25. Over the next four days, competitors will bowl qualifying sessions in the Cheetah, Viper, Chameleon and Scorpion Championships, respectively. At the conclusion of each daily seven-game qualifying round, the top 24 players will advance to an additional seven-game qualifying session to determine the four players who will advance to the ESPN stepladder finals on Saturday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 3.
The new PBA50 Tour Finals and PBA Regional Invitational Finals will be televised events for players who qualified during the 2012-13 season. The top three PBA50 Tour players based upon Player of the Year points during the 2013 campaign, and the winners of six PBA Regional Players Invitational tournaments, will compete for special prizes in the new ESPN-televised events.
The WBT Finals, also part of the ESPN package, will again feature the top three men and top three women based upon a rolling two-season points system developed by the World Tenpin Bowling Association.
PBA’s Xtra Frame online bowling channel also will provide more than 100 hours of live coverage during the World Series.