2020, 2021 USBC Senior Championships ready to begin

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Las Vegas area will welcome hundreds of bowlers age 50 and older during the next two weeks, as two editions of the United States Bowling Congress Senior Championships head to Sunset Station in Henderson, Nevada.

The double dose of top-tier senior competition will kick off with the 2020 USBC Senior Championships, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial event will take place Aug. 3-6 at Sunset Station's Strike Zone.

The 2021 Senior Championships will follow from Aug. 10-13, and both editions will feature two divisions - Mixed and Women's - in six age-based classifications - 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 and older.

The Senior Championships is a national event for bowlers who have qualified through their state's senior tournaments. Those who advanced for the 2020 tournament will participate in the classification for which they originally qualified, regardless of current age.

The qualifying rounds of the 2020 event will begin Wednesday at 11 a.m. Eastern with the first of two three-game qualifying blocks. Participants will be looking to claim one of 12 national titles at stake, as well as part of the $42,000 estimated prize fund.

After six games of qualifying Wednesday and Thursday, the top six scores in each division, including handicap, will advance to a medal round, scheduled to begin Friday at noon EDT.

Advancers will bowl an additional three games, with total pinfall (including handicap) for the nine games, determining the champions.

The 2020 Senior Championships will include more than 300 bowlers representing 44 states, with one champion, Alabama's M. Lynn Johnson (Women's 55-59), returning from the 2019 tournament in Cincinnati.

The 2021 Senior Championships, which will welcome more than 200 competitors from 27 states, will follow the same format, with qualifying taking place Aug. 11-12, and the Advancers Round being held Aug. 13.

Nearly a dozen bowlers qualified for both events.