ARLINGTON, Texas – The dates and location for the 2012 United States Bowling Congress Senior Queens have been changed, and the event now will be part of a weeklong celebration of senior women’s bowling at the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, in late October 2012.

The qualifying, match-play and championship portions of the USBC Senior Queens will take place at the International Training and Research Center, and all rounds will be broadcast live on BOWL.com. New for 2012, the tournament will feature a stepladder championship round. The official dates and details of special events for competitors will be available in early spring.

The change accommodates the addition of the Senior U.S. Women’s Open as a division of the U.S. Women’s Open, which will take place in Reno, Nev., in June, just two weeks before the Senior Queens originally was scheduled to be conducted.

“We are thrilled there are now two major events for our senior women bowlers,” USBC Managing Director of Tournaments Brian Lewis said. “In order to better serve our bowlers who wish to compete in both of these major senior women’s events, we have elected to change the dates and location of the Senior Queens. It also gives them the opportunity the experience the ITRC and see what else the IBC and Arlington have to offer.”

The 2012 Senior Queens will be the 13th edition of the annual event that is open to USBC female members age 50 and older. Earlier this year, Paula Vidad of Sun City, Calif., won the 2011 tournament in Syracuse, N.Y.

Senior Queens bowlers face the traditional double-elimination match-play bracket – the same format used by the USBC Queens – to crown a champion. The winner receives a tiara, pendant and trophy. First place for the 2012 Senior Queens will be $5,000 with an estimated overall prize pool of $30,000.

The Senior U.S. Women’s Open will be conducted at the National Bowling Stadium from June 22-29. That event, along with the U.S. Women’s Open, will take place in conjunction with International Bowl Expo. Highlights of the championship match will be shown on the television broadcast of the U.S. Women’s Open finals.