USBC Youth Open online registration opens Dec. 1
Starting Dec. 1, youth bowlers will be able to go online to register for the 2012 USBC Youth Open, which will be held in Indianapolis from July 12-28. The annual tournament is open to all USBC Youth members – there is no qualifying – and there are four average-based divisions so competitors are matched according to skill, not age or gender. Go to BOWL.com/youthopen  for tournament information and to register.

For youth members who might not have a team but want to compete in the Youth Open, they can sign up with the Friendship Squad and will be placed on a team. This year, the Friendship Squad is available with all squads. The form for the Friendship Squad can be found on the USBC Youth Championships page or by clicking here.

Junior Gold memberships are now available online
Youth members who would like to become Junior Gold members can now purchase their membership online.

Starting this season, there is no longer a minimum average requirement to become a Junior Gold member. With new divisions for the 2012 North Pointe Junior Gold Championships – U15 Boys, U15 Girls, U20 Boys, U20 Girls – now is a great time for all youth members to join the Junior Gold program.

Please pass the word to all league coordinators and any members that may be interested in Junior Gold memberships, and a reminder that bowlers must have a Standard membership prior to purchasing a Junior Gold upgrade.

Go to BOWL.com/joinusbc to purchase a Junior Gold membership.

Open Championships VIP package now available
Bowlers headed to the 2012 USBC Open Championships in Baton Rouge, La., will have the chance to be treated like Mardi Gras royalty if they take advantage of the tournament's new VIP program. This includes the chance to be coached by USBC Silver coach Bill Hall on the tournament's new showcase lanes, which will be located on the second floor of the Baton Rouge River Center.

The Open Championships VIP package includes several gifts, discounts and other features combined into one great deal that can be purchased exclusively on BOWL.com for just $199.95. It is perfect as a holiday gift or a special opportunity for a veteran competitor looking to enhance the tournament experience.

Read more about the Open Championships VIP program here. 
 
Be recognized through the IBM/HF Brick Campaign
Associations can become an important part of the beautiful International Bowling Campus by purchasing one of the many bricks that pave the way to the front doors of the campus. The inscription can memorialize a loved association volunteer, celebrate a special event, or even include the association’s logo.

All proceeds from the Brick Campaign benefit the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame. For pricing options and ordering information, click here go to the IBM/HF website at bowlingmuseum.com and click on the Support tab.

Maryland Eastern Shore bowler named Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow 
Megan Buja of Rockford, Ill., has been selected to receive the 2012 Alberta E. Crowe Star of Tomorrow Award. The award is presented annually by USBC to a female high school senior or college student who has excelled in the sport of bowling as well as off the lanes.

Buja, a sophomore at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, is a two-time member of the Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team. Click here to read more about Buja.

International Bowling Campus closure
In observance of Thanksgiving, the International Bowling Campus will be closed Nov. 24-25 (there will be no e-News on Nov. 24). We would like to thank all of you for your hard work and dedication to our sport, and sincerely wish each and every one of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.