CANTON —The Professional Bowlers Association will be holding several events in Northeast Ohio during the next several weeks, including the PBA50 and PBA National Tour.
Here are the events and pro-am opportunities for fans.
PBA50 IN CANTON
The PBA50 Strike Zone Lanes Central Classic is set for March 3 through 5 at Strike Zone Lanes.
Defending champion Troy Lint leads a field of 90 senior players competing in the event, which begins with a practice session from 3 to 5 p.m. March 3.
Among players slated to participate are Brad Angelo, Dean Billings, Dale Cshuta, Ray Edwards, Michael Haggitt, Don Hogue, Dave Johnson, Tony Johnson, Brian Kretzer, Eugene McCune, Ryan Shafer, Harry Sullins and Jeff Zaffino.
A complete roster can be found here;
https://www.r2sports.com/website/roster-report.asp?TID=40453
Two eight-game qualifying sessions are set for 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. March 4, with the top one-third of the field overall advancing to Sunday’s four-game cashers round at 9 a.m. March 5.
Following the cashers round, the top 16 advance to bowl three more games before the field is cut again to the top eight for two more games. The final eight then will be reduced to the top four for stepladder finals at around 2:30 p.m.
Admission is free for all spectators. A pro-am event is set for 6:30 p.m. March 3 at Strike Zone with a $10 entry charge.
For more information, call 330-478-2123.
DOUBLES SET FOR CLUTCH
The PBA-PBA50 Doubles-Clutch Lanes Central Open is set for March 10 through 12 at Clutch Lanes and Sports Center in Cuyahoga Falls.
A practice session begins the activities at 3 p.m. March 10. Eight-game qualifiers are set for 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. March 11 with 12 teams advancing to the March 12 bracket match play set for 8 a.m. with teams five through 12 participating. That will be followed by subsequent rounds of Baker System match play until two teams remain.
Admission is free for fans.
A special Practice with the Pros is set for 7 p.m. March 10, with a two-hour clinic being conducted by pro participants in the event. Cost if $15 per person.
For information, call 330-928-3794.
TOC BACK AT RIVIERA
The PBA Tour returns to Fairlawn March 12 though 19 for the PBA Tournament of “Champions at AMF Riviera Lanes.
A pro-am will kick off the week at 1 a.m. March 12, with as high school youth clinic set for 1 p.m. Entry fees for the pro-am are $89 for youth and $109 for adults, with an upgrade to $189 and $209, respectively, to receive a Bowlero Storm Hy-Road bowling ball.
For information, call 330-836-7985.
The remainder of the schedule incudes the pre-tournament eight-game qualifier at 9 a.m. March 13; the first two six-game qualifying rounds at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. March 14; the third qualifier round at 11 a.m. March 15, with the cut to the top 24; the first eight-game match-play round at 5 p.m. March 15; and two rounds of match play at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. March 16 with the top 17 advancing to the first of three stepladder finals.
The biggest difference is three days of stepladder finals, with No. 17 through No. 13 seeds involved in Day 1 at 6 p.m. March 17; the winner of Day 1 joining the Nos. 12 through 9 seeds for Day 2 first shift at 7:30, followed by that winner joining seeds No. 8 through No. 5 at 9:30 p.m.. The traditional finals then are set for noon March 19.
Ticket prices very for each session. Go to https://www.pba.com/tournaments/2023/pba-tournament-champions for more information.
First place will be worth $100.000. In addition, the PBA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony also is set for 5 p.m. March 12 with Akron’s Fred Borden among the inductees.