USBC Communications
The United States Bowling Congress will no longer mail printed membership cards beginning with the 2027-2028 season. Members are encouraged to use the BOWL.com mobile app for their digital card and will be able to print their own membership cards, if desired, using Find A Member on BOWL.com.
USBC will use the 2026-2027 season as a transition season to help prepare members for a fully digital membership card platform.
During the upcoming season, USBC will be encouraging members to take advantage of a digital method that makes it easier than ever to join online at BOWL.com/JOIN and to download and use the mobile app for BOWL.com to provide a more convenient, faster, always-accessible membership experience.
USBC will support members and league officials throughout the year with tools and guidance to make the transition to digital simple and seamless, with an added focus on introducing new features that enable quick renewals.
Benefits and new features of a transition to digital membership include:
- Instant activation and access to membership, no more waiting for your card to arrive in the mail.
- Handy access to membership cards via cell phones.
- Improved efficiency during check-in for tournaments and leagues.
- Easier renewals and upgrades.
USBC also will provide clear direction through league meetings and association communications to encourage digital membership purchases.
To assist members, league officers, centers and associations with the digital adoption, some new assets will be sent out with association supplies this summer. There will be new membership applications with QR codes to join online provided to leagues, posters will be given to centers to display and a handout for league officials with details to help improve communication at league meetings will be distributed.
Collectively, these efforts are intended to prepare members for an improved digital membership experience beginning with the first fully digital season in 2027-2028.
During a recent membership survey, when asked in what ways they used their printed membership card, more than 85% of respondents said they either “didn’t use it for anything” or simply “put it in my wallet.” Additionally, only 11 percent of members in the survey said the card is a valuable element of membership.
At the same time, smartphone adoption across USBC’s core demographics now exceeds 92 percent usage and continues to grow.
These results emphasize that most USBC members are already relying on digital tools, allowing USBC to enhance the membership experience to better match how bowlers engage today.
Modernizing the membership card program supports USBC’s broader digital transformation roadmap, which includes upgrading the membership system, improving the mobile app, promoting data-driven communication initiatives and cost-efficient strategies.
A digital membership experience also aligns directly with the needs of tournament directors, youth operators and local associations as they shift toward faster, more reliable verification methods.
This transition represents the next step in USBC’s digital evolution, positioning the organization to better serve members and support the long-term future of the sport.
AT THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Meanwhile in Reno, Nev., a clutch finish at the National Bowling Stadium helped the members of Idle Hour Lanes 2 of Durant, Iowa, secure the lead in Classified Team at the USBC Open Championships at the National Bowling Stadium..
The group – consisting of Colin Weih, Mick Henderson, Riley Paustian, Cory Barclay and Ben Huston – posted scores of 947, 810 and 895 to finish with a 2,652 total, just 12 pins ahead of Maryland’s Timber Wolfe Lanes #2 (2,640).
Weih led the effort for Idle Hour Lanes 2 with a 597 series, and he was followed by Paustian (563), Huston (540), Barclay (510) and Henderson (442).
The big opening game pushed the team toward the top of the standings, but some late strikes in Game 3 helped the group recover from some struggles in the middle of the block.
Four of the five teammates struck in the eighth frame, and Paustian and Huston kept the momentum going in the ninth.
Paustian made it three in a row to start his 10th frame, and Barclay stayed clean to set the stage for Huston in the anchor spot. Working on three consecutive strikes, Huston needed the first hit in the 10th for the chance to push the team to the lead.
He connected for the first hit but still needed at least nine pins on his second delivery for the opportunity at the outright lead. Huston rolled another strike to secure the top spot for Idle Hour Lanes 2, and he added one more on the fill ball to close the set.
Timber Wolfe Lanes #2 had taken the lead just two days before, posting scores of 744, 1,001 and 895.
Devin Shepherd led the way for the group with a 611 series. He was joined by Justin Culbertson (539), Mark Eversole (525), Adam Gaultney (518) and Jay Black (447).
In addition, Kevin Taylor of Aberdeen, Md., put together a late surge to take over the lead in Classified Singles, using a timely adjustment to get to the top of the standings.
Taylor had games of 238, 170 and 267, placing him at the top of the leaderboard with 675. Jered Doan of Riverside, California, had held the lead with 661.
After a long day on the lanes, Taylor admitted his first reaction to the lead-taking moment was simple.
“Excited but exhausted,” said Taylor, who made his 21st appearance at the USBC Open Championships. “After doubles, I was totally worn out.”
Taylor entered his singles set without any expectations of making a run at the lead, especially after a steady but unspectacular start.
“I thought 650 was about all I had in me,” Taylor said. “I didn’t think it was even in reach.”
That changed quickly in the final game with a little luck on his side.
“I started getting these strikes, including a few Brooklyn strikes for good measure, and I thought maybe I could get to 250,” Taylor said. “But, I didn’t realize it would be enough to take the lead.”
The turning point came after a key adjustment late in the set. Taylor turned to a ball he had never thrown before.
“I brought four different balls and tried them throughout,” Taylor said. “The last game, the new Motiv ball I just drilled up worked. I had never thrown one in my life, but my brother gave it to me as a gift, so I figured I’d try it.”
The move paid immediate dividends as Taylor found a consistent reaction and stayed in rhythm down the stretch.
“I stayed in the same area and just trusted it,” Taylor said. “It gave me a different reaction than what I was used to.”
Despite the strong finish, Taylor admitted his mindset might have been different had he known he was within striking distance of the lead.
“I would’ve been nervous for sure if I knew,” Taylor said. “I’m glad I didn’t know.”
Now heading home with the lead, Taylor understands the long wait ahead as the tournament continues through July. Still, the possibility of earning a title is something he’s already thinking about.
“I’ll feel great if I get that call,” said Taylor, with a smile. “I’ve got a lot of bragging rights waiting for me back home.”
Taylor has been bowling with many of the same competitors for years, building friendships that add to the excitement of a performance like this.
“I’ve been bowling with this group for a long time,” Taylor said. “About 10 years with one group and a couple with another, but we all kind of merged. I know all those guys.”
Taylor added sets of 533 in team and 513 in doubles to move into eighth place in Classified All-Events with 1,721. Alan Haugen of St. Paul Park, Minnesota, leads with 1,770.
The Classified Division features bowlers with entering averages of 160 and below.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.