Bowling tournament prize: Bowling alley

[chadlincoln]

How cool would this be. You win a bowling tournament and you win the bowling alley. It's not the highest scores that win either. It's how close you bowl to your average. Very cool idea.

Bowling tournament prize: Bowling alley

ELVA, North Dakota (AP) -- The winner of a North Dakota bowling tournament gets a unique prize -- the bowling alley.

Darin Bail, owner of Star City Lanes in Velva, says he needs to hand off the business because he must spend several months a year in Oregon because of a family situation.

"I call it the ultimate winner take all," Bail said. "There's one winner, no second place prize. The winner gets the whole property -- a bowling alley, restaurant, the real property that goes with it."

The tournament's format is different from most. The score nearest to a bowler's own average will win, which ensures that someone who regularly bowls 75 could win just as easily as someone who rolls a 250 every time.

The entry fee is $250. Qualifying rounds will be held at North Hill Bowl in Minot on May 27 and June 3, 10 and 17. The top 12 bowlers will face off June 24 in Velva in the bowling alley they hope to win.

Bail said he has lawyers and accountants overseeing the tournament and has cleared it with state gaming officials.

He said he needs at least 600 entrants to make his plan work. If not enough people sign up, he will refund all entry fees, minus a $10 processing fee.

"People tell me we should expect 1,000 people," he said, adding that he has received calls from bowlers in several states.

[Coppermine]

I heard this on NPR the other day and wanted to post it here but forgot. Thanks Chad

[Omaha Red Sox]

Pretty fun idea. I wonder what the "family situation" is that would force him to live in Oregon? Keep us updated chad.

[Big Pimpin]

Mad is sure to show up.

[bigh0rt]

Mad is sure to show up.

I'd definitely take a trip to the Fantasy Baseball Cafe Bowling Alley

[Arlo]

Mad is sure to show up.

Mad would be sure to win.

[LooseCannon]

So say you average an 150 for bowling. You've got 149 or whatever, with one frame left, do you just blow it? It seems kind of skewed.

[acsguitar]

I heard this on NPR the other day and wanted to post it here but forgot. Thanks Chad

Don't try to take his credit for this

j/k

[pokerplaya]

So say you average an 150 for bowling. You've got 149 or whatever, with one frame left, do you just blow it? It seems kind of skewed.

Good point. They should just run it like a regular tournament, with a handicap.

[Omaha Red Sox]

So say you average an 150 for bowling. You've got 149 or whatever, with one frame left, do you just blow it? It seems kind of skewed.

Good point. They should just run it like a regular tournament, with a handicap.

No I think this is great. It involves strategy instead of just outright best bowlers. There's regular bowling tournaments all the time. Funny thing is, is this could quite possibly come down to the best bowler.