RIYADH, 6 June 2007 — Prince Abdul Hakim ibn Musaed, chairman of the organizing committee of the 1st Kingdom International Open Bowling Tournament, said yesterday that the participation of international professional players had made the tournament all the more competitive and exciting. The tournament qualifying ends today with the 26 qualifiers to join the four Saudi bowlers and two so-called super bowlers in the round of 32.
Prince Abdul Hakim said he had received many letters of appreciation from prominent personalities for the successful running of the tournament, which will end within four days. “Although such a tournament is held for the first time at the Universal Bowling Center in Riyadh, tens of international players are taking part in the event,” he pointed out.
A daily prize of $500 is up for grabs for the bowler who scores the highest block of three games during the qualifying phase of the tournament. “Now the competition has been restricted to a number of international names who are vying to make the highest score and win the first prize,” the prince said. The champion will receive the grand prize of $25,000. The first runner-up will receive $12,000, second runner-up $8,000, third runner-up $5,000 and fourth runner-up $3,000. The sixth to 10th placers will each get $1,000. In case a non-Saudi wins the tournament a separate winner-take-all prize of $5,000 will be at stake in the sideline match between the champion and the best-placed Saudi bowler. This comes as an incentive to the Saudi bowlers.
Meanwhile, the intensity of the competition rose with the arrival of six players of the Professional Bowlers of America (PBA) as well as several other international players from other countries. Tim Mack of the United States won the prize for scoring the highest block on Sunday. However, Saudi Hassan Al-Sheikh remained on top of the standings with three nine-game blocks of 2,191 on a 243.44 average. Another American, Michael Fagan, scored the highest of 752 on Monday.
