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Women’s Championship Entry Deadline Approaching
Online entries for the Michigan State USBC 99th Annual Women’s Championship close Friday, January 30. Secure your spot and get ready to compete with the best from across the state
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Open Championships Updates & Information
- The patterns for the 2026 Michigan State Open Championship Tournament have been announced.
- Hotel recommendations for the Muskegon area.
Good luck to all bowlers competing throughout the tournament!
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2026 State Pin
Here is the pin that will be given out at the 2026 Women's State Championships.
Since Battle Creek is where the home of Kellogg's is, we thought this was fitting.
Let us know what you think!
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Important Update Regarding Scratch Participation Confirmation for Michigan State USBC Open & Women's Championships
Michigan State USBC is introducing an additional confirmation step for the upcoming Open and Women’s Championships to ensure clarity and accuracy regarding scratch participation.
Why This Update Matters
Participation in the scratch portion of the tournament must be clearly verified for each bowler. To eliminate confusion and last-minute issues, a new, dedicated scratch participation confirmation letter will now be included as part of the confirmation process.
Confirmation Timing & Distribution
The new confirmation format is not available until Michigan State USBC receives the official tournament download from USBC, which occurs approximately two weeks prior to the opening of the event.
Once this download is received, confirmation letters will be sent via email to each squad leader, or to the team captain if the team is not assigned to a squad. The appropriate confirmations will be attached to that email.
Squad leaders will be asked to ensure that each team captain reviews the confirmation to verify all entrants, including scratch participation status.
Because this process is new, confirmations will be sent based on scheduled bowling dates, with priority given to squads bowling in the first month of the tournament to allow adequate time for review and verification. All remaining confirmations will be sent as quickly as possible thereafter.
What Squad Leaders Need to Do
- Review the scratch participation confirmation letter carefully upon receipt
- Verify each bowler on your squad and confirm whether they are entered in the scratch portion of the tournament
- Ensure all information is accurate prior to your scheduled squad time
If Scratch Was Missed During Registration
If a bowler intended to compete in the scratch division but it was inadvertently left off during registration, it may be added on-site.
Important: This correction must be completed before bowling begins. Once bowling has started, no changes can be made to scratch participation.
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USBC Rule 4e Covers Tournament Average Relief for Bowlers Who Become Injured or Disabled
Approval from USBC Headquarters is required prior to participation, and requests must be submitted in advance.
For full details, requirements, and official guidance, review the complete rule click here.
𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝘼𝙨𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨:
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4e/1: Last year I averaged 190 right-handed, but due to an injury, I am bowling left-handed and have a 127 average. I want to participate in tournaments bowling left-handed. Can I apply for tournament average relief? If so, how?
Yes. Prior to bowling in any tournament, you must submit documentation to USBC Headquarters. (See Rule 4e for details.) Tournament Management cannot give average relief without USBC first making the decision to grant relief.
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4e/2: If USBC grants average relief, does the tournament manager have to accept the relief?
If authorization is granted by USBC Headquarters, the player will be notified in writing of the minimum average a tournament may assign and the time limit for the relief. The bowler then must request tournament management’s permission to use the assigned average. However, tournament management still has the authority to deny the relief and require the bowler to use the average as stated in tournament rules or assign the bowler an average that meets or exceeds the minimum established by USBC.
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Greater Muskegon Hall of Fame
Congratulations to the inductees: Ryan Mouw (L), Carol Linderman (M) & Steve Schuitema (R)
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Honoring Ryan Mouw: Excellence on the Lanes and Beyond
Ryan Mouw
Ryan Mouw is widely recognized as a true multisport athlete, excelling in bowling, golf, and baseball from a young age. Introduced to bowling as a child, Ryan quickly developed into an elite competitor, earning national junior experience before building an extraordinary adult bowling career. His accomplishments include more than 30 perfect 300 games, over 10 800 series, a Muskegon Masters title, and elite finishes across state and national competition. As a member of the S & P Pro Shop Team, Ryan captured multiple USBC National titles, including two coveted Eagles, standing atop fields of tens of thousands of competitors. Beyond competition, Ryan made a lasting impact through his work with Brunswick, contributing to equipment innovation while mentoring others through technical expertise. Grounded by family and perspective, Ryan’s talent, work ethic, and character make his induction into the Greater Muskegon Bowling Hall of Fame both fitting and well earned.
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Celebrating Carol: Five Decades of Service to the Sport of Bowling
Carol Linderman
Carol’s bowling journey began in 1973 and quickly grew into a lifelong commitment to the sport and its people. As a junior coach for more than 20 years at Muskegon Lanes and Northway Lanes, she helped shape countless bowlers—including her own children and several Hall of Fame and future Hall of Fame athletes—finding great joy in their achievements. Her dedication extended well beyond the lanes through extraordinary service, including 31 years on local association boards, leadership roles during the USBC merger, and continued representation of Muskegon at state and national levels. Carol remains deeply involved as a league officer, team organizer, and active competitor, while consistently encouraging youth and families to embrace bowling. With nearly 50 years of unwavering involvement, leadership, and passion, Carol’s induction into the Greater Muskegon Bowling Hall of Fame in the Meritorious Services category is truly well deserved.
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Honoring Steve: A Lifetime Dedicated to Bowling Excellence
Steve Schuitema
Steve’s bowling story began early—joining junior leagues at Maple Lanes at age nine and learning the game alongside family, friends, and mentors who shaped his lifelong love for bowling. Over the decades, Steve became a fixture in the Muskegon bowling community, earning multiple “All-Star Bowler” honors, maintaining a 200+ average for more than 40 years, and delivering some of the most memorable performances in local history—including 800+ series and a career-best 853. As a cornerstone of the legendary Danicek Auto team, Steve helped set multiple city tournament records while developing lasting friendships built on competition and respect. Beyond the lanes, his impact extended to coaching, where he led championship baseball teams and earned statewide recognition for excellence. Steve’s dedication, consistency, and leadership—both in bowling and in the community—make his induction into the Greater Muskegon Bowling Hall of Fame a well-deserved honor.
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USBC Hall of Famer Cora Fiebig Dies at Age 91
ARLINGTON, Texas – United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Cora Fiebig of Madison Heights, Michigan, died Nov. 13 at the age of 91.
Fiebig found success on the international stage during her two appearances on Team USA (1981 and 1987) and became the oldest competitor (51 years old) to win the USBC Queens in 1986. She was inducted for Superior Performance in 2004.
The right-hander collected multiple wins at the local and state levels across Michigan before breaking through with her first run at a Queens title in 1978. Fiebig went undefeated through the bracket to earn the top seed but finished second to USBC and Professional Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Famer Loa Boxberger.
At the 1986 Queens, she qualified fourth for the finals and worked her way up the stepladder – including wins over USBC and PWBA Hall of Famers Betty Morris and Donna Adamek – to advance to the title match. There, Fiebig defeated Barbara Thorberg to claim the tiara and major victory, 223-177.
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