Youth Open Championships
Running in the same city during the same month as Junior Gold, the Youth Open Championship is a tournament that any USBC sanctioned youth bowler can participate in. Events include Singles, Doubles, and Team (4 bowlers) events. The Youth Open is a scratch tournament, with division based on age. There is an optional handicapped division add-on which also awards scholarship for top finishers. It runs select days before and after Junior Gold: July 10-12, 19-21, 27-28 for 2024.
The age divisions are same as Junior Gold, with the exception of an additional U10 division. The age division cutoff date for U10 is 8/1/2013 or later, making U12 8/1 2011 – 7/31/2013. The rest follow the Junior Gold cutoff dates. You do not need to qualify or participate in Junior Gold to participate in the Youth Open, you only have to have an active USBC Youth membership.
Scholarships are awarded for event type, age, and sex division as well as an overall “All-Events” category for those who bowled in all three Singles, Doubles, and Team events. Winners in the Scratch category receive the prestigious Eagle trophy, and scholarship is paid on a 1:7 ratio. The top Handicapped category finishers receive scholarship money only. For the Doubles and Teams events, each participant bowls three regular games, and awards are based on total pinfall of the team.
The Youth Open is bowled on a “Challenge” type pattern, easier that a Sport Pattern, but harder than a House pattern. More information can be found at bowl.com/youthopen.
USA Bowling Team Championships
The USA Bowling National Championships is an exciting Baker team format tournament, held in the same city as Junior Gold, with position rounds and matchplay rounds just prior to Junior Gold and the TV finals taped for showing on CBS Sport Network during the week. To qualify for the Nationals, teams must win at one of the USA Bowling Regional Tournaments, held in 16 regions across the United States at various times during the year starting in October. USA Bowling has two age-based divisions U12 and U15, only. Teams may consist of all male, all female, or mixed, but all teams compete in a single blended division, there is no division for sex. No scholarship is awarded for this event – bragging rights, a trophy, and a chance to be on national TV are the only rewards. See the USA Bowling section in the “What is the Dress Code” FAQ for information about dress requirements. Note that this is sometimes confused with “Team USA” or “Team USA Bowling”. This is in no way related to Team USA or Junior Team USA.
Survivor Tournament
*** See the Survivor Tournament Primer for more info ***
This is a USBC sanctioned tournament that occurs just after the Junior Gold qualifying rounds. Typically, it offers the option to purchase a bowling ball at a deeply discounted price (one per participant). Junior Gold spots for the following year are also awarded for the top finishers in each age group at a 1:5 ratio of spots awarded to bowlers entered, making this a great opportunity to get your spot early. Scholarship money is also awarded for top finishers. Typically, a house shot like pattern is used. Information is available in the “Gold Approach” emails and at the Competitor’s Guide in the Junior Gold section for the USBC site. The 2024 Survivor information and mail in entry form is available here, and online registration for the 2024 Survivor Tournament is now open.
Adult / Youth Baker Tournament
There is an optional Adult / Youth tournament during the week run by the local USBC association. The format is 4 game scratch Baker style on a modified house pattern, with divisions organized by the age of the youth bowler: U12, U15, U18, U20. For 2021, it will be conducted at Hindel Bowl. Information is available at the Competitor’s Guide in the Junior Gold section for the USBC site.
Team USA “Win-A-Spot” Qualifier
You can register for a change to win a paid entry to the Team USA Trials based on your 16 game qualifying scores. Information in the “Gold Approach” emails, and at the Junior Gold Expo.
DV8 Bowl4Life JuniorBowling.com Youth Shootout
This is a privately run and sponsored tournament that is always run in the same city as Junior Gold just prior and after Junior Gold itself. More Info: www.JuniorBowling.com. The 2024 Shootout will have squads on July 11th, 12th, & 19th, 2024 at Imperial Lanes, 44650 Garfield Rd, Clinton Twp, MI 48038.
Junior Gold Demo Day
Each year, there is typically a demo day to try new balls. The manufacturers vary from year to year, usually it’s the sponsoring manufacturer, for 2024 several companies will be represented, including Storm, Brunswick, and Motiv. Often there are several pros on the lanes helping with selection and coaching.
Squads run every 20 minutes, and last about 1.5 hours. 2024 information has not been released yet. Check the Special Events page for updates.
Want 20% off great jerseys from the Junior Gold sponsor while supporting our site? Head over to I Am Bowling and use coupon code STRIKAH to great ready with high-quality materials and designs!
Last Updated on May 19, 2024 by John Voorhis