Simi Valley's Robert Smith to Defend First Career Major and Title

SEATTLE, WA (November 20) -- The nation's best professional and amateur bowlers will convene in Fountain Valley, CA, for the 59th U.S. Open to compete for the prestigious title and $100,000 top prize, Saturday, December 1, through Sunday, December 9, at Fountain Bowl.

Twenty-six-year-old Robert Smith, of Simi Valley, CA, will look to defend his first Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) title after winning last year's green jacket against 19-time PBA champion Norm Duke, 202-201, and spoiling Duke's bid for the Triple Crown.

ESPN will televise the finals live on Sunday, Dec. 9, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. EST (10:00-11:30 a.m. PST).

The tournament field has expanded to 336 bowlers and the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America (BPAA) has 136 spots reserved for amateur qualifiers and non-PBA exempt bowlers. Non-exempt PBA and non-PBA members can enter by participating in and winning one of several qualifying tournaments held around the country. A certain number of international entries will be accepted on an invitation-only basis.

The tournament, which represents one-third of the PBA's Triple Crown, is the first major of the 2001-2002 PBA Tour season. For the second straight year, Norm Duke is looking to become only the fifth player in history to claim the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown is comprised of wins in the U.S. Open, PBA World Championship and PBA Tournament of Champions. The only players who have completed the rare feat are Billy Hardwick (1969), Johnny Petraglia (1980), Pete Weber (1989) and Mike Aulby (1995).

The Open, known as the BPAA All-Star prior to 1971, began in 1941. It was contested in Chicago for its first 16 years, before going around the country. Many of the sport's biggest stars have claimed the title including Andy Varipapa (1946, '47), Don Carter (1953, '54, '57, '58), Dick Weber (1962, '63, '65), Johnny Petraglia (1977), Nelson Burton Jr. (1978), Marshall Holman (1981, '85), Dave Husted (1982, '95, '96), Mark Roth (1984), Del Ballard Jr. (1987, '93), Pete Weber (1988, '91), Mike Aulby (1989) and Walter Ray Williams Jr. (1998).

The Open returns to California for the third time in its history. It was previously contested in San Bernardino in 1961 and '62.

Fans can participate in Pro-Am competition which open tournament festivities Saturday, December 1, and Sunday, December 2. This is an excellent opportunity for fans to compete alongside the pros, as well as get autographs and photographs with the stars of the PBA Tour. Anyone interested in attending Pro-Ams or the event during tournament week should contact Fountain Bowl at (714) 963-7888.

Complete tournament schedule listed below (all times local):

WHAT: U.S. OPEN

WHERE: Fountain Bowl

17110 S. Brookhurst St.

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

(714) 963-7888

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 1, through Sunday, Dec. 9

PRO-AMS: Sat., Dec. 1: 10:00 a.m., 1:00, 4:00, 7:00 and 10:00 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 2: 1:00 p.m.

PRACTICE SESSION: Sun., Dec. 2: A squad practices from 8:00-9:30 a.m.

B squad practices from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

C squad practices from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

QUALIFYING: Mon., Dec. 3: A squad bowls six games at 10:00 a.m.

B squad bowls six games at 2:00 p.m.

C squad bowls six games at 6:30 p.m.

Tues., Dec 4: B squad bowls six games at 10:00 a.m.

C squad bowls six games at 2:00 p.m.

A squad bowls six games at 6:30 p.m.

Wed., Dec. 5: C squad bowls six games at 10:00 a.m.

A squad bowls six games at 2:00 p.m.

B squad bowls six games at 6:30 p.m.

(CUT TO TOP 1/4 OF FIELD)

Thurs., Dec 6: Top 1/4 of field bowls six games at 11:00 a.m.

Top 1/4 of field bowls six games at 6:00 p.m.

(CUT TO TOP 32)

ROUND ROBIN Fri., Dec. 7: Top 32 bowl eight games at 11:00 a.m.

MATCH PLAY: Top 32 bowl eight games at 6:00 p.m.

(CUT TO TOP 16)

Sat., Dec. 8: Top 16 bowl eight games at 11:00 a.m.

Top 16 bowl eight games at 6:00 p.m.

(CUT TO TOP 4)

ESPN FINALS: Sun., Dec. 9: Top 4 bowl stepladder finals live on ESPN from 1:00-2:30 p.m. (ET)