SEATTLE, WA. (January 5) –The 52nd annual American Bowling Congress (ABC) Masters will be conducted January 16-20 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., with the championship finals live on ESPN Sunday, January 20, from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. (EST).

As a Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) major, the richest Masters in history will feature a record $350,000 prize fund and $100,000 first prize. The $100,000 first-place prize is a new standard for a PBA major and is the second largest check of the season. The PBA World Championship, which will be held in Toledo, Ohio this February, is the highest-paying major, worth $120,000.

Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III will be ready to defend his title against the nation's top professional and amateur bowlers. Bohn hopes to build on an already successful 2001-2002 PBA season. The former PBA Player of the Year (1999) won the 2001 Masters title in Reno after defeating former roommate and friend Jason Couch in the title match, 248-237. Prior to that event, Bohn won two titles, making his Masters win the 27th title and first PBA "major" of his career.

The ABC Masters is the second of three PBA majors for the 2001-2002 PBA season. The U.S. Open was the first major and was won by 2000 ABC Masters champion Mika Koivuniemi in Fountain Valley, Calif.

Other notables scheduled to compete include ABC and PBA Hall of Famer Mike Aulby, who has won the Masters three times (1989, '95, '98), the last two of which were at the National Bowling Stadium, PBA and newly elected ABC Hall of Famer Pete Weber, last year's second-place finisher Couch, and PBA Hall of Famer and 34-time PBA titleholder Walter Ray Williams Jr.

Fans can attend the professional's practice session on Tuesday, January 15 and can also participate in the Pro-Ams Saturday, January 12 and Sunday, January 13. The Pro-Am provides an excellent opportunity for men, women and youth fans to compete for cash prizes while bowling with the pros. Fans also can obtain autographs and take photographs with their favorite PBA stars. Anyone interested in participating in the Pro-Am should call the National Bowling Stadium at 1-800-304-2695. There will be no admission charge during the entire event.