SEATTLE, WA (January 15) – The Professional Bowlers Association announced today the schedule for the 2002 Senior Tour that includes 11 tournaments and features two majors. The schedule begins in Chillicothe, Ohio from April 27 – 30 with the PBA Senior Chillicothe Open and ventures to Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania from May 4 – 7 for the PBA Senior Pennsylvania Open. The PBA Senior Greater Detroit Open will take place May 11 – 14 in Belleville, Michigan, followed by the first major of the season, the ABC Senior Masters, which will take place in Tucson, Arizona at Golden Pin Lanes from May 24 - 31.

The PBA Senior Suncoast World Championship will be the second major contested of the season from June 1 – 7. The Senior Tour will then travel to Brentwood, California from June 9 – 12 for the PBA Senior Northern California Classic. The Pacific Northwest is on the map with two tournaments, the PBA Senior Epicenter Classic from June 16 – 19 in Klamath Falls, Oregon and the PBA Northwest Classic in Beaverton, Oregon from June 23 – 26.

The season will wind down in the Midwest with the final three stops – the PBA Senior Hawthorn Lanes Open from August 11 – 14 in Vernon Hills, Illinois, the PBA Senior Bay City Open from August 18 – 21 in Bay City, Michigan and the PBA Senior Jackson Open from August 24 – 28 in Jackson, Michigan.

"We felt it was important to contain the Senior schedule into the months that the National tour is off to maximize exposure," said PBA President Steve Miller. "11 events is right on strategy with where we wanted to be for this season."

With the exception of the majors and the tournament in Jackson, tournaments will have a four-day format beginning with a practice and pro-am day. Day two will feature squads bowling nine games of qualifying. Nine more games of qualifying by each squad will take place on day three and the field will be cut to 24. Day four will commence at 8:00 a.m. with eight games of match play followed by an additional eight games of match play at 3:00 p.m. A traditional five-man stepladder finals will take place at 8:00 p.m.

2002 PBA SENIOR TOUR SCHEDULE

(Subject to Change)

PBA Senior Chillicothe Open April 27 – 30 Shawnee Lanes, Chillicothe, OH

PBA Senior Pennsylvania Open May 4 – 7 Berks Lanes, Sinking Spring, PA

PBA Senior Greater Detroit Open May 11 – 14 Lodge Lanes, Belleville, MI

ABC Senior Masters May 24 – 31 Golden Pin Lanes, Tucson, AZ

PBA Senior Suncoast World Championship June 1 – 7 Suncoast Hotel, Casino and Bowling Center, Las Vegas, NV

PBA Senior Northern California Classic June 9 – 12 Harvest Park Bowl, Brentwood, CA

PBA Senior Epicenter Classic June 16 – 19 Epicenter Bowling Center, Klamath Falls, OR

PBA Senior Northwest Classic June 23 – 26 Valley Lanes, Beaverton, OR

PBA Senior Hawthorn Lanes Open August 11 – 14 Hawthorn Lanes, Vernon Hills, IL

PBA Senior Bay City Open August 18 – 21 Bay Lanes, Bay City, MI

PBA Senior Jackson Open August 24 – 28 Airport Lanes, Jackson, MI