PBA coming to Minster

Before the top bowlers stop at Coldwater's Pla-Mor Lanes for the annual stop on the Professional Bowlers Association's national summer tour, some of the bowlers might get a few rolls in at Minster.

Community Lanes will host the PBA Ernst Apparel Central Open Tuesday through Thursday. The tournament is part of the PBA's Central Region tournament.

The tournament is something that Community Lanes owner Doug Davidson has been hoping to bring to Minster since he took over.

"It was definitely a goal of ours ever since we bought the bowling center a few years ago," said Davidson. "To be able to get the regional in between the (national) tour stops in Jonesboro (Arkansas) and Coldwater was perfect timing."

Getting the official approval from the PBA was a timely process.

"They wanted to make sure the bowling center was big enough, there were enough lanes and the staff was accommodating," said Davidson. "Plus they look at the different perks the center can provide, like a players' tent or corporate tent, just different things that gives the players something to do (when not bowling) and gives them a chance to meet the fans."

The field is open to not only regional tour players, but all national members of the PBA tour.

With the tournament during the week, rather than the weekend as in Coldwater, Davidson was concerned about getting bowlers in to compete.

"We were hoping to get 60 bowlers because it is in the middle of the week, so that's kind of tough," said Davidson. "But I looked (on Friday) and we're up to 78 (the field is usually capped at 96. It's going to be a really great turnout."

With bowlers making the trek to Coldwater, some will likely compete in Minster before making the short trek to Coldwater.

"That was one of the biggest reasons we wanted to do it between stops because I thought we would have the opportunity to get the bigger name players," said Davidson. "A lot of national guys bowl at regional events, not every weekend, but still will when they can. We have a lot of big names coming (to Minster). Those who follow (the national) tour on TV will see some of the bowlers they've seen over the years."

It will also give Doug Davidson a chance to watch his son Michael bowl close to home. Michael Davidson, a Versailles graduate who was the Division I state individual champion in 2013, is currently ranked 25th in points on the PBA National Tour and 11th in money on the Central Tour.

"It's going to be great," said the proud father. "When we first started talking about it as far as hosting, (Michael) looked at me, shook his head and said 'I knew you would get something.' It's awesome. It's close to home and he knows the center. It's a good opportunity to perform in front of hometown fans."

The bowlers will practice on Tuesday starting at 1 p.m. with pro-am events taking place at 4:30 and 7 p.m.

Qualifying will take place Wednesday with sessions at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The top 16 qualifiers will move on to Thursday with round-robin match play starting at noon and the stepladder finals scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The expected payout to the winner will be $3,500.