The Greater Iowa Bowling Association has released its 2021-22 schedule, which again will include the 11thFrame.com Open and a pair of Ebonite Classics: Fall and Winter.
GIBA, which is sponsored by Ebonite and U.S.A. Mortgage, is run by Joe Engelkes, his wife Rosie and daughter Jennifer Wittenburg. They are among the best, if not the best, tournament operators I’ve seen this side of the PBA, running efficient events, taking no expense fees and putting half of the bracket proceeds back into the prize funds at each event — the only money they take out of a tournament is the other half of the bracket proceeds. They also do a great job getting sponsorship for tournaments, and/or working with centers that do that.
The season kicks off with the 11thFrame.com Open Aug. 20-22 at Cherry Lanes inside the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque.
The Ebonite Fall Classic is Sept. 17-19 at Maple Lanes in Waterloo, which has been rebuilt since burglars started a fire that destroyed it.
The Ebonite Winter Classic will be Jan. 7-9 at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo.
The rest of the schedule includes a singles tournament at Bowlerama Lanes in Des Moines Oct. 3, the Revs Pro Shop Tournament Oct. 24 at Cedar Rapids Bowling Center, the Iowa Open Nov. 21 at May City Bowl in Cedar Rapids, the 50/50 4-Person and Doubles tournaments at Cadillac Dec. 4-5, the Plaza Bowl Open Feb. 5 in Clinton, and the Doubles Feb. 27 at Rose Bowl in Muscatine.
The Iowa Open in recent years has included a spot in the U.S. Open for the winner.
“We are excited to share that we did not lose any sponsors for this season,” Joe Engelkes said. “The list of sponsors is lengthy and I hope I don’t leave any out. We continue our sponsor agreement with Ebonite as our season long bowling equipment sponsor. Other season long sponsors include USA Mortgage/Brandon Steen, Infusion Bowling (formerly Logo Infusion), and Kwik Trip/Kwik Star.”
Here is the GIBA website and Facebook page.