The Greater Iowa Bowling Association released its 2024-25 schedule on Friday and it again includes the 11thFrame.com Open, a pair of Ebonite Classics, and the Iowa Open.

As I have written and said many times, GIBA 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.

In announcing the schedule for his 26^th year as administrator, Joe Engelkes said that “The great news is that all of our sponsors from last season are on board with us again this season. I will take reservations for our first two events of the season, the 11thFrame.com Open and the Ebonite Fall Classic now.”

These are the sponsors for individual events:

GIBA 11thFrame.com Open – Diamond Jo Casino, Cherry Lanes, Ebonite, Dubuque Regional Sports Commission, I AM Bowling, 11thFrame.com
GIBA Ebonite Fall Classic – Ebonite, Waterloo CVB, Budweiser/Bud Light, Maple Lanes, Hampton Inn, I AM Bowling, GIBA, The Other Place Ridgeway
GIBA Bowlerama Singles – Bowlerama, Yaw Auto Salvage, Bowlers Connection Pro Shop
GIBA Revs Pro Shop Scratch Tournament – Revs Pro Shop
GIBA Iowa Open – May City Bowl
GIBA Ebonite Winter Classic – Ebonite, Waterloo CVB, Budweiser/Bud Light, Cadillac XBC, Hampton Inn, I AM Bowling, GIBA, The Other Place Ridgeway
GIBA Plaza Bowl Open – Plaza Bowl, GIBA
GIBA Doubles – GIBA

“We will continue working to pick up additional sponsors as well,” Engelkes said.

The season kicks off with the 11thFrame.com Open Aug. 16-18 at Cherry Lanes inside the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque, with a sweeper Friday night and the tournament Saturday and Sunday. Here is my preview story on the tournament.

The Ebonite Fall Classic will be Sept. 13-15 at Maple Lanes in Waterloo and the Ebonite Winter Classic will be Feb. 21-23 at Cadillac Lanes in Waterloo.

The rest of the schedule includes a singles tournament at Bowlerama Lanes in Des Moines Oct. 6, the Revolutions Pro Shop Tournament Oct. 27 at Cedar Rapids Bowling Center, the Iowa Open Nov. 17 at May City Bowl in Cedar Rapids, the 50/50 4-Person and Doubles tournaments at Cadillac Dec. 7-8, the Plaza Bowl Open Jan. 4 in Clinton, and the 2-Pattern Doubles Feb. 2 at Big River Bowl in Davenport.

The Iowa Open in recent years has included a spot in the U.S. Open for the winner, and GIBA last year awarded a USBC Masters spot to the points list leader.

For more information, go to the GIBA website and Facebook page.