The first of thousands of Iowa bowlers began making their way to the Quad Cities on Saturday, Feb. 3. They are expected to continue to hit the lanes and boost the QC economy each weekend through May 5.
In all, the Visit Quad Cities’ hosted 2024 Iowa State USBC Open tournament that kicked off Saturday at two Davenport bowling centers is expected to bring nearly 6,000 bowlers to the Quad Cities, Lindsey Rowe, Visit QC’s director of public relations and communications, told the QCBJ.
The 2024 Iowa State USBC (short for United States Bowling Congress) tourney features team play at Leisure Lanes, W. 73rd St., Davenport, and doubles and singles play at Big River Bowling, E. Kimberly, Davenport.
Hotels, more benefit
“These tournaments generate a multimillion-dollar economic impact value in the Quad Cities mainly through hotel stays, but also through visiting local restaurants, small businesses and other attractions,” Ms. Rowe told the QCBJ.
“Residents can make bowlers and visitors with the USBC tournament feel welcome to the region by attending the tournament, spectators are encouraged at both locations.”
The last time the Iowa State USBC Tournament was held in the Quad Cities was 2017. “It was the 100th anniversary of the tournament and brought 10,000 bowlers – roughly 500 each weekend – to the region,” Ms. Rowe said. Cash prizes also are awarded for the tournament based on events and division
Davenport also hosted the event in 2011, 2001, 1986, 1974, 1961, 1952 and 1936.
Next year the tournament is scheduled to move to Cedar Rapids.
Bowlers in the tournament come from throughout the state. They have since the Iowa State USBC was created when it merged with the Iowa State USBC Bowling Association, Inc. and the Iowa State USBC Youth Bowling Association on Aug. 1, 2018.
The change brought organized bowling in Iowa into one organization.
