Each year, more than 16,000 bowlers compete at the USBC Women’s Championships, the world’s largest participatory sporting event for women.

After participating in the 2018 championships as one of 28 “Pin Pals”, I had anticipated bowling October 22 & 23 in the 2020 USBC Women’s Championships at South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas. However, due to Covid-19 safety concerns this event has been cancelled.

If you think I’m an ace bowler, you’re wrong. I simply have fun bowling, enjoying the friendships built, the laughs shared and the energetic camaraderie amongst bowlers.

I’m not in Vegas with “Ginger”, my fragrant 12 lb gingerbread s’mores ball. She’s been in the bag, tucked in a corner as bowling centers shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, cancelling leagues and leaving bowlers without a place to play.

Could bowling be on the verge of vanishing from many local communities due to Covid-19 and 2018 be the only championship tournament I experience? I hope not!