Tournaments

In addition to weekly leagues, youth bowlers have the opportunity to compete in association-sponsored tournaments across bowling centers in the greater Jacksonville area.  These tournaments provide invaluable experience and opportunities for bowlers to challenge themselves, meet bowlers outside of their league, and earn awards/scholarships.

Here is an overview of the tournaments sponsored by the First Coast USBC, Florida State USBC and IBC/USBC (national tournaments), with links to all of the details & results:

Local Tournaments:

  • Jacksonville Jr. Bowling Tour (“JJBT”) – A monthly house-shot tournament designed for bowlers with a 110+ average, normally held the 2nd Saturday of each month, where scholarships are awarded (and Junior Gold entries at the Tournament of Champions).
  • North Florida Sport Shot Series (“NFSSS”) – A monthly sport-shot tournament usually held the first or second Sunday of each month, designed to provide youth bowlers with experience on more challenging lane conditions (in preparation for Junior Gold and collegiate bowling).  SMART scholarships and Junior Gold entries are awarded.
  • Annual Youth City Championship (“City”) – Our local association’s annual youth tournament, held the last weekend in January at 2 bowling centers.  Participants bowl 3 games each (9 total) with a team, a partner and individually (Pee Wee / Bumper division bowls 6 total games).  SMART Scholarships and Junior Gold entries are awarded at the Coaches Memorial Awards Ceremony in March.
  • Annual Scholarship Tournament – An additional scholarship tournament held in November that awards at least $3000 in SMART scholarships and 2 Junior Gold entries.
  • Christmas Classic – A handicap tournament held the first Sunday in December.  Wrapped gifts are randomly given to competing bowlers, and plaques are awarded based on performance.
  • Mystery Doubles Tournament – A new handicap tournament in February. Bowlers are split by average into two pools, then teams are randomly formed using 1 bowler from each pool right before competition begins! Run by our Youth Leaders!

Regional/National Tournaments:

  • Pepsi / FL Handicap Tournament – Two simultaneous state-wide scholarship tournaments held in March-April (for 2024 it will be at Lakeside Lanes in Tavares). In 2023, over $105,000 in SMART scholarships was awarded! Bowlers qualify for the tournament during 2 specific weeks of their league.
  • State Scholarship Tournament (“State”) – The State associations annual tournament, held at 2 different centers in June (for 2024, Pin Chasers Midtown in Tampa & Pin Chasers East Pasco in Zephyrhills).  Similar to “City”, participants bowl 3 games one day in a team format, then bowl 6 games in doubles/singles. In 2023, over $60,000 in SMART scholarships was awarded!
  • Florida State Youth Leaders Landen Memorial Tournament (“Landen”) – The FL State Youth Leaders run a scholarship tournament each year in mid-January (2-day tournament). The 2024 Landen Tournament will be held at Jensen Beach Bowl in Jensen Beach and is dedicated to First Coast USBC’s Ryan Waters. The 2023 Landen Tournament was held locally at Jax Lanes Bowl and awarded over $10,000 in SMART scholarships!
  • Youth Open Championships – The largest open tournament for youth bowlers, held in Detroit, MI in July 2024.
  • National Junior Gold – The nation’s premier youth bowling competition, which uses challenging “sport shot” patterns and all participants must win their entry into the event.  Held in Detroit, MI in July 2024.