WORLD TENPIN MASTERS
Matchroom Sport launched tenpin bowling into the international big time in February 1998 with this unique televised event as Norwegian ace Tore Torgersen was crowned World Tenpin Masters Champion after beating off the challenge from 15 of the world’s top amateur bowlers.
In February 1999, Filipino veteran Paeng Nepomuceno was too strong for the field as he took home the $30,000 top prize in an exciting final against England’s Steve Thornton.
The following year, the final saw Sweden’s Tomas Leandersson battling against the power of the ever-popular Tim Mack (USA), with Tim stealing the match on his last throw 438-436.
The sensational female bowler Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia took the Masters title in 2001 in a strike-filled final against 1998 champ Torgersen. Shalin defeated a string of world-class male bowlers en-route to the final, proving that women can compete with men.
In 2002, Torgersen made it title number two as he came on strong down the home stretch to defeat old rival Tim Mack but the girls prevailed again in 2003 when the relatively unknown English bowler Nikki Harvey upset a succession of top male bowlers to carry off the trophy.
However, the status quo was restored in April 2004 as Torgersen once again stormed through the field to take his third Masters title.
In 2005, unheralded German bowler Jens Nickel performed superbly throughout as he took the title with victory over England’s new star Paul Moor in the final match.
Pro Bowling Star Chris Barnes of the USA became the event's highest profile winner in 2006 as took care of Paul Moor in the final to lift the magnificent trophy.
It was third time unlucky for Moor in 2007 as he crashed to Australian star Jason Belmonte, who fired home an incredible 300 maximum game in the final.
The 2008 final saw an epic comeback from South African Guy Caminsky, who triumphed 526-517 in a memorable match against Barnes.
The Masters is truly tenpin bowling with a difference. A single bowling lane is specially installed in a major arena to enable large live audiences to witness this highly exciting invitation event sitting on top of the action!
The revolutionary arena setting for the World Tenpin Masters, together with special lighting and state of the art graphics will ensure the most innovative television coverage ever seen in this sport.
Date: April
Venue: Metrodome, Barnsley, UK
Television: 15 x 1 hour highlight programmes
THE WEBER CUP
Golf has its Ryder Cup, pool its Mosconi Cup and hot on the heels of those two events comes tenpin bowling’s own high octane version - the Weber Cup.
Named after American bowling legend Dick Weber, the man who helped make bowling the sport it is today, the tournament features two five-man teams battling it out over three days in a series of singles and doubles matches.
In 2000 the inaugural USA v Europe Tenpin Challenge took place in Warsaw, Poland with the USA team coasting to the title by 18 points to Europe's 11. 2001 saw a similar result although the deficit was one game less.
Team Europe lost again in 2002 but got a game closer before finally coming good in November 2003 in Altrincham, when revenge was sweet as they put on a sterling display of bowling to wrest the Weber Cup from the Americans for the first time in its short history.
There was more to come at the same venue in 2004 when the Europeans retained the trophy, smashing the Team USA 18–11 in front of a large enthusiastic crowd. The 2005 Weber Cup, which took place in November in Barnsley, was once again retained by Europe in a nail-biting clash that went right down to the final few frames.
Team USA, though, grabbed the trophy back in 2006 as their strongest team yet won in the deciding match to win by 18-17.
Then in 2007, the Americans retained the trophy following a spectacular final session collapse by Europe as they turned a 14-10 lead into a 17-15 defeat.
Last year the American side, which included Pete Weber, son of Dick Weber, who the event is named after, recovered from a 7-5 deficit to win 17-13.
Matchroom Sport has pioneered a revolutionary approach to the televising of this hugely popular family sport. Their inaugural event, the 1998 World Masters, featured 16 of the world’s finest bowlers in a single lane arena watched by 500 spectators lining each side of the lane.
In 2005, for the first time in the event’s history, the Weber Cup was broadcast live throughout and in addition, Matchroom Sport provided edited highlights in 15 one-hour programmes with English commentary, international sound and graphics.
Date: October
Venue: Barnsley, England
Television: 20 hours live or 18 x 1 hour programmes with English commentary and international sound.
TO find out about broadcasting either of our tenpin bowling events please contact Karen Manzi, Matchroom Sport's Head of Television Sales, on +44 1869 340940