* A field of more than 150 is expected for the 5th annual "New Mexico Open" bowling tournament at Tenpins & More from August 14-17. The event, presented by the New Mexico Sports Authority, has grown from 78 bowlers and $14,400 prizemoney in 2004 to 132 bowlers and $26,805 paid out last year. Defending champion is Shawn Lee of Centennial, CO. He will face challengers from more than a dozen states, including some 40 bowlers from Rio Rancho and Bernalillo.

John Young of Edgewood leads the prizemoney listing with over $7,500 won in four years, followed by Lee who won $5,075 last year and Team USA member, David Haynes of Las Vegas, NV who has $4,795 from the past two years. This year's winner will receive a tournament record $6,000 of the estimated $32,000 prizefund. Local league bowlers get a chance to bowl with some of the stars in special Pro-Am events scheduled August 13, 14 and 15.

As well, a short-season summer league, held Mondays at 8.30pm, will seed league bowlers directly in to the Pro-Am squad of their choice; it starts May 12 at Tenpins & More.

* Reg Card won his final match, 186-173 to beat Leo Funari Jr. for the "Budweiser Classic Singles" league championship at Tenpins & More last Sunday. It was close all the way, but Funari's late-game missed 10-pin spare, coupled with Card's tripping of a late-falling 8-pin for a double, made the difference. Card won $975.

* Earlier Sunday, Funari beat John Lund 219-210, then whiffed by a 7-pin to lose 192-205 to Craig Vancil in the "Scratch NABI Singles" final. Enter 17-year-old Paul Carper of Rio Rancho, who won his first open title, beating Vancil 235-206. Kevin Kaminski of Rio Rancho won the handicap division final.

* "There are more than 540 summer league sign-ups, heading towards our 600-bowler goal," said Steve Mackie, of the short-season loops that start this week through early June. "Given the economy, we're happy with the numbers," said Mackie, who added that record high gas prices was helping recruit bowlers, who can get their exercise close to home. Interested bowlers can drop by the Center to sign up.