Men’s state bowling championship comes to Pocatello

Bowlers across the state will be rolling into Pocatello for the remainder of April and into May.

For the first time in 24 years, Pocatello is hosting the men’s state championship tournament.

“It does feel great to have it back and we want to make this the first of a recurring stop for the state tournament,” said Gene Giesbrecht, president of the Pocatello USBCBA.

This year, there are more than 200 teams competing and more than 800 bowlers.

Last year’s tournament was held in northern Idaho and had 150 teams, so the number of entries is up this year.

The tournament started April 6 and runs every weekend until May 6.

Giesbrecht said being able to host a tournament like this is a huge economic benefit to both Tough Guy Lanes and the Pocatello community as a whole because of how many people it brings in.

“During these 5 weeks, a lot of people stay at the hotels, financially for the restaurants it is a big boom, and for Tough Guy Lanes and his restaurant it has been very profitable to have it here,” Giesbrecht said.

He added that both Pocatello mayor Brian Blad and Chubbuck mayor Kevin England have said when Pocatello applies to host the tournament again, both mayor have agreed to write letters of support to help get it back to town.

Giesbrecht said thanks to several local sponsors there was an added $4,200 in prize money available as well.

There has been one perfect 300 game rolled so far in the tournament. It was Marvin Harrell from Idaho Falls.

Eastern Idaho is pulling double duty this year and also gets to host the women’s state championships. The women’s tournament is being held every weekend in April in Idaho Falls.