ANOTHER RECORD PRIZE FUND EYED FOR NEW MEXICO OPEN

The New Mexico Open will offer record prize money of more than $76,000 when its 20th edition hits the lanes at Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho, Aug. 16-18.

According to proprietor Steve Mackie, first prize will be a record $13,500, based on 192 entries — a number that’s certainly attainable considering last year’s field size at the 24-lane center was 211.

Former PBA national tour champion Mike Miller is once again preparing a challenging lane pattern.

Hope for a New Mexico victory received a boost after DeeRonn Booker, the pro shop operator at Starlight Bowling, Bar & Grill, won the USBC Masters in Las Vegas earlier this year.

Emil Williams of BowlStreamTV will cover three pairs of lanes from start to finish, along with score updates and predictions, while radio station KDSK 92.9 will provide a two-hour live remote on opening day.

The New Mexico Open is the highest profile event of a summer-long series of tournaments that keeps Tenpins & More busy throughout the “off-season.”