Bowlers from around the world will have the chance to compete in three major international tournaments in a two-week span at the same bowling center next month when the WTBA International Open, the International Mini and the 2012 USBC Masters take place.

All three events, which have a total combined prize fund of approximately US$500,000, will be conducted at Sunset Station's Strike Zone Bowling Center in suburban Las Vegas, Nev., with a special additional prize fund of US$30,000 available to those who compete in all three events.

The two-week stretch kicks off with the United States Bowling Congress Masters from Jan. 22-29, while the World Tenpin Bowling Association International Open and International Mini will be held concurrently from 28 Jan. - 5 Feb., 2012.

"This is a great opportunity for bowlers around the world to take part in three elite-level competitions in a condensed period of time," WTBA President and CEO Kevin Dornberger said. "The WTBA is proud to partner with these other great events to create this opportunity."

The WTBA International Open, the first WTBA owned and operated World Bowling Tour event, will feature a European-style re-entry format. There will be 20 qualifying squads and bowlers may compete on any squad to try to post their best six-game total. Women will receive six pins handicap per game.

After the conclusion of the 20 squads, the top 44 scores will qualify for the finals along with four bowlers from the one-game Desperado Squad at the end of qualifying.

The final three remaining bowlers in the finals format will earn an expenses-paid trip to suburban Paris for the stepladder finals, which will be held in conjunction with the Brunswick Euro Challenge on March 25.

The WTBA International Open will feature a first-place prize of at least US$20,000 and an overall prize fund that will exceed US$100,000.

The World Tenpin Bowling Association, which is made up of more than 115 bowling federations, governs the sport throughout the world. For more information on WTBA and the World Bowling Tour, visit www.worldtenpinbowling.com. Official website www.wtbaopen.com/