Bowling for dollars

The 2000 and ’01 champions will take part in the 4th annual Rice Shopping Center PBA Western Regional Open beginning on Monday.

The event features many of the top bowlers in the region including 2000 champion Gene Bruihl and 2001 winner Robert Smith.

The duo will try to earn the top honor again beginning next week.

The projected first-place winner’s check is $2,000.

Smith is a four-time national champion while Bruihl has had a successful run on the circuit.

On Monday, two rounds of qualifying take place at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The top 12 competitors that advance from the qualifying rounds face off on Tuesday in head-to-head matches until a winner is crowned.

Pre-tournament festivities take place on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. and running until 4 p.m. with a practice round for participants.

At 4:30 p.m., a Pro-AM takes place.

“My goal for this event is to try and bring the highest level of bowling into the community,” said Lihue Bowling Center manager Darryl Izumo. “The bigger names we bring to the event is great for the sport and the community.”