National Bowling Day proved that the sport is alive and well.

The event ended with a world record for most number of games bowled in a day. At 808 participating centers, bowlers recorded a total of 548,721 games played in a 24-hour period Aug. 30.

Bowling participation has increased in each of the past two years, with more than 67 million people bowling at least one time in 2007 alone.

It isn't surprising that bowling participation hasn't declined during today's tough economic times because it remains one of the most inexpensive forms of entertainment.

What board on a bowling lane is considered the pocket area? Answer at the end of the column.

The Professional Bowlers Tour will honor past great players by naming a regional tournament after a former and current great. The PBA has seven regions, and the gesture is part of its 50th anniversary.It was a trip down memory lane for me as I read the names of the great bowlers being honored: John Guenther, Dick Weber, Earl Anthony, Wayne Webb, Mark Roth, Don Johnson, Nelson Burton Jr., Jim Stefanich, Mike Durbin, Tommy Hudson, Barry Asher, and Wayne Zahn, to name just a few.I commend the PBA for recognizing these men in this way.

Trisha Reid defeated Stephanie Nation 245-217 to advance to the semifinals of the 2008 U.S. Women's Open in Columbus, Ohio. At 2 p.m. Sunday, ESPN will televise two more matches in the round of eight. Match one will feature Carolyn Dorin-Ballard against Adrienne Miller. Match two will pit Amanda Burgoyne against Clare Guerrero.

Making spares is vital, but many bowlers use different techniques to do it.Some throw straight and direct, others like to hook at them. Some use targets on the lane, others just line up and throw.If you are looking for a consistent way to shoot spares, one of the best is to use the third arrow on the lane. By using the third arrow as a target and adjusting your starting point on the approach, you give yourself something consistent to use in your spare-shooting game.It might take some time, so use your practice sessions to experiment.Why use the third arrow? It is in the middle of the lane and you can roll to ball over it at more angles than other arrow.

• <B>Buckhorn League:</B> Andy Pederzolli 779 series, Mike Fair 266 (715), Tony Scott 257 (715)• <B>Armco C:</B> Tom Vensel 264 game, Wally Dunkle 223 (645), Brad Dumbaugh 234 (645), Dick Dero 256 (644)• <B>Firearms League:</B> Wayne Dunkle 217 (600), Mike Hilliard 222 game, Kristi Erkens 180 (494).

Board 17 is in the area of the 1-3 pocket for right-handers, and the 1-2 pocket for left-handers.Ron Willison is the bowling columnist for the Butler Eagle.