The U.S. Bowling Congress championship tournament returns to Albuquerque, N.M., this season. The USBC last held its championships in New Mexico in 2000, when 10,688 five-person teams made the trek.

The USBC reports that 11,642 teams have already registered for this year's event. The deadline for entering has been extended by eight days to Dec. 14. The record for the USBC Tournament (formerly known as the ABC Tournament) for an event held outside of Reno, Nev., was set in 2005, when 13,222 teams visited Baton Rouge, La.

The USBC event is open to anyone who is a sanctioned league bowler.

This year's tournament will take place from Feb. 16 through July 7. For information, visit the USBC Web site, Bowl.com, or USBCopen.com.

Which one of the following states had the most bowling lanes certified by the USBC in 2007: California, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, or Ohio? Answer at the end of the column.

The first step in your approach is the most important because it affects your timing, thus affecting your release and power of the shot.The most common problem for bowlers is getting to the foul line too fast, causing the bowler to power the ball through the shot to get proper leverage.Some bowlers are strong enough to get away with this, but most are not. A slow, deliberate first step is important.The next time you practice, check to see if you take an actual step on your first step. If you do and are having timing problems, try a couple of different things, such as making that first step a slide step. Also, to shorten the first step without having to think about it, try starting with your first-step foot a little in front of your other.

It was a big night for Mike Evans recently in the Mike Kelly Auto League at Sherwood Lanes. Evans rolled games of 289, 279 and 245 for an 813 series, tops in the league. Dan Manning 278 (722), and Bob Philpot 268 (711) also bowled well.• <B>Buckhorn League:</B> Brad Buckley 289 (777), Carl Ealy 248 (637), Dave Morgan 247 (686)• <B>Fox's Pizza Den:</B> Bob Eppinger 290 (757), Tom Fennell 257 (715), Jim Hepler 279 (698)• <B>Coins Bowling League: </B>Sandy Mickey 216 game, Linda Smith 564 series. The Pennies lead the Pesos by just a half-game for first place.

• Michael Haugen Jr. won his first career professional title in 200 starts, beating Wes Malott 247-239 in the finals of the PBA event in Indiana. Haugen defeated rookie Todd Book 194-192 to advance to the finals. Malott beat Chris Barnes by a 268-228 score. For the win, Haugen earned a one-year exemption and $25,000.• Joy Esterson won her first pro title, defeating Liz Johnson in a one-frame rolloff to win the PBA Ladies series title. Esterson and Johnson tied at 226 in regulation, but in the first extra frame, Esterson threw a strike and Johnson left three pins. Esterson earned $10,000. The PBA is off this week. ESPN will televise the next finals at 1 p.m. Nov. 25 from Chicago.

The Butler County Bowling Association annual mixed doubles tournament will be held at Slippery Rock Lanes on Feb. 19 and 20, and 26 and 27. Entry forms are available at www.butlercountybowling.org.

Michigan had 8,172 sanctioned lanes last season, followed by New York (7,658), Ohio, (7,554), California, (6,692), Illinois, (6,630) and Pennsylvania, (6,524).