The second of this season’s two Greater Iowa Bowling Association Ebonite Classics is set for Feb. 22-23 at Cadillac XBC in Waterloo, Iowa.

Engelkes said the tournament will have at least $6,000 in sponsorship. In addition to Ebonite (now owned by Brunswick) and the Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau, support also comes from Brandon Steen/Stride Bank/Structure Real Estate, Kwik Trip/Kwik Star, IAM Bowling, Budweiser, Fran’s Pro Shop, Hampton Inn, and The Other Place Restaurant.

The 204-player field is filling fast, with 160 signed up already, Engelkes said.

The entry fee is $160 ($135 prize fund, $25 lineage) and Engelkes can be reached at jengelkesgiba@gmail.com or 319-269-6909.

The lane pattern always is a tough Sport pattern. The basics will be released about a week in advance of the tournament and the pattern will be posted at practice the day before the tournament.

Qualifying on Saturday, Feb. 22 is seven games and the squad times are A at 8:30 a.m., B at 1:45 p.m. and C at 7 p.m. The top 64 (based on 204 entries) advance to a 6-game semifinals at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23. Pins carry over and the top 10 after 13 games make the 10-man modified stepladder, with the top four making the stepladder and the remaining six bowling bracket matches to determine the final spot. Seeds 5 and 6 get a bye before facing the winners of matches between seeds 7-10 and 8-9.

Anyone who has bowled one of the GIBA major tournaments knows what awesome events they are. To those who haven’t: you are missing a well-run tournament with a strong field and format, challenging condition and great payout.

With 204 entries, there will be 68 cashers, first through fifth will be $3,000, $2,200, $1,600, $1,300 and $1,100, 9th and 10th will be $650, and last cash will be $200.

There also is a guaranteed 1-in-3 cashing ratio for seniors and women. For example, if there are 15 senior entries and three cash in the regular prize fund, two more spots will be paid so there are five total cash spots. The minimum payout will be $160.

And there will be pots and brackets, with half of the bracket proceeds going back into the prize fund. And there is a Bet You Win pot.

Engelkes said there again will be a bonus prize fund for GIBA members who have bowled at least four GIBA tournaments this season. The bonus prize fund will feature at least $1,500 in added prize money. Qualifying scores will determine the cashers.

The flyer will be available soon at the GIBA website and the GIBA Facebook page, and attached to this story.

Engelkes also said that GIBA sponsor IAM Bowling is offering a 25% discount to those who use the code GIBA when they order jerseys at IAMBowling.com.

Keaton Ostrowski won the Ebonite Fall Classic in September 2024, Nate Stubler won the Ebonite Winter Classic in February 2024, Brady Stearns won the Ebonite Fall Classic in September 2023, Spencer Robarge won the Ebonite Winter Classic in March 2023, Chad Nelson won the Ebonite Fall Classic in September 2022, Matt Gasn won the Ebonite Winter Classic in January 2022, Nate Stubler won the Ebonite Fall Classic in September 2021, Daniel Healy won the Ebonite Winter Classic in March 2021, Stubler won the Ebonite Fall Classic in September 2020, Tom Hess won the Ebonite Winter Classic in February 2020 and Dave Beres won the Ebonite Fall Classic in September 2019. Past Fusion winners were Michael Martell in February 2019, Hess in September 2018, Nick Pate in February 2018, Chris Pierson in September 2017, Vince Biondo in February 2017, Casey Murphy in September 2016, Beres in February 2016, Steve Keeler in September 2015, Matt Smith in January 2015, Hess in September 2014, Murphy in February 2014, Jason Poli in September 2013, Nick Heilman in February 2013, Derek Sapp in September 2012, and Matt McNiel in September 2011.