SunBowl FAQ

1. When can I bowl in SunBowl?

   Anytime lanes are available between Monday February 2^nd and Friday March 6^th, 2009.

2. Where is SunBowl?

   You may enter the tournament at either of our two Gameroom locations: the Gopher Spot in the St. Paul Student Center or Goldy's Gameroom in Coffman Memorial Union.

3. How many games do I bowl?

   3 games are bowled in "no-tap" format. Your lowest game is dropped so that your best 2 out of 3 games plus your handicap* results in your final score.

   (* if applicable, see question 5)

4. What is "no-tap"?

   It's a method of scoring where our bowling computer gives scores a strike for 9 pins as well as 10 pins on the first ball. You receive automatic credit for a spare if you get a split on the first ball.

5. How do I get a bowling "handicap"?

   If you bowl in a league (Intramural Bowling, St. Paul Faculty League, Midway Staff League, etc.) you probably already qualify for a handicap. We will verify your average and calculate your tournament handicap. (And remember, the Grand Prizes are awarded by drawings from everyone who bowls in the SunBowl, regardless of final score.)

6. How long will this take to enter?

   The average person bowling alone will take about 30-45 minutes to bowl 3 games "no-tap". When bowling in groups a good estimate is about an hour to 90 minutes for a group of 4 people on a pair of lanes.

7. Do I need a group and how do I register?

   You may bowl the tournament in a group or individually. Final scores are all determined on an individual basis.

8. What are the prizes?

   The Grand Prize drawings are for $1000 and $500 Visa Gift Cards.

   Both Grand Prizes are awarded by a drawing from all eligible entries.

   This year 1^st prize is an iPhone, 2^nd prize is an 8GB iPod Nano. Other prizes include a bowling ball, Gameroom Year Pass, Gameroom Semester Pass, Target Gift Cards, and more! See our gameroom website for details and complete rules.

   Great door prizes are awarded at the SunBowl Awards Ceremony and Grand Prize drawing which will be held at the Gopher Spot in the St. Paul Student Center at Noon on Tuesday March 10^th.

9. How much does this cost?

   $10.00 per entry, the cost of bowling and shoe rental is included.

10. Who is eligible to enter?

    All current students, staff, and faculty of the University of Minnesota are eligible to enter. (Student employees of the gamerooms and full time employees of Student Unions & Activities are not eligible to win the Grand Prize drawing.)

11. Can I enter more than once?

    Yes. 5 entries per person maximum.

12. What's the story behind this?

    This is the 29^th Annual SunBowl. Former Manager of The St. Paul Student Center Bowling Lanes, Wade Dickey, started the SunBowl in 1981 as a way to introduce more people on campus to the sport of bowling. The tournament has developed a strong tradition with the Grand Prize trip always being a sunny and warm destination. Over the last 25 years, many SunBowl Grand Prize Drawing winners have enjoyed walking on the warm beaches in Hawaii, Jamaica, and Mexico. Many of them were not particularly great bowlers, they just entered to have a chance to win great prizes and have fun bowling a few games with friends.

13. I have other questions. Who do I contact?

    • Gopher Spot front desk: (612) 625-5246
    • Goldy's Gameroom front desk: (612) 624-8722
    • Gameroom manager: Ben Vogel at vogel020@umn.edu (email address)
    • To make reservations: contact Steph at (612) 625-7707 or math0227@umn.edu (email address)