May 18, 2011 – Some of the best bowlers in the world are coming to Marina City later this month to compete in the first Professional Bowlers Association tour event in Chicago since 1963.

According to the PBA, the “GEICO PBA Team Shootout” will take place at Marina City’s 10pin Bowling Lounge May 29 to June 1, including Memorial Day.

20 of the top PBA bowlers – including PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III, newly-named PBA Player of the Year Mika Kovuniemi (left), and PBA Triple Crown winner Chris Barnes – will compete on five-person teams, each sponsored by their respective bowling ball manufacturer. The big prize is the PBA Manufacturers Cup.

The shootout starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 29, and again at 6 p.m., with what the PBA describes as “a special celebrity pro-am event.” Team matches will take place on Tuesday, May 31 from 1 to 10 p.m. and Wednesday, June 1 from 1 to 9 p.m. Admission to all matches is free.

The entire competition will be videotaped and broadcast on ESPN in 16 half-hour segments starting at 11 a.m. Central time on June 25.

The 1963 event was at The Bowlium, a bowling alley on North Sheriden Road that closed in the 1970s.

 More info: GEICO PBA Team Shootout