This is the 26th year of the Chicago entry into the International Gay Bowling Organization ( IGBO ). But the event, formerly known as the Chicago Pride Invitational ( CPI ), has been rebranded the SCOTCH tournament for its run March 8-9.
In this case, SCOTCH is the Second City Open Tournament Chicagonot the drink.
This is "the biggest gay bowling tournament [of the year] in Chicago," said Jason Kallen, co-director of the SCOTCH tournament executive board, which also includes Scott Marz ( co-director ), Tyson Hurst ( secretary ), Joe Sochacki ( treasurer ), Frank Batusic ( fundraising ), and Justin Brown ( operations ).
"Anyone into bowling finds this the one of the most exciting weekends of the year. Not only is it a chance to win money doing something you love, but there are also social events throughout the weekend that make it a good time. The weekend concludes with a banquet at Spin Nightclub on Sunday evening."
Chicago's two leading LGBT bowling leagues, Chicago Pride League and Windy City Pride, are sponsoring SCOTCH, which will be held at Waveland Bowl. The event is USBC-sanctioned and will draw bowlers from around the country. Chuck Jacobson, who has rolled multiple 300-games in his career, is in town for the event from San Diego; he moved from Chicago to California last fall.
"The tournament was in need of a facelift, so this year SCOTCH will be different than previous years. Hopefully the bowlers will experience some positive changes," said Kallen, 42, who lives in Oak Park and engaged to Craig Freise. Kallen is the president of Latitude 42 Media and a Chicago area native.
The tournament is open to all, regardless of gender, age, sexuality, etc. Typically, though, the event skews male and, of course, gay men, Kallen said. About three-quarters of the bowlers are from the Chicago area.
Scott Norton, the only out bowler on the pro bowling circuit, donated one of his custom bowling jerseys to be raffled off at the banquet. He also recording a special "Welcome" message.
"There is a wide range [in skill level] of bowlers, from recreational to competitive. It's a handicapped tournament, which evens out the playing field," Kallen said.
The tournament field is 144 bowlers.
"Most people participate for the excitement of a bowling tournament with a chance to win some big money," Kallen said. "The post-tournament banquet and awards ceremony is also always a lot of fun, and there's a chance for bowlers to win money in raffles even if they did not place in any of the bowling tournament events. There are free drink tickets distributed, and usually some sort of entertainment, [such as] drag queen performances."
Kallen has bowled in Chicago's gay leagues for 10 years, and he's 10 pins away from the elusive 300-game; his personal best game is 290.
This is the first year that the Chicago Metropolitan Sports Association ( CMSA ) has backed the tournament.
*For more information, go to www.scotch.chicagomsa.org .