A very nice treasure trove of some 46,000 euros awaits the top finishers of the 2nd Istanbul Open, once again hosted by the prestigious Time Out Bowling Center in Istanbul, Turkey, April 11 - 17, 2005.

This European Bowling Tour event will attract Europe's best players, plus some from beyond those frontiers, to an exciting week of top class competition. Once again, the ladies will be competing in the same division, helped along the way with a bonus of eight pins per game.

Coming into the event during the last couple of days of qualifying? Well, the entry fees on Friday and Saturday will be 150 euros for the initial entry and 100 for re-entry.

Defending champions (pictured) are Thomas Gross of Austria, who beat Germany's Karl Peter (Carlo) Greulich, 203-189, in the men's stepladder final last year and the lady who hopes to make it a double is Michaela Goebel of Germany, the titlist after convincingly defeating fellow countrywoman Tanya Petty, 278-190, in the ladies championship match. But this year all compete in the same division.

If you can't be in the fascinating city of Istanbul, the bridge between Europe and Asia, then follow the fortunes, and hopefully not too many misfortunes, on our website, coming to you with live scores, standings and stories, from Thursday, April 14.

Truly, Turkish delight!                                                                                                                                       Keith Hale

For further information, contact Keith Hale: keithhale@btconnect..com