We're just two weeks away from the U.S. Women's Open and nobody knows.

OK, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but unlike last year when there was a commercial on ESPN 10 times a day, I haven't seen any promotional spots and I regularly watch old bowling telecasts on ESPN Classic (yes, I know I need to get a life but there's nothing else on at 11 a.m.).

The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) event begins July 31 and it's not too far from where I'm sitting here in Northwest Indiana -- Brunswick Zone XL in Romeoville, Ill.

Last year's event was won by Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., and she will be a favorite again.

Like last year, the added dimension of the PBA Women's Tour Trials makes the U.S. Women's Open more important for those who want to shell out the extra $750 for the Trials.

The PBA Women's Series will return with seven events this season, up from four in last year's inaugural campaign (an increase that was predicted by this columnist seven months befor......