At the mic...

GREENDALE, Wis. - Bowling greats Nelson Burton Jr. and Marshall Holman and award-winning USA Today columnist Christine Brennan have been named as the announcers for the ESPN telecasts of the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open presented by the United States Bowling Congress.

The U.S. Women’s Open will be conducted at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., in August and will feature a unique televised bracket-elimination format featuring the top 16 players after qualifying rounds. The first four elimination rounds will be taped Aug. 17-18 and shown Sept. 16, 23, 30 and Oct. 7 on ESPN. The final four competitors will return to Reno for a live televised championship round on Oct. 14.

Brennan, one of the country’s most respected sports columnists, will serve as sideline reporter and essayist. She also is a best-selling author and has worked as a commentator for ABC News, ESPN, National Public Radio and FOX Sports Radio. A leading expert on the Olympics and women’s sports issues, she also is a nationally known speaker. Her latest project is a new book, Best Seat in the House: A Father, A Daughter, A Journey Through Sports.

Burton, a member of the USBC and Professional Bowlers Association Halls of Fame, was part of one of sport’s most famous broadcast teams, partnering with lead announcer and fellow hall of famer Chris Schenkel as color analyst on PBA Tour telecasts for 23 years. Burton has most recently served as emcee for USBC’s Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Burton also had an outstanding bowling career winning 17 PBA Tour titles and holds the record for most USBC Open Championships titles with nine, including the 1976 Masters.

Holman, a member of the PBA Hall of Fame, returned to the booth in April as color analyst for the 2007 USBC Queens. He previously served as a color analyst for PBA telecasts from 1996 to 2001. Holman, the 1987 PBA Player of the Year, retired from the tour in 1996. During his career he won 22 titles including two Tournament of Champions (1976, '86) and two U.S. Opens (1981, '85).