By OnMilwaukee Staff Writers   Published Apr 13, 2004 at 5:05 AM

{image1} Even though Milwaukee is home to both the American Bowling Congress and the Women's International Bowling Congress, Brew City has been devoid of a national professional event for 14 years. That will change when the Miller High Life Masters returns to Milwaukee on Oct. 31 at Miller Park.

The stadium will be the backdrop for one of pro bowling's most prestigious championships when ESPN televises the masters. It's the first national professional event to roll through Milwaukee since the 1990 ABC Fall Classic, conducted at the now-closed Red Carpet Celebrity Lanes.

The Masters will begin Oct. 27 at AMF Bowlero Lanes, with qualifying and match play conducted through Oct. 30. After match play, the field will be narrowed to the five players who will compete in the stepladder finals on specially-installed lanes in Miller Park's right field.

In addition to the return of a professional tour stop to Milwaukee, the 55th Masters will mark the second time in 52 years that the event has been held here. The second Masters was conducted in 1952 in conjunction with ABC's National Championships that were held in the Milwaukee Arena.

As one of professional bowling's richest and most prestigious events, the Masters showcases the sport's best professional and amateur bowlers, attracting fields of more than 500 players.