The Bahamas will host a World Tenpin Bowling Association event for the first time in its history when the Bahamas International Bowling Classic 2012 joins the World Bowling Tour next year.

The inaugural event is scheduled to be conducted Feb. 27-March 4 at Mario's Bowling and Entertainment Palace, a new 50-lane bowling center in Nassau. It will mark the first time a World Bowling Tour event will be held in the American Zone outside of the United States.

"Hosting an international bowling tournament provides The Bahamas with the opportunity to showcase the sport of bowling on the international arena," Mario's Bowling Marketing Manager Odette Carey said. "Attracting professional athletes, fans and media attention around the world brings excellent exposure for The Bahamas."

The Bahamian event is the first tournament to be confirmed for the 2012 World Bowling Tour. The Tour is currently in its inaugural year and boasts a schedule of eight events around the world.

"Although the 2011 World Bowling Tour has yet to conclude, it has been so successful that we are proud to announce the first tournament to join the Tour in 2012," World Tenpin Bowling Association President Kevin Dornberger (pictured right) said. "The Bahamas are not only a beautiful place to visit, but it's a country with very passionate bowlers who look forward to hosting a WTBA event for the first time."

The 2011 World Bowling Tour continues Aug. 21-26 with the Korean Daejeon Open in Daejeon, Korea. The WBT Thailand will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from Sept. 24-30 and the AMF Australian Masters will take place in Sydney, Australia, from Oct. 10-22.

The World Tenpin Bowling Association, which is made up of more than 100 bowling federations, governs the sport throughout the world. For more information on WTBA and the World Bowling Tour, visit WorldTenpinBowling.com.