THIS weekend’s Audi - QubicaAMF Orange Open is not about chasing prize money for Jason Belmonte

The world’s best bowler will line up in his hometown event, keen to perform in front of his family and friends.

He’s so determined to prove he’s not in the event for the money, he made an announcement yesterday.

“Any prize money I do win I’ll donate to this year’s Orange Junior Cup and it will go into their prize pool. It doesn’t matter if it’s $1 or $1000,” Belmonte said.

“Some of the travellers have mentioned they don’t want to play (the Orange Open) because I’m playing and they think I’m taking all the money. I’m not here to win the money. I’m here to bowl in front of my family and friends.”

Belmonte took out last year’s Orange Open, edging out Shellharbour’s Jamie Kyriacou by 49 pins.

That was the Orange bowler’s fifth Orange Open crown.

“It’s something I don’t normally think about - how many times I’ve won it,” he said.

“Every time it comes around, it’s the one opportunity I get to bowl in front of my family and friends, so it’s special. Winning it is important for me because I want to make it worthwhile for my family and friends to watch me.”

Belmonte is one of 10 Orange bowlers chasing the hometown crown.

Also lining up will be Jason Brown, Jason Osborne, Aaron Osborne, Ken McLachlan, Jordan Clark, Keryn Delaney, Nick Flannery, Nathan Crooks and Kyle Jones.

“Jason Brown and Jason Osborne have been bowling well and have a lot of confidence in Orange,” Belmonte said.

“I think it comes down to who can last the distance. I look forward to seeing how they hold up.”

Another bowler who could be a serious threat to the title is Australian tenpin bowling team coach Andrew Frawley, who is also a former national representative.

“Andrew Frawley was one of my idols, so I’m looking forward to bowling against him,” Belmonte said.

“He was our coach at World Championships. He’s one of the smartest bowlers I’ve known. He will certainly be up there.”

There will also be an unknown factor to the 2015 competition with this year’s event attracting plenty of newcomers.

The Orange Open will be Belmonte’s final preparation before he heads back to the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) tour in America to compete in the Oklahoma’s Grand Casino Hotel and Resort PBA Summer Swing.

This event incorporates the Badger Open, Bear Open, Wolf Open, Oklahoma Open and the King of the Swing.

“It’s a good little training run before I go back to the Pro Tour,” he said of the Orange Open.

“It’s always good to bowl games before you go away. It’s good to get in that tournament mode.”

The Audi - QubicaAMF Orange Open will be held at the Orange Tenpin Bowl on May 2 and 3.

Competitors will bowl 10 qualifying games on Saturday.

The top 32 will bowl another 10 games on Sunday and the bowler with the highest pinfall will be the winner.