You're right Griggsy, the main reason bowling is not a popular spectator sport (apart from the fact it isn't taken very seriously as a sport in this country) is that is it way under promoted.
If we could get the promotion into mainstream media, rather than just advertising in bowling centres, we'd be able to generate interest outside of the bowling community, where we need it to grow.
the NSW STBL premier league has taken steps to start that, although it isn't working quite as well as hoped, but is making some good inroads in the right direction.
another reason we do not get great turnouts is that the promotion we do in our own community is almost non existant. the place we should be hammering a passionate message about tournament bowling should in our local centres, a simple pile of flyers on a centre counter won't do much at all. Win-a-spot tournaments and the like are a great way to promote tournaments, and centres that are hosting tournaments should be encouraging local league bowlers to enter tournaments and if they can't, at least come along and spectate by making announcements during/before league, handing flyers to bowlers personally, taking about the tournaments to them and so forth.
Unfortunately, this isn't happening, and probably won't as it seems that centre staff these days don't seem to have a lot of passion for the sport, it's just "where they work".
Not that I am blaming centre staff for bowlings current woes, I mean we as bowlers are as much (if not more-so) to blame as anyone, as we are not supporting the events that are being put on for US.
So it all comes down to one person, YOU, if each individual bowler who is passionate about bowling and would like to see it flourish and prosper in Australia, it's up to YOU to make it happen, get out there and promote the hell out of the sport, the more experienced tournament bowlers in local leagues need to be talking to the non-tounament league bowlers in your leagues and encouraging them to start attending tournaments, if for no other reason but to spectate.
Those of you who feel even more passionate could be organising small tournaments in your local centres, to get tournament bowling happening again, I remember only a few years ago (in sydney) you could bowling in a tournament somewhere or other every weekend for a minimum $500 first prize... but then the prizes should really be the main insentive, as long as it isn't too expensive, and offers decent return for a win.
I realise that putting on tournaments are not easy, especially now with centres preferring to have birthday parties instead, but those of you who are passionate about it enough, will find a way. If you really are as passionate about it as you say.
We have 2 and a half months untill we start a new year, so we have plenty of time to start planning to make 2006 the year bowling turn around and makes a comeback.
Come on people, put your money where your passion is! (to paraphrase..)