The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

OTTUMWA, IOWA -- As many of you know, the Iowa bowling tournament continues every weekend through May in Ottumwa.

Estimates placed the economic benefit for Ottumwa businesses in excess of $1 million.  

Some bowlers, such as Don Tesch, drove four hours to come spend the weekend in Ottumwa. He is from St. Ansgar, Iowa.

He calls the tournament a weekend away and says many of the men bring their wives for a mini vacation.

Tesch says he has bowled in the last 32 tournaments and they have developed some traditions

“We checked out where the malls were, the shopping places for the women and they went shopping while we were bowling today and yesterday. Then we went out to eat last night, a few of the other guys did their annual bar hopping that they do, frequent those places,” said Tesch.

After the cost of hotel, food, and shopping, Tesch estimates he and his wife spent between 200 and 250 dollars this weekend in Ottumwa.

He added, "People were pleasant, everyplace we went they were friendly. They made you feel welcome."