The 50 mile rule was in place for at least a year in a half maybe a little longer even. I can see some of the women competing with the men and holding there own. But theres a couple of things people seem to be forgetting;
1) Just how many women were there left on their National tour at the end on a consistent basis?(30,40,50+).
2) When you send them back to there hometown area and have them bowl in the regionals that are closest for them there impact on the field will be greatly reduced.

I'm not saying the women can't play because they definitely can.
But it will become a money issue like it all ready is for the regional guys.
Your not going to "barnstorm' around the country and make a living bowling regionals. You'll probably try and hit the ones with a bigger added prize fund or start bowling Megabucks tournaments when you get your amateur status back.
Most guys that bowl regionals do it for the competition because they already have day jobs.