The big tournament in my city is a handicap doubles. As you can imagine, numbers are down b/c of baggers. Last year I got beat in match play by a team with a 210 and a 150 for averages. In practice, I was talking to the 'better' bowler and he stated matter of fact that his partner was "just getting back into bowling" and had (coincidentally) finally gotten his own ball drilled - after the Jan. 1 average deadline. Before that he was using a house ball in league.

 

The tournament itself has tried to clean it up. But the compromise is to only re-rate all bowlers when it's down to the final 16. Before that, you're on your own.

Do you know about the Greater Iowa Bowling Assoc.? They have tournaments about every month during the season see http://www.giba-bowling.com Out of the 6 tournaments this year 2 on sport shots, one on a challenge shot(+26 to cash so lower scroing) and 3 on THS. The low turnout this year has been 65 entries with a high of 128 for the Fusion Realtors Open to start the year.

 

The GIBA website also lists other non-GIBA scratch tournaments in the state if the tournament directors send their information to the GIBA director. There's 2 scratch tournaments this weekend. One in Estherville on Sat. - 2 different sport shots in two 5 game blocks, -107 to cash last year only 2 people on the plus side. Another is in Mason City on Sunday.

 

I've found there's plenty of scratch tournaments in the state if you know where to look or who to ask.

Tournaments. A touchy subject for me. All you guys who are faced with the poorly run tournaments have my sympathy to an extent. I wish we had even a halfway run tourney in my area. There is one house within a 50 mile radius of me. Old, outdated house with wood lanes that more resemble bowling on a boat dock. Poorly maintained, a "pro shop" that is never actually open. Not to mention that if you need something as simple as finger inserts changed out in your ball it's always, "leave it with me a couple of days and I'll take care of it for ya." I love the owners. Used to even work there as a second job when I was expecting the arrival of my little one. They just have no desire in "investing" anything in the center to improve it. That said, they haven't had a tournament there in probably over 5 years. So it's a 50 mile drive to enter the nearest tourney, so there you have gas costs in addition to entry fees. I am heading to my first tourney since I was in juniors, this March. It's a scratch tourney that is an hour and a half away, but it's a low entry fee and it's a simple walk-in and sign up format. Nice facility too. So in closing, I feel for those of you who have to deal with the pains of poorly run tourneys but at least you have them available. That said, much like the outdated house I bowl in, all a poorly run tourney does is fill the void of not having one.

 

Cheers,

stormdamage