1 An unusual year requires a different event Normally at the conclusion of the season we host a Masters event specifically aimed at those bowlers who have competed within the tour. This year, however, has been anything but normal. The global pandemic has severely restricted the number of tournaments that have been able to take place, so a decision was taken to run these as one-off events rather than attempt to pull together a Tour. This means that we need to organise a new style event which brings people together at year end, to celebrate the friendships that have built up over many years.
In November 2021 we will be promoting a 3-day event, hosted by Stroud bowl, over the weekend of 19th to 21st. This event will include both singles and doubles re-entry events. Entry will be limited to those individuals who have taken part in any of the tournaments held over the previous season which, for the purposes of this event, will include 2019, 2020 and 2021. Handicaps will, where possible, also be taken from scores bowled at these events. If we don’t have averages available, that include 18 games or more, standard rules for using entering averages and re-rating will apply.
Handicaps will be calculated as 75% of the difference between your average and the scratch score which will be set at the end of October 2021, to reflect the highest scratch average obtained. Lady’s and Men’s scratch scores will be set independently for the singles competition, but jointly with the men for the doubles. A bonus of 8 pins per game will also be given to ladies competing in the Doubles event.
The Singles events (Ladies and Gentlemen)
The event will run from Friday to Sunday. Each bowler will bowl two blocks of 4 games. Blocks can be played anytime between Friday and Sunday. One re-entry will be permitted, and we will use the best 2 blocks bowled to determine the final score. Entries will open on 9th October, but re-entries will not be bookable until 1st November to give everyone a chance to book their preferred squads. All entries will be on a first come first served basis and will depend on availability within the number of lanes that have been made available. A re-entry may also be booked up to 30 minutes prior to the start of that squad.
Scratch prize pots will also be available for each block individually set at £5 (£1 per game plus £1 for high series - cash only) which will be paid out to the highest scratch scores at the conclusion of each block. Tied scores will share the pot equally. Registering for Scratch pots must be completed before the start of practice for that squad.
The Doubles event
The event will run from Friday to Saturday. Each team will bowl one block of 4 games. The block can be played anytime between Friday and Saturday. One re-entry will be permitted but it must include the same team members. Entries will open on 9th October, but re-entries will not be bookable until 1st November to give everyone a chance to book their preferred squads. All entries will be on a first come first served basis and will depend on availability within the number of lanes that have been made available. A re-entry may also be booked up to 30 minutes prior to the start of that squad.
2 Entry Fees Pricing for the event is as follows:
Singles initial entry £50 which includes 8 games and £20.00 Prize Fund
Singles re-entry £25 which includes 4 games and £10.00 Prize Fund
Doubles initial entry £50 per team, which includes 4 games each and £20.00 Prize Fund
Doubles re-entry £40 per team, which includes 4 games each and £12.00 Prize Fund
Entry includes a £2.00 BTBA Sanction Fee
3 The Format and Rules
The tournament has been sanctioned by the BTBA and the event will be played in accordance with the BTBA's General Playing Rules and Tournament Rules, which can be found on the BTBA website www.btba.org.uk.
Dress code will be fairly relaxed, but we ask that, where possible, bowlers wear a shirt with their name on it. Shorts can be worn but they should be tailored and not swim shorts. There is no restriction on denim but jeans etc should be clean and tidy.
All bowlers will play squads of 4 games as described above. One block for Doubles and two blocks for Singles. You will be allowed to re-enter once for each event using best scores achieved for prize placings. You may only feature once in each prize list.
Play will be at doubles pace and players will move 4 lanes right after 2 games.
Any tied score will share the prize pot for those positions equally. i.e., ties for first place between three people will split the first second and third place prizes equally. The next prize awarded will be fourth place.
4 The Schedule: All these start times are approximate, and we reserve the right to start each squad up to 30 minutes before the scheduled time. Therefore, registration will close 30 minutes before the original scheduled start time. Anybody arriving after the start of play will be permitted to join the squad but will start play from the current frame, scoring zero for any previous frames.
Based upon availability, lanes can be booked for practice on the Thursday before the event. Please call the bowling centre directly on 01453 762200 and mention the BTBA TPT Masters so they know which lanes to allocate to you and to ensure that you get the special practice rate of £2.50 per game. You will need to book lanes at least 2 weeks in advance and be prepared to accept the next available slot. Lanes will be dressed in advance of practice lanes being available, but it is unlikely that they will be redressed between bookings.
An evening meal will be available at the Bowl from approximately 19:30 and indication of the number of meals required would be appreciated. Food will be purchased separately during the evening.
· Saturday 20th November Squad D; 8:30 - 11:00 Squad E; 12:00 - 14:30 Squad F; 15:30 - 18:00 Squad G 19:00 – 21:30 (please note that the centre may be open to the public during this squad.)
An evening meal and some entertainment will be available at the Bowl from 19:30 onwards and will include a Pool competition. Tickets for pool can be purchased during the evening. All food will be purchased separately but an indication of number of meals required would be appreciated.
The prizes that we can pay out will be dependent on the number of entries and re-entries that we get. However, we anticipate having a total prize fund in excess of £2000.00. Below you will see tables that show how the prizes will be distributed and have been estimated based on 48 men and 16 ladies in singles and 24 teams in the Doubles events plus some re-entries.
6 Food and Beverages After a significant refurbishment Stroud bowl now caters for a greater number of people in their bar and dining areas.
They are pleased to be able to offer breakfasts lunches and dinners through their existing menus and will, in addition, be providing additional lunches and dinners during our event.
Examples are, Cottage Pie, Lasagne, Chilli with rice, plus a selection of salads and sandwiches.
To help them cater it they would appreciate some advance notice of demand. So please complete the dining section below or pop along to the food counter to place your orders as normal, or book them in advance.
Breakfast will be served from 8:00am of Friday and 7:30am on Saturday and Sunday. It may be wise to book a time slot for these also, at least the day before, so that you can be sure that they are ready for you in time for you to bowl.
All food is to be paid for direct to the staff at the bowl.
7 Pool Competition On Saturday evening we are going to run a pool knockout competition.
The rules are being modified slightly to give those not used to playing a chance to take part in the event.
Ladies and beginners will each be given a joker card that they can play during the match to receive an extra turn at the table. The joker may only be played once in each round and may be played at any time at the end of their normal turn before their opponent has come to the table.
The first round will be a double elimination round with all the losers from that round automatically entered into a second separate competition.
More details will be available on the night
Please be careful that your pay attention to the entry form details There are six forms altogether
1 Singles Initial entry £50 for eight games spread over any two blocks of four. Payment Ref CSI Your BTBA No or Surname 2 Doubles Initial entry £50 for any one four game block (Not Sunday).Payment Ref CSD Your BTBA No or Surname
3 Raffle Tickets £5 per strip of 6 tickets, only available on line at this price Payment Ref CRAF Your BTBA No or Surname 4 Dining options No payment required, simply advance notice for the bowl to be prepared to cater for us effectively. (This form is on this page, scroll up)
NOT OPEN UNTIL 1ST NOVEMBER 5 Singles re-entry £25 for four games.Payment Ref CSR Your BTBA No or Surname 6 Doubles Re-entry £40 for any one four game block (Not Sunday).Payment Ref CSDR Your BTBA No or Surname
PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF WHICH SQUADS YOU ARE ENTERING, BEING CAREFUL NOT TO ENTER THE SAME SQUAD TWICE. PLEASE ALSO BE AWARE THAT YOU MAY NOT GET YOUR FIRST SQUAD CHOICE SELECTIONS