Dogwood Invitational Bowling Classic | Atlanta, GA April 17-20, 2025
2025-04-17 17:00:00
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Tournament Rules

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Last updated: November 16, 2024

Dogwood Invitational Bowling Classic 2025 Rules

  1. Eligibility
    The 2025 Dogwood Invitational Bowling Classic (hereafter referred to as Dogwood) is a USBC-sanctioned handicap tournament held April 17-20, 2025, open by invitation only. All USBC rules apply except as noted below:
    1. A maximum of 144 bowlers will be accommodated.
    2. All participants must be members of USBC, CTF, or FIQ and provide proof of membership in both the tournament application and at registration. Sanction cards or receipt of sanction application are acceptable. To participate, non-members must pay a Participation or Affiliate Membership fee of $5.00 (USBC Rule 300c).
    3. PBA and PWBA members will be limited to one bowler per registered team.
    4. Any person whose IGBO membership has been denied for the current season will not be allowed to participate.
  1. Tournament Entries
    1. Singles, Doubles, and Team entry applications will be accepted. Every effort will be made to complete partial team entries.
    2. Team and Doubles partnerships may consist of any combination of bowlers. Teams will consist of four bowlers. Each member of a Doubles pair will bowl on the same team.
    3. All bowling will be done during:
      Friday 4/18/2025, 12:00PM to 6:00PM (S/D Shift A), 7:30PM to 10:00 PM (Shift B)
      Saturday 4/19/2025, 9:00AM to 3:00PM (S/D Shift B), 4:00PM to 6:30 PM (Shift A)
    4. Priority will be given to applications (teams and individuals) that are both registered AND paid. Please refer to Rule 10 for more information on complete applications.
    5. Final entry decisions are made at the discretion of the tournament Co-Directors.
  1. Tournament Events
    1. Dogwood will conduct three handicap events: Singles, Doubles, and Team. Each event will consist of three games. Each participant shall bowl three games per event and must enter all three events. Bowlers are permitted to bowl only once in each event.
    2. Optional events include Optional Individual Scratch, Scratch Masters, Dark Horse Doubles, Senior Optional, Women’s Optional, Mystery Score, and Best 3 of 9.
    3. Bowlers must enter any optional event prior to the start of the bowler’s first scheduled event.
  1. Averages and Handicap
    1. Handicap will be calculated as 90% of the difference between 240 and the bowler’s entering average. If a bowler with greater than a 240 average enters the tournament, Dogwood reserves the right to increase the “240” handicap ceiling in increments of 5 pins.
    2. For the purposes of establishing an average for Dogwood, the following rules apply to ten-pin averages established in a USBC, CTF, or FIQ sanctioned league, and IGBO leagues not sanctioned by the above organizations. (Acceptable averages are those established by bowlers acting as current team members or as team/league substitutes – with a minimum of 21 games).
    3. The average used to establish a handicap in Dogwood will be, in descending order:
      1. The highest qualified fall league average (minimum 21 games) as of December 31, 2024. If one does not exist, then…
      2. The highest season-end average from a 2023 – 2024 qualified league (minimum 21 games). If one does not exist, then…
      3. The highest 2024 final summer league average (minimum 21 games). If one does not exist, then…
      4. The bowler’s composite average as of March 15, 2025, if the total number of games bowled across all leagues is at least 21. If one does not exist, then…
      5. IGBO member tournament average (TAD) as of March 15, 2025 with a minimum of 18 games. If one does not exist, then…
      6. The bowler will enter with the highest Dogwood 2025 entering average.
    4. If a bowler’s IGBO tournament average for the 12 months immediately preceding March 15, 2025 is at least one (1) pin higher than any of the averages established in rule 4c, and the number of games represented by that average is at least 18, the IGBO tournament average will be used. (USBC Rule 319e)
    5. If a bowler is in a USBC designated “Sport” or “Challenge” league, the average reported and used to determine the entering average must be adjusted by the appropriate amount as specified on the USBC Average Conversion Charts on the USBC site. Sport shot averages will be reviewed by Co-Directors. (https://bowl.com/Sport_Bowling/Sport_Bowling_Home/Information,_contact/)
    6. Each bowler must submit with the application verification of the highest (or composite) average established under Tournament Rule 4c.
    7. Failure to use the proper average will disqualify the scores if the submitted average is lower than the actual average.
    8. Bowlers must report results from all tournament play (USBC Rule 319e).
    9. Bowlers are also required to report scores and winnings for any single tournament (not including side pots) in which the bowler qualified for a monetary award of $500.00 (U.S.) or more during the 12-month period preceding the start of Dogwood. (USBC Rule 319d). Failure to do so will result in the immediate disqualification of the bowler with scores of 0 entered and with no refund given.
    10. Bowlers are required to verify all average information during registration.
  1. Average Adjustments
    The Co-Directors may adjust the entering average of any bowler before tournament bowling begins. If the assigned average is not acceptable to the bowler, the entry fee shall be refunded.
  1. Check-in and Substitutes
    1. Registration must be completed at least 30 minutes prior to the start of a bowler’s first event.
    2. It is solely and entirely the bowler’s responsibility to be present at the assigned lanes at the time of bowling. Late bowlers may begin bowling in the frame in which they are ready provided that the third frame has not been completed. All frames not bowled will be scored as zero.
    3. All bowlers must check in at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the scheduled shift. All team members must be present for team check-in.
    4. No substitutes will be permitted except in the event that a bowler is unable to bowl. The team may replace that bowler for the entire tournament at any time prior to thirty (30) minutes before the start of the first event in which the bowler to be replaced is scheduled to bowl.
    5. In the case of injury, USBC Rule 108b will apply except that the Co-Directors shall approve a substitute bowler.
    6. Bowlers will be allowed 10 minutes of practice at the beginning of each event. Late bowlers will not be allowed to practice.
  1. Errors and Disputes of Scored Games
    All claims of errors/disputes of games scored and recorded on recap sheets must be submitted in writing to the tournament Co-Directors or Shift Captains within one hour of the error/dispute occurrence.
  1. Payouts
    1. Each event (Singles, Doubles, Team, and Individual All Events) has its own prize list.
    2. 100% of prize fees (see Entry Fee Breakdown) will be returned.
    3. Optional events will return 100% of the prize funds collected for each respective event.
    4. Payout ratio will not be less than 1:10.
    5. Pending audit, prizes will be paid within 30 days after the completion of the tournament.
    6. Re-issuing of any payout check will incur a stopped check fee and reduce the payout to be received by the recipient. Should the payout after the fee be less than $0, no payout will be re-issued.
  1. Optional Events
    1. Optional Scratch (additional $20 fee)
      Scratch scores (without handicap) from the handicap portion of the tournament shall be used to determine winners. The optional scratch shall be divided into three separate categories within each division: Highest single scratch game (from any of the events); highest scratch three-game series (from any of the events); and highest scratch all events (from the nine-game total from all three events).
      There are five Scratch Divisions:

      1. Division A: 0-144
      2. Division B: 145-169
      3. Division C: 170-189
      4. Division D: 190-209
      5. Division E: 210 and up
    2. Scratch Masters (additional fee)
          1. Qualification: Bowlers will qualify for this event based on the total pinfall (scratch) accumulated during their Singles/Doubles and Team events. The top six (6) bowlers in each category qualify; in the event that one or more of the top six qualifiers are unable to bowl, the next highest qualifier will replace that participant provided they are present at 8:30 am on Sunday, April 20, 2025 at the lanes.
          2. Location: Participants will provide their own transportation to the Scratch Masters, which will be held at Bowlero in Lilburn, GA. All qualifiers are required to check in on the lanes at Bowlero by 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 20, 2025, or will be disqualified and/or replaced by alternate(s) if available. Match play will begin no later than 9:00 a.m.
          3. Divisions and entry fees:
            Division A: 0-144 $25
            Division B: 145-169 $30
            Division C: 170-189 $35
            Division D: 190-209 $40
            Division E: 210 and up $50
          4. General Instructions and Practice
            1. All stepladder competition games will be completed on a division-specific pair of lanes. Competition lanes will not shift unless there is a mechanical or other issue preventing completion, requiring a lane change at the discretion of the Scratch Masters Dogwood Official.
            2. The higher seed will decide the starting order of each stepladder game. Bowler who begins the match first will complete one frame on the left lane, second bowler will then begin on the right lane and complete two frames, alternating lanes. First bowler will then also alternate lanes, with each completing two frames until the completion of the game. (Note, the bowler who begins the match on the left lane will finish last, and on the right lane)
            3. All participating bowlers will have 10 minutes of practice on their respective division-specific lane pair before the first stepladder match.
            4. Separate practice lanes will be provided for all bowlers throughout the event.
            5. Before the start of each stepladder game, each bowler has the option to roll up to 2 practice balls per lane, and may reset pins.
          5. Format: Step Ladder.
            1. Game 1- 6th Position Qualifier and 5th Position Qualifier will bowl against each other.
            2. Game 2 – Winner of Game 1 and 4th Position Qualifier.
            3. Game 3 – Winner of Game 2 and 3rd Position Qualifier.
            4. Game 4 – Winner of Game 3 and 2nd Position Qualifier.
            5. Game 5 – Winner of Game 4 and 1st Position Qualifier.
          6. The Champion is determined the winner of Game 5.
          7. In the event of a tie for qualifying position (including alternate) the higher position will be granted to the bowler that has the highest individual series in the tournament across all three events.
          8. In the event of a tie in any game of the stepladder competition:
            1. a two-frame roll off will take place beginning with the 9th frame and concluding with the 10th frame.
            2. The individuals involved in the tie breaker will begin their roll-off on the lane they started that original game. The higher seed will decide the starting order for first tie breaker. The first bowler will complete both frames, then the second bowler will complete their two frames.
            3. If additional roll off games are required, bowlers will alternate lanes and starting order.
            4. In the case of no winner after 3 roll-offs, there will be a sudden death, single ball roll-off, on the lane each bowler started that original game, and in the original starting order. If additional sudden death roll offs are required, bowlers will alternate lanes and starting order until a winner is declared. The person with the highest pin count will be declared the winner. In case of a tie, bowlers will continue until a winner is declared.
            5. Sudden death is defined as a throw-by-throw competition until one of the bowlers throws a higher count than the other.
          9. All bowlers that compete on Sunday (including alternates who bowled) will receive a payout.
        2. Women’s Optional Handicap Events (Optional Event – to be based off a percentage participation of women bowlers)
          (Additional $20 fee; women bowlers only)
          Equalized divisions will be based on number of participants and averages of bowlers. Division will be presented at registration.
          Prizes for individual all-events, high series, and high games for handicap scores will be awarded based on Singles, Doubles, and Team event scores.
        3. Seniors Optional Handicap Events
          (Additional $20 fee; bowlers aged 55+ only)
          Prizes for individual all-events, high series, and high games for handicap scores will be awarded based on Singles, Doubles, and Team event scores using the Optional Scratch divisions in section 9.a:
        4. Dark Horse Doubles
          (Additional $5 fee per entry;)Bowlers can submit as many entries as they choose)
          The bowler submitting/paying their entry(s) is known as the ‘rider’, and will be randomly paired with another Dogwood tournament bowler for each entry, the ‘horse’, to determine the total combined handicap score and overall placement for the event. All Dogwood bowlers will be included in the random pool to generate a doubles paring. The ‘rider’ will not be paired with themselves.
          Only the ‘rider’/the bowler submitting their entry(s) may receive a payout. The ‘horse’ will be listed in the final optional event standing sheet to show the combined scores, but is not eligible for any payouts
      1. Applications
        1. Only applications with complete information will be accepted. Entries must include:
          1. Complete application (individual, doubles pair, and team entries will be accepted).
          2. Average verification for entering average with league average sheet, league secretary contact information, and USBC sanction number
        2. Any entry submitted after April 1, 2025 will be accepted at the discretion of the tournament Co-Directors.
        3. All entries will be submitted online no later than midnight, March 15, 2024.
        4. Online payments must be submitted by midnight, April 1, 2025.
        5. A $3 Online Registration Fee is included in the Total Entry Fee per person.

        Entry Fee Breakdown

        Linage $31.50
        Banquet $53.75
        Prize Fund $34.00
        Trophies/Awards $9.75
        Administration $3.00
        Online Registration Fee $3.00
        Total $135.00

         

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