FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is the tournament format?
A: The tournaments are one-day events and last
just a few hours. You bowl 4 games of
qualifying, then it’s on to the stepladder finals. The more prestigious major events are
slightly longer.
Q: Is it scratch or handicap?
A: You are automatically entered into both, and
your qualifying games count towards both.
The top 4 scratch bowlers go on to the scratch finals. Of the remaining bowlers, the top 4 handicap
go on to the handicap finals.
Q: Do I have to be a member to bowl?
A: No.
Membership has its perks but anyone can walk in and bowl.
Q: I’m not a good bowler. Is the Front Range Challenge Tour really for
me?
A: Yes!
We have bowlers with averages ranging from 130 on up. The environment is not one of fierce
competition, but rather one of learning and gaining tournament experience.
Q: So who is the Front Range Challenge Tour
targeted at?
A: Anyone, at any level, who wants to get off of
the boring house shot oil pattern and improve their game.
Q: What oil patterns are used?
A: All of the patterns are unique to the tour
and they range from 35 ft (short) to 43 ft (long). All of them are more challenging than a house
shot. Some are only slightly more
challenging, while others are much more difficult. For more information, check out the Oil Patterns Page.
Q: Why do you use different oil patterns?
A: Having oil patterns of different lengths and
difficulties keeps the tournaments interesting and challenging. Everyone is always learning and the varied
patterns ensure that no one particular style of bowler has an advantage. For the 2011-12 season, the same pattern is
used for 3 consecutive tournaments (except for majors), which is intended to
maximize skill acquisition.
Q: What’s this about learning?
A: We have a Pro Clinic at (nearly) every
tournament, covering topics such as reading the lanes, ball selection for
different conditions, and techniques to improve your swing. The clinic is free with your tournament
entry! We also encourage tournament
bowlers to openly discuss what they’re seeing on the lanes to build everyone’s
skill set.
Q: What is a major?
A: A major is a more prestigious event, and is
generally conducted on a more difficult oil pattern. Qualifying rounds are 6 games and there is
often a round robin match play prior to the stepladder. More information about the unique heritage and prestige of major tournaments can be found on the Majors Page.
Q: What’s a stepladder?
A: A stepladder is where you have a series of
matches between one player and another.
4th seed bowls against 3rd seed, then the winner
faces 2nd seed, then the winner faces 1st seed. The winner of that match is the winner of the
tournament.
Q: What’s a round robin?
A: A round robin is also match play, but is
different from a stepladder. Generally,
everyone will bowl everyone else in round robin. So, if we have players A, B, C, and D, each bowler
will bowl three games, like this:
Game 1: A vs. B while C vs. D
Game 2: A vs. C while B vs. D
Game 3: A vs. D while B vs. C
Often, bonus pins
are awarded to the winner of each match.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: $30 for regular events. $50 for majors. You won’t find a better value out there!
Q: What does the payout structure look like?
A: It is not top-heavy. Everyone who makes the finals will cash. The payout ratio is 1:3 and pays a minimum of
8 bowlers.
Q: Membership:
how much does it cost, and what do you get?
A: Membership costs $30. With that $30, you earn a share of the Player
of the Year fund (both scratch and handicap), access to the PBA’s Xtra Frame (a
$65 value!), and discounts on official tour apparel (name shirts and towels). For an additional $50, you may upgrade to
Platinum Membership, which gets you an official tour performance polo with your
name embroidered on it as well as an embroidered tour microfiber towel. Only members are eligible to bowl the
Tournament of Champions.
Q: Is there a bonus for referring new members?
A: Yes, existing members get a $5 referral bonus
for each new member they sign up.
Q: How does the Player of the Year fund work?
A: A portion of every tournament entry (and
sponsorship money) goes towards the Player of the Year fund. With every tournament you bowl, you earn
points towards PoY (in both scratch and handicap). The PoY fund is paid out per point (so you
earn something at every tournament!) as well as by place.
Q: How many points do I earn at each tournament?
A: 1st place earns 50, 2nd
earns 40, then it goes 35, 30, 25, 23, 21, etc. gradually going down to 10
points for last place.
Q: How is handicap calculated?
A: 90% of 220.
Q: How is my tour average calculated?
A: It’s your rolling average from the last 4
Front Range Challenge Tour events you’ve bowled. Each tournament’s average occupies one of the
4 slots. The average of those 4 slots is
your tour average.
Q: I haven’t bowled 4 tournaments. How is my average calculated?
A: Your “entering average” is placed into each
of those 4 slots. When you bowl a
tournament, your tournament average replaces your entering average in one of
those slots.
Q: What is my “entering average”?
A: In order, whichever of the following you
have:
i.
2010-11
USBC Sport or PBA Experience average of 21 or more games.
ii.
2010-11
USBC average of 21 or more games, adjusted using the USBC Average Adjustment
Scale.
iii.
Established
average based on the first four games.
Q: I know someone who might like to sponsor a
tournament or two.
A: Visit www.frontrangebowling.com and click on
the “Sponsors” tab. The sponsorship form
is there.
Q: Is there a dress code?
A: Yes.
Shirts must have a collar or mock collar. T-shirts, muscle shirts,
coats, and jackets will not be permitted. Jeans, dress shorts, cargo pants,
cargo shorts, capris, skirts (women only) will be allowed as long as they are
not baggy or ragged. No headgear will be allowed. Jewelry will be permitted as
long as it is not excessive and in good taste.
Tour shirts will be available for purchase.
Q: Are youth allowed to bowl?
A: Yes!
The tour is an excellent training ground for youth. Prizes for youth are awarded in accordance
with USBC Rule 400.
Q: Are there brackets or other side events?
A: Yes, brackets and high game pots (both
scratch and handicap) are available.
Q: How do brackets work?
A: A bracket lasts three games. Eight bowlers are randomly placed into each
bracket. There are four matches in the
first game; Bowler 1 vs. Bowler 2, Bowler 3 vs. Bowler 4, etc. If you win your match, you move on to the
next match. Thus, four bowlers are
eliminated after the first game. By the
third game, there are only two bowlers left.
Both will cash, but the winner of that game gets the bigger payout.
Q: How do high game pots work?
A: High game pots cost $5. For a regular event, that’s $1 for each of
the 4 qualifying games and $1 for series.
If 12 people enter the high game pot, then each game is worth $12 and
series is worth $12. Whoever rolls the
high game in game 1 gets $12. Same for
game 2, etc. and series.
Q: What is the tour season?
A: The tour season generally begins in August
and ends in May, with the Tournament of Champions.
Q: Who is invited to the Tournament of Champions?
A: Everybody is invited to the Tournament of Champions. Not only is there a non-Champions qualifying round, but the season Awards Banquet and Pot Luck will also take place. For specific rules and format, visit the Tournament of Champions page.
Q: How can I be notified of tour news and
upcoming events?
A: Send an e-mail to bowl@frontrangebowling.com
and ask to be included on the distribution list.
Q: My question wasn’t answered here; who do I
contact?
A: Send an e-mail to bowl@frontrangebowling.com.
