Generations Pro Bowling Tour announces new format, schedule and prize structure
12/07/06
Fresh on the heels of its inaugural eight-event fall swing, during which two senior professional bowlers, David Ozio and Dale Eagle combined to win more than $100,000 in just eight events, The Generations Pro Bowling Tour (formerly the Generations Bowling Tour) has announced a new format which will allow more bowlers to compete and win money. The changes were announced by Steve Sanders, founder of the GBT.
One of the primary goals for GBT in 2007 is to have more bowlers share in the payouts. By offering a wider distribution of money, the GBT will make history by offering a 1:2 cashing ratio per division, meaning half of all competitors will receive a check, and the payouts for the middle of the prize funds will be increased. The top prizes will now be $7,500 per event.
"For all of us who worked so hard to get the GBT professional tour off the ground, our inaugural fall swing was a tremendous learning experience," said Sanders. "The primary goal for the first eight events was to lay the groundwork for a high-quality senior pro tour. We have no doubt that we achieved this goal. The feedback from the fall swing has lead to many innovative changes that will improve the tour going forward."
Although the fall schedule offered great opportunities for bowlers to compete, it was apparent that eight events in a row were just too many. As a result, the rest of this season will consist of no more than four events per swing with more days off between each tournament.
The new, more condensed schedule and improved format will now offer pro-ams on Friday and Saturday, qualifying on Saturday and Sunday, and match-play on Monday. This change gives competitors three days off between events and gives the many working seniors a chance to bowl, while missing only one day of work if they make the finals.
The popular round-robin match-play format will return, but with less games per event. Beginning in January, competitors will bowl 12-16 games of qualifying (depending on the number of squads per event), followed by 12 games of match-play. All events will culminate with a top five stepladder finals, featuring players from both GBT age divisions.
The separate 50+ and 60+ divisions were very popular and successful, allowing 60+ bowlers to compete for the title each week. The reduction in games should result in these bowlers becoming even more of a force in the future.
Amateurs were also very competitive in the GBT's first swing, winning two titles. Amateurs wishing to bowl as guests will continue to be welcomed. In fact, to encourage more amateur players to give the GBT a try, the tour is waiving the $75 guest fee for first time entrants.
GBT News
Fresh on the heels of its inaugural eight-event fall swing, during which two senior professional bowlers, David Ozio and Dale Eagle combined to win more than $100,000 in just eight events, The Generations Pro Bowling Tour (formerly the Generations Bowling Tour) has announced a new format which will allow more bowlers to compete and win money. The changes were announced by Steve Sanders, founder of the GBT. One of the primary goals for GBT in 2007 is to have more bowlers share in the payouts. By offering a wider distribution of money, the GBT will make history by offering a 1:2 cashing ratio per division, meaning half of all competitors will receive a check, and the payouts for the middle of the prize funds will be increased. The top prizes will now be $7,500 per event.
"For all of us who worked so hard to get the GBT professional tour off the ground, our inaugural fall swing was a tremendous learning experience," said Sanders. "The primary goal for the first eight events was to lay the groundwork for a high-quality senior pro tour. We have no doubt that we achieved this goal. The feedback from the fall swing has lead to many innovative changes that will improve the tour going forward."
Although the fall schedule offered great opportunities for bowlers to compete, it was apparent that eight events in a row were just too many. As a result, the rest of this season will consist of no more than four events per swing with more days off between each tournament.
The new, more condensed schedule and improved format will now offer pro-ams on Friday and Saturday, qualifying on Saturday and Sunday, and match-play on Monday. This change gives competitors three days off between events and gives the many working seniors a chance to bowl, while missing only one day of work if they make the finals.
The popular round-robin match-play format will return, but with less games per event. Beginning in January, competitors will bowl 12-16 games of qualifying (depending on the number of squads per event), followed by 12 games of match-play. All events will culminate with a top five stepladder finals, featuring players from both GBT age divisions.
The separate 50+ and 60+ divisions were very popular and successful, allowing 60+ bowlers to compete for the title each week. The reduction in games should result in these bowlers becoming even more of a force in the future.
Amateurs were also very competitive in the GBT's first swing, winning two titles. Amateurs wishing to bowl as guests will continue to be welcomed. In fact, to encourage more amateur players to give the GBT a try, the tour is waiving the $75 guest fee for first time entrants.
2007 Winter Swing begins with three Florida events
The 2007 winter swing will begin on January 12 with three events in Florida, each with a maximum field of 96 bowlers. Based upon full-field each event will offer a $55,000 prize fund. After a four-week break, the GBT will resume on March 2 in the Midwest with events in Lansing, Mi., Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Columbus, Ohio.
The first Florida stop will be hosted by The Kegel Training and Tournament Center (KTC) in Lake Wales, Fla. The GBT Kegel Open will run from January 13-16. The KTC is the finest bowling training facility in the world with 12 very special lanes. The pro-ams will be held at Orange Bowl Lanes in Lakeland, Fla. on January 12-13. The KTC will also host their own pro-am on Jan. 13, with GBT bowlers.
The GBT will then travel east to Stuart Lanes in Stuart, Fla. This 48 lane center will host "The GBT Treasure Coast Open" from January 19-22. The third Florida stop will be in Orlando. The GBT Orlando Open will be hosted at Boardwalk Bowl, an impressive 80-lane center from January 26-29.
The first Florida stop will be hosted by The Kegel Training and Tournament Center (KTC) in Lake Wales, Fla. The GBT Kegel Open will run from January 13-16. The KTC is the finest bowling training facility in the world with 12 very special lanes. The pro-ams will be held at Orange Bowl Lanes in Lakeland, Fla. on January 12-13. The KTC will also host their own pro-am on Jan. 13, with GBT bowlers.
The GBT will then travel east to Stuart Lanes in Stuart, Fla. This 48 lane center will host "The GBT Treasure Coast Open" from January 19-22. The third Florida stop will be in Orlando. The GBT Orlando Open will be hosted at Boardwalk Bowl, an impressive 80-lane center from January 26-29.