Live Coverage from the Panama Invitational Tournament

    10/03/07

    Starting Today

    El Dorado Bowling Center in Panama City (October 3-8, 2007)

    PanamaInvitationalLogo_small.jpg Jeff Lowrance, organizer and sponsor of the Panama Invitational Tournament has announced that the PIT will now feature a total prize fund of US$301.000. Built into the new additional prize fund is money for high games and high series.

    The second Panama Invitational Tournament will be held from October 3rd through 8th, 2007 at El Dorado Bowling Center in Panama City, Panama. The PIT will be divided into three Divisions: Open (97 players), Women (42 players) and Seniors (41 players).

    Besides the best male, female, and senior bowler from every country in the Americas and along with large number of PBAers, former PWBAers and PBA Seniors as well a the leading U.S. University bowlers, 1 Swiss bowler (Mathieu Berges), 2 Australians (Jason Belmonte, Jason Walsh), 3 English (Dominic Barrett, Paul Moor, Stuart Williams) will be among the field this year.

    The Open Division champion gets $40.000, second place is $20.000 and third place is $10.000. Places 55-97 (last place) in the Open Division will receive 400 USD while the entry fee is only $300. The winners in the Women and Senior Division will receive $15.000 each.

    In addition the three Division champion will bowl for additional prize money in the "King of the Hill" finals, which will conclude the tournament on Sunday, October 7.

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    Bowlingdigital will cover the event live from Panama City commencing Thursday, October 4 all the way through to the finals on Sunday, October 7.


    Read our article about the 2006 Panama Invitational. 


    Download the PIT Oil Pattern (pdf file) here
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    Total Prize Fund - $301,000


    Special Prizes High Series each day $250 for Women & Seniors & $500 for Open/PBA.
    $3000 each day for the 1st 300 in Open and Senior or 290 for Women.
    Prize money carries over if no one wins.




    PIT Participants


    As of Sep. 20, 2007




    2007 Panama Invitational Schedule


    As of Sep. 20 - Subject to change

    Wednesday, October 3, 2007 - Practice Sessions
    Squad A: 9:00-10:00 a.m.
    Squad B: 10:00-11:00 a.m.
    Squad C: 11:00-12:00 a.m.

    The practice will be limited to your specific squad unless otherwise approved by TD. However, a second open practice session is available from 12:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m.

    Special players welcome lunch 12:30 PM at Miraflores Restaurant at Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal.

    2:00 p.m. Bowling Clinic
    3:30 p.m. Kids Pro Am
    8:00 p.m. Adults Pro Am


    Thursday, October 4, 2007 - Round 1 Qualifying (5 games)
    Roll call will be half an hour prior to the start of the squads (first squad only).

    A Squad:
    Roll Call 10:45 a.m.
    Practice 11:00 a.m.
    Start 11:15 a.m.

    B Squad:
    Roll Call 3:00 p.m.
    Practice 3:15 p.m.
    Start 3:30 p.m.

    C Squad:
    Roll Call 7:15 p.m.
    Practice 7:30 p.m.
    Start 7:45 p.m.


    Friday, October 5, 2007 - Round 2 Qualifying (5 games)
    Practice 15 minutes prior to the start of competition. No roll call.

    B Squad:
    Practice 8:45 a.m.
    Start 9:00 a.m.

    C Squad:
    Practice 1:15 p.m.
    Start 1:30 p.m.

    A Squad:
    Practice 5:45 p.m.
    Start 6:00 p.m.


    Saturday, October 6, 2007 - Round 3 Qualifying (5 games)
    Practice 15 minutes prior to the start of competition. No roll call.

    C Squad:
    Practice 8:45 a.m.
    Start 9:00 a.m.

    A Squad:
    Practice 1:15 p.m.
    Start 1:30 p.m.

    B Squad:
    Practice 5:45 p.m.
    Start 6:00 p.m.


    Sunday, October 7, 2007 - Semi-finals and Finals

    Semi Finals - 6 Games
    Top 24 in the Open Division, Top 12 in the Senior Division, Top 12 in the Women's Division

    Roll Call: 8:30 a.m.
    Practice: 8:45 a.m.
    Start: 9:00 a.m.

    Stepladder Finals: approx. 1:30 pm.

    King of the Hill (match between the three division winners): 6:30 p.m.


    2007 Panama Invitational Rules


    All decisions made by the tournament director will be final.

    1. All competitors will be expected to dress in a professional manner. Shirts with the player’s names on the back will be required. No jeans allowed.
    2. It is the responsibility of all players to verify his or her scheduled squad times for both the Pro Am and the tournament proper. You must contact either the Tournament Coordinator or the Tournament Director with questions.
    3. Lane courtesy will be given to each pair adjoining your pair. You must wait for one player on your left, and one player on your right, to deliver one ball, prior to your delivery of one ball. That procedure will continue for your spare ball. (for additional information on the lane courtesy rule please see the Tournament Director).
    4. Once competition has begun players will not be allowed to alter the surface of any ball until the player has completed the block. That includes but is not limited to sanding, or polishing.
    5. Visual interference will not be awarded at any time. Also, no interference will be granted for any activity happening behind the players.
    6. The application of any foreign substance on any part of the approach that detracts from the possibility of other players having normal conditions is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to such substances as powder, pumice and resin on shoes. All bowling aids are to be kept on the back counter and off the floor.
    7. Each player will be limited to two re-racks per game. Any additional re-racks taken will result in zero for the shot. Re-racks are to be noted on the player’s score sheet with a check mark next to that player’s name. The exception to this rule is one ball roll offs where additional re-racks may be granted by the Tournament Director.
    8. Dead ball situations: Play will be stopped and tournament director must be called.
    9. Dead wood: If a pin is in the gutter, and it is deemed in play by any of the player’s on the pair, the pin must be removed before play will resume.
    10. Any shot made at a rack with a pin missing must be bowled over.
    11. Bowling on the wrong lane constitutes a dead ball situation. If a player bowls on the wrong lane the frame must be bowled over. The player will then continue bowling on the correct lane. If a player bowls out of turn, but on the correct lane, all pin fall stands as bowled.
    12. If there is a tie for the last spot in the semi finals or the stepladder finals one complete game will be bowled. Should any game end in a tie the tie breaker will be determined by a one ball roll off on one lane the competition is being bowled on, with the top seed choosing the lane to start on. The competitor will follow on the same lane for one delivery. Should the roll off end in a tie the one ball delivery from each competitor will continue on the alternate lane, rotating lanes until such time as a winner is determined.
    13. There will be 3 qualifying squads. Each squad will bowl five games each day. After the initial 15 games of qualifying is complete the fields will then be cut to the top 24 in the Open Division, to the top 10 in the Senior Division, and to the top 12 in the Women’s Division. There will then be semi finals which will consist of 6 games. The field will then be cut to the top 5 in each division. There will then be a stepladder finals which will decide the order of finish.
    14. Practice for the stepladder finals will begin 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start. Practice will be allowed on designated practice pairs. Practice on the stepladder finals pair of lanes will be limited as follows: All finalists (5 in each respective division) will be allowed to practice on the TV pair for 15 minutes after which time seeds #5 and #4 will be allowed an additional 6 deliveries on whichever lane they wish. When seed #3 comes to the pair that competitor will be allowed 6 deliveries prior to the start. Seed #2 will be allowed 6 deliveries prior to start of scoring and Seed #1 will be allowed 8 deliveries prior to the start of the championship match. Top seed will always pick the lane he/she wants to start their competition on.
    15. Should any game end in a tie the tie breaker will be determined by a one ball roll off on the pair they are competing on. Top seed chooses starting lane. The other competitor will follow on the same lane with one delivery. Should the roll off end in a tie the one ball delivery from each competitor will continue starting on the alternate lane, and rotating lanes until such time as a winner is determined.
    16. All inquires (complaints) are to be directed to the Tournament Director not to the Host or the staff of the bowling center. The Tournament Directors decision will be final.
    17. If a player wishes to withdraw they must call the Tournament Director prior to leaving or not showing up to their next squad. Withdrawals without permission may result in a fine of no less than $50.00.
    18. Infraction of any rule may result in a fine of no less than $50.00. Fines will be paid prior to any disbursement of prize money.

    Any rules not covered by these rules will be governed by the WTBA playing rules as directed by the Tournament Director of the Panama Invitational Tournament.