Tournament Rules

  1. The Big D Classic is an USBC certified tournament. The tournament is a mixed handicap competition open to men and women by invitation only. Therefore, the Tournament Director reserves the right to refuse any application. Space is limited to 56 teams/224 bowlers. Teams will consist of 4 members, any mix of men and women. Partial entries will be accepted as long as they can be accommodated.
  2. Averages, Handicap, & Scores:
    1. Handicap for the Tournament shall be based on 90% of the difference between the bowler's scratch average and 225. Negative handicap will not apply.
    2. Only 10-pin averages can be used.
    3. Entering Averages – use the first applicable rule below:
      1. Bowlers with both a USBC sanctioned 2010-11 book average (minimum 21 games, use highest average) and an IGBO Tournament Database (TAD) average (minimum 18 games occurring in the 12 months prior to June 30, 2011) will enter with an average of these two averages. For example, highest book average = 175 and TAD average = 169, entering average = 172. Bowlers with both averages are not subject to rule 5 below regarding past tournament winnings.
      2. All other bowlers should submit the following averages if available. The highest of these will be used.
        1. IGBO TAD average (minimum 18 games occurring in the 12 months prior to June 30, 2011).
        2. Highest USBC sanctioned 2010-11 book average (minimum of 21 games).
        3. Highest USBC sanctioned 2009-10 book average (minimum of 21 games).
      3. If none of these averages is available, a USBC sanctioned summer 2011 league average will be considered; the number of games must be submitted. All other bowlers will use a minimum average of 140 to a maximum average of 225 as the entering average, as determined by the tournament committee.
    4. Averages will be verified on the www.bowl.com database. A correct USBC number must be provided on the entry form. Any averages that are unavailable or inaccurate on this site must be noted in the comments section of the entry form, with separate verification provided by the league secretary (letter or standing sheet). It is the entrant's responsibility to supply complete and accurate information.
    5. Bowlers who have qualified for cash and/or merchandise prize(s) of $600 or more in the position standings prize list in any event in any bowling tournament during the past 12-month period must report:
      1. Name(s) of tournament(s) and date(s) when prize(s) was/were won.
      2. Actual scores bowled – all games including optional events.
      3. Prize position(s).
      4. Amount or value of prize(s).
      Failure to comply is cause for forfeiture of entry fee and prize winnings (USBC Rule 319d).
    6. USBC permits the tournament manager to assign an average higher than minimum average prior to participation (USC Rule 319b). A bowler's average may be adjusted upward before the entrant bowls. If the bowler, upon registering, does not accept the assigned average, he/she is entitled to a refund of the entry fee.
  3. All entrants must be members of USBC and provide proof of membership and certification number on the entry form. Proof of membership in the 2010/2011 season (sanction card or renewal receipt) must be available during tournament registration. Non-members shall pay a Participation Fee of $5.00 (USBC Rule 301b). Any bowler not a member of an IGBO league shall pay an Associate Member Fee to IGBO of $25.00.
  4. Each participant shall bowl three (3) games per event and must enter all events. Bowlers are allowed only one entry per event in Singles, Doubles, and Team. Doubles/Partnerships must come from the same team. Men and women will compete on an equal basis. Team and Doubles Partnerships may consist of any combination of men and women.
  5. Check-in time for all events is no later than thirty (30) minutes prior to starting time.
  6. Late bowlers will begin in the frame in which they are ready to begin bowling. A "zero" score will be entered in each frame missed. Also see Rule #7.
  7. Bowlers will be allowed ten (10) minutes of practice per event unless they are late. Late bowlers will forfeit practice time for the shift that they are late.
  8. Substitutes will be allowed to participate at the Tournament Director's discretion.
  9. Entry fee is $90.00 per bowler. The official entry deadline is Friday, August 5, 2011. Online registration is available and recommended, but if not using online registration mail entry to:
    1. Big D Classic P.O. Box 192626 Dallas, TX 75219
  10. Full payment of fees must accompany entries. All money orders or cashiers checks should be made payable in U.S. funds to "Big D Classic". Online payment is available via PayPal. You do not have to have a PayPal account to use the secured payment method. Credit and debit cards are accepted and processed through this website.
  11. Entry fees, once received, will not be refunded unless at the Tournament Director's discretion.
  12. Optional Individual Scratch Competition. The tournament is offering two (2) optional scratch events – Traditional Scratch and Scratch Shoot Out. The four (4) Scratch Divisions for both optional events are as follows:
    • Division A - 200 average and up
    • Division B - 180-199 average
    • Division C - 160-179 average
    • Division D - 0-159 average
    1. Traditional Scratch. The entry fee for this optional event is $20.00. Payout ratio will be no less than 1:10 for the following awards: high scratch game, high scratch series, and high scratch all-events. All nine (9) games are considered to determine winners. Payout will be 100% per division.
    2. Scratch Shoot Out. The entry fee for this optional event is based on Division as follows:
      • Division A - $50.00
      • Division B - $40.00
      • Division C - $30.00
      • Division D - $30.00
      Scratch Shoot Out qualifiers are determined based on the 9-game scratch total pins bowled in singles, doubles, and team. The top 8 bowlers in each Division will advance to the Scratch Shoot Out competition on Sunday after team event. If there is a tie for the eighth position a 9th and 10th frame roll off will be held for bowlers that tied. The Shoot Out will consist of four separate cuts. All 8 competitors in each Division will bowl one game on the same pair of lanes, and bowlers with the lowest 2 scores will be eliminated from competition. The remaining 6 bowlers will bowl one game moving one pair of lanes to the right, and bowlers with the lowest 2 scores will be eliminated. The remaining 4 bowlers will bowl one game moving one pair of lanes to the right, and bowlers with the lowest 2 scores will be eliminated. Final round will be a one game match to determine the Champion and 2nd place winner.
  13. All incomplete entries will be returned, unprocessed. A complete entry package consists of the following:
    1. Completed Entry Form.
    2. Appropriate fees in U.S. funds (see Rule #9)
    3. Completed average verification form (see Rule #2).
    4. If using online registration, payment shall be made via PayPal or mailed to the tournament address. If required, any additional average verification information must also be submitted to the tournament address.
  14. Each event has its own Prize List. There will be 100% cash return on all prize fees. The payout ratio will be 1:8, except for Individual All Events, in which only the top three (3) positions will be paid. Payouts will occur within thirty (30) days of tournament completion.
  15. Premature termination or interruption of the tournament brought about by war, national or local disaster/emergency, or emergency causes relating to or from fire, natural disaster, or any other reason beyond the control of Big D Classic committee shall cause, to the extent required thereby, all advertised prizes guaranteed or otherwise, to be pro-rated in accordance with the number of entrants who have bowled in each of the respective events up to the time of such termination.
  16. Tournament Dates: August 12th, 13th and 14th, 2011. All events will be held at USA Bowl, 10920 Composite Dr., Dallas, TX 75220. Phone: (214) 358-1382.
  17. Entry Fee Break Down:
    1. Prize Fund - $66 Lineage - $18.00 IGBO Donation - $1.00 Awards and expenses - $5.00
    2. Total Entry Fee $90.00 per bowler
  18. Rules subject to change upon 2010/2011 USBC sanction approval. Any rules changes will be posted at registration.