2025-2026 New Haven County USBC Association Open & Women’s Championship Tournament

TOURNAMENT RULES - OPEN DIVISION

1.)     The Tournament shall be governed by USBC rules and regulations except as hereinafter set forth.

2.)     ELIGIBILITY: Any bowler who is currently sanctioned with the New Haven County USBC Association. Any bowlers holding a PBA/PWBA membership card are eligible to bowl and are subject to the provisions listed below. Youth bowlers are not eligible.

3.)     FORMAT: The Tournament format is as follows:

I.         This tournament shall have a Scratch and Handicap division. Handicap shall be calculated based upon 100% of the difference between a bowler's average and 250.  There will be no maximum handicap.

II.       Tardy bowlers will start in the frame being bowled with a zero (0) being used for each frame missed.

III.      All three (3) games of each event will be bowled on the same lanes. Doubles event will be bowled first with singles following on the same pair of lanes.

IV.     AVERAGES: Averages used for calculating handicap shall be determined as follows:

a.       Highest sanctioned average (including converted challenging/sport averages) from the 2024/2025 Winter Season (min. 21 games) and 2025 Summer season (min. 21 games).

b.       If no average from (a), highest sanctioned average from 2023/2024 Winter Season (min. 21 games) and 2024 Summer season (min. 21 games).

c.        If no average from (a) or (b), highest sanctioned average from the current 2025/2026 Winter Season as of October 31, 2025 (min. 21 games).

d.       If no average from any of the above, the bowler shall bowl scratch, with an average of 250.

e.       SPORT/CHALLENGE AVERAGES: Any bowler who has a sport/challenge average and a standard average shall use their highest average with sport/challenge averages converted pursuant to the current USBC average conversion chart.

f.         Youth League averages may be used for an individual who has transitioned to adult leagues.

g.       USBC Rule 319(a)(2), 10-Pin Rule shall be in effect.

h.       Tournament director reserves the right to re-rate a bowler pursuant to USBC Rule 319c-Average Adjustments (Rerating).

V.       TEAM EVENT: Teams shall consist of four (4) bowlers (men, women, or mixed).

a.       No more than two (2) PBA members may compete on a team.

b.       Bowlers may enter the Team event as many times as possible.

c.        Teams comprised of three (3) or more of the same bowlers may only cash once.

VI.     DOUBLES/SINGLES EVENTS: Doubles teams shall consist of two (2) bowlers (men, women, or mixed).

a.       No more than one (1) PBA/PWBA member may compete on a doubles team.

b.       Bowlers may enter the Singles & Doubles event as many times as possible, however they may only cash once with the same partner.

c.        A bowler may only cash once in the Singles Event.

VII.   All-Events: This is an optional event with all entry monies collected being returned 100% in their respective divisions.  Entrants may enter All-Events only once in each division [Scratch & Handicap] with scores being calculated by using all nine (9) games bowled across all three events (Team, Singles, & Doubles). All-Events scores shall be calculated using only the first three (3) games bowled in each event (Team, Singles, & Doubles).

4.)     ENTRY FEE: The entry fee per event shall be as follows:

a.       Team, Doubles, and Singles shall be forty ($40) dollars per person per event.

b.       All-Events shall be five ($5.00) dollars per person per division (Open Scratch, Open Handicap, Women’s Handicap, Women’s Scratch).

5.)     AWARDS: Awards shall be as follows:

a.       Prize fund shall be returned 100% with 50% allocated to Scratch and 50% allocated to Handicap (except All-Events).

b.       In the event of ties for First Place in any event, co-champions will be declared, and duplicate awards will be given.

c.        Prize monies and final standings shall be distributed within thirty (30) days after the completion of competition. Appeals and protests shall be governed under USBC Rule 329.

6.)     CHECK-IN: All participants must check-in with Tournament Officials.

a.       Team captains shall report to the Tournament Manager at least thirty (30) minutes prior to squad time to check-in, verify lineups & averages, and obtain lane assignments.

7.)     PACERS: USBC Rule 323 is waived, Pacers will not be permitted.

8.)     DRESS CODE: All participants must wear appropriate tournament attire.

a.       Permitted:

 i.      Tops: collared shirts and sleeved bowling jerseys (name shirts).

 ii.      Bottoms: Slacks, dress shorts, skorts (of appropriate length).

b.       NOT Permitted: Hats, baggy pants, tank tops, leggings, yoga or exercise pants, stretch pants (elastic waist bands), sweat pants, clothing with profanity or vulgarity, clothing with holes/tears.

9.)     The Tournament Manager shall have the authority to decide upon matters not covered by the rules.

10.)  The New Haven USBC Association, its officers, and agents shall be liable only to the extent of returning entry fees if and when a bowler or their authorized replacement is unable to participate in the tournament due to national emergency, war, natural disaster, or environmental emergency.

WOMEN’S DIVISION RULES

10.) All the rules are applicable with the following exceptions:

        a.) Only women bowlers are eligible to compete.

        b.) An additional fee of forty-two dollars ($42.00) may be paid by each bowler to use their Women’s Tournament Singles & Doubles Scores for the Open Tournament. 

        c.) An additional fee of eighty-four dollars ($84.00) may be paid by the women’s team to use their Women’s Tournament Team Scores for the Open Tournament.

        d.) Women’s Tournament All-Event scores will consist only of scores bowled during the Women’s Tournament.