Tournament Rules

TOURNAMENT RULES:

Download the  Sweetheart Invitational 2022 rules here.

Sweetheart Invitational 2022 Rules

• The SH22 (Sweetheart Invitational 2022) is a USBC certified, IGBO member tournament and by INVITATION only. All participants are subject to the USBC rules for this event. The tournament is a mixed handicapped that is open to men and women. Event scheduled for February 18-20, 2022.
  
  
• All participants must be a member of the USBC and be an IGBO member or participate in an IGBO member league. You must also be able to provide proof of membership (current sanction card).
  
  
  • If the participant is not a USBC member, he/she must pay a $21.00 adult association membership fee (USBC rule 300c, 1a).
  • If the participant is not an IGBO member or participate in an IGBO member league, you must apply for IGBO Associate membership and pay the Associate Membership fee of $25.00 prior to registration. Checks can be mailed to Stephen Shura, 7 Kenwood Circle, Bloomfield CT 06002, payable to IGBO
    
    
• All entries for the Sweetheart Invitational 2022 (SH22) will be done exclusively online through the tournament website.
  
  
• The entry fee will be $130.00 (U.S. Currency) per person on all applications through January 31, 2022. For applications received after this date the entry will be $140.00 per person. Payment will be made via PayPal payable to Sweetheart Invitational. There are NO refunds once accepted by the tournament directors. Final day to enter the tournament with paid entries is February 11, 2022.
  
  
• Early Bird entry: All applications received by 11:59pm on January 31, 2022, will have their names entered into a drawing whereby one person will win a FREE entry to the next Sweetheart Tournament.
  
  
• SH22 will consist of ONE shift of singles, doubles, and team competitions over two days. The tournament will consist of three (3) games per shift. Team competition will consist of four (4) bowlers, (any combination of men and women). Each bowler may only participate once in each event.
  
  
• All cash awards shall be based on the total pins plus handicap for single, doubles and team event. For the all events competition, cash prizes and awards shall be based on the cumulative scores plus handicap for the singles, doubles and team events. The ratio is a minimum of 1 in 15 for singles, doubles, and all events. Team event will be paid out at a minimum of 1 in 12. Trophy awards will be given in the top 3 positions for singles, doubles, and team event.
  
  
• This is a handicapped tournament. The handicap will be calculated at 90% of the difference between the bowler’s entering average and 250. Negative handicap will not apply.
• Entering averages will be the HIGHEST of the following (all average MUST be reported MINIMUM 21 games, except where noted) (USBC 319a/1)
  
  
  • Highest current fall/winter league average as of (12/1/2020) 12/1/2021. (Minimum 21 games)
  • 2019/2020 or 2020/2021 Season Ending Book Average (fall/winter) (minimum 21 games)
  • If you currently bowl in more than one league, all leagues must be submitted.
  • 12 months (2/16/19 – 2/15/20) IGBO tournament (includes Scratch Masters) (18 games minimum) Highest average prevails from A, B or C. If A, B, C are not available, bowler will use entering average of 250 (USBC rule 319b)
    
    
• Left hand or Right hand must be designated. Changes in delivery once the event has started may cause the bowler to forfeit their winnings and disqualifies them from competing. (USBC rule 328) No refund will be given.
  
  
• Averages must be verified using current league standing sheets or USBC Yearbook page indicating season ending average. Bowl.com and League Secretary with league number is sufficient. These documents are to be dated and signed by either the league president or league secretary and must be submitted at the time of registration and/or as indicated on the online registration form. Failure to use a correct/ proper average prior to the start of the first event may result in one of the following:
  
  
  • Disqualify the score(s) bowled if the submitted average is less than the actual average, or
  • Cause the event placement/prize winnings to be based on the submitted average if found to be higher than the actual average.
    
    
• It is the responsibility of the bowler to report tournament averages as listed above. These rules apply to all bowlers. SH22 reserves the right to re-rate any bowlers entering average prior to the event. Any bowler who is re-rated will be notified via confirmation email to be sent approximately one week prior to the start of the tournament (if an email address is given). A re-rated bowler is entitled to withdraw from the tournament and receive a full refund of tournament entry fees payable at the time of tournament pay out. The bowler must withdraw before the first scheduled event.
  
  
  • USCBC rule 319a, item 3 applies. (Abbreviated) BOWLERS are responsible for verifying their own averages whether submitted by the bowler, team captain or others.
    
    
    
• Substitutions may be used at the discretion of the directors but must adhere to rules (see above). It is not the tournaments responsibility to find suitable substitutions.
  
  
• Check in time for the tournament will be 45 minutes prior to the scheduled shift time. Late bowlers will start in the frame for which they are ready. Previous frames will be scored at ZERO. A person that cannot complete their game after starting will have their scores recorded at ZERO for the remainder of the games.
  
  
• Bowlers will have 10 minutes of practice on their assigned lanes prior to the start of each event.
  
  
• It is the bowler’s sole responsibility to be present and at the assigned lanes at the time of bowling. Mechanical failures, transportation irregularities (this includes traffic), improper directions, weather restrictions and related reasons do not alter from rule (see above).
  
  
• Any claims of errors must be submitted in writing to the directors within 1 hour from the end of each event. Prize monies shall be paid out no later than 30 days after the completion of the tournament, pending resolutions of protest(s). A tie in any position will result in an equal division of the prizes. Tournament scores will be available on the tournament website and recorded with IGBO within 30 days after the completion of the tournament.
  
  
• Tournament capacity is limited to 152 bowlers. FOR 2022, ONE SHIFT. That mean 38 teams.
  
  
• Tournament availability is FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED, PAID. Every effort shall be made to accommodate all requests but cannot be guaranteed. Single bowlers and bowlers entering as doubles will be placed accordingly.
  
  
• Optional Scratch Competition is available. $30.00 each division. Scratch scores (without handicap) from the handicap portion of the tournament will be used to determine the winners. The optional scratch division shall be divided into three separate categories within each division. Highest single scratch game (from any of the events), Highest scratch series (from any of the events, three games required) and Highest Scratch All Events (from nine game total from all three events) The division breakdown is as follow with 100% of fees returned to each division. Payout ratio shall be 1 in 8.
  • Division A 210 and above
  • Division B 199 to 209
  • Division C 170 to 189
  • Division D 150 to 169
  • Division E 130 to 149
  • Division F 129-and below.

You may only enter The Optional Scratch event once, men and women combined.

• An Optional 3 of 6 is available as well. The fee is $15.00. The total scores shall be determined by adding together the bowlers 3 highest scores bowled during the singles event and doubles event plus handicap. Payout ratio will be at a 1 in 8 ratios. 10% of the money taken in will go to tournament charities, the balance back to the bowlers. Men and women combined.
  
  
• Any rule that is not covered in this set of rules shall be directed and followed by the USBC Playing rules handbook.
  
  
• A guest pass is available for those that would like to attend the tournament, participate in hospitality activities (badge required) and Awards banquet. Each guest pass is $55.00.
  
  
• All tournament rulings will be the decision of the tournament director(s) and will be final.

• Participation fee breakdown:
  
  
  • Lineage $ 27.00
  • Prize fund $ 43.00
  • Banquet $ 55.00
  • Awards $ 4.25
  • IGBO $ .75
  • $130.00