2024 Scratch Masters Rules
1. The TGIF Scratch Masters, in conjunction with the TGIF Classic 2024, is a USBC Sanctioned event, mixed competition, open to men and women by invitation only.
2. The Scratch Masters event will be offered to all participants of the TGIF Classic, separating bowlers into divisions based on their entering average. The average range for each division will be determined once tournament registration is finalized to ensure an equal number of potential bowlers across the divisions. The division breakdown will be posted at the sign-up table during registration Friday evening and Saturday morning. All bowlers who wish to participate must sign up prior to the start of tournament play on Saturday August 17, 2024.
Each division shall have eight (8) bowlers with one (1) alternate. If there are not enough entries to fill a division, each bowler that registers will have the option to bump up to the next highest division and pay the difference in the entry fee or have their money refunded.
3. The six (6) game total scratch score from the Team and Doubles events on August 17, 2024 will be used to determine the eight (8) qualifiers and one (1) alternate for this competition. In case of a tie for 8th position, the scratch score from the first game of the Singles Event will determine the 8th place qualifier and alternate. Tournament scores will not carry over to the Scratch Masters Event.
4. The games for all divisions will begin at 12:30pm on Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Royal Pin Expo Bowl. Participants must check in 30 minutes before the preliminary matches. A bowler who is not available to bowl at the scheduled time will be disqualified and the alternate will assume the 8th place seed and the other seeds are advanced accordingly.
5. Bowlers will be allowed ten (10) minutes of practice on any of the eight (8) lanes assigned to their division. No open bowling will be allowed prior to the Scratch Masters event.
6. The first two rounds will be a lowest score(s) out format. The eight (8) seeded qualifiers in each division will bowl in a two-game set of preliminary matches, rotating lanes after the first game. The scratch scores of the two games will be combined for each bowler, with the top six (6) bowlers moving on to the semi-final matches and the bottom two (2) bowlers being eliminated.
The remaining six (6) qualifying bowlers in each division will bowl an additional two-game set of semi-final matches, again rotating lanes after the first game. The scratch scores of the two games will be combined with the top four (4) bowlers advancing to the championship round and the bottom two (2) bowlers will be eliminated.
The remaining four (4) qualifying bowlers will be ranked from 1 – 4 based on their combined four game scratch total from the preliminary and semi-final matches. They will then bowl a PBA style stair-step final to determine the winner.
The games will be bowled as follows: The 4th seed will bowl one game against 3rd seed. The winner of that match will then bowl one
game against the 2nd seed. The winner of that match will go on to bowl a final game against the 1st seed to determine the winner of that division. (During this round, the bowlers who are not actively bowling in match may bowl on any of the available lanes to stay warmed up.)
7. If there are ties in any match an extra 9th and 10th frame will be bowled until there is a winner.
8. Payout will be 100% less the lineage. The payoff will be based on the number of entries in each division. We would like to pay everyone who makes it to the championship round if the number of entries in that division can support it. (A minimum of 1:5)
9. Any claims of error must be reported before the start of the next match. In case of any claims of error in the final match, the error must be reported within one (1) hour after the end of the match to the Tournament Director.