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SPECIAL EDITION

City Tournament Drawing Near - Why You Should Bowl

The 2008-09 Association Championship Tournament (City Tournament) is set to kick off January 11, 2009.

MBA Director Mark Henry suggested at a recent board meeting that a "Top 10" list is needed to help promote the tournament. OK, I'm no David Letterman, but here goes...

#10 - It's Affordable
Each event is only $20.00, and you are not required to bowl all of the events. Just put a team of five together, pick a day, and try out the team event. You can enter lots of other events if you want - doubles, singles, all events, bonus events, or scratch events - but they are not required. $20.00 per bowler for the team event - that's it!

Last year, the first place team won $600.00 in Division 1 and $450.00 in Division 2. That's a much better return than your 401k of late, I would imagine.

#9 - Average Divisions
Speaking of divisions, the City Tournament has two. Division 1 is for bowlers averaging 200 or more, Division 2 is for bowlers averaging 199 or less. The same works for teams - Division 1 is 1000 or higher, Division 2 is 999 and lower.

You don't have to bowl against that guy with 10 bowling balls and no more room on his shirt for patches. And, even if you do - you'll get pins with your handicap, lots of 'em. The tournament handicap is 100% to 230. Then, you can squash him and his big hook throwin' high average team if you just bowl higher over your average.

#8 - 100% Handicap
Really, it's handicapped? Yes, of course! The City Tournament is for YOU - the league bowler. At 100% handicap, those who bowl highest over their average win. Simple! As of today, the MBA has recorded over 4,700 over average achievements by league bowlers - hundreds of 75 Pins Over Game Average and 140 Pins Over Series Average awards. Last year there were over 11,000.

You don't have to be a "good bowler", you just have to "bowl good". And you can, I know. I personally enter every achievement in the MBA system, stuff the awards and (warning: Seinfeld reference) risk my life sealing the "toxic glue commonly found in cheap envelopes".

#7 - League Lane Conditions
The City Tournament is conducted on standard conditions. It's a league shot - likely very similar to what you are familiar with. The lanes are oiled before every shift for consistency.

The only thing unfamiliar to you will be where the bathroom is located and what's on a Waun-A-Burger or a Rude Burger. You should have a good time and, of course, there is beer there.

#6 - Ball Raffles
The MBA conducts bowling ball raffles on each squad, if there are enough bowlers. Otherwise, it's a 50/50 raffle. This year you could win a Storm Virtual Gravity - the ball that strikes by itself. Just set it down at the foul line and nudge it forward - that's all there is to it!*

*Odds of striking with this method 1:1,000,000,000,000. As with all bowling balls, odds of striking increase if you actually throw it.

#5 - Free Steak
Each year, the champions of each event in each division - a possible 41 in all - are invited to the annual Dinner With the Champions held in the fall at the Prime Quarter. The dinner is complimentary. Did I mention it is steak? Unless you get fish. I can't imagine.

Additionally, the champions are awarded their Tournament Championship Plaques at the dinner. You will be photographed after dinner, so please use a toothpick.

#4 - State Tournament Tune-Up
I know lots of bowlers go to the State Tournament, so why not get together and tune-up in the City Tournament? It's the same thing, for crying out loud, just closer.

#3 - Super Hosts
As with every center in our association, the hosts at Rude's Lanes (team event) and Waun-A-Bowl (minor events) are top notch and are looking forward to seeing you at the tournament. Rude's Lanes has recently installed all new modern lanes. Host Deb Klimke is working on ideas to make your time at the team event a good one. Waun-A-Bowl proprietors Scott Adler and Don Laufenberg also operate a first class center.

#2 - Sweet Sponsorships
Once again, our major sponsor is:


Additional sponsors for this, and the Association Senior Championships are:
Rob Bailey's Pro Shop
Schemm Bowling Inc.
Capital City Coins & Jewelry
Dream Lanes Pizza Pit
Phoenix Pro Shop

All told, the tournaments sponsors add $4,300 to MBA Tournaments - straight into the prize funds. So go buy some gum and pizza and bowling balls and jewels and foul line detectors.

#1 - The League Challenge
Oops, forgot the drum roll.

The #1 reason you should bowl is the MBA League Challenge. This feature of the City Tournament is a $1,000 prize fund that your team could win a part of - for your league! Yes, the top seven league teams over average in the tournament, regardless of division, will win one a piece of that $1,000 for their league. There is one $300 prize, one $200 prize, and five $100 prizes.

At the conclusion of the tournament, the MBA will come out to visit the winning leagues, present the league treasurer with a check, announce who won it for the league, and then everyone will rush you like Rick Springfield.

So what are you waiting for? Grab an entry form and give it a shot!

Questions: Call the Madison Bowling Association office at 221.0300, or Association Manager Bill Dennis at 770.4328 (mobile). Leave a message if I am bowling or sleeping. Or shoveling.

Last Years Results
City Tournament Entry Form
League Challenge Information
Masters Tournament