Syosset, NY: Pinacle Events, owners of the Long Island Generations Bowling Tour (LIGBT), has released a 21 event schedule for its fourth season. All events will be held on Sunday with squads at 1pm and 3pm except for two-day major competitions. All events will now be handicap (90% of 230) with all amateurs averaging 230 & under welcomed.
Eligibility for LIGBT events has changed as no PBA members will be allowed and anyone that has ever won a regional or national PBA title also excluded. LIGBT amateur scratch members, who averaged over 230 in league may still compete as long as they averaged under 210 in LIGBT events (minimum 21 games.) Approximately 30 scratch LIGBT members will now be restricted to special scratch events only.
LIGBT’s change to handicap only events was due to the rapid decline in scratch entries. With deep regrets Steve Sanders announced the elimination of regular scratch tournaments. “We started the LIGBT as mainly a scratch competition and for the first two seasons we had wonderful turnouts. But as the economy soured, and events were being dominated by several bowlers, entries declined to a point where it didn’t make sense to continue.” We will still hold a few scratch tournament each season and we are glad most of our scratch members will be eligible to compete in the handicap tournaments.
The LIGBT will be visiting 10 different centers in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. There will be an average of two tournaments per month with one per month during the summer. All tournaments will have a 1 in 5 cashing ratio with everyone making the finals guaranteed $100. Top prizes each week will pay a minimum of $500 & $250 and will grow higher with 80 entries or more. Entry fees will remain at $60 for the first entry and will be discounted to $40 for all re-entries. New to season 4 events are women and senior bonuses plus a new wild card finalist which places the bowler (with the highest 6-game series) that entered both squads and didn’t make the finals directly into round 1. Also new is a final insurance option where anyone paying an extra $10 and missing the finals by 5 pins or less will advance and guaranteed $100. LIGBT Season 4 kicks off on Sunday, September 25th at AMF East Meadow. Visit www.ligbtour.com for complete information on the upcoming season. The LIGBT is sponsored by Columbia 300, Station Casinos, Kegel, Randi B. Siegel Law Firm, and Digital Motion. To speak with someone in the LIGBT office please call 1.877.900.6464.