2007-2008 Bowler of the Year Tournament - Stardust Bowl III

AGE OLD ARGUMENT: Handicap System

Handicap was based on 90% of 220. Some have argued that the handicap should have been based on the highest average in the tournament. The statistics showed that only 2 out of 27 220+ bowlers were in the Top 20 (Kammer 242 & Alvarado 221).

In my opinion any bowler who averages 220+ can compete with any bowler including those who did average 230 or even 242. Just look at the 220 average bowlers and see how they bowled. Better yet, look at Week #1 in the Qualifying Round and see the good caliber bowlers who average pretty high that did not make it to Week #2. We also know that the shot all season was very consistent and most scoreable in Stardust III History.

If the handicap was raised, I believe I would hear a bigger argument that really low average bowlers would be getting to much handicap. I heard that with the Women's Division this year.

Look at the Top Bowlers on the standing sheet for the Men and Women. I believe it was a good mix of bowler averages. Those who said they could not compete, come on, the numbers don't lie. The Top 8 Bowlers in the Men's Division were 153,159,206,209,209,216,221,242. The Top 8 Women were 92, 107,134,137,139,153,179,208. Pretty good mix to me. Believe in yourself, never give up and complete all 30 Frames. Get the pin count instead of missing them all on those splits. It's not over until it's over. Anyone can beat anyone on any given day. Just ask the stars on the PBA Tour. They are in Northwest Indiana 3-4 times a year.

Bottom line, there would be no tournament without handicap. (Just look at the previous Managers Tournaments before me that failed because they ran things the "Scratch" way) In all my years of running tournaments, I have a pretty good judgment on what handicap would be the fairest to all bowlers. That's what I do, try and make the tournaments as fair as possible. Should higher average bowlers get a slight advantage, yes. They have earned that right with the skills they have put so much time and effort to achieve. Do we want all 220+ average bowlers to win everything, NO WAY. Do we want all low average bowlers to win everything, NO WAY. I want to see a mix of bowlers win. I believe I accomplished that goal with the tournament this year. Don't agree? Go to Week 1 and Week 2 for the stats.

~Shaun 5/18/08

"Bringing Bowling Back"