COLUMBUS — A higher entry fee, a different format and the tournament committee deciding in the past week to allow youth bowlers into the field are major changes for this week’s Ohio Masters at HP Lanes.
This marks the eighth edition of the event, with Brandon Salo being the defending champion last year in Fairborn.
The format also has changed. Bowlers will bowl an eight-game qualifying round Aug. 30 with a $125 entry fee beginning at noon.
Following qualifying, the cut will be to the top 32 based on 128 entries, with a minimum of 24 bowlers being taken to the Aug. 31 match-play rounds. During match play, players will be seeded into a two-game single-elimination, total-pinfall matches until there is a champion.
As of the close of prepaid entries, the field was at 58 bowlers on Tuesday. However, the waiting list for walkins had reached 31 as of Wednesday.
Youth bowlers over the age of 16, for the first time, will be permitted in the field. The event will be bowled on a special pattern for the event, not a house oil shot.
This event is open to all adult bowlers who are sanctioned and live within an Ohio State USBC association. It also is open to adult bowlers who bowled a minimum of nine games in an Ohio sanctioned association league during the 2024-2025 season, but the bowler doesn’t have to do both.
Tournament committee members include Paul Brown, Dawn Altimore-Eckenrode, Dan Higgins, Jeff Fehr and Dan Higgins.
“We realize that the Ohio State game (home vs. Texas) is coming into play. But it is what it is,” said Brown last week during the Akron Open. “There always seems to be an excuse not to bowl a sport-shot event.”
Brown said the committee had discussed moving the event off of the Labor Day weekend, but the one time it was moved turned into the lowest turnout in the event’s history in Cuyahoga County.
“We did lose a sponsor in Bowler-X, but we are paying less in lineage this season and we have fewer expenses overall,” Brown said. “So our payouts still will be good.”
HP Lanes was originally supposed to have new lane panels installed in time for the event, but that has been put on hold.
“I don’t believe that’s an issue … we haven’t had a lefty winner,” said Brown, alluding to HP Lanes’ lefty reputation. “But we also are not bowling on a house oil pattern.
“I really think it comes down to people being spoiled by house-shot events and not wanting to bowl on the tougher stuff.”
Qualifying begins at noon Saturday, with match play starting at 10 a.m. Sunday.
COMING UP
COLLEGE BOWL TOURNAMENTS: The opening College Bowl Tournaments event is a singles set for 10 a.m. Sept. 20 at Park Centre Lanes in North Canton. Entry fee for the first event of the monthly tournament series is $65, with bowlers rolling four qualifying games on a house oil pattern before the field is cut to the top eight for single elimination match play. See information at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1732438633645945
HIT DEM POCKETS: Hit Dem Pockets has announced dates for two upcoming events, including one rescheduled from earlier in the summer. The third HDP Queens tournament is set for 10 a.m. Sept. 20 at North Woods Lanes in Macedonia with a $125 entry fee. It features a new site and new format — a one-day event. Bowlers will roll eight qualifying games before the field is cut to the top 12 for the Cashers Round, based on a 48-player field. After a short break, bowlers will bowl two rounds of single-game elimination match play, with the final three bowling in a stepladder finals format. First place will be worth $2,000. A squad leader bonus also will be offered for a bowler bringing in five or more players. Melissa Voytko is the defending champion. Also, HDP will be holding a Ladies Only & Seniors (55-and-older) tournament on Sept 13 at North Woods. Entry fee is $45 for this handicapped event. Bowlers will roll four games, with the low score being thrown out. For ladies competing in both divisions, there is a discounted $75 overall fee. First place in each division is $750 guaranteed. See entry information below:
SINGLES ELIMINATOR: Jody Boyd is promoting a $1,000 Singles Eliminator event, set for 1 p.m. Nov. 1 at Sequoia Pro Bowl in Columbus. Entry fee is $80 on a house oil pattern, with as maximum field of 120. Bowlers will bowl either four or five games (to be announced) before the field is cut to the top 24 for eliminator rounds, with the top eight receiving a first-round bye. IN connection with the event, there also will be a doubles event on Oct. 31 and a trio event Nov. 2. For information, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1480891892928674?active_tab=about
SWEETEST DAY EVENT: Boss Lady Productions will be holding the Sweetest Day Battle of the Sexes with two shits at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Oct. 12 at Rollhouse Fairfield in Fairfield.
HILES TOURNAMENTS: Shawn Curtis captured the finale of the Summer Sports Shot Series at Mt. Lebanon Lanes in Pittsburgh on Friday. The remainder of the top five included Don Hipkiss, Jonathan Klee and Bobby Yankee. In was bowled on the 2025 USBC Masters oil pattern. See information below:
