[ About the ABT ] [ Format ] [ Tournament Average ] [ Dress Code ] [ Apply ]
About the ABT
The Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) Classic Division was founded in September of 1977 to give average bowlers, 189 and under, the opportunity to compete against bowlers of their own average ability on a handicap basis for guaranteed prize money. Since then, the sport of bowling has enjoyed many technological advances in equipment and lane conditioners that improved scoring dramatically. The Amateur Bowlers Tour has recognized those changes and we in turn have also made changes to improve our organization and ensure that bowlers continue to have the fairest opportunity possible to compete. The ABT now features two separate divisions: the Classic Division for bowlers with averages of 140-189, and the Masters Division for bowlers with averages of 190-225. Handicap is calculated at 80% of the difference between a bowler's tournament average and 200. Both divisions carry guaranteed prizes in each event with one cash position paid for every five entries. The final cash position is never less than the entry fee for the event.
In November of 1991 the Amateur Bowlers Tour, Chicagoland North was founded. Since that time tournaments have been conducted almost every weekend in the Chicagoland area. More than eight thousand bowlers have joined the ABT and shared in over $15,000,000 in cash and prizes in the Chicagoland area alone. Nationwide more than $100,000,000 has been paid out.
The Chicagoland North ABT always welcomes new members. To join, completely fill in the membership application for your ability level, Classic or Masters, attach a copy of your current league standing sheet for verification of your current average, and mail it along with your check or money order to the address listed on the application. Once it has been processed and approved you will receive your official ABT Rule Book, a current schedule of events, and all other current information by return mail. If your application is not accepted your check will be returned along with an explanation as to why it was rejected.
The Amateur Bowlers Tour, Chicagoland North conducts tournaments almost every weekend on a year round basis for both Classic and Masters divisions. All members receive periodic mailings, which include updated schedules and information about special events and promotions. Tournament results and schedules are also published in the Windy City Bowling News and right here on our web site.
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Format
The Amateur Bowlers Tour format was designed after the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA). It consists of qualifying, semifinals, and a variety of finals with the most predominant being the top five stepladder finals. Because these tournaments are for amateurs and usually conducted on weekends, the number of games in each round has been reduced to fit the necessary time schedule. Unlike the PBA, pinfall is dropped after each round in the ABT. Scores including handicap determine all cash positions. Qualifying squads will consist of four games across eight lanes. Squad times will vary from week to week based on lane availability due to leagues and other prior center commitments. One out of every five entries (based on lane availability) will advance to the semifinals, which are usually held on Sunday afternoons. The semifinals will consist of three games across six lanes with bowlers being required to skip at least one pair of lanes moving to the right after each game.
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Tournament Average
Each bowler is required to use their highest current average, highest summer average, or highest average from the past three years for entering average purposes. One of these averages must be for forty-five games or more. An average record sheet is kept on each member that includes all games bowled in the tournaments. After twenty-one games in the tournament club bowlers will assume their tournament average or an adjusted average assigned by the Tournament Director. This average will not be allowed to drop more than five pins during the first twenty-one games or in any fifty game block thereafter. After establishing a tournament average for twenty-one or more games, should a bowler fail to cash in the next three tournaments they would become eligible for the bonus pin system. The bonus pin system is a floating handicap from 80 to 100% handicap. Bowlers who bowl well and cash will have their averages adjusted up and lose handicap, while bowlers who fail to cash will gain bonus pins to make them more competitive.
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Dress Code
All shirts/blouses are required to have normal collars and sleeves. No T-shirts, tank tops, halters, etc. Pants, slacks, jeans, and dress shorts are permitted for all members provided they are neat and clean with no holes or tears. No athletic wear will be permitted such as running, jogging, warm-up, or sweatpants. Skirts and dresses are permitted provided they are no shorter than four inches above the normal crease in the back of the knee. Hair must be clean, neat, and well groomed.
If you would like more information about the Amateur Bowlers Tour, please call our office at (847) 608-4779.
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