AMF UNION HILLS (Saturday)

champs and finalists

            Hunter Mayes and Miguel Espinoza picked up JBT titles in exciting Arizona Conference action at AMF Union Hills in Phoenix.

            The opening match of the scratch division stepladder finals was a thriller, as Keith Ylvisaker and Cesar Padilla tied at 235, with Keith winning the ensuing rolloff 10-9.  Mayes left no doubt as to the semifinal winner, as he blasted a ten strike 277 performance to defeat Ylvisaker's 217.  Top seed Cayden Matherly continued the best streak of his JBT career by leading the event here, but Hunter with some steam is still one of the scariest things on Tour, and he remained red-hot in a 268-204 win over Cayden for the 22nd title of his outstanding JBT career.

            It was friend vs friend in round one of the handicap finals as Terrell Coates got by another red-hot bowler, Asher Toberer, 223-204.  Espinoza then came on strong to beat Coates and advance to the title match.  11 year-old top seed Kayden Gima was impressive all day in his second career event, but could not find the same look in the final match that had gotten him to the number one spot.  After a couple previous close calls, Miguel broke through for the win, earning the first title of his JBT career.

        Katelyn Abigania remained nearly untouchable in the subdivisions, edging Kaitlyn Hammer 185-182 to win Girls Scratch, and dominating Toberer to also claim U17.  Aiden Ruiz-Jimenez won the day's ball from the Brands of Brunswick, one of our great title sponsors.   Big thanks to the team at Union Hills for hosting us!  Want in on all this fun for all ages and skill levels?  Just check out our schedule and come on down!  

Date: Saturday February 25, 2023 (This is ONE tournament that is one day long, open to anyone age 21 & under as of 8/1/22). 

Start Time: Bowling begins at 11 AM.

Re-entries?:  There's only one qualifying squad, so there are no re-entries this event..

Reservations:  Please email director@bowljbt.com to reserve a spot.  You can prepay (not required) at the 'Prepaying' section of this website, or scan this QR code to use Venmo:    .  Reservations (paid or unpaid) must check in no later than 15 minutes before start time.  At that time, all bowlers will be taken on a first come, first serve basis until the field is full.

Format: Qualifying round is 5 games.  The top 40% bowl a 3 game semifinals. The top 4 then do a stepladder finals.   

Divisions/ Averages:  Scratch or handicap.  It is the bowlers' choice of division.  Also, everyone age 16 or under as of 8/1/22 is automatically entered in the U-17 side event.   Also, every female is automatically entered in the Girls Scratch side event.   If this is your first JBT event this season, we will be asking for average info.  In most cases, your highest average from any current form of organized competition of at least 15 games is what we need.  If you bowl in multiple leagues / clubs, bring everything and we'll sort it out for you.  If you don't have 15+ games in any organized competition this season, we need your finishing 21-22 average, and any 2022 summer averages.  After your first JBT event, your average is re-rated before every JBT event according to JBT rules.  Please see JBT Rule 13 for complete details.

Points:  This event counts for Arizona and All-Conference points.  Points qualify you for the big money season-ending Invitationals and Touring Players Championship, so get all you can.  Visit the 'statistics' section of the website to check on your points.  As the end of the season, the top 32 in Arizona points, plus anyone who had a top-4 finish in an Arizona event this season, advance to their respective Invitationals.

Entry fee: $60.  Scholarship brackets are available for $2 each.  Raffle tickets for Ebonite bowling balls, and our PowerBowl and '27' jackpots, are available on-site. 

Sponsor Incentive bonuses:  1) IAM Bowling: Bowlers making the final match of an event (scratch or handicap) wearing an IAM patch (good), any IAM shirt (better), or an IAM JBT shirt (best) earn point bonuses towards a $5,000 IAM incentive jackpot.  (The IAM patch is requested to be worn by all bowlers).   2) Virtue Bowling: Bowlers making the final match of an event (scratch or handicap, win or lose), using a Virtue Bowling shirt or patch, and a Virtue drilled ball, earn a $25 Virtue gift card.  

Covid details: JBT events follow- at least- all local Covid safety protocols, which you must be prepared for.   Please stay posted so you're not surprised about anything required of you. 

Scholarships: 1:6 in each division earn scholarships, scratch and handicap.  Minimum prizes are $300, $150, $100, $60.  Bowlers must finish in the top 4 once this season to qualify for that conference's Invitational, which features $1,000 for first place.  Bowlers who finish in the top 20 in a conference's points race, or the top 100 in all-conference points, qualify for the Touring Players Championship, featuring $2,500 for first.

Lane conditions: conditions vary from event to event, and are not posted prior to the event (unless otherwise announced).  Some events do not post the pattern until after qualifying.  Be ready for anything- it makes you a better bowler!  Check out previous patterns and corresponding cut scores at the 'lane conditions' section of this website.

Dress code:  Anything goes EXCEPT tank tops, gym shorts, clothing promoting alcohol, drugs, or firearms, or excessively ripped or short clothing, subject solely to the director's discretion.  However, bowlers wearing slacks or dress shorts/skirts, and a 'name shirt' or PBA-style 'dye-sub' shirt, or college or high school team shirt, earn an extra 10 points on their season-long points total.  If you're not sure about dress code, check with us.  If you're new to us, the vast majority of the bowlers do dress in the 'bonus' dress code, and those points become very important, so plan accordingly.

RESERVED BOWLERS:

This reservation is an expectation that you will be bowling.  PLEASE do not forget to contact us if you need to cancel or adjust your reservation.  Repeated 'no-shows' may result in you not being able to reserve a spot.  This list may not be updated after the Friday of the event as we travel, etc.  However, walk-ins / late entries are still gladly accepted as space permits.  There is generally plenty of room for walk-ins / late entries, and we'll  post here clearly if an event is nearing sellout or sold out.