AZ BAKER TEAM CHALLENGE

champs Madison Holman, Wesley Low, Christian Ortega, Brenner Schmidt, Brennan Haugh

            A talented quintet claim victory at one of our favorite annual events, the JBT Arizona Baker Challenge, hosted by Bowlero Mesa.

            Teams, which consisted of at least one under-170 bowler, and could have up to two adults, most of who were JBT alumni, bowled 10 Baker games, with the top 8 teams advancing to matchplay.  The top seeded team felt that "The Left Is Walled", but the southpaw trio fell to four righties (Brenner Schmidt, Madison Holman, Christian Ortega, 2018 Main Event champ Brennan Haugh) and lefty 2015-16 Main Event champ Wesley Low.  In the other semifinal match, the all-youth team of Jeff Crowley, Jason Gootzeit, Alex Rosenblum, Cayden Matherly, and Cael Merryman stopped a team of former Baker champ Kendall Bollea (and sister Evelynn), former Baker champs Josh and Katelyn Abigana, and previous day's doubles champ Hayden King, to advance to the title game.

        The best 2 of 3 final was one-sided, as Schmidt's marks keyed good starts, while 14 year-old Ortega, earning the anchor position despite the adults' accolades, finished the job each game, good for the victory!   It's Brenner's first (beating big brother Harper to a scratch win), Ortega's second, Holman and Haugh's fourth, and the 25th for the great Low.

        Big thanks as always to Tiffani and the team at Mesa for all their hospitality over the decades.  Want in on all the fun?  Just check out our schedule and drop us an email today!

Date: Sunday December 15, 2024  (This is ONE tournament that is one day long.  Teams can have up to 2 adults (adult is anyone 22 and over as of 8/1/24)  Teams also must have at least one bowler with a 170 or under JBT average- see below and flyer for details).  This is a scratch-scoring tournament, but teams with more than one 170 & under bowler receive 8 bonus pins per game per extra 170&under bowler.

Start Time: Bowling begins at 10 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.  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 10 Baker games.  The top 8 teams (if 11+ entries) advance to best 2-of-3 matchplay.

Divisions/ Averages:  Scratch only.  However, each team must have at least one bowler averaging 170 or less as of 11/11/24.  Additional 170 and under bowlers receive 8 pins per game for their team.

Points:  This event counts for AZ Conference, and All-Conference scratch division 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 40 in AZ Conference points, plus anyone who had two top-5 finishes in a AZ Conference event this season (including this), advance to their respective Invitationals.

Entry fee: $125 per team ($25 per bowler).

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 teams earn scholarships..  Minimum prizes are $500, $250, $150, $150.  Bowlers must finish in the top 5 twice 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 120 in all-conference points, qualify for the Touring Players Championship, featuring $2,800 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, hats, gym shorts, clothing promoting alcohol, drugs, or firearms, or excessively ripped or short clothing, subject solely to the director's discretion.  Team 'uniform' is encouraged but definitely not required.  There is no 10-point dress code bonus at this event.

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.