JBT's 2000th EVENT at BOWLERO KYRENE

champs and finalists

            In a tournament 2,000 events in the making, three bowlers claimed landmark titles at Bowlero Kyrene, as the JBT celebrated the 2,000th event in its 29-year history.

            In the scratch division, Daryus Alo of Las Vegas began the stepladder finals with a close 218-211 over rapidly improving New Mexico veteran Alex Thompson.  14-time champ and two time defending Arizona Conference Bowler of the Year then stopped Thompson 211-149 to advance to the title match.  Top seed Amarr Bryant doesn't have the same stats as some others, but the lanky righty throws a powerful ball and led the tough field here, blasting +440 for his eight games plus bonus pins.  He had a lead late over Padilla, but a ninth frame open flipped the script.  Finishing with a fine 233, Cesar now could take the title away with a double.  Padilla calmly stepped up and did just that, for a thrilling 237-233 win, the 15th title of his outstanding JBT career, and- what else- a $2,000 top scholarship windfall.

            The handicap stepladder finals belonged to Lake Havasu's Andrew Lynnes, who continued a red-hot start to the season with a 254-168 win over first time finalist Glenn Long.  He then faced fellow Havasupian Kasey O'Brien, but didn't make it a friendly match as he blasted a 278-169 win to move up to the title match.  Ryan Doyle hadn't bowled JBT since a doubles final years ago, and has obviously been lying in wait as he bowled brilliantly all weekend to nab the top seed.  He bowled a solid game in the final as well, but Lynnes continued to be on fire, finishing with a brilliant 264.  Doyle, amazingly, still had a chance with a double in the tenth, but when the first strike didn't happen, Andrew claimed his first career title, and $2,000 top scholarship prize.

            A separate division for any adults who ever bowled a JBT event created a viciously tough field with hundreds of JBT titles between them.  The top three seeds after the dust settled- all-time title leader Cortez Schenck (99),  2nd all-time Kyle King (63), and #11 Wesley Low (24)- were no surprise to anyone.  The darkhorse was David Jepsen, who bowled out of Utah in his JBT days and now lives in Arkansas.   He not only hung with the biggest stars all weekend, he doubled in round one of the finals to knock out Low 258-243.  In a close semifinal, King stopped Jepsen 201-197, to create the JBT dream final of our by-far 1 vs. 2 all-time matchup for $2,000.

            In a match of a quality befitting the talent, Cortez's tenth frame double locked out Kyle, and the 229-217 final tally earned Schenck the magical 100th title of his JBT career (first beyond the 99 earned as a youth).  Between him and Kyle, they have won 8% of the 2,000 tournaments we've held, and over $152,000 in scholarship earnings- just the start of the absurd numbers from these two talented and humble champions.

            Giant thanks to all the alumni from all 29 seasons who took the time to bowl in this weekend and make it an incredibly special event.  Equally huge thanks to JJ Newell and his team at Kyrene for a fantastic job hosting us- Kyrene hosted JBT event #1, so there was no where else we'd rather have celebrated #2,000.  All of the sponsors, hosts, and of course bowlers over two thousand events of fun- we thank you all, and look forward to all the great JBT milestones coming up next! 

Date: Saturday & Sunday October 12-13, 2024.  This is ONE singles tournament that is TWO days long, open to ANYONE who EVER bowled in any JBT event, OR any first-time youth bowlers (bowlers age 21 or less as of 8/1/24). Even if your only JBT event was as an adult in a doubles or team event, or you only bowled once, come on down and bowl!  (Note: you could choose Sunday morning as your only qualifying squad, making it a one-day Sunday-only event.)

Additional eligibility: Bowlers age 21 or under as of 8/1/24 must compete in the 'youth' divisions, and it's the bowler's choice to compete in handicap or scratch, with all prizes awarded as scholarships.  Bowlers age 22 and higher as of 8/1/24 must compete in the adult scratch division, with all prizes awarded as cash.  PBA/PWBA members are welcome, but must bowl in adult scratch regardless of age.

Start Time: There are three qualifying squads: 10 AM Saturday, 3 PM Saturday, and 8 AM Sunday.  Bowlers can choose any of those qualifying time(s).  Please be on line to check in no later than 30 minutes prior to start time.  We are usually ready to check in 90 minutes-two hours prior to start time.

Re-entries?:  Re-entries accepted as space permits, according to the following priority:  1) bowlers who have not yet bowled this event, in the order they entered.  If any spots remain, then 2) bowlers who bowled ONCE already but missed the cut, in the order they entered.  If any spots remain, then 3) bowlers who bowled ONCE already, made the cut, and wish to bowl again to try and better their score, in the order they entered.  If any spots remain, then 4) bowlers who bowled TWICE already, and missed the cut both times, in the order they entered.  If any spots remain, then 5) any remaining bowlers, in the order they entered.

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 5 games.  25% of each division IN EACH SQUAD, including ties advance to the semifinals Sunday afternoon.  Qualifying scores carry forward (which is why you may wish to re-enter even if you make the cut). Semis are 3 additional games, matchplay in adult and youth scratch, with the top 4 advancing to the stepladder finals.    Note: The Sunday 8 AM squad may take additional bowlers to round out the semifinal field so there are even numbers per pair.

Divisions/ Averages:  Scratch or handicap.  It is the bowlers' choice of division.  Also, everyone age 16 or under as of 8/1/24 is automatically entered in the U-17 side event.   Also, every youth female is automatically entered in the Girls Scratch side event.   This event only, there is no title match for U17 or girls scratch, and is just determined by 5-game totals.  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 23-24 average, and any 2024 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 DOUBLE 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.  At the end of the season, the top 40 in AZ points, plus anyone who had TWO top-5 finishes in AZ events this season, advance to their respective Invitationals.

Entry fee: $80 first entry, $60 re-entries.  Youth scholarship brackets are available for $2 each, and adult scratch brackets for $5.  Raffle tickets for bowling balls from the brands of Brunswick, and our PowerBowl and '29' 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.  

Scholarships: 1:6 in each youth division earn scholarships, scratch and handicap, and 1:6 adults cash.  Minimum prizes are $2000, $1000, $500, and $250.  Bowlers must finish in the top 5 twice this season in that conference 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 $2,900 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, or even at all.  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.

Re-entries?:  Re-entries accepted as space permits, according to the following priority:  1) bowlers who have not yet bowled this event, in the order they entered.  If any spots remain, then 2) bowlers who bowled ONCE already but missed the cut, in the order they entered.  If any spots remain, then 3) bowlers who bowled ONCE already, made the cut, and wish to bowl again to try and better their score, in the order they entered.  If any spots remain, then 4) bowlers who bowled TWICE already, and missed the cut both times, in the order they entered.  If any spots remain, then 5) any remaining bowlers, in the order they entered.

bowlers age 22 and over as of 8/1/24 should have an (a) by their name and must bowl adult scratch.  Bowlers 21 and under as of 8/1/24 must bowl either youth scratch or handicap.