ONTARIO PLAYDOWNS - Consider This - The Murphy Report

By Joe Murphy


I propose that Zone play down be the first level of the Championships in the
fours, pairs, singles, seniors and mixed pairs events.
That the winners of the men’s zones play downs in fours, pairs and singles shall
compete for the Ontario championships in the same location on the same day.
That the winners of the women’s zones play downs in fours, pairs and singles
shall compete for the Ontario championships in the same location on the same
day.
That the winners of the zones play downs in senior men, senior women and
mixed pairs shall compete for the Ontario championships in the same location on
the same day.
I believe that if this change is implemented, there will be wider participation in the
championships and better competition at the first level. Presently, a few players
in a district can dominate the first level of play.
Simply citing district 11 as an example in year 2008:
Excepting the Men’s Fours and one bowler in the Men’s senior event, seven
bowlers won the rest of the district play downs. Each of these bowlers won in
two or three events.
There are many examples of the same players winning two or three District
championships and there are occasional examples of players wining four District
championships. Small wonder that entry levels are low. If this change is
implemented a bowler would be able to compete in only one event at the Ontario
Major Championships and one event in the Ontario Minor Championships thus
allowing other players an opportunity to compete there.
The championships cost of operations will be reduced and there will be less
conflict with club events since fewer days will be required for the championships.
Competition at the first level will be more meaningful, the first level badges more
valuable and I believe that there will be a high spectator turnout for the
championship finals as in days gone by when all of the majors were played on
the same day in the same location after a three level competition, District, Zone
and Provincial. And perhaps some interest by the media will be generated. I do
recall a time when the Ontario Championships were shown on Rogers T.V.