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.

ONTARIO PLAYDOWNS - Consider This - The Burrows Report

By Dave Burrows

I think there are three possible solutions to the District Playdowns

First is the concept of going back to the "old" way of doing things. You select your district reps in each of fours, pairs, singles, and novices. Then you play a one day "Zone" competition for all events to determine the Ontario finalists in a round robin format. Finally, the Ontario Finals are played on one day as well in a round robin format with the final 4 Zone winners taking part.

The upside of these competitions is you are guaranteed more participation from a district, as a "stacked" team can only win one district title. Also, the number of weekends used is reduced substantially. The downside is that Ontario sometimes fields weaker overall teams in the Nationals.

The second solution is to have a combinatiion of district winners and district percentage representatives. This will give you 16 teams of district winners, and 16 teams selected from the number of entries received in each district. For example, District 5 with 8 teams of fours (both men and ladies) would likely have 3 or even 4 teams go forward to make up the total 32 teams. The biggest downside is that you can only play one event on a two green facility. You would need two, two green clubs to host the fours, pairs, singles, and novices.

Otherwise the possibility exists, with the 32 teams playing the first day in 8 round robins. The second day would see the winners moving forward and playing quarters, semis, and finals. The upside is tremendous. More participation and more encouragement for districts to get their members entering. More games on the first day for all teams. More excitement in the final stages for both the players and the spectators. Finally, stronger overall teams moving into the Nationals.

The third solution is by far the best, but also by far the hardest. GROW YOUR CLUB! Burlington L.B.C. works extremely hard each season to add membership, to involve the membership, to teach the membership, to entertain the membership, to challenge the membership, to encourage all members to volunteer around the club.

There are special events with music, barbeques, jitneys, dream teams, and more. This year we are hosting the Cystic Fibrosis event which is bringing in between 50 to 100 professionals to play on the greens Monday nights for 5 weeks. Tuesday evenings fill the greens with 4,3,2,1 draw competitions. Wednesdays are devoted to practice and teaching players new skills. Thursdays sees 32 Australian Pairs teams completing in 5 divisions for a season long competition. We host quite a number of outside events, and we have 10 separate Club Championships over the season. Our new Club Mixed Champions this year are Freda & Ernie Gersok, who have moved back to Burlington from Alabama.

We already have over 40 entries in the club singles events, and they do not take place until July 22nd!

We have volunteers for the bar, the greens, the kitchen, the draws, the gardens, the clubhouse, the food prep, the coaching, and more.

Is it easy? NO! Is it worth it? YES! Our membership last year was 236 and this year is looking better yet. This is the pyramid effect. More members, more involvement, more volunteers, translates into more tournament players, more district participation, and more fun! All clubs can do this. All clubs could add district teams. Then our problem is solved.