2027 Open Championship Tournament Rules
Greater Pittsburgh USBC • March 6–7 & 13–14, 2027 • New Great Valley Lanes
1. Eligibility
This USBC-certified tournament is governed by USBC and Greater Pittsburgh USBC (GPUSBC) rules. Entrants must be adult USBC members. Co-association fees are waived for this tournament. USBC membership must be verified before bowling; entrants without appropriate membership must obtain it before competing. No more than two members of a professional bowling organization may compete on one team, and no more than one on a doubles pair, if members on or after January 1 through their participation date.
2. Events
Events are four-person Team, Doubles, Singles, and All-Events, with Handicap and Scratch divisions. Team, Doubles and Singles entrants are automatically included in both divisions. All-Events divisions are optional and must be selected separately. Bowlers entering Doubles/Singles must bowl both events at least once.
3. Handicap
Handicap is 90% of the difference between the three-game entering-average total and the scratch base: 660 for Singles, 1320 for Doubles, and 2640 for Team. Handicap is calculated for each three-game series.
4. Averages & 10-pin rule
Use the highest previous-season USBC winter league average of 21 or more games; if none, the highest previous summer league average of 21 or more games. If neither exists, use the highest current USBC league average of 21 or more games as of February 28, 2027. Without a qualifying 21-game average, use the highest current USBC league average of 12 or more games as of February 28, 2027. All others bowl scratch (220). Under USBC Rule 319a(2), if a qualifying current 21-game average at the time of bowling is 10 or more pins higher than the entering previous-season average, report it and use the higher average. Each bowler must verify their entering average and correct errors before completing the first game. Applicable USBC average adjustment and prior prize-winnings reporting rules apply.
5. Entry fees, payment & squads
Entry fee is $30 per bowler per event ($17 prize fund, $10 lineage, $3 expenses). Team: $120; Doubles: $60 per pair; Singles: $30 per bowler. Entry fees must be paid in full. Paper entries with checks and online entries with PayPal or Venmo are accepted. Checks payable to Greater Pittsburgh USBC; a $40 fee applies to returned checks. Walk-ins are accepted subject to lane availability; entries close one hour before the final squad. Bowlers should check in one hour before their squad. Bowling order follows the entry form. Refunds and squad changes require Tournament Director approval, are not guaranteed, and are considered case by case. Lanes are oiled before the start of each squad.
6. Multiple entry
Bowlers may enter Team, Doubles, and Singles multiple times. No more than three bowlers from the same team may appear together more than once on the prize list. A bowler may cash only once in Singles and not more than once in Doubles with the same partner. The first score in each event, including substitutions, counts toward All-Events. Only one Team or one Doubles set may be bowled per squad. Select separate squads for Team and Doubles/Singles.
7. Substitutions
Substitutes must meet eligibility requirements and take the original entrant’s lineup position. Substitutes are not required to reimburse original entrants or share awards. The captain must notify tournament management of substitutions at least one hour before the squad.
8. Prizes & awards
All prize fees are returned as cash prizes. At least one prize is awarded for every six entries in each event, including All-Events. Prize funds are allocated 75% to Handicap and 25% to Scratch. The minimum prize is no less than the applicable prize fee. Entrants receive only their highest eligible prize per event, subject to Rule 6. Comparable awards go to Handicap and Scratch champions. First-place ties result in co-champions with combined prize money divided equally. Optional brackets and scratch side pots may be offered.
9. Conduct & dress code
Bowlers must act in a sportsmanlike manner. Tournament management may remove or disqualify anyone for intoxication, inappropriate behavior, or disruption of play. Appropriate bowling attire is required; clothing with offensive language, images, or graphics is prohibited.
10. Other
No practice is permitted on lanes scheduled for tournament competition that day. Tournament management assigns lanes. Participants enter at their own risk; GPUSBC is not responsible for injury or loss of personal property to the extent permitted by law. Tournament management decisions are final unless appealed under USBC Rule 329. Rule violations may result in disqualification.
All-Events: $5 per bowler for each All-Events option selected, in addition to event entry fees. Bowlers may select any combination of 6-game Handicap, 6-game Scratch, 9-game Handicap, 9-game Scratch, Senior 6-game Handicap and Senior 9-game Handicap. Six-game All-Events uses the first Doubles and Singles scores; nine-game All-Events uses the first Team, Doubles and Singles scores. Senior All-Events is handicap only. Select only options that the bowler has not already paid for.
Questions: Jamie Crisman • 412-773-1099 • jamiegreaterpittsburghusbc@gmail.com
USBC rules: bowl.com/rules