Dear Oregon Bowlers,

We are excited to announce the launch of the VanPortBowlingNews.com Scratch Bowler of the Year Rankings, a new and exciting program designed to recognize and showcase the best scratch bowlers across the state of Oregon.

This idea was first envisioned by Gary Lenox, and with the collaboration of Bill Machin, Marcus Winklepleck, and Jim Ferretti, we have worked diligently to develop a system that rewards consistent participation, high-level performance, and dedication to scratch bowling. While we expect to refine the program as it evolves, our ultimate goal is to create a premier event that truly highlights Oregon’s top bowlers.

How It Works

Bowlers will earn points throughout the season based on tournament participation, performance, and special achievements. The season will run from August 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, culminating in an invitation-only playoff event in July. The number of bowlers invited to the playoff is still to be determined.

Additionally, League Sets, Scratch Leagues, and Swiss Tournaments do not count towards the rankings. Only approved scratch tournaments will be eligible for points.

Points System

1. Tournament Participation Points

• Bowlers receive 5 points per tournament entered to encourage consistent participation.

2. Performance-Based Points

• Points are awarded based on final tournament standings:
  • 1st Place: 100 points
  • 2nd Place: 80 points
  • 3rd Place: 70 points
  • 4th-8th Place: 50 points
  • 9th-16th Place: 30 points
  • Outside Top 16: 10 points
• Cut Bonus: Bowlers who qualify for match play or finals receive 20 bonus points.

3. Tournament Tiering System

To balance competition levels, tournaments are categorized into three tiers:

Tier 1 – Major Events (Full Points)

• Portland Masters
• NW Masters

Tier 2 – Regional Events (75% of Tier 1 points)

• Oregon Bowlers Association (OBA) Events
• Oregon State USBC Championship Singles – Scratch Division

Tier 3 – Local Tournaments (50% of Tier 1 points)

• Smaller local events
• Southern Oregon All-Stars (SOAS)

4. Special Achievements

• Perfect Game (300): 10 points
• 800 Series: 15 points

5. End-of-Year Playoff

• The season will conclude with an invitation-only playoff event in July, where top-ranked bowlers will compete for double points to determine the final standings.

6. Eligibility & Minimum Participation Requirements

• Minimum of 5 approved scratch tournaments must be bowled to qualify.
• Bowlers must reside in Oregon or participate in a minimum number of in-state tournaments.

Tracking & Transparency

• A public leaderboard will be regularly updated on VanPortBowlingNews.com.
• In the event of a tie, tiebreakers will be determined by:
  1. Most wins
  2. Highest average finish

Program Administration

All decisions regarding this program will be managed by the VanPortBowlingNews.com Scratch Player of the Year Board of Directors, consisting of Gary Lenox, Bill Machin, Marcus Winklepleck, Jim Ferretti, and an additional yet-to-be-named director.

This first edition of the VanPortBowlingNews.com Scratch Bowler of the Year Rankings is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long-standing and prestigious program. While we know there may be adjustments along the way, we are committed to making this a top-tier competitive ranking system for Oregon’s scratch bowlers.

Stay tuned for updates, and we look forward to seeing you on the lanes!