For the Professional Bowlers Association, it will be back to the future to determine who competes in its national tournaments in 2012-13.
After working under an exempt tour concept for the past eight seasons, PBA will be eliminating that format and returning to the non-exempt plan it utilized prior to 2004-05. It means PBA will re-open competition on its national tour to all current and aspiring members.
Or as PBA Commissioner Tom Clark said, "All tournaments during the 2012-13 season will be open to all players.
"We hope the rule change concerning the dissolution of the exempt player designation and continued focus on the value of the PBA Tour point list will give more opportunities for players to grow as top PBA players and remove any confusion over what being exempt entails," Clark added. "While elite status may be awarded to fewer players, the rewards for achieving that status will have greater value than it has in the past."
The change also brings back the PBA's Touring 1 and 2 classifications which are based on how many tournaments players enter. Each level features membership benefits and exposure similar to today's exempt tour.
Players who bowl 80 percent of the PBA Tour events, including the World Series of Bowling, two additional majors and three Xtra Frame Tour events will be considered Touring 1. Those who bowl 60 percent of the Tour schedule including the World Series, one major and one Xtra Frame Tour event will earn Touring 2 status. Players also must maintain a minimum average of 190 in PBA Tour competition to retain their eligibility for the following season.
Comments