TGIF Classic 2026 Tournament Rules
1. The Greater Indianapolis Fall Classic 2026 (hereinafter referred to as TGIF Classic) will be held August 15–16, 2026. This tournament is open to USBC members and nonmembers by invitation. Award recognition will be automatically extended to USBC members; nonmembers may qualify for USBC awards at their option by paying a $5.00 participation fee. By completing this application, each bowler or their representative indicates that they are a member or supporter of the International Gay Bowlers Organization (IGBO). Any bowler holding PBA membership is ineligible for entry in the TGIF Classic. The TGIF Executive Board has the right to refuse any application for entry for this event. TGIF Classic 2026 will adhere to USBC tournament rules, except as noted below.
2. TGIF Classic 2026 will consist of handicapped singles, doubles, and team events. Each bowler will bowl three games per event. Bowlers may bowl only once in each event. Doubles pairs must come from the same team. Teams will consist of four members of any combination of men and women. Men and women will compete on an equal basis.
3. Entries will only be accepted via the online registration and payment systems prescribed by the statistician and can be found at www.tgif-classic.org. The participant entry fee is $135.00. Entries must be accompanied by the full amount of fees due to be considered complete. The deadline to enter the tournament is August 1, 2026. The statistician reserves the right to accept late entries to fill positions as needed. The registration fee for non-participants is $60.00.
4. All prize monies collected as a portion of the tournament entry fee will be returned 100% as tournament payouts. The prize-to-participant ratio will be a minimum of 1 in 8. Total tournament winnings paid to an individual exceeding $600 will require submission of a 1099 to the IRS and to the bowler.
5. Handicaps will be calculated at 90% of 230, less the bowler’s average, with no negative handicap. Entering league averages will be determined in descending order as follows:
• A. Bowler’s 2025–2026 sanctioned league composite average as of May 31, 2026 (minimum 21 games); if one does not exist, then
• B. Bowler’s 2024–2025 sanctioned league composite average as of May 31, 2026 (minimum 21 games); if one does not exist, then
• C. IGBO member tournament average (TAD) as of May 31, 2026 (minimum 18 games); if one does not exist, then
• D. The average from a sanctioned summer league from 2026 (minimum 21 games) may be used • E. If none of the above applies, the bowler will enter with a 230 average
• F. Averages from USBC Sport Bowling leagues will not be accepted for tournament average calculations
• G. Sanctioned league average verification must be submitted with all entries. Verification must be signed by the secretary or another league officer (if the secretary is unavailable) and must include that officer’s area code and telephone number or email address. In accordance with USBC Rule 319a-3, the bowler is responsible for their own average verification.
6. Any bowler who has participated in 18 or more tournament games within the 12 months prior to May 31, 2026, must submit all tournament scores pursuant to USBC Rule 319e. If a bowler’s IGBO tournament average for the 12 months immediately preceding May 31, 2026, is at least ten (10) pins higher than any average established in Rule 5, and the number of games represented by that average is at least 18, the IGBO tournament average will be used.
7. Bowlers are required to report scores and winnings for any single tournament (not including side pots) in which the bowler qualified for monetary awards of $500 (USD) or more during the 12-month period preceding the start of TGIF (USBC Rule 319d). Failure to do so will result in immediate disqualification, with scores of zero entered and no refund given.
8. Ten minutes of practice will be permitted prior to the start of each event. Late bowlers will begin bowling in the frame in which they arrive, with prior frames scored as zero. Substitutes will be allowed at the discretion of the tournament committee.
9. Bowlers will not be allowed to bowl on their assigned lanes on their scheduled day of bowling. All games will be hosted at: Royal Pin Western Bowl 6441 West Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46241 317-247-4426
10. All claims of scoring error must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Manager within one (1) hour after the bowler or team has completed bowling. In any dispute, the tournament committee, guided by USBC Rule 329, will have final judgment and jurisdiction.
2026 Scratch Masters Rules
1. The optional Scratch Masters event will be offered to all participants of the TGIF Classic. Bowlers will be separated into divisions based on their entering average. All bowlers wishing to participate must sign up prior to the start of tournament play on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
2. Each division shall have six (6) bowlers. If there are not enough entries to fill a division, registered bowlers may either bump up to the next highest division and pay the difference in entry fee or receive a refund.
3. The six-game total scratch score from the Team and Doubles events on August 15, 2026, will determine the six (6) qualifiers for each division. If one or more of the top six qualifiers are unable to bowl, the next highest qualifier will replace them, provided they are present at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2026. Tournament scores will not carry over to the Scratch Masters event.
4. All divisions will begin play at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Royal Pin Western Bowl. Participants must check in 30 minutes prior to the preliminary matches. Any bowler not available at the scheduled time will be disqualified and replaced by alternates, if available.
5. Bowlers will be allowed ten (10) minutes of practice prior to the start of competition.
Divisions and Entry Fees:
Division A (0–150): $20.00
Division B (151–165): $25.00
Division C (166–180): $30.00
Division D (181-199): $40.00
Division E (201+): $50.00
6. Format: Stepladder. The winner is defined as the winner of Game 5. In the event of a tie for a qualification position (including alternates), the higher position will be awarded to the bowler with the highest scratch score from the first game of the singles event. In the event of a tie in any stepladder game, bowlers will have a two-frame roll-off. If no winner is determined after three roll-offs, a sudden-death roll-off will occur. Sudden death is defined as a throw-by-throw competition until one bowler throws a higher pin count. Payouts will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division and will be 100%, less lineage.
7. Claims of error must be reported before the start of the next match. For the final match, any claims must be reported within one (1) hour of the match’s conclusion to the Tournament Director.