The Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) Classic Division was founded in September of 1977 to give average bowlers, 189 and under, the opportunity to compete against bowlers of their own average ability on a handicap basis. Since then the sport of bowling has enjoyed many technological advances in equipment and lane conditioners that improved scoring dramatically. The Amateur Bowers Tour has recognized those changes and we in turn have also made changes to improve our organization and ensure that bowlers continue to have the fairest opportunity possible to compete. The ABT now features two separate divisions, the Classic Division for bowlers with averages of 199 and under and the Masters Division for bowlers with averages of 200-225. Handicap for the Classic Division is calculated at 80% of 200, for the Masters Division it is 80% of 225. One out of every six entries in each division is guaranteed to cash in each event with the final cash position never paying less than the entry fee for the event.

The Amateur Bowlers Tour, Western New York Branch opened in January of 2007. Since then membership has grown to over 170 members and more than $76,000.00 in cash and prizes has been awarded. The Western New York Branch always welcomes new members. To join, completely fill out the membership application and attach a copy of your current league standing sheet for verification of your current average. Mail it along with your check or money order to the address listed on the application or bring it to one of our tournament sites. Once it has been processed and approved you will receive your official ABT Rule Book, a current schedule of events, and all other current information. If your application is not accepted your check will be returned along with an explanation as to why it was rejected.

The Amateur Bowlers Tour Western New York Branch will conduct tournaments almost every weekend from September through June. All members receive periodic mailings that include updated schedules and information about special events and promotions. Tournament results, schedules and all pertinent information will be available at our web site at www.abtwesternnewyork.com.

Format: Most ABT events consist of qualifying squads and match play finals. Qualifying squads consist of three games across six lanes. Squad times may vary from week to week based on lane availability in each host center. One out of every six entries (based on lane availability) will advance to the semifinals. All qualifiers will bowl a 2 game semifinals round with the top 3,4,or 5 (depending upon the number of semifinalists) then advancing to a stepladder finals.

Tournament Average: Each bowler is required to use their highest current average, highest summer average, or highest average from the past three years for entering average purposes. One of these averages must be for forty-five games or more. An average record sheet is kept on each member that includes all games bowled in the tournaments. After twelve games in the tournament club bowlers will assume their tournament average or an adjusted average assigned by the Tournament Director. This average will not be allowed to drop more than five pins during the first twelve games or in any fifty game block thereafter. Should a bowler fail to cash in two tournaments they would become eligible for the bonus pin system. The bonus pin system is a floating handicap from 80-100% handicap. Bowlers who bowl well and cash will have their averages adjusted up and lose handicap, while bowlers who fail to cash will gain bonus pins to make them more competitive.