ORBIT 2027 TOURNAMENT RULES

1. ORBIT (Owensboro Regional Bowling Invitational Tournament) is an USBC member tournament open to men and women by invitation only. ORBIT is a handicap competition sanctioned by the USBC and will adhere to USBC rules. Members of any organization identifying that individual as a professional bowler are not eligible to participate in ORBIT.

2. Certification: Pursuant to Rule 300c, all participants must be members of USBC and provide proof of membership (sanction card or signed statement from league secretary).

3. Tournament Events: ORBIT shall consist of Singles, Doubles, Team and Individual All-Events with bowlers only being allowed to bowl once in each event. Each event consists of 3 games per event, and all entries must participate in all three events. Additional optional Scratch Masters Events will be offered.

4. Averages/Handicap: Bowlers will use their highest regular season (fall/winter) USBC 2026-2027 average (minimum 21 games) as of July 1st, 2027. If no regular season average is available, bowlers may use their highest 2025-2026 book average (minimum 21 games). Bowlers without one of the above may use their 2026 summer league average with 21 games or more. Bowlers without one of the above shall bowl matching the highest entering average. Handicap for ORBIT shall be 90% of 220. Bowlers who have qualified for a cash prize more than $600 or more in a single event, the combined prize money won more than $900 in a tournament, and/or the combined prize money won more than $1,600 in all tournaments completed in within 12 months must report additional information including tournament, dates and prizes won to tournament Directors prior to bowling. Failure to comply could result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fees and prize winnings (USBC Rule 319D). The average of any bowler may be adjusted by the tournament committee of any bowler in question prior to the start of their first event. If the assigned average is not accepted by the bowler, the entry fee shall be refunded. See Rule 319C. It is also the bowler’s responsibility to verify their own average, if an incorrect average is used it may result in disqualification and loss of prize money. Please see USBC rule 319a-3 and 319a-4.

5. Averages will be verified on www.bowl.com database. Correct USBC membership number must be provided on the entry form. If average is not posted in bowl.com bowler must submit separate average verification from league secretary prior to July 1st, 2027.

6. Awards/Prizes: All cash awards shall be based on the total pins plus assigned handicap for each event, with the exception of the optional scratch event. Awards will be given in the Handicap Division for the best Singles, Doubles, Team and individual all Events.

7. Registration Tournament registration shall close on July 26, 2027, or when all available spots have been filed with a limit of 22 teams. Once the maximum of 22 teams has been reached a waiting list will be created. Once an entry is accepted, refunds will only be issued at the Tournament Committee’s discretion.

8. Entry Requirements and Fees Entry fees for ORBIT 2027 is $150.00 payable by credit card or PayPal on our website (orbitowensboro.com). Partial team entries will be accepted, and the tournament committee will make every effort to fill vacancies. Additional events can be paid at the time of tournament check-in.

Lineage is $39.00
Trophies $25.00
Prize Fund $55.75
Awards Banquet $25.00
Expense fee $5.25.

1. Late Bowlers/Substitutes: it shall be the sole responsibility of each bowler to be present at their assigned lane at the time of bowling without regard to transportation irregularities, improper directions, mechanical failures or any other reason. Late bowlers shall begin in the frame in which they are ready, with prior frames scored as zero (0). If a team member is not present, the team may use an authorized substitute as permitted by the tournament committee. If no substitute is available a score of zero will be used for the missing bowler.

2. Additionally, any rules not covered above, or by the USBC, or any disputes will be decided by the tournament committee and their decision is final.

Scratch Masters

The Scratch Masters competition, in conjunction with ORBIT, is available to all participants for an additional fee of $50. Scratch Master entry fee can be paid at time of entry/registration or prior to the first ball rolled in completion. 100% of the entry fee will be returned to the prize fund. All scores will be scratch (no handicap) and will be run in 5 average divisions. The six (6) games on Saturday will determine the participants of the Scratch Masters on Sunday.

Division A: Average from 200 and up
Division B: Average from 180 to 199
Division C: Average from 160 to 179
Division D: Average from 140 to 159
Division E: Average from 0 to 139

Scratch Masters will begin at 1:00 PM on Sunday August 8th, 2027

Scratch Masters check-in time will be 12:30 PM on August 8th, 2027. If a bowler has not checked in by the scheduled time, the alternate in that division will take their place. If no alternate is available, the bowler will forfeit any prize money for that division. During Scratch Masters, bowlers will have 10 minutes practice prior to the start of competition on any lanes that are assigned for their average division. The six (6) bowlers qualified for Scratch Masters will all bowl on the same pair of lanes. After the first game has been completed, the lowest two (2) scores are eliminated. The second game will consist of the remaining four (4) bowlers on the same pair of lanes as the first games. Once the second game is completed, the lowest two (2) scores will be eliminated. The third game will take place on the same set of lanes as the prior game with the final two (2) bowlers. Once the third game has been completed, the bowler with the lower score will be in 2nd place and the bowler with the higher score will be the winner of the respective Scratch Master Division. Payoff of Scratch Masters will be 1st and 2nd place only in each division.