Steve
Here are the answers to your questions
1. The Highest Total payout
Would have to be Brunswick Australian Cup in Canberra every December, $6000 1st place paying down very well. Total prizefund would be the biggest we have in Australia I believe.
2. What tournament offers the highest first prize - and what is it?
As above, $6000 for first, however if you include the South Pacific Classic winners trip to the relevant country to bowl the World Cup it may represent more in dollars.
3. What is the highest entry fee of any annual tournament and how much is it?
Brunswick Australian Cup - $300
4. Finally - now this is the tough one because it is not about objectivity as the first three are - it's rather more subjective...which tournamnet offers the best overall value - and why [that's two questions I know - but well, it will be interesting]?
Arguably the K&K Classic in Brisbane is best value, with only $2000 on top it pays down to more places than any other tournament. Entry is low also, $175 for men, $165 for women. It is very well supported and well run subsquently, over 120 people usually participate in this event. They also have a dedicated womens division which is popular.
I do think though this year's Australian Open will represent the future of tournament bowling in Australia, $120-$180 initial entry to win $4000 for 1st is amazing value (It's a re-entry event). I'm a big fan of this format, its a proven success in all other parts of the world, its finally making some in roads in Australia.
I think combining the women and giving them 8 pins start inline with similar formats in Asia and Europe is the only way women will be able to make good money from bowling and we as bowlers collectively are able to bowl for money.
Hope this helps
Gday Steve,
Was good to catch up with you on the weekend.
The first 3 points I would agree with George (first time for everything I guess lol) but probably add something for the 4th and something as you have alluded to previously that you would already know.
Bowlers have often stated for them to have value bowling, they want more games, as value for money etc, to feel as though they have had a fair run regardless of their scores etc. We in Australia really need to get away from the 1000 game marathons, and as George has said, there may be more and more re entry style tournaments popping up in the horizon as a way to do so. However if you were to look for value for money tournaments for return on investment these would currently be tournaments like KnK, low entry but due to numbers involved are able to pay decent money and not just to the top, re entry tournament at Coffs Harbour, even lower entry fee and still paying $2000 for first.
When I look at value in a tournament, however, I dont just look what it will cost me, what the prize fund is worth etc, I look at how well I am as a bowler am going to be treated when I walk into the centre, how well the staff at the bowl in general are, how much effort the tournament organiser goes to making you feel welcome. Tournaments like the KnK, the old Melbourne Cup when I first started going there, tournaments in the north of QLD, Orange Open and most recently in Joondalup. They actually want you the bowler there, the are truly interested in bowling, the staff are knowledgable as they are more often than not bowlers themselves.
These tournaments and the people that are involved are just as interested in the bowlers having a good time as well as bowling well. These little things are subtle but important to have the high retention in entries year after year that they get.
Its not impersonal where you walk in, pay your entry fee, heres your lane draw, go bowl, when you are finished, bugger off as social play is waiting.
Honestly there aren't a huge amount of tournaments anymore, and most centres that host the major tournaments would be lucky to have any more tournaments during the year, to have the organisers and staff put in an effort for the bowlers once a year shouldn't really be a hard ask instead of feeling like it is some burden they have to endure.
And in case someone interprets what I am saying as the bowlers should have their whims catered to, I am not saying this, just that it is nice to feel welcome.
Hope this helps.
