2023-24 Oakhurst Bowling League Rules

• The Oakhurst Bowling League is not sanctioned by the ABA, USBC or any other organization and does not follow the rules of sanctioned leagues. 

• League Membership- This is a recreational, co-ed league.  All members of a team should be Oakhurst residents.  Any exception to this rule must be approved by the league President. Circumstances may warrant that one couple of a team be from outside Oakhurst.  In extreme situations, all four members of a team may be from outside Oakhurst to help fill needed openings. At no time should more than 10% of the league be made up of non-Oakhurst residents. Any Oakhurst resident that is a member of the league and moves from Oakhurst is grandfathered in under these criteria as long as they are in good standing with the league.

• Handicaps are calculated at 90% of 200.  For example, if a bowler has a 150 average, the 150 is subtracted from 200 resulting in a 50 pin difference.  90% of that difference is used as the handicap, (in this case, 45 pins).  The handicap is then added to a bowler’s score for each game.

• Scoring/Standings: We will use a 7 point scoring system per match. 2 points per game and 1 point for series. Team competition will be randomly chosen.  One big league, no divisions. Position night in May will be by standings- 1st place vs. 2nd place and so on. The team with the highest total points at the end of May bowling is the league champion.

• When You Are Absent – If you cannot attend a session, pre-bowling is allowed twice during the season per bowler.  (If you do not pre-bowl, your average minus 10 pins will be used for each game.)  There is no additional charge for pre-bowling, but you must pay your regular monthly dues.  At least one bowler on a team must bowl OR pre-bowl for each game in a session in order for absent bowlers to get their average minus 10 pins counted. Otherwise a score of 0 is given for team scores/standings for the missed games if all four bowlers are absent with no scores for the night.  If the team you are bowling does not bowl or pre-bowl, your team will not automatically be awarded 7 points for the night.  You must still bowl within 40 pins of YOUR team average every game to earn points for that game and within 120 pins of YOUR team average for the series point.  This means that there can be less than 7 points awarded for the night for a match, since the missing team automatically gets 0.

• Replacement bowlers are welcome to participate in your place on the regular bowling night as PACERS ONLY- even if you already pre-bowled.  Replacement bowlers’ scores will NOT be counted for the total team score. DO NOT PUT THEM IN THE SYSTEM AS SUBSTITUTES and do not record their scores.  They are PACERS. Only league bowler scores (or average minus 10 pins) will count. See the website for instructions on pre-bowling and adding a pacer to your bowling screen on bowling night.  Payment for the evening and/or collection of fees from the pacers to reimburse you is your responsibility. If you will have an extended absence and need to take several months off from the league during the season (i.e.a medical reason or family emergency), you can get a substitute bowler to fill in for you for the remainder of the season and their scores WILL count. This needs to be arranged and approved by the league President in advance. 

• Monies Due League – Members cannot withhold any portion of the dues for any reason. Because the Oakhurst Bowing League is under contract with Parkside Lanes and the banquet facility, no money will be refunded regardless of member’s attendance at either bowling or the end of year banquet. If you move during the season or  need to drop out, you are responsible for finding another couple to complete the season for you.  If you do not do so, you are responsible for paying the monthly dues through May 2024.   ANY member/team that has an unpaid balance due from a previous season will NOT be allowed to register until past dues are paid in full. Past due amounts must be paid in full by August 1, 2024, along with current registration fees.

• League Financials- Budget/expenditure records are available for review at any time by any member in good standing.  The league is non-profit and ALL money put in by members is spent on the members during the season or at the banquet, with approximately a $100 reserve maintained at the end of the season to keep our bank account open and free of bank charges. League members in good standing can ask to review the league financial records at any time.

• Banquet– All league members will pay into the banquet fund (no exceptions) and are welcome to attend the banquet or send an alternate if they cannot attend. NO REFUND OF BANQUET FEES IS GIVEN IF YOU CANNOT OR DO NOT WISH TO ATTEND THE BANQUET. The entire banquet fund is budgeted and spent on the banquet.  All league dues MUST be paid in full prior to attending the banquet.  Additional guests wishing to attend the banquet may do so at a cost of approximately $110 per person- WITH ADVANCED NOTICE. (Price subject to change due to actual banquet costs.)