About ABT

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The Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) was founded in September 1977. It was originally designed to give average men and women bowlers (150-189) the opportunity to compete with bowlers of their own average ability for guaranteed prize funds. The first tournament was conducted at La Mirada Bowl in Southern California. In January 1978 another Branch office opened in San Jose, California and the Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) has been growing ever since.

In over twenty (20) years of operation, the Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) has grown to eighteen (24) Branches operating in sixteen (16) different states. The Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) currently has over 400,000 members nationwide. In over 15,000 tournaments, the Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) has paid out in excess of $150,000,000.00 to bowlers across the United States. Each division is an individually owned franchise. Division owners are responsible for all tournaments in their franchise area.

The Milwaukee Division began operation in October, 1988. Tournaments are conducted on weekends August through June. Over 4300 members have participated in over 800 events since that time and have shared in over $3,500,000 in cash and prizes. Members receive periodic mailings which include updated schedules and information on upcoming special promotions or events. Bowlers are not required to bowl in any event, but we encourage bowlers to participate as often as possible.

New members are always welcome. To join, fill out the appropriate membership application (Classic or Masters) completely. Please attach a copy of you most current league sheet for average verification purposes. Mail to the address on the application, or bring it with you to your first event along with the $30 first year membership fee. No bowler is allowed to complete without proper average verification. Once you application is processed, you will receive a membership package which contains an official rule book, a current schedule and other important information. If for some reason your application is not accepted, you will receive an explanation as to why it was turned down. Although the Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) is not a professional organization, it is conducted as one with a set of rules and a dress code. Members can be fined for infractions of these rules.

Over the years bowling has experienced many technological advances in equipment and lane conditions that have improved scoring dramatically. Recognizing these changes, the Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) has also changed to help insure bowlers continue to have the fairest opportunity possible to compete. In March, 1995 the Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) expanded its ranks by opening a new Division for the higher average bowlers. This new Division is called the "Masters Division" and has been a success in most divisions. In July, 1999 the Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) further expanded its target by increasing the averages for the "Masters Division" to averages of 200-225. The "Classic Division" now encompasses averages up to 199. Handicap in the "Masters Division" is 80% of 225, while the "Classic Division" uses 80% of 200.

The Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) was patterned after the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA). Qualifying consists of four (4) games across eight (8) lanes, three (3) semi-final games across six (6) lanes and a variety of finals formats. The most predominate format for the finals is the top five (5) stepladder finals. Unlike the PBA all pinfall is dropped after each round. A minimum of one (1) in five (5) entries in each division will advance from the qualifying rounds. Every effort is made to standardize squad times, however times are dependent upon lane availability and may vary from week-to-week. It is advised to call ahead to verify squad times.

Bowlers are required to use their highest average over the past three (3) years, or current average if it for more than twenty-one (21) games. One of these average must be for at least forty-five (45) games. After twenty-one (21) games a tournament average is assigned by the director. No bowler will be allowed to drop their average more than five (5) pins during the first twenty-one (21) games or during any fifty (5) game block thereafter. Handicap is based on current tournament average. A bonus pin system takes effect for those bowlers who do not cash in three (3) consecutive events. No bowler may receive more than 100% handicap. A complete explanation of average adjustments is provided in the official ABT Rule Book.

The Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT) conducts a National Tournament in Las Vegas at least once a year. This tournament features a $40,000 guaranteed first place prize in our Classic Division and while first place in the Masters Division is based upon entries. This tournament is open to members only who have bowled a minimum of forty-five (45) games in one division during the preceding twelve (12) months. Entry forms are available at each tournament site.

If you would like more information regarding the Milwaukee Division, please call our office at (414) 543-8767 or outside the 414 or 262 area code (800) 392-2695 (BOWL). We sincerely want to thank you for considering the Amateur Bowlers Tour (ABT).