JAN. 24-25, 2026

Two squads:

SHORE LANES

701 NJ-35, Neptune City, NJ 07753

ENTRY FEE IS $80

Prize Ratio: 1 in 8 based on 140 entries

Prize fund will be returned 100%

Bowling Fee: $27

Expenses: $7

Prize Fund: $46

Please send your entries in as soon as possible. Entries close Thursday, January 22, 2026 at midnight. No walk-ins. Entries will not be accepted without full $80 entry fee.

Make Checks Payable to: MCMT

Mail payments to Tournament Director: Eric Nilson
60 Jib Lane, Brick, NJ 08723

Phone: (908) 675-6557

Email:  ericnilson@monmouthcountybowling.com

TOURNAMENT RULES AND FORMAT

TOURNAMENT RULES

1. Control: The Monmouth County Masters Tournament is an official function of the Monmouth County USBC conducted on a scratch basis. Rules of the United States Bowling Congress will be strictly enforced.

2. Eligibility: All Participants must be sanctioned in Monmouth County for the 25/26 Season and meet 1 of the following criteria)

1. 21 Games in one league in the current 2025/26 winter season in Monmouth County by December 31, 2025.
2. 21 games in the 2024-25 summer season in one league.
3. Former Monmouth County Masters Champion.
4. Any Monmouth County Hall of Fame Members.
5. Youth bowlers will not be allowed to bowl in this tournament.

3. Dress Code: Participants must wear full-length trousers and a bowling, sports or dress shirt with collar (butterfly). Dress slacks, casual trousers and jeans are permitted. Mock collared shirts will be permitted. No T-shirts, shorts, hats, or sweatpants allowed. UBA/Federation/X League bowling jerseys will not be allowed. The use of headphones will be strictly prohibited.

4. Masters Champion: (Tournament winner will receive the following)

1. A fully paid entry in the NJ State Masters Tournament. If the champion is not able to participate in the NJ State Masters, then the runner-up will receive the fully paid entry. No other finalist will be considered. If neither the champion nor the runner up are able to participate then the entry fee will remain in the MC USBC Fund.
2. Exempt from qualifying for the next County Masters Tournament. (Seeded 16^th unless qualify higher)

5. Qualifying Rounds:

1. Lane assignments will be made by random draw by the tournament manager.
2. 3 participants will be assigned to each lane.
3. Entrants will bowl 5 games across 10 lanes.
4. All participants will be allowed 10 minutes of practice on their starting pair only.
5. 2024/2025 MC Masters Champion and Top 15 pin fall totals shall advance to Match Play Finals.
6. Tie for 16^th place: Any Entrants that tie for 16^th place will bowl 1 game with the highest game advancing.

6. Match Play Finals: (All Matches are 2 games Total Pinfall)

1. Advancers will all start in the Champions Bracket. Pairings will be determined by seeding after qualifying. 1vs16, 2vs15, 3vs14 etc. The winner of the match will advance in the Champions Bracket; the loser moves to the Contenders Bracket.
2. Contender Bracket – Winners will advance in the Contenders Bracket and Loser will be eliminated.
3. Winners of the Champions Bracket and Contenders Bracket will face off. The winner of the Contenders Bracket must defeat the winner of the Champions Bracket twice.
4. After the initial match pairings will be in accordance with the double elimination bracket system which will be displayed at the tournament site.
5. Only 1 Advancer will be assigned to a line. The order of bowling shall be with the player on the odd numbered lane starting first, finishing on the even numbered lane. The advancers will start Game 2 on the same lane that they finished the previous game on. The higher seed will determine starting lane.
6. Ties: If total pinfall is tied after 2 games there will be a 1 shot roll-off, higher pinfall advancing. This will continue until the tie is broken.
7. All advances will receive 10 minutes of practice prior to their 1^st match. After that they will receive 2 practice deliveries on each lane of their upcoming match.

7. Replacements/Substitutes

1. All participants accepted and scheduled shall bowl as scheduled.
2. An original entrant may not delegate his/her own replacement.
3. If unable to participate when scheduled, the entrant shall personally notify the tournament manager.
4. Eligible replacements will be drawn from the waiting list.
5. Failure to comply with this will result in forfeiture of entry and all fees paid.
6. If a participant fails to appear for the start of the qualifying round, they will receive zero pins for the frames missed.
7. If a participant fails to appear for the start of the Match Play Finals the next highest 5 games total pinfall qualifier will become the 16^th seed, and all other advancers will move up 1 spot until the missing participants seed is filled.
8. If an alternate is not available to replace an absent player in the first match, the same procedure will be allowed to extend into the second match. After the start of the second match of the final round no substitutes will be allowed.
9. Non-appearance will constitute forfeiture of the match. If forfeiture occurs in the Winners Bracket, the absent player automatically goes to the proper position in the Losers Bracket.

8. Miscellaneous

1. Each participant will be given a prize list at check-in time.
2. The “Ken Daniels/E. Luke Forrest Memorial Trophy” will be presented to the Masters Champion.
3. A 2^nd place plaque will be provided to the runner-up.
4. Entry fee for the NJ State Master, all trophies, and framed finalist photos will be paid out of the MC Masters expense fund.
5. Tournament manager reserves all rights.