US Open 2013
Conditions of Play
U. S. Open 2013 Conditions of Play
Download a copy
These Conditions of Play may be modified up to and including the first day of competition.
2011 USLBA Laws of the Sport of Bowls shall govern all play.
Download a copy from USLBA
CHANGES IN SCHEDULING: If an event cannot be conducted in accordance with the published schedule, or if a special situation arises, the Tournament Committee may make whatever changes it deems appropriate.
GUARANTEED GAMES: All players are guaranteed 3 games in each event. One of them COULD include a BYE. A bye is considered to be "a game played and won.”
AWARDS: Prize money for completed events other than the Championship Flight will be handed out immediately following the completion of the event and on the green on which the event is being played. All Championship prize money and medals will be awarded on the green at Laguna Beach following the final game of the entire tournament and just prior to the Closing Cocktail party.
DATE STAMPS ON BOWLS: The USLBA (Law 9.4) approves the use of all sets of bowls that are obviously matched and have a clearly visible imprint of the registered World Bowls or IBB Stamp.
DRESS CODE: Team members’ shirts and below-the-waist attire must be matching. They may be white or colored. Men's shirts must have both collars and sleeves. Women's shirts must have collars. Shorts may be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee.
FLAT SOLED SHOES (NO HEEL) MUST BE WORN AND THIS RULE WILL BE ENFORCED.
LATE ARRIVALS: A penalty of one (1) point and one (1) end played will be assessed for each 10 minutes after the official start time. A late arrival time of 30 minutes or more will constitute forfeiture. Tournament Officials at the venue may waive this rule in extenuating circumstances.
LENGTH OF MATCHES:
FOURS…...All games including all finals = 16 ends.
PAIRS…….All games including all finals = 16 ends.
SINGLES…All games including all finals = 18 points.
MEN’S PAIRS: Dependent upon the number of entries, the men's pairs finals for all flights may have to be completed on Saturday morning, September 28th, at Laguna Beach LBC. Start time will be 8.15 AM.
MUST PLAY: All matches must be played and finished unless winning is mathematically impossible for one of the teams.
MOVEMENT OF PLAYERS: RULE A.4 INVOKED: In order to maintain orderly play within the time limits of the event, Condition of Play A.4 (USLBA Laws, pages 59-60) is invoked for all pairs and rinks matches. Tournament Directors reserve the right to invoke this condition of play in select singles matches should it become necessary for time purposes. Condition of Play A4 restricts walking to the head as follows:
Pairs: A lead may only walk to the head after the delivery of their third bowl. Skips must go to the mat at the same time and may not go to the head until they have delivered at least 2 bowls.
Rinks: First and second leads must stay at the mat end until they have delivered all of their bowls.
Vices: must go to the mat at the same time and may not go to the head until they have delivered their first bowl.
Skips: must go to the mat at the same time and may then go to the head after delivery of each bowl.
Singles: Singles players may only walk to the head after they have delivered at least three bowls.
TIME LIMITS, UNIQUE RULE: USLBA Condition of Play (#106, page 72) is invoked requiring players to deliver their bowl within one (1) minute of the prior bowl coming to rest.
SMOKING: Players are required to observe the host club’s rules for smoking. Smoking is NOT permitted on greens or on the surrounding walkways. Designated smoking areas will be identified by host clubs at morning announcements.
CELL PHONES: Cell phones, head sets and pagers must be muted or turned down. Sounds from these devices should not distract other players. Violations shall be considered a violation of rink possession (Law 35), and an umpire, after having previously given the player a warning, may have the last bowl played by the offending player or team declared dead.
STARTING TIMES and TIME LIMITS: Unless otherwise specified, each day’s announcements will be at 8:15 AM and play will begin promptly at 8:30 AM. In order to ensure that all participants are treated equally, time limits for each day’s rounds are imposed as follows:
Round 1 starts 8:30 AM - no jack after 11:30 AM;
Round 2 starts no later than 12:00 midday, but as soon as rinks become available. No jack after 2.45PM
Round 3 starts no later than 3:00 PM, but as soon as rinks become available. No jack after 5:45 PM
This schedule provides 2 hours 45 minutes for a 16 end game, 3 hours for the first game to allow for trial ends.
SCHEDULE for SATURDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS:
Pairs: Championship flight Pairs (Men and Women) and any other flights for men will start promptly at 8.30 AM at Laguna Beach LBC. Trial ends at 8.15 AM. Lunch is expected at 11.30 AM to 12 midday.
Singles: All Championship flight Singles (Men and Women) will begin at 12 midday or as soon as rinks become available. Players for singles must report to Laguna Beach at least one (1) hour before the scheduled start.
Rinks: All Championship flight Rinks (Men and Women) will begin at 2.00 PM. or as soon as rinks become available. All rinks players must report at least one and one half (1 ½) hours before the scheduled start.
Presentation Ceremony will begin at approximately 5.30 PM followed by the Closing Cocktail Party (ticketed event).
Schedule Modifications: The schedule for Saturday's Finals is the Tournament Committee’s best estimate of starting times; however the Tournament Director has the right to modify the start times of all Championship games.
TIME LIMITS for Championship matches on Saturday will be at the discretion of the Tournament Director. If a time limit is to be imposed, a notice of not less than 10 minutes shall be given to each skip.
SUBSTITUTES must be approved by the Tournament Director; Substitutes may not have played in the event they are now playing in and they may not skip. Teams are responsible for finding their own substitutes if a player cannot complete the event. Teams are responsible for distribution of their prize money amongst their players if a sub is used.
TIES: In the event of a tie, an extra end must be played to determine the winner.
TRIAL ENDS: Two bowls in each direction before the first game each day or when changing to a new green. Singles players may roll four in each direction if both agree.
UMPIRES: Prior to start of play, umpires, as available, will be introduced each day at each venue. If an issue cannot be resolved at the venue it should be referred to Howard Harris, USLBA National Umpire in Chief.
ETIQUETTE: The Tournament Committee reserves the right to enforce traditional rules of etiquette and conduct as it deems necessary. The US Open Committee has the final decision in any disputes (with or without a hearing) and has the right to discipline, remove, suspend any player for any reason that affects the playing of the tournament in accordance with standard generally accepted etiquette, behavior and rules of the game of Lawn Bowls. Additionally, Tournament Directors at each venue may enforce such rules immediately if this becomes necessary.
Established by the 2013 U.S. Open Committee
Mert Isaacman, Chair
Download a copy
These Conditions of Play may be modified up to and including the first day of competition.
2011 USLBA Laws of the Sport of Bowls shall govern all play.
Download a copy from USLBA
| MEN |
DATES | WOMEN |
| Singles | Sept 22-23 |
Fours |
| Fours | Sept 24-25 |
Pairs |
| Pairs | Sept 26-27 |
Singles |
| Championship Flight Finals |
Sept 28 |
Championship Flight Finals |
CHANGES IN SCHEDULING: If an event cannot be conducted in accordance with the published schedule, or if a special situation arises, the Tournament Committee may make whatever changes it deems appropriate.
GUARANTEED GAMES: All players are guaranteed 3 games in each event. One of them COULD include a BYE. A bye is considered to be "a game played and won.”
AWARDS: Prize money for completed events other than the Championship Flight will be handed out immediately following the completion of the event and on the green on which the event is being played. All Championship prize money and medals will be awarded on the green at Laguna Beach following the final game of the entire tournament and just prior to the Closing Cocktail party.
DATE STAMPS ON BOWLS: The USLBA (Law 9.4) approves the use of all sets of bowls that are obviously matched and have a clearly visible imprint of the registered World Bowls or IBB Stamp.
DRESS CODE: Team members’ shirts and below-the-waist attire must be matching. They may be white or colored. Men's shirts must have both collars and sleeves. Women's shirts must have collars. Shorts may be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee.
FLAT SOLED SHOES (NO HEEL) MUST BE WORN AND THIS RULE WILL BE ENFORCED.
LATE ARRIVALS: A penalty of one (1) point and one (1) end played will be assessed for each 10 minutes after the official start time. A late arrival time of 30 minutes or more will constitute forfeiture. Tournament Officials at the venue may waive this rule in extenuating circumstances.
LENGTH OF MATCHES:
FOURS…...All games including all finals = 16 ends.
PAIRS…….All games including all finals = 16 ends.
SINGLES…All games including all finals = 18 points.
MEN’S PAIRS: Dependent upon the number of entries, the men's pairs finals for all flights may have to be completed on Saturday morning, September 28th, at Laguna Beach LBC. Start time will be 8.15 AM.
MUST PLAY: All matches must be played and finished unless winning is mathematically impossible for one of the teams.
MOVEMENT OF PLAYERS: RULE A.4 INVOKED: In order to maintain orderly play within the time limits of the event, Condition of Play A.4 (USLBA Laws, pages 59-60) is invoked for all pairs and rinks matches. Tournament Directors reserve the right to invoke this condition of play in select singles matches should it become necessary for time purposes. Condition of Play A4 restricts walking to the head as follows:
Pairs: A lead may only walk to the head after the delivery of their third bowl. Skips must go to the mat at the same time and may not go to the head until they have delivered at least 2 bowls.
Rinks: First and second leads must stay at the mat end until they have delivered all of their bowls.
Vices: must go to the mat at the same time and may not go to the head until they have delivered their first bowl.
Skips: must go to the mat at the same time and may then go to the head after delivery of each bowl.
Singles: Singles players may only walk to the head after they have delivered at least three bowls.
TIME LIMITS, UNIQUE RULE: USLBA Condition of Play (#106, page 72) is invoked requiring players to deliver their bowl within one (1) minute of the prior bowl coming to rest.
SMOKING: Players are required to observe the host club’s rules for smoking. Smoking is NOT permitted on greens or on the surrounding walkways. Designated smoking areas will be identified by host clubs at morning announcements.
CELL PHONES: Cell phones, head sets and pagers must be muted or turned down. Sounds from these devices should not distract other players. Violations shall be considered a violation of rink possession (Law 35), and an umpire, after having previously given the player a warning, may have the last bowl played by the offending player or team declared dead.
STARTING TIMES and TIME LIMITS: Unless otherwise specified, each day’s announcements will be at 8:15 AM and play will begin promptly at 8:30 AM. In order to ensure that all participants are treated equally, time limits for each day’s rounds are imposed as follows:
Round 1 starts 8:30 AM - no jack after 11:30 AM;
Round 2 starts no later than 12:00 midday, but as soon as rinks become available. No jack after 2.45PM
Round 3 starts no later than 3:00 PM, but as soon as rinks become available. No jack after 5:45 PM
This schedule provides 2 hours 45 minutes for a 16 end game, 3 hours for the first game to allow for trial ends.
SCHEDULE for SATURDAY’S CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS:
Pairs: Championship flight Pairs (Men and Women) and any other flights for men will start promptly at 8.30 AM at Laguna Beach LBC. Trial ends at 8.15 AM. Lunch is expected at 11.30 AM to 12 midday.
Singles: All Championship flight Singles (Men and Women) will begin at 12 midday or as soon as rinks become available. Players for singles must report to Laguna Beach at least one (1) hour before the scheduled start.
Rinks: All Championship flight Rinks (Men and Women) will begin at 2.00 PM. or as soon as rinks become available. All rinks players must report at least one and one half (1 ½) hours before the scheduled start.
Presentation Ceremony will begin at approximately 5.30 PM followed by the Closing Cocktail Party (ticketed event).
Schedule Modifications: The schedule for Saturday's Finals is the Tournament Committee’s best estimate of starting times; however the Tournament Director has the right to modify the start times of all Championship games.
TIME LIMITS for Championship matches on Saturday will be at the discretion of the Tournament Director. If a time limit is to be imposed, a notice of not less than 10 minutes shall be given to each skip.
SUBSTITUTES must be approved by the Tournament Director; Substitutes may not have played in the event they are now playing in and they may not skip. Teams are responsible for finding their own substitutes if a player cannot complete the event. Teams are responsible for distribution of their prize money amongst their players if a sub is used.
TIES: In the event of a tie, an extra end must be played to determine the winner.
TRIAL ENDS: Two bowls in each direction before the first game each day or when changing to a new green. Singles players may roll four in each direction if both agree.
UMPIRES: Prior to start of play, umpires, as available, will be introduced each day at each venue. If an issue cannot be resolved at the venue it should be referred to Howard Harris, USLBA National Umpire in Chief.
ETIQUETTE: The Tournament Committee reserves the right to enforce traditional rules of etiquette and conduct as it deems necessary. The US Open Committee has the final decision in any disputes (with or without a hearing) and has the right to discipline, remove, suspend any player for any reason that affects the playing of the tournament in accordance with standard generally accepted etiquette, behavior and rules of the game of Lawn Bowls. Additionally, Tournament Directors at each venue may enforce such rules immediately if this becomes necessary.
Established by the 2013 U.S. Open Committee
Mert Isaacman, Chair
Player of the Tournament Award
Women and Men
| Champion Flight |
Singles | Pairs | Triples or Fours |
| 1st Place |
98 Points |
81 Points | 68 Points |
| 2nd Place |
47 Points | 40 Points | 34 Points |
| 3rd Place |
31 Points | 27 Points | 23 Points |
| Fourth Place |
16 Points | 14 Points | 12 Points |
| Second Flight |
Singles | Pairs | Triples or Fours |
| 1st Place | 19 Points |
16 Points |
14 Points |
| 2nd Place |
9 Points |
8 Points |
7 Points |
| Third Flight |
Singles | Pairs | Triples or Fours |
| 1st Place |
16 Points |
14 Points |
12 Points |
| 2nd Place |
8 Points |
7 Points |
6 Points |
DRAW
Upon the close of registration the US Open Tournament committee will conduct the draw for all events. At that time the draw will be posted here. You are requested to check back before you attend the event to check your draw. If you discover what you think may be a problem please notify the tournament committee immediately. Your assistance in rectifying matters well in advance will assist in the smooth operation of the event. Should you have questions regarding the draw please email them to howard@bowlsamerica.com
These postings will include your venue as well as your opponents.
Please do not rely upon the early postings as late changes to registration may impact your draw. You are advised to check in at the tournament headquarters before you bowl. If you are not able to check-in in advance, please recheck this posting the evening before your event to ensure that no last minute changes affect your time or location of play.