2024 TBA Australian Masters Preview

The 61st edition of the TBA Australian Masters is set to take place from 18-20 October at the AGL National High Performance Centre/Suncity Tenpin on the Sunshine Coast. As the final nationally ranked event for both the Open and Women’s divisions in 2024, the competition promises a thrilling finish to an already intense season.

Both divisions have produced exciting, unpredictable outcomes across their four prior events, with different champions crowned at each stop. In the Open Division, four distinct champions have emerged: Justin Dinham (Kegel QLD Open), Bernie Grueso Jnr (Australian Tenpin Bowling Open), Jarrod Langford (Melbourne Tenpin Cup), and Sam Cooley (NSW Open). This wide variety of winners has kept the title race unpredictable, making each event a must-watch.

Similarly, the Women’s Division has seen fierce competition with Bec Whiting & Jade Hawke (Vic 150), Alicia Melton (Queensland Ladies Classic), Minhee Kim (Suncity Women’s Open), and Bek Martin (NSW Open) all taking top honors this year.

With such close standings, the race for the 2024 National Rankings crown in both divisions is still wide open, making this final event crucial. In the Open Division, King of the North Jarrod Langford leads with 220 points, but challengers up to 7th on the current standings are all technically within striking distance but none are registered to bowl this weekend. In the Women’s Division, Bek Martin tops the leaderboard with 260 points. Bec Whiting (230) in second place remains technically in contention but isn’t registered to bowl this weekend either. Following a demanding year both domestically and internationally, this year’s event is expected to have a smaller field due to a later than expected confirmation of the host venue.

The TBA Australian Masters has a long and storied history, dating back to its inaugural event in 1963, won by Eric Jang. Now, 61 years later, the competition continues to bring out the best in Australia’s top bowlers.

Among the elite bowlers competing this year is none other than Jason Belmonte who has returned home with a renewed focus on participating in local events. It’s been twelve years since Belmonte last lifted the TBA Australian Masters trophy, having claimed the title back in 2012.

Since that victory, the bowler from Orange, New South Wales, has amassed an extraordinary career. With 31 PBA titles, including a record 15 majors, and being named PBA Player of the Year seven times, Belmonte is the most decorated bowler in the sport’s history.

Belmonte will be one of four past champions in this year’s event, joining three-time champion Ashley Riley (2005, 1998, 1995), Cameron Stein (2021), and Adam Hayes, who will return to defend his 2023 crown. The presence of these champions adds to the anticipation of what promises to be an unforgettable competition.

Due to lower attendance, the event’s start has been adjusted, now kicking off Friday 18 October instead of today, with revised schedules and the removal of some squads to accommodate the smaller field.

Event Format

The 2024 TBA Australian Masters will feature two stages, with the second stage comprising five rounds.

• Stage 1: Qualifying
  Bowlers will submit their two best three-game qualifying squads before the final stage, totaling six games. A maximum of 20 male and 20 female bowlers will advance to the stage 2 finals. Defending champions and State/Territory Master Champions are guaranteed to advance, as they cannot be eliminated during qualifying.
• Stage 2: Finals
  Pinfall resets at the start of this stage. The top four seeded bowlers from qualifying will receive a bye in round 1 and advance directly to round 2.
  • Round 1: Bowlers seeded 5-20 will compete over six scratch games, aiming to finish in the top 12 on total pinfall to progress. The bottom three bowlers will be eliminated.
  • Round 2: The top 4 seeds join the remaining 12 bowlers for another six-game block. The top 8 bowlers will advance to the single-elimination round 3.
  • Rounds 3-5: The top 8 bowlers will compete in a single-elimination bracket, with matches decided by the best of three games. The competition continues through to round 5, where the final two bowlers will compete for the championship crown.

Tenpin Bowling Australia extends its best wishes to all participants for a successful and high-scoring event!

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