Melbourne Tenpin Cup Returns for Its 51st Edition
By Matt Stevens
One of Australian bowling’s most prestigious events is back this weekend, as the Melbourne Tenpin Cup rolls into Oz Tenpin Epping in Victoria for its 51st edition.
With a rich history that stretches back to 1973, the Melbourne Tenpin Cup has long been a proving ground for the sport’s finest – and recent history has been dominated by one name: Jarrod Langford.
King in the North Eyes Record Run
The Queenslander has ruled the lanes in recent years, claiming five consecutive titles in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024. He now sits just two titles shy of Jason Belmonte’s all-time record of seven Melbourne Cup wins. Langford returns in 2025 with a chance to take one step closer to that mark and solidify his legacy.
With a $22,000 prize pool on the line, this year’s field promises to be fiercely competitive.
Rankings Race Heats Up
The race for the 2025 Open Division rankings is starting to take shape:
- Julian Dinham (NSW) currently leads with 185 points, thanks to a win at the Australian Tenpin Bowling Open and a runner-up finish at the Kegel Queensland Open.
- Hot on his heels is Bernie Grueso Jnr, the 2024 Rankings Champion, who sits on 123 points following a runner-up in the ATBO and a 7th-place finish at the Kegel QLD Open.
Both athletes will be eager to make a statement in Melbourne and close the gap—or extend their lead.
Tournament Format
The Melbourne Tenpin Cup uses a multi-stage format with pinfall carrying throughout:
- Stage One: All bowlers complete 10 games of qualifying, with the top 32 advancing to Stage Two.
- Stage Two: The top 32 bowl an additional five games.
- Stage Three: The top 10 proceed to a 9-game round robin, with 20 bonus pins awarded for each match win.
The bowler with the highest pinfall (including bonuses) at the conclusion of Stage Three will be crowned the 2025 Melbourne Tenpin Cup Champion.
Tenpin Bowling Australia wishes all bowlers the best of luck and high scoring at the 2025 Melbourne Tenpin Cup!
MELBOURNE TENPIN CUP
PAST CHAMPIONS
| Year | Winner |
| 1973 | Steve Mackie |
| 1974 | Terry Wenban |
| 1975 | Steve Mackie |
| 1976 | Vic Bubniw |
| 1977 | Paul Madden |
| 1978 | Joe Velo |
| 1979 | John Sullivan |
| 1980 | Len Hogg |
| 1981 | Ron Powell |
| 1982 | Brian Bridges |
| 1983 | Dave Davis (USA) |
| 1984 | Gary Kee |
| 1985 | Tom Kury |
| 1986 | Steve Lovell |
| 1987 | Ian Bradford |
| 1988 | Donna Adamek (USA) |
| 1989 | Fred Alsopp |
| 1990 | Peter Selakovic |
| 1991 | Billy Gardiner |
| 1992 | Ian Bradford |
| 1993 | Chris Batson |
| 1994 | Andrew Frawley |
| 1995 | Mike Muir |
| 1996 | Brenton Manning |
| 1997 | Alex Liew (MAL) |
| 1998 | Craig Bourke |
| 1999 | Frank Ryan |
| 2000 | Bill Gardiner |
| 2001 | Mike Muir |
| 2002 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2003 | Carl Bottomley |
| 2004 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2005 | Andrew McArthur |
| 2006 | Brandon Qualischefski |
| 2007 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2008 | Matt Riley |
| 2009 | George Frilingos |
| 2010 | Carl Bottomley |
| 2011 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2012 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2013 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2014 | Robbie Alston |
| 2015 | George Frilingos |
| 2016 | Jason Belmonte |
| 2017 | George Frilingos |
| 2018 | Jarrod Langford |
| 2019 | Jarrod Langford |
| 2020 | Cancelled (COVID-19) |
| 2021 | Cancelled (COVID-19) |
| 2022 | Jarrod Langford |
| 2023 | Jarrod Langford |
| 2024 | Jarrod Langford |
