2024 NDBowling.com Classic
March 2-3, 2024
Sunset Lanes | Moorhead, MN
Phone: (218)233-6153 | Facebook Page
Tournament Poster
Schedule:
Friday – Tournament pattern practice pairs available from 3pm-6pm ($11 per hour). Early registration available.
Saturday – 8 game qualifier @ 1 pm. Casey Jo’s Catering to provide food after the qualifying round thanks to Country Titan Games.
Sunday – Advancers round @ 9 am followed by top 5 stepladder finals on NDBowlTV
TOURNAMENT ENTRANT LIST (As of Wednesday 2/28 @ 11:30 am)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – The tournament is limited to the first 96 PAID entries. Those currently on the list have until noon on Thursday (2/29) to pay their entry or make an arrangement with Darin at Sunset Lanes to confirm. Please contact Sunset Lanes before that time and confirm your entry. Spots will then move on to those on the wait list. We would also ask that all bowlers check in as soon as possible (Friday evening or Saturday morning) to help get the tournament started on time.
Storylines
Lane Pattern Analysis
The lane pattern for the 2024 NDBowling.com Classic will be a custom 43 foot pattern put together by the folks at Kegel. This pattern features a ratio of 2.8-1 with just about 30 mls of oil.
With a projected full field of 96 bowlers, the pattern was put together with the idea that it would hold up better than conditions used in years past. While the pattern does come in at 43 feet, the shape of the pattern in the middle of the lane will force players to play the outside parts of the lane early on. The wild card is always the breakdown here at the Classic. With 8 on a pair for 8 games, anything can happen. Much like at the CMA, the 2.8-1 ratio indicates a moderate to low scoring pace, but the talent level in the field will drive that cut number slightly higher than expected. Look for the cut to be in the +35 to +65 range.
NDBowling.com Player of the Year Race
Each season, the NDBowling.com Classic marks the end of the annual Player of the Year Race. While the past few seasons have provided POY drama in the final event, this year things are pretty straight forward.
Currently, Thomas Wolf leads the race with 162.40 points. Since Wolf is unable to participate this weekend, the door is still open to those chasing. Of those players chasing, only 2 have a mathematical chance of surpassing Wolf, Jamey Kragh and Josh Kragh. With Jamey also unable to attend, all eyes turn to Josh. Josh Kragh can capture the NDBowling.com Player of the Year honor with a 4th place finish or better this weekend. If Josh takes 5th, he would finish in a tie with Wolf and both would be named Player of the Year. If Josh finishes 6th or lower, Wolf would win his second NDBowling.com Player of the Year award (2015-16). This scenario assumes 85 or more players enter the Classic.
History in the Making
In the history of the NDBowling.com Major Championships, no player has won all 3 Majors held in the States (CMA, KFYR, NDBowling.com). 2 bowlers currently on the roster have the ability to complete the Triple Crown this weekend in Moorhead. Brady Stearns and Matt Smallin enter the Classic with both a CMA Shootout and KFYR title on their resume. Both players also enter with 4 career Major titles and would become just the 5th player with 5 or more Majors with a win.
Bold Predictions
Based on the current roster, here are my bold predictions for the final 5 at the 2024 NDBowling.com Classic
– Brady Stearns
– Andy Mills
– Lucas Hersrud
– Austyn Ducharme
– Lucas Finley
Who will take home the Glen Hains Memorial Trophy?
