I'm running the Rutgers Ice Bowl in NJ this year and decided on a new interesting format. There will be the standard divisions (Pro, Adv. Int for Men and Women) but the format for play will be different.

First round is singles; second round best-shot doubles, with the first round's scores determining partners. So the best scorer in the first round will be paired up with the worst scorer in the first round. The 2nd rounds doubles' scores will be added to the individual's first round scores to determine division winners.

Example:

Pro BOB has the hot round with a 45 1st Round.
Newbie Maureen shoots a 70 1st round.

They're paired up and shoot a 45 in the 3rd round.

BOBs total score is 90 for Pro Men, Maureen is 115 in Int Women.

I think this will be a good way to mix up divisions, give newbies a chance to see a higher level of play (and hopefully get tips from the better player) and will even out the field.

Are there any setbacks or potential problems I need to worry about?

My only concern would be if players in the same divison are paired up in the 2nd round. They cannot compete against each other in the 2nd round (they will score the same), and the first round's scores will inevitably determine who places higher.

If this happens, should I just accept it (and reward the better score of the first round) or should I shuffle partners around amongst everyone to make sure two from the same division are not paired up?

Any and all help, suggestions or criticisms you can offer are greatly appreciated..Thanks.

Regards,

Frederick Doot

Sounds like it might work certainly innovative, I think you should try it and most definately report back. Perhaps one problem might be someone playing a little worse first round to get a better partner /msgboard/images/graemlins/ooo.gif but considering it will be best disc doubles, yeah it could work do it!

Are there any setbacks or potential problems I need to worry about?

My only concern would be if players in the same divison are paired up in the 2nd round. They cannot compete against each other in the 2nd round (they will score the same), and the first round's scores will inevitably determine who places higher.

If this happens, should I just accept it (and reward the better score of the first round) or should I shuffle partners around amongst everyone to make sure two from the same division are not paired up?

Any and all help, suggestions or criticisms you can offer are greatly appreciated..Thanks.

Regards,

Frederick Doot



You've hit the problem on the head: in the division that gets paired with other members of the same division, it will be impossible to move up on your partner.

I'd go with, "That's just tough. You have to beat that guy in the morning." We did something for Lizard Doubles that had the same effect and attendance went up over the course of the series, so most people can deal with it.

Shuffling the players around is going to create a nightmare. Then you are doing a round of singles and a round of partly random draw. Since everyone is not being assigned a partner by the same rules, you'll have lots of complaining.

we have used this format the last 2 years for ice bowl in greenville.

first round mulligans ($1 each max of 5 per hole) then seeded doubles second round. very fun format.

the first year my roommate shot a 6 down and i shot a 5 down(both advanced) that was middle of the pack and we got teamed up and i could do no better than 2nd. to bad.

: ) :