Youth Bowl Canada was very excited to announce a beta-test launch of the YBC SHOOTOUT earlier this season. The new online event, aims to bring continued excitement to YBC leagues in the latter stretches of the season. And it would have done just that, had the latter stretches of the season been allowed to roll out as normal. Unfortunately, as with all things these days, the Shootout fell victim to the dreaded Coronavirus.
Due to bowling centre closures across Canada the YBC Shootout had to be cut short, but the timing was better than it could have been. Forced closures were being announced as of March 17 (Ontario), which is when results of the Brackets Round of 8 were due, leaving us that day with the final 4 bowlers in each of the Scratch and POA brackets.
With some finalists hailing from provinces where closures had just been announced (and others soon to join the closures list) it was decided that the only fair thing would be to consider the remaining bowlers as CO-CHAMPIONS and call the event for the year.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the 2020 YBC SHOOTOUT co-champions! CLICK HERE FOR A LIST!
With 1,021 entries this year in fivepin, and almost 100 entries in tenpin, the event shows promise and interest from the community. And considering only 50 bowling centres were invited to participate this year YBC expects that the full launch next year could see considerable growth in terms of entries, and in terms of prize money awarded.
There will be adjustments made as we hear suggestions from the community as to how to make the event even better for the years to come. Stay tuned! But for now, a big thanks to the bowlers and
leagues who participated this year and made the YBC SHOOTOUT possible.