World Ranking Masters

The World Ranking Masters was Ten-pin bowling's international ranking system, as with professional Tennis. It was governed by the World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA).

This ten-pin equivalent is known as the 'World Ranking Masters' and is made up of three vast tours: the European, Americas and Asian bowling tours. The Masters' is worked out at the end of the three tours, the European, Americas (not 'American', although it does cover the US) and Asian tours.

The last World Ranking Masters was conducted by WTBA in 2009.

It was divided into the following geographical Zones/Tours:

When all three vast tours are complete the top 8 bowlers over the three tours are invited each year to the World Ranking Masters.

For example, with the EBT, the list can be found on the official ETBF website [6]. It is also reported on in the leading Tenpin news site [7].

The World Ranking Masters is played on the "Dual Condition" format. Over the years the format has changed. The current qualifying format takes place over 3 days, with 8 games being played each day. The first day is played on a "long" lane pattern (oiled to around 44 ft), the second on a "short" pattern (oiled to around 35 ft). The final day is played on a "mixed" pattern (each lane is dressed alternately with the long and short patterns).

The top 8 men and top 8 women over the 24 games qualify for the single-elimination matchplay finals. The finalists are seeded according to their final position in qualifying. The finals are played using "best of 3" matchplay style on alternating lane patterns. The higher seeded player has the choice of which pattern to start on.

These patterns force the players to attack the 2 different lane conditions using different angles/equipment/hand positions and is the best way to determine the player with the most skills, versatility and knowledge.

The 2007 World Ranking Masters event will be held in the Kegel Training centre, Lake Wales, Florida after the original Hosts, Qatar withdrew from hosting the event in February 2007.

The five-day competition will start May 3 and will conclude with the TV finals on May 7.

"We have TV again. It will be a 90-minute show this time, maybe even two hours", Kegel founder John Davis proudly stated. "The county made the decision to back the show. It seems they were very happy with our performance and ratings last time."

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Wikipedia