I don't think the analogy works in full here. With one [or 5] bowler of Belmo's caliber turning up the field wouldn't diminish. Just the privilege of sharing the lane with him would be incentive enough to bowl, even if you know you have less chance of cashing with him there.
It wasn't meant to be final analogy, but a general point, so it is not so much because Jase is bowling, but if he goes to a tournament, his skill level is that far ahead of anyone else in this country it isn't funny, hence why he laps the field, if a female bowler has a good day and uses the 8 pins to their advantage, big deal, I doubt it will stop guys bowling and if they do, it will be a pure ego thing. You are right, other bowlers enjoy bowling a tournament with Jase for that experience, but why are they happy to be beaten by him or anyone else, but not a female just because of the leg up? As I said in my OP, their averages haven't been that comparable to the guys unless the tournaments have been joint tournaments where the lane conditions are a little more open. I can't see it happening too often for the guys tournaments.
Hypothetically speaking, I think this is where the above posts are coming from. With the relatively top heavy prize funds and say you are the type of bowler to be fighting for the last 5 or so cashing spots at every event. If the ladies did not turn up without the 8 pin advantage they are obviously not going to be top International bowlers, the Belmo incentive is moot. If the 8-pin advantage encourages more lady bowlers to turn up and the advantage allows them to take out those 5 or so spots, why would one turn up?
Women already occupy sporadic spots in finals here and there in the guys tournaments, granted with the 8 pins, there may be more, but I highly doubt it should be enough, obviously it will burn a few vying for that last spot, but on the flip side the difference between the cut and just below is minimal in prize money if this is the concern. Guys will just have to see the women with their 8 pins as being a normal part of things for the next year.
It is similar to some VERY top heavy tournaments. If only paying 1/5 and there is a draw of 50 bowlers, there's 10 paying spots. If several of the up there bowlers put their name down (say 5-7) I know I then have to beat the rest of the field to cash. Being that I have bowled many of the up there bowlers during league (and obviously lose most of the time) and probably will next week also, the 'privilege' incentive is gone also. Why would I put my name down for this particular donation??
No bowling tournaments in the calendar pay 1:5, most at worst are 1:3 ratios, 20 spots for 60 bowlers generally. I can see your donation point, but it all depends what you or other bowlers want to get out of the game, do you want to improve yourself and your game, so that you don't feel as though you aren't donating or give up and not bother? If you play against these higher skilled bowlers on a regular basis, are you at a stage in your game where you want to improve towards their level or are you happy to keep doing what you are doing? Everyone will have different motivations, incentives and ideas of what they want to achieve from this sport. But if anyone decides to enter tournaments, or participate in a competitive way in this sport, they should have a realistic idea of what they want to achieve anyway.
To be honest there's not too many men in Australia at her level either. She is one awesome bowler!
I agree, I would go as far to say there are no guys in the country at her level when she is on but then again, we don't do it for a living either. Obviously aside from Jase.
I personally don't mind the idea, I hope it works out, for the benefit of Tenpin Bowling. I'm not at the level that it will affect me wither way.
My $0.05.
