Serious Question then...what was the cause of such a low number of entries?
Was it scheduling?
The fee to enter?
The format?
The calibre of the field scaring bowlers off?
Thoughts...
My two pence....
I think the issue is money... National tournament with a first prize of $3,000 means interstate bowlers have to win to cover costs. As for the local bowlers, entry fees of between $250-$300 for these types of events can be a bit daunting when they won't cash if a dozen good bowlers do make it to the tournament.
The most supported/ highly attended tournaments will be those with big prizefunds. That means sponsorship.
Bowling alleys aren't non-profit organisations and expect the tournament organisers to get the prize money (almost exclusively from bowling entry fees), and they support tournaments by giving good game rates..
Two suggestions for increasing prize funds:
1. Obtain sponsorship
2. Cheaper entry fees to tournaments (encouraging far more entries)
While option 2 seems like it will decrease prize funds, this won't necessarily be the case as you could run a tournament that has qualified in 3 game blocks for weeks or even months before the tournament.
League bowlers could be charged an extra $10 on their league, 100% going into prize funds. Other bowlers could have as many $35 entry attempts as.they want. Anyone who makes the top 24 (just for example) then pay $100 to play in stage 2. cut to top 10 or 12 (after 6 games) for stage 3 - top 5 stepladder.
Just some figures thrown in for example. But point being if you can get more people having a go it will increase prize funds.
As for sponsorship. When is the last time any of us (me included) actively sought sponsorship?
All of the great Aussie tourneys of old had sponsors, right back to the TAA South Pacific Classic! Lol...
Any other ideas?