WOW!!! 1 person was 5mins late and your all having a cry? and complaining about the rules?? Well lets see, if you have an interview or an important meeting and your 5mins late they don't go well hes not here on the designated time lets go home now do they? NO!!! they wait 5 to 10mins, JUST LIKE THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR DID, the tournament director is well within his/hers right to wait an extra couple minutes for the bowler.
As one of the most recent people to miss check in, I was quite annoyed that check in had closed and the bowler was still able to bowl. I am aware that each TD will run their events as they please, but I do think that there should be a ruling somewhere that applies to ALL national events in this regard. Its not the first time that bowlers have been late, delaying everything and still been allowed to bowl (re: Hobart Cup).
Pathetic, as my fellow recent "check in misser" has stated very well, the problem is that tournament directors do not follow across the board rules on this issue. Jen and I were both unfortunate enough to miss check in only a matter of weeks ago at a National tournament and were not allowed to bowl, both then missing out on probable cash and ranking points. This is not sour grapes, as I totally understood the tournament committee's decision in upholding the rules in our case, but how is it fair that you were allowed to bowl in the same situation and that the rules have been bent in other cases as well? Rules need to be followed across the board, no matter what the circumstances are and no matter who is involved.
Contrary to what you've said, no, tournament directors are not within their rights to "wait a few minutes" for a bowler... the rules are stated on the entry form so every bowler should know what they're in for when bowling a tournament, they're not there just for the fun of it. And your comparison to league couldn't possibly be less relevant.