Tournament kicks off at Highlands Tenpin

Sixteen teams and 32 of the regions best tenpin bowlers will go head to head for the tournament.

Highlands Tenpin secretary, Luke Hannon said they have a full field for the event with some of the best bowlers in the region.

"Australian Representative bowler, Steve Cowland and Sam Cooley will be coming to compete," he said.

"Also competing will be the winners of the Campbelltown 9/No Tap tournament, Mitch Bloomfield and Jamie Kryiacou.

"So we have a really strong quality of players, competing with the best of the Highlands and Illawarra."

Hannon said the No-tap formats were occasionally used for pro-am tournaments or during some recreational leagues or events.

"In a no-tap format, strikes are awarded for any pin count at or above a certain score. So in 9-pin no-tap bowling, any bowler who knocks down nine or more pins - on his or her first ball - is awarded a strike," he said.

"The format is meant to create a level playing field between elite and league bowlers without using handicaps.

"Players still need to focus and bowl accuratly and account for lane conditions. The same as bowling in a proper open tournament but means good shots will be rewarded."

The tournament will be a doubles event so Combined team averages can not exceed 390 to stop team stacking and create an unfair advantage.

Directing the tournament will be Diane McAusland who said that despite the lanes being full it's great to watch.

"Being our first invitational event it has had such a big response from the community," she said.

"It's a fun game, but a challenge as well.

"We are taking reserves for anyone that doesn't show on the night but it doesn't look like that will happen at this stage.

Players will be competing for a first place prize of $1000 and second of $700.

The tournament kicks off at 9pm tonight at the alley located at 2/205 Old Hume Highway, Mittagong.

For more details call: 4871 1600.