Entries to the opening event of the 2017-18 season will be released on general sale on Wednesday 1 March at 6pm (GMT).
As usual, the UK Open will be first of six World Ranking Events next season and it will take place on the weekend of 19th-20th August 2017. What is more, this year’s competition will be first to be staged at the SMPT’s new home! Less than 20 miles from Stansted Airport and only an hour away from Central London, Falcon Indoor Bowling & Social Club, near Chelmsford in Essex will provide an interesting change on the Tour.
Apart from the added convenience for our growing support who travel from overseas, the Club boasts excellent facilities and with 8 rinks allows for an increased capacity of 192 entries at both the UK Open and English Masters.
In addition to the new venue, 2017-18 brings a second development as we amend the policy on free under 18 entries to address the increased popularity of SMPT events. Rather than continuing to offer a very limited number of free entries at World Ranking Events, as in recent seasons, we will now be introducing a children’s entry fee which will benefit many more of the youngsters who enter SMPT events. The cost of the children’s entry fee will be £13.75, equivalent to 50% of the full entry fee. (Please refer to the terms and conditions of entry for full details.)
So, don’t forget to visit the dedicated UK Open tournament page on our website at 6pm on Wednesday to book your spot and kick-start what promises to be the most exciting season on the Short Mat Players Tour so far!