Plastic Ball 800 Challenge - Only allow to use plastic ball with top weight (pancake core) only. Ball must be drilled to meet USBC specifications.

Oil Pattern would be THS. Center doesn't have to put anything out special (Just what the rest of leagues are using)

To win: Bowler must have an 800 series in 3 games.

I could see that in some areas of the country that this challenge would never be beaten.  The issue I see with a plastic ball is going to be carry down, and most bowlers would struggle with it. 
 

  You make a good point about the lane machines.  The newer ones are capable of putting out such an easy shot and are so much more consistent than they were just 30 years ago.  Back in the 70s & 80s I was bowling in a house that applied the oil with a hand pump bug sprayer.

 Our whole team was averaging in the 180s and we thought we were a bunch of hotshots.  I remember talking to the best bowler in the league and I was complaining about the condition.  He said that he didn't like it either, but quickly pointed out that it would make us better bowlers.  Of course he was right!