Bowling

Medina’s Ryleigh Culver is well on his way to becoming the next “young phenom” on the Genesee Region USBC bowling scene.

The 10-year-old right-hander placed first in the Boys U12 division at the New York State Region 2 Pepsi USBC Youth Championships last weekend at AMF Dewey Garden Lanes in Rochester, and now will head to King Pin Lanes in Rome on May 19 to compete for a state title.

Ryleigh posted games of 262, 201 and 210 for a 673 series to top the list of 32 boys who participated in his division. He had it going right from the start, rolling the first eight strikes in the opening game.

“He’s been practicing a lot and we work with him on his game,” said his dad, Richard Culver II, noting that Ryleigh’s grandfather, Rich, also is a big part of Ryleigh’s success.

The practice definitely is paying off as Ryleigh has upped his average to 176, a remarkable number for a 10-year-old.

Several other area youngsters fared well at the tournament.

Batavian Jacey Wagner, daughter of standout bowler Rich Wagner, placed second in the Girls U8 division to earn a scholarship.

In Girls U12, Lorelei Sanders of Medina and Allie Faryna of Perry placed third and fourth, respectively, while in the Boys U20 division, Dennis Van Duser of Perry placed 11^th with a 664 series and Trevor O’Dell of Oakfield was 13^th with a 654 series.

The Pepsi Youth tournament is a totally scratch event (no handicap) with the top two in the U8 and U10 divisions winning scholarships at the regional level, and the top two in the U12, U15 and U20 divisions moving on to the state finals where they will compete for seven scholarships in each of the categories.

BATAVIA’S LAWRENCE WINS 60-AND-OVER EVENT IN ALBION

Batavian Ron Lawrence, bowling in his first 60-and-Over Tour event, took top honors on April 8 at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, defeating veteran Fran Bax of Niagara Falls, 226-223, in the championship match.

“I surprised myself, that’s for sure,” said Lawrence, speaking with a sense of amazement that he was able to come through in the clutch to knock off Bax, one of the area’s most prolific bowlers over the past five decades.

Lawrence, needing two strikes and eight pins in the 10^th frame to win the match, packed the 1-3 pocket for three straight strikes to claim the $325 first prize.

He said that he believed an open frame in the eighth frame was going to cost him.

“I missed the 4-pin in the eighth frame and I thought it would beat me for sure,” he said.

Lawrence, a longtime groundskeeper and maintenance man at Stafford Country Club, has had recent success at Oak Orchard Bowl.  Earlier this season, he was part of the winning team in a no-tap tournament there.

A 195 average bowler, Lawrence competes in the North Pole League at Mancuso Bowling Center and is a substitute in a league at Le Roy Legion Lanes.

Lawrence qualified sixth with 642 (the top 10 scores plus six age group leaders advanced), and then registered 219 and 246 to make it to the four-man step-ladder finals.

Forty-seven bowlers entered the tournament, which featured step-ladder finals for the first time in its three-year existence.  And the final round didn’t lack for excitement, either, as all three matches were decided in the 10^th frame.

In the opener, John Danielewicz of Sanborn nipped Charlie Gfeller of Rochester, 226-225. After that, Lawrence defeated Danielewicz, 204-196, to set up the title match against the top-seeded Bax.

Bax won $200 for his runner-up finish while Danielewicz pocketed $175 and Gfeller $150.

Bill Logan of Albion rolled his first USBC-certified 300 game in the last game of qualifying to post a 683 series, which was second behind North Tonawanda’s Dennis Illig, who fired 718.

Two other Genesee Region members joined Logan as “cashers” – Bob Hodgson of Medina and Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls.

The next 60-and-Over Tour stop is at Medina Lanes on April 29. Check-in is at 11 a.m. and competition begins at noon.  For more information, contact Tommy Kress at tommys60tour@gmail.com or 585-739-3097.

RYAN NAYLOR, JASON QUILLIAM ROLL PERFECT GAMES

Ryan Naylor of Perry and Jason Quilliam of Batavia recorded 300 games in league action last week at Perry Bowling Center and Mancuso Bowling Center, respectively.  It was Naylor’s first USBC-certified perfect game and Quilliam’s second.

Naylor reached perfection in the second game of the Thursday Night League, and finished with a 645 series. The 24-year-old righty averages about 200 in three leagues at Perry Bowling Center.

Recalling the 10^th frame, Naylor said he wasn’t too nervous and felt more confident after getting the first strike on lanes 1-2.

“I knew after the first one that I was going to do it,” he said. “The first two were beautiful; the last one I got out by about two boards and it hit light but carried.”

A member of the Carpenter’s Union Local 276, Naylor said he was used a Storm Code Black bowling ball drilled by Brian Weber to eclipse his previous high game of 279.

Quilliam, a 38-year-old right-hander, posted his 300 in the first game of a 714 series in the Antique World Tuesday Coed League.  His previous perfect game came in December 2011 and he bowled an 805 series in November 2016.

At the USBC Open Championships in Syracuse, Quilliam was part of the Rich Wagner Team that put up a 2,678 three-game series – not a bad score considering the brutally-tough lane conditions.

Team members Nate Wright and Rich Wagner had 632 and 706 series, respectively, in the Singles event.

SPARE SHOTS: MEDINA HOSTING TOURNEY, GRUSBC PAYOUT NEARS

-- Medina Lanes is hosting a five-person Baker-style handicap tournament this Sunday, with $1,000 guaranteed for first place and $500 guaranteed for second place.

Squad times are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Competition consists of 10 Baker-style games (bowlers alternate frames), followed by match play finals.

The entry fee is $125 per team. Handicap is based on 90 percent of the difference in the team average and 1,050, with 1,050 being the maximum.

-- A “job well done” goes out to Joe Czworka, who is retiring after 33 years as a league secretary. Joe said he is stepping down after closing the books on the Antique World Tuesday Coed League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

-- The Genesee Region USBC announced that prize checks from its association tournament will be going out early next week.

More than $6,600 in prize money will be going out to 73 cashers in the Team, Doubles, Singles and All-Events competition.

GRUSBC President Tom Fluker also reminds all league secretaries to submit their final average sheets to the association office at 55 Edgewood Drive, Batavia, NY 14020 as soon as possible, and to make their reservations by May 1^st for the Annual Meeting and Hall of Fame Dinner on May 12 at Batavia Downs.

Genesee Region USBC bowlers were in the groove and then some last weekend at Livingston Lanes in Geneseo and Mount Morris Lanes for Doubles & Singles and Team competition, respectively, at the 12^th annual GRUSBC Association Tournament.

Batavian Mike Johnson (photo at left) led the hit parade with a trio of prolific three-game series en route to winning the Open Division All-Events crown.

The 50-year-old left-hander, who entered with a 226 average, rolled 763 in the Team event, 802 in Doubles and 706 in Singles for a 2,271 (all scratch) score.

His 802 in Doubles, which was capped by a 299 game, and his partner Matt Balduf’s 704 series (also all scratch) resulted in a tournament-best 1,506 total.

In All-Events, Aaron Verheyn of Medina placed second at 2,210 and Scott Gibson of Oakfield was third at 2,113.

In Open Team action at Mount Morris Lanes, the Dinger Stingers squad out of Perry Bowling Center erupted for a 3,513 score with handicap – 3,200 scratch – on Saturday as Nathan Tackentien posted 743, Curtis Hoffman 711, Ryan Wetmore 641, Doug Stratton 615 and Jamie Schery 490.

Their score was 149 pins more than the 3,364 posted on Sunday by the Hello team, also out of Perry, consisting of Chris Huntz (699), Stratton (618), Rachel Van Duser (565), John Huntz (554) and Ben Jaggard (545).

Recipe for Disaster (Mancuso Bowling Center), captained by Batavian Tom Fluker, and Barber's Five (Mancuso's), captained by Batavian Gerry Barber, finished third and fourth at 3,358 and 3,336, respectively.

In Women's Team play, King & Her Court (Mount Morris Lanes), consisting of Jan King, Christine Bovee, Cathi Fournier and Karen Henry, held on to the top spot with 2,444.

Hawks (Medina Lanes), captained by Jackie Jurinich, placed second at 2,408, and Appleby's (Perry Bowling Center), captained by Caroline Appleby, took third at 2,345.

In Singles competition, Bergen’s Laurie Morgante and Medina's Hayden Allis placed 1-2 with superb scores.

Morgante (174 average) rolled 254-211-259 for 724, her first 700 series. With handicap, her total was 834, which edged Allis – who recorded 279-264-279—822.

Also in Singles, Attica’s Josh Elliott posted a 300 game, the tournament’s only perfect game.

Roxanne Clar of Avon posted 652 with handicap to edge teammate Dawn Johnston of Livonia (632) and Fournier and Jeanne Rosa of Perry (628 each) in Women's Singles.

In Women's Doubles, the mother-daughter duo of Joann and Rachel Van Duser (Perry Bowling Center) placed first with 1,281 with handicap – 30 pins more than previous leaders Cathi Fournier and Karen Henry (Mount Morris Lanes) and 40 pins more than Dawn Bertrand and Bonnie Wass (Perry Bowling Center).

Fournier paced the Women's All-Events with 1,996, followed by Rachel Van Duser at 1,875 and Wass at 1,854.

All scores are unofficial pending final average verification. The Genesee Region USBC has 30 days to pay the prize list, unless extended by USBC headquarters in Arlington, Texas, due to average verification issues.

For unofficial results, go to www.bowlgr.com

The Genesee Region USBC added $600 to the prize fund.

Batavian Jim Pursel enjoyed a profitable weekend, teaming with Oakfield resident Robin Blaun to capture the T.F. Brown’s King & Queen mixed doubles handicap tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center on Saturday and then joining forces with nine fellow league bowlers to cash twice at the Bob Bertram Memorial handicap no-tap tournament at Mount Morris Lanes on Sunday.

At the King & Queen event, Pursel and Blaun outlasted 62 other couples – defeating Curtis Foss of Medina and Brianna Larson of North Tonawanda, 492-483, in the title match – to pocket the $500 top prize.

"Robin was phenomenal ... she carried us," said Pursel, crediting Blaun for averaging 185 for the tournament -- 22 pins over her average.

But Pursel was being humble in his assessment as he put up high scores all day, including a 269 in the championship match.

"It was fun in the final game, bowling against Curits and his partner and matching him bomb for bomb," he said.

Blaun chipped in with 189 and, with their 34 pins handicap, edged Foss and Larson, who posted 258 and 225, respectively.

Pursel and Blaun registered 1,316 in the three-game qualifier to finish in the seventh position. The top 16 teams advanced to match play, led by Mark Brown of Attica and Traci Spanitz of Rochester, who had 1,432.  Foss and Larson were the second-high qualifiers with 1,415.

In match play, Pursel and Blaun posted victories over Naomi and Mickey Hyde of Le Roy (with Blaun posting a 226 game), Kai Clark and Mary Jo Brenner of Rochester (with Pursel rolling 266), and Steve Dorobiala and Holly Johnson of Buffalo, before facing Foss and Larson.

Foss and Larson split $300 for placing second, while Dorobiala and Johnson, and Mario and Kara Mangiola of Rochester each split $200 for finishing third/fourth.

Other local cashers were Fred Gravanda of Batavia (with Sarah Germano of Rochester), Chris Bardol and Caycee Landers of Brockport, Mike and Heather Johnson of Batavia, Dean Cadieux Jr. and Kristin Thompson of Oakfield, and Rich Wagner of Batavia and Darleen Balduf of Byron.

At the 19^th annual Bob Bertram Memorial, the Pursel group comprised of members of the North Pole League on Thursday nights at Mancuso’s formed two teams, with each bowling twice, and walked away with the $1,000 first prize and $300 third prize.

Members of the first-place team were Mike Johnson, Tom Baker, Matt Balduf, Mark Brown and Denny Rogers, and members of the third-place team were Joe Trigilio, Rob Stefani, Jason Quilliam, Mike Lambert and Pursel.

LOCAL BOWLERS BATTLE TOUGH CONDITIONS AT NYS MASTERS

While none of the eight Genesee Region bowlers advanced to the match play portion of the NYS Masters Championship on March 3 at Allie Brandt Lanes in Lockport, all of them deserve credit for taking on the challenging Sport lane condition and battling against the best of the best in New York State.

Medina residents Curtis Foss and Scott Allis were stopped by one sub-par game out of their five qualifying games, each missing the cut on the first squad by about 50 pins.

On the second squad, Gray Jr. also was thwarted by one low game and missed the cut by just 30 pins.

To illustrate the oil pattern’s difficulty, it took a score of 966 – a 193 average -- on the second squad (out of 71 bowlers) to advance.

Also competing in the tournament were Jim Foss and Aaron Verheyn of Medina, Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls, Jared Allen of Oakfield and Frank Jarkiewicz of Byron.

Kristina Szczerbinski of North Tonawanda became the first woman NYS Masters champion, defeating PBA standout Brad Angelo of Lockport in the final match for the $2,000 first prize.

PERRY, MOUNT MORRIS, BERGEN YOUTHS TRIUMPH

Dennis Van Duser and Matt Hurlburt of Perry Bowling Center combined for a 1,350 score with handicap to each win $100 scholarships and trophies at the GRUSBC Association Youth Doubles Tournament at Scopano's Lanes in Oakfield last weekend.

The winning duo in Division A topped second-place Ryleigh Culver and Ethan Cramer of Medina Lanes by 115 pins. Culver and Cramer and third-place Aaron Leone and Samantha Hyde of Le Roy Legion Lanes also won trophies.

In Division B, Brad June and Alexis Patterson of Mount Morris Lanes placed first with 1,314 (winning $100 scholarships and trophies), while Paige Snook and Matt Baker of Albion, and Brooke Jurek and Van Duser of Perry placed second and third, respectively.

In Division C, Brendan Pimm and Megan Jarkiewicz of Bergen took first with 1,261 (winning $100 scholarships and trophies), and were followed by Dominic LaPiana and Hanna McKenzie of Mount Morris, and Josh and Tony Sprague of Batavia.

ROSE GARDEN TEAM HOLDS BIG LEAD IN GR YOUTH TRAVEL

The Rose Garden I team upended Batavia Strike Force, 13-6, last week at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield to move comfortably ahead with two weeks remaining in the Genesee Region Youth Travel League.

The team of Devon Zinter, Madelynn Pimm, Brooke Jarkiewicz and Michael Sardou is 19.5 points up on Oak Orchard I and Batavia X-Factor with only sessions on March 25 at Mancuso Bowling Center and April 8 (position round) at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

Individually, Dennis Van Duser of Perry led the boys with a 279 game and 660 series, while Haylee Thornley of Batavia X-Factor paced the girls with a 237 game and 554 series.

Other high series were by Matt Hurlburt of Perry, 654; Tony Sprague of Batavia X-Factor, 607; Samantha Hyde of Le Roy, 544, and Paige Snook of Oak Orchard I, 522.

ROCHESTER’S DAN VICK WINS SUPER BUD BOWL IN OSWEGO

More than 1,000 entrants tried their hand at the weeklong Super Bud Bowl at Lighthouse Lanes in Oswego last week and, when the smoke had cleared, Rochester left-hander Dan Vick – arguably the best bowler in the Flower City – drove home with the $5,500 first place check.

Vick, 31, defeated high qualifier Art Oliver Jr., 219-213, in the championship match. He did so in dramatic style, coming through with three strikes in the 10^th frame to overtake the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada lefty, who had doubled in the 10^th to put the pressure on Vick.

Oliver earned $2,800 for placing second.

Two Perry residents cashed on the extremely tough Sport condition: Matt Slocum, who rolled 821 for his four games and Brett Van Duser, who recorded 798.

GRUSBC ASSOCIATION TOURNEY STARTS THIS WEEKEND

Entries are being accepted for the 12^th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament taking place at Mount Morris Lanes (Team event) and Livingston Lanes in Geneseo (Doubles & Singles events) over the next two weekends.

Teams signed up for this weekend are as follows:

-- Friday, Jan King, Chris Bacon;
-- Saturday, Carolyn Appleby, Margaret Shepard, Gerry Barber, Casey Palmer, Amy Allis (3 teams);
-- Sunday, Rick Daniels, Gary Gilman, Terry Gilman, Linda Johnson, Reid Cole, Jeff Say.

The tournament features three divisions -- Open (men and women), Scratch (men and women) and Women.  In the Open and Scratch divisions, teams are comprised of five players; in the Women's division, teams consist of four players.

To sign up, call 585-861-0404 or send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.bowlgr.com.

BATAVIA-AREA BOWLERS HEADING FOR SYRACUSE

Two teams of Batavia-area bowlers are competing in the USBC Championships at the end of the month at the Oncenter in Syracuse.

Team members are Paul Spiotta, Gregg Wolff, Joe Mortellaro, Todd Mortellaro, and Joe Trigilio on one squad and Brian Green, Fred Gravanda, Geoff Harloff, Mark Brown, and Jim Pursel on the companion squad.

Their Team event is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 29 and their Doubles & Singles are set for 2 p.m. March 30.

By the way, this will be the 25th ABC/USBC Open Championships for Trigilio, a worthy accomplishment, and the 49^th ABC/USBC Open Championships for Mortellaro, who is just one year away from a milestone that not many bowlers achieve.

The bowlers spoke and the Genesee Region USBC directors listened. And, as a result, the 12^th annual GRUSB Association Tournament later this month includes a Scratch Division and a handicap base of 215 – down from 230.

Now, let’s see if the changes pay off in increased entries for the tournament, which is scheduled for March 16-18, 23-25 at Mount Morris Lanes (Team event) and Livingston Lanes in Geneseo (Doubles & Singles events).

Competition will take place in three divisions -- Open (men and women), Scratch (men and women) and Women.  In the Open and Scratch divisions, teams are comprised of five players; in the Women's division, teams consist of four players.

Handicap is set at 90 percent of 215 in the Open and 90 percent of 200 in the Women's.

Last year, the handicap base was at 230, and that drew complaints from the higher average bowlers who felt they were at a competitive disadvantage.

GRUSBC directors took that into consideration in lowering the base to 215 – and also brought back a Scratch division for those bowlers wishing to compete against other teams without handicap.

As of Wednesday, all squads are open except for the Team squad at 11 a.m. on March 18. The maximum number of team entries is 80.

Entry fees are $25 per person per event and $10 for optional All-Events.

A chart showing the current entries can be found at www.bowlgr.com.

To reserve your spot, call 585-861-0404 or send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.

LE ROY, PERRY TEAMS WIN YOUTH TOURNAMENT

Teams from Le Roy and Perry captured divisional titles at the GRUSBC Association Youth Team Tournament at Le Roy Legion Lanes.

In Division A, the Le Roy team of Trey Prevost, Tyler Klein, Aaron Leone and Samantha Hyde place first with a 2,531 score -- 90 pins better than the Medina team of Lorelei Sanders, Graceland Mahnke, Juliana Allis and Ryleigh Culver.

Ryan Bigsby, Tony Sprague, Sam Miller and James Townsend of Mancuso Bowlling Center placed third with 2,412.

In Division B, the Perry squad of Gavin Slocum, Brooke Jurek, Dennis Van Duser and Matt Hurlburt finished on top with 2,536 -- 90 pins better than the Mount Morris team of Alexis Patterson, Britney Rathburn, Brad June and Trenton Willis.

Kyle Regatuso, Ava Tortorice, Hannah McKenzie and Isabel Laney of Mount Morris Lanes placed third with 2,426.

Members of the first-place teams in both divisions earned $100 scholarships each, while the top three teams in both groups received trophies.

ALBION, MEDINA CENTERS TO HOST 60-AND-OVER EVENTS

The 60-and-Over Senior Tour will be making a swing into Orleans County for a pair of tournaments in April.

Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion will host the tour’s seventh event of the season on April 8 and Medina Lanes will host tournament No. 8 on April 29. Check-in for both competitions is at 11 a.m. with bowling starting at noon.

According to tour director Tommy Kress, Oak Orchard Bowl proprietor Randy Hanks is putting money into the prize fund, which means that with 42 bowlers, the top prize will be $350.

The next 60-and-Over event is set for March 18 at Brockport Bowl with check-in at 11 a.m. and bowling at noon.

SMALLWOOD RUNS THE TABLE FOR PBA PLAYERS TITLE

For the second straight Professional Bowlers Association tournament, the victor won all four stepladder matches en route to the title.

Last Sunday, Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Mich., defeated defending champion Jason Belmonte of Australia, 259-239, for the $40,000 first prize at the Barbasol PBA Players Championship in Columbus, Ohio, thwarting Belmonte’s bid for a record-tying 10^th major championship.

To reach the final match, Smallwood downed Canadian Patrick Girard, 237-206, before edging Kris Prather of Plainfield, Ill., 236-235, and Marshall Kent of Yakima, Wash., 225-224.

Belmonte earned $20,000 while Kent took home $12,000, Prather $11,000 and Girard $10,000.

On Feb. 11, Matt O’Grady of Rahway, N.J., won the PBA Tournament of Champions on by sweeping all four finals matches.

The PBA returns to ESPN at 2 p.m. Sunday with the finals of the Mark Roth/Marshall Holman PBA Doubles Championship.

Live coverage of the USBC Masters is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 15 on ESPN.

LEROYANS PLACE FIRST AT RIGGI MEMORIAL EVENT

Continuing their dominance of the tournament, Mickey Hyde and Tom Rohl joined forces with fellow LeRoyans Shayne Herold and John Lowe to win the Ron Riggi Memorial at Le Roy Legion Lanes.

The winners totaled 3,642 for three games to run away with the tournament by 117 pins over second-place Kevin Bienko, Dan Streer, Josh Shoemaker and Dana Voytovich of the Buffalo area.

First place was worth $900 while second place paid $450.

Hyde and Rohl also cashed with other teams, with Hyde placing third with Rob Sease, Norm Bialuski and Ryan Kretchmer, and Rohl placing fourth with Mark Brown, Matt Balduf and Scott Culp.

Herold won the singles event with a 968 score, good for $120.

Thirty-seven teams competed.

ROSE GARDEN I HAS BIG LEAD IN GR YOUTH TRAVEL LEAGUE

The Rose Garden I team of Bergen defeated Batavia Bombers, 13-6, at Mount Morris Lanes on Feb. 18 and now holds a 15-point lead over second-place Perry Bowling Center with four sessions remaining in the Genesee Region Youth Travel League.

Perry pulled into second by virtue of a 16.5-2.5 win over Batavia Strike Force, which dropped to third, tied with Batavia Thunder and three points behind Perry.

Individually, Matt Hurlburt of Perry led the way with a 245 game and 670 series while teammate Dennis Van Duser had 236 and Strike Force’s Skylar Laesser 233. Paige Snook of Oak Orchard Bowl led the girls with 209—532.

The league bowls this Sunday at Perry Bowling Center with the first shift at 12:30 p.m.

NYS MASTERS CHAMPIONSIP IS THIS SATURDAY IN LOCKPORT

Entries are picking up for the 28^th NYS Masters Championship this Saturday at Allie Brandt Lanes in Lockport.

Qualifying squad times (five games) are at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., with one in five bowlers advancing from each squad to the head-to-head match play finals. First place is $2,500 and a free entry to the 2019 USBC Masters.

Genesee Region bowlers currently signed up are Curtis Foss of Medina at 9 a.m., and Jim Foss of Medina, Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls, Kevin Gray Jr. of Warsaw, Aaron Verheyn of Medina and Frank Jarkiewicz of Byron at 12:30 p.m.

For more information and a tournament roster, go to www.bowlny.com.

To enter, send an email to bowlny300@yahoo.com.

On Saturday, March 10, Mancuso Bowling Center is hosting its annual King & Queen Mixed Doubles Handicap Tournament, with squad times at noon and 2 p.m.

Call 585-343-1319 for more information.

In competitive bowling, the mental game plays as important a role in the road to success as the physical game.

It took some time – and a few cases of “letting your emotions get the best of you” – for Warsaw’s Kevin Gray Jr. to grasp this but now that he has, the 36-year-old left-hander has become a force to be reckoned with on a regular basis.

Gray shook off a couple errant shots during Sunday’s Peterson Point match play finals of the Genesee Region USBC Masters tournament at Livingston Lanes in Geneseo and came through in the clutch to unseat defending champion and fellow lefty Rich Wagner of Batavia.

A 213-204 victory in the position round secured the title for Gray, who took the lead after game four of the eight-game final round and held on to win the $300 first prize and Masters’ champion ring.

Gray entered the last game with a 44-point advantage over Wagner (bowlers receive 30 points for each match victory and plus or minus pins based on their score in relation to 200), which meant he needed to beat Wagner for the crown. Wagner, on the other hand, needed to defeat Gray by at least 15 pins to win the tournament.

An open frame by Gray to start the game, coupled by a double by Wagner put the Batavian in the lead temporarily, but Gray responded with four strikes in a row to pull even. After another open in the seventh, Gray once again bounced back with strikes in the ninth and 10^th frame to lock up the match.

“I thought the key for me was being able to leave that stuff (open frames) behind,” said Gray, who won the GRUSBC Scratch Memorial at Mount Morris Lanes in 2016. “I feel I’m better mentally than I’ve ever been.”

Gray, a team leader of the medicine access center at the University of Rochester, was a model of consistency throughout the tournament – qualifying in the third position with 888 for four games and grabbing the fourth spot among the final eight bowlers with 886 on Saturday for a 222 average. And he kept that average on Sunday en route to winning seven of his eight matches.

“I was able to stay focused all day long and not let anything bother me,” said Gray, who used an Ebonite Maverick for the first seven games on Sunday before switching to an Ebonite Gamebreaker II for the last game. “Fortunately, I was able to focus on one match at a time.”

Gray said he dedicated the victory to his late grandfather, Lester Gray, who would have been 102 on Sunday.

Wagner, who picked up $250 for placing second, had the high average for the tournament – 227 – largely due to a 1,024 four-game score (256 average) in the four-game semifinals that propelled him to the No. 1 berth on Sunday.

“I thought I threw it really well, but congratulations to him (Gray). He made the shots in the ninth and 10^th when he had to,” Wagner said. “But first and second in two years, it’s a good day.”

Brian Green, another Batavia southpaw and the high qualifier with 956, finished third and earned $200.

He was followed by three-time Masters champion Fred Gravanda of Batavia ($150), Chris Bardol of Brockport ($100), lefty Mike Johnson of Batavia ($100), Scott Culp of Lima ($90) and Brady Weber of Perry ($90).

Other cashers (in ninth through 16th place) were Jim Pursel of Batavia, Matt Balduf of South Byron, Dean Cadieux Jr. of Oakfield, Geoff Harloff of Batavia, Dana Nowack of Livonia, Joe Trigilio of Attica, Paul Spiotta of Batavia and Josh Elliott of Attica.

The tournament drew 45 entries. For qualifying, semifinal and match play results, go to www.bowlgr.com.

Photo at top -- Tournament director Paul Spiotta congratulates Kevin Gray Jr., center, and Rich Wagner, who placed first and second, respectively, at the GRUSBC Masters. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

LANDERS WINS ROCHESTER QUEENS, BREAKS GRUSBC RECORD

Whether you’re talking about her bowling scores, the winter weather or a bowling ball company, former collegiate standout Caycee Landers has taken Western New York by "storm." 

Landers, a 27-year-old right-hander, migrated from Los Angeles about a year ago, and joined the G&W Vending League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen at the invitation of her boyfriend, Chris Bardol of Brockport.

Since then, she has bowled several 700 series, with her latest – a 782 effort on Tuesday night -- breaking the Genesee Region USBC record of 762 previously held by Bardol’s sister, Jennifer.

Landers, using a Roto-Grip Wreck Em ball (manufactured by Storm), posted games of 267-246-269, and raised her league average to 225.

This comes on the heels of her victory on Feb. 3 at the Rochester NY USBC Queens Tournament at AMF Gates Lanes, where she defeated two of Rochester’s best, Tara Mangiola and Shanna Chepelsky, in the finals.

Landers has been so good on the lanes lately that it has made the WNY cold weather a bit more tolerable.

“I haven’t quite been here a year so I guess I’ve survived my first winter,” she said. “It’s all downhill from here, but it certainly has been an adjustment, coming from a big city. What has made it easier is that everyone here is so nice.”

Landers was an Academic All-American while bowling at Newman University in Wichita, Kan., and previously she bowled at Wichita State. She said that she met Bardol at the Team USA Trials in 2008.

“We’ve always stayed connected through bowling and became good friends,” she said, speaking of Bardol, owner of The North Pole Restaurant in Batavia. “We started dating almost a year ago, and we (she and her 5-year-old son, Landyn) moved to Brockport.”

Landers has multiple 300 games and a high series of 837. She thought she should have had another 800 on Tuesday night.

“I was kind of a bonehead,” she said, referring to a pair of one-pin spares that she missed in the first two games.  “Those two single pins cost me an 800.”

Her 782 fell nine pins short of the Rose Garden Bowl women’s record of 791 set by Mangiola in the Triple O Mechanical Tournament (a non-GRUSBC event).

She did fare better than Bardol, however, who rolled a 694 series on his 30^th birthday.

Landers said she is considering bowling in the New York State Queens Championship on April 21 in Newburgh, a tournament that has been won by another former Wichita State bowler, Shannon Sellens of Long Island, for the past four years.

SPARE SHOTS: JOB OPEN AT LIVINGSTON LANES; SCHEPIS DUO WINS

-- Livingston Lanes owner Marty Estruch, a Mount Morris resident who owns a few hotels in that area, said he is looking for someone to manage the 16-lane bowling center and bar.

The managerial position will be open at the end of this month, Estruch said, adding that the ideal candidate will have knowledge of the business of bowling, customer service skills and an ability to build programs to increase traffic.

Until then, John LaGeorge will be handling day-to-day duties.

-- The brother-sister team of Mike and Shelly Schepis of Medina won the Love ‘Em & Hate ‘Em mixed doubles handicap tournament at Medina Lanes over the weekend.

They were followed by Marion Singleton of Lockport and Brian Cline of Williamsville, Rob Stefani of Batavia and Sarah Cassidy of Albion, and Jenelle and Rusty Boyd of Lyndonville.

-- Right-hander Matt O’Grady of Rahway, N.J., mowed down a couple heavyweight two-handers on Sunday to win the 53^rd PBA Tournament of Champions for his first PBA Tour title.

O’Grady, 31, whose best previous PBA Tour finish was fourth, won four stepladder finals matches at AMF Riviera Lanes in Fairlawn, Ohio, including victories over PBA Player of the Year Jason Belmonte of Australia and Jesper Svensson of Sweden.

Final standings: Matt O’Grady, Rahway, N.J., $50,000; Jesper Svensson, Sweden, $25,000;  Andrew Anderson, Holly, Mich. $13,000; Jason Belmonte, Australia, $11,000; BJ Moore, Greensburg, Pa., $10,000.

Stepladder Results: O’Grady def. Moore, 219-174; O’Grady def. Belmonte, 229-225; O’Grady def. Anderson, 194-185; O’Grady def. Svensson, 207-193.

-- Legion Lanes in Le Roy will be hosting the 16^th annual Ron Riggi Memorial 4-Person Handicap Tournament on Feb. 23-25, offering a first place prize of $1,000 (based on 40 entries).

Squad times are 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23, noon and 3 p.m. Feb. 24 and noon and 3 p.m. Feb. 25. The entry fee is $100 per team.

To enter, contact Mark Brown at 716-474-7960.

-- Three of the five Batavia teams in the Genesee Region Youth Travel League are within striking distance of first-place Rose Garden Bowl I after nine weeks of the 13-team circuit.

Batavia Thunder and Batavia X-Factor gained ground in recent competition at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia with victories over Rose Garden I and Batavia Bombers, respectively.

Rose Garden continues to lead, however, as it is 7.5 points ahead of Batavia Strike Force, 14.5 in front of Oak Orchard Bowl I and16 points ahead of Batavia Thunder and X-Factor.

Individually, James Townsend (Strike Force) topped the list last week with 233—609, while Ben Lennox (Oak Orchard I) had 606 and Sam Miller (Strike Force) posted 603.

For the girls, Samantha Hyde (Le Roy) led the way with a 224 game and 560 series, followed by Corinne Saluste (Strike Force) with 537 and Paige Snook (Oak Orchard I) with 514.

The league bowls at 12:30 p.m. this Sunday at Mount Morris Lanes.

In my Jan. 18 column, I shared information about the reclassification of leagues by the United States Bowling Congress – the national governing body's analysis of bowler averages that could result in a “Standard (or House)” shot league being changed to a “Challenge” or “Sport” league based on data derived from bowlers who participated in multiple leagues during the 2016-17 season.

While I support the USBC in its effort to even the playing field when it comes to rating bowlers equal to their skill levels, I am not on board with the way the USBC handled a situation that targeted 704 leagues for possible reclassification.

USBC sent letters out of the blue to these leagues, causing a great deal of anger and confusion. This I know because I was copied on the letters from USBC to 39 leagues in New York State (and on several of the appeals from league officials that followed shortly thereafter).

What the USBC should have done was to inform its membership as a whole in advance about the process, letting everyone know that it had been studying averages from last season and that if a league had at least 20 percent of its members who bowled in multiple leagues, it could be subject to reclassification.

For the record, USBC’s research revealed that 99 leagues were statistically more difficult for bowlers with averages of 20 or more pins higher in a Standard or “house shot” league, which showed that those leagues were competing on “Sport” conditions.  It also found 605 leagues in which bowler averages were 10-19 pins higher in Standard leagues, which shows that those leagues were competing on “Challenge” lane conditions.

(Bowlers with league averages designated as “Sport” or “Challenge” are indicated as such on bowl.com, and are subject to using the conversion charts when entering leagues or tournaments bowled on “Standard” oil patterns).

So, instead of informing bowlers with a message on bowl.com and/or an e-mail blast that this was going to happen and of the appeal process, the USBC blindsided its bowlers (and this is not the first time). 

Only after witnessing the negative reaction from league officials for several days did the USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy then shoot off a letter explaining the rationale for its action and acknowledging that other factors could be involved in a league’s scoring pace (bad pins, faulty oil machines, inconsistent maintenance, etc.), before ending with “I hope this letter helps you understand what is going on.”

Talk about shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted!

To date as a result of appeals, the USBC has decided not to change many of the 700 leagues that were targeted. In New York, at least 22 of the 39 leagues identified for reclassification have been kept as "House" leagues.

In the future, I would hope that the USBC brain trust would think things through to avoid alienating its membership base, especially considering that a decade-long trend of declining membership continues.

TOURNEY RESULTS: ‘SENIOR’ FOURSOME 1^ST IN HAIGHT MEMORIAL

Results of tournaments in the Genesee Region over the past couple weeks:

Curt Haight Memorial 4-Person No-Tap
Mancuso Bowling Center, Jan. 20

Longtime Batavia bowlers Joe Trigilio, Fred Gravanda, Joe Mortellaro and Paul Spiotta teamed to place first, rolling a score of 3,187 to capture the $880 top prize.

The event drew 43 teams and raised $1,540 for Genesee Cancer Assistance.

Other cashers were as follows:

Kim Starken, Caycee Landers, Jeanette Sease, Tom Rohl, 2^nd, 3,139, $480; Jason Quilliam, Brian Green, Nate Wright, Mike Lambert, 3^rd, 3,097, $240; Justin Burdick, Jim Prucha, Jim Kessler, Steve Wenzka, 4^th, 3,069, $230.

Dennis Rogers, Mark Brown, Rob Sease, Chris Bardol, 5^th, 3,061, $220; Jen Wagner, Rich Wagner, Jason Gallo, Tony Gallo, 6^th, 3,050, $210; Ron Brown, A.J. Allenbrandt, Heather Johnson, Mike Johnson, 7^th, 3,033, $200.

Mount Morris Pepsi Open
Mount Morris Lanes, Jan. 19-21

Ricky Zinone of Rochester defeated Matt Burt of Buffalo, 192-174, in the title match to win the $1,500 first prize. The 40^th annual scratch tournament drew 108 entries.

Zinone qualified in the eighth position with 949 for four games. Kevin Donovan of Painted Post was the high qualifier with 1,024.

Steve Santini of Mount Morris was the only Genesee Region USBC bowler to make the top 24, qualifying through the one-game, “last chance” squad with a 237.

The field included some of the top bowlers in New York State, including professional Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, Mike Rose Jr. of Rochester, Ken Muscato of Canandaigua and Dan Vick of Rochester.

Help-R-Heroes 4-Person No-Tap
Le Roy Legion Lanes, Jan. 26-28

The Le Roy team of Mickey Hyde, Naomi Hyde, Tom Rohl and Shayne Herold placed first in the handicap tournament with a 3,266 score, winning $600.

They were followed by Mark Brown, Kai Clark, Rob Sease and Norm Bialuski with 3,257, $480; Scott O’Neill, Ian Elliott, Dave Elliott and Bill Van Alst, 3,204, $300, and Tom Fluker, Mike Johnson, Mike Lambert and Nate Wright, 3,105, $200.

Proceeds went toward wounded soldiers returning home.

Baker Style Scratch Doubles
Mancuso Bowling Center, Jan, 27

The Lockport-area duo of Gary Kinyon and Jason Ciliberto defeated the Batavia-area duo of Matt Balduf and Rich Wagner, 465-395, to win the $700 first prize.

Thirty-one teams competed in the tournament, which featured six-game qualifying where bowlers alternate frames. From there, the top eight teams advanced to two-game eliminator style finals where half the field is eliminated in each round.

Balduf and Wagner earned $400 for placing second.

Other local teams cashing were Batavian Gregg Wolff and Brian Green. Tom Fluker of Batavia and his partner, Lowell Schoonmaker of Florida, combined for a 300 game.

MASTERS, CROSSROADS HOUSE TOP FEBRUARY SCHEDULE

-- Livingston Lanes in Geneseo will be hosting the 57^th annual Genesee Region USBC Masters Tournament on Feb. 10-11.

Open to current GRUSBC members with at least 21 games in a particular league, the tournament offers a first prize of $525 plus a champion’s ring (based on 80 entries).

Qualifying squads (four games) are set for 10 a.m and 1 p.m. Feb. 10, with the top 16 advancing to the four-game semifinals at 4 p.m. on Feb. 10. From there, the top eight bowlers (eight-game totals) will move on to the eight-game Peterson Point match play finals at 1 p.m. Feb. 11.

The entry fee is $50, and re-entry is allowed provided the re-entry does not prohibit a first-time entrant from competing.

To sign up, contact Paul Spiotta at 585-202-6458.

-- The 22^nd annual Betty Ellison Memorial “Strike Out for Crossroads House” benefit tournament is scheduled for Feb. 16-18 at Mancuso Bowling Center.

Squad times for the five-person handicap event are 6 p.m. Feb. 16, 3 and 6 p.m. Feb. 17 and 1 p.m. Feb. 18. As of Wednesday morning, openings remain on all squads except for the 6 p.m. Friday squad.

The entry fee is $110 per team until Feb. 9; after that date, it increases to $125.

Registration can be done online by going to www.crossroadshouse.com and choosing the Events tab.

All proceeds from the bowling as well as numerous raffles over the weekend will go to benefit Crossroads House, a comfort care home serving the residents of Genesee and Wyoming counties who have been medically determined to be in their last stages of life (three months or less).

For more information, call 585-409-0136.

-- The 12^th annual GRUSBC Youth Team Tournament is set for Feb. 17 at Le Roy Legion Lanes, with squads at noon and 3 p.m.

Only a few spots remain as the maximum number of teams in the event is 16. Each team consists of four bowlers.

The entry fee is $64 per team.  Scholarships will be awarded to the first-place teams in each of three divisions, based on team average.

To enter, contact Tom Fluker at 585-284-2637.

YOUTH TRAVEL LEAGUE BOWLS IN BATAVIA ON SUNDAY

The Genesee Region Youth Travel League returns to Mancuso Bowling Center at 12:30 p.m. this Sunday.

Rose Garden Bowl I continues to lead the 13-team league by 4.5 points over Batavia Strike Force, with Oak Orchard Bowl I another 13 points back.

In recent action, Josiah Yantz of Scopano’s Lanes led the way for the boys with a 242 game and 682 series, while Paige Snook of Oak Orchard Bowl I led the girls with a 214 game and 563 series.

CHECK OUT THE NEW ‘PIN POINTS’ SPONSOR: NEO-TAC

I'm pleased to welcome a new "Pin Points" sponsor this week – Neo-Tac, Inc., which is owned by scientist and avid bowler, Frank Bernabei of Middleport.

Bernabei’s company specializes in bowling ball surface management products, such as Hook-It, Renew-It and Liquid Nitro, as well as lane conditioners and cleaners. Just click on his ad to learn more.

And while you’re at it, click on all of the ads on this page and support those businesses that help keep the sport of bowling in the news.

Although he has racked up numerous local, regional and state tournament titles in recent years, Scott Culp of Lima – champion of the Genesee Region USBC Scratch Memorial on Jan. 7 at Letchworth Pines in Portageville – says he prefers to stay in the moment.

“(Tournament victories) is not a statistic that I keep track of,” the 39-year-old right-hander said. “What I try to do is bowl good in every tournament I enter.”

Culp accomplished just that and more at the Pines by conquering two “Sport” oil patterns – averaging 221 for eight games – before defeating Jerry Blair of Le Roy, 215-180, in the title match to earn the $600 top prize.

The longtime employee of Gleason Works in Rochester said he has worked on his game over the years “to be able to execute on different patterns and use multiple lines (to the pocket).”

“I feel that versatility is one of my strengths – being able to play near the gutter on shorter patterns and inside, keeping the ball in a contained area, on long patterns,” he said.

He said he learned how to bowl growing up in Honeoye Falls at Brongo Ball, where he developed his unique style of walking from right to left on the approach and utilizing an extra-high backswing.

“It sort of came naturally,” he said, pointing out that as a younngster he was enamored with the style of PBA star Pete Weber.

“Plus, we used to bowl after several leagues before us, and there wasn’t a lot of oil on the lanes, so I had to get to the left and find what little oil there was in the center of the lane. I bowled a lot with Ryan Kretchmer (another great bowler out of Honeoye Falls) and he takes that big step to the left, too.”

Culp, holder of the GRUSBC league average record of 242 for a full season, successfully defended his Scratch Memorial crown with the win over Blair, who had advanced through the step-ladder finals with victories over Brady Weber of Perry, Don Parrott of Warsaw and Kevin Gray Jr. of Warsaw.

He receives ample support – and help with getting all of his bowling balls into the center – from Colleen Harrington, his girlfriend of 10 years and teammate on a league at Roseland Bowl in Canandaigua.

While the results of the tournament were posted previously by me on The Batavian, I’d like to give a “shout out” to Dean Cadieux Jr. of Oakfield, who advanced to the semifinals despite an opening 117 game in the four-game qualifying round.

Cadieux kept his composure, moved his line farther to the right, changed balls and registered 676 for the next three games to take the third and final qualifying spot from his squad.

Many others may have hung their heads and gave up after such a tough start, but give credit to Cadieux for figuring it out and, ultimately, earning a check for his efforts.

PURSEL POPS 827; CLINE SETS RECORD WITH 858

It has been said that “life begins at 50.”

While Batavian Jim Pursel has been a good bowler for many years, he has definitely stepped up his game after reaching that milestone last June.

“Jimbo,” as he is affectionately known, is wreaking havoc on the lanes throughout Western New York – posting a 300 game at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia in November and a 300 at Transit Lanes in Buffalo in December -- and, most recently, rolling an 827 series in the Storm Bowlers Choice Pro Shop Senior League at Transit Lanes.

Pursel’s first 800 series – he has several 300 games – came in the finals of the league’s weekly match play and propelled him to his third victory of the season.

His games were 278 and 270, which were rolled on one pair of lanes, and 279, which came in the final match on a different pair of lanes. All told, he had 31 strikes – leaving just 5 10-pins along the way.

“Things have been going well lately,” Pursel said. “At Transit, I’m concentrating more; bowling with better bowlers has made a difference.”

Pursel is averaging 218 in the league, six pins less than his average in a league at Clarence Bowling Academy on Monday nights. He also substitutes in The North Pole league at Mancuso’s on Thursdays.

The 827 eclipses his previous high series of 799, and he also had a 794 back in 2005.

Brian Cline of Williamsville, one of the best left-handers in New York State, set a Genesee Region USBC Association record on Saturday when he posted an 858 series in the Adult-Youth Doubles Tournament at Mancuso’s.

Cline, 39, rolled 279-279-300, leaving a 10-pin in the first game and the second game. His effort is 10 pins better than the 848 registered by another lefty, Darrow Rumsey of Batavia, at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield in 2000.

In league play, Diane Hurlburt of Warsaw overcame a shaky start to roll 11 strikes in a row for a 277 game in the Monday Nite League at Perry Bowling Center this week.

Hurlburt, who is averaging a sparkling 207 in the league, started with a 2-8-10 split, and missed them all for 7 pins in the first frame before striking the rest of the way. She finished with a 658 series.

BELMONTE BACK ON TOP AS PBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Victory in the season-ending World Championship has propelled Australia’s Jason Belmonte to rarified air – recipient of the Chris Schenkel Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year for the fourth time.

Belmonte was a landslide winner in voting by the bowling news media (including myself) and his fellow competitors.

Other honorees are Matt Sanders of Indianapolis, as the 2017 Harry Golden PBA Rookie of the Year; Chris Loschetter of Avon, Ohio, as the Steve Nagy PBA Sportsmanship Award winner, and PBA Hall of Famer Del Ballard Jr. of Keller, Texas, as the recipient of PBA’s Tony Reyes Memorial Community Service Award.

They will be recognized at the Go Bowling! PBA 60th Anniversary Celebration Dinner and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Indianapolis Marriott North. The entire celebration dinner will be live streamed on PBA’s online bowling channel, Xtra Frame.

Belmonte is the first player in PBA history to win three major championships among his four titles in 2017. At age 34, he joins Mark Roth as a four-time winner of the award.

Walter Ray Williams Jr. is the all-time leader with seven Player of the Year Awards, followed by the late Earl Anthony with six.

Belmonte, the best two-handed player ever, led the PBA in earnings ($238,912) and scoring average (a PBA record 229.39 for 380 games bowled). The PBA World Championship title is his ninth major and was his third major victory in 2017, along with the Barbasol PBA Players Championship and his fourth United States Bowling Congress Masters.

He now has won the Player of the Year award in four of the past five years, missing out last year when E.J. Tackett of Huntington, Ind., captured the prize.

USBC TO RECLASSIFY MORE THAN 700 LEAGUES

The United States Bowling Congress, in a continuing and more intensive effort to ensure bowler average integrity, is reclassifying more than 700 leagues to either the Sport or Challenge designation.

According to a USBC press release, data compiled from bowlers who competed in multiple leagues during the 2016-17 season reveals that the lane conditions of 704 leagues nationwide were more difficult than Standard (or House) leagues.

As a result, 605 leagues will now be reclassified as Challenge leagues and 99 will be reclassified as Sport leagues based on data that showed the scoring pace was significantly different from the scoring pace its members had on Standard league conditions.

The averages of the bowlers in those leagues now will carry a Sport or Challenge designation on Find A Member on bowl.com. If they have no other average, the bowlers will need to follow Rule 201 and use the Sport or Challenge conversion charts when entering leagues or tournaments bowled on Standard conditions.

I have not seen that any leagues in our area are being reclassified, but I believe that some in local halls with more difficult scoring conditions should be. I have seen that a few leagues in Rochester have been reclassified.

Last year, the USBC bridged the gap between Sport and Standard leagues by introducing the Challenge league designation for leagues using tougher, though not Sport, lane conditions.

Compared to Standard lanes conditions (house shot), bowlers in Challenge leagues have averages that are 10-19 pins lower than averages on a house shot. Averages in Sport leagues are 20 or more pins lower.

MOUNT MORRIS, MEDINA, BATAVIA HOSTING TOURNAMENTS

Tournaments this weekend:

Friday, Jan. 19-Sunday, Jan. 21
40^th annual Mount Morris Pepsi Open
A $1,500 guaranteed top prize awaits the winner of this scratch singles event, which features qualifying squads at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday.

A one-game “last chance” squad is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, followed by eliminator-style finals.

The entry fee is $70, with a re-entry fee of $50.  One in five bowlers will cash.

For more information or to enter, call 585-658-2540.

Saturday, Jan. 20
Curt Haight Memorial 4-Person No-Tap, Mancuso Bowling Center, Batavia.

A $1,000 first prize, based on 48 teams, is being offered at this annual handicap event conducted in memory of the late Curt Haight, who was an avid Batavia bowler.

Squad times are noon and 3 p.m. The entry fee is $100 per team and one in six teams will cash.

To enter, contact Matt Balduf at 585-415-2964 or Mancuso’s at 585-343-1319.

Saturday, Jan. 20
8^th annual Winter Classic, Medina Lanes

First place is $600, guaranteed, and one in five bowlers will cash in this scratch singles tournament.

Squad times are 1 and 3:30 p.m., and will be followed by a one-game “last chance” squad for those missing the cut. A head-to-head match play finals will determine the champion.

The entry fee is $50. Call Medina Lanes at 585-318-4474 to enter.

Attention Genesee Region USBC league secretaries:

If you would like your league's weekly high scores to be published on The Batavian, send an email to mikepett2002@yahoo.com. Men's scores of 220 (game) and 600 (series) or better and women's scores of 190 (game) and 540 (series) will be posted. Photos of honor score bowlers or those with newsworthy accomplishments will be posted as long as they are emailed to the same email address.

Through Jan. 6

MANCUSO BOWLING CENTER
Monday Morning Ladies
High Series
Mary Ann Stone 205-223--588
High Games
Kathy Pacino 222
Georgene Della Penna 193
J.E. Currier/Rebel Liners
Wednesday Night Ladies
High Series
Darleen Balduf 235--549
High Games
Dawn O'Neill 213
Wednesday Night Misfits
High Games
Gary MacDonald 222
Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man
High Series
Rich Wagner 290-258-246--794
Steve Krna 268-235-246--749
Mike Lambert 259-238-245--742
Geoff Harloff 277-248--734
Tom Baker 278--696
Jason Gallo 289--692
Marshall Merle 233-267--677
Rob Stefani 234-235--674
Nate Cordes 226-268--667
Gary Kuchler 246--643
Jeremy Vallance 226-221--635
James Townsend 245--633
Matt Balduf 632
Josh Elliott 621
Vin Pontillo 226--618
Jason Quilliam 617
Nick LaFarnara 237--617
Roger Stone 224--616
Rick Underhill 612
Brian Green 226--611
Denny Rogers 220--610
Chuck Bobo 225--609
High Games
Jennifer Johnston 191
ROSE GARDEN BOWL, BERGEN
Wednesday Men’s Handicap
High Series
Rodney Jopson 245--678
Joseph Scott 234--657
Jeff Parton 267--653
Laurie Morgante 257--651
Jason Heimlich 235--636
Frank Stumpf 223--616
Charles Gelsomino 266--614
Brandon Fisher 610
High Games
Dillon Giboo 240
Thursday Owls
High Series
Frank Jarkiewicz 277--725
Tom Sardou 235--674
John Hertz 615
Frank Stumpf 223--600
Laurie Morgante 216--595
High Games
Gary MacDonald 257
Every-Other-Saturday
High Series
Kevin Wezeli 276--756
Frank Jarkiewicz 259--706
Colleen Pimm 213--561
High Games
Robert Cassidy 223
SCOPANO'S LANES, OAKFIELD
County Line Stone
High Series
Dean Cadieux Jr. 246-299--751
Frank Jarkiewicz 258-247--706
Bruce Kraus 300--687
Paul Spiotta 223-249--674
Scott Gibson 258--659
Aaron Chamberlain 227-224--655
Tom Fluker 244-224--642
Roger Stone 246--631
Chauncey Vanice 222--616
Rick Saunders 223--615
Mike Lyons 230--607
High Games
Dean Cadieux Sr. 236
Charlie Pangrazio 227

High Games

 

Putting the finishing touches on one of the most exciting PBA Tour television finals in the organization’s 60-year history, Australia’s Jason Belmonte defeated Jesper Svensson of Sweden, 238-225, for the PBA World Championship title.

The finals of the tournament, which took place in November during the World Series of Bowling IX in Reno, Nev., were telecast last Sunday on ESPN.

The victory marked Belmonte’s third major championship in 2017, setting a PBA Tour record, and was his ninth career major crown.  It also virtually locked up another PBA Player of the Year title (voting will take place later this month) for the 34-year-old two-hander and added another $60,000 to his bank account.

Furthermore, Belmonte moved into third place on the PBA’s list of all-time major champions behind PBA legends Earl Anthony and Pete Weber, who both won 10 majors.

As far as the show itself, two matches were decided in sudden-death roll-offs – the opening match between Matt Sanders of Evansville, Ind., and Kyle Troup of Taylorsville, S.C., and the semifinal match between Belmonte and Cheektowaga’s Ryan Ciminelli.

In the first match, Sanders and Troup finished in a 248-248 tie, before Troup struck in the extra frame to edge Sanders, who left a 7-pin.  Ciminelli then topped Troup, 193-180, before battling Belmonte to a 257-257 tie.

Unfortunately for the Western New Yorker, he left the 2-5-6 on his first shot in OT after Belmonte had left a 7-pin.

Then in the title match against left-side two-hander Svensson, Belmonte got a break when he struck in the fifth frame despite the finger grip coming out of the ball. The match was close throughout, but Belmonte came through in the 10^th frame with a pair of strikes to seal the deal.

Svensson earned $30,000, Ciminelli $25,000, Troup $20,000 and Sanders $15,000.

ESPN’s coverage continues at 1 p.m. this Sunday with the World Bowling Tour Women’s and Men’s Finals. Competitors are Malaysia’s Shalin Zulkifli, Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, N.Y., and Diana Zavjalova of Latvia, and Marshall Kent of Yakima, Wash.; Svensson and Belmonte.

LOCAL BOWLERS UNABLE TO DERAIL CHEEKTOWAGA’S VOYTOVICH

The local bowlers on the Beat the Champ TV show at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia ran into a “buzzsaw,” and were unable to unseat "the champ," Dana Voytovich of Cheektowaga. The show was taped on Nov. 29 and televised on Dec. 23-24 on WBBZ-TV (MeTV).

Voytovich concluded a perfect month – running his winning streak to eight matches – by knocking off Batavian Rich Wagner, 268-213; Brockport’s Chris Bardol, 245-237, and Batavian Rob Stefani, 255-185.

The victories enabled Voytovich to enter this month’s competition at Rapids Bowling Center in Niagara Falls as the champ. Those shows will be televised on Jan. 6, 13, 20 (repeated on Jan. 7, 14, 21).

The fourth show from Batavia featured eight youth bowlers form the Turnbull Heating Junior League at Mancuso’s, bowling as boy-girl doubles teams.

Emma Miller and James Townsend emerged victorious by defeating Corinne Saluste and Sam Miller in the final match. Miller/Saluste had advanced with wins over Samantha Balbi and Benjamin Sputore, and Tara Clattenburg and Skylar Laesser.

All in all, the Batavia-area bowlers competed at a high level, and put on a good show for the viewers.

GRUSBC SCRATCH MEMORIAL IN PORTAGEVILLE THIS WEEKEND

Genesee Region USBC men and women bowlers have a chance to see how they measure up against the best in the association this weekend by entering the 64^th GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament at Letchworth Pines in Portageville.

Qualifying squad (four games) times are noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday. One in five from each squad will advance to four-game semifinals and, from there, the five bowlers with the highest eight-game total pinfall will advance to the stepladder finals.

Two different oil patterns will be used -- the 39-foot Kegel “Middle Road” during qualifying and the 45-foot Kegel “Route 66” during the semifinals and finals. First place, based on 80 entries, is $1,000; the entry fee is $55 and re-entry is allowed. To enter, call 585-861-0404 or send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.

Other tournaments this weekend include the Scott Whittier Memorial three-person, no-tap on Saturday at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion (squads are at 1, 3, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.) and the 60-and-over Tour at noon Sunday at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

While one hopes that all tournaments are successful, having two other events the same weekend as a major GRUSBC tournament forces bowlers to choose – and that’s not a good thing.

Since the GRUSBC schedule is out before the season begins, it shouldn’t be difficult for promoters of other tournaments to avoid any conflicts. It’s simply a matter of common sense and working together – and that’s something to remember when setting up tournaments for 2018-19.

SPARE SHOTS: TOURNEY VICTORY GRAY JR., 300 FOR SANTINI

-- Kevin Gray Jr. of Warsaw captured the $700 first prize at the Domm’s Christmas Eve Sweeper at Domm’s Bowling Center in Rochester, rolling a 300 game during the qualifying round and surviving through three eliminator rounds. Other GRUSBC bowlers cashing were Tom Rohl of Le Roy, Rob Husted of Spencerport and Scott Gray of Warsaw.

-- Lefty Bob Santini opened the New Year with a bang by rolling a perfect game – his second of the season – in the Monday Night Merchants League at his (he’s the proprietor) Mount Morris Lanes. Santini now has 11 USBC-certified 300 games.

And on Tuesday night, Dave Emler of Rochester rolled a 300 game and 759 series in the G&W Vending League at Rose Garden Bowl.

-- Matt Slocum of Perry and Curtis Foss of Medina cashed at the Mike & Ruth Rose New Year’s Day scratch tournament at Bowl-A-Roll Lanes in Rochester, with both bowing out in the early rounds of the finals. PBA standout Brad Angelo of Lockport pocketed the $1,500 top prize, rolling a 299 game in the title match.

-- GRUSBC directors welcomed Steve Krna of Alexander to the local association board at their meeting last Saturday. An avid league bowler, Krna is president of Genesee Patrons insurance Cooperative Insurance Co. in Batavia.

The board voted to bring back the GRUSBC Invitational tournament, a 64-bowler “by invitation only” handicap singles event, and tentatively scheduled it for Sept. 29 at Mancuso Bowling Center.

Also, the board is accepting nominees for the GRUSBC Hall of Fame through Feb. 1. Nomination forms can be found at www.bowlgr.com.

-- Following a successful first half of its first season, the Sunday Roll-Offs league at Medina Lanes is gearing up for its second half, starting this Sunday at 10 a.m.

The format of the USBC-sanctioned handicap singles league is three games of qualifying with bowlers divided into groups by their averages. Winners from each group then bowl one more game to determine the weekly champion.

Additionally, points are awarded each week, which are worth prize money at the end of the season. The weekly fee is $20. For more information, call Medina Lanes at 585-318-4474.

-- The Genesee Region Youth Travel League reached its halfway point last Sunday at Mancuso Bowling Center and the Rose Garden I team from Bergen continues to hold a 12.5-point lead over second place Batavia Strike Force.

Weekly leaders were Josiah Yantz of Scopano’s Lanes with a 234 game and 660 series, James Townsend of Batavia Strike Force, 222—638; Ben Lennox of Oak Orchard I, 233—617; Paige Snook of Oak Orchard I, 192—554; Corinne Saluste of Strike Force, 205—554, and Logan Cadieux of Scopano’s, 177—476.

The league bowls again on Jan. 21 at Rose Garden Bowl.

-- The GRUSBC Adult-Junior Doubles Tournament is set for Jan. 12-14 at Mancuso Bowling Center, with squad times at 7 p.m. on Jan. 12, and noon and 3 p.m. on Jan. 13 and Jan. 14. Competition will be in two handicap divisions -- based on youth bowlers ages: 12 & under and 13 & over. The entry fee is $40 per team. To enter, contact Tom Fluker at tfstrikeforce@msn.com. 

If you happen to care about the future of the sport of bowling, you will be thrilled to read about the accomplishments of youth bowlers in our area and across the state.

Starting close to home, 18-year-old Naomi Hyde of Le Roy (she’ll be 19 on Dec. 30) recorded the highest USBC-certified three-game series in the history of Legion Lanes in Le Roy on Dec. 11 when she rolled a 730 set while substituting in the Monday Ladies Jackpot League.

The right-hander’s games were 258-273-199. The three-game total eclipses the 709 registered by longtime LeRoyan Chris Vescovi in 2002.

Naomi (in photo above) wasn’t sure of the sequence of strikes, but said she got a bit nervous in the second game “because I was hoping to bowl a 280 game.”

She came close with the 273 – which topped her previous high game of 269.

“I lost the line a bit in the third game,” she said, “as I had to adjust as the lanes weren’t as oily.”

After a slow start to the game, she regrouped at the end to post the 199, earning well-deserved applause from her father, Mickey, an avid bowler who came to the lanes to watch.

Naomi said that Vescovi, who bowls in the league, and the other ladies were quick to congratulate her.

She was bowling on a team with Charlene Price and Betty Sue Pelton. She said she is averaging 161 in a Sunday mixed league -- bowling with her dad -- and 195 for 12 games on the Monday league.

Naomi said she bowled in the Legion Lanes youth program since she was 5 years old. After graduating from high school, she is working a couple part-time jobs and said she will be attending Monroe Community College next month.

Her sister, Samantha, continues to bowl in the Le Roy youth league as well as the Genesee Region Youth Travel League.

Hilton Girl Sets Record with 831 Series

While Naomi was making headlines in the Genesee Region, Hilton freshman Elena Carr is in the national spotlight after a high school-record setting 831 series – also on Dec. 11 – in a Monroe County League match against Penfield at AMF Terrace Garden Lanes in Rochester.

Elena, 14, rolled 265-300-266, breaking the previous mark set of 826 by Kristina Frahm of Illinois in January 2007. She has been bowling for 10 years and has been on the Hilton varsity team since seventh grade and also bowls on a travel team on weekends.

By the way, her brother Brad, 16, who also is on the Hilton bowling team, rolled his first 300 game in a sanctioned morning league in September.

Continuing with the young high rollers theme, 14-year-old freshman Zachary Bogholtz of Nassau (Albany USBC) posted his fourth 300 game and first 800 series recently.

The freshman member of the Columbia High School bowling team recently registered his third perfect game of the year and first 800 series – 300-279-234—813.

It sure is encouraging to see that young people are embracing the sport and excelling at it as well. Hopefully, more adult bowlers – parents and coaches – will make it a priority to volunteer their time to helping these kids improve and to give back to a sport that has given them so much over the years.

BERGEN TEAM STRETCHES LEAD IN YOUTH TRAVEL LEAGUE

The Rose Garden I team of Bergen rolled past Batavia Fire & Ice, 18.5 to .5, last Sunday at Legion Lanes in Le Roy to expand its lead over Batavia Strike Force to 7.5 points after six of 14 sessions of the Genesee Region Youth Travel League.

Devon Zinter, Madelynn Pimm and Michael Sardou all bowled over their averages, with Zinter (141 average) shooting 501, Pimm (124 average) rolling 461 and Sardou (126 average) posting 398.

High scores for the week:

Boys – Matt Hurlburt 223—651, Skylar Laesser 232—597, James Townsend 587, Ben Lennox 221.

Girls – Paige Snook 185—517, Samantha Hyde 179—486, Logan Cadieux 168—480.

The league bowls again on Dec. 31 at Mancuso Bowling Center.

BATAVIANS UP NEXT ON WBBZ-TV’S ‘BEAT THE CHAMP’

The Beat the Champ show from Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia featuring Batavians Rich Wagner and Rob Stefani and Brockport’s Chris Bardol is up next on WBBZ-TV (MeTV), airing this Saturday at 4 p.m. and repeated on Sunday at 11 p.m.

The reigning "champ," two-hander Dana Voytovich of Cheektowaga, puts his five-match winning streak on the line, facing left-hander Wagner in the first match. The winner will take on Bardol in the second match, with the winner advancing to meet Stefani in the show’s final match.

Mike Pettinella, bowling writer for The Batavian, joins hosts Paul Peck and Sue Nawojski for commentary on this weekend's show.

On Dec. 30-31, eight members of the Turnbull Heating Junior League at Mancuso Bowling Center will be featured on the show.

The competition was taped on Nov. 29.

GRAVANDA, SPIOTTA SOAR AT 60-AND-OVER EVENT

Cousins Paul Spiotta and Fred Gravanda of Batavia manufactured a couple “firsts” last Sunday in the 60-and-Over Tour tournament at Bowl-A-Roll Lanes in Rochester.

Spiotta, bowling in his second event since turning 60, rolled the Tour’s first 800 series in the qualifying round – 279-267-256—802 – and Gravanda, a regular member of the Tour, captured his first victory by defeating John Feola of Rochester and Ken Ball of Avon in the finals.

After his big series, Spiotta posted a 207 game in the 12-man semifinals, but it wasn’t quite good enough to advance (as half the field moves on).

Gravanda, however, who qualified with a 664 series for having the best score in the 65-69 age group, went on to bowl 268 and 246 to reach the three-man final round.

In the finals, Gravanda posted 211, edging Feola by seven pins and defeating Ball by 33 pins. Prior to Sunday’s tournament, Gravanda had several runner-up finishes.

Bob Hodgson of Medina (791) and Joe Trigilio of Attica (705) also qualified for the semifinals but lost in the first and second round, respectively, with Trigilio officially placing fourth.

LIMA’S CULP PRIMED TO DEFEND ‘SCRATCH MEMORIAL’ TITLE

Defending champion Scott Culp of Lima is in fine form as the 64^th Genesee Region USBC Scratch Memorial Tournament nears. The singles event is set for Jan. 6-7 at Letchworth Pines in Portageville.

Culp, who won last year’s tournament at Medina Lanes, is averaging better than 240 in the Wednesday Night JCI League at Livingston Lanes in Geneseo, with a 300 game and a pair of 800 series (805 and 837) to his credit.

The Scratch Memorial offers a $1,000 top prize, based on 80 entries, and the entry fee is $55. Qualifying squads are noon and 3 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 10 a.m. on Jan. 7, with one in five bowlers from each squad advancing to the semifinals.

The tournament features two oil patterns – the 39-foot Kegel “Middle Road” during qualifying and the 45-foot Kegel “Route 66” during the semifinals and finals.

To enter, call Mike Pettinella at 585-861-0404 or send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

To all my Pin Points readers and to all in the Genesee Region, have a blessed and Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa -- and a Happy New Year. And to all my Jewish readers, I hope you had a wonderful Hanukkah (which ended on Wednesday).

The next column will be posted on Jan. 4.

COKE VS. PEPSI: Members of the StrikeForce Academy team in the North Pole League at Mancuso Bowling Center had some fun with team captain Tom Fluker, center, who also is a longtime Pepsi employee. Members of the team, which rolled a 1,201 scratch game recently in the league, are, from left, Tom Baker, Nate Wright, Fluker, Jerry Harding and Eric Kraus.

Just like the North wind that has brought about some wintery weather in our area, the BBA North team cooled off the BBA South to post yet another victory in the annual Karl Marth Cup competition.

The team of Medina and Albion area bowlers stormed back from an early deficit by dominating the Singles event and went on to defeat the team of Batavia-area bowlers, 64 ½-58 ½, on Saturday at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield.

The win avenges a 10-point loss to the South at Medina Lanes last year and makes it six victories in the past seven years for the North, which now leads the series, 14-10.

The competition is dedicated to the memory of the late Karl Marth, a standout tournament bowler in the old Batavia Bowling Association.

Led by Jim Foss’ 514 score for two games, the North shook off a 17-7 deficit in Doubles and an even 12-12 split in Baker Doubles to take 32 ½ out of a possible 48 points in the Singles event.

As a result, the North took a seven-point lead into the final event – Baker Team -- which was won by the South by a 14-13 score.

Foss earned the Scott Wright Memorial Outstanding Bowler Award for averaging 242 for his four individual games.

Also posting Singles’ wins for the North team were Mike Allis (417 for two games), Roger Allis (484), Rob Sease (413), Scott Gibson (434), Rich Culver (467), Jason Mahnke (418) and Hayden Allis (406).

Four South bowlers won their Singles matches – Paul Spiotta (416), Todd Mortellaro (416), Geoff Harloff (451) and Mickey Hyde (432).

Other members of the winning team were Scott Allis, Aaron Verheyn, Mike Lavender, Scott Shields and captain Tom Allis.

Scott Allis and Mahnke combined for a 968 score for two games in Doubles.

For the South, Dean Cadieux Jr. led the way with a 236 average, followed by Hyde’s 227. Other members were Brett Van Duser, captain Ed Doody, Jim Pursel, Steve O’Dell, Mike Pettinella, Gregg Wolff and Rick Saunders.

Photo at top -- BBA North team, winner of this year's Karl Marth Cup. Front from left, Jim Foss, Jason Mahnke, Mike Allis, Rob Sease, Scott Allis, Roger Allis; back, Rich Culver, Scott Gibson, Tom Allis, Hayden Allis, Aaron Verheyn, Mike Lavender.

FIRST MANCUSO SHOW OF ‘BEAT THE CHAMP’ IS SATURDAY

The first of four Beat the Champ bowling shows from Mancuso Bowling Center will be televised this weekend on WBBZ-TV (MeTV). Telecasts are scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday and repeated at 11 p.m. Sunday.

This weekend’s show features champion John Danielewicz of Sanborn and challengers Josh Vogt of West Seneca, Dana Voytovich of Cheektowaga and Jeremy Zimmerman of Ransomville.

The second show (Dec. 16-17) will feature the champion from this weekend’s show against Dan Richbart of Clarence, Chuck Jagodzinski of Lancaster and Joseph Pohlman of East Amherst.

Batavians Rich Wagner and Rob Stefani, along with Brockport’s Chris Bardol, will be competing on the Dec. 23-24 telecast, and that will be followed by a youth doubles event featuring members of the Turnbull Heating Junior League on Dec. 30-31.

ESPN TO TELEVISE USA VS. WORLD EVENT ON SUNDAY

Sunday afternoon professional bowling returns to ESPN this Sunday (1 p.m.) with the USA vs. The World team competition -- an event that took place during last month’s PBA World Series of Bowling IX in Reno, Nev.

Representing the USA are Kyle Troup, Bill O’Neill, Ryan Ciminelli (of Cheektowaga), Tom Smallwood and Matt McNeil. PBA Hall of Famer Marshall Holman is the captain.

The World team, captained by England’s Stuart Williams, is comprised of Jason Belmonte of Australia, Jesper Svennson of Sweden, Dom Barrett of England, Thomas Larsen of Denmark and Rafiq Ismail of Malaysia.

Subsequent telecasts are the Chameleon and Shark Championships on Sunday, Dec. 17 beginning at 1 p.m.; the Cheetah and Scorpion Championships on Dec. 24 at 1 p.m.; PBA World Championship on Dec. 31 at 1 p.m. and the World Bowling Tour Men’s and Women’s Finals on Jan. 7 at 1 p.m.

ROSE GARDEN TEAM LEADS GR YOUTH TRAVEL LEAGUE

The Rose Garden Bowl I team of Devon Zinter, Madelynn Pimm, Brooke Jarkiewicz and Michael Sardou holds a 2 ½ point lead over Batavia Strike Force after four sessions of the GR Youth Travel League.

The 13-team league resumes competition at 12:30 p.m. this Sunday at Mancuso Bowling Center.

Rose Garden I defeated Mount Morris, 15-4, in recent action at its home center, while Batavia Strike Force took 16 of 19 points against Rose Garden II.

Individually, Skylar Laesser of Batavia Strike Force led the boys with a 244 game and 685 series while Matt Hurlburt of Perry posted 267—683 and Josiah Yantz of Scopano’s Lanes had 279—624.

Paige Snook of Oak Orchard Bowl I led the girls with a 506 series, followed by Samantha Hyde of Le Roy Legion Lanes with 500 and Haylee Thornley of Batavia X Factor with 496.

VICK CLAIMS ROCHESTER MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Left-hander Dan Vick, arguably the top bowler in Rochester, captured his second career Rochester NY USBC Masters title on Sunday with a 279-191 win over Sam Capizzi Jr. at AMF Empire Lanes.

Vick defeated four bowlers in the step-ladder finals, including USBC Open Championships titlist Mike Rose Jr.

In a 60-and-Over Tour event on Nov. 26 at Pleasure Lanes in Hilton, four Genesee Region USBC bowlers cashed – Paul Spiotta and Fred Gravanda of Batavia, Al Vlietstra of Geneseo and Bob Hodgson of Medina.

Rick Jewell of Rochester won his second straight 60-and-Over Tour event.

The Genesee Region USBC has announced that the 64^th GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament will take place on Jan. 6-7 at Letchworth Pines in Portageville.

Qualifying squads are set for noon and 3 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 10 a.m. on Jan. 4. Semifinals and finals will follow the 10 a.m. squad. The entry fee is $55 and first place, based on 80 entries, is $1,000.

To enter, send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com or call 585-861-0404.

For a list of other local tournaments in December and January, scroll down to the Nov. 24 Pin Points column.

Three Genesee Region USBC members, including Batavian Rich Wagner for a second straight year, have qualified to appear on the Beat the Champ TV show, a regular Saturday afternoon feature on WBBZ-TV (MeTV).

Wagner, who made $250 on the show in 2016, will be joined by fellow Batavian Rob Stefani and Rochester resident Chris Bardol (owner of the North Pole Restaurant in Batavia) on the third of four shows being taped on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

The public is invited to watch the taping, which starts around 10 a.m., free of charge.

Ironically, Wagner, Stefani and Bardol qualified in the seventh through ninth positions this year, and all will appear on the same show – along with the reigning champion, who will be determined from the first two shows.  The Wagner-Stefani-Bardol show will be televised at 4 p.m. Dec. 23 (repeated at 11 p.m. Dec. 24).

The first two shows feature Buffalo-area competitors – Josh Vogt, Dana Voytovich and Jeremy Zimmerman and the champion (to be aired on Dec. 9-10) and Dan Richbart, Chuck Jagodzinski and Joseph Pohlman and the champion (to be aired on Dec. 16-17).

Youth bowlers from the Turnbull Heating Junior League at Mancuso's will compete in a doubles event on the fourth show, which also will be the last show taped on Nov. 29. Selected to participate are Emma Miller, James Townsend, Tara Clattenburg, Skylar Laesser, Corinne Saluste, Sam Miller, Samantha Balbi and Benjamin Sputore.

While the show provides a certain amount of publicity for Mancuso Bowling Center, center management can’t be happy about the number of bowlers who competed in the eight qualifying squads. There were only 63 entries this year, 40 less than last year.

The way it is set up, the bowling center receives only $8 per $30 entry, the rest going for the $1,400 in prize money paid out on the shows. For this year, Mancuso’s fell short of that $1,400 mark by $14.

And that doesn’t take into consideration the $6,000 that is put up by the participating bowling centers for production costs.

I applaud the proprietor, Rick Mancuso, for taking part but unless WBBZ-TV implements some changes that benefit the bowling centers, I wouldn’t blame him for opting out next year.

‘MR. 900’ WINS 10^TH ANNUAL TRIPLE O TOURNAMENT

They call him “Mr. 900” and “Johnny Pins” for his remarkable achievement – a USBC-certified 900 series in 2012 – and now they can call him “champion” of the 10^th annual Triple O Mechanical Handicap Singles Tournament at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

John Martorella Sr. of Rochester, proprietor of Domm Brothers bowling center, defeated Frank Jarkiewicz of Byron, 222-207, in the title match to take the $400 first prize on Nov. 12.

(Photo -- Tom Sardou, left, Rose Garden Bowl proprietor; Martorella and Jarkiewicz).

Martorella qualified 13^th with a 695 series – the top 16 out of 41 entries advanced to the eliminator-style finals – and followed that with games of 244, 246 and 257 to reach the championship match.

Jarkiewicz was the ninth-best qualifier with 715, and then rolled 221, 249 and 261 (receiving four pins handicap each game) to reach the final match.  He earned $200 for his efforts.

Other cashers were John Merriweather of Rochester and Brian Hall of Macedon, $100 each; Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls, Kai Clark of Rochester, Jeff Dewar of Rochester and Laurie Morgante of Bergen, $60 apiece; and Harris Busmire of Bergen, Pat Brick of Buffalo, Rob Stefani of Batavia, and Rochester residents Scott Prince, Don Perrault, Peter Pilaroscia, Caycee Landers and Scott Dingman, $45 each.

LIZ JOHNSON CAPTURES PBA EVENT; WSOB FINALS SET

Former Cheektowaga resident Liz Johnson, arguably the greatest professional women bowler ever, has become the second woman to win a Professional Bowlers Association Tour title.

The 43-year-old right-hander defeated Anthony Pepe of Elmhurst, N.Y., 220-206, last Saturday at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., to win the PBA Chameleon Championship – one of the several tournaments conducted as part of the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling IX.

The finals will be broadcast at 1 p.m. Dec. 17 on ESPN.

Johnson, who now resides in Illinois, joins Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., who won the 2010 PBA Tournament of Champions, as the only women to capture titles on the PBA Tour.

Her reaction, as reported by a PBA publicist, was one of jubilation.

 “It feels absolutely amazing,” said Johnson, who also finished 14th in the PBA World Championship this week in Reno. “It’s officially one of the best bowling days of my life and probably the icing on the cake as far as my career goes. I’ve been very lucky to have the career that I’ve had. I never thought having the chance to win a PBA title would come when it did. It’s been an awesome journey.”

With the victory and its $20,000 first prize, Johnson added to her remarkable 2017. This year, she has three PWBA titles (two majors), including her sixth U.S. Women’s Open and the Go Bowling PWBA Players Championship, a third consecutive PWBA Player of the Year award and the 2017 PBA Chameleon Championship.

Here are the finalists of the other WSOB tournaments (all of which have been completed but won’t be televised until later):

PBA Shark Championship, 2 p.m., Dec. 17 – Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash.; Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla.; Richie Teece, England; Charlie Brown Jr., Grandville, Mich.

PBA Cheetah Championship, 1 p.m. Dec. 24 – Sam Cooley, Australia; Thomas Larsen, Denmark; Jesper Svensson, Sweden; Jason Belmonte, Australia.

Pepsi PBA Scorpion Championship, 2 p.m. Dec. 24 – Jason Belmonte, Australia; EJ Tackett, Huntington, Ind.; Shawn Maldonado, Houston; Brandon Novak, Chillicothe, Ohio.

PBA World Championship, 1 p.m. Dec. 31 – 1, Jesper Svensson, Sweden; 2, Jason Belmonte, Australia;  Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y.; 4, Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C.; 5, Matt Sanders, Evansville, Ind.

World Bowling Tour Finals, 1 p.m. Jan. 7 – Men, Svensson, Belmonte, Kent; Women, Diana Zavjalova of Latvia, Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, N.Y., and Malaysia’s Shalin Zulki.

KARL MARTH CUP SERIES RESUMES ON DEC. 2

The 24^th installment of the Karl Marth Cup series pitting bowlers from the north and south parts of the old Batavia Bowling Association takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield.

Last year, the South team won, ending a five-year winning streak for the North, which leads the series, 13-10. Competition takes place in Doubles, Singles, Baker-style Doubles and Baker-style Team.

The public is invited to watch.

Team rosters are as follows:

North -- Scott Allis, Roger Allis, Aaron Verheyn, Scott Shields, Scott Gibson, Mike Lavender, Rob Sease, Jim Foss, Richard Culver, Jason Mahnke, Hayden Allis, Mike Allis and non-playing captain Tom Allis.

South – Dean Cadieux Jr., captain Ed Doody, Geoff Harloff, Mickey Hyde, Todd Mortellaro, Steve O’Dell, Mike Pettinella, Jim Pursel, Rick Saunders, Paul Spiotta, Brett Van Duser and Gregg Wolff.

TOURNAMENTS INCLUDE ‘BLIND DRAW’ DOUBLES IN MEDINA

Tournaments over the next several weeks:

-- Sunday, Nov. 26: 60-and-Over Tour, Pleasure Lanes, Hilton. Open to bowlers 60 and over, the scratch tournament gets under way at noon. The entry fee is $40 and walk-ins are permitted.

-- Saturday, Dec. 9 – Scratch Doubles, Legion Lanes, Le Roy. Squad times are at 11:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. with two-game qualifiers followed by the top eight teams advancing to head-to-head match play. First place is $800, based on 36 entries, and the entry fee is $70. Call 716-474-7960 to enter.

-- Saturday, Dec. 16: “Blind Draw” Doubles, Medina Lanes. Participants will draw for their partners; bowling one squad starting at 4 p.m. Handicap is based on 90 percent of 220. The top teams (number depending upon entries) will advance to match play. Call 585-318-4474 to sign up.

-- Saturday, Jan. 6: 6^th annual Scott Whittier Memorial, Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion. Squads are at 1, 3, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. for this three-person, handicap no-tap tournament conducted to benefit the Scott Whittier Scholarship Foundation. First place is $600; entry fee is $60 per team. Call 585-589-6900 to sign up.

Now in its ninth year, the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling has reached a new level of participation as a record 26 countries are being represented at the 12-day event that got under way on Tuesday at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.

Officials of the Go Bowling! PBA Tour (it has a new primary sponsor this season) increased the field from 185 to 195 bowlers – American and international standouts who will be competing in four “animal pattern” tournaments as well as the PBA World Championship, USA vs. the World Team Championship and World Bowling Tour Finals.

The final rounds of all seven of those events take place on Nov. 17-19. ESPN will televise all seven finals starting on Dec. 10 and running through Jan. 7.

Here is the WSOB taping (Pacific time) and ESPN telecast (Eastern time) schedule:

Nov. 17, 6 p.m. – USA vs. The World team competition (ESPN air date Dec. 10, 1 p.m.)

Nov. 18, noon – PBA Chameleon Championship presented by Reno Tahoe USA (ESPN air date, Dec. 17, 1 p.m.)

Nov. 18, 2:30 p.m. – PBA Shark Championship presented by Xtra Frame (ESPN air date Dec. 17, 2 p.m. ET)

Nov. 18, 4:15 p.m. – PBA Cheetah Championship presented by PBA Bowling Challenge Mobile Game (ESPN air date Dec. 24, 1 p.m.)

Nov. 18, 6 p.m. – Pepsi PBA Scorpion Championship presented by GoBowling.com (ESPN air date Dec. 24, 2 p.m.)

Nov. 19, noon – PBA World Championship (ESPN air date Dec. 31, 1 p.m.)

Nov. 19, 3:30 p.m. – World Bowling Tour Finals presented by PBA (ESPN air date Jan. 7, 1 p.m. ET)

For those who like watching bowling on their computer or mobile devices, Xtra Frame, the PBA’s online streaming service, will provide around 100 hours of live coverage during the qualifying and match play rounds. For more information about Xtra Frame, go to www.xtraframe.tv.

Some interesting notes about this year’s WSOB:

-- EJ Tackett of Huntington, Ind.; Jason Belmonte of Australia, and Rhino Page of Orlando, Fla., will have a chance to add another major title in 2017. Tackett is the defending champion in the PBA World Championship, while Belmonte won the PBA Players Championship and USBC Masters, and Page recently captured the U.S. Open at Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool (near Syracuse) on Nov. 1.

-- Tackett and Belmonte each have three tour victories this year and are the favorites for Player of the Year honors heading into the WSOB IX.  But, with multiple events on the schedule, someone else could vault into contention.

-- Five PBA Hall of Famers are among the 195 participants. They are household names Parker Bohn III, Norm Duke, Amleto Monacelli, Pete Weber, Walter Ray Williams Jr. and the newly-elected Chris Barnes.

All but Barnes (he’s only 47) are active on the PBA50 Tour, which features around 13 tournaments in the spring and summer months.  It’s too bad that the PBA50 Tour can’t latch on to a TV contract as I’m sure that longtime bowling fans, such as myself, would love to see these players in action.

CLICK HERE for the schedule of ESPN telecasts of the PBA Tour.

‘BEAT THE CHAMP’ QUALIFYING SET FOR THIS WEEKEND

Local bowlers have an opportunity to show their talents on TV by entering the “Beat the Champ” qualifiers this weekend at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

Seven qualifying squads are scheduled – Friday at 5 and 7 p.m.; Saturday at noon, 2 and 4 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m. The top 24 will advance to a roll-off at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, with the top nine from their advancing to the TV show.

Producers from WBBZ-TV (MeTv) have rescheduled the taping of four shows (which will air in December) to Nov. 29 (not Dec. 2 as previously announced).

The first three shows will feature the adult qualifiers vying for prize money; the fourth show will showcase some of the best youth bowlers from the Turnbull Junior League at Mancuso’s.

Entry fee for each qualifying round is $30. To enter, call Mancuso Bowling Center at 343-1319.

GRUSBC SENIOR MASTERS SET FOR SATURDAY

Medina Lanes will host the 12^th annual Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters Tournament this Saturday, with qualifying times at 12:30 and 2 p.m. The top 12, including one out of four 60-and-over bowlers, will advance to the finals at 3:30 p.m.

First place, based on 48 entries, is $300 and a free entry into the GRUSBC Masters on Feb. 10-11 at Livingston Lanes in Geneseo.

Open to men and women 50 and over, the scratch singles tournament has an entry fee of $30. To enter, contact Paul Spiotta at 585-202-6458.

Speaking of senior bowling, Joe Trigilio of Attica earned $225 last Saturday by placing in the top 12 at the first NYS Senior Masters Championship at Lakeview Lanes in Fulton.

Trigilio qualified ninth out of 94 entries with 856 for four games, and won his first match in the finals before being eliminated.

Jim Pursel of Batavia cashed for $100, just missing the cut to advance to the finals by one pin.

Ray Textor of the Jamestown area defeated PBA50 competitor Sam Ventura of Norwich for the title and $1,400 first prize. Ventura had advanced with a victory over PBA Hall of Famer Doug Kent.

In senior women’s tournament play last week, bowlers from Albion, Batavia, Pavilion, Mount Morris, Churchville and Silver Springs captured age group titles at the 33^rd Gladys Ford Memorial Tournament at Rose Garden Bowl.

Winners were Gail Ward, Albion, Class AA, 75-and-over, 644; Georgene Della Penna, Batavia, Class A, 70-74, 654; Donna Davis, Pavilion, Class B, 65-69, 634; Roselena Smith, Mount Morris, Class C, 60-64, 663; Jackie Gallup, Churchville, Class D, 55-59, 609, and Lisa Granger, Silver Springs, Class E, 50-54, 554.

TRIPLE O MECHANICAL HANDICAP SINGLES IN 10^TH YEAR

The 10^th annual Triple O Mechanical Singles Handicap Tournament is scheduled for this Sunday at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

Qualifying squads (three games) are at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – with the eliminator-style finals to follow. In the finals, the top two scores from each pair will advance to the next round until a champion is determined.

The event, which carries a $30 entry fee, features incentives for women, seniors (55-and-over) and super seniors (65-and-over).

Each squad will have a maximum of 24 bowlers. To reserve a spot in advance, call 585-861-0404 to sign up.

OAK ORCHARD BOWL HOSTING PAWS TRIPLES NO-TAP

The third annual PAWS Triples No-Tap Tournament to beneif the Albion PAWS Animal Shelter is scheduled for this Saturday, with qualifying squads at 1, 3, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

The entry fee is $75 per team and handicap is based on 80 percent of 220. Basket raffles, prize drawings and other fundraisers will help support the animal shelter.

To reserve a spot, call 585-590-0804 or 585-589-6900.

THIS WEEK’S HIGH ROLLERS: 300 GAMES FOR FOSS, SANTINI

Medina right-hander Curtis Foss and Mount Morris lefty Bob Santini posted 300 games in league play in recent days.

Both top scratch bowlers, Foss posted 300—762 on Nov. 3 in the Friday Mixers League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion and Santini spun a perfect game en route to a 733 series on Nov. 1 in the Wednesday Classic League at his home center.

Other high rollers last week:

-- Gregg Wolff, Batavia, 298 game and 729 series and Steve O’Dell, Oakfield, 759 series in the County Line Stone League at Scopano’s Lanes in Oakfield.

-- Jason Nickerson, Albion, 297 game and 738 series in the Sneezy’s Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl.

-- Michele Larson, Batavia, 267 game and 732 series in the Synergistic Online Solutions MNF League at Mancuso Bowling Center.