Dennis Maid of Byron, a longtime league bowler and officer, was elected as a director of the Genesee Region USBC at the association's annual banquet at Batavia Downs Gaming.
Dennis Maid
Maid, 63, has served as president of the Tuesday Coed League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia for the past four years and previously was the president of the Wednesday Firefighters League at Mancuso’s for 10 years.
A bowler for 50 years, he also competes in a league at Midway Lanes in Vestal, not far from his full-time work as the pulmonary manager for UHS Binghamton General Hospital and UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City. Maid, a consistent 175 average bowler, commutes from the Binghamton area on a regular basis, making sure to be back in Batavia to bowl on Tuesdays.
Maid fills a vacant director with a term expiring in 2025.
Association Vice President Jerry Davis of Pavilion was re-elected for another three-year term, as were directors Gary Gilman of Albion and Alishia Foss of Brockport. Currently, the association has one more vacant director post.
More than 50 people attended the banquet, which was highlighted by comments from guest speaker Patric Donaghue of Rochester, a former Batavian who will be inducted into the New York State Bowling Hall of Fame next month.
Donaghue has excelled in both the Senior Professional Bowlers Association -- cashing in multiple tournament -- and at the USBC Championships, where he has a 202 average in 25 years of competition on the challenging oil patterns.
A product of youth leagues at the former Moose Lanes and at Mancuso’s in Batavia, Donaghue competed in the Classic League for a couple years – recording a then Batavia Bowling Association-record 778 series -- before moving to Rochester after college in 1981.
“I have to credit Batavians Dave and Tony Martino for helping me get rid of the hop at the end of my approach – they worked with me for several hours – and also (former Batavian) Ray DiSanto for giving me lessons,” he said.
Donaghue rolled the first of his 14 300 games in 1986, but he said he took some time off.
“When I came back in 1995, the game changed dramatically,” he said.
Still, he became a student of the game and teacher, guiding his son and daughter, who are accomplished bowlers. Donaghue went on to obtain his PBA card and made his mark on the regional circuit by cashing in five of six PBA50 events in 2010 and four of five in 2011.
Inducted into the Rochester NY USBC Hall of Fame in 2008, Donaghue has three Rochester Senior Masters titles and is a former champion of the Brockmyre scratch singles tournament in Newark. He also placed first in a NYS USBC Senior tournament in 2018.
He will be inducted into the NYS Hall of Fame on June 3 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona.
In other action at the banquet, seasonal leaders were honored, as follows:
High Series, Men, Robbie Hanks (Oak Orchard Bowl), 848; Women, Traci Spanitz (Le Roy Legion Lanes, 733.
High Average, Men, Curtis Foss (Oak Orchard Bowl), 239; Traci Spanitz (Le Roy Legion Lanes), 213.
High Game, Men, 300 by 38 bowlers; Women, Alishia Foss (Mancuso Bowling Center), 300.
High Youth Series, Boys, Ben Sputore, (Mancuso Bowling Center), 645; Girls, Allie Faryna (Perry Bowling Center), 523.
High Average, Boys, Ben Sputore (Mancuso Bowling Center), 183; Girls, Allie Faryna (Perry Bowling Center), 150.
Association Tournament champions also were recognized with plaques.
Open Team -- Nothnagle Drilling (Le Roy Legion Lanes), Kristin Clements, Jeff Nothnagle, Andrew Martin and Polly Nothnagle; Women's Team -- Perry Girls, Montana Bzduch, Joann Van Duser, Katy Bzduch and Rachel Huntz.
Open Doubles -- Steve and Cory Werner (Perry Bowling Center); Women's Doubles -- Roe Smith and Missy Potter (Mount Morris Lanes).
Open Singles -- Matthew Hurlburt (Perry Bowling Center); Women's Singles -- Barbara Casavant (Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion).
Open All-Events -- Jeff Nothnagle (Le Roy Legion Lanes); Women's All-Events -- Traci Spanitz (Le Roy Legion Lanes).
Winners of the grand prize drawing were Kevin Wallace of Stafford, Jason Jennings of Le Roy and Jared Zinkievich of Medina, $500 each, and Dennis Van Duser of Perry, Paul Spiotta of Batavia, William Yates of Churchville and Zachary Farruggia of Mount Morris, $25 each.
Association President Gary Kuchler has announced that the league secretary meetings for the 2023-24 season will take place on Aug. 15 at T.F. Brown's in Batavia and Aug. 17 at Mount Morris Lanes, both at 6:30 p.m.
Guest speaker Patric Donaghue, left, congratulates Ben Sputore of Batavia upon the youth's achievements in Genesee Region USBC bowling this season.
Batavia native Patric Donaghue, soon to be inducted into the New York State Bowling Hall of Fame, will be the guest speaker at the Genesee Region USBC Annual Banquet on May 20 at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road.
The banquet is set for 6 p.m. Tournament winners and association league leaders will be honored.
Donaghue, a longtime Rochester area resident, began his youth bowling career at the former Moose Lanes in Batavia, before participating in the junior program at Mancuso Lanes (now Mancuso Bowling Center). He went on to become a standout bowler in various leagues in Batavia, including the classic league.
He has won numerous tournaments, most notably as a member of the Morehead State University team in the 1977 Mountaineer Classic in West Virginia (finishing first in team, singles and all-events) and at the 1999 Empire State Games (placing first in the trio, team and mixed doubles divisions).
A member of the Professional Bowlers Association, Donaghue has achieved two top-four finishes on the PBA Senior Tour. One of his 14 300 games came in a PBA event. He also has four 800 series.
Inducted into the Rochester NY USBC Hall of Fame in 2008, Donaghue has three Rochester Senior Masters titles and is a former champion of the Brockmyre scratch singles tournament in Newark. He also placed first in a NYS USBC Senior tournament in 2018.
This season, he placed first in the Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour event at Mancuso Bowling Center and just competed in his 25th USBC National Tournament (where he holds a 201 average on the challenging lane conditions).
Donaghue is scheduled to be inducted into the NYS Hall of Fame on June 3 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona.
The reservation deadline for the banquet is May 12. For reservations, call 585-343-3736 or send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.
The Genesee Region USBC Association Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road in Batavia.
The event will get underway with a brief memorial service at 6 p.m.
Tournament champions and league leaders will be honored and association officials will provide a report on the 2022-23 season.
The cost of the dinner is $30, with the following exceptions:
NO CHARGE – GRUSBC directors, Adult Tournament Champions (limit one tournament only), Youth Tournament Champions and one guest (limit one tournament only), guest speaker and one guest.
HALF PRICE – Past GRUSBC Hall of Famers, league secretary or representative (limit one per league).
The reservation deadline for the banquet is May 12. No reservations will be taken after that date and no one will be allowed to “walk in” on May 20.
The banquet is open to all GRUSBC members and to the public.
An election of officers and directors whose terms are up will take place as well. Two director positions are vacant.
For reservations or for information about serving on the board of directors, send an email to Association Manager Mike Pettinella at mikep@bowlgr.com or call 585-343-3736.
The GRUSBC includes bowling centers in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.
Scott Gibson of Oakfield closed out the regular season in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in perfect fashion last week.
The 57-year-old right-hander rolled a 300 game in the third game on lanes 7-8 to cap off a fine 774 series at the eight-lane Bergen establishment. The 300 is Gibson's seventh United States Bowling Congress-certified perfect game.
In the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden, Bill Neubert of Batavia posted 721 to help his Genesee Patrons team take the league title.
For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT WINNERS
Results of the 16th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament are official, with the Nothnagle Drilling team winning the Open Division and the Perry Girls team taking the Women's Division.
The tournament took place on March 24-26, 31-April 2 at Perry Bowling Center (Team event) and Mount Morris Lanes (Doubles & Singles events).
Division champions are as follows:
Open Team -- Nothnagle Drilling, Le Roy Legion Lanes, $1,000. Team members are Kristin Clements, Jeff Nothnagle, Andrew Martin and Polly Nothnagle.
Women's Team -- Perry Girls, Perry Bowling Center, $360. Team members are Montana Bzduch, Joann Van Duser, Katy Bzduch and Rachel Huntz.
Open Doubles -- Steve and Cory Werner, Perry Bowling Center, $400.
Women's Doubles -- Roe Smith and Missy Potter, Mount Morris Lanes, $300.
Open Singles -- Matthew Hurlburt, Perry Bowling Center, $300.
Women's Singles -- Barbara Casavant, Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion, $200.
Open All-Events -- Jeff Nothnagle, Le Roy Legion Lanes, $120.
Women's All-Events -- Traci Spanitz, Le Roy Legion Lanes, $80.
Final standings and prize list can be found at www.bowlgr.com.
Curtis Foss of Medina finished the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion on a high note last week, posting a 299 game and 739 series.
The high-scoring right-hander concluded the season with a 239 average in the Genesee Region USBC league.
Three bowlers topped the 230 mark at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia as well:
Brian Cline of Middleport and Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls closed out the Mancuso Real Estate League with 758 and 699, respectively. Cline raised his final average to 235, best at the 24-lane center, while Culp ended with a 232 mark.
Mike Pettinella of Batavia rolled a 724 series in the Turnbull Heating Triples League, also finishing at 232 for the season.
In action at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Laurie Morgante recorded a 257 game and 690 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League.
For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT CONCLUDES
Prize checks for the Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament, which concluded at Perry Bowling Center and Mount Morris Lanes on April 2, are expected to be mailed on April 17, according to GRUSBC President Gary Kuchler. Unofficial results can be found at www.bowlgr.com.
For the second straight Friday night, Batavian Geoff Harloff found perfection in the County Line Stone Trios League at Mancuso Bowling Center.
The 47-year-old right-hander posted 214-300-235--749 earlier this week after recording 300-230-222--752 the previous week.
The most recent perfect game is his third of the season in the Genesee Region USBC.
Jim Pursel of Batavia took top honors for the evening with 750 series, including a 279 game.
In the Tuesday Night Coed League at Mancuso's, Marshall Merle flirted with his second 300 of the season before finishing with a 296 game for a 744 series.
Elsewhere around the GRUSBC:
Lefty Brian Cline raised his average to 235 with a 279-222-269--770 series in the Mancuso Real Estate Monday Doubles League. Jason Quilliam was close behind with a 279--769.
James Townsend substituted in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen and led the way with a 287 last game and 770 series. Bill Neubert rolled 279--761 and Frank Jarkiewicz posted 257--745.
For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Batavian right-handers Shayne Herold and Geoff Harloff rolled their second perfect games of the season in Genesee Region USBC league bowling action last week at Mancuso Bowling Center.
In the Mancuso Real Estate League on Monday night, Herold started with a 300 game en route to a 694 series.
Previously, he recorded a 300 game on Dec. 1 at Legion Lanes in Le Roy, and he also had an 814 series on Jan. 27 in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League at Mancuso's.
On Friday, Harloff started with a perfect game in the County Line Stone league before posting 230 and 222 for a 752 series.
Previously, he posted a 300 game on March 3 in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday league, also at Mancuso's.
At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, William Yates spun a 290 middle game and a 753 series in the Thursday Owls League..
For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Bergen bowler Harris Busmire continues to feast on the "home cooking" at Rose Garden Bowl.
Busmire, the longtime cook at the Viking Valhalla Restaurant at the Rose Garden Bowl & Volleyball Center, registered his second 300 game of the season last week -- finishing with the perfect game for a 733 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League.
The big night raised the 58-year-old right-hander's average to 212 in the league.
In January, he posted a 300 game in the same league and in December, Busmire rolled an 813 series in the Thursday Owls League, also at Rose Garden Bowl.
In other action, Scott Gray of Warsaw posted his highest series ever -- 278-237-244--759 in the Thursday Owls League, improving his average to 195.
Elsewhere around the Genesee Region USBC:
Mark Brown of Attica spun 289 and 290 after a 206 opening game for a 785 series in the County Line Friday Trios League at Mancuso Bowling Center. The 53-year-old righty recorded a spare in the first frame of the two big games before stringing 10 strikes and 11 strikes, respectively.
Traci Spanitz of Rochester rolled a 733 series in the Pizzaland Doubles League at Legion Lanes in Le Roy on Sunday, breaking the record for the highest three-game series by a woman in the eight-lane center's long history. Spanitz, a New York State USBC Hall of Famer, posted games of 268-238-227. The previous high series was a 730 by Naomi Hyde in December 2017.
Former Batavian Chris Colantonio and Mount Morris resident Dave DiSalvo rolled 800 series in recent action in the Saturday Night Mixed League at Mount Morris Lanes. Colantonio, who resides in Henrietta, had 803 on March 4 and DiSalvo had 815 this past Saturday.
For a list of high scorres for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Two Genesee Region USBC bowlers broke the 800 mark in league play this week -- John Beadle of Brockport, who notched his first at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, and Brian Cline of Middleport, who has at least 40 such series but said he has lost count.
Beadle, 56, an ambidextrous bowler who competes as a right-hander in the Sneezy's Monday Night League, posted games of 279-290-238 for an 807 series on lanes 1-2. The big series, which eclipses his previous high of 787, lifted his average in the league to 214.
"It took 56 years to get it," said Beadle, who registered 31 strikes over the three games, including three in the 10th frame of the final game to put him over the top. "I was nervous (in the 10th) but took a deep breath and let it go. All three were in the pocket."
An insurance scheduler/coordinator for the online platform Maximus, Beadle said he used the Storm Phaze 3 ball that he purchased before Christmas and had drilled by Curtis Foss at Oak Orchard Lanes.
His teammate, Reid Cole of Albion, fired a 793 series in the Thursday Triples League at Oak Orchard Bowl later in the week.
Cline not only bowled an 800 series -- 801 -- but did it by bowling three consecutive games of 267 on lanes 9-10 in the Mancuso Real Estate League at Mancuso Bowling Center.
The 267 triplicate isn't even the highest triplicate series for the 45-year-old lefty as he recorded a 279-279-279--837 several years ago at Rapids Bowling Center in Niagara Falls.
His latest effort raised his average to 234.9 -- the top USBC-certified average at Mancuso's this season. Cline works full time for National Grid and also runs the pro shop at Medina Lanes.
In other action around the Genesee Region USBC:
Tom Fluker of Batavia came within a stubborn 10-pin of another 300 game, settling for 299 and a 675 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.
Adam Philp of Le Roy led the way in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League at Mancuso's -- finishing with a 279 game for a 762 series. Red-hot Geoff Harloff of Batavia was next on the list with 749.
Jason Quilliam of Batavia rolled 278--753 in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League at Mancuso's, Harris Busmire of Bergen spun 288--750 in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl, and Zach Plath of Le Roy set the pace in the Le Roy Moose League at Legion Lanes with 265--721.
For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Batavia Geoff Harloff continues to light it up at Mancuso Bowling Center.
The 47-year-old right-hander started and finished strong in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League this week en route to a 754 series on lanes 13-14.
Harloff rolled 12 consecutive strikes in the opening game for his fifth United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game and, following a 187 middle game, rebounded with a 267 to close out the night.
The night before, he posted a 705 series in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League and two nights before that, registered 693 while substituting in the Turnbull Heating Triples League.
At 222, his average is among the top 10 at Mancuso's this season.
In other Genesee Region USBC league action over the past week:
Mike Pettinella of Batavia raised his average to 233 with a 245-256-269--769 effort in the Turnbull Heating Triples League;
Batavians Rich Wagner and Tom McJury set the pace in the Toyota of Batavia League with 748 and 746, respectively. Wagner upped his average to 224.
Mike Lyons of Elba continued his fine season at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen with a 277 game and 739 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League.
BARDOLS, BROWN , PFIEFER WIN RIGGI TOURNAMENT
The team of Caycee and Chris Bardol, Mark Brown and Tim Pfeifer combined for a 3,610 score to place first in the Ron Riggi Memorial Tournament at Legion Lanes in Le Roy last weekend. The winning team split $800.
Brown also was on the second place teams with Harloff, Jason Quilliam and Matt Balduf. They earned $400.
Aaron Philp won the optional singles event, winning $125.
Longtime league bowler Marshall Merle of Batavia has been a consistent 195-205 average bowler for 35 years at Mancuso Bowling Center.
But, until this past week, perfection on the lanes had eluded the 63-year-old right-hander.
That all changed on Thursday night when he recorded his first United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League.
After starting with 178, Merle, using a Roto Grip Halo ball, put together 12 consecutive strikes for the perfect game on lanes 17-18. He finished with 193 for a 671 series -- raising his average to 197.
"I got a real break on the 11th ball," said Merle, a mechanic for LandPro. "I missed my mark three boards inside and it just sat there and the 5-7 was up. But right before the rack came down, the 5 fell and rolled into and took out the 7."
Merle said he made a great shot on the 12th ball and all 10 pins went into the pit.
"I've come close many times over the last five years, shooting several 290 games," he said.
In other Genesee Region USBC league play last week:
William Yates of Churchville started with 290 en route to a 770 series in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen. The xx-year-old righty's big series raised his average to 216.
Matt Baker of Elba registered 290 in a 729 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.
Mike Pettinella of Batavia made it four straight 700 series with 279--762 in the Turnbull Heating Triple League while Mike Szatkowski of Batavia rolled his second straight 700 with 276--732 in the County Line Stone Trios League, both at Mancuso's.
For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Mancuso Bowling Center is hosting the annual “Super Bowl” Handicap Singles Tournament this Sunday with one qualifying squad set for noon.
First place in the event, which is sponsored by Red Bull, is $450 based on at least 32 bowlers. One in four bowlers will advance to the head-to-head final rounds.
Entry fee is $45. Handicap is 100 percent of the difference in the bowler’s average and 215 – using the 2021-22 highest United States Bowling Congress-certified average unless this season’s is 10 or more pins higher.
To enter, contact Mark Brown at 716-474-7960.
Other local tournaments during February are as follows:
Feb. 17-18, “Strike Out for Crossroads House.”
The 27th Annual Betty Ellison Memorial "Strike Out for Crossroads House" No-Tap Tournament returns to Mancuso Bowling Center, with squads at 6 p.m. Feb. 17 and noon and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 18.
Registration fee for the four-person team event is $100. Entry forms are available at the bowling center or on the Crossroads House website – www.crossroadshouse.com.
Letchworth Pines in Portageville is hosting the 3rd GRUSBC No-Tap Doubles event with squads at 1, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. on both days.
Open to GRUSBC members, the entry fee is $60 per team. One in four teams will cash.
The maximum team average is 420 -- based on the bowlers' highest USBC book average in a league for at least 21 games over the past three seasons, unless this season's average is 10 or more pins higher (for at least 21 games).
To sign up, send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com or call 585-343-3736.
Feb. 19, Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour.
Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion will be the site of the next Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour stop.
Check-in begins at 10 a.m. with competition getting started at 11 a.m.
The entry fee is $50. Walk-ins are welcome.
Feb. 24-26, Ron Riggi Memorial 4-Person Handicap.
Legion Lanes in Le Roy will be conducting the 21st annual Ron Riggi Memorial tournament in honor of the late well-known Le Roy native.
Squad times are 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24, noon and 4 p.m. Feb. 25 and 1 p.m. Feb. 26.
Entry fee is $100 per team and first place, based on 32 teams, is $800. One out of every five teams will cash.
An optional singles tournament will take place, with an entry fee of $5.
This week in Genesee Region USBC league bowling produced the high three-game series at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, an "out of the box" 300 game at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, another honor score and huge series by the reigning GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament champion and the first perfect game of the season at Perry Bowling Center.
Tom Baker of Pavilion was a model of consistency on Thursday night as he spun games of 279, 278 and 266 for an 823 series on lanes 15-16 at the 24-lane center in Batavia.
The 46-year-old left-hander recorded 32 out of a possible 36 strikes -- 10 in the first game (including the first nine) and 11 each in the second and third games.
He overcame an open in the sixth frame of game three by finishing with six strikes for his third United States Bowling Congress-certified 800 series. He also has a trio of 300 games.
The big set raised his average to 219.
In other action:
Warsaw lefty Kevin Gray Jr. used a new ball -- the Ebonite Envision Pearl -- for the first time in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl and the result was 300-236-233--769 on lanes 3-4.
Gray, 42, now has at least a dozen certified 300 games, including two in Bergen and three at Perry Bowling Center. The 769 raised his league-high average to 223.
Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls, who won the Scratch Memorial last month for the fourth time, fired 215-300-257--772 in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League at Mancuso's.
The 44-year-old righty raised his center-leading average to 236 with his second straight 772 series.
Jacob Iresabal of Castile became the first league bowler at Perry Bowling Center to string 12 consecutive strikes in one game as he rolled 300 in the Thursday Night League on lanes 5-6.
The 37-year-old righty averages in the 190s.
Also, in the Wednesday Night Ladies League at Mancuso's, Mary Ann Stone of Batavia finished with a 277 game for a 597 series.
For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Batavian Shayne Herold notched his second United States Bowling Congress honor score of the season on Friday night, putting together a 30-strike effort for an 814 in the County Line Stone Trios League at Mancuso Bowling Center.
The 32-year-old right-hander, a commercial driver for Noco Energy in Akron, recorded games of 279-268-267 on lanes 23-24 to eclipse his previous high series of 777 (bowled at Legion Lanes in Le Roy). He had the first seven strikes in game one, 10 strikes in game two and nine in the third game.
Using a Storm Pro-Motion ball, Herold said he kept the ball just outside the second arrow for all three games.
"The shot stayed about the same throughout," he said. "I really didn't have to move much at all, maybe a couple boards left in game three."
For his achievement, Herold, a 209 average bowler, said he will be selecting the USBC crystal award to go with the one he received for his first 300 game at Legion Lanes in February 2018. His second perfect game came last month at the Le Roy hall.
Herold's 814 was one of several big scores in Genesee Region USBC action at Mancuso's last week:
GRUSBC Hall of Famer Mike Pettinella of Batavia finished with 268-269 for a 785 series in the Turnbull Heating Triples League, raising his season average to 232. Chris Bailey of Batavia also had the hot hand, ending with a 279 game for a 771 series.
Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls started with a 299 game en route to 772 in the Mancuso Real Estate Monday Doubles League, lifting his average to 236.
At Medina Lanes, two bowlers posted 300 games in the Sunday Rolloffs League -- Alex Allis of Medina, 300--774, and John Ross of Middleport, 300--772. Allis now has three perfect games while Ross' 300 is his first.
Ross, a 35-year-old righty, said he has come close to perfection several times with USBC-certified 299, 298 and 297 games. This time, he came through despite battling the nerves, especially on the final ball.
"My legs were shaking and my hands were shaking," said Ross, a gas fitter for New York State Gas & Electric.
The 300 came in the first game of his series. He added 257 and 215 for the 772. Ross' high series is an 800 posted at South Transit Lanes in Lockport in April 2015.
For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Harris Busmire of Bergen picked up another honor score this week when he posted a 300 game at his hometown Rose Garden Bowl.
The 58-year-old right-hander turned an otherwise pedestrian night into one to remember when he finished with the perfect game on lanes 7-8 in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League. His other games were 233 and 166.
On Dec. 15, Busmire posted an 813 series in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl.
At Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, Curtis Foss of Medina registered his fourth 800 series in the Genesee Region USBC this season -- spinning 268-258-275--801 in the Sneezy's Monday Night League.
At Medina Lanes, Scott Allis of Medina fired a pair of 279 games in a 791 series in the Sunday Rolloffs League -- four days after a 277--772 in the Wednesday Community League.
At Mancuso Bowling Center, Gary MacDonald of Batavia rolled a 297 game in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League.
For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls successfully climbed the stepladder finals consisting of five former champions to claim the 69th Genesee Region USBC Scratch Memorial Tournament title on Sunday at Mancuso Bowling Center.
The high-revving 44-year-old right-hander, who won the event in 2017, 2018 and 2020, saved his best for last -- rolling a 279 game to defeat Matt Slocum of Perry, who posted 204. Slocum won the tournament in 2007.
The victory was worth $700 for Culp, who has been one of the area's finest league and tournament bowlers for the past two decades. Slocum, who has returned to action this season after suffering a collapsed bicep muscle in his right arm, earned $350.
Culp, qualified in the fourth position for the stepladder finals, and proceeded to defeat Jake Rosenbeck of Medina, 198-190; No. 3 seed Adam Philp of Le Roy, 222-195, and No. 2 seed Kevin Gray Jr. of Warsaw, 245-180, before facing Slocum.
Culp said he didn't think he'd get past the first game of the stepladder finals due to a sore arm.
"My arm started bothering me in the first match, so I backed off a bit -- (releasing it) easier at the bottom," he said. "Bowling on the same pair for the finals, I was able to get lined up and that made it tough for the guys coming in."
He said he used the Storm IQ Tour for most of the tournament -- ending with that ball and the Roto Grip Hyper Solid Pearl in the title match.
Slocum, another powerful righty, said he was happy to be in top form after suffering the injury in the same tournament last year.
"I was able to line up in practice and used the same ball throughout -- the Roto Grip Hectic. Slocum posted a 933 score for the four-game semifinals, edging Gray Jr. by 13 pins for the top seed.
Gray Jr., the 2016 and 2019 champion, won $240, while Philp, who won in 2011, earned $200, and Rosenbeck, the 2021 champion, pocketted $180.
Gray earned an additional $25 for being the overall high qualifier with 1,000 for his four games. Rosenbeck fired 277 in his fourth semifinal game to jump into the finals.
The tournament -- which was contested on a special "Challenge" oil pattern designed by Kegel -- drew 74 entrants over three qualifying squads (two on Saturday and one on Sunday morning). The GRUSBC added $300 to the prize fund.
The top 17 bowlers after qualifying bowled four more games on Sunday afternoon to determine the five finalists.
Medina's Curtis Foss placed sixth, Batavia's Mike Pettinella was seventh and Le Roy's John Lowe was eighth. All won $160.
In ninth through 12th place, each earning $135, were Dave DiSalvo of Mount Morris, Brian Green of Batavia, Aaron Philp of Le Roy and defending champion Devon Leach of Batavia.
In 13th through 17th place were Nick Johnson of Bergen, Hayden Allis of Medina, Dennis Van Duser of Perry, Brady Weber of Perry and Jim Pursel of Batavia. They each won $120.
Aaron Philp had the tournament's high game -- his first USBC-certified 300 game during the opening qualifying round.
For a complete list of the tournament scores, go to www.bowlgr.com.
Three 300 games. Four 800 series. Three 290 games. Last week was quite a week for league bowling in the Genesee Region USBC.
In chronological order:
MONDAY
At Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, teammates left-hander Brian Cline and right Paul Bacon set an association record for a doubles three-game series in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League.
Cline rolled games of 247-279-278 for an 804 series and Bacon added 257-277-234--768 for a 1,572 series.
At Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion. Curtis Foss added to his long list of honor scores with 227-289-300--816 in the Sneezy's Monday Night League.
TUESDAY
At Mancuso's, Nick Johnson began the second half of the Turnbull Heating Triples League with a bang -- posting a 290 game en route to a 774 series.
THURSDAY
At Oak Orchard Bowl, Robbie Hanks set a "house record" with an 848 series -- registering 33 out of a possible 36 strikes in the Thursday Triples League. His games were 268-300-280.
The right-hander left two 4-pins in the first game and a 4-pin in the second frame of the third game. Every other delivery resulted in 10 pins into the pit.
At Mancuso's, Devon Leach broke the 800 mark with 268-290-258--816 in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League. Rich Wagner posted 288--763 and Marshall Merle strung 11 strikes after an opening spare with a 290 game.
FRIDAY
At Mancuso's, Mark Brown opened the County Line Friday Trios League with a 300 game en route to a 731 series. Brian Green took top honors for the night with 739.
For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Batavian Jim Pursel took top honors for the week in Genesee Region USBC league bowling action, just missing an 800 series in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League at Mancuso Bowling Center.
The 55-year-old right-hander was in the pocket right off the bat as he rolled games of 279, 268 and 243 for a sparkling 790 series.
Pursel has an 800 series to his credit -- 827 recorded at Transit Lanes in Buffalo on Jan. 3, 2018.
In the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League at Mancuso's, teammates Matt DiMartino and Pat Potwora rolled 726 and 724, respectively, to lead the way.
DiMartino, 37, started with a 277 game -- posting the first nine strikes -- and went on to record his first USBC-certified 700 series, while Potwora, 38, finished with a 266 game on lanes 19-20.
At Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, Chris Bowman of Albion registered a 297 game and 682 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League.
For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
Tournament action returns to Mancuso Bowling Center on Jan. 7-8 with the 69th GRUSBC Scratch Memorial. Two qualifying squads are set for Saturday and a third is on Sunday morning.
The scratch singles event offers a $1,000 first prize, based on 80 entries. Entry fee is $60. The GRUSBC is adding $300 to the tournament prize fund.
The tournament will be bowled on a special “Challenge” oil pattern designed by Kegel, and available for viewing at www.bowlgr.com starting on Jan. 3
To enter, call 585-343-3736 or send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.
Medina Lanes and Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia are ringing in the New Year with tournaments on the first three weekends of January.
On Jan. 1, Medina Lanes is holding its New Year’s Day Handicap Eliminator, a handicap singles event offering a first prize of $400, based on 40 entries. Squad times are 10 a.m. and noon, and the entry fee is $40.
The top 16 will advance to the eliminator round, where half of the field moves on after one additional game until a champion is determined. Handicap is based on 90 percent of the difference in the bowler’s average and 250.
The tournament is open to Genesee Region USBC members from the past two seasons. To enter, call 585-318-4474.
-- On Jan. 7-8, Mancuso Bowling Center is hosting the 69th GRUSBC Scratch Memorial, a scratch singles event offering a $1,000 first prize, based on 80 entries. Entry fee is $60. The GRUSBC is adding $300 to the tournament prize fund.
Four-game qualifying squad times are 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 7 and 10 a.m. Jan. 8. One in five from each squad will advance to the semifinals, which are scheduled following the 10 a.m. squad on Sunday.
The tournament will be bowled on a special “Challenge” oil pattern designed by Kegel, and available for viewing at www.bowlgr.com starting on Jan. 3
To enter, call 585-343-3736 or send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.
-- On Jan. 15, Medina Lanes will host the 9th annual GRUSBC Adult-Junior Doubles Handicap Tournament, with squad times at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Two youth divisions – 12 & under and 13 & over – are planned. Scholarships will be awarded to the top youth bowlers in each division. Entry fee is $45 per team.
All bowlers must be members of the GRUSBC. To enter, call 585-343-3736 or send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.
Entry forms for the GRUSBC tournaments are posted at www.bowlgr.com.
Mancuso Bowling Center league bowler Alishia Foss overcame the “10th frame jitters” last week to record her first United States Bowling Congress-certified perfect game.
Admitting that her hands were trembling as she picked up her Storm Phaze III ball, Foss, a 30-year-old Brockport resident, nonetheless came through with a 12th consecutive strike in the second game of the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League on Thursday night.
The 300 game surpassed her previous high game of 244 by a wide margin. Foss, who entered competition that night with a 186 average, finished with a 638 series.
Foss, a child resource and referral specialist for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, said she wasn’t thinking about a perfect game until the ninth frame. But after that ninth strike, nervousness set in.
“When the 10th frame came along, I kept thinking to myself just keep the ball on the lane,” she said. “The first ball was just like the other strikes (in the 1-3 pocket), so I was able to smile and take a deep breath.”
As other league bowlers gathered around lanes 13-14, Foss said she got the 11th ball a bit wide of her mark but it came back strong for another strike.
“Now for the last ball, my nerves were getting to me I started thinking about how this is the real deal,” she said. “I picked up my Phaze III, noticing my (right) hand was trembling trying to hang on to the ball. I went to my normal position spot on the line got set and went for it.
“The ball left my hand and I kept thinking get to the pocket. Everyone was yelling get there and it hit between 1 and 3 pin but started to push through the pocket leaving the 4-7. But then another pin slid across … and wiped out the 4-7 just enough to knock them over.”
She credited her cousin, Curtis Foss, for drilling the ball out of his shop at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, and her boyfriend, Corey Winters, and family for their support. She bowls on the LandPro team with Marshall Merle, Chase Cone and Sean McClellan.
The 300 was the first by a woman in the Genesee Region USBC since V.J. Frew’s perfect game at Mount Morris Lanes on Nov. 20, 2021.
Chris Armijo, a professional drywaller and Warsaw resident, spun his first 300 game on Monday night in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League.
The 35-year-old left-hander’s games were 300, 171 and 213 for a 684 series – upping his 186 average. He said he was using a Storm Axiom ball.
"It was probably one of the quietest 300 games ever," Armijo said, noting that everyone kept on bowling and didn't realize that he had nine consecutive strikes entering the 10th frame on lane 5.
His previous high game was a 298 last season in the T.F. Brown's Adult-Child League at Mancuso's.
In the Wednesday Community League at Medina Lanes, Mike Schepis hit the 800 mark for the first time -- registering a 296 game en route to 800 on the nose.
For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.
