mancuso bowling center

The local bowling community rolled out the red carpet for an Oakfield resident and longtime kegler who has been battling bladder cancer.

A 3-person no-tap tournament to benefit Claude Schultz that took place at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia on Saturday generated $1,385 to help pay for the 62-year-old tractor trailer master technician’s medical bills.

“I would like to thank the Genesee Region USBC bowlers, Mark and Penny Brown (tournament directors) and Mancuso Bowling Center for putting this event on for me,” said Schultz, who was at the fundraiser along with his wife, Cathy, two of his daughters and three of his grandchildren. “This means a lot to my family and me.”

Schultz has been out of work – and off the lanes – since undergoing two operations in August and September and, after that, six weeks of chemotherapy. He said he goes back to the doctor on Dec. 6 for an “exploratory’ procedure.

If all goes well, Schultz said his plan is to substitute on a league with his friends at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen after the first of the year.

Thirty-nine teams competed in the tournament, with seven earning prize money.

The team of Shayne Herold, Aaron Philp and Adam Philp placed first with a 2,428 score to win $630. The team of Scott Shields, Tom Rohl and Brown finished second with 2,414 ($360), and Rick Underhill, Fred Gravanda and Matt Balduf placed third with 2,390 ($200).

Mancuso Bowling Center surrendered a couple more honor scores this past week, with Paul Bacon posting 300 on Monday night and Jason Quilliam spinning 814 on Thursday night.

In the Mancuso Real Estate League, Bacon started with 191 and 215 on lanes 3&4 before stringing 12 consecutive strikes in game three to finish with a 706 series. 

The 57-year-old Lockport resident (and Batavia native) now has six USBC-certified 300 games. He is off to a hot start with a 239 average after four weeks.

In the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 4-Man League, Quilliam registered 259-289-266--814 on lanes 17-18.

It is the 42-year-old Batavian's second 800 series and raised his average to 236.

At Medina Lanes, Joe Dellario rolled a 300 game in the Thursday Firefighters League on Oct. 5.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Curtis Foss of Medina closed out the Sneezys Monday Night League season at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion on a high note last week by rolling an 808 series -- his seventh 800 in league play since last October.

The right-hander's games were 260-290-258.

In the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Josh Elliott posted 258--733 and Frank Jarkiewicz shot 278--723.

In league play at Medina Lanes, Amy Allis rolled 279--717 on April 4 and followed that up with 256--735 on Thursday night.  A solid 10-pin in the 10th frame of the 279 cost her a chance at a perfect game.

ROCHESTER BOWLER TRIUMPHS

Nicholas Manioci of Rochester claimed the $750 first prize in the Hop Between Singles Handicap Tournament at Medina Lanes, defeating Hayden Allis of Medina, 206-204, in the title match. Allis earned $500.

Rounding out the top five were Derek Leach of Batavia ($350), Teagan Miller of Albion ($250) and Chris Foss of Medina ($175).

Eighteen of the tournament's 60 bowlers cashed.

Mancuso Bowling Center will be hosting a three-person handicap no-tap tournament on April 30, with squad times at noon and 2 p.m. The entry fee is $75 per team and first place, based on 40 entries, is $750. Call 716-474-7960 to enter.

Curtis Foss of Medina added to his long list of honor scores this week by rolling an 814 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

The 34-year-old right-hander had games of 278, 257 and 279 for the big series -- his second 800 in 10 days at Oak Orchard Bowl.

On March 18, he rolled 300-279-231--810 in the Rick & Morty Doubles League.

Elsewhere around the Genesee Region USBC, Chris Bailey of Batavia posted 258-265-258--781 in the Turnbull Heating Triples League and Fred Gravanda of Batavia finished with 276 in a 765 series in the Toyota of Batavia 5-Man League, both at Mancuso Bowling Center.

For a list of the high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Genesee Region Hall of Famer Fred Gravanda added to his long list of honor scores on Friday night by rolling a pair of 300 games en route to an 836 series in the County Line Stone Trio's League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 71-year-old right-hander opened with a perfect game, posted eight strikes in a 236 and then rolled another 300 game for the big series, which is his 14th USBC-certified 800 (matching his career high). He said he didn't know how many 300 games he has, thinking more than 30.

Jason Quilliam came close to the 800 mark with games of 255-264-268 for 787 and Geoff Harloff posted a high game of 267 in a 761 effort.

In the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League on Monday night, Brian Green stayed red hot, rolling 255-269-290--814. This come on the heels of a 300 game the previous week for the left-hander, who owns Striking Effects Pro Shop in Batavia.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Dennis Meyer just missed the 800 mark, spinning 279-259-258--796 in the Thursday Owls League.

For a list of high scores last week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Press release:

The deadlines for paid entries for the 15^th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center this month have been extended.

GRUSBC directors agreed to move the deadlines as follows:

-- Tuesday, March 15, for competition on the weekend of March 18-20;

-- Tuesday, March 22, for competition on the weekend of March 25-27.

All of the handicap tournament’s events – Four-Person Team, Doubles, Singles and All-Events – will take place at Mancuso’s, the 24-lane center on East Main Street.

Reservations will be taken by contacting Mike Pettinella, GRUSBC association manager, at 585-861-0404 or sending an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.

Entries must be paid in full and received by the GRUSBC office at 55 Edgewood Drive, Batavia, NY, 14020, by the dates above.

First prize in the Open Team event is $1,000 guaranteed. Prizes in all categories in both the Open and Women’s Divisions will be paid on a 1:5 ratio.

Openings exist on all squads but some are close to being full.

The entry fee is $30 per person per event. The All-Events fee (Team, Doubles and Singles scores combined) is $10.

To download an entry form, go to www.bowlgr.com.

BARDOL, LANDERS TRIUMPH

Chris Bardol and Caycee Landers captured their second King & Queen bowling tournament title last weekend, defeating Brad Weber and Kelsey Ayers in the finals at Mancuso Bowling Center. The victory was worth $500.

The duo also won the event in 2019.

Fifty-seven couples competed this year, with Rochester’s Roger Thaine and Chey Landers earning the top qualifying spot with 1,420. Bardol and Landers qualified in seventh with 1,351.

The top 16 teams advanced to the finals.

Genesee County cashers were Jim Pursel/Kathy Allen, Mike and Heather Johnson, Rich Mortellaro/Cherie Bender, Scott Culp/Kim Starken, and Nate Cordes/Mary Meyer.

SCRATCH TOURNAMENT TODAY

Mancuso’s is hosting the T.F. Brown’s Scratch Eliminator today, with squads at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The finals will follow.

Bowlers will roll four games with one in five per squad advancing to the eliminator finals.

First prize is $1,200.

Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia will be hosting the 15^th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament on March 18-20, 25-27.

All of the handicap tournament’s events – Four-Person Team, Doubles, Singles and All-Events – will take place at the 24-lane East Main Street establishment, with the Team competition on lanes 1-10 and the Doubles & Singles on lanes 11-22.

For the first time, the GRUSBC board has put in an entry deadline.

The deadline for the first weekend is March 12 and the deadline for the second weekend is 7 p.m. March 20. Entries must be paid in full and received by the GRUSBC office at 55 Edgewood Drive, Batavia, NY, 14020, by those dates.

First prize in the Open Team event is $1,000 guaranteed. Prizes in all categories in both the Open and Women’s Divisions will be paid on a 1:5 ratio.

The schedule is as follows:

• Friday, March 18, 7 p.m. (Team event only);
• Saturday, March 19, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Sunday, March 20, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Friday, March 25, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, March 26, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Sunday, March 27, 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The entry fee is $30 per person per event. The All-Events fee (Team, Doubles and Singles scores combined) is $10.

CLICK HERE to download an entry form.

To reserve a spot, send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.

For the second straight week, Medina's Hayden Allis posted a United States Bowling Congress honor score in the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes.

The 25-year-old right-hander rolled games of 255, 269 and 290 for an 814 series on Feb. 6. It is his second 800 in a row, having recorded an 805 series on Jan. 30, and his third overall.

In other Genesee Region USBC action over the past couple weeks:

• Kevin Gray Jr. of Warsaw fired a 289 game and 780 series in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen;

• Rich Wagner of Batavia had a 299 game in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl;

• Jim Pursel of Batavia started with a 290 game en route to a 754 series in the Toyota of Batavia 5-Man League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

 

Press release:

Batavia native Pat Donaghue returned to Mancuso Bowling Center on Sunday and picked up his first Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour victory.

The 62-year-old right-hander, who has enjoyed much success in the Rochester area where he has lived for many years, struck out in the 10^th frame for a 226 game to defeat Batavian Fred Gravanda (214) and Rochester’s Rick Jewell (178) for the title.

The victory was worth $330 while Gravanda earned $250 and Jewell took home $170.

Donaghue qualified fifth (the top 12 advanced) and then rolled 256 and 247 in the eliminator rounds leading up to the finals.

Batavian Mike Pettinella placed fourth and earned $120, as did fifth-place finisher Steve Nowicki of Rochester and sixth-place finisher Bob Hodgson of Medina.

Bill Logan of Albion was one of six bowlers cashing for $70.

Submitted photo above: Tournament director Pete Nashburn, left, congratulates Pat Donaghue on his Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour victory Sunday as runner-up Fred Gravanda looks on.

LEROYAN TAKES TOP SPOT IN MEDINA

Samantha Hyde of Le Roy (with tournament director Tom Allis in submitted photo) claimed the $600 top prize in the New Year’s Day Eliminator Tournament at Medina Lanes.

Hyde rolled a 259 game with handicap in the final round to edge Batavian Mike Johnson by 10 pins. Maddie Whiteman of Albion (233) and Vicki Charache of Medina (219) finished third and fourth, respectively.

Press release:

Middleport left-hander Brian Cline added another jewel to his illustrious bowling resume on Jan. 9 when he set a Medina Lanes record with an 847 series.

Cline, who has more than 40 800 series and around 60 perfect games, posted 279-269-299 in the Thursday Firefighters League. The previous record was held by Mike Lavender of Medina with 846.

Cline also held the record at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia with an 858 series in January 2018 until it was eclipsed by fellow lefty Rich Wagner's 899 last February.

In other action at Medina Lanes last week, Ray Neuman rolled 300 in the Wednesday Community League -- his second perfect game in three weeks -- and Mike Schepis fired 299--763 -- three days after registering 300--797.

At Mancuso Bowling Center, Batavian Mike Pettinella took top honors for the week with 238-290-266--794 series in the Turnbull Heating Doubles League.

Darleen Balduf rolled her third straight 600 series -- 623 -- in the Wednesday Night Ladies League at Mancuso's.

For a list of high scores around the Genesee Region USBC, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

The Genesee Region bowling and business communities proved that they had plenty to “spare” when it came time to support a Batavia woman suffering from Stage III cervical cancer.

Forty-eight three-person teams gathered this afternoon over two shifts to participate in a no-tap (nine or 10 pins on the first ball equals a strike) handicap tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center.

And even before the last ball was thrown, tournament workers announced that $7,810 had been raised – money that will go toward mounting medical expenses for Tanya Harmon, 41, who has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

“There’s not much to say other than a heartfelt, ‘Thank you,’ to everyone who participated and donated,” said Ed Doody, who along with Geoff Harloff organized the fundraiser for Harmon, a mother of two teenage sons who is on disability from her job at Angelica Textile Services Inc.

Doody was in charge of soliciting donations from local businesses and some outside of Genesee County -- close to 100 baskets, gift certificates and other prizes were spread across several tables – while Harloff, Mark and Penny Brown, Kim Starken, Heather Johnson, Dan Cone, Rich Underhill Sr., Mady Underhill and Susan Harloff helped out with various aspects of the event. Doody also said he accepted individual cash donations as well.

Doody and Harloff are good friends with Harmon and her boyfriend, Dan Campbell.

When the monetary figure was announced, Harmon broke down in tears as she received hugs from her friends and her mother, Sheila Meyer (photo above left).

The $7,810 later increased to $8,110 after Doody reported that one of the teams donated its winnings.

On the lanes, the team of Chase Cone, Phil Young and Rich Wagner captured the $750 first prize with a score of 2,623 with handicap.

Seven other teams earned prize money:

Second Place – Sam Oddo, Matt Baker, Alex Morris / 2,454, $400;

Third Place – Josh Elliott, Carley King, Tom Baker / 2,429, $300;

Fourth Place – Kyle Johnson, Gregg Wolff, Mike Johnson / 2,422, $230;

Fifth Place – Mark Brown, Traci Spanitz, Rob Gustke / 2,385, $220;

Sixth Place – Fred Gravanda, Rick Saunders, Mike Pettinella / 2,372, $210;

Seventh Place – Brady Weber, Brian Weber, Chris Bardol / 2,341, $200;

Eighth Place – Matt Nolan, Teagan Miller, Paul Baney / 2,311, $180.

From left, Devin Harmon, Tanya's son; Dan Campbell; Ed Doody, Tanya Harmon; Mark Brown and Geoff Harloff at today's benefit no-tap bowling tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center. Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Previously: Bowlers 'roll' up their sleeves to support Batavia woman diagnosed with cervical cancer

Family, friends and the bowling community are coming together to support Tanya Harmon, of Batavia, who has been undergoing rigorous treatments and procedures after being diagnosed with Stage III cervical cancer last November.

Harmon, a longtime employee of Angelica Textile Services Inc., has been placed on disability by her doctors while receiving chemotherapy and radiation.

The mother of two teenage sons said she is optimistic despite the fatigue she is feeling as a side effect of the treatments.

“I am very tired, but the doctors said things look good thus far,” she said by telephone on Friday.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to talk for more than a couple minutes. Her boyfriend, Dan Campbell, took over from there.

“Back in November, we noticed that she was having problems,” he said. “They found a polyp or cyst or something like that on her cervix. We then had scans done and found out that she has what they call Stage III c2 cervical cancer.”

Campbell, a tractor-trailer driver for Batavia-based Lily Transportation, said the cancer has migrated to the lymph nodes in her stomach and that a tumor has formed in the area of one of her kidneys, causing further complications.

He went on to share that doctors have had to insert tubes and stents to ensure proper drainage of her bladder.

Treatments in Batavia and Rochester

Harmon, 41, had initial radiation and chemo at the Lipson Cancer Institute in Batavia, affiliated with United Memorial Medical Center, and now she is going to Rochester General Hospital twice a week for both internal and external radiation, Campbell said.

“Right now, this is her first week of internal radiation,” Campbell said. “Doctors have placed ovoid implants on the right and left side of her cervix and she has a sleeve inserted that goes into her uterus to do the internal radiation – the center, the left and the right ovoid sections.”

He said radiation at Lipson and Rochester General will continue five days a week at least for another week and a half.

Campbell said Harmon’s primary physician said “she has a good chance of beating this, and we’re staying positive, believing that she will beat this.”

He mentioned that she has insurance but there still are the co-pays and things insurance doesn’t cover.

“Every time she goes to Rochester, there’s another bill. Every time she goes to Batavia, five days a week, there’s another bill. It’s stressful for her, I know that,” he said.

Family Is By Harmon’s Side

Harmon’s family has helped to reduce that stress, providing emotional support and transportation.

“Devin, who is 16, just got his license and he’s been taking her to any appointments in Batavia, and we’re making arrangements for the ones in Rochester,” Campbell said.

She also is being cared for by her son, Skylar, 19; sisters, Janette and Jessica, and mother, Sheila Meyer.

And now, the couple’s friends from the bowling community are helping by organizing a three-person, no-tap benefit tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center on April 24.

Campbell’s coworker, Geoff Harloff, and supervisor, Ed Doody, have set up the event for April 24 with the proceeds through entry fees, basket raffles and other fundraisers to go toward her medical expenses.

“We’ve been friends for about three years,” said Doody, the general manager for Lily Transportation. “I met Dan through Geoff and we started hanging out – having cookouts, going to the casino, things like that. When Dan and Tanya began dating, she joined us and the whole group would go out together.”

Shirts from the Bills Mafia

Doody said Harloff brought up the idea of a benefit bowling tournament, and asked him to assist.

“I said, ‘Sure, whatever you need,’ ” Doody said.

Since then, Doody has solicited businesses and friends through phone calls, letters and social media and has received about three dozen prizes for the basket raffle.

“The response has been great. I was able to make contact through Facebook with Del Reid, founder of the Bills Mafia, and he was generous enough to give me four shirts to put in a basket. We’ve got a lot of nice stuff,” he said.

Doody said it’s all about “just trying to be good friends.”

“We all have bad moments and bad things in our lives, but this is one of the worst. So, we’re just trying to be good friends and step up to help with the financial burden,” he said. “One-hundred percent of anything we make from this is going back to them, and we’re just trying to lighten the load a bit so the focus can be on where it needs to be – getting better.”

Those wishing to donate are asked to call or text Doody at (585) 813-7700.

Tourney Spots Are Filling Fast

Harloff reports that 36 teams already have registered to bowl in the handicap tournament, which features a $750 first prize, based on the maximum number of 48 teams.

The entry fee is $90 per team. Squad times are at 2 and 4 p.m. One out of six teams will cash.

To enter, contact Harloff at (585) 409-6507 or Mark Brown at (716) 474-7960.

Entering tonight’s league bowling competition, 36 bowlers had registered 900 series – 36 consecutive strikes over three games – that have been offici

ally recognized by the United States Bowling Congress, the sport’s national governing body.

And if it wasn’t for one stubborn 6-pin on the final delivery of the final game, Batavian Rich Wagner, one of the best bowlers in the Genesee Region USBC over the past 20-plus years, would have added his name to the list.

The 38-year-old left-hander rolled games of 300, 300 and 299 for an 899 series while competing on lanes 23-24 for the Toyota of Batavia team in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 5-Man League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

“On the last ball (on lane 24 at the 24-lane center), I was thinking just hit the head pin; don’t throw it in the gutter,” Wagner said. “My legs were shaking. I couldn’t feel them. I didn’t want to fall down on the lanes. It was just get it there. I tugged it just a little bit, but it could have gone.”

Wagner said he was grateful to have the opportunity to potentially etch his name into the record book.

“The more I’m thinking here, processing it a bit, I had a chance. I can’t complain,” he said. “I can’t get upset or anything like that.”

He said he used two different balls throughout the night -- a DV8 Turmoil II Solid on lane 23 and a Turmoil II Pearl on lane 24, balls drilled by Brian Green of Striking Effects Pro Shop last year.

“I was swinging 23 a little bit and I was pretty straight up the boards on 24,” he said.

Wagner said every ball was in the 1-2 pocket, some driving the 5-pin into the 10-pin (a “swishing” strike) but most packed solidly in the sweet spot. He said he caught a break in the sixth frame of game three.

“I drifted just a little to the right and hit the pocket a little soft, but a messenger came back (off the side wall) and ripped out the 7-pin,” he said. “Other than that, every shot – minus a few swishers – was just dead on.”

Wagner actually had three perfect games in a row in the league as he finished with a 300 last week in a 751 series on lanes 17-18. Ironically, he tripped a 6-pin on the last ball.

Tonight’s outburst raised his league-leading average to 236, and shattered his previous high series of 812.

Mancuso Bowling Center manager Mike Sputore called the feat of 35 straight strikes "the most impressive three-game set I'll ever see."

"It was unbelievable and I'm really glad for Rich as he's just a great guy," he added. "You could see how very humbled he was by it, which says a lot about his character."

A sergeant at Albion Correctional Facility, Wagner said he appreciated the support he received from his teammates – Tom Fluker, Matt Buckley, Leon Hurd and Nathan Cordes – as well as from the other league bowlers.

His team won its match against the Eastown Beverage team of Geoff Harloff, Jim Pursel, AJ Allenbrandt, Mike Johnson and Matt Balduf -- rolling 3,334 scratch with Cordes chipping in with 697. Pursel rolled 697, starting with a 279 game, for Eastown Beverage.

“It didn’t get all quiet. They kept it loud and not making it as nerve-wracking, even though it was,” he said, adding when the messenger took out the 7-pin in the sixth frame, “I didn’t feel my legs the rest of the night.”

One of those who was looking on was Wagner’s wife, Jenn, who bowls with another team in the league.

“I hid behind two people so he wouldn’t see me,” Jenn said. “It was pretty amazing. Afterwards, I told him it didn’t matter whether he got that last strike or not because it was incredible either way. It’s bittersweet, but incredible at the same time.”

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• The previous all-time high series in the Genesee Region USBC was an 858 rolled by lefty Brian Cline of Middleport on Jan. 13, 2018, also at Mancuso Bowling Center. His games were 279-279-300.

• Wagner, who burst onto the bowling scene as a preteen and has competed in Professional Bowlers Association events, upped his 300 game total to 43.

Mancuso Bowling Center opened its doors for business at 3 p.m. today, welcoming bowlers back for the first time since being forced to shutdown in mid-March due to COVID-19.

Former Batavian Randy Johnson (top photo), an avid bowler, drove in from Buffalo to get in some practice time. Photo at bottom shows a sign -- Please Social Distance 6 Ft. Apart -- as part of New York State's reopening requirements.

Other changes include hand sanitizing stations throughout the faciliity and instructions on face coverings, food service and proper use of house bowling balls and rental shoes. Manager Mike Sputore said league meetings are being held this week.

Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Previously: Amid confusion, public health director responds to questions about bowling league guidelines

The proprietor of Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia believes the future of the industry is at stake if Gov. Andrew Cuomo doesn’t allow bowling centers to reopen immediately.

Rick Mancuso, in a letter sent to Assemblyman Stephen Hawley today, is imploring the governor to let bowling centers reopen in a safe and conscientious manner, adding that the month of August sets the stage for operations continuing into next spring.

“If we do not get our leagues signed up and committed, bowlers will find other options for entertainment,” Mancuso wrote. “There will be no coming back for this recreational past time that has provided for local communities in a multitude of ways.”

Mancuso is speaking for proprietors of nearly 300 bowling centers and close to 9,000 employees in New York State, many of whom have written similar letters, signed petitions and sent emails, held press conferences – and even sent bowling pins featuring pleas to reopen to the governor – in an effort to solicit a response from Albany.

Bowling centers were forced to close in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, wiping out the end of their league seasons and any tournaments on their schedule. And while centers in Connecticut and New Jersey have reopened; halls in New York remain dark. At least two centers in the state have closed for good, including Miller Lanes in Honeoye Falls.

A fixture in the community for nine decades, Mancuso Bowling Center is one of 10 centers serviced by the Genesee Region USBC, a local association affiliated with the United States Bowling Congress. The USBC cancelled its national tournaments in 2020 and, more recently, announced that it will not conduct any events through the rest of this year.

Mancuso said he is very concerned for the future of individual businesses and the industry, in general.

“The timeline for events in the bowling business begins from the beginning of August to the middle of August for the upcoming 30-week season and the startup of leagues is generally immediately after Labor Day,” he indicated in his letter. “We need to get some guidance and communication now as to what the plan is for bowling centers across the state … a plan as to how we are going to survive and move forward.”

He also noted that the bowling industry has been in a steady decline over the last couple decades due to a number of factors, mostly unrelated to the owners’ own actions.

“This (present) time is threatening to push the industry over the edge and force closure of centers. Hundreds of thousands of square feet of buildings will become vacant, which will affect not only local/state taxes but the quality of life in hundreds of communities,” Mancuso said.

In a related development, Randy Hanks, owner of Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, was on a Zoom videoconference this morning, and he reported that the New York State Bowling Proprietors Association will be distributing a two-minute public service announcement to NYS proprietors.

“It will explain what we’re doing in regard to social distancing, disinfecting and other measures to ensure that we open safely for everyone – customers and our employees,” he said.

NYS BPA President Doug Bohannon, proprietor of Kingpin’s Alley Family Fun Center in South Glens Falls, said that proprietors will be reimbursed up to $50 for posting the “Safe, Sanitized and Ready to Roll” commercial spot and sharing it with as many people as possible.

“We are working hard to get the governor’s attention … to keep the awareness up there concerning our situation,” Bohannon said.

He also mentioned that fitness center and gym owners are in the process of filing a class action suit against the governor, but that the NYS BPA is not considering going down that route at this time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt devastating blows to businesses of all types and sizes, but not many have been hit harder than the bowling industry.

The 2019-20 bowling season was cut short when the virus hit in mid-March, forcing leagues to cancel their seasons with four to eight weeks remaining.

As the crisis continued, tournaments at the national, state and local levels were cancelled – keeping bowlers on the sidelines and preventing organizations and center proprietors from generating millions of dollars in budgeted revenue.

With June a day away, bowling centers remain closed in most states. In New York, bowling has been lumped together with other forms of entertainment into Phase Four of the state’s reopening plan and it likely will be at least another month before centers are allowed to open their doors.

Proprietors, reeling from end-of-season losses, also have seen their spring and summer league programs washed away. They are uncertain about the start of the 2020-21 season in late August and early September, and wonder what league bowling will look like going forward.

“Bowling is not going to be the same for a while,” said Jack Moran, proprietor of Roseland Family Fun Center in Canandaigua, a facility that offers 34 traditional bowling lanes as well as eight VIP lanes, café, sports bar, and an arcade with laser tag and bumper cars.

Social distancing parameters – requirements that people stay at least six feet away from each other – have prompted the United States Bowling Congress to temporarily waive playing rules stating that two lanes must be used for competition and that bowlers must alternate lanes.

The USBC also waived the requirement that both lanes must be used for a bowler to be eligible for awards and average recognition.

What that means is, for league play, a team could bowl the entire game on lane one, for example, and its opposing team, could bowl its entire game on lane three.

Additionally, bowlers will be allowed to use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to clean their bowling balls during competition – a change from the current rule that states that no cleaners can be used during competition.

Although it is yet to be seen whether those new rules will be put into play, proprietors hoping to run summer leagues after reopening may have no alternatives.

“What are we going to do for six to eight weeks of summer leagues? We’re better off trying to run a special promotion to get people in the doors again, so that they feel safe,” said Moran, a past president of the NYS Bowling Proprietors Association. “We’re not even sure if people coming back in September are going to feel safe.”

Randy Hanks, proprietor of the 18-lane Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, said he is planning to separate customers by around 15 feet for open bowling.

“If a family’s is using a pair (of lanes) and they’re on lanes one and two, the next one used will be lane five – 15 to 20 feet away,” he said. “Plus, I’m going to have them prepay, leave the (house) balls and shoes on the ball return, and we’ll sanitize them after everybody is done.”

The NYS BPA already has drafted a long list of health- and safety-related protocols that proprietors will use to ensure a safe environment. Details can be found in the article below.

Hanks said the restaurant portion of his business has been open for take-out only, but revenue pales in comparison to normal operation.

“We lost four summer league, including our adult-junior league that would have ended the day we maybe can open up – June 26^th,” Hanks said. “I don’t even want to look to see how much I lost since March 15 compared to the same time the last two years.”

Moran said his staff has been working hard to implement the protocols – markings on the floor, plexiglass shields, acquiring digital thermometers to check everyone’s temperature coming into one specified entrance, and so on.

“From what we’re being told, we will be allowed to open at 50 percent of our occupancy,” he said. “In my case, it equates to about 120 people in my center.”

He said he has talked to colleagues in other states to get a pulse on the situation.

“Talking to my friends in Ohio and Florida – they have been able to open up but it’s limited hours and every other lane for social distancing,” he said. “Right now, we’re trying to look at what the league structure will be like in September – and it’s not looking good if this thing goes six months.”

Mike Sputore, manager of Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, said he is looking to reopen the 24-lane center in mid- to late-August with all the protocols in place.

Echoing the concerns of the whole industry, he said time will tell on how to proceed.

“There are just too many uncertainties at this time,” he said. “How do we run the leagues? Do we use just one lane? How much time will it take to bowl? Will more than one league be able to bowl at a time? I just hope people don’t give up league bowling.”

The 20th Annual Betty Ellison Memorial "Strike Out for Crossroads" bowling tournament that began last Friday and ran over the weekend will continue this week.

Starting Friday night at 6 o'clock at the Mancuso Bowling Center, 214 E. Main St., Batavia, the fundraising fun continues.

Saturday start times are 3 and 6 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m.

The team fee is $100.

For additional information call: Cindy (585) 993-0584 or Tara (585) 409-0136.

A three-day bowling tournament to benefit Crossroads House wrapped up today at Mancuso Bowling Center.

It was a big turnout for the 17th annual event with 480 bowlers participating in four shifts Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

"We want to thank everybody who participated," said Cindy Lowder, one of the organizers.

Lowder said the event was held in memory of Betty Ellison, who organized the first event 17 years ago.

"She set everything up so well and got it going. We just really follow her lead now," Lowder said. "She was an amazing organizer. She had all her ducks in a row and we just follow suit."

John Sisson, above, tries out the revitalized bowling lanes at Mancuso Bowling Center, behind T.F. Brown's, in Batavia.

All 24 lanes were screened (kind of like sanding) and recoated over the summer, according to manager Mike Sputore.

At one time, the Mancusos recoated the lanes only every few years, now they try to do it every year or two.

"We've noticed better scores with the more frequently we do it," Sputore said.

In an effort to spiff up the lanes even more, the walls have been repainted, the bowler's approach area resurfaced and many worn parts of the pin machinery replaced.

To help give bowlers a chance to try out the revitalized lanes, Mancuso's is offering $1 per-game specials from 4 to 9 p.m., Aug. 20 through Aug. 26.

Through August, Mancuso Bowling Center is open 3 to 9 p.m. and from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.