Sullivan County Jail Questions
Professionally there could have been a better choice of words from the state officials who called the Sullivan County Jail a "dungeon" but state officials called it the worst they have ever seen and in addition to that they apparently are not offering any financial help to build what could be a new $70 million facility.
The State of New York also should be real proud of themselves and the County of Sullivan for going along with the silencing of the public who attended the public meeting with Commissioner of Corrections Chairman Thomas Beilein. This told Sullivan County residents and taxpayers that they were allowed to attend this public meeting but that no public comment or direct questions were allowed...........democracy in action.......what a slap in the face for we the people who would be saddled with paying for a new jail and of course the state (and county for allowing this) did not want to hear it from the folks who are paying their salary.
We applaud Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff and his staff for working through this mess and doing what they have to do to provide for the safety and security of the inmates and the correction officers. The county is fortunate to have an experienced professional in Sheriff Schiff.
Unfortunately this whole mess comes down to the questions can Sullivan County residents afford to pay for a new county jail and are there any immediate solutions or alternative plans.
One would have to wonder if the county should have done more serious planning a number of years ago when they took the approach to do patch jobs here and there hoping to get by. Now the price tag for a new jail is a lot higher than it was back when the patch jobs were done.
We heard talk about a week ago that suggested possibly moving the county jail to the former Sullivan Correction Facility Annex which is now vacant due to the state cutting back on their inmate community service work programs.
If negotiations could be worked out for use of the Sullivan Correction Facility Annex this would surely, at least even on a temporary basis, save Sullivan County taxpayers from facing the burden of building a new county jail.
This Annex facility housed a good number of state inmates and is not that old that it probably could be adopted for use as a county jail.
Boarding out inmates does not appear to be a workable or viable option as estimates indicate this could be a temporary solution but in the long run it would get very costly and might even overtake the cost of building a new jail.
The reality of county finances makes alternative proposals almost a necessity and a proposal should be looked into for possible use of the Sullivan Correctional Facility Annex.
With an unhealthy economy any and all other alternatives should also be considered because county taxpayers can not afford any increase in their property taxes.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Bowling Highlights Column 2-5-10
Bill Howe III Bowls 809 Series
Twenty-one year-old Bill Howe III smashed the maples for a big 809 series January 27 in the Wednesday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes.
Howe, a resident of Middletown, was subbing in the Wednesday league for his friend Donald Durland and recorded the 809 off single games of 263, 290, 256 on lanes 1 and 2 using a Roto Grip Nomad bowling ball.
In 9 games as a sub in this league Bill has a 256 average.
Howe is a regular team bowler in the Monday and Thursday Men's league at Pat Tarsio Lanes in Newburgh where he maintains a 226 average Monday and a 230 average Thursday.
In his 290 game Bill had 11 strikes in a row.
This young high-average left-handed bowler has 11 career 300 games and this is his second 800 series. His previous high 828 was bowled at Middletown Lanes.
Howe noted that he has been bowling since the age of 4, starting out in Middletown and has been a student of Mike Luongo. His father and grandfather during the 1970's and early 1980's owned and operated Ellenville Lanes.
Bill is single and is employed at Remme Products in Florida, NY.
Elks Scotch Doubles
Tourney Is Scheduled
At Kiamesha March 6
The 11th Annual Monticello Elks Scotch Doubles tournament will be held March 2 at 2 p.m. at Kiamesha Lanes.
Teams must consist of a male and female and the tournament can accommodate the first paid 64 entries. Entry deadline is February 27.
The entry fee of $40 per couple includes four games of no-tap bowling, prizes and awards and their famous chicken BBQ following the tournament at the Monticello Elks Lodge.
For information call Dean Shattuck at 794-1172.
PBA
Patchogue Long Island professional bowler Mike Fagan, in his eighth season on the PBA tour, won his first Tour title in the One A Day Dick Weber Open last Sunday at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley, Calif.
He defeated Walter Ray Willliams 241-213.
The Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational (taped September 25) will air Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN.
Full coverage of the PBA can be read on our Web page, http://bght.blogspot,com
Local Scores
Kiamesha Lanes
Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men's league includes a 235, 644 ny Michael Mulligan, Gil Suarez 244, 253, 669, Dan Ricco 245, Jaryl Scott 231, 647, Donald Durland 232, 261, 277, 770, Frank Gerow Jr. 258, 651, James VanAken 653, Josh Strang 226, 236, 686, Tom Belgiovene 618, John Fischer 225, 257, 697, Nate Sanders 248, 630, Jon Wilhelm 229, 644, Rick Lake 603, Gregory Fallon 289, 279, 744, Jack Moylan 247, 641, James Ratner 225, 245, 677, Kort Wheeler 255, 242, 689, Allan Jones 258, 226, 708, Paul Curry 641, Ronnie Totten 235, 625.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighers league Allene Washington 182, Cara Nicholson 186, Vera Bernhardt 181, Carena Collura 212, 527, Pat Mulhern 185, Neil Bell Jr. 246, Stan Gilmore 233, Fran Kaiser 233, 525, Debbie Durland 195, 182, 542, Ed Guthrie 236, Joan Lake 213, 184, 181, 578, Dorian Jennings 191, 189, 243, 623, Jack Rustic 268, 234, 677, Kevin Stackhouse 235, 642, Roberta Yakin 182, 181, 516, Robert Yakin Sr. 225, John Hoffmann 245, 227, 269, 741, Barbara Yeomans 181.
In the Wednesday Men's league George VanAken Jr. 290, 231, 718, Kenneth Hopkins Jr. 246, 258, 700, Mike Weiner 226, 604, John Lopez 238, 676, Robert Yakin Jr. 245, Dave Porter Jr. 634, Bill Danchak 632, George Battle Jr. 230, 602, Allan Jones 230, 600, Dean Shattuck 247, 615, Josh Strang 278, 711, Tom Belgiovene 226, 246, 258, 730, Jody Farquhar 235, 618, Rick Lara 244, Frank Emmens 257, 685, Michael Travis 255, 610, Wayne Atkins 269, 650, Eddie Lake 246, 655, Gregory Fallon 264, 236, 668, Matt Fallon 235, 611, Jon Wilhelm 243, 231, 683, Richard Bradford 225, 626, Donald Durland 232, 268, 717.
In the Thursday Ladies league Rita Burdick 186, Debbie Durland 205, 183, 204, 592, Liz Stubits 200, Jenelle Wood 181, Cheryl Neist 188, Barbara Durbak 183, 226, 183, 582, Connie McKenley 189, 182, 182, 553, Mardette Wilcox 183, Clorisa Hopkins 192, Kathy Shapiro 180.
In the Saturday Morning Youth leagues, in the Pee Wees division Amelia Edwards 78, Gabriella Goldsmith 86, George VanAken 117, Kyle 95, Kaylen Blackford 59, Jenna Hendricks 84. In the Preps division Sarah Rustic 120, 113, Stacey Reuss 99, 94, 92, Tayl'r Porter 80, 74, Rachel Drillings 63, 55, 54, John Wilhelm 135, 116, Nathaniel Goldsmith 164, 167, Michael Hope 129, 126, 155, Shaym Patel 105, 111, Nathaniel Edwards 120, Rup Patel 108, 104, Ben Drillings 96, 97, 87, Sierra Barbiani 81, Cody Burns 107, 102, 104. In the Jr./Mjrs Cory Ciliberto 121, Jason Moss 223, 233, Amber Bock 143, Shawn Sinistorie 180, Eddie Walsh 204, Matt Edwards164, Kishan Patel 195, Shivani Patel 178, 172, Michael Scuderi 225, Pedro Agapito III a 248, Matthew Brown 139, 131, Jared Friedman 240, Kristy Gessman 140, John Barbiani 131, 106, 115.
Fox Bowling Center
Recent highlight scores in the new Tuesday Ladies Night Out Bowling Club include a 206, 215, 580 by Tasha Tuttle, Sally Ballard 195, 180, 191, 566, Carol Dailey 199, 512, Kathy Maltese 188, 506.
In the Wednesday Men's Independent league Mike Bowker 621, Al Bullis Sr. 622, Andrew Bullis 235, 238, 681, Cody Conway 255, 650, Frank Couse Sr. 636, Jim Dibble 237, 229, 680, Bill Gleim 268, 225, 716, Jeremy Gulley 613, Martin Haeussler 242, Jack Hazen 621, Paul Ignatovich 248, 228, 700, Rob Johnson 237, 659, Pat Kille 227, 640, Donnie Marino 268, 237, 677, Josh Milucky 253, 652, Neil Mosher 225, Mitch Persbacker 242, 643, Dick Price 225, 636, Charlie Reichenbaugh 255, 643, Josh Rice 226, Brian Tiffany 636, Jonathon Wayne 246, 661, Hank Whitmore 619, Zuke Wormuth 237, 639, Jay Wormuth 268, 690, Tony Wright 241, 233, 678.
In the Thursday Men's Deposit National league Rob Bolster 232, Al Bullis Jr. 225, Al Bullis Sr. 234, 624, Andy Bullis 257, 660, Craig Conklin 234, 236, 672, Dale Conklin 229, Matt Conklin 225, RayCornwell 225, 630, Howey Couse Jr. 237, 244, 651, Jeff Curtis 237, 650, Lenn Davis 234, Paul Fritz 237, Bill Gleim 234, 239, 247, 720, John Gurnick 246, Robert Johnson 625, Greg Keesler 231, Rich Lenio 243, Dave Lester 244, 233, 242, 719, Larry Mills 620, Rick Mills 610, Neil Mosher 225, 229, 658, Paul Siegler 225, 637, Jim Valentine 244, 259, 696, Dan Wormuth 245, 258, 719.
In the Friday Mixed Couples league Andy Bullis 615, Howey Couse 235, 236, 246, 717, Carl Davis 246, 646, Crystal Ellis 182, 187, 532, Norman E. Ellis 241, 614, Norman C. Ellis 608, Sarah Geer 186, Bill Gleim 237, 656, Hope Jones 205, 518, Julie Martin 182, Dana McGraw 207, 515, Sandy Winans 200, 502, Jay Wormuth 256, 655.
In the Sunday Mixed Fun league Matt Johnson 615, Don Marino 229, 645, Dave Mills 243, 658, Savanna Mills (youth girls score) 132, Fred Shakelton 245, 628.
Beechwood Lanes
Recent highlight scores in the Monday Ladies league include a 185, 205, 561 by Diane Staves, Diane Conroy 168, Louise Erdman 168, 160, Wendy Adams 168, 168, Wendy Finn 162, 162, Jackie Gieger 184, 176, Karen Borowski 161.
In the Tuesday Ladies league Debbie Loughrey 190, 182, 508, Rebecca Rhodes 167, Lillian Zieres 466.
This column is written by Ed Townsend, a public relations consultant to the amateur and professional sport of bowling and to several bowling writers associations. If you have a topic that would make good reading, or have league and tournament scores, Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177, via e-mail at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com and by fax at 845-230-8674. For a more expanded version of the bowling column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com
Twenty-one year-old Bill Howe III smashed the maples for a big 809 series January 27 in the Wednesday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes.
Howe, a resident of Middletown, was subbing in the Wednesday league for his friend Donald Durland and recorded the 809 off single games of 263, 290, 256 on lanes 1 and 2 using a Roto Grip Nomad bowling ball.
In 9 games as a sub in this league Bill has a 256 average.
Howe is a regular team bowler in the Monday and Thursday Men's league at Pat Tarsio Lanes in Newburgh where he maintains a 226 average Monday and a 230 average Thursday.
In his 290 game Bill had 11 strikes in a row.
This young high-average left-handed bowler has 11 career 300 games and this is his second 800 series. His previous high 828 was bowled at Middletown Lanes.
Howe noted that he has been bowling since the age of 4, starting out in Middletown and has been a student of Mike Luongo. His father and grandfather during the 1970's and early 1980's owned and operated Ellenville Lanes.
Bill is single and is employed at Remme Products in Florida, NY.
Elks Scotch Doubles
Tourney Is Scheduled
At Kiamesha March 6
The 11th Annual Monticello Elks Scotch Doubles tournament will be held March 2 at 2 p.m. at Kiamesha Lanes.
Teams must consist of a male and female and the tournament can accommodate the first paid 64 entries. Entry deadline is February 27.
The entry fee of $40 per couple includes four games of no-tap bowling, prizes and awards and their famous chicken BBQ following the tournament at the Monticello Elks Lodge.
For information call Dean Shattuck at 794-1172.
PBA
Patchogue Long Island professional bowler Mike Fagan, in his eighth season on the PBA tour, won his first Tour title in the One A Day Dick Weber Open last Sunday at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley, Calif.
He defeated Walter Ray Willliams 241-213.
The Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational (taped September 25) will air Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN.
Full coverage of the PBA can be read on our Web page, http://bght.blogspot,com
Local Scores
Kiamesha Lanes
Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men's league includes a 235, 644 ny Michael Mulligan, Gil Suarez 244, 253, 669, Dan Ricco 245, Jaryl Scott 231, 647, Donald Durland 232, 261, 277, 770, Frank Gerow Jr. 258, 651, James VanAken 653, Josh Strang 226, 236, 686, Tom Belgiovene 618, John Fischer 225, 257, 697, Nate Sanders 248, 630, Jon Wilhelm 229, 644, Rick Lake 603, Gregory Fallon 289, 279, 744, Jack Moylan 247, 641, James Ratner 225, 245, 677, Kort Wheeler 255, 242, 689, Allan Jones 258, 226, 708, Paul Curry 641, Ronnie Totten 235, 625.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighers league Allene Washington 182, Cara Nicholson 186, Vera Bernhardt 181, Carena Collura 212, 527, Pat Mulhern 185, Neil Bell Jr. 246, Stan Gilmore 233, Fran Kaiser 233, 525, Debbie Durland 195, 182, 542, Ed Guthrie 236, Joan Lake 213, 184, 181, 578, Dorian Jennings 191, 189, 243, 623, Jack Rustic 268, 234, 677, Kevin Stackhouse 235, 642, Roberta Yakin 182, 181, 516, Robert Yakin Sr. 225, John Hoffmann 245, 227, 269, 741, Barbara Yeomans 181.
In the Wednesday Men's league George VanAken Jr. 290, 231, 718, Kenneth Hopkins Jr. 246, 258, 700, Mike Weiner 226, 604, John Lopez 238, 676, Robert Yakin Jr. 245, Dave Porter Jr. 634, Bill Danchak 632, George Battle Jr. 230, 602, Allan Jones 230, 600, Dean Shattuck 247, 615, Josh Strang 278, 711, Tom Belgiovene 226, 246, 258, 730, Jody Farquhar 235, 618, Rick Lara 244, Frank Emmens 257, 685, Michael Travis 255, 610, Wayne Atkins 269, 650, Eddie Lake 246, 655, Gregory Fallon 264, 236, 668, Matt Fallon 235, 611, Jon Wilhelm 243, 231, 683, Richard Bradford 225, 626, Donald Durland 232, 268, 717.
In the Thursday Ladies league Rita Burdick 186, Debbie Durland 205, 183, 204, 592, Liz Stubits 200, Jenelle Wood 181, Cheryl Neist 188, Barbara Durbak 183, 226, 183, 582, Connie McKenley 189, 182, 182, 553, Mardette Wilcox 183, Clorisa Hopkins 192, Kathy Shapiro 180.
In the Saturday Morning Youth leagues, in the Pee Wees division Amelia Edwards 78, Gabriella Goldsmith 86, George VanAken 117, Kyle 95, Kaylen Blackford 59, Jenna Hendricks 84. In the Preps division Sarah Rustic 120, 113, Stacey Reuss 99, 94, 92, Tayl'r Porter 80, 74, Rachel Drillings 63, 55, 54, John Wilhelm 135, 116, Nathaniel Goldsmith 164, 167, Michael Hope 129, 126, 155, Shaym Patel 105, 111, Nathaniel Edwards 120, Rup Patel 108, 104, Ben Drillings 96, 97, 87, Sierra Barbiani 81, Cody Burns 107, 102, 104. In the Jr./Mjrs Cory Ciliberto 121, Jason Moss 223, 233, Amber Bock 143, Shawn Sinistorie 180, Eddie Walsh 204, Matt Edwards164, Kishan Patel 195, Shivani Patel 178, 172, Michael Scuderi 225, Pedro Agapito III a 248, Matthew Brown 139, 131, Jared Friedman 240, Kristy Gessman 140, John Barbiani 131, 106, 115.
Fox Bowling Center
Recent highlight scores in the new Tuesday Ladies Night Out Bowling Club include a 206, 215, 580 by Tasha Tuttle, Sally Ballard 195, 180, 191, 566, Carol Dailey 199, 512, Kathy Maltese 188, 506.
In the Wednesday Men's Independent league Mike Bowker 621, Al Bullis Sr. 622, Andrew Bullis 235, 238, 681, Cody Conway 255, 650, Frank Couse Sr. 636, Jim Dibble 237, 229, 680, Bill Gleim 268, 225, 716, Jeremy Gulley 613, Martin Haeussler 242, Jack Hazen 621, Paul Ignatovich 248, 228, 700, Rob Johnson 237, 659, Pat Kille 227, 640, Donnie Marino 268, 237, 677, Josh Milucky 253, 652, Neil Mosher 225, Mitch Persbacker 242, 643, Dick Price 225, 636, Charlie Reichenbaugh 255, 643, Josh Rice 226, Brian Tiffany 636, Jonathon Wayne 246, 661, Hank Whitmore 619, Zuke Wormuth 237, 639, Jay Wormuth 268, 690, Tony Wright 241, 233, 678.
In the Thursday Men's Deposit National league Rob Bolster 232, Al Bullis Jr. 225, Al Bullis Sr. 234, 624, Andy Bullis 257, 660, Craig Conklin 234, 236, 672, Dale Conklin 229, Matt Conklin 225, RayCornwell 225, 630, Howey Couse Jr. 237, 244, 651, Jeff Curtis 237, 650, Lenn Davis 234, Paul Fritz 237, Bill Gleim 234, 239, 247, 720, John Gurnick 246, Robert Johnson 625, Greg Keesler 231, Rich Lenio 243, Dave Lester 244, 233, 242, 719, Larry Mills 620, Rick Mills 610, Neil Mosher 225, 229, 658, Paul Siegler 225, 637, Jim Valentine 244, 259, 696, Dan Wormuth 245, 258, 719.
In the Friday Mixed Couples league Andy Bullis 615, Howey Couse 235, 236, 246, 717, Carl Davis 246, 646, Crystal Ellis 182, 187, 532, Norman E. Ellis 241, 614, Norman C. Ellis 608, Sarah Geer 186, Bill Gleim 237, 656, Hope Jones 205, 518, Julie Martin 182, Dana McGraw 207, 515, Sandy Winans 200, 502, Jay Wormuth 256, 655.
In the Sunday Mixed Fun league Matt Johnson 615, Don Marino 229, 645, Dave Mills 243, 658, Savanna Mills (youth girls score) 132, Fred Shakelton 245, 628.
Beechwood Lanes
Recent highlight scores in the Monday Ladies league include a 185, 205, 561 by Diane Staves, Diane Conroy 168, Louise Erdman 168, 160, Wendy Adams 168, 168, Wendy Finn 162, 162, Jackie Gieger 184, 176, Karen Borowski 161.
In the Tuesday Ladies league Debbie Loughrey 190, 182, 508, Rebecca Rhodes 167, Lillian Zieres 466.
This column is written by Ed Townsend, a public relations consultant to the amateur and professional sport of bowling and to several bowling writers associations. If you have a topic that would make good reading, or have league and tournament scores, Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177, via e-mail at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com and by fax at 845-230-8674. For a more expanded version of the bowling column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com
ANOTHER MISSION COMPLETE
Fagan finds success with Ebonite’s New Mission
A little bit of superstition and a great ball reaction led Ebonite International PBA staff player Michael Fagan to win the PBA One A Day Dick Weber Open, his first singles title.
“It’s a great feeling to finally win a singles title,” said Fagan. “It is a big weight off of my shoulders and I am glad to get over the hump and hope I can do it again soon!”
Fagan qualified in first place for the finals, and had to face PBA Tour legend Walter Ray Williams, Jr., the winningest player in PBA history.
“Walter Ray is always going to give you a tough match and whenever you beat him you know you earned it,” admitted Fagan.
Fagan had a bit of help in the superstition department, as he refused to shave his beard before competition. The superstition served more as a confidence-builder than anything.
“Bowling is such a mental game,” explained Fagan. “Anything I can do to make myself feel comfortable and confident I will do it! I wanted to have fun with this show and not put any pressure on myself.”
His strategy worked, especially after a rough start to the week, when Fagan was hit with a stomach virus. He actually skipped the practice session on Tuesday to rest and get well before returning for the first qualifying session.
While the lanes were not as tough as they had been in previous weeks, Fagan did face a 39 foot oil pattern, named after famed PBA bowler Dick Weber, and designed to maximize creativity and performance from the bowlers. The oil is buffed so that there is less oil placed at the end of the pattern. The structure of the pattern forces bowlers to make continual adjustments to keep up with the transitions from lane to lane, something Dick Weber mastered.
True to the pattern, Fagan was forced to use a variety of equipment throughout the week, but depended on Ebonite’s new Mission ball when he needed help getting through the backend part of the lane.
“The Mission was the right choice because it has an extremely clean cover and also slows down perfectly by the break point,” said Fagan. “It is really a special bowling ball. When the lanes carried down and I did get to use it, it was the perfect ball. The 241 I shot in the finals was my low game of the week with that ball (my High Game of the week was 290).”
“Mike did a spectacular job with the Mission,” said Ed Gallagher, Ebonite Brand Manager. “I’m glad he was successful in completing his Mission to win a PBA title, and I’m really glad Ebonite could be there with him.”
Ebonite’s Mission will be available worldwide beginning February 2, 2010, and looks to be the ‘must-have’ ball in every bowler’s bag.
Fagan’s next challenge will be the USBC Masters, where he hopes to take home his first major. The Masters begins February 9, with the finals to be televised February 14 at 3 p.m. EST on ESPN. Meanwhile, Fagan will have a week off to prepare, and possibly spend some time with his other love, fulltiltpoker.net.
“Although I haven't played much lately due to my bowling schedule, I have always been an avid poker player,” explained Fagan. “It’s a great fit because many bowlers are also poker players.”
Fagan isn’t saying when he will shave again, but there’s a good chance we’ll see more beards on tour after this event.
Fagan finds success with Ebonite’s New Mission
A little bit of superstition and a great ball reaction led Ebonite International PBA staff player Michael Fagan to win the PBA One A Day Dick Weber Open, his first singles title.
“It’s a great feeling to finally win a singles title,” said Fagan. “It is a big weight off of my shoulders and I am glad to get over the hump and hope I can do it again soon!”
Fagan qualified in first place for the finals, and had to face PBA Tour legend Walter Ray Williams, Jr., the winningest player in PBA history.
“Walter Ray is always going to give you a tough match and whenever you beat him you know you earned it,” admitted Fagan.
Fagan had a bit of help in the superstition department, as he refused to shave his beard before competition. The superstition served more as a confidence-builder than anything.
“Bowling is such a mental game,” explained Fagan. “Anything I can do to make myself feel comfortable and confident I will do it! I wanted to have fun with this show and not put any pressure on myself.”
His strategy worked, especially after a rough start to the week, when Fagan was hit with a stomach virus. He actually skipped the practice session on Tuesday to rest and get well before returning for the first qualifying session.
While the lanes were not as tough as they had been in previous weeks, Fagan did face a 39 foot oil pattern, named after famed PBA bowler Dick Weber, and designed to maximize creativity and performance from the bowlers. The oil is buffed so that there is less oil placed at the end of the pattern. The structure of the pattern forces bowlers to make continual adjustments to keep up with the transitions from lane to lane, something Dick Weber mastered.
True to the pattern, Fagan was forced to use a variety of equipment throughout the week, but depended on Ebonite’s new Mission ball when he needed help getting through the backend part of the lane.
“The Mission was the right choice because it has an extremely clean cover and also slows down perfectly by the break point,” said Fagan. “It is really a special bowling ball. When the lanes carried down and I did get to use it, it was the perfect ball. The 241 I shot in the finals was my low game of the week with that ball (my High Game of the week was 290).”
“Mike did a spectacular job with the Mission,” said Ed Gallagher, Ebonite Brand Manager. “I’m glad he was successful in completing his Mission to win a PBA title, and I’m really glad Ebonite could be there with him.”
Ebonite’s Mission will be available worldwide beginning February 2, 2010, and looks to be the ‘must-have’ ball in every bowler’s bag.
Fagan’s next challenge will be the USBC Masters, where he hopes to take home his first major. The Masters begins February 9, with the finals to be televised February 14 at 3 p.m. EST on ESPN. Meanwhile, Fagan will have a week off to prepare, and possibly spend some time with his other love, fulltiltpoker.net.
“Although I haven't played much lately due to my bowling schedule, I have always been an avid poker player,” explained Fagan. “It’s a great fit because many bowlers are also poker players.”
Fagan isn’t saying when he will shave again, but there’s a good chance we’ll see more beards on tour after this event.
PBA SPARE SHOTS
SUNDAY’S CHRIS PAUL PBA
CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL
DRAWS RAVES FROM MILITARY LEADER
Sunday’s Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational, which airs in front of the NFL Super Bowl at 2 p.m. Eastern on ESPN, was not only a fun and fiercely competitive bowling event, but it drew high praise from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base commander Capt. Bill Snyder, who hosted the event in suburban New Orleans.
“They were all fantastic,” Snyder said of celebrity stars Paul, LaMarr Woodley, Hines Ward, Ludacris and Jack Del Rio as well as PBA stars Pete Weber, Norm Duke, Wes Malott and Jason Belmonte. “All of the celebrities took time out to sign autographs and talk to the hundreds of sailors who came to see them. Chris Paul and all of the celebrities made it a night to remember for the military personnel and their families.”
“(Chris Paul) gives back to the community,” added Master-at-Arms 1st Class Pierre Peacock, a North Carolina native like Paul is. “No one has ever questioned his sincerity or intentions. His charity events consistently help thousands of families in North Carolina and in Louisiana. He’s a class act, on and off the court.”
MONACELLI, PALERMAA, BAKER, PETRAGLIA RECEIVE COMMISSIONER’S EXEMPTIONS
Three PBA Hall of Famers and Europe’s two-handed bowling star have been granted Commissioner’s Exemptions for upcoming Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour events.
Venezuela’s Amleto Monacelli will join the field for the Bayer Don and Paula Carter Mixed Doubles Championship at Brunswick Zone-Wheat Ridge in Wheat Ridge, Colo., Feb. 16-21. Monacelli, who was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1997, is a 19-time PBA Tour winner.
Finland’s Osku Palermaa, the first two-handed bowler to get national television exposure in the United States, will compete in the Don Johnson Buckeye State Eliminator March 2-7 at Sequoia Pro Bowl in Columbus, Ohio. Palermaa, last season’s European Bowling Tour points leader, finished fifth in the 2004 U.S. Open in his American television debut. He’ll be joined in the Columbus field by fellow two-handed players Jason Belmonte of Australia and Ohio’s own two-hander, Cassidy Schaub of Polk, Ohio.
PBA Senior Tour star Tom Baker of King, N.C., will participate in the PBA Match Play Championship March 16-21 at Norwich Bowling Center in Norwich, Conn. Baker, a 10-time PBA Tour champion and eight-time winner on the PBA Senior Tour, is a four-time Senior Tour Player of the Year. He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1999.
Johnny Petraglia of Jackson, N.J., one of five PBA players to complete the “PBA Triple Crown” (victories in the U.S. Open, Tournament of Champions and PBA World Championship), will bowl in the Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship March 23-28 at AMF Babylon Lanes in West Babylon, N.Y. A long-time friend and opponent of Roth, Petraglia has announced he’ll donate half of his earnings to the Mark Roth Fund which is providing financial assistance to Roth in the wake of the disabling stroke he suffered in early June.
PBA’S XTRA FRAME TO PROVIDE FREE ONLINE COVERAGE OF USBC MASTERS
The PBA, in cooperation with the United States Bowling Congress, will provide a week of free online coverage of the USBC Masters, Feb. 9-14, on pba.com’s Xtra Frame “bowling channel.” To view Xtra Frame, bowling fans must install a free software program called “Silverlight” if they have not already done so.
Xtra Frame, the “official video service of the PBA,” is available year-round, providing unique interviews, behind-the-scenes news, in-depth discussion of player equipment and strategies, and much more. For subscription information, click on the Xtra Frame icon on the pba.com home page.
KELLY KULICK, TOM SMALLWOOD MEDIA EXPRESS ROLLS ON
Kelly Kulick’s news media express continues to race along, with a steady stream of newspaper, television and radio interviews on her schedule in addition to a national teleconference. Following live interviews on CBS’s Early Show, ESPN’s First Take, Fox Business, a segment on ABC Evening News and a mention on NBC’s Jay Leno Show, Kulick’s victory earned a half-page in the Feb. 1 issue of Sports Illustrated. Her story also was told on National Public Radio’s “Only a Game” program (heard on 200 stations across the nation), Sirius Satellite Radio 98, CNN, the New York Daily News and the Los Angeles Daily News.
Coming Friday: Carolyn Dorin-Ballard will talk about why Kulick’s is a “Breakthrough Woman” CNN’s Morning Headline News with Robin Meade. The segment will air Friday between 8:30-9 a.m. Eastern, and will feature video of Kulick’s Tournament of champions win and along with photos of Kulick and Dorin-Ballard.
The magnitude of Kulick’s feat even reached into Canada where Toronto Star television writer Chris Zelkovich noted that 373,000 viewers watched the PBA while only 267,000 viewers watched the Toronto Raptors-Milwaukee Bucks NBA game on Friday and 256,000 tuned in for the Los Angeles Lakers-Raptors game on Sunday, "How did bowling draw a bigger audience on a Sunday afternoon than the Raptors did on Friday and Sunday nights?” Zelkovich asked. “The only possible explanation is that people were channel surfing and came across the sight of a woman, Kelly Kulick, making history by beating the guys."
In the meantime, Tom Smallwood’s feel-good story continues to get attention. The laid-off General Motors employee who became PBA World Champion was featured in a front-page sports section story in Wednesday’s Los Angeles Times. CBS News with Katie Couric shot material for a story about Smallwood’s triumph during the One A Day Dick Weber Open. A story is coming in Parade magazine, which is distributed to millions of American newspaper readers, and Sports Illustrated spent the entire week in Las Vegas working on a Smallwood article.
WILLIAMS, JOHNSON NAMED “BOWLERS OF THE DECADE” BY US BOWLER
Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., has added another astonishing accomplishment to his astonishing resumй, winning “Bowler of the Decade” honors from USBC’s US Bowler magazine for an unprecedented second decade in a row. PBA Women’s Series competitor Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., was selected as US Bowler’s female bowler of the decade for the 2000s.
Between 2000 and 2009, Williams won 17 PBA Tour titles including five majors, earned more than $1.5 million and made 63 television appearances to easily top runner-up Norm Duke and third-place vote-getter Chris Barnes. During the decade, Duke won 16 titles including four majors, earned $1.29 million and made 49 TV shows.
Despite the demise of the women’s pro tour in 2003, Johnson won five PWBA titles, the 2009 USBC Queens, 2007 Women’s U.S. Open, a pair of PBA Women’s Series presented by BOWL.COM titles and she was the first woman to advance to a PBA Tour title match (2005). Runner-up was Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, an 11-time PWBA winner. She also won the 2001 Queens and has two PBA Women’s Series titles. Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., was third.
US Bowler conducted three separate polls – among bowling writers, PBA and/or PBA Women’s Series members, and BOWL.COM visitors – and all three polls produced the same top three results.
DUBLIN BOWL PROPRIETOR TED HOFFMAN RECEIVES BPAA’S HIGHEST HONOR
Ted Hoffman, co-proprietor of Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl in Dublin, Calif. – recent host of the 2010 Earl Anthony Memorial Classic - has been named winner of the 2010 Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America Victor Lerner Memorial Medal, BPAA’s highest honor.
Hoffman, a long-time PBA Western Region tournament director and a member of the PBA Hall of Fame, is being recognized for his lifetime of service to the sport. He will receive his award on June 28 during International Bowl Expo at the Las Vegas Hilton.
ENTRIES STILL AVAILABLE FOR U.S. OPEN, FINAL MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP OF 2009-10 SEASON
The biggest question of the 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season is, who will become the next unlikely hero in a season filled with unlikely heroes. He or she could emerge from the 67th Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open, the final major championship of the season.
Entries are still available for men and women who are chasing the dream of winning a PBA Tour title. The U.S. Open is set for Feb. 22-28 at Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis. For schedule and entry information, visit pba.com and look for the U.S. Open under the “Schedule” tab.
Thus far into the 2009-10 season, out-of-work General Motors factory worker Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Mich., won the PBA World Championship and Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., stunned the sports world with her victory in the PBA Tournament of Champions. The United States Bowling Congress Masters title will be decided Feb. 9-14 in Reno, Nev., but keep in mind that previously-unknown John Nolen of Grand Blanc, Mich., captured the 2009 title for his first PBA Tour title.
Beyond the major championships, Bill O’Neill of Southampton, Pa., and Anthony LaCaze of Melrose Park, Ill., also won their first PBA Tour titles in the PBA Chameleon Championship and Earl Anthony Memorial Classic, respectively. Mike Fagan of Patchogue, N.Y., won his second PBA Tour title, but first as a singles competitor, in the One A Day Dick Weber Open. Mike DeVaney of San Diego and Jack Jurek of Lackawanna, N.Y., each broke extended title droughts with victories during the PBA World Series of Bowling.
Who’s going to be the PBA’s next unsung champion?
2009-10 LUMBER LIQUIDATORS PBA TOUR STATISTICAL LEADERS
EARNINGS Events Total
1, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich. 11 $73,460
2, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas 11 $70,210
3, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. 11 $70,070
4, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla. 11 $64,235
5, Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa. 11 $63,125
6, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y. 11 $60,550
7, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas 11 $57,320
8, Mike DeVaney, San Diego 11 $48,470
9, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y. 11 $48,380
10, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas 11 $44,720
PBA WORLD RANKING POINTS Titles Points
1, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. 1 121,910
2, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas 0 110,033
3, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan. 0 106,061
4, Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa. 1 106,034
5, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas 0 101,399
6, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla. 1 97,619
7, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y. 1 94,805
8, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich. 1 93,760
9, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C. 0 92,917
10, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y. 1 92,188
PBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS CRA Points
1, Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa. 4 30
2, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich. 2 28
3, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. 3 26
4, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. 1 24
Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla. 3 24
Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y. 2 24
7, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas 2 20
8, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. 1 16
Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y. 2 16
Mike DeVaney, San Diego 1 16
Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y. 1 16
Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas 1 16
Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, Ill. 1 16
(CRA = Championship Round Appearances)
SUNDAY’S CHRIS PAUL PBA
CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL
DRAWS RAVES FROM MILITARY LEADER
Sunday’s Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational, which airs in front of the NFL Super Bowl at 2 p.m. Eastern on ESPN, was not only a fun and fiercely competitive bowling event, but it drew high praise from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base commander Capt. Bill Snyder, who hosted the event in suburban New Orleans.
“They were all fantastic,” Snyder said of celebrity stars Paul, LaMarr Woodley, Hines Ward, Ludacris and Jack Del Rio as well as PBA stars Pete Weber, Norm Duke, Wes Malott and Jason Belmonte. “All of the celebrities took time out to sign autographs and talk to the hundreds of sailors who came to see them. Chris Paul and all of the celebrities made it a night to remember for the military personnel and their families.”
“(Chris Paul) gives back to the community,” added Master-at-Arms 1st Class Pierre Peacock, a North Carolina native like Paul is. “No one has ever questioned his sincerity or intentions. His charity events consistently help thousands of families in North Carolina and in Louisiana. He’s a class act, on and off the court.”
MONACELLI, PALERMAA, BAKER, PETRAGLIA RECEIVE COMMISSIONER’S EXEMPTIONS
Three PBA Hall of Famers and Europe’s two-handed bowling star have been granted Commissioner’s Exemptions for upcoming Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour events.
Venezuela’s Amleto Monacelli will join the field for the Bayer Don and Paula Carter Mixed Doubles Championship at Brunswick Zone-Wheat Ridge in Wheat Ridge, Colo., Feb. 16-21. Monacelli, who was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1997, is a 19-time PBA Tour winner.
Finland’s Osku Palermaa, the first two-handed bowler to get national television exposure in the United States, will compete in the Don Johnson Buckeye State Eliminator March 2-7 at Sequoia Pro Bowl in Columbus, Ohio. Palermaa, last season’s European Bowling Tour points leader, finished fifth in the 2004 U.S. Open in his American television debut. He’ll be joined in the Columbus field by fellow two-handed players Jason Belmonte of Australia and Ohio’s own two-hander, Cassidy Schaub of Polk, Ohio.
PBA Senior Tour star Tom Baker of King, N.C., will participate in the PBA Match Play Championship March 16-21 at Norwich Bowling Center in Norwich, Conn. Baker, a 10-time PBA Tour champion and eight-time winner on the PBA Senior Tour, is a four-time Senior Tour Player of the Year. He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1999.
Johnny Petraglia of Jackson, N.J., one of five PBA players to complete the “PBA Triple Crown” (victories in the U.S. Open, Tournament of Champions and PBA World Championship), will bowl in the Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship March 23-28 at AMF Babylon Lanes in West Babylon, N.Y. A long-time friend and opponent of Roth, Petraglia has announced he’ll donate half of his earnings to the Mark Roth Fund which is providing financial assistance to Roth in the wake of the disabling stroke he suffered in early June.
PBA’S XTRA FRAME TO PROVIDE FREE ONLINE COVERAGE OF USBC MASTERS
The PBA, in cooperation with the United States Bowling Congress, will provide a week of free online coverage of the USBC Masters, Feb. 9-14, on pba.com’s Xtra Frame “bowling channel.” To view Xtra Frame, bowling fans must install a free software program called “Silverlight” if they have not already done so.
Xtra Frame, the “official video service of the PBA,” is available year-round, providing unique interviews, behind-the-scenes news, in-depth discussion of player equipment and strategies, and much more. For subscription information, click on the Xtra Frame icon on the pba.com home page.
KELLY KULICK, TOM SMALLWOOD MEDIA EXPRESS ROLLS ON
Kelly Kulick’s news media express continues to race along, with a steady stream of newspaper, television and radio interviews on her schedule in addition to a national teleconference. Following live interviews on CBS’s Early Show, ESPN’s First Take, Fox Business, a segment on ABC Evening News and a mention on NBC’s Jay Leno Show, Kulick’s victory earned a half-page in the Feb. 1 issue of Sports Illustrated. Her story also was told on National Public Radio’s “Only a Game” program (heard on 200 stations across the nation), Sirius Satellite Radio 98, CNN, the New York Daily News and the Los Angeles Daily News.
Coming Friday: Carolyn Dorin-Ballard will talk about why Kulick’s is a “Breakthrough Woman” CNN’s Morning Headline News with Robin Meade. The segment will air Friday between 8:30-9 a.m. Eastern, and will feature video of Kulick’s Tournament of champions win and along with photos of Kulick and Dorin-Ballard.
The magnitude of Kulick’s feat even reached into Canada where Toronto Star television writer Chris Zelkovich noted that 373,000 viewers watched the PBA while only 267,000 viewers watched the Toronto Raptors-Milwaukee Bucks NBA game on Friday and 256,000 tuned in for the Los Angeles Lakers-Raptors game on Sunday, "How did bowling draw a bigger audience on a Sunday afternoon than the Raptors did on Friday and Sunday nights?” Zelkovich asked. “The only possible explanation is that people were channel surfing and came across the sight of a woman, Kelly Kulick, making history by beating the guys."
In the meantime, Tom Smallwood’s feel-good story continues to get attention. The laid-off General Motors employee who became PBA World Champion was featured in a front-page sports section story in Wednesday’s Los Angeles Times. CBS News with Katie Couric shot material for a story about Smallwood’s triumph during the One A Day Dick Weber Open. A story is coming in Parade magazine, which is distributed to millions of American newspaper readers, and Sports Illustrated spent the entire week in Las Vegas working on a Smallwood article.
WILLIAMS, JOHNSON NAMED “BOWLERS OF THE DECADE” BY US BOWLER
Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., has added another astonishing accomplishment to his astonishing resumй, winning “Bowler of the Decade” honors from USBC’s US Bowler magazine for an unprecedented second decade in a row. PBA Women’s Series competitor Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., was selected as US Bowler’s female bowler of the decade for the 2000s.
Between 2000 and 2009, Williams won 17 PBA Tour titles including five majors, earned more than $1.5 million and made 63 television appearances to easily top runner-up Norm Duke and third-place vote-getter Chris Barnes. During the decade, Duke won 16 titles including four majors, earned $1.29 million and made 49 TV shows.
Despite the demise of the women’s pro tour in 2003, Johnson won five PWBA titles, the 2009 USBC Queens, 2007 Women’s U.S. Open, a pair of PBA Women’s Series presented by BOWL.COM titles and she was the first woman to advance to a PBA Tour title match (2005). Runner-up was Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, an 11-time PWBA winner. She also won the 2001 Queens and has two PBA Women’s Series titles. Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., was third.
US Bowler conducted three separate polls – among bowling writers, PBA and/or PBA Women’s Series members, and BOWL.COM visitors – and all three polls produced the same top three results.
DUBLIN BOWL PROPRIETOR TED HOFFMAN RECEIVES BPAA’S HIGHEST HONOR
Ted Hoffman, co-proprietor of Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl in Dublin, Calif. – recent host of the 2010 Earl Anthony Memorial Classic - has been named winner of the 2010 Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America Victor Lerner Memorial Medal, BPAA’s highest honor.
Hoffman, a long-time PBA Western Region tournament director and a member of the PBA Hall of Fame, is being recognized for his lifetime of service to the sport. He will receive his award on June 28 during International Bowl Expo at the Las Vegas Hilton.
ENTRIES STILL AVAILABLE FOR U.S. OPEN, FINAL MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP OF 2009-10 SEASON
The biggest question of the 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season is, who will become the next unlikely hero in a season filled with unlikely heroes. He or she could emerge from the 67th Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open, the final major championship of the season.
Entries are still available for men and women who are chasing the dream of winning a PBA Tour title. The U.S. Open is set for Feb. 22-28 at Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis. For schedule and entry information, visit pba.com and look for the U.S. Open under the “Schedule” tab.
Thus far into the 2009-10 season, out-of-work General Motors factory worker Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Mich., won the PBA World Championship and Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., stunned the sports world with her victory in the PBA Tournament of Champions. The United States Bowling Congress Masters title will be decided Feb. 9-14 in Reno, Nev., but keep in mind that previously-unknown John Nolen of Grand Blanc, Mich., captured the 2009 title for his first PBA Tour title.
Beyond the major championships, Bill O’Neill of Southampton, Pa., and Anthony LaCaze of Melrose Park, Ill., also won their first PBA Tour titles in the PBA Chameleon Championship and Earl Anthony Memorial Classic, respectively. Mike Fagan of Patchogue, N.Y., won his second PBA Tour title, but first as a singles competitor, in the One A Day Dick Weber Open. Mike DeVaney of San Diego and Jack Jurek of Lackawanna, N.Y., each broke extended title droughts with victories during the PBA World Series of Bowling.
Who’s going to be the PBA’s next unsung champion?
2009-10 LUMBER LIQUIDATORS PBA TOUR STATISTICAL LEADERS
EARNINGS Events Total
1, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich. 11 $73,460
2, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas 11 $70,210
3, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. 11 $70,070
4, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla. 11 $64,235
5, Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa. 11 $63,125
6, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y. 11 $60,550
7, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas 11 $57,320
8, Mike DeVaney, San Diego 11 $48,470
9, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y. 11 $48,380
10, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas 11 $44,720
PBA WORLD RANKING POINTS Titles Points
1, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. 1 121,910
2, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas 0 110,033
3, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan. 0 106,061
4, Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa. 1 106,034
5, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas 0 101,399
6, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla. 1 97,619
7, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y. 1 94,805
8, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich. 1 93,760
9, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C. 0 92,917
10, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y. 1 92,188
PBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS CRA Points
1, Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa. 4 30
2, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich. 2 28
3, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. 3 26
4, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. 1 24
Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla. 3 24
Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y. 2 24
7, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas 2 20
8, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. 1 16
Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y. 2 16
Mike DeVaney, San Diego 1 16
Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y. 1 16
Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas 1 16
Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, Ill. 1 16
(CRA = Championship Round Appearances)
HAMMER’S BILL O’NEILL GETS
NASTY AT DICK WEBER OPEN
Bowler looking forward to next event.
Hammer’s Bill O’Neill qualified 5th in the PBA One A Day Dick Weber Open, but finished fourth as tough conditions made the television finals difficult.
O’Neill’s used a Hammer Onyx Vibe through most of qualifying throughout the week. The Vibe gave him the best reaction from pair to pair during qualifying and match play, but would not be a good choice for the tv finals, said O’Neill.
“I drilled a Black Widow Nasty for the show and it rolled really well,” explained O’Neill. “The most challenging thing for me every time I am on TV is that the lanes are much tighter downlane than during qualifying. My high ball speed makes the ball go way too long before it hooks to the pocket, which makes targeting more difficult for me. There’s very little room for error, so I really have to be on it.”
Going into the finals, O’Neill’s strategy was to play an area of the lanes farther right than the other players. In particular, O’Neill wanted to avoid the area of the lane his opponent, Pete Weber, likes to play. He struggled against the sensitive, nearly flat Dick Weber lane pattern throughout the match. If the ball was too far right it never made it back; if he used too much grip pressure, the ball went Brooklyn.
Placing fourth, O’Neill was thrilled to see his friend Mike Fagan win the title match. This was Fagan’s first singles title.
“It was good to see him win,” said Fagan’s good friend O’Neill. “This tournament he went out and won on his own. He led the tournament the entire week, and was able to pull out a win.”
O’Neill still has plenty of chances for another title this season.
“I’m going to take advantage of this week off and practice as much as possible,” said O’Neill. “I want to get better and I am looking forward to a huge finish to this season.”
Hammer Brand Manager Jeff Ussery has faith in O’Neill.
“Bill is a great competitor,” said Ussery. “He’s definitely going to pull out another win, and Hammer is going to continue to be there for him when he does. He’s got an advantage over any competitor who isn’t using Hammer.”
NASTY AT DICK WEBER OPEN
Bowler looking forward to next event.
Hammer’s Bill O’Neill qualified 5th in the PBA One A Day Dick Weber Open, but finished fourth as tough conditions made the television finals difficult.
O’Neill’s used a Hammer Onyx Vibe through most of qualifying throughout the week. The Vibe gave him the best reaction from pair to pair during qualifying and match play, but would not be a good choice for the tv finals, said O’Neill.
“I drilled a Black Widow Nasty for the show and it rolled really well,” explained O’Neill. “The most challenging thing for me every time I am on TV is that the lanes are much tighter downlane than during qualifying. My high ball speed makes the ball go way too long before it hooks to the pocket, which makes targeting more difficult for me. There’s very little room for error, so I really have to be on it.”
Going into the finals, O’Neill’s strategy was to play an area of the lanes farther right than the other players. In particular, O’Neill wanted to avoid the area of the lane his opponent, Pete Weber, likes to play. He struggled against the sensitive, nearly flat Dick Weber lane pattern throughout the match. If the ball was too far right it never made it back; if he used too much grip pressure, the ball went Brooklyn.
Placing fourth, O’Neill was thrilled to see his friend Mike Fagan win the title match. This was Fagan’s first singles title.
“It was good to see him win,” said Fagan’s good friend O’Neill. “This tournament he went out and won on his own. He led the tournament the entire week, and was able to pull out a win.”
O’Neill still has plenty of chances for another title this season.
“I’m going to take advantage of this week off and practice as much as possible,” said O’Neill. “I want to get better and I am looking forward to a huge finish to this season.”
Hammer Brand Manager Jeff Ussery has faith in O’Neill.
“Bill is a great competitor,” said Ussery. “He’s definitely going to pull out another win, and Hammer is going to continue to be there for him when he does. He’s got an advantage over any competitor who isn’t using Hammer.”
USBC BOARD APPROVES
BUMPER BOWLING AWARDS
HIGH SCHOOL MEMBERSHIPS
Special achievement awards for youth competing in bumper bowling leagues and a new membership product for high school bowlers were recently approved by the United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors. Bumper bowling league competitors rolling 50, 75 and 100 games and/or 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 series are immediately eligible to earn Bowlopolis emblems in those categories.
These awards can be earned regardless of the bowler's bumper league average and will continue to be earned on the same progressive merit basis. "Since USBC does not recognize bumper league averages, our youngest members were not eligible to earn youth awards," said USBC Director of Youth Development Brian Graham. "This meant the only way they could obtain an award was through our purchasable awards program." To address this disparity and provide a consistent youth awards benefit to our youngest members, we proposed to extend the eligibility for the Bowlopolis-themed youth awards to participants in certified bumper bowling programs without the average requirement." The new USBC High School membership, which becomes effective Aug. 1, is available to those interscholastic high school bowlers who are not USBC Youth members. Bowlers may apply for the membership any time during the current interscholastic schedule. The cost for the new High School membership will be $5. "Many bowlers on high school teams do not bowl in USBC leagues so this gives them a way to become connected to USBC," said USBC High School Manager Breanne Eoff. "This membership will allow acceptance of all games bowled by that individual during the current season in recognized interscholastic competitions between two or more schools toward the establishment of a USBC official average."
BUMPER BOWLING AWARDS
HIGH SCHOOL MEMBERSHIPS
Special achievement awards for youth competing in bumper bowling leagues and a new membership product for high school bowlers were recently approved by the United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors. Bumper bowling league competitors rolling 50, 75 and 100 games and/or 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 series are immediately eligible to earn Bowlopolis emblems in those categories.
These awards can be earned regardless of the bowler's bumper league average and will continue to be earned on the same progressive merit basis. "Since USBC does not recognize bumper league averages, our youngest members were not eligible to earn youth awards," said USBC Director of Youth Development Brian Graham. "This meant the only way they could obtain an award was through our purchasable awards program." To address this disparity and provide a consistent youth awards benefit to our youngest members, we proposed to extend the eligibility for the Bowlopolis-themed youth awards to participants in certified bumper bowling programs without the average requirement." The new USBC High School membership, which becomes effective Aug. 1, is available to those interscholastic high school bowlers who are not USBC Youth members. Bowlers may apply for the membership any time during the current interscholastic schedule. The cost for the new High School membership will be $5. "Many bowlers on high school teams do not bowl in USBC leagues so this gives them a way to become connected to USBC," said USBC High School Manager Breanne Eoff. "This membership will allow acceptance of all games bowled by that individual during the current season in recognized interscholastic competitions between two or more schools toward the establishment of a USBC official average."
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