Thursday, May 28, 2009

Golf Events & Tournaments

Golf Events

May 8--Mamakating Lions Club Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information call 845-434-2620
May 9--IBEW Tournament. Lochmor Golf Course. Information call 845-434-1257
May 13--Section 9 Qualifier. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
May 16--Callicoon UM Church Captain & Crew Tournament. French Woods Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-887-4452.
May 23--Fallsburg PBA Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information call 845-434-2620.
May 29--Marine Corp G.L. Tournament. Lochmor Golf Club. Information call 845-434-1257.
May 30--Thomas Aquinas Golf Tournament. Lochmor Golf Course. Information call 845-434-1257.
May 31--N.J. Special Olympics Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information call 845-434-2620.
June 5--Jake Hulse Memorial Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
June 5--Monticello PBA Tournament. Lochmor Golf Course. Information call 845-434-1257.
June 6--7th Annual Jake Classic Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information call 845-796-6480.
June 6--Mike Grissaffe Golf Event. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
June 7--Shady Acres Tourney. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
June 13--Stump Sitters Tournament. Lochmor Golf C ourse. Information call 845-434-1257.
June 13--Monticello High School Golf Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
June 14--W.S.U.T. & S.R.P. Sullivan West Golf Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
June 15--Iraq Veterans Golf Event. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
June 19--TVLGA Junior Tournament, ages 10-high school. Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5557.
June 19--Occupations, Inc. Pro-Am. The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge. Information call 845-692-4454, Ext. 101.
June 20--Eastern Star Golf Event. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
June 20--Liberty Booster Club Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
June 29--Bull Pen Golf Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information call 845-434-2620
June 29--Downsville Alumni Tourney. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000
July 11--Corness C o-Op Golf Outing. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
July 12--Memorial Tournament & Dinner. Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5557.
July 12--Fallsburg Lions Club Alan Steingart Memorial Tournament, Tarry Brae Golf Course, South Fallsburg. For information call Cindy Perlmutter at 845-434-4321.
July 17--Scotch Twosome Tourament. Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5557.
July 18--Friends Outing. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
July 22--Rally For The Cure Golf Tourney. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
July 24--Country Store Youth Foundation Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
July 26--Billy Moran Memorial Golf Outing. Villa Roma Country Club. Information call 845-887-4734.
July 26--Roscoe Kiwanis Club Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
July 31--Commissioners Cup Championship Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Aug. 2--Prasad Golf Tournament. Tarry Brae Golf Course. Information call 845-434-2620
Aug. 7-9 Sullivan County Democrat Two-Man Better Ball Tournament, Villa Roma Country Club
Aug. 16--Roscoe Firemen Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
Aug. 16--Jeff Lions Club Tournament. Swan lake Golf & Coutry Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Aug. 23--Sheriff Mike Schiff Golf Tournament. Swan Lake Golf Club. Information please call 845-292-0323
Aug. 30--Kutchers Outing. Swan Lake Golf & Country /Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Sept. 12--Trevor Simpson Memorial Tournament. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.
Sept. 20--Methol Hunting Club Tournament. Tennanah Lake Golf Club. Information call 607-498-5000.
Sept. 20--Community Unity Golf Event. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club. Information call 845-292-0323.

Golfing Highlights Column 5-29-09

Jeffrey Eisele holds the Eiseles Ultimate Golf Utility Clup ( Photo of the Clip) is also shown as a separate photo.

Eiseles Ultimate Golf Utility Clip

Golfers are continually looking to rid themselves of the annoyances of maintaining all their golf utilities in their pockets.
I hear golfers all the time saying that once they get to the green they start searching for their ball marker or their divot tool.
There are just many many golfers who simply refuse to fill their pockets and find themselves without one of their golf utilities when needed.
Golf outings and most of the golf shows we attend annually most always answer those important golf needs and such was the case this year when we talked with Jeffrey Eisele at the Northcoast New Jersey Golf Show at Somerset, NY in February.
Jeffrey owns and operates his company which is called Eiseles Invention, LLC and after a brief conversation we knew that he indeed had the answer to how golfers can maintain their golf utilities.
His design of The Eiseles Ultimate Golf Utility Clip definitely was created with all golfers in mind. Eiseles Clip helps golfers concentrate on their game and eliminates any discomfort when talking a swing because your pockets are full with balls, tees, ball markers, a divot tool, etc. etc.
The Eiseles Ultimate Golf Utility Clip takes care of it all. It is a perfectly designed leather clip that holds your extra ball, two tees, a divot tool. ball marker and your golf glove.
Jeffrey pointed out that the Clip is hand crafted and designed so that golfers will not even realize they are wearing a clip on their hip. This Leather clip bends around ones hip and does not interfere with you golf swing at all.
The designer of this fine addition to the golf game said that the clip is extremely lightweight and sits perfectly around your hip by clipping either to your belt or your pants.
I have tried mine and because it is made of leather it does form comfortably on the individuals hip.
I can't agree more with the statement that the utility clip makes your game complete as now I'm finally able to have access to all the utilities while playing golf using the Clip.
Jeffrey also noted that the Clip can be personalized for any Country Club, Pro Shop or for any event such as golf outings, tournaments or any type of special occasion.
The Clip is available for either the Left hip or Right hip.
Golfers we talked to at the show who had previously purchased the Clip said this item was an awesome idea and that they use it every round of golf they play.
Eiseles Clip has been voted the Number 1 golf utility clip by Golf Products Review.
I fell in love with mine and its the first thing I put on when I get to the golf course after putting the golf bag on the cart and slipping into my golf shoes.
Jeffrey can be reached at info@eiselesinvention.com or by telephone at 973-978-8362. His web site is http://www.eiselesinvention.com/

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

The Flop Shot.
With today's golf greens becoming faster and firmer, a shot that has become very popular is the lob or flop shot.
Golfers are trying to get the ball close to the hole, out of thicker rough, by lobbing it up in the air. The 60-degree wedge is allowing the golfer to throw the ball up in the air higher and land it softer to prevent the ball from rolling too far from the hole.
When you are deciding to use the lob shot, make sure you have exhausted all your other options. Jack Nicklaus had a good theory to use. He always said, "putt the ball whenever possible, chip it when you can's putt it, and pitch it when you have to." If you have to try to hip the ball high and land it soft, here are come guidelines to help you.
First, check to see if you have a good lie to be able to make contact. Then when you set up to hit the shot you must open the club face and have a very relaxed grip. How much you open the club will determine how high the ball will go and how much spin you create to land it softly. Because you have opened the club face, you must open your stance to compensate for your aim. You have to make sure you take a good swing and have a good follow through.
The biggest mistake golfers make is decelerating on the way down. You must keep your head still and accelerate through the shot.
A good golfer to watch as they hit the flop shot is Phil Mickelson. He lets his shoulders control the swing, not his hands. Make sure this is the shot to use because you want this shot to help you cut down strokes in your round, not add strokes to your score.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.com

Ed's Outlook

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) last weekend said farewell to the Corning Classic and Corning, NY.
Difficult economic times was blamed as the reason the LPGA has pulled out of Corning.
For some 31 years the Corning Classic was a popular tour stop on the LPGA. The event started there is 1979.
The LPGA last year had 12 events during the months of April through June and this year only eight tournaments have been played during the same time frame.
The same economy that played a part in the Corning Classic demise also enabled it to finish with arguably its best overall field ever.
Yani Tseng won the Classic and the tournament will be remembered for a long time to come.

This column is written by Ed Townsend, a consultant to the amateur and professional sport of golf and to several golf writers associations. If you have a topic you believe would make good reading or have league standings and tournament information, Ed can be reached at 439-8177 or by email at bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com For a more expanded version of this golf column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com/

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Ciccone Wins PBA Regional Players Championship


Joe Ciccone of Buffalo, N.Y., defeated Jim Tomek Jr. of Camp Hill, Pa., 184-161, to win the Professional Bowlers Association Regional Players Championship and its $9,000 first prize at Thunderbowl Lanes recently at Allen Park, Mich.

Ciccone, who recently failed to earn enough points to maintain his Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour exemption after six years as a touring player, also earned an expenses-paid trip to bowl in the 2010 PBA Regional Players Invitational where the top seven players will win exemption to bowl on the national tour for the 2010-11 season. He also won his first trip to bowl in the PBA Tournament of Champions, an event for the PBA’s elite champions.

“I’m very happy,” the 34-year-old former Erie Community College and Arizona State University collegiate star said. “And the Tournament of Champions is a very nice bonus, the icing on the cake.”

Ciccone is hoping he won’t need to cash in on the Regional Players Invitational package, however. If he can regain his exemption in the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Trials later this week, he won’t be eligible for that regional players-only event.

“I’m here, so I might as well bowl (the Tour Trials),” he said. “(Losing my exemption) wasn’t the result I was hoping for last season, but a lot of other guys were impacted the same way. There’s nothing specific about the way I bowled that I can put my finger on, but it would be nice to have the opportunity to do better next season than I did last. I’ll bowl the Tour Trials and if I don’t make it, it’s nice to have the RPI to fall back on.”

The PBA Regional Players Championship drew a field of 207 competitors. Most of the players will now focus their attention on the five-day, 45-game Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Trials which runs Wednesday through Sunday at Thunderbowl Lanes. The top eight Tour Trials finishers will earn exemptions to bowl full-time on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour next season.


PBA REGIONAL PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Mich., May 24

Championship
Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y. ($9,000), def. Jim Tomek Jr., Camp Hill, Pa. ($5,000), 184-161.

Semifinal Round (losers earned $2,800 each)
Ciccone def. Stuart Williams, England, 245-179
Tomek def. Mitch Beasley, Puyallup, Wash., 225-180

Round of 8 (best of three games, losers eliminated, each earned $1,700)
Williams def. Michael Marsico, Huntingtown, Md., 2-0
Beasley def. Joe Paluszek, Bensalem, Pa., 2-0
Ciccone def. Richard Kidd, El Paso, Ill., 2-0
Tomek def. Chad Maas, Brookfield, Wis., 2-0

Round of 16 (best of three games, losers eliminated, each earned $1,100)
Paluszek def. David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 2-0
Kidd def. Ed Carter, Akron, Ohio, 2-0
Williams def. Thomas Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 2-0
Marsico def. Tim Mack, Indianapolis, 2-0
Beasley def. D.J. Archer, Garland, Texas, 2-0
Maas def. Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 2-1
Ciccone def. Bo Goergen, Midland, Mich., 2-1
Tomek def. Brian Kjergaard, Fulton, Ill., 2-1

Round of 32 (best of five games, losers eliminated, each earned $800)
Smallwood def. Brett Cooper, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 3-0
Goergen def. Joe Bailey, Pittsburgh, Pa., 3-2
Paluszek def. Bobby Hall II, Landover, Md., 3-1
Kidd def. Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 3-2
Traber def. David Anthony, Austin, Texas, 3-1
Archer def. Sean Swanson, Springfield, Mo., 3-2
Williams def. Jodi Woessner, Oregon, Ohio, 3-1
Boresch def. Tom Sorce, Blasdell, N.Y., 3-2
Mack def. Chad Kloss, Greenfield, Wis., 3-0
Kjergaard def. George Lambert IV, Wichita, Kan., 3-2
Marsico def. Brian Valenta, Lockport, Ill., 3-0
Beasley def. Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 3-1
Maas def. Lindsay Baker, Waterford, Mich., 3-2
Ciccone def. Terry Wiley, Vienna, Va., 3-1
Carter def. Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 3-0
Tomek def. Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 3-1

Round of 64 (best of five games, losers eliminated, each earned $650)
Smallwood def. John Conroy, Mahopac, N.Y., 3-1
Goergen def. Jason Wojnar, Chicago, 3-0
D'Entremont def. Tony Campagna Jr., Hendersonville, Tenn., 3-2
Paluszek def. Larry Verble, Mason, Mich., 3-1
Kidd def. Brian Thompson, Flat Rock, Mich., 3-1
Valenta def. Robert Lawrence, Del Valle, Texas, 3-2
Lambert def. Joe Green, Maplewood, Ohio, 3-2
Traber def. John Slavich IV, Schaumburg, Ill., 3-2
Archer def. Patrick Dombrowski, Parma, Ohio, 3-0
Wiley def. Jeff Zaffino, Warren, Pa., 3-1
Williams def. Chris Hansen, Chicago, 3-1
Sorce def. Duane Benn, Lynnwood, Wash., 3-0
Boresch def. Bill Spigner, Vernon Hills, Ill., 3-1
Woessner def. Kenneth Jessee, Huber Heights, Ohio, 3-1
Graham def. Kurt Pilon, Warren, Mich., 3-0
Mack def. Walter L. Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 3-1
Kjergaard def. Kevin Taber, Toledo, Ohio, 3-2
Marsico def. Randy Weiss, Columbia, S.C., 3-1
Sullins def. Jason Hurd, St. Petersburg, Fla., 3-0
Bobby def. Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 3-1
Beasley def. Chris Kliczinski, Pinckney, Mich., 3-0
Bailey def. Michael Clark Jr., Lakewood, Ohio, 3-0
Maas def. Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 3-1
Cooper def. Mason Brantley, Detroit, 3-1
Freiberg def. Ken Abner, Cincinnati, 3-1
Anthony def. Ray Edwards, Middle Island, N.Y., 3-2
Swanson def. Dan Patterson, Buffalo, N.Y., 3-2
Ciccone def. Tom Hess, Urbandale, Iowa, 3-1
Carter def. Christopher Sand, 3-2
Kloss def. Jeff Roche, Dearborn, Mich., 3-1
Tomek def. Tim Behrendt, St Louis, 3-1
Baker def. Chris Collins, Savannah, Ga., 3-1

Other Cashers (after 16 games, $500 each)
65, Gregg Zicha, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 3,223
66, Michelle Feldman, Auburn, N.Y., 3,222
67, Tommy Gollick, Oberlin, Pa., 3,218
68, Dan Higgins Jr., Westerville, Ohio, 3,215
69, Stevie Weber, Chalmette, La., 3,212

About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) features the best bowlers in the world competing in National, Regional and Senior Tour events and will award over $4.3 million in prize money during the 2008-09 Lumber Liquidators PBA National Tour. The organization has more than 4,000 members spanning 13 countries, and nearly one million viewers tune-in to watch the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour every Sunday on ESPN throughout the season. PBA sponsors include Bayer, Brunswick, CLR, Denny's, Etonic, Flomax, GEICO, Go RVing, H&R Block, Lumber Liquidators, Motel 6, Pepsi-Cola and the USBC, among others. For more information on the PBA, log on to www.pba.com. This season marks the 50th Anniversary of the PBA Tour.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Here & There Column 5-26-09

Honorary participants in the Thomas Skiff Jr. Memorial Tournament May 9 were members of his family, from the left, son Gregg Skiff, his mother Olive Stone, son Thomas Skiff III and his life soul mate and mother of his two children Joan Redington.

Memorial Tourney Honors Tom Skiff Jr.

The 1st Annual Tom Skiff Jr. Memorial "Bowl For A Cure" doubles tournament held on May 9 at Kiamesha Lanes showed loving support for a man who engulfed the sport and made it an important part of his and so many other people's lives.
As everyone who knew and loved Tom Skiff Jr. we know that he left us early in life and the purpose of this tournament was to help fund cancer research in his memory.
A lot of dedicated work was put into getting this tournament started by Gillian Champagne-Kuchar who also announced that she has created a myspace page for Bowling For A Cure, called, www.myspace.com/bowl4acure and there is also an email address called bowl4acure@gmail.com
Tom achieved greatness on the local level of bowling when he accomplished the outstanding bowling feat of bowling four 300 games during the 2005-06 bowling season. A great student of the game, he studies bowling balls and lane conditions and tried his best to match both of them with his bowling talents.
Tom Skiff Jr. dedicated much of his life to this great sport, served as a league officer, was on the board of the former Sullivan County Men's Bowling Association, was a member of the Tri-State NY USBC Association and was an inductee in the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame.
Tournament participants on May 9 enjoyed the competition and the overall bowling comradery with Tom's life soul mate Joan Redington, their two sons, Thomas Skiff III and Gregg Skiff and Tom's mother Olive Stone.
Gift certificates raffled off were donated by Brother Bruno's, Monticello Greenhouse, Eva's Place, Sports Nuts, Monticello Car Wash, Giavanni's and Dutch's.
Individual game 1st place winners were Bob and Barbara Cady in the first game, John Hoffmann and Larry Berens in the second game and Greg Kuchar and Cathy Carpenter in the third game.
Funds raised will be donated to the American Cancer Society who are having a fund raiser June 6 at the Sullivan County Community College.







Thursday, May 21, 2009

Golfing Highlights Column 5-22-09

Bill Knipscher

First Swing On First Hole Results In An Ace

It just doesn't get any better then this.
It's the first night of the 2009 Monday Night Men's golf league, its the first swing and the first hole.........the result....... a hole-in-one.
It all happened in the Roscoe Twin Village Monday Night Men's golf league on May 11 where the league each night is started with a 5:30 shotgun start.
The foursome of Bill Knipscher, his new league partner Dan Baldo and their opponents, Merlin Brock and Dick Shea started their league match on the 168-yard par 3 sixth hole.
Knipscher selected a six iron from his bag (very appropriate for the sixth hole) and with a solid hit saw his ball sail towards the hole hitting in front of the green which slopes downhill and is not visible from the tee.
As the foursome approached the green they figured that Knipscher's ball must have gone across the green possibly ending up in the small brook in back of the green. They searched in back of the green and in the brook and when not finding the ball decided it was time to look in the cup which of course had captured the perfectly placed drive.
League and club members were quite positive that a hole-in-one had never been recorded on the first league night and on the first shot of the league season so this historical ace by Bill Knipscher will now go down in the books as a first at the Twin Village Golf Club in Roscoe.
Bill noted that this is his third career hole-in-one, shooting one about 15 years ago on the same sixth hole at Twin Village Golf Club and one in North Carolina some 20 years ago.
The 62 year-old Knipscher formerly made his home in Roscoe. Bill served as guidance counselor at the Livingston Manor Central School prior to his retirement in 2002
He now makes his home in Vestal with his wife, Nancy, a low handicap golfer, and their four children....and yes its a long commute to Roscoe and back home for the Monday night league competition.
Bill has been a member of the Twin Village Golf Club for 27 years and has been playing the game of golf for 30 years. He is secretary of the official Twin Village Golf Club board of directors and maintains the official club web site http://roscoegolf.com
His league and course handicap is six.


The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

Hitting shots out of the rough.
To hit better shots out of long grass you first of all ned to make sure that you swing on a steeper angle into the back of the ball. The more you sweep the ball out of long grass the more grass gets in between the clubface.
This not only slows the clubhead down but can also twist the clubhead either open or closed and this obviously causes inconsistent direction.
To learn to come down into the ball on a steeper angle you need to take the club on a more upright swing path. And the second key factor that determines your success out of long grass is the strength that you have in your arms and hands. The stronger you are in your arms and hands the better you'll do out of long grass.
And here's a great way to build up the strength that you need to get our of the thick stuff. Find a place that has very long grass and by very long I mean a foot long. Now, with a club simply swing back and forth through this long grass continually until you get tired.
Once your arms get tired then have a rest and repeat again. Listen to your body when doing this because it is quite difficult......if you feel any pain stop immediately.
You should repeat this exercise everyday, building up your strength slowly. If you do this exercise for 30 consecutive days you'll notice a huge difference in your ability to get your ball out of the rough.......not only that, you'll notice that you'll be hitting all of your shots longer.
Do this for 30 days and you will notice a big difference in your game.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake
Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net

Democrat Tournament
Set For August 7-9

One of the premier two-man, better ball golf tournament will tee up at the Villa Roma Country Club August 7-9.
The 28th annual Sullivan County Democrat two-man tournament draws some of the finest amateur golfers from Sullivan, Orange and Delaware Counties in New York and Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
The tournament format of play includes the qualifier on Friday and medal play to pre-determine flights. On Saturday and Sunday its match-play, better ball of partners.
The entry fee is $240 per man and includes cost of carts, green fees (3 rounds), trophies awards in all flights, a barbecue Friday evening at the clubhouse and an awards reception and dinner buffet on Sunday evening.
The tournament is limited to 56 teams and all applications and fees must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, July 22.
Make checks payable to Democrat Golf and mail with the entry to Sullivan County Democrat, P.O. Box 308, Callicoon, NY 12723.

Mike Schiff Annual
Golf Tourney Is Set
For August 23 At SL

The annual Sheriff Mike Schiff golf tournament is scheduled for August 23 at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club.
Registration and lunch is set for 11:30. A shotgun start is at 1 p.m. with dinner to follow the tournament.
For information call 292-0323.

Ed's Outlook

One of the greatest professional golfers of all time announced at the Masters tournament that this would make the last time he plays in this great event.
Gary Player recorded his 52nd entry into this years Masters.....making it the most of any golfer.
Gary won the Masters three times in 1961, 1974 and 1978.
We enjoyed meeting him and having lunch with him at a Skins competition in Orange County several years ago. A real friendly gentleman and a great great golfer. He will be missed at this event.

This column is written by Ed Townsend, a consultant to the amateur and professional sport of golf and to several golf writers associations. If you have a topic that you believe would make good reading or have league standings or tournament information, Ed can be reached at 439-8177 or by email at bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com For a more expanded version of this golf column please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com/











Malott Records Perfect Ending
to “King of Bowling” Series
Record second televised 300 game

Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, became the first bowler in PBA history to bowl two nationally-televised 300 games, defeating Parker Bohn III of Jackson, N.J., 300-223, in the King of Bowling by Amp Energy series finale at Kegel Training Center at Lake Wales, Fla..

The victory, televised May 20 on ESPN2, was Malott’s fifth consecutive as he swept the King of Bowling series, earning a grand total of $50,000. In successive weeks, Malott defeated Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, 268-214; Patrick Allen of Wesley Chapel, Fla., 258-234; Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., 300-238, and Rhino Page of Topeka, Kan., 257-233, before rolling his second perfect game against Bohn.

Bohn advanced to the week five title match with a 260-187 victory over Brad Angelo of Lockport, N.Y.

“In practice, I moved up on the approach a little, and that slowed everything down a little bit more so I could get the ball to hook in the right part of the lane,” Malott said of his mastery of the Scorpion lane condition pattern he selected for each telecast as reigning “King.” “Once I did that, I had an unbelievable look. It actually got in my head that I could shoot another 300.

“I’m usually pretty laid back, not very excitable, but I actually did fall on the floor after the 12th shot. I was wondering what else in the world could happen to me this season? It was an unbelievable way to cap off a great season.”

It was also a victory that provided some self-redemption for Malott.

“I knew I had bowled well enough to win Player of the Year, but to have that title go down to the last frame of the last game of the season?” he asked himself, referring to Mike Scroggins’ victory over Norm Duke in the title match of the Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open which denied Duke the title. “I’d rather have dominated and run away with the points title. Maybe that gave me a little more motivation.

“It was kind of unfulfilling the way the season ended. But after the King of Bowling series, I’m a little more satisfied with the whole thing. The lanes might have been scoreable, but you still have to bowl well to put up the numbers I put up.”

After his King of Bowling Powered by Amp Energy sweep and a runner-up finish to Allen in the Dydo Japan Cup, Malott and his Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour competitors will head to Jackson, N.J., for the PBA GEICO Team Shootout hosted by Six Flags June 11-14.

“Winning five in a row against the guys I had to bowl?” Malott reflected. “I just worried about my game and made the most of it. I had some luck – good and bad – along the way.

“But that’s behind me. I’ve moved on to the future, and oh my god, to be in the position I’m at now? I’ve had some pretty good success this early in my career. I’m blessed and I hope I can keep it going.”


PBA KING OF BOWLING POWERED BY AMP ENERGY
Kegel Training Center, Lake Wales, Fla.

Show #1 (aired 4/22/09)
Match One – Chris Barnes def. Norm Duke 257-248, Duke earns $2,500 Match Two – Wes Malott def. Barnes 268-214, Barnes earns $5,000, Malott earns $10,000

Show #2 (aired 4/29/09)
Match One – Patrick Allen def. Mike Scroggins 272-268, Scroggins earns $2,500 Match Two – Malott def. Allen 258-234, Allen earns $5,000, Malott earns $10,000

Show #3 (aired 5/6/09)
Match One – Walter Ray Williams Jr. def. Bill O’Neill 247-247, Williams wins five round rolloff 49-47, O’Neill earns $2,500 Match Two – Malott def. Williams 300-238, Williams earns $5,000, Malott earns $10,000

Show #4 (aired 5/13/09)
Match One – Rhino Page def. John Nolen 256-176, Nolen earns $2,500 Match Two – Malott def. Page 257-233, Page earns $5,000, Malott earns $10,000

Show #5 (aired 5/20/09)
Match One – Parker Bohn III def. Brad Angelo 260-187, Angelo earns $2,500 Match Two – Malott def. Bohn 300-223, Bohn earns $5,000, Malott earns $10,000 ($50,000 total)


LONGTIME COLLEGIATE COACH
PROFESSOR TO JOIN USBC AS
COACHING/YOUTH PROGRAM DEVELOPER

Gary Sparks, the longtime bowling coach and assistant professor of
bowling industry management at Vincennes (Ind.) University, is joining the United States
Bowling Congress staff.

Sparks will be a program developer in the coaching and youth development areas beginning
in mid-June. He will work jointly under USBC Team USA High Performance Director David
Garber and Youth Development Director Brian Graham.

"Gary will be a great addition to the organization," Graham said. "He's experienced, has
many contacts within the industry and has a great knowledge of what we need to do to grow
the sport."

"Gary's wisdom from the bowling industry will be a great asset to the programs that
youth and coaching will be doing in the near future," Garber added.

The 53-year-old Sparks has been an assistant professor of bowling industry management
and director of bowling at Vincennes for 20 years. He previously owned a custom trophy
business and spent five years in center management for Brunswick.

"After 20 years, it was undoubtedly a very tough decision leaving Vincennes and the
program there," Sparks said. "I will miss that part of my life but feel this opportunity was
a chance to be a part of something special in what lies ahead for our industry and sport."

Sparks coached Vincennes' men's bowling team to nine National Junior College Athletic
Association national championships, which included the 2009 title. He was elected to the
NJCAA Hall of Fame in 2003 and is a two-time National College Bowling Coaches
Association Coach of the Year.

An organized league bowler for more than 35 years, Sparks has served in many roles in
state and local bowling associations, including as a member of the Indiana State Youth
Board of Directors.

"I am looking forward to the challenges of my new position and hopefully what I can
bring to USBC in their efforts along those lines," Sparks said. "Through my years at VU,
I have gotten to know and work with quite a few of the people already at USBC. Now I
will be able to join with them as we take the sport to new levels.

"The areas that I will be involved with, youth and coaching, have always been a high
priority in my work in the industry, and now I will be able to become directly involved in
growing those two important segments of the industry."

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the
integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5
million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
MOVING FORWARD AT
INTERNATIONAL BOWLING CAMPUS

While business as usual happens daily in the offices of the United States Bowling Congress, Bowling Proprietors' Association of America and other organizations, at opposite ends of the International Bowling Campus, construction crews are hard at work.

On the ground floor of the north side of 621 Six Flags Drive, work on the new International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame is underway. Already complete are two replica manual pinsetter lanes that will also serve as the theatre.

Attendees at the USBC Convention in Reno, Nev., learned of the progress and vision of the IBM/HF during a May 1 presentation by Keith Hamilton, vice president of the IBM/HF Board of Trustees. The slideshow first showed a rendering of the entrance to the IBM/HF, bowling gift shop and International Bowling Campus. Later slides gave a glimpse into what the history and modern-era exhibits along with the combined, interactive Hall of Fame section and bowling gift shop will look like.

"Approximately one-third of the exhibits have been approved and are in the process of fabrication, and we are on target for an opening in early 2010," IBM/HF Executive Director Jerry Baltz said. "The new IBM/HF will put more emphasis on the 'contemporary era' such as organized youth programs, international competition and Team USA. Our design work already is benefiting greatly from the International Bowling Campus experts in these areas."

"I am confident that everyone will be very pleased with bowling's new 21st-century museum," Museum President and Chairman of the Board Pat Ciniello said.

On the south part of the campus, plenty of dirt has been moved for the International Training and Research Center. The site has been cleared and graded with water injection, drilling and pouring of piers for the structural slab under the lanes coming next. After that will come the footings for the foundation. Simultaneous to that work will be concrete work on the dock and the front entrance as well as some landscaping.

"We have been working closely with the architect, engineers and the city to finalize the design and include value engineering cost savings," USBC Vice President-National Governing Body Neil Stremmel said.

The goal is to have the Testing and Research Center open in late October. Anyone wanting to watch the progress being made on the Training and Research Center can check out the live Web cam on the right side of bowl.com.

About the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America
Founded in 1932 and headquartered in Arlington, Texas, BPAA represents the business interests of bowling center owners worldwide. BPAA's mission to enhance the profitability of its member centers and its vision is to be an essential resource to bowling centers and to lead a united, growing, more prosperous and highly regarded bowling industry.

International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame
The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame collects and preserves the rich history of bowling, and uses that information to help promote the sport.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the
integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.
Annika Sorenstam
Expecting 1st Child

LPGA Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam and her husband, Mike McGee, announced in mid-March that they are expecting their first child in the fall. Annika and Mike were married at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Fla. on January 10, 2009. McGee, the son of former PGA TOUR and CHAMPIONS TOUR golfer Jerry McGee, has served as Managing Director for the ANNIKA brand of businesses since Dec. 2006. .

Here & There Column 5-19-09

Smiles from two of the Cowboy Crush band members, Trenna Barnes and Debbie Johnson following their May 9 show at Monticello Raceway. Standing in back of the two band members is Radio Station Thunder 102 Morning Show host Paul Ciliberto.

Cowboy Crush Steal The Show At ThunderBash

They saved them for the final act and 7,000 country music fans were treated to an outstanding performance May 9 at Thunder 102's ThunderBash held at the Monticello Casino & Raceway.
As part of Sullivan County Catskills 200 years Bicentennial celebration and co-sponsored by the Town of Thompson and Cappelli Enterprises Inc. Radio Station Thunder 102 brought to the entertainment stage the local Somerville band, Iron Cowboy and Cowboy Crush.
Cowboy Crush brought to the stage music to start a heart pumping and a life-affirming fist-in-the-air celebration that just seemed to flow seamlessly into songs bringing heartfelt affirmation to their audience.
Many in the large audience said they had not heard of Cowboy Crush but that after hearing them they just could not wait to buy their CD's.
This singing group could very well become one of country music's great sagas. They have a unique niche and the presentation they put on at Monticello Raceway May 9 surely will help them acquire a devoted following.
Comments heard throughout their portion of the program included statements like "they sing right on pitch and their voices ooze like honey through a filter of blue notes and country twangs."
Country Crush sing like angels, play like demons and have more fun while they're doing it and they clearly showed area country music fans that it's hard to imagine topping the energy, excitement, musicianship and sheer joy they this band pumps out.
A great evening of country music with free admission also saw donations of food products for area food pantry's.
Many interesting information booths and displays were also available for this large audience to enjoy.
Just an outstanding job again done by the community-minded staff of Thunder 102.





Thursday, May 14, 2009

Golfing Highlights Column 5-15-09

Michelle Kaleta of Sami International, displays the Golfers Pain Relief lotion and their display of Magnetic Therapy Bracelets.

Golfers Get Pain Relief

The popularity of magnetic therapy and the introduction of a revolutionary product developed for people that suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatic arthritis along with chronic back and neck pain was a popular topic of discussion at the Sami Int. Inc . display booth at the Greater New Jersey Golf Show held in February at Somerset, NJ
Sami Int. company representative Michelle Kaleta offered descriptive information, flyer's and brochures about Golfers Pain Relief. She carefully explained that the Golfers Pain Relief product is used externally to treat serious problems such as dull aching pain in the lumbar region of the back, rheumatic pain, extreme cases of arthritis, sports injuries and neck and muscle joint pain.
Michelle noted that this product is so effective as a pain reliever because it contains a special blend of natural powerful herbs with a high concentration of Capsicum, St. John's Wort and Boswellia Serrata.
Michelle Callahan is president and chief executive officer of Sami International Inc. and prior to starting her own company in 1999, spent 17 years launching new products for companies such as Revlon and the Lancaster Group.
The Golfers Pain Relief product was first introduced in 2003. When Michelle started the company in 1999 they began as a manufacturer of hand and nail skin care products that sold to salons and spas.
Having suffered from knee injuries along with neck and back injuries and pain and some arthritis the only way to tell if a product like this works is to try it. We have been using this product since February and find it offering great relief from the injuries I have and there is relief from arthritis pain.
We and many others at the golf show were also attracted to the beautiful display of magnetic therapy bracelets offered by Sami International.
Ms. Kaleta carefully explained that their bracelets contain 3000 Gauss on every link.
Magnetic therapy is today an ancient tool for modern times and the bracelets have proven to be effective in relieving pain from arthritis, tendinitis, headaches, muscle strains, carpel tunnel syndrome as well as in speeding the healing of wounds and injuries.
Michelle Kaleta pointed out that the use of magnets as pain therapy for alternative health purposes and other forms of homeopathy goes back to ancient China.
Magnets are man-made, with either a ceramic or neodymium housing. The latter are considered the best. The magnetic energy can be controlled as to its positive and negative charge and the amount of each.....which is called a Gauss rating. The higher the Gauss, the stronger the magnet. Negative energy is considered the most effective for pain relief.
The magnetic bracelet is popular and while spending a day of golf at your local course you will find many people wearing these bracelets. The king himself, Arnold Palmer wears a magnetic bracelet.
Information on the Golfers Pain Relief and their magnetic bracelets may be found at http://www.golferspainrelief.com/ or by phone at 877-726-4468 or email at samicosmetics@att.net

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

Preventing the Flying Right Elbow:
The flying right elbow is one of the game's best known negative touchstones.
It occurs in the back swing when the elbow just out behind the player so the right arm forms the letter V or L, depending on the angle from which you view it.
What's wrong with a flying right elbow?
It restricts the width or arc of the back swing, for one thing. It also makes it difficult to get the shaft parallel at the top of the swing with the longer clubs, a restriction that reduces power.
Finally, you don't want the elbow jutting out in the downswing because this also limits power and adds inaccuracy to the mix.
So, you must drop down and in toward your right side. This connection is an extra move that must be made in less than a second of real time.
However, trying to keep the elbow in close is too restrictive. It prevents a free-flowing overall swing motion and narrows the width of the back swing, both of which costs power.
The right elbow can move away from the right side so long as it remains pointed down toward the ground and in a viable effective position. This will generate fluidity in the swing and allow the elbow to easily and readily return to or near the right side in the downswing.
You do want the elbow close to the body in the downswing because it keeps the club moving from the inside.
To put it another way and more meaningful, it prevents the club from going "over the top" and cutting the ball from outside to inside the target line at impact.
Which is to say, with the right elbow in close to your side at impact, you are much less likely to hit a slice.
Indeed, there is a very good chance you will get a nice little draw on the ball.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question he can be reached by phone at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net

Billy Moran
Golf Outing
Is July 26

The Billy Moran Memorial Golf Outing is set for July 26 at the Villa Roma Country Club.
Registration is at 12:00 noon with a 1 p.m. shotgun scramble. There is a buffed dinner at 5:30.
Golf and buffet dinner is $75 per player and the buffet dinner only is $25.
Please register by July 1.
For information call 887-4734 or 887-4174.

Ed's Outlook

The economy has forced the famous "Skins Game" to take the year off.
The every-popular November Skins Game will not take place this year and it's all about the economy.
It is being planned to return in 2010.



This column is written by Ed Townsend, a consultant to the amateur and professional sport of golf and to several golf writers associations. If you have a topic that you feel would make good reading or have league standings and tournament information, Ed can be reached by telephone at 439-8177 or by email at bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com For a much more expanded version of the golf column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com/







CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
MOVING FORWARD AT
INTERNATIONAL BOWLING CAMPUS

While business as usual happens daily in the offices of the United States Bowling Congress, Bowling Proprietors' Association of America and other organizations, at opposite ends of the International Bowling Campus, construction crews are hard at work.

On the ground floor of the north side of 621 Six Flags Drive, work on the new International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame is underway. Already complete are two replica manual pinsetter lanes that will also serve as the theatre.

Attendees at the USBC Convention in Reno, Nev., learned of the progress and vision of the IBM/HF during a May 1 presentation by Keith Hamilton, vice president of the IBM/HF Board of Trustees. The slideshow first showed a rendering of the entrance to the IBM/HF, bowling gift shop and International Bowling Campus. Later slides gave a glimpse into what the history and modern-era exhibits along with the combined, interactive Hall of Fame section and bowling gift shop will look like.

"Approximately one-third of the exhibits have been approved and are in the process of fabrication, and we are on target for an opening in early 2010," IBM/HF Executive Director Jerry Baltz said. "The new IBM/HF will put more emphasis on the 'contemporary era' such as organized youth programs, international competition and Team USA. Our design work already is benefiting greatly from the International Bowling Campus experts in these areas."

"I am confident that everyone will be very pleased with bowling's new 21st-century museum," Museum President and Chairman of the Board Pat Ciniello said.

On the south part of the campus, plenty of dirt has been moved for the International Training and Research Center. The site has been cleared and graded with water injection, drilling and pouring of piers for the structural slab under the lanes coming next. After that will come the footings for the foundation. Simultaneous to that work will be concrete work on the dock and the front entrance as well as some landscaping.

"We have been working closely with the architect, engineers and the city to finalize the design and include value engineering cost savings," USBC Vice President-National Governing Body Neil Stremmel said.

The goal is to have the Testing and Research Center open in late October. Anyone wanting to watch the progress being made on the Training and Research Center can check out the live Web cam on the right side of bowl.com.

About the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America
Founded in 1932 and headquartered in Arlington, Texas, BPAA represents the business interests of bowling center owners worldwide. BPAA's mission to enhance the profitability of its member centers and its vision is to be an essential resource to bowling centers and to lead a united, growing, more prosperous and highly regarded bowling industry.

International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame
The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame collects and preserves the rich history of bowling, and uses that information to help promote the sport.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the
integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to nearly 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.


Malott Rallies to Retain “King of Bowling”
Crown for Fourth Week PBA Player of the
Year escapes challengeby 2007-08
Rookie of the Year Rhino Page

Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, felt his King of Bowling crown slipping off his head, but staged an amazing rally to defeat 2007-08 PBA Rookie of the Year Rhino Page of Topeka, Kan., 257-233, in the fourth installment of the special competition at Kegel Training Center., Lake Wales, Fla.

Trailing Page by 32 pins in the fifth frame of the King of Bowling Powered by Amp Energy event, Malott threw seven strikes in a row and got a couple of breaks from Page to retain his crown.

In the opening match, Page thumped United States Bowling Congress Masters champion John Nolen of Waterford, Mich., 256-176, for the right to bowl Malott.

“John didn’t bowl a very good game, but he was playing the lanes pretty straight,” Malott said. “When I tried that, I had the same problem, so I just tried to attack them the way I had the three previous shows.

“In the first frame I got a little fast,” he continued, explaining the 2-4-10 split he left on one of his rare miscues in the series. “I made a disgusted shot at the spare because my feet got fast. I just walked away and I heard the crowd yell. I converted the split, but I never saw it.”

Malott followed the split conversion with three strikes, but left a 7 pin in the fifth frame and missed it.

“I didn’t know how I wanted to throw at it,” he confessed. “I tried to go straight, but I had an issue with the approach and I didn’t get the ball off my hand.”

In the meantime, Page started with five strikes before leaving a 7 pin of his own. He converted, but his fatal error came in the seventh frame when he left the 6-8 split and failed to convert.

“I knew I had Rhino by a pin if we both struck out,” Malott said. “I ended up doing that. When I got up in the 10th frame, it was the position you always dream of and I made three decent shots.

“Ironically, I had talked with a father with three kids before the show and I told them you had to put bad shots behind you and focus on making the most of your next one. That’s what I did. I could have given up, but I bounced back.”

Malott has successfully retained his King of Bowling Powered by Amp Energy crown for four straight weeks. His final challenge will be against the winner of a match between Brad Angelo of Lockport, N.Y., and PBA/USBC Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III of Jackson, N.J., on May 20.

King of Bowling Powered by Amp Energy telecasts air Wednesdays at 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.



Johnny Petraglia Wins PBA
Senior Sun Bowl in The Villages

In dominating record-breaking fashion, Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Johnny Petraglia of Jackson, N.J., won the PBA Senior Sun Bowl in The Villages at Spanish Springs Lanes for his first Senior Tour title of the season.

Petraglia defeated Hugh Miller of Seattle, 278-225, in the championship match May 13 to win the seventh Senior Tour title of his career.

Leading the tournament wire-to-wire, Petraglia set four scoring records (six and 12-game qualifying pinfall and 36-game pinfall with and without bonus pins). He had a 13-5 match play record which also helped him earn the top qualifying position for the stepladder finals.

“It’s very gratifying to bowl this well throughout the whole tournament and bring home a win,” the 62-year-old Petraglia said. “It would have been very disappointing to be the top qualifier and lose it all in one match.

“I had to bowl a good game,” said the left-hander who also owns 14 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour titles. “If Hugh would have thrown a 290 game to beat me that wouldn’t feel so bad, but if he wasn’t going to bowl the big game I had to make sure I did.”

It was in last year’s PBA Senior U.S. Open that Petraglia felt the disappointment of leading the entire tournament only to lose in the championship match to Wayne Webb 204-172.

Petraglia earned $8,000 for his Villages win while Miller, who owns one Senior Tour and seven national PBA Tour titles, earned $4,500 for second.

In the semifinal match, Miller defeated Kevin Croucher of Grants Pass., Ore., 227-220. In the opening match Croucher defeated Roger Kossert of Lithia, Fla., 224-213.

The next stop on the PBA Senior Tour will be the Senior Northern California Classic May 24-27 in Brentwood, Calif.


2009 PBA SENIOR SUN BOWL IN THE VILLAGES
Spanish Springs Lanes, The Villages, Fla.
May 13, 2009

Final Standings
1, Johnny Petraglia, Jackson, N.J., 278 (one game), $8,000
2, Hugh Miller, Seattle, 452 (two games), $4,500
3, Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 444 (two games), $3,000
4, Roger Kossert, Lithia, Fla., 213 (one game), $2,500

Stepladder Results
Match One – Croucher def., Kossert, 224-213
Semifinal Match – Miller def. Croucher, 227-220
Championship – Petraglia def. Miller, 278-225

Round 5
(After 36 games, including match play record, total pins with bonus and money earned)

1, Johnny Petraglia, Jackson, N.J., 13-5, 9,395
2, Hugh Miller, Seattle, 13-4-1, 9,042
3, Roger Kossert, Lithia, Fla., 13-4-1, 9,000
4, Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 13-4-1, 8,788
5, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 13-5, 8,745, $2,000
6, Ron Mohr, Eagle River, Alaska, 13-4-1, 8,712, $1,750
7, Wayne Webb, Sacramento, Calif., 9-9, 8,687, $1,600
8, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 10-8, 8,676, $1,550
9, Mike Henry, Brunswick, Ohio, 8-8-2, 8,665, $1,500
10, Keith Glasgow, St. Petersburg, Fla., 8-9-1, 8,597, $1,450
11, John Shreve, Elyria, Ohio, 8-8-2, 8,580, $1,425
12, Dale Eagle, Tavares, Fla., 8-10, 8,557, $1,400
13, Dave Patchen, Oregon, Ohio, 9-9, 8,532, $1,375
14, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 9-8-1, 8,475, $1,350
15, Rohn Morton, Vancouver, Wash., 6-11-1, 8,456, $1,325
16, Mike Pullin, Rochelle, Ill., 8-9-1, 8,405, $1,300

Round 4
(after 27 games, including match play record, total pins with bonus and money earned)

17, Bob Handley, Winter Park, Fla., 5-3-1, 6,314, $1,150
18, Jeff Schrum Cherryville, N.C., 4-5, 6,310, $1,140
19, Kerry Painter, Henderson, Nev., 4-5, 6,304, $1,130
20, Larry Graybeal, Elizabethton, Tenn., 5-4, 6,295, $1,120
21, Mike Dias, Lafayette, Colo., 5-4, 6,293, $1,110
22, Gerald Teel, The Villages, Fla., 3-5, 6,244, $1,100
23, Tim Kauble, Marion, Ohio, 5-4, 6,183, $1,095
24, Bobby Johnson, Chillicothe, Ohio, 4-5, 6,163, $1,090
25, (TIE) Donald Breihan, Columbia, S.C., 2-7, and Mitch Jabczenski, Novi, Mich., 4-5, 6,121, $1,082
27, Tommy Kress, Rochester, N.Y., 3-6, 6,118, $1,075
28, Barry Mefford, Aurora, Ill., 2-7, 6,111, $1070
29, Dennis Psaropoulos, Lake Worth, Fla., 3-6, 6,064, $1,065
30, (TIE) Pete Couture, Titusville, Fla., 3-6, and Ron Woods, Hudson, Fla., 1-8, 5,902, $1,057
32, Sal Bongiorno, Hollywood, Fla., 0-9, 5,819, $1,050
SUPPORT BOWLING CHARITIES
BY DONATING USED CARS/VEHICLES
TO THE BOWLING FOUNDATION

Bowlers and non-bowlers alike can help bowling's charitable efforts and receive a tax deduction by donating their used cars or other vehicles to The Bowling Foundation.

The process is hassle free with pick up or towing available at no charge anywhere in the U.S. All vehicles will be accepted whether they are running or not, including cars, trucks, boats, recreation vehicles, motorcycles, jet skis, snowmobiles and even airplanes.

"We know people are always looking for unique ways to help bowling help others so rather than trade in your vehicle, we urge you to consider donating it to the Bowling Foundation," said Bowling Foundation Executive Director Troy Greisen. "We believe this new program will be beneficial to both the vehicle owners and all the great charities and projects we support."

Vehicle donations will help the Bowling Foundation support its many charities and projects, including: Susan G. Komen for the Cure(r) Foundation; Bowlers to Veterans Link; Special Olympics; Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Youth in school/after school bowling programs; International Bowl for Aid programs; Earl Anthony Memorial Scholarship Fund; and the International Bowling Museum & Hall of Fame.

To donate your vehicle, visit donationline.com or call (877) CARS4US, ext. 2439. Be sure to have your title with you. For more information on the Bowling Foundation, go to bowlingfoundation.org, e-mail info@bowlingfoundation.org or call: (888) 302-8122.

About the Bowling Foundation
The Bowling Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization in partnership with the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America, the United States Bowling Congress and the Professional Bowler's Association.. It serves as the central and premier charitable arm of the sport of bowling, the industry, and its partners worldwide, with the vision to become a philanthropic leader toward positive social change.
PBA’s Billy Welu Scholarship
Applications Due May 31

The application deadline for the annual Billy Welu Scholarship, which recognizes exemplary qualities in male and female college students who compete in the sport of bowling, is approaching. Applications must be postmarked by May 31.

The Welu Scholarship winner receives a $1,000 award. For more information and an application please go to http://www.pba.com/corporate/scholarships.asp.

To be eligible, candidates must be amateur bowlers who are currently in college (preceding the application deadline) and maintain at least a 2.5/4.0 GPA or equivalent.

Heather D’Errico of Robert Morris College was the 2008 winner and Ricki Williams of Wichita State University earned the honor in 2007.

A PBA Charter Member, Welu was inducted into both the PBA and United States Bowling Congress Halls of Fame in 1975 after his untimely passing in 1974. Welu won the BPAA All-Star competition in 1959 before winning the 1964 and ‘65 USBC Masters titles.

From 1962-1974 Welu served as the color commentator alongside fellow PBA Hall of Famer Chris Schenkel for ABC Sports telecasts of the Professional Bowlers Tour. The affable broadcaster was PBA President for two years, a member of the PBA Tournament Committee for eight years and served for 16 years on the Executive Board. Welu also was PBA Secretary for two years and Second Vice President for three years.
MICHELLE WIE ENTERS THE
2009 RICOH WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

Michelle Wie is the latest star to confirm her entry into the 2009 Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, July 30-August 2.
Michelle, who has been combining golf with her studies at Stanford University for the past couple of years, secured her 2009 LPGA card at qualifying school and is looking forward to playing her first full year on the LPGA Tour.
Michelle explained the benefits she is enjoying as a full LPGA Tour member, “I think the fact that I know that I can play more than six tournaments a year allows me to build on my progress each week and work towards getting my first LPGA Tour win. I feel like this season represents a ‘fresh start’ for me and I’m able to work towards the goals I set for myself. Obviously winning the Ricoh Women’s British Open would be a huge accomplishment and it is certainly something I want to experience in my career.”
Michelle’s best finish in the Women’s British Open was 3rd place in 2005 when she won the leading amateur medal. She is delighted to be returning to Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club having missed the Championship last year. She explained, “I’m really looking forward to playing in the Ricoh Women’s British Open this summer. I enjoy the challenges that links golf presents and think I’ve have handled it pretty well in the past. I played at Royal Lytham in 2006 and finished tied 26th so I will be looking to use that experience to help me improve on that finish. I’ve really enjoyed all my visits to the UK and I’ve especially enjoyed the experience of playing on world famous links golf courses in front of the knowledgeable British golf fans. Travelling around the world is definitely one of the best things about being a golf professional and I am looking forward to going back to the North West of England.”
Michelle will be joining a star-studded field including defending champion, Jiyai Shin, 2009 Kraft Nabisco Champion, Brittany Lincicome, Natalie Gulbis, Gwladys Nocera, Suzann Pettersen and Paula Creamer. All of the world’s top players are expected to play and the event is given additional importance given that it will be the final qualifying event before the teams are announced for the 2009 Solheim Cup matches.
Shona Malcolm, Ladies’ Golf Union’s CEO, observed; “I am delighted that Michelle Wie will be in the field this year. She has a lot of fans in the UK who have followed her career since her phenomenal 3rd place finish as the leading amateur at Royal Birkdale in 2005. I know there were a lot of disappointed youngsters who hoped to see Michelle play last year and they will be thrilled to hear she will be will be returning to Royal Lytham to compete for this coveted title.”
This year’s Championship will take place at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in the North West of England. Its credentials as a Championship venue are impressive. As well as holding three Women’s British Opens - in 1998, 2003 and 2006 - Royal Lytham has hosted an impressive 10 men’s Open Championships and two Ryder Cups.
With Annika Sorenstam, the winner at Royal Lytham in 2003, recently retired from the Tour and Sherri Steinhauer, the 1998 and 2006 Champion, having played no events in over 6 months, the North West golf fans look set to witness a new winner crowned at Royal Lytham and St Annes Golf Club in August.
Steeped in history and the only Major to take place outside of the USA, the 2009 Ricoh Women’s British Open is set to be one of the highlights on this year’s golfing calendar. It is the most international of all the Majors with millions tuning into the 2008 Championship coverage as it was televised around the world, including on the BBC in the UK, ABC network television in the USA and on TV Asahi in Japan.
The Ricoh Women’s British Open was founded by the Ladies’ Golf Union in 1976 and is staged in conjunction with IMG, the world’s largest sports marketing company. The event has been co-sanctioned by the LPGA and LET since 1994 and gained Major status in 2001.
For more information, including the latest news and advance ticket offers, please visit www.ricohwomensbritishopen.com or call our ticket line on +448719459421.
About the Ladies’ Golf Union (“LGU”)
Founded in 1893, the LGU is the encompassing body for ladies’ amateur golf in Great Britain and Ireland. The LGU Executive Council includes representatives of the National Organisations (English Women’s Golf Association Ltd, Irish Ladies’ Golf Union Ltd, Scottish Ladies’ Golfing Association Ltd and the Golf Union of Wales Ltd). The primary objective of the LGU is to uphold the rules of the game and to advance and safeguard the interests of ladies’ golf. In particular, the LGU owns the Ricoh Women’s British Open (one of the four Major Tournaments for Professional Women golfers), and has responsibility for running other British Championships and Home International events, and preparing the Great Britain and Ireland teams for representative matches, such as the Curtis Cup and the Vagliano Trophy.
Further information about the Ladies’ Golf Union is available on www.lgu.org
NFL Great Lynn Swann to join Bowling
Hall of Fame Celebrities Exhibit

Former National Football League All-Pro, Super Bowl MVP and Hall of Fame wide receiver Lynn Swann has earned many accolades throughout his career; however, it's his enthusiasm for bowling that has made him a recognizable and supportive force and an ambassador for the sport. In honor of years of support and involvement in the bowling industry, The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame announced today that Swann will be the third inductee into the Bowling Hall of Fame Celebrities Exhibit and the first to be inducted into the brand new museum, which will be completed in early 2010.
The induction celebration will take place June 24 as part of the general-session festivities at International Bowl Expo 2009, which will be held at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Convention Center, June 20-26.
"Bowling is a great activity for people of all ages, and I'm so proud and honored to have helped to play a small part in helping to drive the resurgence of this great American pastime," said Swann. "The more than 67 million people who bowl every year are a testament to the sport's tremendous popularity. Bowling is a true part of Americana, and I'm humbled to have a place in the Bowling Hall of Fame."
A prominent advocate for the sport of bowling, Swann has hosted the NFL Super Bowl Celebrity Bowling Classic for the past three years and served as the lane-side reporter during the 2008 CBS broadcast of Bowling's Clash of Champions, which marked bowling's first return to network television since 1999.
"Lynn has a true passion for the sport of bowling and has been an incredible friend to the industry for many years; we're proud and honored to welcome him as the newest addition to the Celebrity Bowling Hall of Fame and the first inductee to the Bowling Hall of Fame's new location within the International Bowling Campus in Arlington," said Jim Sturm, Bowling Proprietors' Association of America President and United States Bowling Congress Director.
In late 2007, it was announced the Bowling Hall of Fame would relocate from St. Louis to become part of the newly formed International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas. The campus also includes the headquarters for the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America, the United States Bowling Congress and the International Training and Research Center.
Swann will be recognized in the Celebrities exhibit at the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, joining former NFL great and fellow Steeler Jerome Bettis as well as famed major league baseball pitcher and radio analyst Tom Candiotti.
"We are thrilled to recognize this champion for our sport. Lynn is an extraordinary exemplar of how involvement in sports can parlay into even greater achievements," said Patrick Ciniello, President/Chaiman of the Board of the Hall. "As a celebrity bowler inductee, Lynn continues to generate positive awareness for the sport and continues to inspire bowlers everywhere."
The International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame has served the international bowling community for more than two decades by collecting and preserving its history and making information available worldwide to help promote the sport. The new facility is being constructed at the International Bowling Campus, 621 Six Flags Drive in Arlington, Texas.

Here & There Column 5-12-09

Casinos Are Not Far From Reality

Place your bets Sullivan County.....Indian Casinos will more then likely become a reality in the near future.
The big push is on and the Casinos are being labeled as opportunities for economic growth, the way to get at the property tax problem and being able to support the school districts.
Gov. David Paterson has asked new Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to approve placing land in trust so that the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, Band of Mohican Indians can both build gaming casinos in the Town of Thompson.
The governor has asked Salazar to revisit and withdraw the January 2008 policy from former Secretary Dirk Kempthorne which refused to allow land in trust for a total of 30 pending casino applications from Indian tribes around the country.
Gov. Paterson noted that with approval the project can "breathe new life into Sullivan County's extremely depressed economy."
New York State's new US Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand has gone on record supporting development of Native American casinos in Sullivan County providing concerns of traffic on Route 17 are addressed.
Senaor Gillibrand pointed out that what she has seen in other parts of the state show "the casino is quite successful in creating jobs, is an economic driver and as an entertainment center enhances the region through the arts and through culture."
The Senecas have also recently joined the Stockbridge-Munsees and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council in having a mitigation payment agreement with Sullivan County.
The agreement is intended to cover costs associated with the impacts of proposed casino projects.
Past Indian Casino history produced many roadblocks for this industry but the new paintings on the wall could produce a winning ticket for supporters of casinos in Sullivan County.
Could this be that pot of gold at the end of this rainbow for Sullivan County's economic crisis.....time will only tell.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Golfing Highlights Column 5-8-09

Sullivan County golfers attending the February North Coast Golf Show at Somerset, NJ visited the Villa Roma and Hudson Valley Golf Pass Book booth. At the show, from the left were, John Hoffmann from Monticello, Golfing Highlights Columnist Ed Townsend from Livingston Manor, Josh Jennings from Port Jervis, Villa Roma Golf Pro Matt Kleiner, Hudson Valley Golf Pass Book director Ken Cohen and Donald Winters of Liberty.

Local Golfers & Pros Like The Golf Show

The month of February might appear to some as the middle of the winter but to area golfers and some local golf professionals its time to gear up for the upcoming golf season and prepare for the annual visit to the North Coast Greater New Jersey Golf Show held at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, New Jersey.
Golfers from Sullivan County, the tri-county area and the tri-state area made their annual trek to Somerset, NJ to see, test and buy the latest in the world of golf at the 12th annual show.
Whether they were looking for the latest equipment, planning their next golf getaway or looking to improve their game, the Greater New Jersey Golf Show had it all.
With over 250 booths, the show provides the best chance to show, compare and save on anything and everything in the world of golf.
Golfers enjoyed special show savings on the latest in golf clubs, bags, balls, shoes, apparel, training aids, accessories and many golf resort packages.
Show attendees were also able to test their talent in challenging skills competitions, you could also sit back and enjoy amazing stage performances or take a free one-on-one golf lesson with a PGA professional.
We particularly enjoyed watching Brian Paviet, current # 1 ranked long driver in the world and Hank Haney the instructor to the #1 player in the world (Tiger Woods).
Local golf courses with booths at the show this year included PGA Professional Matt Kleiner and the Villa Roma Country Club and General Manager Jimmy Bowers and the Tennanah Lake Golf & Tennis Club.
This annual February event is always a breath of fresh air for golfers.

The Golf Tip
By Robert Menges

How to Practice Efficiently:
If you haven't started thinking about it yet.....the golf season is here and this should make you want to dig out your clubs and get ready for the golfing season.
Yes, it's time to dust off your clubs and get those winter muscles warmed up for a great golfing season.
With the season beginning, you should start with a good practice routine. If you want to improve your game, it is important to set some goals for the season.....and map out a practice schedule.
I would like to offer you a few suggestions on how to practice. You must first realize there are different areas of the game where you can focus on becoming a better player. Most golfers consider hitting a bucket of balls before their round of practice. Obviously, you want to work on your full swing, but you need to look at what is considered the scoring area of the game.....the short game.
Putting, chipping, pitching and bunker shots are just as important as a 300-yard drive. Most golfers ignore this part of the game when they practice. I feel you should spend at least twice the amount of time practicing your short game as you do your full swing.
Try to put aside a minimum of one hour a week to devote to your short game practice. If you have a chance to go to the range after work you can spend a half hour on the range working on your full swing, and then take another night and spend one hour on the practice green working on your short game.
I bet you will find if you improve your short game you will see an improvement in your overall score. Also, in order to work out the winter kinks, it is a good idea to make an appointment with your local Golf Professional.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by phone at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net

Callicoon UM Church
Tourney Sat. May 16

The Callicoon United Methodist Church 1st Annual Captain & Crew Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 16 at the French Woods Golf and Country Club.
The tournament includes a 12 noon shotgun start, a putting contest, a silent auction table of prizes, a closest to the pin hole, 18-holes of golf with a cart and a chicken barbecue.
The fee for this tournament is $60 per golfer
Roger Widmann is the tournament director and information may be obtained at 845-887-4452.

7th Annual Jake
Classic June 6

The 7th Annual Jake Classic 2009 golf outing will be held on Saturday, June 6 at the Tarry Brae Golf Course on Pleasant Valley Road, South Fallsburg.
This annual event is sponsored by the Sullivan County Probation Officers' Association.
The Association awards two Jacob E. Gunther III Memorial scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to deserving graduating seniors from school districts in the 98th District of the New York Assembly.
The scholarship fund was established to help continue the legacy of the late Assemblyman who was widely recognized as a staunch supporter of local
law enforcement agencies and who was also committed to service to ones community and recognition of scholastic excellence.
Monies for the scholarship fund are raised, with generous support of area businesses, at the annual Jake Classic golf outing.
This golf outing includes registration and a continental breakfast at 7:30 a.m., a shotgun start with a scramble format at 8:30 a.m. , beverages on the course and burgers at the turn, an awards luncheon with raffles, prizes and a hole-in-one contest.
The fee is $75 per golfer and $25 per guest at the awards luncheon.
Criteria for scholarship consideration include academic achievement, community service, financial need and acceptance to an accredited college or university to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.
For tournament information and or corporate sponsorship call 845-796-6480.

Sybase Classic At
Upper Montclair
May 14-17

An opportunity to see some of the finest women golfers on the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour will be available May 14-17 at the Sybase Classic Presented by Shoprite held at the Upper Montclair Country Club at Clifton, New Jersey.
Kids 15 and under are admitted free and there is free admission for everyone Monday -Wednesday courtesy of Sybase. Daily ticket Thursday-Sunday and valid any one day is $20. Spectator parking is $10.
Tickets are available by calling 1-800-444-LPGA or you can buy online at tickets@clicknprinttickets.com
Liberty New York's PGA Professional Nick Yaun is the Director of Instruction at The Upper Montclair Country Club.

This column is written by Ed Townsend, a consultant to the amateur and professional sport of golf and to several golf writers associations. If you have a topic that you believe would make good reading or have league standings or tournament information, Ed can be reached at by telephone at 439-8177 or by email at bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com For a more expanded version of this golf column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com




Malott Perfect in “King of Bowling”

Victory over Walter Ray Williams

Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, kept his King of Bowling record perfect in more ways than one on Wednesday’s telecast, defeating Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., 300-238, at Kegel Training Center at Lake Wales, Fla.

In the third weekly installment of the King of Bowling Powered by Amp Energy series, Malott was perfect in winning another $10,000 King of Bowling prize and becoming the fourth PBA player to throw a nationally-televised 300 game at the winningest bowler in PBA Tour history.

Malott, sitting on his lane-side throne while Williams won a thrilling opening match over Bill O’Neill of Southampton, Pa., in a five-ball sudden-death roll-off after they rolled to a 247-247 tie, actually thought he could run the table on the 45-time PBA Tour champion in the King of Bowling match.

“As I was practicing on the TV pair, I definitely saw the transition those guys went through,” Malott said. “Walter Ray was playing farther right than anyone else, so when I got to bowl, the blend was really nice for the way I wanted to play the lanes. I was actually thinking a perfect game could be bowled.

“And there it was,” he grinned. “I put one (a 300) on the board.

“Normally when I think like that, it never happens. But that Scorpion pattern held up for me all year and with the new surface at Kegel, it held up even better. Having some confidence from my first two King of Bowling wins didn’t hurt anything, either.

“When it was over, I was kinda thinking to myself, what else could you ask for after the season I’ve had?” Malott continued. “I’ve accomplished every goal I had except a major. Shooting 300 on TV? You never think about it. There have only been 19 guys who have ever done it, so it’s not something that happens every day.”

As he approached his final frame, however, Malott said he was in control of himself. “There was definitely some excitement, but I just tried to focus and do the job. I’ve seen some guys fall on the ground and cry after bowling a 300 on TV. Some guys jump in the other guy’s arms.” The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Malott then grinned and said, “I’m not going to jump into someone’s arms. That could hurt.”

Williams probably wouldn’t have welcomed a leap, either. He was previously victimized on television by 300 games thrown by Johnny Petraglia (1993 PBA National Championship in Toledo, Ohio), Steve Hoskins (Rochester, N.Y., 1997) and Norm Duke (Tacoma, Wash., 2003).

Despite his flawless performance in the King of Bowling finale, it wasn’t a perfect day for Malott, who fell victim to ESPN “Pardon the Interruption” co-host Michael Wilbon, 256-248, in their special challenge match. Malott, using plastic equipment, spotted Wilbon 57 handicap pins, and rallied behind a string of seven strikes, but Wilbon threw a four-bagger of his own to keep Malott at bay.

The Malott-Wilbon match came about after Wilbon criticized Malott for not bowling in the GEICO Plastic Ball Championship held earlier in the year. After winning the Etonic Marathon Open, Malott threw a challenge back at Wilbon: Malott would use a plastic ball and Wilbon could use whatever high-tech equipment he wanted, and they’d bowl a match.

“It wound up that Wilbon said he’d be honored to bowl, so we made it happen,” Malott said. “What a super nice guy he is.

“He came to Florida and we set him up with new equipment. We helped him a bit with coaching and gave him some knowledge about our sport. After our match, he said some of the knowledge we gave him really helped.

“(Wilbon) threw his first shot in gutter, but he came back and threw four strikes in a row,” Malott said, shaking his head. “I shot 248, but he bowled an unbelievable game. He shot 199 scratch. He put some pressure on me, and I put some pressure on him, forcing him to mark in the 10th frame. It was a great match. I may take some grief from the guys, but it couldn’t have turned out any better.”

Malott has successfully retained his King of Bowling Powered by Amp Energy crown for three straight weeks, and he has only two challenges left to run the table. Malott’s next test, on May 13, will be against the winner of a match between two of the PBA Tour’s brightest young stars – USBC Masters champion John Nolen of Waterford, Mich., and 2008-09 PBA Rookie of the Year Rhino Page of Topeka, Kan.

King of Bowling Powered by Amp Energy telecasts air Wednesdays at 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2 through May 20.

Ryan Shafer Earns PBA Steve
Nagy Sportsmanship Award
Chris Barnes wins Harry Smith
Point Leader Award, Wes Malott
wins George Young High Average Award

Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, N.Y., has been selected as the Professional Bowlers Association’s Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award winner for the 2008-09 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season by his fellow Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour competitors.

Shafer, a four-time PBA Tour titlist who won Rookie of the Year honors in 1987, earned the sportsmanship award for the first time.

“It’s an honor just to be considered for the award. To be a part of a group of not only great players, but great individuals who have won it over the years is wonderful,” Ryan said. “Earning the respect of your peers for not only how well you bowl but how you conduct yourself is a great honor.

“Throughout the course of the Tour season, I always try to relieve the tension in the locker room by having a sense of humor,” he added. “And for someone who also admits to be a little opinionated, it shows you can express your opinions and still have the respect of your peers.”

From a performance standpoint this season, the 42-year-old Shafer was 12th in the national point standings, had the most match play appearances (19) including a best finish of fourth in the Denny’s Dick Weber Open, was 18th in average with 218.69, and earned $60,320.

Established in 1966, the Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award is named after the late PBA Hall of Famer who was one of 33 founding members of the PBA. A colorful and talented performer, Nagy made such an impact on his fellow pros that the award was established shortly after his death. Hall of Famer Johnny Guenther won the first “Nagy”.

The PBA also announced Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, as winner of the Harry Smith Point Leader Award, presented to the player who exemplified the most consistent performance throughout the year, and Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, as winner of the George Young High Average Award.

Barnes, the 2007-08 PBA Player of the Year and a two-time title winner in 2008-09, accumulated 257,018 points to finish nearly 25,000 points ahead of runner-up Bill O’Neill of Southampton, Pa. Malott, the 2008-09 Player of the Year, finished with a 222.98 average for 597 games, just edging out O’Neill who finished at 222.96 for 611 games.

Norm Duke of Clermont, Fla., who won three titles including the PBA World Championship, led the Tour in earnings with $199,630. Rhino Page of Topeka, Kan., was runner-up with $197,760, thanks in part to a $100,000 prize for rolling a televised 300 game in the Dydo Japan Cup.

LUMBER LIQUIDATORS PBA TOUR
EXEMPT TOUR POINTS FOR 2009-10
(Top 41 including current season title winners
and those with exemptions from previous seasons)
1, x-Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 257,018
2, Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa., 232,722
3, x-Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 228,486
4, x-Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 212,265
5, x-Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 204,664
6, x-Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 201,725
7, x-Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 195,155
8, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 183,468
9, Michael Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., 182,930
10, x-Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 177635
11, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 177,035
12, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 166,661
13, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan., 165,048
14, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 164,156
15, x-Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 160,052
16, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 153,931
17, Mike DeVaney, San Diego, 142,331
18, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 139,024
19, Steve Harman, Indianapolis, 133,994
20, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 131,404
21, Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 130,078
22, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 118,805
23, x-Rhino Page, Topeka, Kan., 118,772
24, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 116,323
25, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 114,767
26, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 112,666
27, Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 111,867
28, Robert Smith, Columbus, Ohio, 110,725
29, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 108,519
30, x-Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 106,997
31, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 103,027
32, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 100,829
33, x-Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 99,452
34, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 98,350
35, x-Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 98,142
36, Todd Book, Wapakoneta, Ohio, 97,807
37, Jason Sterner, McDonough, Ga., 97,072
38, a-Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 96,132
41, b-John Nolen, Waterford, Mich., 91,264
44, x-Jason Belmonte, Australia, 88,429
87, c-Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, Ariz.,
x-2008-09 title winner
a-2007 Denny’s PBA World Championship winner
b-2009 USBC Masters title
c-2007 PBA Tournament of Champions winner

2008-09 LUMBER LIQUIDATORS PBA TOUR AVERAGE LEADERS
1, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 222.98
2, Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa., 222.96
3, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 222.75
4, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 222.20
5, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 221.27
6, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 220.54
7, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 220.17
8, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 219.98
9, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 219.44
10, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 218.89

2008-09 LUMBER LIQUIDATORS PBA TOUR EARNINGS LEADERS
1, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., $199,630
2, Rhino Page, Topeka, Kan., $197,760
3, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, $179,920
4, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., $175,800
5, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, $174,680
6, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, $156,790
7, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., $99,780
8, Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa., $91,680
9, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., $85,850
10, Michael Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., $81,850
HALL OF FAME GOLFER
ANNIKA SORENSTAM LAUNCHES

SIGNATURE FRAGRANCESA Fragrances announced today that it has launched ANNIKA, a signature fragrance inspired by legendary golfer Annika Sorenstam. The fragrance is now available in the United States and online at www.AnnikaFragrance.com. Shipments to the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Germany and other locations will begin in late May.

Arguably the most dominant female golfer of all time, Annika has transcended her sport to become a prominent mainstream athlete and celebrity. Throughout her storied career, she rewrote the LPGA and Ladies European Tour record books, won countless awards and events and brought unprecedented attention to women's golf. Along the way, she has inspired millions of young women worldwide.

“It is an honor for me to have a fragrance that bears my name,” said Annika. “Confidence is so alluring for a woman in any industry, and I want the women who wear ANNIKA to feel that.”

Marking the first time a professional female golfer has launched a signature fragrance, ANNIKA by Annika Sorenstam will particularly appeal to golf enthusiasts, career-minded professionals and active, fashion-forward women. Available in a 50 ml and 100 ml eau de parfum, the fragrance evokes the essence of Annika, a distinctive, casually elegant and naturally beautiful woman.

“Our consumer research has shown that ANNIKA appeals to a wide range of women ages 16 to 65,” said Jon Klein, vice president of sales for SA Fragrances. “We have created a casually fresh, sweet, sparkling and natural fragrance that bridges the age, income and ethnic markets."

SA Fragrances has found that not only has the golf market embraced ANNIKA, but also beauty channels, including high-end spas, salons and perfumeries.

About Annika:Annika is the greatest female golfer of our generation and often regarded as the best player in LPGA history. Her prestigious list of accomplishments includes her 2003 induction into the World Golf and LPGA Halls of Fame, ten Major Championships, 89 worldwide professional victories, eight LPGA Player of the Year Awards and participation on eight Solheim Cup teams. In June 2008, Annika was named a USGA Ambassador. Annika has worked hard on her off-the-course businesses, which include the ANNIKA Academy, the ANNIKA Foundation, the ANNIKA Collection with Cutter & Buck, ANNIKA Financial Group, numerous golf course design projects, along with her website and blog. New projects include ANNIKA fragrance and wine, both launched in May 2009.
UNDERSTANDING THE USBC EQUIPMENT
SPECIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATION
APPROVAL PROCESS

The United States Bowling Congress Equipment Specifications and Certification department protects the integrity of the sport of bowling by diligently studying and field testing all bowling lane equipment, including but not limited to bowling pins, lane kickbacks and flat gutters, to ensure that their implementation does not influence scoring, positively or negatively, at unreasonable levels.

In order for a piece of bowling lane equipment to earn USBC approval, it must meet all established USBC standards concerning size, shape, weight, physical makeup and chemical composition. Products that meet those standards then are subjected to a minimum one year of field testing. These field tests closely monitor how the test equipment's performance compares to that of an already-approved USBC product. In regard to scoring, in order to be considered for USBC approval, a test product cannot yield a scoring increase greater than two pins or a scoring decrease greater than three pins.

"USBC regulates the many different components of our playing field, including the lanes, pins and flat gutters, to make sure that new products are not allowed to have an unreasonable influence on scoring," USBC Technical Director Steve Kloempken said. "In doing so, we protect the integrity of the sport by making sure scoring ability stays with the bowler rather than the equipment manufacturers."