Bowling Highlights Column 12-18-09

Open Championships
Deadline Extended

Although there are more than 13,000 teams already signed up for the 2010 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships in Reno, Nev., the entry deadline now has been extended until Jan. 15, 2010.
The 136-day event begins Feb. 20 at the National Bowling Stadium and is scheduled to conclude on July 5. This will mark the first of two consecutive years the tournament will be held at the NBS. It will be the event’s record ninth visit to Reno and the sixth time it will be held at the one-of-a-kind, 78-lane Stadium.
More than 65,000 competitors will make their way to “The Biggest Little City in the World” to compete for more than $6 million in prize money.
“While we reached our original entry deadline with good numbers, we decided to add some more time to give more of our members a chance to come and enjoy what Reno and the Open Championships have to offer,” said Brian Lewis, USBC Championships Director. “Entries have been coming in at a steady pace, which proves the interest is still there, and we don’t want anyone to miss out.”
There are plenty of prime spots available for 2010, and it’s never too early to start planning for 2011.
And since having the event in Reno in back-to-back years is unprecedented, USBC is challenging bowlers to help break the participation record. To entice them, the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority has teamed with USBC to form the USBC Eagle's Nest, a special club for team captains who field teams in both 2010 and 2011.
Upon reserving spots for both years, captains will receive a monthly e-mail newsletter featuring tournament tips, the latest bowling trends and special offers. Eagle’s Nest members also will be eligible for special giveaways, including a brand new car or truck, round-trip airfare compliments of USBC Travel, VIP upgrades on accommodations for the 2011 Open Championships and high-performance bowling balls.
To be eligible, team captains must register teams for both the 2010 and 2011 tournaments, and the 2011 reservation and deposit must be received by July 5, 2010.
For more information visit USBCopen.com or call the tournament entries department toll free at (800) 514-2695.
There also are plenty of spots available for bowlers interested in competing in the 2010 USBC Women’s Championships in El Paso, Texas. More than 7,000 teams are expected to compete in the event, which begins March 27 and runs until June 30. The deadline for the Women’s Championships is Jan. 22, 2010. For more information and available times, please visit usbcwomenschampionships.com.
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 more than two million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

The Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This week's tip is for parents with children who either bowl in a youth league or bowl regularly with their own equipment.
Parents, when was the last time you had your child's fit checked on their bowing ball at your local pro shop?
Children tend to grow quickly and the gripping holes in their bowling balls must be adjusted t accommodate this growth.
Bowling with poor fitting equipment can become frustrating and uncomfortable. In most cases, it will only take a minute or two for adjustments to be made.
Also, if your child has hit or her own bowling shoes, you can check yourself to see if the fit is acceptable. Do not wait for blisters on the toes.
Remember, the game is meant to be enjoyed, not to be a form of torture.
Mike Luongo is technically certified through IBPSIA as a Pro Shop Operator and Master Instructor. He is also a Silver Level Coach with the USBC and is a Sales Advisor and Special Events Coordinator with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 341-1694 or via e-mail at mikespro@warwick.net

PBA

Tom Smallwood, a 32-year-old former assembly worker who was laid off from his job with General Motors nearly a year ago, won his first PBA tour title and his first "major" title (PBA World Championship) last Sunday afternoon at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kan. when he defeated reigning PBA Player of the Year Wes Malott, 244-228.
This was the first live ESPN telecast of the 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Season.
The tour now takes it's holiday break and the next ESPN televised event (taped) will be the finals of the Pepsi Red, White and Blue Open on Sunday, Jan 10 at 1 p.m. Live action on the tour returns January 17.

Local Scores

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men's league included a 224, 214, 210, 648 by Mike Weiner, Paul Durland 238, 613, Jaryl Scott 227, 227, 603, Vinnie Collura 224, Donald Durland 212, 203, 235, 650, Rich Kushner 203, James VanAken 216, 257, 213, 686, Tom Belgiovene 210, 234, 615, John Hoffmann 249, 638, John Fischer 200, Nate Sanders 237, Dave Graham 246, Serafin Rodriguez Jr. 202, Keith Raymond 213, Pete Mitro 237, Jo Jo VanKeuren 207, Al Caycho 225, 223, 623, Vincent Scuderi 202, Frank Scuderi 201, 209, 212, 622, Mickey Lake 214, Eddie Lake 213, 237, 612, Rick Lake 209, Lloyd Bridges 212, 211, 620, James Ratner 210, 247, 628, Allan Jones 215, 227, 615, Daniel VanAken 205, 244, 620, Paul Curry 205, Steven Rivera 214, Timothy Totten 214, Ronnie Totten 206, Jason Jones Jr. 222, 213, Kevin Stackhouse 217, 224, 633, Cory VanKeuren 205, 235, 244, 684 and Jon Wilhelm 249, 267, 704.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league Barbara Rustic 225, 513, Debra Blackford 193, 513, Carena Collura 513, Pat Mulhern 182, Ronda McClernon 199, Matt Cooper 221, Joe Peabody 225, John Cascone 207, 219, Laresko Niifa 200, Mary Lee Williams 190, 500, Dorian Jennings 232, 227, 631, Peter Scannell 210, Jack Rustic 235, 234, 254, 723, Jim Gerrard 200, Russ Keesler 204, Stan Gilmore 205, 203, Fran Kaiser 203, 180, 549, Allen Jones 278, 652, Debbie Durland 184, 234, 182, 600, Mal Press 232, 200, 615, Jon Wilhelm 209, 219, Kevin Stackhouse 210, 600, John Hoffmann 277, 277, 206, 760, Eddie Lake 265, 225,236, 726, Kris Gwiozdowski 215, Barbara Yeomans 191, 516 and Linda Schaefer 180, 182, 509.
In the Wednesday Men's league Kenny Atkins 269, Al Caycho 229, Mike Weiner 224, Tim Hussner 211, Juan Lopez 214, John Lopez 202, 214, 223, 639, William Danchak 246, Frank DiConstanzo 212, George Battle Jr. 241, 617, Allan Jones 248, 203, 633, Larry Berens 201, 245, 607, Dean Shattuck 224, 218, 633, Paul Durland 209, Tom Belgiovene 236, 208, 236, 680, John Hoffmann 238, 289, 267, 794, Tony Mentnech 223, Rick Lara 246, 201, 631, Tim McIntyre 212, 222, 265, 699, Frank Emmens 222, 200, 600, Vincent Degraw 255, Jason Jones Jr. 214, 200, 604, Anthony Atkins 211, Wayne Atkins 255, Eddie Lake 235, Gregory Fallon 234, 208, 253, 695, Matt Fallon 239, 602, Jon Wilhelm 216, 208, 608, Richard Bradford 257, 626 and Donald Durland 228, 226, 214, 668.
In the Thursday Ladies league Clorisa Hopkins 202, Barbara Durbak 181, 501, Christina Schultz 183, Mardette Wilcox 202, 529, Pat Shuart 212, Rita Burdick 183, Debbie Durland 203, 211, 592 and Joan Lake 222, 537.
In the Saturday Morning Youth leagues, in the Jr./Mjrs division Matt Edwards 149, Corey Ciliberto 114, 145, Jason Moss 180, 232, Kristy Gessman 140, Michael Scuderi 203, 243 and Petro Agapito III a 256, 647. In the Preps division Nicole Scuderi 104, 94, Sarah Rustic 106, 132, Stacey Reuss 87, 88, Ben Drillings 96, 103, 83, Anthony Pagani 86, John Wilhelm 136, 120 and Nathaniel Edwards 156. In the Pee Wees division Renee Schreiber 69, Jenna Hendrickson 77 and Erin Brawley 63.

Beechwood Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the include a 159, 163, 205, 527 by Tracey Puerschner, Wendy Finn 173, 164, Lois Erdman 173, 167, Jackie Gieger 170, Barbara Cady 167, Wendy Adams 166 and Tasha Grimm 160.
In the Tuesday Ladies league Rebecca Rhodes 186, 498, Debbie Loughrey 178, 494 and Lillian Zieres 177.
In the Wednesday Men's league Tim Ackermann 200, Tim Sykes 197, 196, 578 and Roger Widmann 196.

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Ladies Early Birds league include 181, 202, 199, 582 by Sally Ballard, Hope Jones 187, 199, 527, Jennifer Raymond 509 and Jen Smith 199, 189, 567.
In the Wednesday Men's Independent league Tom Anderson 214, 226, 622, Dave Benedict 210, Mike Bowker 238, Al Bullis Sr. 224, Andrew Bullis 258, 224, 214, 696, Charles Cody 213, Cody Conway 222, 213, 221, 656, Frank Couse Sr. 233, 219, 629, Jim Dibble 234, 238, 269, 741, Brandon Drumm 225, Brian Drumm 203, Chuck Dunlap 227, John Fish 202, Art Gately 233, Craig Gehrig 213, Mark Hawley 202, Paul Ignatovich 265, 208, 259, 732, Rob Johnson 221, 225, 225, 671, Ryan Kille 205, 202, 606, Dick Layton 212, 601, Donnie Marino 235, 256, 208, 699, Mark McGraw 258, 204, 631, Robert McNaught 204, Josh Milucky 217, Cory Newman 228, Mitch Persbacker 254, 211, 637, Dick Price 200, 244, 627, Charlie Reichenbaugh 229, 203, Josh Rice 223, Paul Siegler 232, Scott Wahl 200, Jonathon Wayne 217, Hank Whitmore 220, 212, 257, 689, Zuke Wormuth 215, 227, 617, Lee Wormuth 254, Jay Wormuth 236 and Tony Wright 218, 219, 201, 638.
In the Thursday Men's Deposit National league Rob Bolster 245, 211, 612, Al Bullis Jr. 214, 246, 218, 678, Al Bullis Sr. 215, 245, 656, Matt Conklin 235, Ray Cornwell 213, 602, Howard Couse Sr. 212, 217, 622, Jeff Curtis 214, 605, Carl Davis 210, Norm Ellis Jr. 237, Paul Fritz 205, 235, 621, Bill Gleim 204, 232, 620, Pete Hathaway 201, Robert Johnson 277, 666, Gino Jones 235, 214, 632, Greg Keesler 225, 204, 248, 677, Dan Koch 216, Larry Mills 269, 650, Rick Mills 213, Harold Morgan 209, Jack Scott 216, Paul Siegler 200, Sonny Triebe Sr. 242 and Dan Wormuth 235, 226, 235, 696.
In the Friday Mixed Doubles Couples league Ed Akselrad 203, Andy Bullis 236, 225, 656, Frank Couse Sr. 207, Anne Couse 243, 543, Howey Couse 217, 213, 246, 676, Crystal Ellis 200, 500, Norman C. Ellis 207, 220, Norman E. Ellis 214, Elizabeth Gleim 201, 513, Bill Gleim 267, 641, Nick Hazen 221, Mark McGraw 217, 213, Rick Mills 210, 202, 605, Cecil Spencer 203, Norm Stanton 204, Sandy Winans 221, 546 and Dan Wormuth 220, 204, 618.
In the Sunday Afternoon Mixed Fun league Julie Cornwell 191, 190, 531, Ray Cornwell 212, John Hoffmann 235, 228, 214, 677, Matt Johnson 234, 202, 634, Don Marino 244, 246, 674, Jean Mills 199, Rick Mills 206, 211, 204, 621, Fred Shakelton 221, Ed Townsend 217, Shirley Townsend 199, 503.

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 and information, Ed can be reached by phone at 439-8177, vie e-mail at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com and by fax at 230-8674. For a more expanded version of the bowling column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com