Bowling Highlights Column 12-31-10

Hackett Scores 300 Game

Fifty-two-year-old Wurtsboro bowler Keith Hackett scored his first career 300 game December 20 in the Kiamesha Lanes Monday Men's league.
The perfect game came in the second game of the night with Hackett noting that all the strikes were in the pocket except for one ball that hit light in the pocket.
The right-handed bowler rolled the 300 on lanes 11 and 12 using a Columbia Action bowling ball.
Keith presently only bowls in one league a week and maintains a 208 average. He bowls with the Kiamesha Lanes team and team mates Ronnie Totten, Kevin Stackhouse and Laresko Niffa.
His previously high single game was a 280.
This is his first year bowling at Kiamesha Lanes. Keith stated bowling in youth leagues at the former 17-84 Bowling Center in Middletown at the age of 17 but got away from the game until he returned to the lanes in December of 2007 in a scratch league at Liberty Lanes at Largo, Florida.

Keith is single and is employed in construction.

Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This week's tip is a reminder that although there are so many aggressive, high performance balls available, the main component of the sport is having a sharp game and becoming a good shot maker.
Lane conditions have become very soft and that combination with today's bowling balls has led to high scoring conditions making the majority of today's bowlers very complacent about working on their physical game.
However, the sport of bowling is making a comeback as can be seen in some of the newer Sport Bowling Leagues so knowing how to adjust to varying lane conditions and understanding how to use today's bowling balls is only part of the equation.
For those bowlers who want to maximize their potential in this sport, I cannot stress enough the importance of finding a qualified and certified bowling instructor. Even more preferable, you should work with an instructor who uses video technology to completely analyze your game.
The video technology gives the instructor the ability to replay a student's shots in slow motion, show them what adjustments need to be made and compare them to the highest caliber bowlers in the world.
The knowledge you gain from a Certified Instructor is knowledge that will be useful to you and will stay with you throughout your bowling life.
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 an Advisor along with being involved with Special Events with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by telephone at 435-720-7939 or via email at mikel@stormbowling.com

PBA

PBA news and tour tournament coverage is available on our Web Page http://bght.blogspot.com/


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 845-439-8177, via email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com and by fax at 845-230-8674. For an expanded version this bowling column please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com/ This column is also available on Facebook.

LOCAL BOWLING SCORES
BY ED TOWNSEND

Beechwood Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Ladies League included a 214 game and 509 series by Lillian Zieres, Debbie Loughrey 189, 483 and Maureen Schlott 188.

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included a 256 game and 616 series by Craig Wilhelm, Jon Wilhelm 246, 669, Al Caycho 227, 246, 647, James VanAken 237, 235, 642, Josh Strang 257, 674, Tom Belgiovene 242, 247, 681, John Hoffmann 245, 652, Dan Ricco 225, Mike Weiner 267, 264, 741, Roy Sweeney 237, 613, Eddie Lake 243, 249, 699, Rick Lake 226, 225, 654, Jack Moylan 236, 231, 663, Robert Sze 289, 683, James Ratner 602, Kort Wheeler 659, Keith Hackett 257, 236, 685, Ronnie Totten 232, 604, Kevin Stackhouse 227, 611, Paul Durland 247, 650, Jaryl Scott 224, 622, Vinnie Collura 226, 695, Dave Graham 616, John Fischer 234, 633, Luis Torres 245, 246, 639, Michael Mahusky 239, 664, Larry Berens 231, 603, Dean Shattuck 245, 675, Tim Minton 618, Anthony Atkins 236, 611, William Howell III a 279, 249, 752, Matt Fallon 231, 606, Vincent Scuderi 607, James Piontek 225, 600, Frank Scuderi 268, 619, James Frost 227, 659, Arthur Stevens 607 and Steven Rivera 235, 227, 660.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters League, Jon Wilhelm 278, 699, Donald Durland (who was bowling left-handed) 238, 652, Edward Walsh 238, Jack Rustic 665, Dorian Jennings 235, 576, Joan Lake 223, 534 and Mary Lee Williams 203, 540.
In the Wednesday Men’s League, Steven Belgiovene 247, 610, John Hoffmann 233, 636, Laresko Niifa 235, 617, Kevin Stackhouse 226, Dave Graham 278, 657, Eddie Lake 257, 239, 667, Frank L. Gerow 257, 235, 670, Kenny Atkins 608, Cecil Walters 618, Shane Deitchman 228, 611, Edward Walsh 237, 611, Alpesh C. Patel 633, Frank Emmens 232, 630, Matt Fallon 227, 600, Jon Wilhelm 226, 664, Richard Bradford 615, Gregory Fallon 258, 269, 731, and Shane Cunningham 249, 623.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Liz Stubits 199, 212, 561, Anna Sawyer 198, Joan Lake 198, 234, 227, 659, Tracey Barres 236, 547, Bonnie Geraine 183, Pat Shuart 182, Rudy Hoke 201, 527, Rita Burdick 181, Pat Gibson 195, Debbie Durland 278, 221, 678, Liz Burgio 189, 181, 528 and Barbara Durbak 215, 201, 201, 617.

Liberty Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included Ralph Coney with games of 247, 204 and 204 for a 655 series, Paul Minton 255, 614, Tom Stephenson 217, Kyle Stevens 216, Walt Edwards 213 and Carmine Santillo 202.
In the Wednesday Men’s League, Rudy Belanchia 202, 243, 633, Jerry Scandore 226, 214, 612, Kyle Stevens 224, 223, 611; Ralph Coney 215, 215, 604; Paul Minton 204, 202, Keith Smith 221, 214, Walt Edwards 213, Jim Fiore 205, 202, Andy Butler 216, Jason Jones Jr. 220, Tony Mears 202, 203, Chris McKay 221, Wayne Fox 216, Chuck McAllister 213, Justin Lopez 210, Thomas Fix 206, Mark Carman Jr. 204, Deming Roosa 204, Ed Blume Sr. 202, Dwayne Cabrera 202, Rob Tuttle 202, Mark Carman Sr. 201 and Chris Stevens 201.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Ashton Clark 184, 183, Sue Jones 189 and Audrey Woolard 181.

BALLARD, WEBB AND GIANOTTI
ELECTED TO USBC HALL OF FAME

Del Ballard Jr., Wayne Webb and Carol Gianotti have been elected to the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in the Superior Performance category.> > The three bowlers join Jeff Richgels (Outstanding USBC Performance), Roseann Kuhn (Meritorious Service) and Cheryl Robinson (Veterans), who were elected in November by the USBC Hall of Fame Committee. The induction ceremony for the 2011 class will be July 1 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.> > Ballard, 47, of Keller, Texas, won 13 Professional Bowlers Association Tour titles between 1987 and 1993, including the USBC Masters in 1988 and the Firestone Tournament of Champions in 1989. He was No. 29 on the list of the 50 Greatest Players in PBA History in 2008.> > "It feels great, and it's a little bit of a relief," Ballard said. "After being on the ballot and not getting in the last three years, I was wondering if it was ever going to happen, or if maybe I didn't deserve it. I felt like I belonged, but sometimes you have an opinion of yourself that other people may not agree with. Now, this shows that people feel I'm deserving, and I'm extremely grateful."> > Being a member of the USBC Hall of Fame has been a dream for Ballard since he watched family friend Bill Lillard Sr. of Houston get inducted in 1972. When Ballard joined the PBA Tour, he set his sights on the PBA Hall of Fame as well.> > Ballard, who also owns 17 PBA regional titles and nearly $1.3 million in PBA career earnings, made the PBA Hall of Fame in 2009, joined the Dallas USBC BA Hall of Fame later that year and was inducted into the Texas State USBC Hall of Fame in 2010.> > Also in 2010, he was diagnosed with tonsil cancer but has had successful treatment.> > "In a way, this completes the circle for me, and it's a very nice feeling," Ballard said. "This is a very uplifting end to an emotional, roller coaster of a year for me."> > Webb, 53, of Columbus, Ohio, won 20 PBA Tour titles from 1978-1997, including the Firestone Tournament of Champions in 1980. He is among the 50 Greatest Players in PBA History (No. 18) and was elected to the PBA Hall of Fame in 1993.> > "When I got the phone call, I got pretty emotional, and it was actually hard for me not to cry a little bit," Webb said. "It came as such a surprise that it overwhelmed me and was hard to process. Of course, it's something you always hope for, but I never thought it would happen this soon, if at all."> > While Webb was a familiar face on the lanes for more than three decades, he renewed his place in the spotlight as a dominating player on the PBA Senior Tour.. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2008 and has claimed five titles, including three majors.> > In 2010, Webb was named PBA Senior Player of the Year and joined Mark Roth as the only players to earn PBA Tour and Senior Tour Player of the Year awards during their careers.> > "When you're out there competing, you can only hope to be considered among the best," said Webb, who was the PBA Player of the Year in 1980. "Earning both player-of-the-year awards was something I was proud to accomplish, and being inducted into both halls of fame is incredible. Everyone has a bucket list, and mine is now full."> > Gianotti, 43, of Perth, Australia, won 16 Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour/ Professional Women's Bowling Association titles between 1989 and 2000, including the 1989 USBC Queens. She teamed with Ann Maree Putney to take the silver medal in doubles at the 2009 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Women's Championships.> > "This feels great, and it's something that just tops off my career," Gianotti said. "It was a call that I wasn't expecting, especially at a quarter past 5 in the morning, but it was so worth it."> > Gianotti has been part of three team titles at the USBC Women's Championships and teamed with Missy Klug to take the Scratch Doubles title in 2010.> > "To be recognized for something you love to do and elected to something you've always had as a goal is really special," Gianotti said. "Del and I have been talking about this a little bit lately, and now we get to go in together. I wouldn't have it any other way."> > A USBC panel of veteran bowling writers, hall of famers and board members vote on USBC Hall of Fame nominees. This year's ballot also included David Husted, Milwaukie, Ore.; Amleto Monacelli, Barquisimeto, Venezuela; David Ozio, Beaumont, Texas; Tom Baker, King, N.C.; and Dede Davidson, Buellton, Calif.> > The USBC Hall of Fame was created in 2005 by merging the former ABC and WIBC Halls of Fame. With the six new inductees, there will be 385 members of the USBC Hall of Fame - 254 in Performance, 112 in Meritorious Service and 19 Pioneers.

EDWARDS, JANAWICZ EYE
BACK-TO-BACK TEAM
USA TRIALS TITLES

Brenda Edwards and John Janawicz not only will look to defend their titles at the 2011 United States Bowling Congress Team USA Trials starting next week, they also will look to keep their highly coveted spots on Team USA.> > The pair of amateur bowlers will take on a field of nearly 180 men and women looking to capture spots on Team USA at the 2011 USBC Team USA Trials, which will be held Jan. 2-7 at Sunset Station's Strike Zone Bowling Center in Henderson, Nev. Fans can watch live streaming of the event on BOWL.com for free starting Tuesday at Noon Eastern.> > "I never lose sight of the honor it is to be a member of Team USA, and this is the one event that can guarantee you a spot on the team," said Edwards, who won the 2010 title by averaging 219.1. "That makes it my most important tournament of the year. Beyond that, I love a challenge. Every year there is a new field and new patterns to attack. With four days of different patterns, and nine games on each, this sixth-grade teacher definitely considers that a challenge." > > Janawicz, who averaged 226.8 last year and edged Mike Fagan by three pins to win the title, also is looking forward to the long format of the event.> > "Personally, the format is what I really like about the Team USA Trials," Janawicz said. "There are hardly any tournaments where you can bowl that many games on that many patterns for your entry fee, and I've always felt the best bowlers will finish near the top the more games you bowl."> > Any USBC member is eligible to compete in the event and a total of 10 spots (five men and five women) on Team USA will be up for grabs. In addition, eight bowlers (four boys and four girls) will earn spots on Junior Team USA.> > The top three men and top three women finishers at the Team USA Trials after 36 games will earn automatic spots on Team USA, while the National Selection Committee will pick two additional men and two additional women to join the team.> > Those players will join the six men and seven women, made up of current exempt players on the PBA Tour and former Team USA and professional women bowlers, who were recently selected to create the base of Team USA 2011.. > > Three players who already have been selected for the 2011 team will take part in the Team USA Trials as a way to keep sharp. Walter Ray Williams Jr., Liz Johnson and Shannon Pluhowsky will compete and are eligible to win the title. However, should they finish at the top of the standings, the next player down would earn the automatic spot on Team USA.> > USBC Youth members also may participate in the Trials, and in addition to competing for spots on Team USA, there will be spots on Junior Team USA 2011 up for grabs.> > The top two male and top two female competitors who are 20 years old or younger before Jan. 1, 2011 will earn automatic spots on Junior Team USA 2011, regardless if they enter the event as USBC Youth or Adult members. The National Selection Committee will select two additional boys and two additional girls to join the team. The National Selection Committee will select from players who either competed in the Team USA Trials or who advanced to the match-play portion of the USBC Junior Gold Championships, which were held in July in Indianapolis.

Finland’s Palermaa Captures
PBA GEICO Shark Championship

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Finland’s Osku Palermaa, Europe’s premier two-handed bowler, survived a 173-149 battle with top qualifier Dan MacLelland of Windsor, Ontario, to win his first Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour title in the PBA GEICO Shark Championship at South Point Bowling Center, Las Vegas.

The finals of the GEICO Shark Championship aired last Sunday on ESPN but was taped in September.

Widely considered the most difficult of the PBA’s five so-called “animal” lane conditioning patterns, the Shark took a bite out of the entire field of power players. In the end, it was Palermaa’s ball speed and ability to loft the ball down the lane, using his two-handed technique, that made the difference as four splits killed MacLelland’s bid for his first PBA Tour title.

With his victory, Palermaa accomplished his primary objective in traveling to the United States to bowl in the multi-event PBA World Series of Bowling: an opportunity to also bowl in the $1 million PBA Tournament of Champions Jan. 15-22 at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas. The PBA Tournament of Champions is open only to bowlers who have won a PBA title.

“That was the main part of my being here,” Palmeraa said. “Being from Finland, I can’t bowl in the PBA regional tournaments, so (winning a title during the World Series of Bowling) was my only way in. It’s the biggest tournament I’ve ever had a chance to bowl in. I can’t wait.

“Will I be a favorite?” he grinned. “Oh, yah. When I am bowling my A game, I’m going to be on top.”

On his way to his title, Palermaa also won a long-awaited showdown against his Pacific region counterpart, Australia’s Jason Belmonte. The Shark Championship was the first time the world's best two-handed bowlers had ever met each other on television.

“It was our first match on TV so I wanted to be the one to get the first win,” Palermaa said. “There will be plenty more to go, and we’ll see what happens. But I got the first one.”

Belmonte started the Shark finals with a 248-223 victory over Mike Fagan of Patchogue, N.Y., and he then eliminated reigning PBA World Champion Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Mich., 208-192, to set up his showdown with Palermaa in the semifinal match.

As the high-revolution power players burned away the oil in the front part of the lanes, both two-handers struggled. In the end, it was a 4-6 split in the 10th frame that doomed Belmonte. A spare/strike in the 10th frame gave Palermaa a 182-176 victory and a chance to bowl MacLelland for the title.

“I’m happy with the way I bowled,” Palermaa said. “I might have wrapped my hand around the ball a little too much a couple of times, but I made my spares. It was the Shark. It was expected the lanes were going to get ugly. There’s only so much oil and it got burned up.”

Palermaa appeared to accept his milestone victory in a stoic Scandinavian manner, but he admitted later he was more excited than he appeared to be.

“I’m an emotional guy, but it’s inside,” he said. “Why waste the energy showing the emotions? It’s the Finnish way. That’s the way I learned to do it. Maybe I should be more emotional, but that’s the way I’m used to doing it.”

The sixth and final World Series of Bowling telecast will be a special U.S..A. vs. The World team competition which will air on ESPN on Sunday, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m. Eastern. United States team members will be Michael Haugen Jr. of Carefree, Ariz.; Ronnie Russell of Camby, Ind.; Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas; Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan.; Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, and Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa. International players will be Finland’s Palermaa, Kimmo Lehtonnen and Mika Koivuniemi; Canada’s MacLelland; Australia’s Belmonte and Venezuela’s Amleto Monacelli.

GEICO SHARK CHAMPIONSHIP
South Point Bowling Center, Las Vegas, Nev., Dec. 26

Final Standings
1, Osku Palermaa, Finland, two games (355 pins), $15,000.
2, Dan MacLelland, Canada, one game (149), $8,000.
3, Jason Belmonte, Australia, three games (632), $6,000.
4, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., one game (192), $5,000.
5, Mike Fagan, Patchoque, N.Y., one game (223), $4,000.

Stepladder Results:
Match One: Belmonte def. Fagan, 248-223.
Match Two: Belmonte def. Smallwood, 208-192.
Semifinal Match: Palermaa def. Belmonte, 182-176.
Championship: Palermaa def. MacLelland, 173-149.

Here & There Column 12-28-10

Consolidate-Merge Key Words For 2011

Enough is enough and all government agencies, municipalities and school districts are now learning the hard way that they cannot continue to operate as they have in the past.
The new year brings big challenges for government and school districts as officials must come up with new efficiencies that will require partnering with other municipalities-school districts on various projects.
Consolidation and merging will loom big in 2011 and residents of Sullivan County should even seriously consider the legal process of changing the present county legislative body back to the former board of supervisors form of government.
Do the present county legislators actually believe they are doing a better job then the former board of supervisors......they are in fantasy land if they believe that.
The Village of Liberty is presently in the process of eliminating their Village Court System, a process that this municipality says cost them money each year and does not pay for itself.
Merging and consolidations might work well for all the village-town police forces to become part of the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department.
Village municipalities should merge with town municipalities and town's should consider doing the same......there is much duplication of services by all our municipalities and Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer can no longer afford the old way of running our local, county and state governments.
Governments have to access their historical ways of doing business and look at ways of reinventing themselves to save taxpayers money.
The state should proceed with a property tax cap and curb mandates placed on localities.
The State Regents is looking to expand the role of BOCES statewide and include a school district consolidation agency with its mission to pare the costs of education without students and parents noticing it in the classroom and combining services. The Sullivan County BOCES this year with the Monticello School District implemented a merger by creating a Central Business Office......this should be expanded for all school districts.
The Regents now wants districts to bring on broader-scale consolidations.......measures taxpayers should demand.
High taxes are killing New York State as proven by the recent Census which has resulted in the Empire State losing two seats in the House of Representatives......and it all comes down to the fact that upstate New York is dying....killed by high taxes.
New York State has helped drive out high-income citizens and middle-class jobs with heavier tax burdens and on the opposite side of the coin is Texas with the second lowest taxes in the nation and for this they have gained in population which helped them gain four seats in the House.
We have to turn the economy around and consolidations and mergers will result in a meaningful impact on the property taxpayer which might save this state as it is very evident that people vote with their feet and flee to low-tax states.
Happy New Year.

Bowling Highlights Column 12-24-10

USBC Extends Tourney Deadline

The United States Bowling Congress Open Championships is the can't-miss event for tens of thousands of bowlers each year, and there's still time to be a part of the historic 2011 tournament.
The entry deadline has been extended to Jan. 15, so teams not yet entered still have a chance to join the 60,000 bowlers who already have their sights set on a share of the $5 million prize fund.
The upcoming event will begin its 122-day run March 4 and is scheduled to conclude July 3. Bowlers from all 50 states and several foreign countries will converge on the one-of-a-kind, 78-lane National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., which has been the site of many memorable tournament moments.
The Open Championships, first contested in 1901, is older than the Rose Bowl and baseball's World Series. It is the world's largest participatory sporting event and gives competitors the chance to display their skills on bowling's biggest stage.
"The Open Championships continues to thrive as the premier bowling event in the world, and we are excited about another memorable tournament in 2011," said Brian Lewis, USBC Managing Director of Tournaments. "Entries have been coming in at a good pace, but we want to give everyone the opportunity to be part of the historic 2011 tournament, so we're allowing more time to enter."
The 2011 event marks the tournament's record 10th trip to Reno and seventh visit to the National Bowling Stadium. It also will be the first time an event has been held in the same city in back-to-back years. The 2010 tournament drew 14,189 teams to "The Biggest Little City in the World."
For bowlers looking for extra opportunities to cash in on the championship lanes, there's always a variety of side events and jackpots available on-site, including traditional brackets, strike jackpots and side pots.
A few enhancements to the brackets menu in 2011 include the availability of $5 brackets and Classified Cash-O-Matic brackets during doubles and singles, while three new products give more bowlers a chance to win:
Off-the-Sheet Jackpot.
Bowlers who go "off the sheet" and finish a game with at least five strikes (frames eight-12) will split the accumulated jackpot at the end of the tournament. For $20, you will have nine opportunities to cash in on this exciting new product.
Senior Side Event.
This is just for senior bowlers, age 50 and older (on day of competition). For a $25 entry fee paid at the brackets window, bowlers will be entered into two special senior-only prize funds (singles and all-events). Both categories will feature a 1:4.5 cash ratio. Singles and all-events totals from the main tournament will be used for this product.
Ultimate Mulligan.
Designed for super seniors (bowlers age 60 and older the day they compete), the Ultimate Mulligan requires entrants to compile their three highest games of the 2011 tournament to arrive at their Ultimate Mulligan series score. Then, they will see how their three-game set holds up for the duration of the tournament. The Ultimate Mulligan features a prize-fund-style payout with a cash ratio of 1:4.5. The entry fee is $20.
There are still prime spots available for 2011. For more information, visit BOWL.com/openchamp or call the tournament entries department at 800-514-2695.
There also are plenty of spots available for bowlers interested in competing in the 2011 USBC Women's Championships in Syracuse, N.Y. More than 6,000 teams are expected to compete in the event, which begins April 7 and runs until July 3. The deadline for the Women's Championships is Jan. 15, 2011. For more information and available times, visit BOWL.com/womenschamp.

Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This weeks tip will help you execute and repeat good shots by having your body set properly so that you can use the laws of physics to roll the ball and eliminate tension in your swing.
As I've mentioned in previous columns, too much upper body movement make it very difficult to repeat shots.
The purpose of the stance is to place the body in an athletic position, eliminate all unnecessary movements during the approach and reduce TENSION.
Resting forearms against the body, in the stance, will help reduce tension in the upper body.
How do we do this?
Here are the four steps in the proper order for setting posture.
1. Set the fee (toward your break point).
2. Set your head (tilted over the ball).
3. Set your posterior (this is your balance point as you are swinging a heavy object).
4. Set the ball position close as noted above.
You are now in position to start a smooth approach. Maintain your body position and let the ball swing under your shoulder. You will find this easy to repeat shot after shot.
Note: Watch the PBA and note the body positions but keep in mind that your exact body position may vary to accommodate different physiology. Also, if your ball does not fit, it will be difficult to eliminate tension from your swing.
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 an Advisor along with being involved with Special Events with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by telephone at 435-720-7939 or via email at mikel@stormbowling.com

PBA News

Yong-Jin Gu, a slightly-built 48-year-old left-hander from South Korea had never bowled in a Professional Bowlers Association event before the World Series of Bowling, but he pulled off one of the biggest upsets in PBA history when he defeated top qualifier Jun-Yung Kim, 236-224 in the all-South Korea championship match at South Point Bowling Center, Las Vegas last Sunday afternoon on ESPN. The match was taped in September.
The GEICO Shark Championship will air this Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN.
Full coverage of this story is available at http://bght.blogspot.com

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 at 845-439-8177, via email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com and by fax at 845-230-8674. For an expanded version of this bowling column please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com This column is also available on Facebook.

LOCAL BOWLING SCORES
BY ED TOWNSEND

Beechwood Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Ladies League included a 188 game and 479 series by Lillian Zieres and Debbie Loughrey 182, 485.

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Ladies Early Birds League included Brianna Walker with games of 195 and 189 and a 551 series, Dawn Mclenon 193, Monica Noble 186, Sheri Oralls 180, Sherry Persbacker 181 and Janet Sutliff 209.
In the Wednesday Men’s Independent League, Mike Blair 226, 624, Al Bullis Sr. 254, Andrew Bullis 247, 246, 712, Cody Conway 246, 653, Frank Couse Jr.. 611, Jim Dibble 236, 631, Brian Drumm 232, Nate Finch 223, 638, Craig Gehrig 276, 640, Dylan Green 258, 257, 720, Jeremy Gulley 259, Jack Hazen 225, 617, Steve Jacobi 605, Ryan Kille 241, 645, Jerry Kulakosky 231, 613, Dick Layton 226, Donnie Marino 226, 660, Mark McGraw Jr. 601, Mitch Persbacker 246, 601, Sam Rowe 602, Anthony Seely 225, 618, Paul Siegler 239, 619, Lefty Tiffany 256, Zuke Wormuth 225, 651, Jeremy Wormuth 234, 279, 718 and Tony Wright 233, 237, 649.
In the Thursday Men’s Deposit National League, Al Bullis Jr. 232, 600, Al Bullis Sr. 229, 225, 246, 700, Andy Bullis 258, 677, Craig Conklin 612, Dale Conklin 255, 629, Ray Cornwell 241, 679, Nate Finch 235, 256, 689, Bill Gleim 245, 632, Neil Mosher 253, 655, Jim Valentine 246, 619, Skip Wilson 235 and Dan Wormuth 225, 225, 644.
In the Friday Mixed Doubles Couples League, Andy Bullis 227, 636, Howey Couse Jr. 236, 246, 697, Anne Couse 206, 203, 579, Carl Davis 237, Crystal Ellis 186, 227, 590, Judy Ellis 186, Gino Jones 227, 608, Dave Lester 245, 652, Mark McGraw 268, 630, Rick Mills 235, 231, 649, Sheri Oralls 244, 226, 640, Walt Oralls 636, Dan Wormuth 225, 631 and Jeremy Wormuth 244, 246, 675.
In the Sunday Afternoon Mixed Fun League, Julie Cornwell 201, 516, Ray Cornwell 255, 640, Marty Haeussler 267, 675, Matt Johnson 247, 650, Don Marino 247, 235, 707, Jean Mills 181, Savanna Mills (youth girls’ scores) 152, 127 and Brian Tiffany 617.

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included a 267 game and 694 series by John Hoffmann, Rick Lake 268, 682, Jack Moylan 235, 235, 681, Robert Sze 245, 603, James Ratner 232, 657, Kort Wheeler 244, 236, 685, Keith Hackett 618, Ronnie Totten 231, 622, Kevin Stackhouse 237, 232, 690, Jaryl Scott 235, 642, Vinnie Collura 227, 234, 620, Donald Durland 614, Dave Graham 612, Nate Sanders 247, 276, 674, William Bartley 246, 245, 715, Leroy Williams 613, Larry Berens 235, 603, Tim Minton 257, 662, Anthony Atkins 243, 627, Keith Smith 248, 236, 242, 726, William Howell III 258, 235, 695, Kenny Atkins 228, 246, 667, Matt Fallon 235, 652 and James Frost 635.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters League, Neil Bell Jr. 257, 678, Kris Gwiozdowski 245, Shane Cunningham 245, Bryan Babcock 245, 622, John Wilhelm 687, Joe Peabody 643, Dorian Jennings 237, 620, Joan Lake 235, 195, 608, Mary Lee Williams 212, 510, Debbie Durland 203, 183, 573, Russ Keesler 226, 605 and George Kelley 234.
In the Wednesday Men’s League, James VanAken 258, 697, Paul Durland 269, 695, Tom Belgiovene 225, 635, John Hoffmann 225, 236, 676, Laresko Niifa 256, 662, Dave Graham 255, 646, Eddie Lake 248, 633, Frank Scuderi 226, 235, 668, Cecil Walters 235, Nick Price 226, Edward Walsh 254, 672, Rick Lara 255, 637, Frank Emmens 265, 673, Matt Fallon 604, Richard Bradford 226, 235, 246, 707 and Gregory Fallon 613.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Carmille Carpinone 182, Joan Lake 200, 199, 550, Lisa Cartwright 185, 225, 547, Sherri Green 178, 501, Barbara Durbak 198, 511, Mardette Wilcox 186, 531, Debbie Durland 214, 211, 592, Valerie Fersch 174, Pat Shuart 189, 524, Mari Jane Conklin 176, Tracey Barres 177, Liz Burgio 171, Connie McKenley 172 and Christine Loucks 172.
In the Friday Night Mixed League, Jaryl Scott 232, 234, 685, Roy Sweeney 255, 683, Kyle Shivers 260, 682, Daniel Ricco 245, 665, Larry Berens 225, 656, Tom Palmer 654, Edward Lake 225, 621, David Graham 620, Harry Cohen 613, Frank Emmens 235, Paul Berens 606, Ryan Lepke 601, Victor Decker 230, Mary Lee Williams 195, 186, 555, Mary Ann A. Drobysh-Berens 192, 526, Antionette Rau 198, 518, Joan Lake 183, 184, 514, Tracey Barres 180, 182, 511, Tammy Sze 210, 500, Jillian Kuchar 205, Christa Sweeney 182, Nancy Greene 180, Barbara Yeomans 180, Judith Kelly 196 and Jennie Worden 191.
In the Saturday morning Youth Leagues, in the Bantams Division, Katelyn Babcock 58, Brianna Bear 85, Nikko Griffin-Torres 68 and Allie Lahey 72. In the Preps Division, Sierra Barbiani 115, 108, Rup Patel 159, 145, 160 and Shyam Patel 124. In the Junior-Major division, Pedro Agapito 168, 203, 222, 593, Matthew Brown 157, Tim Brown 135, Anibal Cruz 187, 209, 192, 588, Lee Doty 145, James Durland 192, 172, 213, 577, Jared Friedman 174, 172, Kishan Patel 160, 190, 202, 552, Shivani Patel 159, Jose Rodriguez 183, 201, 222, 606, Shane Rudy 172, 197 and Michael Scuderi 189, 184, 202, 575.

Liberty Lanes

In the Monday Men’s League, Ralph Coney with games of 218 and 235 and a 646 series, Kyle Stevens 237, 235, 629, Walt Edwards 246, 613, Paul Minton 244, 607, Rudy Belanchia 211, 202, 603, Jason Jones Sr. 239, Jason Jones Jr. 235, Pete Meachum 210, Justin Lopez 209 and Richy Nichols 201.
In the Wednesday Men’s League, Kyle Stevens 258, 249, 278, 785, Ralph Coney 257, 205, 225, 687, Thomas Fix 210, 236, 631, Jim Fiore 200, 229, 624, Dwayne Cabrera 243, 619, John Lopez 205, 205, Deming Roosa 212, 221, Ed Blume Sr. 202, 212, Anthony Atkins 216, 208, Jason Jones Jr. 207, Keith Smith 224, Jerry Scandore 204, Pete Bertholf Jr. 246, Ryan Lepke 243, Robert Stewart 227, Gene Smith 220, Andy Butler 215, Herbie Sklar 211, Mark Carman Jr. 206, 204, Paul Minton 204, Pete Meachum 203, Wayne Fox 202, Mike Aumick 201, Walt Edwards 200 and Justin Lopez 200.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Connie Beach 185, 188, 514, Janet Warren 504, Audrey Woolard 201, Nancy Blume 191, Jane Mann 181 and Sandy Cassevah 180..
In the Friday Mixed League, Kyle Stevens 214, Bonnie Carman 180, 508, Tony Mears 215 and Jim Fiore 203.
In the Liberty Elks Bumper League, Alli Dworetsky 65 and Ethan Smith 60.
In the Liberty Elks Bantam League, Noah Crowley 137, 100, 237, Ian Cody 116, 105, 221, Sean McMahon 92, 84, 176, Marie Lyons 88, 70, 158, David Schiff 80, Myan Florez 80, Gabriel Florez 80, 54, 134, Emma Dworetsky 77, 68, 145, Zachary DeLong 74, Kayla McMahon 74, Owen Siegel 66, Dara Schiff 65 and Jessica Dworetsky 17.
In the Liberty Elks Teenage League, Louie Brahm 182, 178, 161, 521, Robert Feeney 170, 139, 127, 436, Ryan Feeney 152, Anthony Kolarick 150, Thomas McCausland 148, Robby Lyons 141, Robby Allegretta 136, Glen McCausland 130, 123, Brendan Siegel 128, Jonathan Griesbeck 127, Dylan Rivera 125, 109, Nick Carriere 121, 93, 92, Cameron Reichenbaugh 120, Ryan McDowell 113, 91, Alaur DeLong 105, 98, 93 and Zachary Cody 71.
In the Saturday Mixed League, Kyle Stevens 206, 247, 234, 687, Anthony Atkins 224, 244, 645, Jeremy Gulley 224, 203, 198, 625, Rich Bivins 210, 194, 219, 623, Deming Roosa 235, 201, 604, Phil Norris 214, 197, 594, George Crary 217, 191, 587, Tabatha Smith 193, 188, 539, Debbie Sklar 192, 171, 503, Carly Sklar 207, 500, Thomas Fix 203, Chris McKay 201, Herbie Sklar 200, Larry Goldenberg 191, Dennis Desmond 190, Gene Smith 190 and Shannon Carmen 170.
In the Sunday Mixed League, Rich Winters Sr. 213, 248, 640, Bob Feeney 219, 200, 213, 632, Jim Fiore 193, 228, 209, 630, Robert Cady 247, 600, Thomas Fix 213 and Dottie Fiore 173, 205.

South Korea’s Gu Pulls
Off Stunning Upset in
PBA Scorpion Championship

Yong-Jin Gu, a slightly-built 48-year-old left-hander, had never bowled in a Professional Bowlers Association event before the World Series of Bowling, but he pulled off one of the biggest upsets in PBA history when he defeated an international field of opponents to win the PBA Scorpion Championship at South Point Bowling Center.

The finals of the PBA Scorpion Championship aired last Sunday on ESPN but it had been taped in September. . It was the first Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour television final ever to include four international players and only one American.

Gu (pronounced “coo”) upset four straight opponents, including top qualifier Jun-Yung Kim, 236-224, in the all-South Korea championship match, to become the first South Korean ever to win a PBA Tour event.

In a stunning finish, Gu held a 10-pin lead entering the ninth frame, but he missed a 7 pin spare conversion to surrender his lead. Needing a nine-count spare and strike to win, Kim then left a pocket 7-10 split on his first shot in the 10th frame to hand the victory back to Gu.

Gu started the stepladder finals with a 245-204 victory over former Saginaw Valley State collegiate All-American Dan MacLelland of Windsor, Ontario, throwing strikes on seven of his first nine shots. In his second match, Gu routed 2010 Pepsi Viper Champion Bill O’Neill of Southampton, Pa., 256-208, again striking on eight of his first 10 shots. He then romped to a 233-208 victory over Australia’s two-handed star, Jason Belmonte, throwing seven strikes in eight tries. Gu had his first open frame in the 10th against Belmonte, but by that time he had already clinched a trip to the final match..

“I can’t even say how happy I am,” Gu said through an interpreter. “This was my first trip to the United States. Winning wasn’t even in my dreams.”

Regarding his first-ever shot on television, Gu said, “I didn’t feel anything. I just threw the shot.” But he quickly showed high-pitched emotions which followed virtually every strike. “It’s what we call showmanship in Korea,” he said. “It helps me relieve my stress before the next shot.”

Gu, who idolizes PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke “because he’s small like me,” had no idea what kind of reception awaited him upon his return home, but he had already learned he and Kim had become instant national celebrities simply by qualifying for the American television finals. South Korea’s leading newspaper, television network and bowling magazine immediately flew representatives to the U.S. to cover the finals.

Kim, who realized Gu had given him an opening when he missed the 7 pin, said his immediate reaction after leaving the 7-10 split was, “I lost. My shot in the 10th went farther right than I wanted. It was a good shot, but not the one I wanted to throw.”

The GEICO Shark Championship, the final World Series of Bowling “animal pattern” event, will air on ESPN next Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern. The Shark stepladder finalists will be the first in PBA Tour history to feature two two-handed competitors: Finland’s Osku Palermaa and Belmonte. Also in the finals will be Mike Fagan of Patchogue, N.Y.; reigning PBA World Champion Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Mich., and MacLelland, the top qualifier.

The sixth and final World Series of Bowling telecast will be a special U.S..A. vs. The World team competition which will air on ESPN on Sunday, Jan. 9, at 1 p.m. Eastern.

Free post-finals interviews and other World Series of Bowling special features are available on PBA’s Xtra Frame video streaming service. Visit pba.com or xtraframe.tv to access Xtra Frame. Full year and monthly subscriptions to Xtra Frame are available. During the month of December, PBA fans can sign up for a free trial offer to watch all Xtra Frame programming.

SCORPION CHAMPIONSHIP
South Point Bowling Center, Las Vegas, Nev., Dec. 19

Final Standings
1, Yong-Jin Gu, South Korea, four games (970 pins), $15,000.
2, Jun-Yung Kim, South Korea, one game (224), $8,000.
3, Jason Belmonte, Australia, one game (208), $6,000.
4, Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa., one game (208), $5,000.
5, Dan MacLelland, Canada, one game (204), $4,000.

Stepladder Results:
Match One: Gu def. MacLelland, 245-204.
Match Two: Gu def. O’Neill, 256-208.
Semifinal Match: Gu def. Belmonte, 233-208.
Championship: Gu def. Kim, 236-224.

South Korea’s Kim and
Hammer Taboo Earn Place
in PBA Tour History

Despite finishing second in the PBA World Series of Bowling Scorpion Championship, South Korea’s Jun-Yung Kim earned a place in professional bowling history with his Hammer Taboos.Kim earned top qualifier honors, averaging 223.3 for the historic ESPN TV finals where he and fellow countryman Yung-Jin Gu became the first South Koreans ever to compete in a championship for a Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour title outside of the Japan Cup.Gu (pronounced “coo”) defeated Kim in the hard fought, back-and-forth championship match, 236-224. Both Gu and Kim experienced shocking misfortunes toward the end of the match. Gu missed a 7 pin to allow Kim to take command of the match, but Kim then left a pocket 7-10 split in the 10th frame which ended his hopes of winning the title.“I was very honored and happy to be the top seed,” said Kim, a Korean Hammer Pro Staff member. “I used two Taboos – one for the right lane and one for the left lane – which worked very well. The Taboo I used on the left lane had a weaker pin and mass bias with more surface. With the right lane hooking more, I used a polished Taboo with the weight hole down.“I just threw the ball two boards too far right in the 10th frame and I didn’t get the pin carry,” he said of his disappointing 7-10 shot.Gu and Kim were part of a telecast that featured four international players, the most ever to appear on a PBA Tour telecast in the United States. Dan MacLelland (Canada) and Jason Belmonte (Australia) were the other finalists.Hammer Pro Staffer Bill O’Neill was the only U.S. player to make the telecast, but he was out-gunned by Gu in the second match, 256-208, when the South Korean lefthander put together a string of six strikes late in the game to race away with the victory.— Hammer Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment -Based in Hopkinsville, Kent., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. In addition to Hammer, the company’s consumer product brands include Track, Robby’s, Columbia 300, Ebonite and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
I

Lil Wayne, Nelly, Reggie
Bush Join Chris Paul PBA
Celebrity Invitational Field

Celebrity A-listers competed on the lanes with professional bowlers for charity last week. Hip-hop giants Lil Wayne and Nelly, along with New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush joined five PBA champions and host Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets for the third annual Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational at Riverboat Lanes on the New Orleans Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base.

The pro/celebrity doubles event, which supports Paul’s charitable CP3 Foundation, will air on ESPN on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. ET, for the third straight year as part of the PBA’s TV schedule.

Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour stars participating were PBA Hall of Famers Pete Weber and Norm Duke, former PBA Rookies of the Year Jason Belmonte and Rhino Page, and former PBA Player of the Year Wes Malott, all members of Storm Products Pro Staff.

The standing-room-only crowd consisted of personnel from all four branches of the military and their families from the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base.

“The Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational has grown to be one of our most anticipated events every year,” said PBA Deputy Commissioner Tom Clark. “Chris and his superstar friends love bowling with our stars and the PBA is proud to partner with the Paul family on behalf of the CP3 Foundation, which continues to brighten kids’ lives.”

In the doubles competition, Weber paired with fellow St. Louis native Nelly, Duke teamed up with Lil Wayne, and Malott and Bush were an imposing pairing. Belmonte and Paul partnered in an effort to defend their title. The teams competed in a stepladder finals for the unique Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational trophy. Page took on the four celebrities in a new “Super Clash” shootout to kick off the festivities.

NBA superstar LeBron James and the PBA’s Jason Couch teamed up to win the inaugural Chris Paul PBA Celebrity Invitational in 2008. Other celebrities who have competed in the event’s history include Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, Ludacris, Lamar Woodley, Jack Del Rio and Hines Ward.

Paul founded his CP3 Foundation in 2005 as a tribute to his late grandfather and the Winston-Salem, N.C., community where he grew up and starred at Wake Forest. The foundation has provided funding for activities ranging from a scholarship program to food drives to recreational support programs for underprivileged children in both Winston-Salem and New Orleans.

Paul, an avid bowler who frequently refers to bowling as his “second-favorite sport,” is on his way to another NBA All-Star season. Both Lil Wayne and Nelly are Grammy-award winning artists with new recordings currently at the top of the Billboard charts. Former USC star Bush helped the Saints win their first Super Bowl title earlier in 2010.

“What better way to get ready for the big game on Super Bowl Sunday than watch this spectacular PBA event earlier in the day on ESPN?” Clark said. “Not only are the bowlers and celebrities great personalities, they share a love of the sport of bowling and competition at the highest level.”

This Sunday on ESPN:
PBA GEICO Shark Championship

The PBA GEICO Shark Championship is the fifth telecast of the 2010-11 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season and will air Sunday, Dec. 26 at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN from South Point Bowling Center in Las Vegas.

For the second consecutive week the telecast will feature an international-laden stepladder finals field where four countries are represented: Australia, Finland, Canada and U.S. It is also the first PBA stepladder final to feature two players who use a two-handed delivery (Jason Belmonte and Osku Palermaa).

The GEICO Shark Championship is the last of the five "animal" pattern events conducted as part of the PBA World Series of Bowling. The final event from the World Series of Bowling will be the USA vs. The World' team event on Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

Eugene McCune won the season-opening Brunswick Pro Bowling Cheetah Championship, followed by Bill O'Neill winning the Pepsi Viper Championship, Scott Norton then won the Chameleon Championship and Yung-Jin Gu became the first Korean to win a PBA Tour title in the Scorpion Championship.

PBA GEICO Shark Championship stepladder finals qualifiers:

Match 1:
No. 5 Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y. vs. No. 4 Jason Belmonte, Australia
Match 2:
Winner Match 1 vs. No. 3 Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich.
Match 3:
Winner Match 2 vs. No. 2 Osku Palermaa, Finland
Championship Match
Winner of Match 3 vs. No. 1 Dan MacLelland, Canada

Additional PBA Tour coverage may be accessed by visiting pba.com and its Xtra Frame subscription video service.

2011 PBA Mark Roth
Plastic Ball Championship
To Benefit Bowling’s Charities

The Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour’s third annual Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship March 2-6 at AMF Thruway Lanes in Cheektowaga, N.Y., will benefit a family of charities supported by the bowling industry through the sale of specially logoed bowling balls to the bowling public.

The Plastic Ball Championship was originated by the Professional Bowlers Association in 2009 as a unique competition which required all PBA Tour players to use identical “throwback” polyester bowling ball technology. It returns as a special fund-raising event that will support Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL), Bowl for the Cure (benefitting Komen for the Cure’s battle against breast cancer), the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame, the new YES youth bowling initiative, and other charities supported by The Bowling Foundation.

The official charities of bowling will benefit from the sale of exclusive “plastic” bowling balls created by On The Ball Bowling. Each ball will use the same technology, but will feature a unique cover design with the logo of the participating charity. Bowling fans can pre-order their choice of balls featuring the BVL, Bowl for the Cure, IBM/HF, YES and Bowling Foundation logos, or a sixth ball which will feature the logos of all charities serviced by The Bowling Foundation. The multi-logo ball will be used as the official ball of the Plastic Ball Championship.

PBA Hall of Famer Johnny Petraglia, who will bowl in the Plastic Ball Championship on a PBA Commissioner’s Exemption, will be the spokesman for BVL; PBA Tournament of Champions winner Kelly Kulick will represent Bowl for the Cure; USBC and PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III will represent the IBM/HF; Bill O’Neill will be spokesman for YES, and Australia’s Jason Belmonte will be spokesman for the overall group of Bowling Foundation charities.

“We are excited again to be part of this great charitable endeavor. The PBA rallied the industry last year for Mark Roth and this year we can expand that reach through The Bowling Foundation,” said Brad Handelman, president of ontheballbowling.com/Strikeforce Bowling LLC.

To order the special bowling balls, visit ontheballbowling.com.

The tournament itself will get underway on March 2 with a seven-game Tour Qualifying Round where non-exempt players will compete for a minimum of 10 spots in the 64-player field. The 64-player field will bowl 14 qualifying games on March 3 with the top 32 advancing to round-robin match play on March 4. After a nine-game morning round, the top 16 will bowl another nine games in the evening to determine the top four for the live ESPN stepladder finals at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 6.

The Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship is named in honor of the PBA Hall of Famer who dominated the so-called plastic ball era, winning a PBA-record eight titles in 1978 followed by another seven-title season in 1979. Roth’s total of 34 PBA Tour titles ranks fourth on the all-time list of PBA champions behind Walter Ray Williams Jr. (47), Earl Anthony (43) and Pete Weber (35). A special new Mark Roth ball will be designed by ontheballbowling..com for use in the pro-am portion of the tournament.

The inaugural Plastic Ball Championship, held in Wheat Ridge, Colo., in 2009 was won by Jeff Carter of Springfield, Ill. Last year’s event, the first held in Roth’s honor, was held in West Babylon, N.Y., and was won by non-member Brian Ziesig of Levittown, N.Y.

MARK ROTH PLASTIC BALL CHAMPIONSHIP
AMF Thruway Lanes, Cheektowaga, N.Y., March 2-6 (all times Eastern)

Wednesday, March 2
10 a.m. - Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Qualifying Round (7 games; minimum 10 players advance to Round of 64)
4:30 p.m. - Official practice session

Thursday, March 3
10 a.m. - Round of 64, Round 1 (7 games)
5:00 p.m. - Round of 64, Round 2 (7 games)
Top 32 advance

Friday, March 4
11 a.m. – Top 32, 9 games round-robin match play
Top 16 advance
6 p.m. – Top 16, 9 games round-robin match play
Top 4 advance to ESPN finals

Saturday, March 5
Pro-Am PBA Fan Day (times to be announced)

Sunday, March 6
1 p.m. – Top 4, live ESPN stepladder finals

About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is an organization of more than 3,800 of the best bowlers from 13 countries who compete in Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, Regional and Senior Tour events. Nearly one million ESPN viewers watch PBA Tour on Sundays during the tour season and thousands watch PBA activities online by using PBA’s video streaming service, Xtra Frame. PBA sponsors include Bayer, Brunswick, Budweiser, GEICO, Golden Corral, Go RVing, Lumber Liquidators, One A Day Men’s 50+ Multivitamin, Pepsi-Cola, Storm Products and the United States Bowling Congress, among others. For more information, log on to www.pba.com.

About OnTheBallBowling.com
OnTheBallBowling.com, LLC is the only company in the bowling industry with the ability to process digitalized images, one at a time, on bowling balls and pins. OnTheBallBowling.com, LLC is a privately held company headquartered in Broadview, Illinois. For additional information on OnTheBallBowling..com, or the products they offer visit www.OnTheBallbowling.com, or call 1-866-OTB-BOWL (866-682-2695).

About Strikeforce Bowling LLC
Strikeforce Bowling, LLC is a proven leader and innovator in bowling bags and accessories for 25 years. The privately held company is the exclusive licensee for Brunswick bags and accessories and is headquartered in Broadview, Illinois. For additional information on Strikeforce Bowling, LLC or the products they offer visit www.krstrikeforce.com or call (800) 297-8555.

Here & There Column 12-21-10

Private Sponsors For Empire Games

Private sector sponsors could be the saving grace for the canceled 2011 Empire State Games.
The state's budget woes forced the cancellation of the Empire State games and it's premature for anyone to offer an outlook on their future under Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo.
With a $9 billion budget gap facing the state cutting the Empire Games were part of the difficult decisions made to ease the burden on taxpayers.
The 2011 cancellation marks the second time in three years that the summer games, scheduled to be held in Rochester in late July, have been canceled due to a lack of funds. The 2009 slummer games, scheduled to be held in the Poughkeepsie area, were canceled when the local organizing committee of the Hudson River Valley pulled out of hosting the games, citing state budget cuts, fewer events and a fee for athletes.
For the many athletes who look forward to the competition it's very discouraging and disheartening as the Games were often described as one of the best programs that New York has run.
The Olympic-style amateur contests were started in 1978 by former Gov. Hugh Carey and featured six competing areas and athletes within each region were broken down into three separate divisions by age, scholastic, open and masters.
The Games featured more than two dozen sports including basketball, baseball, cycling, swimming, volleyball and track and field.
If revenues came in the next governor could make a decision about the summer games but at this time no one expects that there will be a reversal.
The Games resumed again last summer in Buffalo after First Niagara Financial Group donated $500,000 and it looks likely that the only way the 2011 games will be saved is through private sector sponsors.
The weak economy and severe state budget cuts have resulted in another great state program being cancelled.

Bowling Highlights Column 12-17-10

Eddie Lake Scores 11th Perfect Game

Forty seven year old Monticello bowler Eddie Lake recorded his 11th career 300 game December 6 in the Monday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes.
Bowling on lanes 3 and 4 Lake scored a 207, 257, 300 for a 764 series.
He presently has a 233 average in this league, a 227 average in the Wednesday Men's league and a 222 average in the Friday Mixed Doubles league.
His 10th career 300 was bowled on January 18 of this year in the Monday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes.
Eddie keeps proving that some of the old bowling equipment can still do the job as he continues to use his old Hammer bowling ball.
About two years ago Lake had been without his now 22-year-old Hammer bowling ball as it was being repaired by Mickey Luongo down at Mike's Pro Shop in Middletown. He got the repaired ball back and in two weeks the old Hammer resulted in revising the Eddie Lake "300 game Express" as he smashed the maples for his ninth career 300 game on December 29, 2008.
Well the ball hasn't changed noted Lake as he commended on the January 6 perfect game.
After the old Hammer was repaired Ed noted that the ball had a little larger span on it and it took him a little time to get use to the change in the span.
During the 2007-08 bowling season Lake recorded four 300 games. Eddie had a 300 on January 21, 2008, scored another 300 in the second game of a match November 9, 2008 in the Friday Night Mixed league making it his third perfect 300 game that season.
Eddie on October 1 and October 2 , 2007, made bowling history in Sullivan County by bowling 300 games on consecutive nights. Lake on Monday October 1 in the Monday Men's league smashed the maples for a 223, 300, 277, 800 series. The next night, Tuesday October 2, while a substitute bowler in the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league he scored a 207, 300, 235 for a 732 series. Both leagues are at Kiamesha Lanes.
Lake over the years has admitted that his Hammer bowling ball was showing some wear and tear as several years ago there was a big chunk of the ball missing at the top of his finger holes, which has since been repaired. He has also said that there was no need to change to any of the new modern style balls when he had scoring success with this ball.
His high 856 series was bowled in 2004 in the Wednesday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes.
Lake is single and comes from a well known Sullivan County bowling family with brother Ricky Lake and mother Joan Lake.


Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This weeks tip will focus on Bowling Ball Maintenance for all types of bowling balls. We will focus on the bowling balls used in the modern era but we must point out that all balls should be cleaned and maintained after each use.
We will start with plastic balls, used by new and recreational bowlers. Plastic balls are not porous but due to the high viscosity oils used today the oil will build up on the balls and eliminate any contact with the lane. You can use any car care product or household cleaner to clean the ball very easily. Plain urethane balls with no additives are very scarce in today's game but are showing some popularity with today's lane conditions, but like plastic balls they are porous and will not absorb oil and dirt. You can use the above products to clean the oil and dirt off the ball. However, if you would like to keep the ball dull, use an abrasive pad.
The most common equipment used by league and competitive bowlers is a urethane based ball with additives commonly known as reactive or particle balls. Many different chemicals are used as reactive additives and particles, but, since each company used chemicals from different suppliers they must be maintained differently.
High performance balls are very porous and will absorb oil and dirt fast and diminish the performance of the ball as soon as thirty games if not maintained. You should towel the ball off after each shot during use and clean the ball as soon as possible at the end of each bowling session.
There are several ways to clean a high performance ball. If the ball is dull and you would like to keep it that way, you can use warm water, dish detergent and a grey or burgundy pad (3M makes them) or the back of a scrubber sponge. The grey pad will leave the ball with a 700 matt finish, burgundy at 500. If your ball does not have a dull surface and you would like to keep the surface the same, you can use dish detergent with a rag (no abrasive) or a generic ball cleaner that is made for bowling balls and sold in bowling pro shops. If you find that your balls works best when polished, many products are available in many different degrees of polish to give you the desired finish on the ball. Several companies sell products to match the out-of-box finish if desired.
As far as long range maintenance, if you have your ball resurfaced and the oil extracted occasionally, your ball will perform for a much longer period of time than if neglected. The lane finish and the amount of oil used will determine how often the ball should be resurfaced. Wood lanes that are relatively dry will cause the ball to track within 100 games. If the lanes have more oil, possibly 150 games depending also on the condition of the lane beds. With synthetic lanes you get at least 50% more games on the ball before resurfacing.
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 an Advisor along with being involved with Special Events 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 by telephone at 435-720-7939 or via email at mikel@stormbowling.com

PBA News

California attorney Scott Norton held court for the first time as a full-time Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour competitor in the title match of the Chameleon Championship at South Point Bowling Center, and he won his case.
The rookie who passed his California bar exam just a year earlier , threw eight strikes in a row in the championship match to defeat Sean Rash, 256-181 for the championship match aired last Sunday on ESPN but recorded in September.
The Scorpion Championship will air this Sunday on ESPN at 1 p.m.
Full coverage of this story is available at http://bght.blogspot.com/

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 845-439-8177, via e-mail at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com and by fax at 845-230-8674. For a more expanded version of the bowling column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com/ This column is also available on Facebook.

LOCAL BOWLING SCORES
BY ED TOWNSEND

Beechwood Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Ladies League included games of 182 and 174 by Diane Staves, Tracy Puerschner 153, 164, Jackie Mootz 158, Karen Borowski 162, Wendy Finn 156, 168, Jackie Gieger 150, 154, Jody Gulley 152, Nicole Hubert 157 and Barbara Cady 159.
In the Tuesday Ladies League, Pat Peters had a 179 game and 443 series and Debbie Loughrey 168, 478.

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Ladies Early Birds League included a 246 game and 543 series by Dana McGraw, Missy Dunlap 190, Melinda McElroy 204, 508, Sheri Oralls 195, 500 and Sherry Persbacker 182.
In the Wednesday Men’s Independent League, Steve Aitken 253, 680, Tom Anderson 235, Dave Benedict 246, Mike Bowker 267, 634, Al Bullis Sr. 256, 268, 685, Marc Cetta 225, Frank H. Couse Sr. 225, Jim Dibble 632, Brandon Drumm 233, Chuck Dunlap 234, Joey Gager 246, 602, Art Gately 240, Craig Gehrig 237, Jeremy Gulley 254, Mark Hawley 225, Steve Jacobi 248, 643, B.J. Johnson 234, 237, 664, Dick Layton 233, Josh Milucky 243, 614, Neil Mosher 233, 629, Walt Oralls 626, Mitch Persbacker 246, Tom Smith 613, Jonathon Wayne 234, 235, 646, Zuke Wormuth 248, 269, 689, Lyndon Wormuth 236 and Tony Wright 240, 227, 655.
In the Friday Mixed Doubles Couples League, Howey Couse Jr. 279, 692, Howard Couse Sr. 236, Anne Couse 190, 187, 522, Crystal Ellis 191, Norman L. Ellis 627, Linda Ferris 186, Gino Jones 257, 611, Liz Marino 199, 522, Mark McGraw 612, Rick Mills 225, 648, Walt Oralls 626, Vicki Tiffany 183, Dan Wormuth 627 and Jeremy Wormuth 256, 626.
In the Sunday Afternoon Mixed Fun League, Janal Cornwell (youth girls’ scores) 195, 184, 484, Matt Johnson 235, 640, Don Marino 245, 641, Dave Mills 244, 646, Jean Mills 190, Savanna Mills (youth girls’ scores) 147, 134, Shelly Mills 200, 523 and Parker Tiffany (youth boys’ score) 104.

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included a 279 game and 680 series by Jon Wilhelm, Craig Wilhelm 255, Al Caycho 626, James VanAken 606, Tom Belgiovene 613, John Hoffmann 238, 238, 690, Dan Ricco 229, 615, Roy Sweeney 629, Eddie Lake 236, 678, Rick Lake 245, 665, Jack Moylan 279, 645, Robert Sze 234, James Ratner 248, 632, Kort Wheeler 225, 630, Keith Hackett 256, 237, 677, Ronnie Totten 235, 248, 657, Paul Durland 236, 256, 243, 735, Jaryl Scott 228, 233, 684, Vinnie Collura 226, 613, Donald Durland 232, John Fischer 238, 252, 690, Michael Mahusky 243, 616, Leroy Williams 604, Larry Berens 234, Dean Shattuck 234, Timothy Minton 225, 629, Dave Porter Jr. 234, Anthony Atkins 235, 610, Matt Fallon 237, 632, Vincent Scuderi 606 and Frank Scuderi 228, 615.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters League, Russ Keesler 604, Debra Blackford 235, 556, Jon Wilhelm 268, 717, John Cascone 236, Mary Lee Williams 182, 529, Joan Lake 192, 199, 548, Dorian Jennings 188, 506, Edward Walsh 248, 662, Lisa Cartwright 238, 520, Joan Redington 241, 553, Linda Schaefer 191, Neil Bell Jr. 246, 652, Carena Collura 222, 575 and Debbie Durland 235, 616.
In the Wednesday Men’s League, James VanAken 255, 265, 727, John Hoffmann 268, 678, Laresko Niifa 244, 607, Dave Graham 247, 641, Kevin Stackhouse 605, Eddie Lake 227, 246, 669, Kyle Shivers 235, 616, Frank L. Gerow 620, Kenny Atkins 236, 636, Jody Farquhar 235, 286, 701, Gregory Fallon 2235, 610, Matt Fallon 246, 633, Jon Wilhelm 236, 238, 690, Richard Bradford 278, 258, 734 and Donald Durland 623.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Tracey Barres 186, April Aldrich 186, Mardette Wilcox 186, 185, 543, Debbie Durland 185, 203, 548, Liz Burgio 203, Barb Merton 182, Barbara Durbak 234, 232, 593, Lisa Cartwright 202, 191, 565, Fran Kaiser 183 and Anne Sawyer 207.
In the Friday Night Mixed League, Edward Lake 245, 269, 234, 748, Kyle Shivers 244, 268, 705, Eugene Kelly 225, 233, 233, 691, David Graham 258, 674, Frank Scuderi 245, 233, 670, Tom Palmer 255, 661, Matthew Jahn 659, Alpesh Patel 234, 653, Michael Osborn 237, 642, Ryan Lepke 255, 636, Jaryl Scott 255, 610, Daniel Ricco 608, Larry Berens 234, Paul Berens 245, Francine Kaiser 191, 202, 199, 592, Mary Ann A. Drobysh-Berens 215, 193, 568, Antionette Rau 206, 191, 568, Mardette Wilcox 180, 192, 193, 565, Joan Lake 201, 181, 552, Tammy Sze 193, 180, 549, Cathy Carpenter 211, 531, Tracey Barres 196, 511, Carolyn Williams 189, 501, Vera Bernhardt 180, Jeanette K. Margillo 181 and Jennie Worden 180.
In the Saturday Morning Youth Leagues, in the Bantams Division, Rachel Drillings 71, 62, Jordan Elser 61, 55, Shawn Elser 77, Nikko Griffin-Torres 61, 54, Cameron Mann 55, 58, Brooke Melendez 60, Tayl’r Porter 91, 91, Renne Schreiber 61, Christina Whitehurst 72, 65 and Gabriella Whitehurst 61, 65.In the Preps Division, Mikayla Degraw 130, 173, Nathaniel Edwards 105, Parth Patel 116, 148, Rup Patel 162, 123, Shyam Patel 111, 106, Jacob Rodriguez 153, 111, Sarah Rustic 117, 133 and Nicole Scuderi 120.

Liberty Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included Kyle Stevens 214, 224, 234, 672, Ralph Coney 247, 213, 640, Ed Blume Sr. 236, Jason Jones Sr. 201, Jason Jones Jr. 214,Tom Stephenson 214, Chris McKay 207, Ricky Nichols 207, Bruce Garritt 206 and Paul Minton 200.
In the Wednesday Mens League, Andy Butler 205, 279, 670, Thomas Fix 215, 253, 650, Kyle Stevens 246, 637, Andy Cook 243, 636, Ralph Coney 230, 208, 632, Paul Minton 222, 214, 621, Wayne Fox 267, 603, Jason Jones Jr. 200, 212, Ed Blume Sr. 213, 220, Dwayne Cabrera 205, 215, Jim Fiore 215, Keith Smith 213, 233, Rob Tuttle 203, 206, Rudy Belanchia 201, 200, Deming Roosa 231, Scott Austin 228, Tony Mears 226, Roy Lepke 223, Justin Lopez 223, Juan Lopez 214, Jesse Lopez 205 and Stew Stevens 205.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Sue Jones 189, Kathi Smith 192 and Valerie Mott 181.
In the Friday Mixed League, Kyle Stevens 226, 207, 245, 678, Thomas Fix 258, 632, Jim Fiore 233 and Sal Crescitelli 245.
In the Saturday Mixed League, Kyle Stevens 214, 257, 243, 714, Keith Smith 227, 226, 650, Chris Stevens 243, 203, 645, Herbie Sklar 210, Jon Wayne 211, Phil Norris 201, 209, Carly Sklar 181, 509, Dennis Desmond 222, Harry Cohen 208 and Gene Smith 203.In the Sunday Mixed League, Rich Winters Sr. 238, 211, 635, Bob Feeney 200, Jim Fiore 223, Sheila Fix 188 and Thomas Fix 212.
In the Liberty Elks Bumper League, Alli Dworetsky 81 and Colin Flynn 66.In the Liberty Elks Bantam League, Emma Dworetsky 104, Lindsie Siegel 91, Ian Cody 90, Sean McMahon 90, Marie Lyons 73, Jarod Hellerer 73, Dara Schiff 64, Kayla McMahon 63, Kylie Flynn 58, 29, 87, David Schiff 50, Corrine Hellerer 33 and Aidan Whitehead 25.In the Liberty Elks Teenage League, Jonathan Griesbeck 179, 414, Anthony Kolarik 178, 168, 499, Cameron Reichenbaugh 172, Ryan Feeney 160, 155, 406, Louie Brahm 153, 416, Robert Feeney 151, 151, 132, 434, Robby Lyons 144, Brendan Siegel 143, Glen McCausland 136, 113, 120, 369, Ryan McDowell 177, 87, Robby Allegretta 115, Nick Carriere 110, 98, 83, 301, Zachary Cody 105, Dylan Rivera 101 and Hanrii Padu 98.

Rookie Scott Norton Wins

First PBA Tour Title

In Chameleon Championship

California attorney Scott Norton of Costa Mesa, Calif., held court for the first time as a full-time Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour competitor in the title match of the Chameleon Championship at South Point Bowling Center, and he won his case.

The Chameleon Championship finals – the third of five legs in the PBA World Series of Bowling - aired lastSunday on ESPN but was taped in September.

Norton, a 28-year-old left-hander who passed his California bar exam just a year earlier, delivered a powerful opening statement in his first PBA Tour television appearance, starting the title match with eight strikes before converting a 4-7 spare in the eighth frame in easily defeating Sean Rash of Wichita, Kan., 256-181. Rash had won three consecutive matches to reach the championship contest.

“It’s pretty amazing. I’ve worked a long time for this,” Norton beamed. “It’s an unbelievable, crazy feeling. I was unconscious for a lot of that match.”

The son of Professional Women’s Bowling Association and United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Virginia Norton earned his opportunity to bowl as a Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour exempt player for the 2010-11 season by winning the 2009 PBA Regional Players Invitational. This season might be his rookie year as a full-time PBA Tour competitor, but he came into it fully prepared.

“I got to grow up watching my mother bowl, and I got to see her on TV and wondered what that would be like,” he said. “I got to see her inducted into both halls of fame, and I always kinda dreamed and hoped that I could do that someday, too.”

The physical game he learned under his mother’s wing, and the mental game he learned under Team USA sports psychologist Dr. Dean Hinitz after winning the 2000 U.S. Amateur Championship, helped explain his composure as he threw a near-perfect game at Rash.

“I knew I could come out here (on Tour) and compete,” he said. “I knew I could make shots, but sometimes that’s not enough. It just happened to be in the cards today that I was able to make shots and have it work out.

“Seriously, I don’t remember half of that game. I just remember getting up and saying the same things to myself, over and over. I told myself I was going to hit my target, execute and that set the tone. I was really able to stay within myself. I couldn’t see anything to either side. I really thought I was going to have a problem with the lights and people and the camera on the ball return, but when we got started, I didn’t see any of that.. All I saw was the lane and the pins.

“When I got up in the ninth frame, I really wasn’t thinking about 300,” Norton said. “I realized I was going to win and that’s the only thing that was going through my mind.

“Now I know I can compete against these people,” he added. “That show included an amazing group of players who are going to wind up in the hall of fame. To be able to go out there and beat them really meant a lot to me. It really gives me a boost of confidence to know I can do it.”

Rash, who had experienced a series of disappointments on television over the past two seasons, looked almost unbeatable in eliminating Finland’s two-handed star, Osku Palermaa, 236-211; Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, 227-175; and Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, 235-217. But he couldn’t keep up with Norton’s strike barrage in the title contest.

The Scorpion Championship, the fourth of five World Series of Bowling “animal pattern” events, will air on ESPN next Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern. The Scorpion stepladder finalists will be the first in PBA Tour history with four international competitors and only one United States representative. Finalists are Dan MacLelland, Canada; Yong-Jin Gu, South Korea; Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa.; two-handed specialist Jason Belmonte, Australia, and top qualifier Jun-Yung Kim, South Korea.

Free post-finals interviews and other World Series of Bowling special features are available on PBA’s Xtra Frame video streaming service. Visit pba.com or xtraframe.tv to access Xtra Frame. Full year and monthly subscriptions to Xtra Frame are available.

PEPSI CHAMELEON CHAMPIONSHIP
South Point Bowling Center, Las Vegas, Nev., Dec. 12

Final Standings
1, Scott Norton, Costa Mesa, Calif., one game (256 pins), $15,000.
2, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan., four games (879), $8,000.
3, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, one game (217), $6,000.
4, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, one game (175), $5,000.
5, Osku Palermaa, Finland, one game (211), $4,000.

Stepladder Results:
Match One: Rash def. Palermaa, 236-211.
Match Two: Rash def. Barnes, 227-175.
Semifinal Match: Rash def. Malott, 235-217.
Championship: Norton def. Rash, 256-181.

This Sunday on ESPN:
PBA Scorpion Championship

The PBA Scorpion Championship is the fourth telecast of the 2010-11 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season and will air Sunday, Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN from South Point Bowling Center in Las Vegas.

The historic stepladder final will be the first ever with four countries represented; Canada, South Korea, Australia and U.S.

The Scorpion Championship is one of the five animal pattern events conducted as part of the PBA World Series of Bowling and will be followed by the final animal pattern tournament – the GEICO Shark Championship (Dec. 26). The “USA vs. The World” team event on Jan. 9 will conclude the WSOB telecasts at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

Eugene McCune won the season-opening Brunswick Pro Bowling Cheetah Championship, followed by Bill O’Neill winning the Pepsi Viper Championship and Scott Norton winning the Chameleon Championship.

PBA Scorpion Championship stepladder finals qualifiers:

Match 1:
No. 5 Dan MacLelland, Canada vs. No. 4 Yung-Jin Gu, South Korea
Match 2:
Winner Match 1 vs. No. 3 Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa.
Match 3:
Winner Match 2 vs. No. 2 Jason Belmonte, Australia
Championship Match
Winner of Match 3 vs. No. 1 Jun-Yung Kim, South Korea

в—Џ PBA Tour rookie MacLelland, a three-time collegiate All-American at Saginaw State University, will be trying for his first Tour title.
в—Џ Gu will be trying for his first career Tour title.
• Fresh off a recent win in the recent PBA Viper Championship, O’Neill will be trying for his fourth career Tour title.
в—Џ Two-handed specialist and 2008-09 Rookie of the Year Belmonte will be trying for his second Tour title with his first coming in the 2009 Bowling Foundation Long Island Classic.
в—Џ Kim, also of South Korea is the first from that country to be top-qualifier for a PBA Tour event.

Tournament Recap: Two 6-game qualifying rounds with top 16 advancing to 9-game match play round.

First round leader (after 6 games qualifying): Mike DeVaney, Murietta, Calif. 1,487.
Second round leader (after 12 games qualifying): Belmonte, 2,851.
Third round leader (after 21 games qualifying and match play): Kim, 4,901.

Additional PBA Tour coverage may be accessed by visiting pba.com and its Xtra Frame subscription video service.

MILITARY BOWLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
IMPORTANT INFO & CHANGES

More Squads Added For 2011 Military Bowling Championships!

Record-breaking number of teams creates some schedule changes.


Greetings from Las Vegas!

You've most likely heard by now that the 2011 Military Bowling Championships in Las Vegas will be the largest ever in it's 54 year history! Squads had to be added to accommodate almost 190 teams!

With the tremendous event only weeks away, here is some important info you will need to know if participating this year.

After looking at all options and speaking with many Active Duty entrants, we have decided to relocate the entire Active Duty division to Orleans Bowling Center, approximately 2 miles away from Gold Coast. This will give us 35 more spots for the other divisions. The Retired and Senior divisions have already filled their 4 squads so we had to open up some spots. We did not want to use any spots allocated for the Active Duty division.
By making this change, it will insure that no teams will have to be turned away. Although that is great news, call and notify us if you have a team not entered yet at 1-800-257-6179.
The new schedule for Active Duty at Orleans is:Singles - Monday 3pm
Doubles - Tuesday 3pm
Team - Wednesday 8am
Free Active Duty practice session Monday 1 - 2pm at Orleans
The Sunday Active Duty Sweeper will still be held at Gold Coast.


IMPORTANT - Here are some changes and additions you should know for all divisions:
Storm will be selling the Reign Supreme and the Prodigy for $100 each, limit 2 of each per contestant. Storm will be onsite at Gold Coast and Orleans. They can take ball orders and deliver to Orleans.
The Tuesday & Wednesday Open Age and Senior Sweepers are still at Orleans at noon.
The oil pattern for both centers can be viewed at www.militarybowlingchampionships.com
Arrangements were made for the free shuttle between Gold Coast and Orleans to also carry your bowling equipment.
The Best of the Best is moved from Wednesday 2pm to 11am.
To maintain the integrity of bowling on the same lane conditions, we have to add an oiling before the Wednesday 11am squad at Gold Coast so that squad will start later. Using 3 machines will speed up the process.
The Mixed Doubles schedule at Orleans has changed. Mixed Doubles squad times are now Tuesday 10am, noon & 7pm. Wednesday Mixed Doubles squad times are noon, 2pm & 4pm. Call if you need to change your Mixed Doubles reservations.
If you are looking to get on a team, this is a great time to let us know as several teams need a player in all 3 divisions: Active Duty, Retired and Senior Retired (age 60 & over). Call us at 1-800-257-6179 or email info@high-roller.com.

If you are eligible but have never bowled the event, you might know it under different names such as Worldwide Military or Armed Forces Military Bowling but it is the same event that Nellis AFB, Showboat & Castaways hosted for years!

The brochure is online, available to view and print! Visit the brand new website www.militarybowlingchampionships.com or www.high-roller.com.

The dates are January 16 - 20 with the Breakfast Awards Party on Friday, January 21.

There are fabulous Early Bird room rates that our host Gold Coast & Orleans Hotels have offered! Call them toll free at 1-888-402-6278.

We are also pleased to announce that for the 2nd year, we will be working with the Bowler To Veterans Link ( BVL). $1 per contestant will be donated to that organization and High Roller, management team of the MBC will match those funds to double the donation! As MBC Tournament Committee member Ron Mercer stated, "It's a great idea that we give a little back to those who probably aren't able to do what we do!" Visit them at http://www.bowlforveterans.org/.

The event, sponsored in part by Storm Bowling Products, features 6-player Team, Doubles and Singles. There are optional Sweepers and a Mixed Doubles event as well - something for everyone including guests of the contestants! Entry fee is $160 per person which includes Team, Doubles, Singles & All-Events.

Welcome back to sponsors Turbo 2-N-1, K&K Bowling Services, 3G Shoes, BuddiesProShop.com, Bowlers Journal and Enterprise Auto Rental!

As always there are teams looking for additional players to fill their roster so if you would like to bowl in this incredible event but don't have a team, call us toll-free at 1-800-257-6179. If you are a team captain needing a bowler, call us or visit www.militarybowlingchampionships.com to see a list of players looking for a team.

And for military Veterans who are not eligible to bowl because you are neither Retired Military or Active Duty, don't forget the August event that you can bowl here in Vegas.

More info about all events are available at www.high-roller.com and www.militarybowlingchampionships.com

HAMMER STAFFER MCGAINEY
SHOOTS MULTIPLE 800 SERIES
WITH TABOO AND BRAWL

November 20th will be a day Hammer Staff member Pat McGainey will always remember. The lefthander from Baltimore fell into a groove that ended with him recording multiple 300 games and 800 series. Bowling at Brunswick Perry Hall Lanes, McGainey rolled a pair of 800s, an 812 and an 855. The first set had one perfect game, while the second included back-to-back 300s. “I wish I could explain what I was feeling,” said McGainey. “When you string strikes like that, everything is really comfortable. I don’t know how to explain it, but I like when it happens.” McGainey began his day at Brunswick Perry Hall by entering the doubles portion of the Maryland State United States Bowling Congress Association Mixed Championship Tournament. Using a Hardcore Hammer Brawl, he connected for a 300 game and an 812 series “I wanted to throw the new Taboo, but it hooked too much,” said McGainey. “The Brawl gave me the look I needed when they were hooking too much.” Fortunately for McGainey, the lanes were re-oiled before the Saturday Fun Bunch league took to the lanes. It was there McGainey was able to use the Taboo to roll consecutive 300s in an 855 three-game set. “It hooks a lot down lane,” said McGainey of the Taboo. “I have a lot of ball speed, and I like to see a lot of motion down the lane. The Taboo definitely does that for me.” The 855 series marked the third time McGainey has rolled back-to-back 300 games. The perfect games were the103rd, 104th and 105th of his career. He estimates that he has, “somewhere around 70” series of 800 or better. “I’ve bowed a lot more 300s and 800s since joining the Hammer staff,” he said of his two-year stint. “I have more variety of equipment to use and I’m more competitive in tournaments.” The strikes kept coming for McGainey. The Tuesday following his consecutive 800s, he used the Taboo to record his 106th career 300 game. “I absolutely love that ball,” said McGainey. “It’s the strongest piece I’ve ever thrown. The boys at Hammer really nailed this one.”“We’re proud of Pat’s success with our equipment in the time he’s been on staff,” said Jeff Ussery, Hammer Brand Manager. “He’s definitely going to continue to do well, and Hammer will be right there in his bag when he does.”— Hammer Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment -Based in Hopkinsville, Kent., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. In addition to Hammer, the company’s consumer product brands include Track, Robby’s, Columbia 300, Ebonite and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.

PBA Spare Shots

AT&T U-VERSE SPORTS AIRS THREE-PART FEATURE ON KELLY KULICK
AT&T U-verse, AT&T’s cable network serving nearly three million wireless subscribers, debuted a three-part feature on 2010 PBA Tournament of Champions winner Kelly Kulick on Wednesday. The magazine-style feature profiles Kulick’s historic victory at Red Rock Lanes in January 2010 and includes a segment about her family life which reveals the values and dedication that have become hallmarks of her bowling career. A third part, which was shot during the PBA World Series of Bowling, basically asks, what’s next?

The AT&T U-verse Sports feature, which can be viewed at no cost on AT&T U-verse’s web site, not only provides unique insight into today’s most accomplished woman bowler, but presents professional bowling in a highly favorable light as the demanding sport it is.

The AT&T U-verse SPORTS presentation can be found at http://uverseonline.att.net/uverse/exclusive. It also airs on AT&T U-verse’s cable network and on AT&T’s mobile phone system.

Kulick will return to Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas Jan. 15-22 to defend her title, but this time the stakes are much higher: $250,000 to win. And the competition will be even more intense. Every PBA member who has ever won a title is eligible to compete for shares of the record $1 million prize fund. The finals will return to ABC Sports – after a 14-year absence – on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern.

TIM MACK EARNS A SHOT AT PBA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS TITLE
Tim Mack of Indianapolis has won lots of titles around the world, but was missing a PBA title until his 242-165 victory over Jason Tehee of Fresno, Calif., in the PBA Sands Regency Tri-Regional Non-Champions Tournament at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., on Dec. 3.

With his first PBA title, Mack became eligible to compete for the $250,000 first prize in the $1 million PBA Tournament of Champions Jan. 15-22 at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas, and immediately filed his entry.

The Tri-Regional Non-Champions event was one of three Tri-Regional events held at the Stadium in advance of this week’s PBA Regional Players Invitational. In the standard Sands Regency Tri-Regional which ended Monday, Jon Brandon of Newhall, Calif., defeated Thomas Ault Jr., Portland, Ore., 9-8 in a sudden-death roll-off after they tied at 233-233 in the title match. Brandon won $2,300.

Howard Partell of Las Vegas won the Sands Regional Senior Tri-Regional title, defeating Jim Murtishaw of Menifee, Calif., 244-238, in the battle for the $1,500 first prize.

MIKE FAGAN JOINS SPORTS STARS FOR NEW YORK MARCH OF DIMES BENEFIT
Two-time Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour champion Mike Fagan of Patchogue, N.Y., joined a group of stars from a number of sports at the 13th annual March of Dimes New York Chapter’s Chairman’s Club Dinner on Dec. 2 at the Marriott East Side Hotel in New York.

The “Champions for Babies” dinner brought together 200 people from the fields of business, retail, insurance, sports, and more to raise money for the March of Dimes’ programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy. The evening included silent and live auctions, sport-themed food stations and interactive sports areas hosted by star athletes. Fagan manned a Wii bowling station where he challenged other sports stars to games of Wii Bowling “even though I’m not very good at it,” he said.

The dinner was hosted by CBS sportscaster Greg Gumbel. Among the athletes attending were Carl Banks (NFL), Gerry Cooney (boxing), Darryl Dawkins (NBA), Gigi Fernandez (tennis), Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde (boxing), Cullen Jones (swimming), Bob Lanier (NBA), Doug Mauch (PGA), Dikembe Mutombo (NBA), Nicole Powell (WNBA), JoJo Starbuck (figure skating), and Kerri Strug (gymnastics).

"It was a special night for a great cause,” Fagan said. “I’m proud to support the March of Dimes."

DANNY WISEMAN KNOWS BOWLING, BUT DOES HE KNOW NASCAR RACING?
Baltimore’s Danny Wiseman is the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour’s No. 1 auto racing fan, but he could only manage a seventh-place finish in the Celebrity Chase Tracker fantasy game, in which a group of noted celebrities tried to pick winners during the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup series. Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark won the celebrity “pick ‘em” contest over internationally-known chef Emeril Lagasse. The Gracious Few rock band finished third.

Wiseman did finish ahead of such celebrities as chef Mario Batali, author Janet Evanowich, former New York Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams, and former American Idol singing star Katharine McPhee among others.

“I should have just gone with (five-time NASCAR points champion) Jimmy Johnson,” lamented Wiseman, who finished third in the contest a year earlier.

VITAL ENERGY WILL GIVE
BOWLERS ENERGY TO WIN

Ebonite will provide that much needed Vital Energy with its newest upper-mid level ball, ironically named the Vital Energy.The second addition in the Vital bowling ball line, the Vital Energy uses the Vital Asymmetric core, which was used in the Vital Sign. The Vital Energy Asymmetric core is surrounded by the new Flexol Extended Reaction veneer.“The Vital Energy is going to be very bold on the lanes,” said Ebonite Brand Manager Ed Gallagher. “The ball motion takes the strong mid-lane read of the Vital Sign, but accentuates the back end move.”The red, orange and silver Vital Energy will be available in 12 to 16 pounds and will be released worldwide on Jan. 13, 2011.— Ebonite Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment - Ebonite is a brand of Ebonite International, Inc. Based in Hopkinsville, Ky., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets domestically and internationally. In addition to Ebonite, the company’s consumer product brands include Hammer,Columbia 300,Track, Robby’s and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.

COLUMBIA 300
TAKING ON THE WORLD
WITH WORLD BEATER

Columbia 300 is taking on the world with its newest high performance bowling ball, the World Beater.The black, orange and blue World Beater is armed with a new core and coverstock, a combination that makes this ball a must-have in any bowler’s arsenal.“The World Beater will be one of the highest performing Columbia 300 balls of all time,” said Columbia 300 Brand Manager Bugsy Kelly. “This is the type of product that you put up against any other ball on the market with confidence.”The new Super Tilt Solid coverstock is finished using 800, 1000 and gets hit with a 2000 grit Abralon® pad twice. The World Beater is designed to perform on medium-oiled lane conditions, however, that is something that is easily changed, according to Kelly.“The new Super Tilt Solid coverstock is extremely versatile and responds to surface changes very well,” Kelly said. “Out of box this ball will be great on medium to heavy conditions and the surface can be altered to work great on medium to medium dry lanes, this ball responds very well to surface adjustments.The new Arrowhead asymmetrical core has an RG rating of 2.55, which is higher than most high performance bowling balls, according to the brand manager.“But, because of the strength and versatility of the Super Tilt cover, the World Beater always hooks in the right spot,” Kelly said.Columbia 300 pro staffer and 12-time Professional Bowlers Association titlist Chris Barnes said he cannot wait to get this ball into his already full arsenal.“I have heard nothing but rave reviews about this ball,” Barnes said. “A high end versatile ball that is getting raved about by strokers, tweeners, and crankers alike, I can’t wait to see this ball for myself.”The World Beater, which will be available in 12 to 16 pounds, will hit pro shop shelves world-wide on Jan. 13, 2011.— Columbia 300 Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment - Based in Hopkinsville, Ky., Columbia 300 is a long-time power brand servicing the bowling world with quality and professional products. Its parent company, Ebonite International, Inc., is a privately-owned company that services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. The company’s other consumer product brands include Ebonite,Hammer,Track, Robby’s, and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.