LOCAL BOWLING SCORES
BY ED TOWNSEND

Beechwood Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Ladies League included a 182 game > by Julie Yewchuck, Donna Miller 152, Tracey Puerschner 158, Janet > Bertholf 151, Wendy Finn 158, Diane Staves 161, 179, Diane Conroy 176 > and Barbara Cady 159,178.>

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Wednesday Men’s Independent League > included a 237 game and a 632 series by Tom Anderson, Andrew Bullis > 225, 608, Dale Conklin 237, 630, Cody Conway 266, Frank H. Couse Jr. > 656, Jim Dibble 239, 622, Brandon Drumm 225, John Fish 234, Joey Gager > 620, Art Gately 225, 616, Craig Gehrig 227, 237, 680, Ben Green 236, > 613, Dylan Green 637, Jack Hazen 612, Mark McGraw Jr. 276, 700, Josh > Milucky 278, 700, Walt Oralls 290, 278, 773, Mitch Persbacker 228, 225, > 612, Dick Price 259, 226, 225, 710, Rich Rigas 619, Dennis Whitmore > 235, 622, Zuke Wormuth 611, Jeremy Wormuth 244, 650, Lee Wormuth 243, > 245, 702, Jay Wormuth 237, 621 and Tony Wright 238, 664.>
In the Thursday Men’s Deposit National League, Al Bullis Jr. 600, Andy > Bullis 226, 270, 699, Craig Conklin 235, 617, Ray Cornwell 255, 680, > Mike Costello 236, 235, 620, Jeff Curtis 235, 267, 673, Carl Davis 267, > 669, Jim Dibble 258, 676, Greg Keesler 258, 636, John Lanner 257, 614, > Neil Mosher 256, 687 and Jeremy Wormuth 225, 300, 742.>
In the Friday Mixed Doubles Couples League, Andy Bullis 608, Howey > Couse Jr. 225, 299, 707, Anne Couse 201, 195, 572, Crystal Ellis 182, > 211, 534, Judy Ellis 191, Bob Ellis 245, Linda Ferris 503, Dave Lester > 622, Dana McGraw 183, 192, 193, 568, Walt Oralls 604, Tim Smith 611, > Sandy Winans 215, 534, Dan Wormuth 238, Jay Wormuth 243, 601 and Jeremy > Wormuth 258, 225, 707.>
In the Sunday Afternoon Mixed Fun League, Ray Cornwell 607, Don Marino > 265, 641, Jean Mills 184, Savanna Mills (youth girls’ scores) 194, 176, > 170, 540 and Sally Rigas 185.>

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included a 229 game, > a 256 game and a 676 series by Francisco Martinez, James VanAken 258, > 666, Josh Strang 602, Tom Belgiovene 225, John Hoffmann 226, 256, 684, > Roy Sweeney 226, Eddie Lake 249, 244, 709, Rick Lake 237, 238, 670, > Jack Moylan 276, 258, 236, 770, Robert Sze 619, James Ratner 248, 257, > 684, Keith Hackett 247, 689, Ronnie Totten 269, 651, Kevin Stackhouse > 604, Jaryl Scott 255, 233, 234, 722, Dave Graham 228, 625, Nate Sanders > 238, 627, John Fischer 268, 664, Michael Mahusky 236, 629, George > Battle 225, Larry Berens 246, 266, 246, 758, Dean Shattuck 247, 677, > Frank Scuderi 245, 638, William Heims 248 and Kyle Shivers 278, 233, > 717.>
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters League, Edward Walsh 290, 712, Jon > Wilhelm 268, 726, Ed Guthrie 268, 237, 709, Dorian Jennings 236, 574, > Debbie Durland 223, 565 and Mary Lee Williams 207, 206, 593.>
In the Wednesday Men’s League, James VanAken 257, 227, 673, Steven > Belgiovene 622, Tom Belgiovene 626, John Hoffmann 226, 279, 720, Kevin > Stackhouse 254, 630, Eddie Lake 237, 226, 659, Robert Wells 228, 267, > 656, Michael Mahusky 227, 629, Edward Walsh 237, 255, 685, Alpesh Patel > 600, Jody Farquhar 245, 267, 702, Rick Lara 234, 257, 705, Gregory > Fallon 268, 246, 278, 792, Matt Fallon 228, 636, Jon Wilhelm 258, 644, > Richard Bradford 235, 639 and Shane Cunningham 629.>
In the Thursday Ladies League, Joan Lake 180, 507, Rudy Hoke 185, 193, > 537, Debbie Durland 193, 527, Tracey Barres 198, Liz Burgio 186, Barb > Merton 173, 500, Valerie Fersch 227, 562, Pat Shuart 194 and Lisa > Cartwright 181.>
In the Friday Night Mixed League, Kyle Shivers 248, 248, 279, 775, > Edward Lake 278, 235, 248, 761, Jaryl Scott 256, 242, 232, 730, Paul > Berens 267, 246, 704, Larry Berens 216, 267, 211, 694, Robert Sze 203, > 216, 258, 677, Frank Emmens 236, 224, 655, Kevin Stackhouse 210, 234, > 204, 648, Michael Osborn 216, 204, 606, Tom Palmer 227, 215, 605, > Eugene Kelly 205, 215, 604, Vinnie Scuderi 203, Ryan Sonnenschein 207, > 209, Roy Sweeney 215, Laresko Niifa 213, Daniel Ricco 213, 210, MaryAnn > A. Drobysh-Berens 235, 225, 202, 662, Carolyn Williams 231, 209, 613, > Christa Sweeney 190, 223, 574, Mary Lee Williams 192, 202, 566, Cathy > Carpenter 191, 195, 560, Antionette Rau 201, 188, 559, Tolakii Deylii > 183, 202, 554, Tracey Barres 183, 202, 544, Laura Palmer 191, 180, 527, > Francine Kaiser 183, 523, April Aldrich 188, 523, Joan Lake 516, Tammy > Sze 198, 514, Jeanette K. Margillo 509 and Vera Bernhardt 189.>

Liberty Lanes

In the Monday Men’s League, Paul Minton had games of 203, 228 and 235 > for a 666 series, Jason Jones Sr. 237, 223, 655, Chris Stevens 213, > 214, 614, Ralph Coney 207, 211, 608, Todd Houghtaling 213, 201, Andy > Cooke 225, Pete Meachum 214, Ed Blume Sr. 208, 213, Chris McKay 206, > Thomas Fix 205, Justin Lopez 204 and Bruce Garritt 200>
In the Wednesday Men’s League, Kyle Stevens 269, 236, 223, 728, Ralph > Coney 257, 250, 703, Paul Minton 215, 268, 206, 689, Chuck McAllister > 224, 212, 618, Andy Butler 201, 216, Chris McKay 216, John Lopez 223, > Glenn Norris 214, Scott Austin 213, Thomas Fix 207, Chris Stevens 203, > Rob Tuttle 203 and Dwayne Cabrera 201.>
In the Thursday Ladies League, Wendy Finn 183, 517, Sandy Cassevah 194, > Connie Lenox 184, Joann Bowers 182, Sue Jones 181 and Krissy Goldsmith > 180.>
In the Friday Mixed League, Kyle Stevens 216, 228, 213, 657, Gordon > Hyde 222, Alan LaBounty 201 and Vicky Ferrazzoli 198.>
In the Saturday Mixed League, Kyle Stevens 222, 215, 227, 664, Justin > Lopez 257, 213, 648, Gene Smith 205, 213, 200, 618, Chris McKay 242, > 208, 613, Keith Smith 211, Thomas Fix 226, Anthony Atkins 213, 209, > Wendy Swan 203, Deming Roosa 212, Chris Stevens 203 and Carly Sklar > 181.>
In the Sunday Mixed League, Jim Fiore 216, 255, 668, Rich Winters Sr. > 211, 214, 214, 639, Thomas Fix 237, 620, Bob Feeney 244, 214, 604, > Robert Cady 226, Sheila Fix 220, 565 and Jerry Scandore 204.>
In the Liberty Elks Bumper League, Jake Parks 73, Hailey Ingrassia 66, > Alli Dworetsky 64, Paige Ottino 43 and Kaytlyn Ingrassia 37>
In the Liberty Elks Bantam League, Ian Cody 117, 109, 226, Jarod > Hellerer 105, 69, 174, Lindsie Siegel 81, Marie Lyons 77, Kayla McMahon > 76, Owen Siegel 75, David Schiff 68, Sean McMahon 67, Emma Dworetsky > 66, Zachary DeLong 61, Tanner Parks 57 and Corrine Hellerer 47, 45, 92.>
In the Liberty Elks Teenage League, John Kolarik 223, 192, 171, 586, > Brendan Siegel 184, 159, 475, Louie Brahm 182, 172, 145, 499, Anthony > Kolarik 170, 155, 431, Thomas McCausland 154, 124, 115, 393, Jordan > Balzano 153, Robby Lyons 151, Dylan Rivera 148, 133, 121, 402, Ryan > McDowell 146, 137, 132, 415, Cameron Reichenbaugh 143, Glen McCausland > 142, Ryan Feeney 137, 134, Robert Feeney 136, Jonathan Greisbeck 134, > Zachary Cody 129, Nick Carriere 122, 120, 99, 341 and Alaura DeLong > 110, 102.>

Bowling Highlights Column 1-28-11

Eddie Lake Scores 12th 300

Forty seven year old Monticello bowler Eddie Lake recorded his 12th career 300 game January 19 in the Wednesday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes.
Bowling on lanes 3 and 4 Lake scored a 259, 300, 236, 795.
He presently has a 233 average in the Monday Men's league and a 225 average in the Wednesday Men's league and a 220 plus average in the Friday Mixed Doubles league.
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 commented on the January 19 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.

The Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This week's tip was suggested by a league bowler and applies mostly to those bowlers who are using modern bowling balls.
You may not know that the modern bowling ball is porous with several different densities and has numerous chemicals in the cover stocks.
As these balls change temperature, the cover and core will expand and contract. Due to the different materials used for the core, inner core and cover, this fluctuation occurs at different rates.
Leaving the ball in a car when temperatures are severe, very hot or very cold, the expansion and contraction causes severe stress on the cover. This stress us even greater when a cold ball is used to bowl while it is still cold. This may cause the ball to crack.
So the tip is not only educational but let it serve as a reminder to take care of your bowling ball investment--avoid the experience that the above mentioned bowler went through--and if you carry your balls to and from the center, don't leave them in your car.
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

Major Mika Wins
T Of C Tourney

"Major Mika" Finnish native Mika Koivuniemi defeated Tom Smallwood 269-207 last Saturday on ABC TV to win the $250,000 first prize in the $1 million Professional Bowlers Association Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas, Nev.
The PBA this Sunday moves to ESPN2 at 2 p.m. for the One A Day Earl Anthony Memorial from Dublin, Calif.
Full coverage on these stories is available at http://bght.blogspot.com/

Tournament
Information

January 30 -- 4th Annual Youth Championship (team event only) at 9 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Liberty Lanes, Liberty, NY.
March 4-6-11-12-13 -- Tri-County NY USBC Association Open (Men's) and Women's Tournament at Liberty Lanes, Liberty, NY.
March 5 -- 12th Annual Monticello Elks Scotch Doubles Tournament at Kiamehsa Lanes, Kiamesha Lake, NY. Information call Dean Shattuck at 794-1172.
May 1 --40th Annual Eddie Beebe-Julia Maney Memorial Senior Tournament, Liberty Lanes, Liberty, NY
Information on all Tri-County USBC Tournaments is available by calling Association Manager Michele Bensley at 845-784-6630.

Local Scores

Beechwood Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Ladies league include a 182 by Julie Yewchuck, Donna Miller 152, Tracey Puerschner 158, Janet Bertholf 151, Wendy Finn 158, Diane Staves 161, 179, Diane Conroy 176, Barbara Cady 159,178.

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Wednesday Men's Independent league include a 237, 632 by Tom Anderson, Andrew Bullis 225, 608, Dale Conklin 237, 630, Cody Conway 266, Frank H. Couse Jr. 656, Jim Dibble 239, 622, Brandon Drumm 225, John Fish 234, Joey Gager 620, Art Gately 225, 616, Craig Gehrig 227, 237, 680, Ben Green 236, 613, Dylan Green 637, Jack Hazen 612, Mark McGraw Jr. 276, 700, Josh Milucky 278, 700, Walt Oralls 290, 278, 773, Mitch Persbacker 228, 225, 612, Dick Price 259, 226, 225, 710, Rich Rigas 619, Dennis Whitmore 235, 622, Zuke Wormuth 611, Jeremy Wormuth 244, 650, Lee Wormuth 243, 245, 702, Jay Wormuth 237, 621, Tony Wright 238, 664.
In the Thursday Men's Deposit National league Al Bullis Jr. 600, Andy Bullis 226, 270, 699, Craig Conklin 235, 617, Ray Cornwell 255, 680, Mike Costello 236, 235, 620, Jeff Curtis 235, 267, 673, Carl Davis 267, 669, Jim Dibble 258, 676, Greg Keesler 258, 636, John Lanner 257, 614, Meil Mosher 256, 687, Jeremy Wormuth 225, 300, 742.
In the Friday Mixed Doubles Couples league Andy Bullis 608, HoweyCouse Jr. 225, 299, 707, Anne Couse 201, 195, 572, Crystal Ellis 182, 211, 534, Judy Ellis 191, Bob Ellis 245, Linda Ferris 503, Dave Lester 622, Dana McGraw 183, 192, 193, 568, Walt Oralls 604, Tim Smith 611, Sandy Winans 215, 534, Dan Wormuth 238, Jay Wormuth 243, 601, Jeremy Wormuth 258, 225, 707.
In the Sunday Afternoon Mixed Fun league Ray Cornwell 607, Don Marino 265, 641, Jean Mills 184, Savanna Mills (youth girls) 194, 176, 170, 540, Sally Rigas 185.

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men's league include a 229, 256, 676 by Francisco Martinez, James VanAken 258, 666, Josh Strang 602, Tom Belgiovene 225, John Hoffmann 226, 256, 684, Roy Sweeney 226, Eddie Lake 249, 244, 709, Rick Lake 237, 238, 670, Jack Moylan 276, 258, 236, 770, Robert Sze 619, James Ratner 248, 257, 684, Keith Hackett 247, 689, Ronnie Totten 269, 651, Kevin Stackhouse 604, Jaryl Scott 255, 233, 234, 722, Dave Graham 228, 625, Nate Sanders 238, 627, John Fischer 268, 664, Michael Mahusky 236, 629, George Battle 225, Larry Berens 246, 266, 246, 758, Dean Shattuck 247, 677, Frank Scuderi 245, 638, William Heims 248, Kyle Shivers 278, 233, 717.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league Edward Walsh 290, 712, Jon Wilhelm 268, 726, Ed Guthrie 268, 237, 709, Dorian Jennings 236, 574, Debbie Durland 223, 565, Mary Lee Williams 207, 206, 593.
In the Wednesday Men's league James VanAken 257, 227, 673, Steven Belgiovene 622, Tom Belgiovene 626, John Hoffmann 226, 279, 720, Kevin Stackhouse 254, 630, Eddie Lake 237, 226, 659, Robert Wells 228, 267, 656, Michael Mahusky 227, 629, Edward Walsh 237, 255, 685, Alpesh Patel 600, Jody Farquhar 245, 267, 702, Rick Lara 234, 257, 705, Gregory Fallon 268, 246, 278, 792, Matt Fallon 228, 636, Jon Wilhelm 258, 644, Richard Bradford 235, 639, Shane Cunningham 629.
In the Thursday Ladies league Joan Lake 180, 507, Rudy Hoke 185, 193, 537, Debbie Durland 193, 527, Trasey Barres 198, Liz Burgio 186, Barb Merton 173, 500, Valerie Fersch 227, 562, Pat Shuart 194, Lisa Cartwright 181.

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.

Koivuniemi Wins PBA Tournament
of Champions, $250,000 First Prize

Finnish native Mika Koivuniemi of Hartland, Mich., defeated top qualifier Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Mich., 269-207, January 22 to win the $250,000 first prize in the $1 million Professional Bowlers Association Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas.

After rolling a 299 game against Tom Daugherty of Wesley Chapel, Fla., in the semifinal match, Koivuniemi threw another 10 strikes on 12 tries against Smallwood to become the first international player ever to win the PBA’s signature tournament.

“I can’t even say what this title means right now,” Koivuniemi said. “It was my third major and I have nine titles now. I hope I can win a few more and secure a spot in the hall of fame. And my oldest daughter is starting college next year, so the money will help.

“It helped to get past my first match,” he added. “I haven’t had a lot of breaks on TV lately. Even after I shot the 299, I held myself back and stayed focused. It would have been nice to shoot 300, but it’s more important to win the title.”

Koivuniemi earned the nickname “Major Mika” after winning the 2000 United States Bowling Congress Masters and the 2001 U.S. Open – both major championships - for his first two PBA titles after a highly successful international career where he won titles in 15 different countries.

“Mika bowled great. He won,” said Smallwood, who earned $100,000 as runner-up. “He out-bowled all of us. He had a great look at the lane condition and he made the shots. And winning $100,000 can make you a good loser.”

In the semifinal match, Koivuniemi came within a wobbling 10 pin of becoming the first player in PBA history to shoot two nationally-televised 300 games. The 42-year-old right-hander rolled a perfect game against Jason Couch of Clermont, Fla., in Windsor Locks, Conn., in 2003.

Koivuniemi easily defeated Daugherty, 299-100, because Daugherty’s television debut was a disaster. The 35-year-old Floridian left seven difficult – if not unmakeable – splits in rolling the lowest nationally-televised game in PBA history. Daugherty converted two pins after leaving the 4-6-7-10 split in the 10th frame to shoot an even 100, erasing the 129 bowled by Steve Jaros in Lake Zurich, Ill., in 1992. Despite his record low score, Daugherty took home $50,000 for third place.

“I destroyed Jaros’ record,” Daugherty grinned. “I would have been more upset if I’d shot 260 and lost. I really wasn’t nervous. I just threw the wrong ball and made some bad shots. Once I was down 50 pins and threw another split, I was just trying to get out of Mika’s way.

“But I still had the most fun I’ve ever had in my life this week, including today. I’d rather shoot 100 today than earlier in the week. I made $500 a pin today. That’s more than Mika made, pin for pin.”

Koivuniemi began his march to the title with a 224-220 win over Gomez in the opening match when Gomez failed to double in the 10th frame. Both players showed early jitters – Koivuniemi leaving a pocket 7-10 split on his first shot and Gomez missing a 7 pin in his second frame – but both recovered with strings of strikes. Gomez used his string of five in a row to take the lead heading into the ninth frame, but made his biggest mistake, leaving and missing the 3-4-6-7 split to hand the lead back to the Finnish native.

Koivuniemi had a chance to lock up the match with a strike on his first shot in the 10th frame, but left a 10 pin to give Gomez a chance. Gomez earned $40,000 for his fourth place finish.

The first prize and total prize fund were the richest in bowling history. The finals, which aired in high-definition for the first time in PBA history, returned to ABC for the first time in 14 years.

The Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour’s next event is the One A Day Earl Anthony Memorial which begins Wednesday at Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl in Dublin, Calif.

46TH PBA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Red Rock Lanes, Las Vegas, Nev., Saturday, Jan. 22

FINAL STANDINGS
1, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., three games, 792 pins, $250,000.
2, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., one game, 207, $100,000.
3, Tom Daugherty, Wesley Chapel, Fla., one game, 100, $50,000.
4, Andres Gomez, Colombia, one game, 200, $40,000.

PLAYOFF RESULTS
Match One:
Koivuniemi def. Gomez, 224-220.

Semifinal Match:
Koivuniemi def. Daugherty, 299-100.

Championship Match:
Koivuniemi def. Smallwood, 269-207.

LPGA names Willett as Vice
President of Business Development

The LPGA announced recently that Edward Willett, a sales veteran with experience in sports and media highlighted by nine years at ESPN, has been named Vice President of Business Development, effective today. He will work out of the LPGA’s Daytona Beach Headquarters, reporting to Chief Marketing Officer Jon Podany.

“We’re excited to add Ed Willett to our team given his track record of success at major brands such as ESPN, USA Today and Sports Illustrated, and his deep passion for golf,” Podany said. “Ed will jump-start our sales group and help us build on the momentum that we gave going into the 2011 season.”

Earlier this month, LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan outlined the key strategic initiatives of the LPGA: Global – new events in the U.S. and abroad; Partnership – consistently increasing the value to our current business partners; and Responsibility – embracing the history of the LPGA and making a commitment to the future of the women’s game.

“It’s a thrill to join the LPGA given the direction of the association and the leadership and vision demonstrated by Commissioner Whan, Jon Podany and others on the LPGA team,” Willett said. “This is clearly a sports association on the rise, both in the U..S. and around the world, so I look forward to finding and securing partners who can benefit from the kind of partnership we can deliver.”

Willett, a Bucknell University graduate with an MBA from the University of Denver, began his career in publishing, working for Conde Nast (Glamour Magazine), Time Inc. (Sports Illustrated / Sports Illustrated for Kids magazines) and the Gannett Corporation (USA Today). He joined the ESPN family in 2000, serving as Ad Sales Director for ESPN.com. He subsequently worked in several different roles there, including serving as ESPN Senior Director, Business Development.

In March 2009, Willett joined Quick Hit, Inc., which produced an online football game, as its Vice President of Sales, then joined Kaleidoscope Sports and Entertainment—an IPG, Inc.. company—as Executive Vice President of Sales early last year. At Kaledoscope, Willett has been managing the sales force and working closely with IPG sister agencies including Octagon.

The LPGA worked with TeamWork Online on the executive search for the Vice President, Business Development position.

Lumber Liquidators PBA
Tour Moves to ESPN2

The Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour moves to ESPN2 Sunday for the finals of the PBA One A Day Earl Anthony Memorial at 2 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. Pacific) from Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl in Dublin, Calif.

Heading the list of the world’s greatest bowlers competing in the Earl Anthony Memorial, which will be conducted Jan. 26-30, are 2011 PBA Tournament of Champions winner Mika Koivuniemi and runnerup Tom Smallwood. Koivuniemi defeated top qualifier Smallwood, 269-207, last Saturday to win the record $250,000 first prize in the $1 million Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas.

Smallwood, who gained nationwide media attention—including a feature in Sports Illustrated—for winning last season’s PBA World Championship after being laid off from his job at General Motors, earned $100,000 for second..

After rolling a dramatic 299 game against Tom Daugherty of Wesley Chapel, Fla., in the semifinal match, Koivuniemi threw another 10 strikes on 12 tries against Smallwood to become the first international player ever to win the PBA’s signature tournament.

“I can’t even say what this title means right now,” Koivuniemi said after winning his ninth PBA Tour tournament and third major title. “It was my third major and I have nine titles now. I hope I can win a few more and secure a spot in the hall of fame.”

Also competing will be Earl Anthony Memorial defending champion Anthony LaCaze of Melrose Park, Ill.

LaCaze, who finished a respectable 24th in his first Tournament of Champions last week, won his first Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour title in last year’s Earl Anthony Memorial, throwing three clutch strikes in the ninth and 10th frames to defeat Michael Machuga of Erie, Pa., 214-206, in the title match.

LaCaze trailed until he threw the biggest strike of his life in the ninth frame and followed with two even bigger strikes in the 10th to force Machuga to double in his 10th frame to win. Machuga got the first strike, but left a 10 pin on his second to hand LaCaze the $25,000 first prize.

Also entered are:

•2011 PBA World Championship winner and 13-time PBA Tour titlist Chris Barnes.
•Bowling legend, all-time PBA Tour titles leader (47) titles and former nearby Stockton, Calif., resident Walter Ray Williams Jr.
•2010 PBA Tournament of Champions winner Kelly Kulick, the first woman to win a PBA Tour event.
•Two-time Earl Anthony Memorial winner Wes Malott.
•PBA titlist and two-handed specialist Jason Belmonte of Australia.
•Hall of Famers Pete Weber, Norm Duke, Parker Bohn III and Johnny Petraglia.
•Three-time PBA Tour titlist Dave Arnold who now makes his home in Dublin, Calif.
•Former exempt player Wayne Garber of Modesto, who was granted a commissioner’s exemption.

The 2011 Earl Anthony Memorial is the third tournament of PBA’s “live-telecast” Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour schedule.

The event is named after the late PBA legend who was voted the greatest PBA player of all-time as part of the organization’s 50th anniversary in 2009.

Competition will get underway on Jan. 26, with a Tour Qualifying Round where non-exempt bowlers will bowl seven games to try to qualify for the 64-player exempt field.

PBA EARL ANTHONY MEMORIAL SCHEDULE
Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl, Dublin, Calif., Jan. 26-30 (all times Pacific)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26
9 a.m. - Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Qualifying Round (7 games total pins)
4:30 p.m. - Practice session
7 p.m. - pro-am

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27
10 a.m. - Round of 64 Round 1 (7 Games)
5 p.m. - Round of 64 Round 2 (7 Games)
Cut to the top 32 Players

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28
11 a.m. - Match Play Round 1 (9 games)
Cut to top 16 players
6 p.m. - Match Play Round 2 (9 games)
Top 4 advance to ESPN finals

SATURDAY, JANUARY 29
Pro-Am Events and PBA Fan Day
9 a.m. - Youth pro-am
11:15 a.m. - Senior pro-am
1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. / Adult pro-ams

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30
11 a.m. - Live ESPN2 Finals from Earl Anthony's Dublin Bowl

Pageant Meeting Feb. 24

The first meeting for the 2011 Sullivan County International Pageant will be held on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Villa Roma Resort.
Girls interested in more information and who would like to sign up are welcome to attend.
The age categories are Young Miss (5-8 years old), Pre-Teen (9-12 years old), Teenager (13-18 years old), Miss (19-29 years old) and Mrs. (21-56 years old & married).
The Pageant will be hosted by the Villa Roma Resort on Saturday, April 23.
For more information visit the pageant website at http://sullivancountypageant.web.officelive.com
Pageant Director is Christina Buckler.

Here & There Column 1-25-11

Golf Show Set For Feb. 4-6

Since winning the 1993 Long Drive Championship Brian Pavlet has not looked back. Pavlet will be one of the featured stage events at the 14th Annual New Jersey Golf Show Feb. 4-6 at the Garden State Exhibit Center, 50 Atrium Drive, Somerset, NJ
The show is a popular mid-winter break for many New York and Tri-County area golfers and also is a showcase for several area golf facilities.
Pavlet has made a record eight "Final 8" appearances in the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship and has been the LDA's most consistent performer the past decade. He held the No. 1 ranked position for more than 20 months and was featured in Golf Digest for having one of the best power swings in golf. Brian has performed more than 1,200 shows worldwide and even entertained the troops in Iraq with the USO. His engaging personality and performance make him one of golf's premier showman. .
Brian and others will be appearing the weekend of February 4-6 at this show which is tabbed as a consumer golf exposition, in a three-day "Golf Theme Park" that features a wide array of displays, demonstrations and interactive activities designed to educate and entertain the golf enthusiast.
Upwards of 200 booths with exhibitors from across the country are expected to attend and will offer for sale the latest in golf equipment and accessories as well as golf apparel, artwork, real estate, destination packages and much, much more.
Numerous participatory activities will also be available for golfers of all skill levels. There will be a long-drive championship, the BirdieBall Chipping challenge, a Long-Putt Competition and a demo range where you can swing, hit and compare the latest clubs.
The hours for the show are Friday 12-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 adults and free children under 12..
The show is staged and managed by North Coast Golf Show President Joe Stegh.
Driving directions are available at http://www.northcoastgolfshows.com/ ..

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Bowling Highlights Column 1-21-11

USBC And Humana Form Alliance

Humana Inc.,one of the nation's largest publicly traded health and supplemental benefits companies, and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), the national governing body for bowling as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee, announced recently that they have formed an alliance making Humana the official health benefit provider of USBC. The alliance enables Humana to provide special direct access to its products for USBC's more than two million members.
"Humana is pleased to announce this alliance intended to support a favorite American pastime and demonstrate the importance of engaging in activities that promote well-being through physical movement and social interaction," said Fred Wheeler, HumanaOne vice president of sales. "Bowling is a sport that is appealing to both young and old and through this partnership we hope to emphasize our commitment to well-being for the entire family."
Under terms of the agreement, Humana and USBC will bring the message of Humana's well-being commitment to USBC members, tournament participants and TV viewers. The alliance seeks to spotlight the relationship between bowling - engaging individuals in healthy activity at every age - and Humana, which offers benefits and services to people of all ages.
Humana Medicare Advantage plans will be offered to USBC members who are eligible for Medicare. And all USBC members will have access to a discount prescription-drug program from Humana, beginning in March. Humana individual medical, dental, vision, life and supplemental plans will also be offered to USBC members through this alliance.
"We are pleased to work with Humana and continue to demonstrate the positive impact bowling can have on one's health and the positive business results USBC can deliver to partners," USBC Executive Director Stu Upson said. "We look forward to working with Humana to share exciting offerings of new benefits to USBC members as a result of this partnership."
Bowling, according to the USBC, is the largest participatory sport in the United States with more than 71 million people bowling annually. USBC says bowling participation grew four percent in 2009 and has a $10 billion annual impact on the U.S. economy.

Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

This tip is for all bowlers regardless of age or level of play.
So very often today bowlers find themselves off balance at the foul line.
While there are many reasons for this, what you may not realize is that most bad finishes are a result of a bad start.
The tip: Check your first step and see if it's too long. This will cause you to push the ball away too far and then your feet will have to play "catch up" to keep you from falling down.
Try a smaller first step next time.......it may help.
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 vie email at mikel@stormbowling.com

PBA News

Chris Barnes defeated Bill O'Neill 267-237 last Sunday afternoon to win the PBA World Championship at South Point Bowling Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
The richest tournament in PBA history, the $1 million Tournament of Champions will conclude Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ABC (Channel 7)
Full coverage of these events are 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 email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com, 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 Monday Ladies League included a 196 game by Karen Borowski, Amanda Irwin 168, Beth Schumacher 156, Debbie Murphy 150, Diane Staves 159, Lori Kimmes 191, Diane Conroy 168, 156, Barbara Cady 169, Julie Yewchuck 161, Nicole Hubert 167 and Jody Schanil 153.

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Ladies Early Birds League included a 186 game and 506 series by Sherry Persbacker, Lori Walker 187, Dana McGraw 509 and Megan Martin 468 (150 pins over average).
In the Wednesday Men’s Independent League, Steve Aitken 237, Dave Benedict 613, Mike Blair 613, Mike Bowker 259, 631, Andrew Bullis 236, 238, 697, Marc Cetta 228, 225, 621, Dale Conklin 243, 631, Cody Conway 278, 605, Frank H. Couse Jr. 258, 628, Carl Davis 258, 652, Jim Dibble 230, 289, 736, Brian Drumm 225, Craig Gehrig 227, 245, 662, Dylan Green 618, Jeremy Gulley 623, Kory Keesler 228, Jerry Kulakosky 645, Donnie Marino 258, Mark McGraw Jr. 225, 261, 695, Josh Milucky 249, 247, 687, Walt Oralls 247, 258, 699, Jonathon Wayne 233, Zuke Wormuth 243, 614, Jeremy Wormuth 270, 626 and Jay Wormuth 237.
In the Thursday Deposit National League, Ed Akselrad 227, Rob Bolster 605, Al Bullis Jr. 225, 247, 696, Al Bullis Sr. 234, 673, Andy Bullis 257, 661, Mike Costello 268, 635, Chet Delameter 247, 609, Jim Dibble 237, Chuck Dunlap 235, Rich Lenio 233, Dave Lester 258, 616, Harold Morgan 225, Neil Mosher 252, 668, Anthony Seely 275, 662, Jim Valentine 247, 625, Dan Wormuth 257, 246, 720 and Jeremy Wormuth 246, 659.
In the Friday Mixed Doubles Couples League, Andy Bullis 244, 258, 694, Howey Couse Jr. 249, 615, Howard Couse Sr. 231, Frank Couse Sr. 225, 234, 232, 691, Anne Couse 512, Carl Davis 253, 624, Crystal Ellis 246, 514, Norman L. Ellis 255, 237, 711, Norman E. Ellis 237, Bob Ellis 225, 639, Nick Hazen 231, 627, Dana McGraw 193, 522, Mark McGraw 242, 607, Sheri Oralls 180, 188, Walt Oralls 238, 244, 248, 730, Jen Smith 191, 515, Sandy Winans 227, 195, 181, 603 and Jay Wormuth 257, 681.
In the Sunday Afternoon Mixed Fun League, Julie Cornwell 185, Mary Haeussler 227, Don Marino 256, 259, 237, 752, Dave Mills 245, 603, Jean Mills 188, Savanna Mills (youth girls’ scores) 160, 143, 158, 461 and Parker Tiffany (bantam boys’ scores) 116, 103.

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included a 279 game and 651 series by Craig Wilhelm, Al Caycho 238, 654, James A. VanAken 235, 612, Josh Strang 247, 245, 692, Tom Belgiovene 279, 237, 710, John Hoffmann 278, 700, Micky Lake 234, 610, Eddie Lake 237, 278, 703, Rick Lake 226, 633, Jack Moylan 234, 225, 628, James Ratner 226, 606, Kort Wheeler 225, 231, 672, Keith Hackett 257, 610, Ronnie Totten 609, Kevin Stackhouse 240, 268, 279, 787, Paul Durland 234, 632, Jaryl Scott 237, 229, 669, Vinnie Collura 645, Donald Durland 245, 270, 712, Dave Graham 249, 636, Nathan Sanders 624, John Fischer 610, Michael Aumick 246, 654, Frank Muller Jr. 226, Larry Berens 246, 238, 235, 719, Timothy Minton 238, 232, 658, Anthony Atkins 236, 629, Wayne Atkins 241, 653, Gregory Fallon 267, 645 and James Frost 279, 670.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters League, Mike Mahusky 258, Edward Walsh 258, Ed Guthrie 247, 654, Stan Gilmore 658, Larry Berens 654, Mary Lee Williams 245, 607, Dorian Jennings 214, 573, Debbie Durland 205, 573, Frank DiConstanzo 235, 620, Paul Durland 236, 633, Laresko Niifa 629, Joan Lake 180, 195, 553, Chet Smith 245, Lisa Cartwright 192, 514, Shane Cunningham 620, Joe Peabody 235, 614 and Joan Redington 201, 180, 531.
In the Wednesday Men’s League, James VanAken 245, 243, 706, Paul Durland 616, Steven Belgiovene 259, 287, 697, Tom Belgiovene 268, 641, John Hoffmann 225, 642, George Battle Jr. 238, 653, Laresko Niifa 230, Kevin Stackhouse 233, 647, Dave Graham 225, 623, Eddie Lake 247, 240, 704, Frank Scuderi 236, 606, Shane Cunningham 259, 227, 685, Donald Durland 268, 279, 763, Richard Bradford 607, Jon Wilhelm 258, 682, Matt Fallon 236, 645, Gregory Fallon 227, 229, 662, Frank Emmens 235, 277, 226, 738, Rick Lara 604, Edward Walsh 268, 634 and Josh Deitchman 249, 625.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Valerie Fersch 203, Tracey Barres 198, 157, 503, Lisa Cartwright 182, 183, 514, Barbara Durbak 214, 169, 526, Rudy Hoke 167, 184, 507, Debbie Durland 206, 203, 255, 664, Fran Kaiser 178, 203, 537, Mardette Wilcox 234, 236, 633, Liz Burgio 169, 182, 500, Barb Merton 199, Connie McKenley 180, 186, 168, 534, Anna Sawyer 203, 168, 509 and Joan Lake 191, 183, 181, 555.
In the Friday Night Mixed League, Jaryl Scott 268, 267, 717, Kyle Shivers 226, 260, 228, 714, Frank Emmens 238, 237, 231, 706, David Graham 225, 257, 703, Robert Sze 246, 676, Edward Lake 249, 662, Leroy Williams 247, 233, 652, Roy Sweeney 236, 624, Paul Berens 234, 615, Frank Scuderi 225, 615, Larry Berens 615, Ed Walsh 246, 614, Ryan Sonnenschein 246, 607, Daniel Ricco 299, 602, Francine Kaiser 259, 192, 624, Mary Lee Williams 214, 203, 579, Cathy Carpenter 188, 200, 563, Joan Lake 182, 203, 556, MaryAnn A. Drobysh-Berens 207, 181, 540, Tracey Barres 205, 534, Tammy Sze 201, 181, 518, Vera Bernhardt 182, 516, Linda Schaefer 184, 505, Jeanette K. Margillo 187, 504, Carolyn Williams 199, Julie Chen 180 and Amanda Scuderi 183.

Liberty Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included Jason Jones Sr. 206, 200, 255, 661; Kyle Stevens 203, 226, 223, 652, Jason Jones Jr. 212, 237, 648, Paul Minton 239, 203, 636, Rudy Belanchia 209, 221, 629, Ralph Coney 214, 207, Justen Lopez 222, Pete Meachum 223, Andy Cook 215, Chris Stevens 210, Walt Edwards 203, 205, Todd Houghtaling 204, Thomas Fix 201.
In the Wednesday Men’s League included Dwayne Cabrera 201, 243, 640, Jim Fiore 214, 223, 618, Chuck McAllister 202, 226, 613, Rob Tuttle 248, 605, Anthony Atkins 215, 600, Thomas Fix 234, Justin Lopez 212, 201, Wayne Fox 219, Bobby Cooper 215, Mike Aumick 213, Paul Minton 210, 209, Ed Blume Sr. 204, Damon Knack 203, Jerry Scandore 201, Kyle Stevens 201, Russell Bivins 200.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Charlene Meola 180, 187, 523, Jane Mann 180.
In the Friday Mixed League included Kyle Stevens 224, 225, 233, 682, Russell Bivins 234, 234, 636, Jim Fiore 237, 603, Robert Fix III 228.
In Saturday Mixed League included Thomas Fix 279, 235, 682, Keith Smith 245, 621, Geo Crary 258, 609, Walt Edwards 236, Herbie Sklar 203, Wendy Swan 224, 180, 543, Angie Desmond 183, Chris McKay 211, Rich Bivins 204, Jim Fiore 202, Larry Goldenberg 200, Shannon Carman 189.
In the Sunday Mixed League included Jim Fiore 204, 268, 659, Thomas Fix 224, 612, Robert Cady 205, 215, 600, Bob Feeney 214, Rich Winters Sr. 201.
In the Saturday Liberty Elks Bumper League included Jake Parks 77, Alli Dworetsky 76.
In the Saturday Liberty Elks Bantam League included Ian Cody 95, Marie Lyons 93, 83, 176, Owen Siegel 90, 80, 170, Lindsie Siegle 83, 70, 153, Sean McMahon 76, Jarod Hellerer 74, Tanner Parks 72, Emma Dworetsky 67, Kayla McMahon 67, 61, 128, Aiden Whitehead 40, 27, 67, Corrine Hellerer 30, 30, 60.
In Saturday Liberty Elks Teenage League included Cameron ReIchenbaugh 174, 121, 386, John Kolarik 167, 488, Robby Lyons 161, 145, 442, Anthony Kolarik 158, 420, Louie Brahm 154, 422, Nick Carriere 149, 104, Robby Allegretta 145, Ryan Feeney 144, 127, 378, Brendan Siegle 142, 137, 409, Dylan Rivera 139, 129, 110, 378, Jonathan Graisbeck 124, Zachary Cody 118,115, Glen McCrusland 116, Thomas McCausland 103, Ryan McDowell 96, 91.

Chris Barnes Wins PBA

World Championship

Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, exorcised his television demons Sunday, January 16, upsetting top qualifier Bill O’Neill of Southampton, Pa., 267-237, to win the Professional Bowlers Association World Championship at South Point Bowling Center and become the sixth player in PBA history to complete the sport’s Triple Crown.

Along with his 13th career title, the 40-year-old Barnes won a $50,000 first prize. He previously had won the 2005 U.S. Open and the 2006 PBA Tournament of Champions, the other two legs in the PBA Triple Crown. The only other Triple Crown winners are Billy Hardwick, Johnny Petraglia, Pete Weber, Mike Aulby and Norm Duke – all PBA Hall of Famers.

Barnes, the No. 4 qualifier, came into the PBA World Championship with a 7-14 record on television in major championships, but he won four consecutive matches for the title to improve his record to 11-14. He defeated Michael Haugen Jr. of Carefree, Ariz., in Saturday night’s elimination round, 243-172, to reach Sunday’s finals where he eliminated Finland’s Osku Palermaa, 246-176, and Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., 237-161, for the chance to meet O’Neill for the title.

In the title match, Barnes started with six strikes to build a 31-pin lead after seven frames, but O’Neill refused to back down, finishing with a string of four strikes to force Barnes to mark in the 10th frame. Barnes’ strike on his first shot in the clinched the title.

“I feel bad for Bill,” Barnes said. “He was the best bowler in the PBA World Series to get here, but I’ve been in his shoes a few times and I’m not going to give the trophy back.

“There are a lot of guys who have won the PBA World Championship, but it’s a short and distinguished list of guys who have won the Triple Crown,” he added. “Right after I won, Billy Hardwick called my wife and told her to welcome me to the club.”

“I’m not unhappy with my performance,” O’Neill said. “I threw all but one shot on line. When I needed shots to make Chris show up in 10th, they were all good. That’s something I’ve struggled with out here. I think it’s a good sign of things to come.”

The Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour immediately moved to Red Rock Lanes in northwest Las Vegas later Sunday for the opening qualifying round for the Champions Field in the $1 million PBA Tournament of Champions. Following a second qualifying round Monday morning, half of the Champions Field will join the elite field for the duration of the Tournament of Champions.

The richest tournament in PBA history concludes Saturday when a record $250,000 first prize will be decided live on ABC at 2:30 p.m. Eastern. Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., is defending champion.

PBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
South Point Bowling Center, Las Vegas, Nev., Sunday

Match 5:
Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, def. Osku Palermaa, Finland ($12,000), 246-176.
Semifinal Match:
Barnes def. Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill. ($14,000), 237-161.
Championship:
Barnes ($50,000) def. Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa. ($25,000), 267-237.

2011 PBA Tournament
Of Champions Storylines

The Professional Bowlers Association’s greatest tradition will return to Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas Jan. 16-22 with a record $1 million prize fund. The Tournament of Champions is filled with great storylines.

Record prize fund: The $1 million prize fund and $250,000 first prize are the richest prizes ever paid for in a professional bowling event.

The PBA returns to ABC Television: The Tournament of Champions finals will return to ABC on Saturday, Jan. 22, at 2:30 p.m. Eastern, for the first time since 1997. The Pro Bowlers Tour aired for 36 consecutive years on ABC as a lead-in to the old Wide World of Sports telecasts. The 2011 TOC telecast will be the first PBA event ever to air in high-definition.

Hall of Famer Nelson Burton Jr. to help celebrate return to ABC: PBA Hall of Famer Nelson Burton Jr., who teamed with broadcasting great Chris Schenkel for 23 seasons (1975-97) on Pro Bowlers Tour telecasts on ABC, will be on a part of the TOC telecast, to help celebrate the PBA’s return to ABC. Schenkel and Burton became one of the most recognizable broadcast duos in sports.

Kelly Kulick will return to defend her Tournament of Champions title: Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., made sports history in 2010 by becoming the first woman ever to win a PBA Tour event. Kulick defeated top qualifier Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, 265-195, to win a $40,000 first prize and a two-year exhibition to bowl on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour. This year, seven other women are entered in the event.

Walter Ray Williams Jr. still trying for a TOC title: Walter Ray Williams Jr. has accomplished nearly everything there is to accomplish in professional bowling except winning the Tournament of Champions. The all-time leader in titles (47) is an eight-time Player of the Year including winning that honor last season at age 50. A TOC title would make Williams the third player in history to complete the PBA “Grand Slam” (titles in the Tournament of Champions, U.S. Open, PBA World Championship and USBC Masters). Mike Aulby and Norm Duke are the only players who have completed the Grand Slam.

Jason Couch to try for record fourth Tournament of Champions title: Jason Couch of Clermont, Fla., is the only bowler to win the Tournament of Champions in three consecutive years (1999, 2000 and 2002; the event was not conducted in 2001). The only other bowler to win the classic three times is retired PBA Hall of Famer Mike Durbin who won in 1972, 1982 and 1984.



14 Tournament of Champions past winners are entered: Past TOC champions entered are Kelly Kulick (2010), Patrick Allen (2009), Chris Barnes (2006), Jason Couch (1999, 2000 and 2002), Dave D’Entremont (1996), Norm Duke (1994), Bryan Goebel (1998), Michael Haugen Jr. (2008), Steve Jaros (2005), Tommy Jones (2007), Johnny Petraglia (1971), Wayne Webb (1980), Pete Weber (1987) and Mark Williams (1985 and 1988).



11 PBA Hall of Famers in TOC field: PBA Hall of Famers who will be bowling in the TOC include Tom Baker, Parker Bohn III, Norm Duke, Amleto Monacelli, Johnny Petraglia, Carmen Salvino, Brian Voss, Wayne Webb, Pete Weber, Walter Ray Williams Jr., and Mark Williams.



First father/daughter duo ever to compete in Tournament of Champions: Retired three-time Tour titlist Mike Miller and his daughter Adrienne of Albuquerque are the first father/daughter combination ever to enter the Tournament of Champions. Adrienne became eligible to enter the TOC by winning a regional title in November in Las Vegas.


Las Vegas has emerged as the “bowling capital” of the world: Over the past 10 years, Las Vegas has risen to fifth place in terms of United States bowling population, with 17,520 card-carrying certified league bowlers. And southern Nevada’s 16 bowling centers with 724 lane beds have made the Las Vegas area the world’s No. 1 bowling tourism destination. Every year, thousands of bowlers from around the world travel to Las Vegas for amateur and professional bowling competitions. During PBA Tournament of Champions week, the eyes of the bowling world will be focused on Las Vegas.

Bowling industry leaders visit Las Vegas: to help celebrate the richest event in PBA history, the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America will host its mid-winter Bowling Summit at Red Rock Resort Jan. 20-22. More than 200 leaders from throughout the bowling industry will not only attend to their own business affairs, but attend the TOC, ABC finals and post-event PBA Hall of Fame dinner.

PBA legend Carmen Salvino is oldest champion entered: Chicago’s Carmen Salvino, a 17-time PBA Tour titlist and the only player in the field who bowled in the first TOC in Indianapolis in 1962, is the oldest player in the field. The PBA charter member celebrated his 77th birthday in November.

Four Las Vegas area bowlers are entered: PBA Regional title winner Anthony Liene, Las Vegas; PBA Senior Regional titlist Howard Partell, Las Vegas, and PBA Senior Tour champions Kerry Painter, Henderson, and Ron Winger, Las Vegas, will be in the Tournament of Champions field.

Bowling for Soup to provide TOC “Halftime Entertainment:” The Tournament of Champions will have its version of “Super Bowl” halftime entertainment when Grammy-nominated rock band Bowling For Soup performs during the Jan. 22 ABC finals telecast. Musical entertainment has been a part of many of bowling’s major events over the years. Jazz great Pete Fountain once played during a TOC telecast in the 1970s.

PBA Hall of Fame induction ceremonies to cap the week: Following the ABC finals of the TOC on Saturday afternoon, the PBA and Red Rock Resort will host the 2011 PBA Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Thirteen-time PBA Tour winner and current ESPN color analyst Randy Pedersen, 11-time PBA Senior Tour winner Dale Eagle, and PBA lane maintenance innovator Len Nicholson will be inducted.

Largest field of PBA champions to compete: The 2011 Tournament of Champions will feature the largest field of PBA title-winners ever. More than 170 men and women who have won PBA National Tour, Senior Tour, PBA Regional or PBA Women’s Series titles have been invited to participate in the historic event.

RR Donnelley LPGA
Founders Cup Starts
Build Up Toward
Phoenix Tournament


The LPGA today launched the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup tournament website as the anticipation builds for the inaugural event to be held March 18-20 at Wildfire Golf Club at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Fans now can visit www.LPGAFounders.com to catch the most up-to-date information regarding the tournament, including player entries, tickets, volunteers and sponsorship opportunities.

In celebration of the LPGA’s past, present and future, the net proceeds from the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup will benefit The LPGA Foundation and its LPGA-USGA Girls Golf program. LPGA Tour players will forego tournament earnings in support of Girls Golf which reaches more than 5,000 junior golfers annually.

“The RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup represents more than the game of golf,” said Thomas J. Quinlan III, RR Donnelley’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The event will help secure the future by raising funds to teach young women and girls the life skills inherent in the game itself – patience, perseverance, honesty and respect - providing them with the building blocks to become future role models both on and off the golf course. At the same time, the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup salutes the past contributions of the 13 Founders of the LPGA and showcases the very best in women’s golf of today.”

The LPGA will showcase stars of the past, present and future in the Phoenix market at a special media day February 8th at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. LPGA Founder Marilynn Smith, six-time LPGA Tour winner Grace Park and LPGA Tour rookie Sara Brown will be on hand to speak with the media. More information on the Media Day activities will be forthcoming.

The 54-hole event will feature a field of 132 players and special appearances by LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame members.

Here & There Column 1-18-11

Start By Throwing Politics Out The Window

It clearly looks like Politics as usual in the now highly debated issue surrounding the Village of Liberty's decision to dissolve its village court.
What started out to be the legal process to abolish its court system and have the Town of Liberty take over court operations appears now to have become a difference in political opinion with three Republicans on the village board, Mayor Richard Winters along with Trustees Shirley Lindsley and Corinne McGuire voting to abolish the court system and two Democrat village board trustees, Louis Alvarez and Joan Stoddard voting against the move.
Democrat Village Justice Harold Bauman somewhat added to the political side of this issue by voicing opposing to the merger and with the March village elections just looming over the horizon this proposal will definitely become political particularly as the result of three members of the board approving a resolution January 10 automatically placing a resolution on the March 15 ballot.
Mayor Richard Winters along with trustees Joan Stoddard and Shirley Lindsley spared residents of the village the trouble of gathering signatures by voting to place this issue in the form of a resolution on the March 15 ballot. Trustees Luis Alverez and Corinne McGuire were not in attendance at this January 10 meeting.
Letting the folks (taxpayers and resident) make the decision is definitely the way to go but one has to be very naive it you don't think that politics will drive this issue.
What ever way it is addressed for village residents to decide this issue it should not become a political dogfight.
It should be what it is......an issue which is presently costing the Village of Liberty anywhere from $28,000 to $50,000 a year and consolidation of the village and town court services would eliminate $150,000 in expenditures from the financially strapped village and village residents would not lose any of the court services.
As a result of working towards resolving the court issue talk overheard at a Liberty restaurant the other day centered around the subject of a 2008 study involving merging of services or the village being dissolved and the very simple fact that the folks in both the town and village cannot afford any increase in taxes.
It's unbelievable to think that both the Village and Town of Liberty cannot work together by throwing politics out the window and to either consolidate or merge for the benefit of all their constituents.
It might be helpful if both municipalities look into Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposal of bonuses for consolidation of local governments.

Bowling Highlights Column 1-14-11

Edward Walsh Scores 300 Game

Nineteen-year-old Wurtsboro bowler Edward Walsh scored his second career perfect game on December 14 in the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league at Kiamesha Lanes.
It's his first 300 bowled in a sanctioned Men's USBC league as his first 300 came in 2006 while bowling in the Jr.-Major Saturday morning Youth league at Kiamesha Lanes.
Walsh scored the Dec. 14 perfect game on lanes 7 and 8 using a Hammer Black Widow Nasty bowling ball. He maintains a 228 average in this league.
The 300 came in his third game of the night which also included a 223, 204 for a 727 series.
Edward has been bowling for some 12 years and came up through the ranks of the Saturday Morning Youth leagues at Kiamesha Lanes.
He is a 2009 graduate from Monticello Central School.
Walsh presently also bowls in the Wednesday Men's league at Kiamesha where he has a 210 average.
He is a member of the Rock Hill F.D. 1 team and team mates bowling with him on this night included Chet Smith, Pamela Smith and Kris Gwiozdowski.
Walsh is single and is employed by Kiamesha Lanes and Thompson Sanitation.

Monticello Elks
Scotch Doubles
Tourney March 5

The 12th Annual Monticello Elks Scotch Doubles tournament will be held March 5 at 2 p.m. at Kiamesha Lanes.
The four game no-tap tournament features a male and female bowler on each team.
Entry fee is $40 per team and includes the famous Elks chicken B-B-Q at the Elks lodge following tournament play.
Tournament sign up can be made by calling Kiamesha Lanes 794-5561 or Tournament Chairman Dean Shattack 794-1172.

Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This week's tip is for any bowler who ends up out of balance at the foul line when delivering a bowling ball.
If you find your self unable to finish your delivery in a strong balanced position, it may be a result of your follow through.
It is important that when you follow through on your delivery, you do not reach OUT with your arm. but UP with your follow through.
The reason?
If you reach out, the weight of the ball will pull your upper body forward and may cause you to lose your balance. If you reach up, you can stay planted in a strong, solid position to deliver your bowling ball with accuracy and leverage.
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 434-720-7939 or vie mail at mikel@stormbowling.com

PBA News

The International Players topped U.S.A. Sunday in the special six player U.S.A. vs The World team aired last Sunday afternoon.
The PBA World Championship started yesterday and runs through Sunday's finals at 1 p.m. on ESPN.
For full coverage of these events go to 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, vie 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 Monday Ladies League included a 209 game and 517 series by Diane Staves, Janet Bertholf 169, Wendy Finn 157, 157, Jackie Gager 152, 168, Julie Yewchuck 170, Beth Schumacher 164, Dot McCormack 175, Tracey Puerschner 158, 162, Kristen Emmett 191, Karen Borowski 160, Diane Conroy 173, Lori Kimmes 168 and Barbara Cady 158.
In the Tuesday Ladies League, Kelly Gombita 168, Maureen Schlott 168, 474, Lillian Zieres 167, 481 and Debbie Loughrey 479.

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Ladies Early Birds League included a 192 game and 505 series by Brianna Walker, Jennifer Tompkins 190 and Dana Mcgraw 178, 510.
In the Wednesday Men’s Independent League, Mike Blair 655, Cody Conway 225, 627, Frank Couse Jr. 279, 701, Carl Davis 234, 609, Jim Dibble 267, 663, Gregory Keesler 226, 234, 631, Jerry Kulakosky 247, Donnie Marino 274, 246, 723, Shane Merwin 226, Cory Newman 289, 609, Walt Oralls 247, 269, 705, Dick Price 604, Rich Regas 639, Sam Rowe 602, Tim Smith 256, Dale Stanton 610, Zuke Wormuth 225, 236, 652, Jeremy Wormuth 635, Lee Wormuth 234, 619, Jay Wormuth 254, 677 and Tony Wright 258, 633.
In the Thursday Men’s Deposit National League, Rob Bolster 233, 609, Al Bullis Sr. 235, 225, 669, Andy Bullis 288, 671, Shawn Card 605, Dale Conklin 247, 225, 231, 703, Ray Cornwell 231, 238, 672, Frank Couse Sr. 232, Chuck Dunlap 225, Norm Ellis Sr. 235, 634, Greg Keesler 625, Rich Lenio 608, Neil Mosher 624, Jim Valentine 233, 658, Dan Wormuth 226, 613 and Jeremy Wormuth 258, 225, 697.
In the Sunday Afternoon Mixed Doubles Fun League, Marty Haeussler 621, Matt Johnson 612, Don Marino 258, 693, Roger Mills 606, Savanna Mills (youth girls’ scores) 150, 160, 417, Parker Tiffany (youth boys’ scores) 105, 111 and Shirley Townsend 183.

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included a 258 game, a 226 game and a 704 series by Al Caycho, Josh Strang 251, 286, 740, Thomas Belgiovene 245, 647, John Hoffmann 242, 648, Mike Mulligan 235, 600, Mike Weiner 234, 603, Micky Lake 233, Eddie Lake 658, Rick Lake 279, 245, 747, Jack Moylan 245, 247, 660, Robert Sze 619, James Ratner 229, 237, 227, 693, Kort Wheeler 226, 638, Keith Hackett 235, 288, 728, Ronnie Totten 257, 640, Laresko Niifa 245, 248, 696, Jaryl Scott 235, 666, Vinnie Collura 607, Donald Durland 259, 661, David Graham 248, 640, John Fischer 236, 630, Leroy Williams 650, Larry Berens 604, Dean Shattuck 606, Timothy Minton 226, 267, 686, Anthony Atkins 225, Wayne Atkins 237, 611, Alpesh C. Patel 233, 249, 681, Tom Palmer 235, 254, 682, Gregory Fallon 226, 614, Steven Belgiovene 246, 229, 661, James Piontek 604, Frank Scuderi 613, James Frost 603, William Helms 615 and Lloyd Bridges 244, 609.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters League, Paul Durland 268, 683, Stan Gilmore 264, Robert Yakin Jr. 682, George Kelley 258, Edward Walsh 682, Debbie Durland 215, 605, Joan Lake 209, Dorian Jennings 207, 600 and Lisa Cartwright 532.
In the Wednesday Men’s League, James VanAken 225, 255, 650, Tom Belgiovene 227, John Hoffmann 225, 660, Eddie Lake 605, Robert Wells 246, 657, Vinnie Collura 236, 654, Donald Durland 246, 258, 688, Richard Bradford 226, 630, Gregory Fallon 225, 662, Frank Emmens 227, 257, 233, 717, Rick Lara 255, 619, Edward Walsh 279, 644, Shawn Sinislorie 269, Shane Deitchman 226 and Michael Mahusky 226.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Rita Burdick 186, 514, Debbie Durland 242, 203, 619, Debra Castillo 194, Pat Shuart 191, 541, Liz Burgio 186, 522, Barb Merton 217, 559, Connie McKenley 191, Anna Sawyer 187, 214, 534, MariJane Conklin 183, Joan Lake 180, 518, Fran Kaiser 221, 544, Liz Stubits 169, 504, Tracey Barres 196, 231, 599, Bonnie Geraine 182, April Aldrich 205, 181, 554, Mardette Wilcox 184, 171, 513, Cheryl Neist 192 and Barbara Durbak 182, 214, 571.

Liberty Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included Rudy Belanchia 258 game, a 246 game and a 684 series, Kyle Stevens 234, 201, 213, 648, Jason Jones Jr. 226, 607, Paul Minton 213, Ed Blume Sr. 208, Ralph Coney 204, 211, Andy Cook 244, 202, Jason Jones Sr. 225, Bruce Garritt 207, Thomas Fix 204 and Mitch Mattison 200
In the Wednesday Men’s League, Kyle Stevens 245, 225, 201, 671, Justin Lopez 253, 224, 656, Carlos Torres 217, 234, 631, Deming Roosa 225, 218, 630, Jim Fiore 233, 213, 611, Keith Smith 234, 604, Paul Minton 203, 204, Herbie Sklar 207, Anthony Atkins 224, Tony Mears 224, Andy Butler 221, Stew Stevens 217, Roy Lepke 214, Ed Blume Sr. 213, Dwayne Cabrera 213, Ray Stanishia 212, Thomas Fix 210, Chuck McAllister 207, Jesse Lopez 205, Wayne Fox 204, Chris Stewart 202, Andy Cook 201 and Larry Hicks 201.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Maureen Hopper 201, 513, Cindy Smith 183, 180, 512, Wendy Finn 193, Ashton Clark 192, JoAnn Bowers 183, Rosa Finkel 182, Nancy Blume 178, May Smith 178, Chrissy Schiff 176 and Judy Chernowski 175.
In the Friday Mixed League, Russell Bivins 219, 218, 636, Thomas Fix 203 and Tony Mears 200.
In the Saturday Mixed League, Kyle Stevens 256, 222, 266, 744, Anthony Atkins 214, 640, Angie Desmond 174, Wendy Swan 186, Gene Smith 234, Phil Norris 224, Dennis Desmond 214, Keith Smith 213, Chris McKay 204 and Jodi Gulley 202.
In the Sunday Mixed League, Kyle Stevens 235, 247, 224, 706, Jim Fiore 241, 266, 697, Rich Winters Sr. 213, 217, 623, Thomas Fix 268, 620, Rich Winters Jr. 210, 208, Barbara Cady 202, 182, 537, Jerry Scandore 210 and Sheila Fix 176.
In the Liberty Elks Bumper League, Paige Ottino 74, Alli Dworetsky 68 and Jake Parks 64.
In the Liberty Elks Bantam League, Owen Siegel 116, 188, Sean McMahon 115, 100, 215, Ian Cody, 89, 170, Lindsie Siegel 81, Zachary DeLong 74, David Schiff 66, Tanner Parks 64, Dara Schiff 61, Emma Dworetsky 59, 54, 113, Kayla McMahon 55 and Jessica Dworetsky 19, 18, 37.
In the Liberty Elks Teenage League, Anthony Kolarik 177, Dylan Rivera 173, 119, 108, 400, John Kolarik 168, Zachary Cody 165, 131, 385, Robby Lyons 161, 154, 438, Ryan Feeney 155, 134, 392, Thomas McCausland 150, 123, 378, Nick Carriere 139, 130, 106, 375, Robby Allegretta 134, 131, 377, Gle McCausland 133, 122, 353, Robert Feeney 129, Brendan Siegel 123, Ryan McDowell 115, 97, 290, Cameron Reichenbaugh 111, Hanrii Padu 99 and Alaura DeLong 85.

Safeway Classic Presented by
Coca-Cola to serve as cutoff for
2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Team Points

The LPGA recently announced the cutoff tournament for players to earn points toward the 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Team will be the Safeway Classic Presented by Coca-Cola, Aug. 19-21 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Oregon. The 2011 Solheim Cup will be played at Killeen Castle in County Meath, Ireland, Sept. 23-25.

“The U.S. Solheim Cup Team points race is always very exciting and usually very excruciating emotionally,” said U..S. Team Captain Rosie Jones. “The Safeway Classic is a premium tournament on the LPGA schedule and Pumpkin Ridge is a fantastic golf course where players will be put to the test as they try to play their way onto the team or prove themselves worthy of a Captain’s pick.”

For the 12-person U.S. squad, 10 players qualify by earning points for wins and top-20 finishes over a two-year qualifying period, with two additional players selected by the captain. U.S. players began earning points toward the 2011 U.S. Solheim Cup Team at the 2009 Safeway Classic Presented by Coca-Cola. In 2011, points are valued at 1.5 times their worth compared to 2009 and 2010, and major championships points continue to be worth double points. For more information, log on to www.SolheimCup.com.

Following the points cutoff at the Safeway Classic, the Tour will go to the Montreal area for the CN Canadian Women’s Open, the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G and the Navistar LPGA Classic in Alabama before the teams travel to Ireland.

“As Captain, I am excited to revisit the Portland area where I have so many wonderful experiences on the golf course during my career,” Jones said. “I look forward to introducing the 2011 U.S Solheim Cup Team at the end of play on Sunday.”

Entering 2011, five-time U.S. Solheim Cup Team member Cristie Kerr leads all U.S. Team hopefuls with 441 points on the strength of 24 top-20 finishes – including victories at the 2010 LPGA State Farm Classic and the 2010 LPGA Championship Presented by Wegmans where she earned double points – since qualifying began in 2009.

U.S. Solheim Cup veterans Morgan Pressel (239 points), Michelle Wie (223), Angela Stanford (212) and Paula Creamer (199) round out the current top-five, while Brittany Lincicome (169) and Brittany Lang (146) sit sixth and seventh, respectively. Stacy Lewis (145), the only current member of the top-10 who has not been on a Solheim Cup Team, is eighth, while veterans Christina Kim (128) and Kristy McPherson 124) are ninth and 10th.

The United States won the 2009 Solheim Cup, 16 to 12, over Europe at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill. The U.S. leads the overall competition 8-3, but they are 2-3 when competing on European soil.

About The Solheim Cup
The Solheim Cup is named in honor of Karsten Solheim, and his family, the makers of PING golf equipment. The Solheim Cup is the most prestigious international team event in women’s professional golf. It is a biennial, trans-Atlantic team match-play competition featuring the best U.S.-born players from the LPGA and the best European-born players representing the Ladies European Tour (LET). The U..S. Team leads the competition, 8-3. The 2011 Solheim Cup will be played at Killeen Castle in County Meath, Ireland, Sept. 23-25. The 2013 Solheim Cup will be contested at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, Colorado. In addition to founding sponsor PING, Global Partners of The Solheim Cup include AIB Group and Rolex. For information, log on to www.SolheimCup.com.

Belmonte, Malott Face
Uphill Battle To Win
PBA World Championship

Bill O’Neill needs to win one game this Sunday for $50,000 and his second Professional Bowlers Association major title.

But beginning Friday (January 14), Australia’s Jason Belmonte and Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, face staggering odds if they hope to upset the 2011 PBA World Championship’s leading qualifier and deny O’Neill’s bid for one of the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour’s most prized titles.

The thing is, neither Belmonte nor Malott is intimidated by the long odds. Nor are the other five guys who are waiting in line for a shot at the title..

The first PBA major championship of the 2010-11 season will be decided in a first-ever three-day, eight-man stepladder final that will air live on ESPN2 and ESPN beginning Friday at South Point Bowling Center and concluding Sunday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Pacific) when the surviving finalist meets O’Neill to decide the title.

The eight PBA World Championship finalists qualified for the finals over a span of five days and 60 games on five different PBA lane conditioning patterns during the PBA World Series of Bowling in October at South Point. The live ESPN2/ESPN finals will wrap up the PBA World Championship and conclude the World Series of Bowling.

In order for Belmonte or Malott to win the title, one or the other will have to win seven consecutive matches over a span of three days, bowling on the PBA Viper lane condition selected by O’Neill. O’Neill, who won the Pepsi Viper Championship earlier in the World Series, earned the right to select the lane condition as the leading qualifier over 60 games.

In the 52-year history of the PBA Tour, and nearly 1,000 nationally-televised finals, only three bowlers have emerged from the No. 7 or No. 8 starting positions to win a title – and none of those three faced a road inclined quite as steeply as the one Belmonte and Malott face.

In the purest of bowling traditions dating back 50 years, the true “stepladder” format calls for the lowest qualifying bowler to bowl a game against the next highest qualifier. The winner of each match continues to “climb the ladder” against the next highest qualifier with one survivor eventually meeting the tournament’s qualifying leader in a match to decide the title.

During the 2000 season, the PBA experimented with a variation of the stepladder format involving “shootout” matches with three players bowling one game, and the top player advancing. That version of the stepladder allowed for eight players in the “stepladder” instead of the traditional five.

In the 2000 “shootout” format, Parker Bohn III of Jackson, N.J., and Dennis Horan Jr. of Temecula, Calif., advanced from No. 8 to victory in the 2000 Chattanooga Open and PBA Touring Players Championship, respectively. Doug Kent of Newark, N.Y., advanced from seventh to first in the Indianapolis Open. In each case, the three had to win four matches.

This time, making it from the No. 8 or No. 7 position all the way to the top will require Belmonte or Malott to win seven matches without a loss.

The Belmonte vs. Malott contest will get the PBA World Championship finals underway at 5 p.m. Eastern (2 p.m. Pacific) on Friday, live on ESPN2. The winner will meet No. 6 qualifier Michael Haugen Jr. of Carefree, Ariz., to complete the first one-hour telecast.

Saturday at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific, also live on ESPN2, Friday’s survivor will bowl No. 5 Mika Koivuniemi of Hartland, Mich., with No. 4 Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, awaiting the winner in a second one-hour telecast.

Sunday’s PBA World Championship finals move back to ESPN for the live conclusion at 1 p.m. Eastern. Saturday’s survivor will meet No. 3 qualifier Osku Palermaa of Finland. No. 2 Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., will bowl the winner in the semifinal match. O’Neill will then take on that winner in a one-game battle for $50,000 and the season’s first major title.

That’s how the plot for the PBA World Championship is laid out. Here’s the role each of the cast of characters will play starting Friday:

NO. 8 JASON BELMONTE, AUSTRALIA
Belmonte, a two-handed player, was 2008-09 PBA Rookie of the Year after winning his first title in the 2009 Bowling Foundation Long Island Classic. He finished in a tie for 115th place in the Pepsi Viper Championship qualifying portion of the World Series of Bowling.

“The Viper pattern is one of my weaker patterns,” Belmonte said. “Everyone on Tour knows this, so I plan to use this as my advantage. I will have to bowl much smarter and let my natural game fit around the pattern.

“From the bottom spot, I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. To win this event I will have to focus on each frame and just have fun. I bowl my best when I have a smile on my face.

“To win any event is very special, but majors have that little extra 'special' about them. Considering I came back from over 400 pins just to make this show, to win it will prove to me that I can come back and win from anywhere against the best bowlers in the world.”

NO. 7 WES MALOTT, PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS
The 2008-09 PBA Player of the Year is a six-time Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour titlist. He finished second in the 2009 PBA World Championship to Tom Smallwood, and he finished 38th in the Pepsi Viper qualifying round of the World Series of Bowling.

“I don’t know if there’s a pattern I don’t like,” Malott said. “I didn’t match up well at South Point, but the Viper also was at the beginning of the week and I was just starting to get a good feel for my game.. I have an open mind about the pattern going into the TV show.

“Obviously it’s going to be difficult winning from the No. 7 position, but it’s possible. If you look at the sport, a couple of years ago I ran through the field and beat the best of the best. It’s just one match at a time, so I’ll try to grind through it and hopefully get to the title match.

“The World Championship is one of those things on my checklist of goals,” Malott added. “It’s going to be a little different format this time, but it’s even more of a major because we had to bowl on five patterns to get there. It’s at the top of my list. Winning it is one of those things I need to check off sooner rather than later. But if it doesn’t happen, I’m not going to get excited. I’ve done quite a bit already in my career.”

NO. 6 MICHAEL HAUGEN JR., CAREFREE, ARIZ.
Haugen owns two PBA Tour titles including the 2008 PBA Tournament of Champions. Haugen qualified for match play in the Pepsi Viper Championship in 11th place, but dropped to 16th after the match play portion of the event.

“The TV lights and the amount of practice we bowl before we actually start competing will turn the Viper pattern into something different, so the pattern itself really doesn't matter,” Haugen said. “It comes down to who wants it the most and bowls the best.

“I’m the sixth seed, so there’s nothing too hard to figure out here. I need to bowl better than the other guys and win lots of matches.

“Winning the World Championship would mean another major for me and a nice run against a very talented top eight field.”

NO. 5 MIKA KOIVUNIEMI, HARTLAND, MICH.
The eight-time PBA Tour champion won the 2000 USBC Masters and 2001 U.S. Open, but he hasn’t won a title since the 2007 DyDo Japan Cup. Koivuniemi finished eighth in the Pepsi Viper Championship after qualifying for match play in second place.

“The Viper pattern is what I would be picking if I was the No. 1 seed,” Koivuniemi said, “so I like it in that building (South Point) with the oil they are using.

“I need to bowl good and use whatever opportunities I might get, but everything is possible. All I can do is make great shots and do the right moves when needed.

“Winning the World Championship would be a very big deal. To win any tournament is good, and it’s more special to win a major - even more so one like this with a long format. It has been too long since my last win, so I think it will be my turn.”

NO. 4 CHRIS BARNES, DOUBLE OAK, TEXAS
The 12-time PBA Tour titlist owns the 2005 U.S. Open and 2006 Tournament of Champions titles, but didn’t win last season for the first time in 10 years.

“I just missed making match play in the Viper Championship,” Barnes said. “One of the things I figured out as we went along during the World Series was that I needed to gear my equipment more to cleaner cover stocks and weaker drilling layouts. I got caught a little bit toward the end of the Viper with balls that weren’t quite clean enough. That won’t be an issue on the TV show this time because we’re not bowling that many games.

“By qualifying fourth, it gets me past the first day of matches. Getting a bye for a few rounds isn’t a bad thing. All I have to do is win one match to get to Sunday, and that’s when the fun will begin.

“Winning the World Championship means the Triple Crown for me,” he added. “That’s a big one on my bucket list. It’s huge, but it won’t add any more pressure than anything else. The same goals have been around for a long time, so it’s not an oh-my-gosh moment.”

NO. 3 OSKU PALERMAA, FINLAND
Europe’s top two-handed player won his first PBA title in the GEICO Shark Championship, the final “animal pattern” event of the World Series. Palermaa finished in a tie for 30th in the qualifying portion of the Pepsi Viper Championship.

“The Viper is, if not the toughest, then the second toughest of the animal patterns,” Palermaa said. “For me it definitely is not the easiest one. But when I stay on top of my game and bowl good, it should do good.

“I'm seeded No. 3, so I'm bowling in the first match of Sunday’s show,” he added. “If I just get through that match, I'm going to have the advantage of being on the lanes before my matches against Sean (Rash) and then Bill (O’Neill).

“I just won my first title, and that was awesome, but a major would just be even more. And actually, because I am not being exempt or qualified for the Elite Field for the PBA Tournament of Champions, I'm gonna have a hectic Sunday. I first have to bowl the World Championship show at 10 a.m. (Las Vegas time) and then bowl the first round of the Champions Field in the Tournament of Champions at 1 p.m. at Red Rock Lanes. So having to bowl in the biggest tournament ever straight after the World Championship with barely time to eat in between is gonna feel even better when I win it.”

NO. 2 SEAN RASH, MONTGOMERY, ILL.
The four-time PBA Tour champion won the first seven matches he bowled on television, but he hasn’t won a title since the 2007 USBC Masters. He finished the match play portion of the Pepsi Viper Championship in 10th place.

“I think the Viper pattern fits my game really well,” Rash said. “There are multiple ways to play this pattern, either from the right or when the lane transitions, you can move in and hook it. Over the last few years I have had a lot of success on it.

“The thing that has to happen for me is to win my first match and just let things happen. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. I need to just bowl like I did on the Chameleon show. If I have fun and enjoy the moment like I did when I first got on Tour, the pins will fall the way they need to fall.

“Winning the World Championship will help start the year off right and give me momentum going into the TOC. Major championships are what players are remembered by and winning this will add to the 2007 USBC Masters I won.”

NO. 1 BILL O’NEILL, SOUTHAMPTON, PA.
O’Neill won his third PBA Tour title in the Pepsi Viper Championship, winning four straight matches after qualifying No. 4 for the ESPN finals. O’Neill, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, finished third in the 2009 PBA World Championship.

“I bowled four matches on TV on the Viper pattern and had a great ball reaction. We’ll be bowling on the same pair of lanes for the World Championship finals, so I’ll take my chances.

“Last year I spent the whole three months between qualifying and bowling in the finals wondering what it would be like to win, and it kinda negatively impacted me. I put too much pressure on myself. This time, I’m going to be more relaxed and just do what I’m going to do. I’ve got one game to bowl and I’m going to try to make every shot count.

“This is why we all came to the World Series to Bowling – to win the World Championship.”

2011 PBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS SCHEDULE
South Point Bowling Center, Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 14-16

FRIDAY, JAN. 14 (ESPN2)
2 p.m. (5 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Pacific) – PBA World Championship, Stepladder Round One (No. 8 Jason Belmonte, Australia, vs. No. 7 Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas; winner bowls No. 6 Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, Ariz.)

SATURDAY, JAN. 15 (ESPN2)
6 p.m. (9 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. Pacific) – PBA World Championship, Stepladder Round Two (Friday winner vs. No. 5 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich.; winner bowls No. 4 Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas)

SUNDAY, JAN. 16 (ESPN)
10 a.m. (1 p.m. Eastern, 11 a.m. Pacific) – PBA World Championship (Saturday winner vs. No. 3 Osku Palermaa, Finland; winner bowls No. 2 Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill.; winner bowls No. 1 Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa., for title)

PBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZE MONEY
1st - $50,000 and two-year Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour exemption
2nd - $25,000
3rd - $14,000
4th - $12,000
5th - $11,000
6th - $10,000
7th - $9,000
8th - $8,000

International Players Top
U.S.A. In PBA World Series
Of Bowling Team Event

For two weeks, nearly 250 of the world’s best bowlers battled each other in a grueling series of individual events during the Professional Bowlers Association’s World Series of Bowling at South Point Bowling Center. On the final day, the best from America met the best from the rest of the world, and the World defeated the U.S.A.

The special six-player U.S.A. vs. The World team competition aired last Sunday on ESPN.

The PBA World Series of Bowling’s special team event pitted the six American bowlers who had finished highest in the 60-game qualifying session against the six international bowlers who had fared best while bowling 12 games per day on five different lane conditions. The six-man team event awarded one point for each of six head-to-head matches, plus three points to the team with the highest total pinfall.

While the head-to-head matches wound up in a 3-3 tie, The World won the team total battle and decisive three points, 1,251-1,208.

“It was fun,” said Australia’s Jason Belmonte, who defeated Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, 254-215, in their head-to-head match. “But fun or not, we’re competitors. We don’t like to lose.”

Michael Haugen Jr. of Carefree, Ariz., gave the U.S. a healthy lead when he defeated Finland’s Kimmo Lehtonen, 246-161, in the first match. Canada’s Dan MacLelland trimmed the American lead in Match Two when he topped Ronnie Russell of Camby, Ind., 192-169. Belmonte then put The World into the overall lead, and fellow two-handed specialist Osku Palermaa of Finland padded the international team’s lead with his easy 227-150 victory over Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill.

Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, tried to get the U.S. back into the match, but a late surge of four strikes by opponent Mika Koivuniemi, the third Finn on The World team, closed Barnes’ margin of victory to a modest three pins, 227-224. International anchor bowler Amleto Monacelli of Venezuela started his game with four strikes and held off a rally by U.S. anchor Bill O’Neill of Southampton, Pa., who won the point, 201-193, but it wasn’t enough to overcome The World’s overall lead.

“It was a long, tiring two weeks,” O’Neill said. “The team match was a good way to end the World Series, even though we lost. I hope we get to do it again next year.”

The team competition was the prelude to the final event of the PBA World Series of Bowling – the PBA World Championship. On Thursday, Jan. 14, the 2010-11 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season kicks into high gear with a “first” – three days of live stepladder final action featuring the top eight qualifiers in a battle for a $50,000 first prize and the PBA Tour’s first major title of the year. The eight players who will battle for the PBA World Championship will return to South Point Bowling Center where they qualified by bowling 12 games on each of five different PBA lane conditioning patterns during the PBA World Series of Bowling in late October.

The eight-man stepladder final begins with No. 7 qualifier Malott bowling a one-game match against No. 8 Belmonte on Friday, Jan. 14, at 5 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2. The winner will bowl No. 6 qualifier Haugen.

On Saturday, Jan. 15, Friday’s winner will meet No. 5 qualifier Koivuniemi in the opening match at 9 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2. That winner will meet No.. 4 Barnes.

The PBA World Championship finals shift to ESPN on Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern, when Saturday night’s survivor will start the show against No. 3 Palermaa. The winner advances to the semifinal match against No. 2 Rash. O’Neill, the PBA World Championship’s top qualifier, will then take on the semifinal match survivor in a one-game battle for the $50,000 top prize and the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour’s first major title of the 2010-11 season.

Special insider coverage of the PBA World Championship will be available on pba.com’s Xtra Frame video streaming service. To subscribe, visit pba.com, and click on the Xtra Frame logo.

Here & There Column 1-11-11

What Part Don't Unions Understand?

"Politically, the unions have agreed to target those politicians who are targeting all of us. We will organize an 11-month campaign to remove them from office, including an effective voter registration drive," part of a Sullivan County Teamsters Newsletter to county rank and file members reads as the unions attempt to put heat on the county freeze on wages and longevity bonus.
One would think that taxpayers in Sullivan County support the legislators in their attempt to not raise taxes and keep all present employees with no layoffs.
County Manager David Fanslau put it pretty clearly when he said, "I would say the unions are not recognizing the costs being absorbed by the taxpayers."
It's really very simple as the $3.3 million budget gap must be overcome either via the freezes or layoffs. Why do the unions seemingly prefer forcing a significant workforce reduction simply to provide the remaining employees with increased pay and the longevity bonus.
We are not too sure what the ramifications are when the unions seemingly are forcing all rank and file county employees to become involved in their political actions. Their newsletter says, "this effort will involved every Sullivan County employee, " and "we will soon be surveying all employees to determine which county legislator they are friends with, and which communities they reside. Members will also be asked to participate in a series of strategies designed to keep the pressure on the county leaders."
Don't believe the county can be blamed for its effort to keep a budget with no taxes as many county governments are taking the same measures to keep taxes down, consolidate departments, freeze wages and in some cases laying off staff.
Governor Andrew M Cuomo as our new governor is proposing no increase in taxes and a promise to lower them. He is also calling for freezing the salaries of most state workers and he put it simply by saying, "the people of this state cannot afford to pay more taxes."
The governor has also proposed bonuses for consolidation of local governments. He proposes to merge departments.
With proposed efforts like this from the head of our state government it's very difficult to understand where or how the county unions think the taxpayers of Sullivan County will support their "politically" motivated efforts.

Bowling Highlights Column 1-7-11

Press Room Honor For Chuck Pezzano

Since the formation of the Professional Bowlers Association in 1958, no one has contributed more to the organization in so many different ways than PBA Hall of Famer Chuck Pezzano. In recognition of the 81-year-old Clifton, N.J., native’s contributions to the PBA, his name will be permanently attached to the organization beginning with the introduction of the Chuck Pezzano PBA Press Room during the PBA Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas, Jan. 15-22. The Chuck Pezzano PBA Press Room also will welcome the news media at all future Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour events and it will have a permanent home on pba.com for all news media visitors who visit the PBA’s official website.
“It think it’s a pretty nice honor,” Pezzano said. “It came as a complete surprise.”
Pezzano first became involved with the PBA as a top-flight competitor and charter member; he was the first collegiate bowler in the United States to bowl an 800 series. But his legacy off the lanes far surpassed his credentials as a player as he evolved into the most prolific bowling writer in history.
His weekly bowling column has been published in The Record in Hackensack, N.J., every week for more than 50 years. He has written stories for every leading bowling publication in the country. He has written books, worked as a consultant on television, movie and instructional videos, and traveled the country serving as an emcee and guest speaker at hundreds of bowling functions. And to this day, his nationally-syndicated columns appear in bowling publications across America.
Pezzano also was heavily involved in PBA business affairs, running the PBA East Region for 20 years. He was secretary of the PBA Hall of Fame for nearly 20 years, and served as the organization’s official historian for longer than that.
Pezzano and fellow New Jersey entrepreneur Frank Esposito – who together created the PBA Regional program – were the first Meritorious Service inductees in the inaugural PBA Hall of Fame class in 1975. He was elected to the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 1982, and was recipient of the Bowling Writers Association of America’s Luby Hall of Fame Award in 1974. That’s just a small sampling of the awards he has won.
“I don’t think anyone has poured more of his heart and soul into the PBA than Chuck Pezzano has over a span of more than 50 years,” said PBA CEO and Commissioner Fred Schreyer. “Chuck Pezzano deserves to have his name attached to the PBA Press Room not only in recognition of all he has done for the PBA, but as an inspiration for all future bowling journalists.” “Unveiling the press room for the Tournament of Champions honors all of the writers of the past who appreciated the greatness of what I always called the Firestone,” Pezzano said. “(The Tournament of Champions, sponsored by Firestone for 29 years) was far above the other events. From a writer’s viewpoint, it provided everything you needed, and that’s why it has been the best event in history from the start.
“I appreciated it because it gave me an opportunity to meet and get to know the greatest players in the country, along with a lot of news media guys who weren’t necessarily assigned to bowling,” Pezzano continued. “The TOC put bowlers on the same plane with other athletes. In the early years, first prize was $25,000 and some of the greatest players in baseball only made $40,000.”
The 2011 Tournament of Champions will award a $250,000 top prize as part of a PBA-record $1 million prize fund.
“Every writer who covered the Tournament of Champions had to look for something beyond what happened on the lanes. It could be whether or not the old veteran would last until the end, a story about the new kid on the block, the Mike Durbins (the first three-time TOC winner) who were always underrated, or the so-called discovery of a Dick Ritger, who really was one of the greatest bowlers of all time, but never got the credit until people saw him bowl in the Tournament of Champions.”
“I would never have thought about an honor like this,” he added, “but it ranks right up there with any honor I’ve ever won.”

The Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This week the tip is for all bowlers to truly assist you on how to best use the dots and arrows on the approach as target aids.
When preparing to execute a bowling shot, whether it is a strike or spare, you must be prepared to understand the path down the lane you intend your bowling ball to take. With this in mind, when stepping on the approach you should have a focal point, simply the point from which the ball will roll off your hand in the direction you intend it to go, picked out.
If you throw a hook ball, you will be rolling the ball toward the intended break point....the spot on the lane you expect your ball to change direction. If you are rolling the ball straight, the pocket or pin/pins will be your intended target.
The tip: Look at your intended target and bring your eyes back to the spot on the lane that you are most comfortable looking at....whether it be the dots or an arrow.
To play the modern game, the sooner the ball comes off your hand the better. If you are looking at an arrow and tend to throw or hit up on the ball instead of rolling it off your hand, bring your eyes more toward the dots.
If you are a bowler that tends to play more across the boards with a lot of rotation, your focal point should be as far right (or left if you are left handed) as in between the lanes to get the ball to the correct break point.
If you play a straighter game with a small hook, your correct focal point may be toward the 3-pin if bowling right handed.
Remember, there is no substitute for making a good shot. If you combine good shots with good thinking, your scores will increase.
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

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 an expanded version of this bowling column please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com/ This column is also available on Facebook.