Bowling Highlights Column 9-28-12

                                                  PBA's Fagan Ready For Strong Year 

                        

  Former Patchogue, NY Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) tour player Mike Fagan has just finished up an amazing year on the PBA Tour.

  Having met Mike a number of years ago at the PBA Tour stop at the Bowler's Club in Latham we've become friends and even communicate with his dad.

  Our first meeting was somewhat unique in that Mike was competing in one of his first PBA starts and during the qualifying round to get into the Sunday TV finals he was down in his match 3 games and was facing elimination. He was very much puzzled about his ball reaction and since I was sitting right in back of where he was bowling and right in front of me sat his bowling balls I could easily detect that he was getting too much ball reaction and had lost control of his ball.

  Before the start of his fourth game he came back and stood right in front of me looking at his ball selection and I could tell he wasn't sure which ball to use. I've studied bowling balls and their reaction for a number of years and I pointed to one which would not hook as much and I though would be a good match for the lane conditions at that time. 

  Mike scratched his head, picked up the ball I had pointed to and went on to win the next four games and the match 4-3.

  As soon as the match was over he came right over to me and thanked me and said I had to join him and his dad for dinner. We spend an evening getting to know each other and now whenever we see each other at a tour stop we share some time together.

  Mike has learned a lot on tour the last couple of years and two years ago moved to Dallas, Tex.

, Fagan is a Track staff player and  has signed on for another year as a member of the Track bowling team.

  For Fagan, it was an easy decision.

  “I am very pleased to be rejoining Track for another year,” he explained. “This past year was the best year of my career and I could not have done it without the help I received from Track. The range of equipment they offer gives me an opportunity on any condition I may come across.”

  Fagan’s performance this year was stellar, particularly in major events. Winner of the USBC Masters, Fagan had a strong showing of second in the U.S. Open, fourth in the Tournament of Champions, and 12th in the PBA World Championship. In addition, he was strong in international competition, winning the Brunswick Euro Challenge in Paris, France, earning second place at the inaugural PTT World Bowling Tour Thailand 2011 tournament in Bangkok. Fagan finished the season second in average with a 227.53, and third in both points and earnings.

  “I raise the bar for myself each and every year,” said Fagan. “I am looking forward to another great season with Track equipment. There’s a lot of new equipment coming this year and I can’t wait to get started.”

  “Fagan is a great match for our brand,” said Rich Hanson, Track Brand Manager. “He’s got a great attitude about the game, and we’re fortunate to have him on the team. His success last season will only increase in the 2012-2013 season.”

  Fagan’s great season earned him a spot as a finalist for 2012 Player of the Year honors, alongside Sean Rash and Jason Belmonte. 

Bowling Tip

By Mike Luongo

  Bowler's: This week's tip is a reminder that although there are so many aggressive high performance bowling balls available, the main component of the sport is having a sharp game and becoming a good shot maker. 

  Lane conditions in many houses today have become very soft and that combination with today's bowling balls has led to high scoring conditions.

  These conditions make the majority of today's bowlers very complacent about working on their physical game and what hopefully will save bowling are the Sport Bowling Leagues.

  These leagues make bowlers learn how to adjust to varying lane conditions and understand how to use today's bowling balls becomes only part of the equation. 

  For those bowlers who want to maximize their potential in this sport, I cannot stress enough the importance of finding a qualified and certified bowling instructor. Finding an instructor who uses video technology to completely analyze your game will be very helpful. 

  The knowledge you gain from a Certified Instructor is knowledge that will be useful to you and will stay with you throughout your bowling life.

  Mike Luongo is a certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Instructor, USBC Silver Level Coach and an Advisor-Special Events assistant with the Storm and Roto-Grip Bowling Ball Company. Have a question, call him at 435-720-7939 or email at mikel@stormbowling.com 

 Local Scores

 Kiamesha Lanes

 Monday Men's

  Eddie Lake 226, 233, 235, 694, Rick Lake 237, 277, 724, Mike Weiner 244, 613, Jaryl Scott 601, Vinnie Collura 246. 247. 672, Don Durland 235, 653, Larry Berens 602, John Hoffmann 279, 653, Rudy Belanchia 246, Jon Wilhelm 231, 647, Tom Belgiovene 626, Laresko Niifa 254, 642, Kevin Stackhouse 625, Charlie Tuttle 226, 643, Gene Smith 234, Keith Smith 236, 648, Pedro Agapito 245, 255, 269, 769, John Fischer 238, 247, 690, Dave Graham 225, 634, Jody Farquhar 226, 619, Jason Budd 237, 265, 689, Diego Caba 225, Bret Budd 627, Josh Strang 269, 608.

 Tuesday Mixed Firefighters

  Carena Collura 194, 535, Mary Lee Williams 198, 534, Trasey Barres 194, 522, Cara Nicholson 192, Ailene Washington 181, Paul Minton 269, 258, 748, Kyle Stevens 244, 236, 681, Ryan Lepke 237, 650, Walt Edwards Jr. 225, Al Frangipane 225.

 Wednesday Men's

  Dennis Matthews 246, 642, Kyle Matthews 230, 228, 650, Kevin Stackhouse 226, 620, Mikey Travis 234, 614, Pete Mitro 267, 692, Tim Bilyeu225, 238, 652, Rick Lara 606, Al Frangipone 264, 259, 255, 778, Paul Durland 605, Ed Blume 639, Dwayne Cabrera 233, 657, Shane Conner 614, Merrill Conner 609, Dan Van Aken 233, 239, 686, Tim McIntyre 279, 707, Josh Strang 259, 235, 654, Jaryl Scott 266, 258, 244, 768, Gene Smith 255, Keith Smith 236, 644, Pedro Agapito 259, 229, 690, Frank Eichenlaub lll a 226, 645, Roy Sweeney 243.

Thursday Ladies

  Cara Nicholson 188, Pat Shuart 199, Judy Magie 202, Karen Borowski 181, Audrey Woolard 189, 192, Kathy King 226, Liz Stubits 195, 181, Joan Lake 194, 225, 245, 664, Liz Burgio 187, Vera Bernhardt 195.

 Friday Mixed

  Joan Lake 205, Kevin Stackhouse 237, Linda Schaefer 500, Eddie Lake 238, 245, 225, 708, Larry Whipple 257, 608, Mary Ann Drobysh-Berens 181, Tammy Sze 224, 187, 567, Bob Sze 237, 649, Frank Scuderi 237, 225, 639, Sill Boldiis189, Antionette Rau 205, 522, Frank Gerow Jr. 236, 602, Cathy Carpenter 223, 183, 579, Carolyn Williams 191, 233, 225, 649, David Graham 255, Craig Wilhelm 265, 650, Jon Wilhelm 236, 626, Donald Durland 245, 602, 

 Beechwood Lanes

 Monday Ladies

  Tracey Puerschner 184, Julie Yewchuck 150, Jody Gulley 160, 168.

 Fox Bowling Center

 Wed. Men's Independent

  Tom Anderson 233, 225, 616, Al Bullis Sr. 244, 628, Jim Dibble 225, 235, 256, 716, Brandon Drumm 232, Dyland Green 226, John Gurnick 244, 648, Paul Ignatovich 237, 623, Steve Jacobi 228, 600, Rob Johnson 264, 227, 232, 723, B. J. Johnson 231, Jerry Kulakosky 230, 249, 701, Dick Layton 244, Donnie Marino 226, 655, Josh Milucky 233, 237, 686, Mitch Persbacker 257, 227, 664, Sam Rowe 245, Paul Siegler 229, Jonathon Wayne 228, Zuke Wormuth 227, 636, Jeremy Wormuth 228, 276, 710, Scott Wormuth 233. 

 Thurs. Men's Deposit National

  Al Bullis Jr. 239, 626, Ray Cornwell 662, Norm Ellis Jr. 258, 682, Nate Finch 623, Paul Ignatovich 643, Greg Keesler 269, 632, Dan Koch 243, Anthony Seely 616, Paul Siegler 233, Scott Wahl 233, 605.

 Friday Couples

  Debbie Couse 190, Missy Dunlap 189, 504, Hope Jones 183, 188, 515, Dana McGraw 187, 518, Mark McGraw 232, 609, Sheri Oralls 182, Walt Oralls 233, Tim Smith 233, Dan Wormuth 600, Jeremy Wormuth 258, 651, Michelle Wormuth 188. 

 Callicoon Kristal Bowl

 Mon. Hortonville Ladies

  Sue Naughton 161, 177, Lillian Zieres 160, 184, Pat Peters 198,  Maureen Schlott 171, Debbie Loughrey 181, 166, Judy Mohn 206, Mardette Wilcox 163.

 Tues. Delaware Valley Men's

  Alan Rutledge 206, Kory Keesler 183, 184, Bruce Rutledge 182, Rob Bivens 189, 203, 183, John Fisher 197, Ed LeRoy 182, Kris Rasmussen 211, Brian Marino 189, Jeff Nober 180, 186, Albert Tyles 201, Wally Warren 184, Tom Bisig 189, Joe Gager 190, 204, Russell Lyons 181.

   Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of bowling. If you have league scores, score a 300 game or bowl your age let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or by fax at 845-205-4474. View this column at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook.