Bowling Highlights Column 11-16-12

New Lane Conditions For USBC Open

   For the first time in 110 years of tournament history, the United States Bowling Congress Open (Men's) Championships will feature two lane conditions - one oil pattern for team competition and another for doubles and singles.

  A new daily schedule will be introduced at the 2013 event to allow for the lanes to be oiled before every squad. The change creates the opportunity to use two different lane conditions.

  "We've worked hard to find a way to have fresh oil for every squad because it gives everyone an equal starting point, and having two lane conditions really will test the bowlers' versatility," said Brian Lewis, USBC's Managing Director of Tournaments. "The Open Championships is the premier event for USBC members, and it's our goal to provide an environment that reflects that."

  In order to make fresh oil for every squad possible, six bowlers will be on each pair of lanes for doubles and singles, compared to four in the past.

  To keep the pace of play steady, all six games of doubles and singles will be contested on the same pair of lanes. In the past, competitors would bowl doubles then flip to an adjacent pair for singles.

  Team squads will be held at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day, and doubles/singles squads will take place at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. The tournament will be held at the one-of-a-kind National Bowling Stadium from March 1 until June 30.

  Bowlers interested in getting a sneak peek of the doubles and singles lane condition can do so by competing in the Storm Bowlers Journal Championships presented by USBC.

  For the first time, the Bowlers Journal Championships will be held in the same venue as the Open Championships, and the 2013 edition of the BJ will utilize the doubles and singles oil pattern from the main tournament.

  The Bowlers Journal Championships, which has complemented the Open Championships for more than six decades, will be held on the high end of the 78-lane NBS.

  The 2013 edition of the Bowlers Journal Championships will feature,  Lower entry fees,  A new three-game format, Extended hours,  Traditional and senior singles and doubles competition,  Return of the 199 & Under Handicap Singles as well as a new Women's Handicap Doubles,  All new Super Senior Singles (for bowlers 60 and older)
 and Instant Payback and jackpots. 

  Bowlers looking to practice on the lane condition that will be used for the team event at the 2013 Open Championships can do so on the 900 Global Showcase Lanes on the ground floor of the National Bowling Stadium.

  The 10 custom-built lanes will be used for coaching, team or individual practice and two more unique side tournaments, the 900 Global Two-Game Challenge and Who's Got the Look Baker Bonanza presented by 900 Global.The cost to practice on the 900 Global Showcase Lanes will be,  $200: One-hour session with a USBC-certified coach (based on availability),  $100: One hour of practice for up to 10 bowlers (no coach). 

  For more information about the lane conditions, side events or Showcase Lanes at the Open Championships, visit BOWL.com/openchamp.

The Bowling Tip

By Mike Luongo

  Bowlers: This week's tip will help you understand correct shoulder alignment when throwing your strike ball and making spares.

  When throwing a bowling ball, the shoulders  should not necessarily be straight (perpendicular) in relation to the lane.

  Instead, they should be aligned straight to the target mark you are trying to hit. This is called pro setting the angle of the shoulders.

  There are three rules regarding shoulder alignment.

  1. When playing straight down the boards, your shoulders should be straight in relation to the lane. 

  2. When making shots to the right of the head pin, open your shoulders in relation to the lane.

  3. When making shots to the left of the head pin, close your shoulders in relation to the lane.

  Doing this is easy if you imagine that there is a three-foot arrow poised on your right or left shoulder (left if you are left handed). Simply point the arrow at the target and the angle will automatically be correct.

  Note: Your arm swing  should never change, instead, adjust the angle of the shoulders so that your arm swing is in line with the target.

  Mike Luongo is a certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master 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 

Ed's Outlook

  Don't forget the great bowling event Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at Callicoon Kristal Bowl featuring PBA tour player Ryan Shafer and Storm-Roto Grip Representatives Mike and Mickey Luongo.

  New York State bowling championships have been announced. The 89th Annual NYS Open (Men's tournament) will be held April 20-21, 27-28, May 4-5, 17-19 at Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool.

  The 77th Annual NYS Women's Championships will be held April 6-7, 12-13, 19-21, 26-28, May 4-5 with team event at Del Lanes, Delmar and doubles/singles at Sunset Recreation in Albany.

  The 23rd NYS Masters Championship with first place price guarantee of $2,500 will be held March 23 at Doug Ken's Rose Bowl Lanes, Newark, NY.

  Information and entry forms for all these tournaments are available at www.bowlny.com

  Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of bowling. If you have league, tournament information, score a 300 game or 800 series or bowl your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook. 

Local Scores

(compiled by Ed Townsend)

Beechwood Lanes

Monday Ladies

  Diane Conroy 175, Lori Kimmes 161, Lois Erdman 156, Barbara Cady 157, 157, Debbie Murphy 154, Dot McCormick 153.

Callicoon Kristal Bowl

Monday Hortonville Ladies

  Linda Millis 163, Kelly Gombita 163, Lillian Zieres 167, 161, 157, Jane Benson 163, 156, 153, Pat Peters164, Joyce Brooks 150, Deedee Schrader 150, Judy Mohn 188, 166, Mardette Wilcox 197, 170, 508, Chrissy Schiff 150, Bonnie Hoag 152, Kim Niemann 159, Ingred Ott 151, Nicole Rossomando 150, Joann Bowers 153, Charlene Meola 162.

Tues. Delaware Valley Men's

  Samii Markoa 199, Kory Keesler 218, Rob Bivins 223, 214, Brian Marino 183, Jeff Nober 224, 202, 195, 621, Brian Starr 258, 202, 632, Eugene Fulton 191, Tom Bisig 206, Dale Steffens 192, 212, John Hubert 187, Matt Hubert 181, Bob Cady 214, Dean Shattuck 202, 199, Rick Weigelt 185, 184, Joe Gager 237, 187, Damien Vanleuven 189, 183. 

Fox Bowling Center

Wed. Men's Independent

  Tom Anderson 605, Al Bullis Sr. 609, Andrew Bullis 258, 245, 709, Jim Dibble 254, 649, Brandon Drumm 226, Jack Hazen 243, 643, Paul Ignatovich 234, 266, 669, Steve Jacobi 236, Rob Johnson 236, 662, Gregory Keelser 236, 258, 677, Donnie Marino 225, 631, Cory Newman 244, 629, Dick Price 633, Tim Smith 604, Zuke Wormuth 245, 245, 692, Ken Wormuth 257, 632.

Thurs. Men's Deposit  National

  Duane Bolster 233, 622, Dale Conklin 235, Ray Cornwell 241, 627, Jeff Curtis 235, Nate Finch 231, 238, 258, 727, Paul Ignatovich 225, 254, 693, Scott Jenson 631, Greg Keesler 237, 246, 698, Brian Robinson 609, Jim Valentine 226, 610.

Friday Mixed Couples

  Jessica Bush 214, Shane Dirig 245, 622, Dana McGraw 199, 181, 554, Rick Mills 607, Sheri Oralls 182, Walt Oralls 225, 264, 685, Jen Smith 180, 223, 553, Tim Smith 630, Dan Wormuth 228, 227, 660, Jeremy Wormuth 264, 661.

Saturday Youth

  Bantam boys, Thomas Schoonmaker 107, 106, Bantam Girls, Brenna Gleim 115, 102, Junior league, Trisha McElroy 174, 153.

Sunday Mixed Fun

  Ray Cornwell 611, Reva Jones 182, 182, 535, Don Marino 225, 238, 657, Samantha Mills (youth girls) 137, 163, 407, Savanna Mills 145, 145, 168, 458, Shelly Mills 187, 506.

Kiamesha Lanes

Monday Men's

  Roy Sweeney 225, Eddie Lake 298, 683, Rick Lake 243, 247, 695, Mike Weiner 257, 649, Jaryl Scott 230, 235, 677, Vinnie Collura 259, 257, 237, 753, Don Durland 633, Walt Edwards 238, 660, John Hoffmann 605, Rudy Belanchia 233, Jon Wilhelm 233, 670, Laresko Niffa 247, 257, 719, Ronnie Totten 632, Kevin Stackhouse 607, Corey VanKeuren 279, 671, Juan Lopez 231, 645, Justin Lopez 237, Keith Smith 247, 245, 695, Pedro Agapito 265, 653, Serafin Rodriguez 225, Ryan Lepke 285, 708, Gregory Fallon 226, 642, John Fischer 262, 690, Nate Sanders 225, 647, Dave Graham 246, 254, 715, Armen Murad 225, 637, Bret Budd 237, 650, Josh Strang 243, 227, 687, Tom Palmer 225, 237, 279, 741.

Tues. Mixed Firefighters

  Joan Lake 182, 229, 577, Andrea Grossman 219, 553, Mary Lee Williams 202, 535, Trasey Barres 187, Barbara Rustic 191, Carol Benton 191, Kyle Stevens 255, 244, 702, George Kelley 247, 652, Paul Minton 235, 650, Ryan Lepke 248, 632, Ed Guthrie 258, 624, Russ Keesler 256, 613.

Wednesday Men's

  Charlie Tuttle 247, Kevin Stackhouse 255, 624, Ronnie Totten 230, Shane Cunningham 255, 689, David Sawall 264, 238, 704, Jason Rogers 236, 257, 698, Vinnie DeGraw 236, 656, Jason Jones 244, Serafin Rodriguez III a 235, 601, Tim Bilyeu 255, 227, 238, 720, Alpesh C. Patel 228, 621, Rick Lara 247, 668, Frank Emmens 227, 226, 644, Pete Meachum 242, 615, Carlos Torres 246, 614, Robert Stewart 225, Paul Minton 233, 237, 686, Jason Jones 236, 249, 658, Dwayne Cabrera 234, 652, Tom Mitchell 244, Merrill Conner 601, David Garlinghouse 226, 642, Kyle Stevens 267, 707, Chris Stevens 236, 227, 642, Keith Raymond 229, 617, Donald Durland 269, 239, 226, 734, James VanAken 230, Tim McIntyre 252, 634, Josh Strang 242, 664, Jaryl Scott 226, 611, John Hoffmann 617, Tom Belgiovene 229, Pedro Agapito 232, 289, 745, Frank Eichenlaub III a 267, 246, 708, Pete Nastasi 269, 638, Larry Whipple 614.