Bowling Highlights Column 11-23-12

Shafer Shows Professionalism

  Showing true professionalism and his love for the sport of bowling Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) 9th ranked bowler Ryan Shafer spent last Sunday afternoon helping and instructing Sullivan County bowlers on how to improve their game.

  Assisted by Storm-Roto Grip Bowling Ball sales consultant and Northeast Regional Sales Manager Mike and Mickey Luongo the three took to the lanes at Callicoon Kristal Bowl and game tips and instruction on how one could improve their bowling skills.

  This event featured sample balls from both Storm and Roto Grip which bowlers were encouraged to use with special inserts fitting bowlers fingers allowing them to grip the balls as it they were specially drilled for them.

  Mike Luongo noted that this allows bowlers to try out different bowling balls to see which one fits their individual style of bowling.

  Shafer, 46, resides in Horseheads, NY and he achieved a 9th place ranking during his competition in this past years competition.

  Ryan, in an exclusive interview with this columnist, said he just completed competition in the 2012 Geico PBA World Series of Bowling at the South Point Bowling Center in Las Vegas where six events are held on the four "animal patterns" and "my inability to double in the 10th frame kept me out of the top 24."

  "If that house suits your style of bowling you can compete if it doesn't bowlers have difficulty winning," Shafer said. 

  Ryan added that "the two handed bowlers like Australia's Jason Belmonte do very well at South Point."

  He noted that "the World Series of Bowling events are not popular with the professional bowlers but that the event was necessary because of the economics of staging tour events in different cities week after week."

  "The World Series event is leading to losing fan base throughout the country," he added.

  When asked about the lack of PBA tour events on the East Coast Ryan expressed disappointment that for the past two years there is only one stop at North Brunswick, NJ.

  At age 46 Shafer feels he is "still competing well and I enjoy the support and relationship with Storm-Roto Grip and as long as this continues I will stay out on the tour."

  Shafer when asked about the new PBA team event competition said "I was picked by Sean Rash and became the only Storm bowler on a team with four Brunswick bowlers including Walter Ray Williams." 

  The purchase of a bowling center in Horseheads is also on his agenda as well as his continued support of Animas who supplies him with his diabetic pump and supplies which help him control diabetes which he was diagnosed with at age 19 and has allowed him to compete on tour with  the disease his entire career. He participates in many seminars and appearances for the Johnson & Johnson Company that sells the Animas pump. 

  The bowling ball demonstrations along with a display of bowling shoes attracted bowlers from throughout the county with well known bowlers like John Hoffmann, Union College Ky. collegiate bowler Eddie Walsh, Pedro Agapito and United States Bowling Congress Ti-County delegate Dean  Shattuck making appearances.

  Kristal Bowl Monday night ladies league bowler Mardette Wilcox has been suffering with a sprained thumb on her bowling hand which Mike Luongo looked at and added some tape to the thumb hole to give relief to the injured thumb and allowed Mardette to go out and bowl a 180 and 200 plus games.

  Bowlers attending this historic event also had the opportunity to watch a bowling demonstration by Ryan which clearly showed  why he was able to win four PBA tour titles, roll a nationally-televised 300 game, has finished runner up five times in making the finals in major championships 13 times, is the owner of 19 PBA regional titles and became the 30th PBA bowler to reach the $1 million mark in career earnings.

  Mickey Luongo, an outstanding bowler in his right, gave a bowling demonstration using Storm's newest bowling ball the "IQ" which is due to be released to the public on December 5. 

  Sullivan County District 5 Legislator Cindy Kurpil Gieger, who admits to not being a bowler, took time out from her busy schedule to attend this event and was introduced to Ryan.

  Truly a well organized and popular bowling event staged by Ryan, Mickey and Mike Luongo.

  Additional photos of this event are available at http://bght.blogspot.com 

 Ed's Outlook

  Bowlers who took advantage of last Sunday's Storm-Roto Grip bowling ball demonstration had the great opportunity to meet three of the finest gentlemen in the professional sport of bowling.

  PBA tour player Ryan Shafer showed  his true love for bowling by reaching out to bowlers and giving them instruction on how to improve their game. Mike and Mickey Luongo showed just a tip of the great knowledge they posses with instruction and bowling ball knowledge that area bowlers have appreciated for many years. 

  Thanks Ryan, Mike and Mickey for bringing class to the sport of bowling in Sullivan County. 

 

Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of bowling. If you have league scores, tournament information, have scored a 300 game or 800 series, or have bowled 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. 

Bowling Tip

By Mike Luongo

  Bowlers: This week's tip is for all bowlers regardless of their skill level and it has to do with understanding the correct body position needed to execute a bowling shot and being able to duplicate it.

  If you were to stand straight on the approach, facing the pins, letting the rest in your hand, you could not swing the ball straight without hitting your hip.

  This is impossible to do without swinging the Ball around your hip because the ball is too big. This "roundhouse swing" is not able to be duplicated shot after shot. 

  Therefore, you might be in a position to be able to swing the ball toward your desired target without any obstacles.

  The tip: Get your head as far right (or to the left if you are left handed) and tilt your bowling shoulder slightly downward. 

  Contrary to what some of your fellow bowlers might tell you, you must drop your shoulder toward the floor in order to avoid the "roundhouse swing." At the same time, slightly open your hips and shoulder and you will be able to swing your arm straight toward your target time and time again.

  Due to different physiologist, the exact position may vary slightly from person to person. When correctly positioned you can use gravity to control the tempo of your swing.

  Note: If you were to shoot a game of pool, or go to a range and shoot a bow or rifle, note the position your head would have to be in to be effective in these activities.

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

Local Scores

(compiled by Ed Townsend)

Beechwood Lanes

Monday Ladies

  Jackie Gieger 171, 169, Julie Yewchuck 155, Jody Gulley 157, Tracey Puerschner 160, Diane Staves 170, 155, Lori Kimmes 161, Lois Erdman 159, 180. 

Callicoon Kristal Bowl

Tuesday Delaware Valley Men's

  Alan Rutledge 218, Kory Keesler 184, Bruce Rutledge 188, Jamie Greir 188, Rob Bivins 198, Brian Marino 193, Brian Starr 193, Mike Gieger 191, Albert Tyles 186, Steve Ross 181, Dale Steffens 197, 186, Steve Lagoda 204, 190, Mark Hawley 232, 227, 605, Cricket Hubert 218, Matt Hubert 186, Tom Hubert 189, Bob Cady 199, Dean Shattuck 204, 188, Damien VanLeuven 236, 209, 597.

Fox Bowling Center

Men's Wed. Independent

  Andrew Bullis 236, 246, 699, Dale Conklin 228, 610, Jim Dibble 236, 237, 676, Brandon Drumm 234, 612, Bill Gleim 225, 237, 266, 728, Mark Hawley 226, 641, Jack Hazen 256, 656, Steve Jacobi 258, 645, Larry Johnson 226, 620, B. J. Johnson 605, Rob Johnson 265, 664, Scott Lacy 238, Donnie Marino 244, 667, Ed Milk Jr. 245, Dick Price 237, 229, 613, Paul Siegler 266, 656, Jonathon Wayne 278, 648, Zuke Wormuth 225, 252, 701, Jeremy Wormuth 245, 641, Jay Wormuth 249. 

Thurs. Men's Deposit National

  Al Bullis Jr. 236, 623, Shawn Card 244, 232, 646, Dale Conklin 624, Howard Couse Sr. 236, Jeff Curtis 637, Lenn Davis 231, Norm Ellis Jr. 616, Paul Ignatovich 265, 680, Dan Koch 245, Dave Lester 226, 614, Paul Siegler 244, 607, Jim Valentine 230, 623. 

Friday Mixed Couples

  Briggsy Briggs 237, Stacy Briggs 197, Andy Bullis 267, 235, 716, Howard Couse Sr. 244, 678, Anne Couse 180, 255, 597, Lenn Davis 246, 665, Greg Keesler 226, 650, Dave Lester 232, 244, 662, Julie Martin 204, Dane McGraw 182, 523, Mark McGraw 256, 647, Sheri Oralls 183, 203, 554, Walt Oralls 248, 607, Jen Smith 204, 550, Tim Smith 245, 600, Dan Wormuth 236, 246, 684, Michelle Wormuth 190. 

Sat. Morning Youth

  Bantam league, Thomas Schoonmaker 111, 113, Brenna Gleim 138, 124, Emily Brown 117, Bethany Brown 117. Junior league, Kristyanna Capel 177, 164, Trisha McElroy 162. 

Sunday Mixed Fun

  Ray Cornwell 245, 640, Don Marino 226, 238, 687, Samantha Mills (youth girls) 136, 128, 387, Savanna Mills 144, 153, 403. 

Kiamesha Lanes

Monday Men's

  Eddie Lake 264, 228, 705, Rick Lake 237, 257, 678, Mike Mulligan 610, Dan Ricco 226, 245, 657, Mike Weiner 233, 246, 680, Jaryl Scott 232, 279, 248, 759, Vinnie Collura 227, 645, Donald Durland 278, 644, Lloyd Bridges 623, Rudy Belanchia 257, 644, Tom Belgiovene 234, 639, Jon Wilhelm 245, 227, 644, Laresko Niffa 226, 270, 679, Ronnie Totten 268, 662, Kevin Stackhouse 226, 644, Robbie Nicholson 615, Corey VanKeuren 632, Juan Lopez 246, Keith Smith 246, 643, Steve Belgiovene 246, 687, Gregory Fallon 225, 232, 606, Kenny Atkins 255, 639, Pedro Agapito 239, 246, 680, John Fischer 253, 257, 723, Dave Graham 236, 643, Francisco Martinez 236, 606, Al Caycho 233, 247, 696, Jason Budd 229, 656, Bret Budd 228, 245, 665, Tim McIntyre 225, 632, Josh Strang 225, 624, Tom Palmer 267, 238, 279, 784. 

Tues. Mixed Firefighters

  Mary Lee Williams 207, 198, 578, Carena Collura 226, 537, Heather Dobell 202, 523, Trasey Barres 224, Chris Stevens 237, 267, 237, 741, Kyle Stevens 234, 226, 684, Paul Minton 236, 670, Ryan Lepke 257, 243, 647, Ed Guthrie 234, 640, George Kelley 621, Peter Scannell 256, 

 Wednesday Men's

  Kyle Matthews 257, 648, Charlie Tuttle 226, 632, Kevin Stackhouse 235, 629, Ronnie Totten 247, 676, Shane Cunningham 246, 248, 688, David Sawall 226, 652, Jason Rogers 235, 658, Serifin Rodriguez 227, 605, Serifin Rodriguez III a 235, 612, Rick Lara 614, Frank Emmens 236, 244, 675, Al Frangipone 236, 235, 663, Frank DiCostanzo 237, 621, Paul Minton 248, 268, 694, Jason Jones 614, Dwayne Cabrera 246, 258, 716, Merrill Conner 258, 684, James VanAken 226, 611, Tim McIntyre 624, Josh Strang 641, Jaryl Scott 270, 280, 755, Billy Curry 235, Gene Smith 241, 633, Keith Smith 606, Pedro Agapito 235, 631, Frank Eichenlaub III a 235, 245, 676, Roy Sweeney 225, Timmy Minton 258, 257, 720,  Dave Graham 237, 612, Chris Stevens 240, 252, 695, Kyle Stevens 233, 246, 236, 715, Jon Wilhelm 237, 603. 

Thursday Ladies

  Valerie Fersch 188, Pat Shuart 188, Gerri Stensland 183, Bonnie Geraine 192, Audrey Woolard 187, 182, Debbie Durland 189, 222, 192, Pat Gibson 201, Kathy King 191, 192, Shirley Bowens 183, 185, Florence Good 185, 183, Stella Schmahl 183, Tabatha Smith 212. 

                                                            

                                                        

                                                        

                                                           

                                                             

                                                                

                                                             

                                                                

                                                                  

                                                            

                                                            

                                                                   

                                                      

                                                           

                                                             

                                                               

                                                              

                                                               

                                                                

                                                                                

                                                                         

IDENTIFICATION OF ABOVE PHOTOS

Master Instructor and Storm-Roto Grip special events assistant Mike Luongo assists Callicoon Kristal Bowl Monday Ladies league bowler Mardette Wilcox who recently suffered an injury to the thumb on her bowling hand.

                                                              

PBA tour bowler Ryan Shafer gets set to put on a small bowling demonstration for bowlers attending the bowling ball demonstration held last Sunday at Callicoon Kristal Bowl. 

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Brittney Gieger of Jeffersonville gets bowling instructions from Master Instructor Mike Luongo, center and PBA tour bowler Ryan Shafer.

                                                    

Sullivan County District 5 Legislator Cindy Kurpil Gieger meets PBA tour bowler Ryan Shafer.

                                                        

Major participants in the Storm-Roto Grip bowling ball demonstration last Sunday at Callicoon Kristal Bowl included, from the left, Storm Northeast Sales Representative Mickey Luongo, Storm Special Events Assistant Mike Luongo, PBA Tour Bowler Ryan Shafer and Kristal Bowl owners Mark and Kristal Whitmore.