Friday, January 4, 2013

Bowling Highlights Column 1-4-13


 Norton Wins The
Chameleon Championship 

   California attorney Scott Norton ended the longest title drought for left-handed bowlers in 50 years of Professional Bowlers Association Tour competition when he defeated Australian two-handed star Jason Belmonte, 227-223, to win the PBA Chameleon Championship last Sunday on ESPN at the Las Vegas South Point Hotel and Casino.
   Norton, the 2010-11 PBA Rookie of the Year, became the PBA’s first left-handed title winner since Jason Couch won the Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship in March, 2011.The Chameleon Championship finals was the third of five GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling IV Tour events.
   The GEICO World Series of Bowling continues on ESPN this  Sunday at 1 p.m.ET with the finals of the Bowlers Journal Scorpion Championship. Finalists will include Tom Daugherty of Wesley Chapel, Fla.; Jason Sterner of McDonough, Ga.; Belmonte and top qualifier Osku Palermaa of Finland. The final telecast of the World Series IV series will be the PBA World Championship which airs on Sunday, Jan. 13, at 1 p.m. ET. 
   Pre-and post-telecast shows for all PBA-ESPN telecasts will be available on Xtra Frame, PBA’s online bowling channel.

 Ed's Outlook

  Local bowling news highlights for 2012 included 300 games by Rick Lake, Jaryl Scott, two perfect games by Donnie Durland, John Hoffmann, Tom Palmer, Eddie Lake, Vinnie Collura, Jon Wilhelm, Paul Minton and Keith Smith. 
  Within the local bowling industry itself the 16-lane AMF Liberty Lanes closed ending 42-years of providing a top-quality bowling establishment for generations of Sullivan County families.
  Two months following the Liberty Lanes announcement the Liberty Bowling Corporation headed up by Kiamesha Lanes owner A. C. Patel confirmed that a new 12-lane Brunswick bowling center would be constructed in the former Liberty Eckert Drug Store at 187 Mill Street. 
  The new center will be open sometime in late January or early February with short-season leagues being offered.
  Professional Bowling Association tour bowler Ryan Shafer made an appearance along with Storm-Roto Grip representatives Mike and Mickey Luongo at a demonstration day in mid September at Callicoon Kristal Bowl.
  Only time will tell what the bowling highlights will be for 2013.

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

  Bowling Tip
  By Mike Luongo

  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.
  While preparing to execute a bowling shot, whether it is a strike or spare, you must be prepared to understand the path on 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.
  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 a certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor  USBC Silver Level Coach and an Adviser 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

  Due to the Christmas and New Year holidays falling the way they did many leagues did not bowl this past week so local bowling scores will return in next week's column.

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