Monday, March 27, 2017

TEAM USA ROSTER SET



TEAM USA ROSTER SET FOR 2017 WORLD GAMES IN POLAND
ARLINGTON, Texas - The 2017 World Games is a few months away, and the Team USA bowlers are ready to add to the success they found at the event four years ago.
The tournament will be held at Sky Bowling in Wroclaw, Poland, from July 21-24 as part of the 11-day, multi-sport World Games.
Among the four players selected to represent the United States this year will be Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, often recognized as a trailblazer in the sport, and a role she filled for her country at the World Games in 2013.
Kulick, a 13-time member of Team USA, will be joined in Wroclaw by Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, New York, Tommy Jones of Simpsonville, South Carolina, and Team USA rookie Jakob Butturff of Tempe, Arizona.
At the 2013 event in Cali, Colombia, Kulick and longtime Professional Bowlers Association Tour standout Mike Fagan became the first bowlers from the United States to claim gold medals at the World Games, an event that has been held every four years since 1981.
"I am over the moon to have the opportunity to bowl in the World Games again," Kulick said. "I will be in the middle of the PWBA Tour season, so I will be sharp as an ax. I'm also excited for my fellow teammates, and I know we will make an impression in Poland."
The World Games is an international multi-sport event for sports, disciplines or events within a sport, that are not contested in the Olympic Games.
It is organized and governed by the International World Games Association (IWGA), under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The event showcases more than 25 sports and approximately 4,500 athletes and officials from more than 100 countries. The athletes will compete for medals in nearly 180 total disciplines.
Until Kulick and Fagan broke through for the mixed doubles gold medal at the 2013 event, the United States had earned just five World Games medals - two silver and three bronze - in eight appearances. Kulick added a silver medal in singles in 2013, too.
Other World Games medals for Team USA include: Andrew Cain with singles bronze in 2005 and Vernon Peterson and Darold Meisel with silver in singles in 1997 and 1989, respectively.
For the U.S. women, Patty Ann won a singles bronze medal in 1989, while Mary Lou Vining won singles bronze in 1981. The United States had never medaled in mixed doubles.
Representatives from each of bowling's three zones (American, Asian and European) will head to Wroclaw in July. Each zone will send five countries, while a team from the host nation rounds out the field at 16 countries.
Joining the United States from the Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON) will be Canada, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.
Team USA, Colombia and Venezuela qualified through the PABCON Champion of Champions event in April 2016, while Canada and Mexico earned their spots during the PABCON Adult Championships in September 2016.
Women's singles at the 2017 World Games will take place on July 21, men's singles will be contested July 22, women's doubles will be July 23 and men's doubles is scheduled for July 24.
"The format changes at the World Games show how much the sport of bowling is growing globally, and including four players from each country now means a truer showcase of the world's top talent," said Team USA High Performance Director Tennelle Milligan. "We expect top-notch competition and an Olympic-like experience. It will be exciting for the competitors and the fans, and it's special anytime bowling can be in the spotlight."
United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body of bowling as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). USBC conducts championship events nationwide including the largest participation sporting events in the world - the USBC Open and Women's Championships - and professional events such as the USBC Masters and USBC Queens.

Founded in 1895, today USBC and its 2,500 state and local associations proudly serve more than a million members. USBC is headquartered in Arlington, Texas, working toward a future for the sport. The online home for USBC is BOWL.com.

BOWLING HIGHLIGHTS COLUMN

Agapito Notches Another 300

                                        

 
  Twenty-two year-old Monticello keggler Pedro Agapito III has the talent to be listed with the top amateur bowlers in the tri-county area.  He scored his 19th perfect 300 game on March 7th in the Tuesday Mixed Firefighter league at Kiamesha Lanes.

  The series attached to this 300 was 259, 254 for a nice 813 series.  In the 300 game all balls were in the pocket.

  This was his 13th 800 plus series

  This 300 and 813 were scored with an IQ Tour Pearl bowling ball on lanes 9-10.

  His Tuesday team is the Rock Hill Liquor squad and he bowls with team mates Tola Deylii, Kevin Stackhouse and George Dye.

    Agapito has been bowling for 12 years and presently bowls in both the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league and the Monday Men's league, both at Kiamesha Lanes.     

  He presently maintains a 236 average for all leagues.

  Pedro is not married but is engaged to Angela Scott. They have no children.

  He is employed at the Crystal Run Village and is a DSP. 



Ed's Outlook



 A reminder that entries are now open for the PBA50 Tour events that get underway April 15-17 (PBA60 Killer 'B' Open) and April 17-20 the (PBA 50 Pasco County Florida Open), both being held at Glo Bowl in New Port Richey, Fla.

  PBA bowlers can enter online at http://www.pba.com/Tournaments/Season 106  or by contacting Mary von Krueger at maryvk@pba.com and fax at 850-564-1717.


 Lagoda Scholarship
 Tourney March 25-26


  The annual Steve Lagoda Scholarship Fund bowling tournament takes place this weekend, March 25-26 at the Callicoon Kristal Bowl.
   Come out and support a great cause in memory of Steve.
  The scholarship goes to a BOCES student in the Natural Resource program who is continuing on to college.
  Two shifts will be held at noon and 4 p.m. each day.
  The tournament format is scratch no-tap bowling open to four person teams (kids, adults, guys and gals).
  Entry fee is $100 per team and there will be cash prizes for the top three teams. Prize money will be determined by the number of tournament entries.

  For non-bowlers there is also 50/50's and raffles all day both days.

  Reservations can be made by calling 845-887-6887 or message Mardette Wilcox.



Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo



  How about it bowlers, ever think about reviving your game.

  Let's take two important elements of the game and remember about the physical aspect of the game.
  The two elements....accuracy and action and that torque was at one time an important part of the term action.
  The game over the years has changed , accuracy is important but the action aspect is a different story.

  Much of the ball action today is built into the bowling balls by the use of sophisticated weight blocks, dynamic balancing and modifying the coverstock with more or less porosity as the lane condition demands.

  The modern bowling all has been a boon to bowlers young and old. Trust me, no matter how talented you are, you can't compete using old antiquated equipment in today's environment.
  The tip.....see you local pro shop for the modern style bowling ball.
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, email him at mikel@stormbowling.com



Local Scores


Kiamesha Lanes



Monday Men's


  Jason Jones Jr. 234, 619, Billy Dertinger 635, Russell Bivins 226, 634, Mark Carman  244, 230, 665, Richard Bivins 230, 235, 624, Chris Parken 236, Kyle Matthews 247, Justin Holland 235, 600, Jim Piontek 258, Pedro Agapito III a 247, 279, 738, Jaryl Scott 225, 630, Donald Durland 246, 661, Robe Sze 245, Dan Ricco 242, 643, Tim Totten 266, 672, Laresko Niifa 244, 659, Ronald Totten 239, 266, 696, Ryan Lepke 247, 225, 640, Charles Tuttle 601, Dave Graham 238, 663, Keith  Smith 245, 237, 653, Eddie Lake 245, 636, Rick Lake 225, 225, 650, Gene Smith 232, 234, 243, 709, Michael Scuderi 235, 279, 245, 759, Frank Scuderi 230, 636, Tom Belgiovene 238, Lloyd Bridges 243, 648, Jon Wilhelm 225, 626, Robert Feeney Jr. 225, 237, 633, Robert Feeney Sr. 226, 622, Vincent DeGraw 605, Bobby Cooper 234, Jody Farquhar 237, 277, 710, John Hoffmann 246.



Thursday Ladies


  Lisa Cartwright 188, 511, Tricia Tuttle 181, 503, Maria Jeitsch 195, Trasey Barres 235, 565, Loretta VanAken 192, 511, Liz Stubits 180, 227, 579, Christie Graham 200, 507, Tabatha Smith 204, 510, Audrey Woolard 188, 506.


Friday Mixed


  Donald Durland 278, 235, 299, 812, Dave Graham 246, 672, Eddie Lake 269, 716, Ryan Lepke 277, 680, Bill Schubert 246, 612, Keith Smith 256, 671, Kevin Stackhouse 226, 237, 246, 709, Charlie Tuttle 235, 237, 254, 726, James VanAken 258, 258, 709, Aleah Balzano 180, 521, Esther Barber 207, 501, Trasey Barres 213, 192, 232, 637, Lauren Blume 199, Julie Chen 197, 182, 543, Angie Desmond 206, 187, 183, 576, Joan Lake 192, Linda Schaefer 500, Loretta VanAken 184, 505, Mary Lee Williams 206, 527.



Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the sport of bowling and brings over 60-years of sports journalism experience in writing and compiling the information for this column. If you have league or  tournament information, bowl a 300 game or 800 series, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and Ed's photos at http://bght.blogspot.com  We are also on Facebook and Twitter.

HERE & THERE COLUMN


Roads & Bridges Funding?


  Is there a crisis in keeping our local roads, bridges and culverts repaired and in good condition?
  Highway superintendents and transportation advocates across our state have called for an increase to state funding for the above.
  A headline in our paper a few weeks back read, "Fremont Town Wants To Return Roads To The County."
  Seems the town wants to give back or allow the county to again maintain County roads 131, 132 and 134 due to the fact that the county roads are in such poor repair and the town equipment presently used to maintain these roads is getting torn up.
  The Town is getting about $38,000 from the county to maintain these roads.
  Fremont board members contacted the Sullivan County Commissioner of Public Works who informed them he put into the county legislature for $9 million but only got $4 million to repair the roads.
  It was the general opinion of town board members that it was not economically sound to "pound our equipment on roads we don't need to be on."
  This scenario runs deeper then just this crisis in the Town of Fremont and Sullivan County and it's not clear where the money is going to come from to fix our highway system.

 We are faced with ongoing deterioration of decades-old roads and bridges and funds have failed to keep up with the need to maintain existing infrastructure and to increase capacity.

  Can't really put the blame on the county or town because the cash shortfall in only getting worse.
  Part of the overall problem stems from the increase in traffic borne by a highway system that is some instances is 50-years or older and funding at the state level also has failed to keep up with the increased cost of repair and new construction.
  The state gasoline tax comes into play here but many legislators decided to oppose any increase in taxation.
  Talk about being caught between a rock and hard place this overall road and bridge repair problem needs attention........sound economical  thinking required.

YUENGLING ICE CREAM AT RAILRIDERS GAMES

Yuengling’s Ice Cream Announced as Official Ice Cream of the RailRiders
SWB, Yuengling’s Ice Cream Launch Partnership for 2017 Season
 
Moosic, Pa. – “Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks…” This summer there will be another fan favorite at the ballpark. Yuengling’s Ice Cream is pleased to announce that it has partnered with the Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) to become the official ice cream brand of the hometown team.
 
The ice cream will make its debut at PNC Field for the start of the 2017 season on April 10. Fans will eat up flavors including Vanilla, Chocolate, Black & Tan, Root Beer, Sea Salt Caramel, Chocolate Marshmallow, Orange Cream, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cookies & Cream, and Cinnamon Churro. And a new product—Yuengling’s Ice Cream soft serve—will also be available in a variety of flavors.
 
“We are very excited to be working with Yuengling’s Ice Cream. Their fantastic line of products will be a great addition for our fans this season,” said Rich Kloss, general manager of Legends Hospitality Management at PNC Field.
                                
Yuengling’s Ice Cream returned to the market in 2014 after a nearly 30-year hiatus. The re-launch has been met with much acclaim. Cherry Vanilla Chunk was awarded gold at the World Dairy Expo Championship in the Flavored Fruit and/or Nut Ice Cream category, and Madagascar Vanilla took home gold in the Los Angeles International Dairy Competition in the "Premium Vanilla Ice Cream" category. The brand also received the Supermarket Guru “Hit” Product Seal for Cinnamon Churro, selected as “Pick of the Week.”
 
About Yuengling’s Ice Cream
Yuengling’s Ice Cream, based in northeastern PA, is a family-owned business dating back to 1920. The 21 flavors of its super-premium ice cream are kosher, PA Preferred, and adhere to the highest standards including all-natural ingredients. Ever mindful of the community, the company donates at least three percent of its profits to charitable organizations. For more information about Yuengling’s Ice Cream and for a store locator, visit www.yuenglingsicecream.com.

The defending IL North champion RailRiders open their 2016 season on Thursday, April 7 with a two-game homestand against the Rochester Red Wings (Minnesota Twins). For tickets or more information, please call (570) 969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

TRI-VALLEY COMPETITION NIGHT

  
  GRAH
AMSVILLE--High school teenagers experience a myriad of benefits from competing in a variety of events offered at schools today.
  With the many benefits, however, teens  competing in high school events must simultaneously balance educational opportunities and athleticism with overly intense focus on the goal of winning.
  Opportunities like spirit week, decoration, lip sync (skits), sportsmanship, food drive challenge, obstacle course, crab soccer, cage ball, relay, tug of war, sportsmanship and brain teaser were all incorporated into school life at Tri-Valley Central School during the week of March 20-24.
  All of  these develop camaraderie and team building which culminated with the 41st Annual Tri-Valley Competition Night March 24 in the high school gym. 
    The annual event filled the gym with a standing-room only crowd and featured all four high school grades 9-12 along with Bill O'Morrissey as Master of Ceremonies and Kathi Smith,  Leslye Stryker and Tyler Ter Bush  as score keepers.
    Referees and judges included Jason Closs, Matt Haynes, Cory Turner,  Angela Mueller, Donna Brooks,  Christie Wright, Joe Manaseri, Eric Marburger, Nick Mancuso and Gary Ter Bush.
    Student Council Adviser in charge of Competition Night was Keicha Kempsey.

    School enrollment figures show The Class of 2020 with 86 members, the Class of 2019 with 79 members, the Class of 2018 with 85 members and the Class of 2017 with 79 members. 

    Points for each class was awarded for spirit week and participation, decoration and lip sync (skits), point for all events, sportsmanship points and the canned food drive challenge.

  Total points in the events include competition points combined with sportsmanship points.  
   In the Obstacle Course event the Seniors won 7 points, Juniors 4, Sophomores 5 and Freshman 3. The Crab Soccer event saw 5 points won by the Seniors, 7 points for the Juniors, 3 for the Sophomores and 3 for the Freshman. In the cage ball event the Seniors won 3 p oints, Juniors 7, and 5 points for the Sophomores and 3 points for the Freshman.

   In the Relay Race  the Junior Class won with 7 points, the Senior Class 4, Sophomore Class 5 points and the Freshman 3 points. The Tug of War event went to the Senior class with 7 points, the Juniors had 5 points, and the Sophomore and Freshman classes  with 3 points each.

   In the Decoration category the Junior class prevailed with 10 points,  Seniors 5, Sophomores 3 and Freshman 1.
  The Junior  Class Class stole the  show in the Lip-Sync (skits) category with 10 points , Seniors 5,  Sophomores 3 and Freshman 1.
  The Seniors and Juniors tied with 3 points each in Spirit Week competition, Sophomores won the event with 4 points and the Freshman won 2 points.
  In the Brain Teaser, the Seniors, Juniors and Sophomores each won 5 points. No points went to the Freshman.
  In the Canned Food event the Seniors won with 4 points, Juniors with 3, Sophomores 1 and Freshman 2. The Seniors brought in 809 cans of canned food.
  In the Participation event the Sophomores won with 4 points, Juniors 3, and the Seniors and Freshman each got 2 points.
  With all  the points totaled the Junior Class were declared the 2017 Competition Night champions  with 64 points followed by the Seniors 50, Sophomores 41 and Freshman 23.

                                        
                                              


Junior class members Jack Eddings, Kalic Perry and Chase Botsford haul cases of food as part of the Food Drive Challenge competition.
                                    
                                                     
   The 2018 TVCS Junior Class are the 2017 champions of the 41st annual Tri-Valley Competition Night.
                                  
                                                       

Freshman Ethan Shaver competes in the rope climb as part of the TV Competition Night Obstacle Course.
                          
                                                        


Junior Jaclyn Musa slides under a table and between chairs in the Obstacle Course TV Competition Night.
                               
                                                       

Freshman Heather Winters tries to hold her ground in the Tug of War competition which her class lost to the Juniors.

 ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM COMPETITION NIGHT 



                                             
 


                                                            
 

                                                                   
 

                                                                 
 

                                                          
 

                                                          
 

                                                           
 


                                                                 
 

                                                           
                                   

                                                               
 
                      
                                                            
 
                                                                 
 

                                                               

Thursday, March 23, 2017

PBA SPARE SHOTS

PBA Spare Shots

“PICK THE BALL” SURVEY RETURNS TO PBA BOWLING CHALLENGE MOBILE GAME
Concrete Software is renewing its PBA Bowling Challenge “pick the ball” survey, inviting fans to select the new Product Registered ball model they would like to see introduced into the popular mobile device game.

Beginning today, the PBA Bowling Challenge mobile game will list three new ball models for each PBA-participating brand, and ask fans to vote on which ball to include in the game. Weekly voting will feature a different brand and choice of ball models through the first week in June.

First up will be MOTIV. Based on fan voting (click here: http://bit.ly/MOTIV_17 to cast your vote), the “winning” MOTIV ball will be available for play on April 7. A code to purchase the ball for 50% off (the code will be available on PBA’s and the specific companies’ social media pages) will be posted.

Each company also will have a flashback weekend where all its previous balls will be available for that weekend only.

As the season progresses, voting will take place each week to select the new ball for release as noted below:
● Track:  March 30 (voting begins); April 14 (ball release date).
● Storm: April 6; April 21.
● Brunswick: April 13; April 28.
● Columbia 300: April 20; May 5.
● Radical: April 27; May 12.
● DV8: May 4; May 19.
● Ebonite: May 11; May 26.
● Roto Grip: May 18; June 2.
● 900 Global: May 25; June 9.
● Hammer: June 1; June 16.

JOSH BLANCHARD TAKES EARLY LEAD IN XTRA FRAME STORM CUP RACE
PBA Xtra Frame Reality Check Classic winner Josh Blanchard has assumed the early lead in the 2017 PBA Xtra Frame Storm Cup points race, earning 25 points for his victory in the first of eight Storm Cup events this season. Rounding out the top 10 after the first event are Reality Check Classic runner-up AJ Johnson, 19 points; Dom Barrett, 18; Shawn Maldonado, 17; Dick Allen, 16; Ildemaro Ruiz, 15; Tom Daugherty, 14; Chris Spoo, 13; Walter Ray Williams Jr., 12, and Jeff Piroozshad, 11.

In each Storm Cup event, PBA members who finish in the top 20 will earn points with 25 points going to the winner, 19 to the runner-up, 18 for third place and points diminishing by one through 20th place. A complete summary of the points leaders will be posted on pba.com (http://www.pba.com/SeasonStats/XtraFrameTourPoints/95#stats-list) after each tournament.

The next tournament in the series will be the PBA XF Wilmington Open at Ten Pin Alley in Wilmington, N.C., May 26-29.

QUBICA AMF PBA REGIONAL UPDATE: MATT O’GRADY WINS IN OHIO
Fresh off his win in the PBA Lakewood (Colo.) Southwest Super Regional two weeks earlier, Matt O’Grady of Rahway, N.J., defeated Joe Bailey of Wooster, Ohio, 237-148, to claim the PBA Trumbull County Tourism Bureau Central/East Open title presented by Radical at Bell-Wick Bowl in Hubbard, Ohio, Sunday.

The title was O’Grady’s first of the year in the PBA Central Region and the fourth of his career. He also earned $2,700.

Alex Cavagnaro of Massapequa, N.Y., led off the stepladder finals by eliminating Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, N.Y., 234-182. O’Grady then defeated Cavagnaro, 233-217, and he advanced to the championship match by defeating Mike Clark of Cleveland, 242-158.

Anthony Lavery-Spahr from Pasadena, Texas, defeated Derek Acuff of Glendale, Ariz., 234-199, to claim his fourth QubicaAMF PBA Regional title Sunday in the sixth annual PBA Odessa Southwest Open at Astro Bowl in Odessa, Texas.

Lavery-Spahr, last year’s runner-up, started the championship match with a spare and two strikes while Acuff struggled after two opens in the first three frames. Lavery-Spahr received byes to the Round of 8 after qualifying fourth and started his road to victory by defeating defending champion Clara Guerrero, a Colombia native now living in Pflugerville, Texas, 2-1, in their best-of-three-game match. In the semifinal round, he survived with a 173-164 victory over Jeff Hatt of Midwest City, Okla.

Acuff, who qualified second, defeated Joe Findling from Mesquite, Texas, 2-0, in the Round of 8, and prevented a title match between twin brothers by eliminating Sean Lavery-Spahr in the semifinal round, 200-178.

● QubicaAMF PBA Regional events over the March 24-26 weekend include the PBA50 Rossi Lanes Eastern Open in Elmira, N.Y.; the PBA50 Liberty Lanes Midwest/Central Open in Carpentersville, Ill.; the CCFA Strike Out Crohn’s and Colitis South Open, presented by Rhino Page, at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando, Fla., and the Caveman Bowl Northwest/West Open presented by DV8 in Grants Pass, Ore.

● Closing out March and kicking off April’s PBA Regional calendar over the March 31-April 2 weekend will be the PBA50 Showtime Lanes Midwest/Central Open in Virden, Ill.; the Myrtle Beach South Open at Myrtle Beach  Bowl in South Carolina; the FireLake Grand Casino Hotel & Resort Southwest Open at FireLake Bowl in Shawnee, Okla., and a PBA West/Northwest tripleheader at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno – the PBA50 and PBA Sands Regency West/Northwest Classic events plus the Sands Regency West/Northwest Challenge (for non-titlists), presented by DV8. The weekend also will include a Sunday-only reduced entry fee Elkhart Central/Midwest Open presented by 900 Global at Country Club Lanes in Elkhart, Ind.

● For complete PBA Regional schedules, rules and entry information, visit pba.com, open the “schedules” tab and click on PBA Regional Tours to find the event(s) in your area.

QUICK NOTES
● To follow the Brunswick Euro Challenge in Munich, Germany, this week, visit http://brunswickeurochallenge.com/live-streaming/ for live streaming coverage. Fans also can visit the website for daily updates as the event progresses. The first event on the 2017 PBA International-World Bowling Tour schedule concludes Sunday. Sweden’s Jesper Svensson is defending champion.

● PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber and PBA Women’s Series titlist Diandra Asbaty can be seen in cameo roles in the 2016 movie, “Split,” which is now available at no cost to Amazon Prime members. The movie billed as “The World’s First Romantic Bowling Comedy,” is also available for rent or purchase on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, VUDU, Xbox and PlayStation. Click here to watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zekgYUGOjXc .

USBC Hall of Famer and two-time PBA Tour champion Les Zikes of Palatine, Ill., became the 11th player in history to participate in 65 USBC Open Championships when the 82-year-old bowled his team event on Monday, March 20, at South Point Bowling Plaza in Las Vegas. With his 546 series in team event, 562 in doubles and 570 in singles, Zikes added 1,678 pins to his career total of 112,564 pins knocked down in USBC Open competition (seventh on the all-time list).

Monday, March 20, 2017

MEET THE CHAMPS (RAILRIDERS)

Meet the Defending National Champion RailRiders
Special Event Returns to PNC Field April 4

Moosic, Pa.The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) will be at PNC Field soon! Fans will have a chance to meet the defending national champions at the annual “Meet the RailRiders” party. The event will be held at PNC Field's Legends Club on Tuesday, April 4 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Admission for season ticket and package holders will be $20 for adults and $10 for kids. Fans who wish to attend, but have not purchased season tickets or packages, can do so for $55 per person and $25 per child. These prices include a five-game ticket plan for adults and a Kids Club membership for children. Tickets to the event also include access to autographs, a buffet sampling of new ballpark offerings and a cash bar. In addition, the Governors’ Cup and Gildan Triple-A National Championship trophies will be on display.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Amy Miller at 570-969-2255 ext. 2230 or by e-mailing her at amiller@swbrailriders.com.

The 2016 Gildan Triple-A National Champion RailRiders open their 2017 home schedule on Monday, April 10 against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia Phillies). For tickets and more information, please call 570-979-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

NORDQVIST WIN TOURNEY

NORDQVIST PICKS UP SEVENTH WIN
An exciting finish to this year’s Bank of Hope Founders Cup, Anna Nordqvist held off In Gee Chun, Stacy Lewis and Ariya Jutanugarn to pick up her first of the 2017 season.

Nordqvist held a two-stroke lead entering the final round at Wildfire Golf Club and fired final round 4-under par, 68.  She had an impressive four days carding 26 birdies, one eagle, and three bogeys to finish at 25-under par for the tournament.

Earning her seventh career win in front of a ‘hometown crowd’ was something special for Nordqvist.

To read Jennifer Meyer’s full recap of Sunday’s final round at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, click here: http://www.lpga.com/news/2017-nordqvist-wins-bank-of-hope-founders-cup-final-recap

THREE AMERICANS POST TOP-10 FINISHES
In the first LPGA event on U.S. soil of the 2017 season, three Americans finished inside the top-10 - Stacy Lewis (T2, -23), Lizette Salas (T10,  -19) and Jessica Korda (T10, -19).

Stacy Lewis finished two-back of Nordqvist as a co-runner up in her best finish since earning a runner-up at the 2016 Cambia Portland Classic.

Lizette Salas earned her second top-10 of the 2017 season - she had zero finishes in the top-10 all of last season.

Jessica Korda carded her first top-10 finish of the season - Korda hasn’t finished worse than T16 in four starts this year.

SISTER ACT
The 2017 LPGA season features two pairs of sisters: Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn and Jessica and Nelly Korda. The Jutanugarn sisters finished inside the top-8, led by five-time LPGA winner Ariya (T2, -23) while Moriya was close behind tied for eighth (-20). The Kordas also finished inside the top-20 led by four-time LPGA winner Jessica who tied for 10th (-19), while 2017 rookie Nelly finished T19 (-17).
ANOTHER RUNNER-UP FOR LEWIS
Stacy Lewis finished tied for second with In Gee Chun and Ariya Jutanugarn, a familiar place for Lewis since her last victory at the 2014 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. Lewis has made 63 starts in that time frame and finished tied or solo second 13 times, while she’s been the runner-up 24 times in her nine-year career.

“Hit a lot good shots and didn’t quite get rewarded for them,” Lewis said. I played well. Hard to be too upset.”

CME GROUP CARES WEEKENDS UPDATE
Players scored 15 eagles over the weekend at the 2017 Bank of Hope Founders Cup, raising $15,000 for charity. This brings the total to 62 eagles on the year, which translates to $62,000 dollars raised.

QUICK HITS
Tournament winner Anna Nordqvist’s -25 (263) matches her career-low tournament score to par which she’s shot twice before, most recently at the 2017 Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic where she placed third

With her seventh career win, Anna Nordqvist ties Helen Alfredsson for the third most LPGA wins by a Swedish player all-time - only Liselotte Newman (13) and Annika Sorenstam (72) have more

Anna Nordqvist went to Arizona State where she was named 2007 National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) Freshman of the Year, 2007 Pacific Athletic Conference (Pac-10) Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and co-champion, and also earned back-to-back NGCA First-Team All-American and Academic All-American honors in 2007-08.  In 2008, she was named to the Pac-10 First Team and All-Academic Second Team

2016 Rolex Player of the Year and Race to CME Globe winner Ariya Jutanugarn finished as the runner-up for the second consecutive tournament, she has now finished in the top-8 in the last four tournaments 

Ariya Jutanugarn’s -23 (265) matches her career-best tournament score in relation to par which she shot at the 2016 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open, the site of her last win

2016 Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year In Gee Chun’s -23 (265) is her career-best tournament score to par, her previous best mark was -21 (263) at the 2016 Evian Championship where she took home her second major championship win and set a new major championship record - male or female - for 72-hole score in relation to par.

Ha Na Jang made headlines Friday by acing the par-3 17th hole to win a brand new 2017 Kia, and today it was Gerina Piller with a hole-in-one on the par-3 14th hole from 186 yards, for her second-career ace

This week’s Bank of Hope Founders Cup kicks off a stretch of five consecutive tournaments in the United States, next stop: Carlsbad, California for the Kia Classic (March 23-26) where World No. 1 Lydia Ko will defend her title after a T8 finish in Phoenix

REALTY CHECK CLASSIC

Jeff Piroozshad Leads PBA Xtra Frame Reality Check Classic after Qualifying
Part-time PBA competitor leads field of 62 qualifiers into Sunday’s final rounds

TAMARAC, Fla.  – Part-time Professional Bowlers Association competitor Jeff Piroozshad of Coral Springs, Fla., averaged 238.8 for eight games Saturday to lead the 62 top qualifiers who advanced to Sunday’s final rounds of the PBA Xtra Frame Reality Check Classic at Sawgrass Lanes. AJ Johnson of Oswego, Ill., was in second place, three pins behind.

The tournament, which will award a PBA Tour title along with a $10,000 first prize, is the first in a series of eight PBA Xtra Frame Tour events that will award $50,000 in Storm Cup bonus prize money at the end of the season. All Storm Cup events will be live streamed on PBA’s online bowling channel, Xtra Frame, which is available by subscription. Visit xtraframe.tv for details.

Piroozshad, who has been a PBA member on-and-off for 17 years, rolled games of 253, 231, 268, 244, 223, 191, 224 and 275 for a 1,911 pinfall total and overtook Johnson with his big closing game. Piroozshad, 42, has won one regional title in 43 PBA Regional and 10 PBA Tour tournament appearances.

Johnson, a 24-year-old former McKendree University collegiate star, rolled games of 206, 257, 278, 260, 257, 211, 201 and 238 to finish qualifying with 1,908 total pins.  Johnson, a third-year PBA member, has two second place finishes during his brief career, but has yet to win his first PBA Tour title.

The Reality Check Classic was originally scheduled for last October, but was postponed due to the arrival of Hurricane Matthew. In its new place on the PBA schedule, the tournament drew a field of 186 PBA members and top amateur bowlers. The top one-third of the field – 62 players – advanced to Sunday’s four-game cashers round at 8:30 a.m. The top 16 after 12 games advance to the three-game Round of 16 at 11:30 a.m.; the top 8 after 15 games advance to the two-game Round of 8 at 1:30 p.m., and the top four after 17 total games advance to the stepladder finals at 3 p.m. All times are Eastern.

PBA XTRA FRAME REALITY CHECK CLASSIC
Sawgrass Lanes, Tamarac, Fla., Saturday

Final Qualifying Standings (after 8 games; top 62 advance to cashers’ round):
1, Jeff Piroozshad, Coral Springs, Fla., 1,911.
2, AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., 1,908.
3, Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla., 1,878.
4, Dick Allen, Columbia, S.C., 1,872.
5, DJ Archer, Friendswood, Texas, 1,841.
6, Chris Spoo, Boynton Beach, Fla., 1,839.
7, Shawn Maldonado, Houston, 1,822.
8, Cristian Azcona, Puerto Rico, 1,821.
9, Michael Azcarate, Coral Springs, Fla., 1,816.
10, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,813.
11, Josh Blanchard, Mesa, Ariz, 1,805.
12, Ildemaro Ruiz, Venezuela, 1,800.
13, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,792.
14, n-Danny Battles, Zephyrhills, Fla., 1,790.
15, Dom Barrett, England, 1,789.
16 (tie), Darren Tang, San Francisco, and n-Gabriel Garcia, Port St. Lucie, Fla., 1,786.
18, Ralph Brunt Jr., Jensen Beach, Fla., 1,784.
19, Trevor Roberts, Crystal River, Fla., 1,780.
20, n-Thomas Bosquez Jr., Springhill, Fla., 1,769.
21, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,754.
22 (tie), Arturo Quintero, Mexico; Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., and Brad Miller, Maryland Heights, Mo., 1,749.
25, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., 1,748.
26, Patrick Dombrowski, Parma, Ohio, 1,741.
27, n-Sean Riccardi, St. Petersburg, Fla., 1,736.
28, Mike Williams II, Montgomery, Ala., 1,730.
29, n-Greg Young, Viera, Fla., 1,728.
30, Nick Kruml, Downers Grove, Ill., 1,726.
31, Andres Gomez, Colombia, 1,721.
32, n-Matt Russo, Millstone Township, N.J., 1,717.
33 (tie}, EJ Tackett, Huntington, Ind., and Cody Mullis, Homosassa, Fla., 1,714.
35, n-Ramon Hilferink, Netherlands, 1,710.
36, n-Daniel Vasquez, Colombia, 1,709.
37 (tie), w-Daria Pajak, Poland, and n-Reggie Pierson, Miami, Fla., 1,701.
39, Zachary Seals, Kingsland, Ga., 1,697.
40 (tie), n-John Janawicz, Winter Haven, Fla., and n-Jason Ferrill, Venice, Fla., 1,690.
42, n-Giorgio Clinaz Jr., Orlando, Fla., 1,689.
43, n-Wyatt Smith, Cape Coral, Fla., 1,688.
44, Carlos Tobon, Plantation, Fla., 1,686.
45, n-Vince Grudinsky Jr., Jupiter, Fla., 1,684.
46, Anthony DeStasio, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 1,683.
47, n-Joe Barna, Stuart, Fla., 1,680.
48, n-Andraunick Simounet, Lake Wales, Fla., 1,679.
49, n-Sebastian Charry, Colombia, 1,678.
50 (tie), Ronnie Russell, Marion, Ind.; n-Anthony Veney, San Antonio, Texas, and Mike Moore, Orlando, Fla., 1,675.
53 (tie), n-Shawn Naumann, Orlando, Fla., and Jeff Evans, Supply, N.C., 1,671.
55 (tie), w-n-Taylor Bulthuis, Coral Springs, Fla., and Dwight Adams, Greensboro, N.C., 1,670.
57, n-Kristijonas Sergejevas, Lake Wales, Fla., 1,668.
58, n-James Campbell, Clearwater, Fla., 1,666.
59, Zachary Dwyer, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., 1,664.
60 (tie), Kristian Sieradzki, Seminole, Fla., and n-Chris Via, Springfield, Ohio, 1,662.
62, x-Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 1,659.
Failed to advance:
63, Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 1,659.
64, Shane Holt, Lake Wales, Fla., 1,658.
65, David Haynes, Las Vegas, 1,657.
66, n-David Simms, Port St. Lucie, Fla., 1,654.
67, Anthony Pepe, Elmhurst, N.Y., 1,652.
68, Greg Ostrander, Freehold, N.J., 1,643.
69, Andrew Anderson, Holly, Mich., 1,641.
70, Jordan Klassen, Canada, 1,640.
71, n-Jon Trzcinski, Bay Shore, N.Y., 1,635.
72, Ronnie Sparks Jr., Redford, Mich., 1,634.
73, n-Matthew Lazarus, Sunrise, Fla., 1,633.
74, n-Kendrick Gregory, Lakeland, Fla., 1,630.
75, Christopher Keane, Cape Coral, Fla., 1,627.
76, Chris Polizzi, Spring Hill, Fla., 1,624.
77, n-Sean Connolly, Apopka, Fla., 1,623.
78 (tie), Dale Coleman, High Springs, Fla., and George Litwin, Miami, 1,618.
80, Mario Lemos, Ecuador, 1,617.
81, Sean Hoff, Melbourne, Fla., 1,614.
82, Jeffrey Campbell, Clearwater, Fla., 1,613.
83, n-Vernon Peterson, Lake Wales, Fla., 1,611.
84, Curtis Foss, Medina, N.Y., 1,603.
85, Brett Spangler, Niles, Ohio, 1,602.
86, David Taylor, Largo, Fla., 1,601.
87, n-Steve Johnson, Coral Springs, Fla., 1,597.
88 (tie), David Stouffer, Lehigh Acres, Fla., and Cody McCowin, Daytona Beach, Fla., 1,594.
90, n-Mark Booke, Boca Raton, Fla., 1,592.
91, David Shinn, West Columbia, S.C., 1,589.
92, n-Ernie Faulkner, Miramar, Fla., 1,588.
93, Michael Shequin, Debary, Fla., 1,587.
94, Randy Rose, Davenport, Fla., 1,584.
95, Kristian Rogers, Salisbury, N.C., 1,583.
96, Chuck Richardson, The Villages, Fla., 1,579.
97, n-Larry Brande, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., 1,577.
98, Craig Auerbach, Sunrise, Fla., 1,576.
99, n-David Piroozshad, Coral Springs, Fla., 1,575.
100, w-n-Verity Crawley, Babson Park, Fla., 1,574.
101, Gary Faulkner Jr., Memphis, Tenn., 1,573.
102, n-Johnnie Payne, Savannah, Ga., 1,571.
103, Rhino Page, Orlando, Fla., 1,570.
104, Anthony Colosimo, Davie, Fla., 1,567.
105, Matt Bollhalter, Niceville, Fla., 1,565.
106 (tie), n-Pablo Cerda, Sunrise, Fla., and n-Holten Bradshaw, Winterville, Ga., 1,563.
108, Anthony Caso, Spring Hill, Fla., 1,560.
109 (tie), Jeremy Mooney, West Palm Beach, Fla., and w-n-Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla., 1,558.
111, Scott Newell, Deland, Fla., 1,552.
112, Shane Nevers, Miami, Fla., 1,548.
113, n-Michael Thompson, Venice, Fla., 1,541.
114, n-Matt Gilman, Davie, Fla, 1,540.
115, n-Stephen Brown, Pinellas Park, Fla., 1,537.
116, n-Steven Baran, Sarasota, Fla., 1,531.
117, David O'Sullivan, Olviedo, Fla., 1,524.
118, Steven Grotowski, Ft Lauderdale, Fla, 1,519.
119, n-Jesse Rodriguez, Davie, Fla., 1,516.
120, n-Lee Rathjen Jr, Naples, Fla., 1,514.
121, w-n-Elise Bolton, Merritt Island, Fla., 1,513.
122, n-Paul Koehler, Stuart, Fla., 1,512.
123, n-Richard Baroff, Boca Raton, Fla., 1,511.
124 (tie), n-Leon Walsh Jr., Plymouth, Mich.; Christopher Racey, Canada; n-Derek Rathbun, Stafford, Va., and n-Manny Sanchez, Miami, Fla., 1,509.
128 (tie), n-Robert Perez, Biscayne Park, Fla., and n-Salvatore Anzalone, Margate, Fla., 1,508.
130 (tie), n-Mike Roberts, Ft. Pearce, Fla., and Han Chen, Wellington, Fla., 1,507.
132, n-Bobby Walters Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla., 1,506.
133, Brian McMahon, Boca Raton, Fla., 1,503.
134, w-Crystal Hall, St. Pauls, N.C., 1,500.
135, n-Mike Bauer, Merritt Island, Fla., 1,497.
136, ss-Lee Rautenberg, Boynton Beach, Fla., 1,489.
137, David McCay Jr., Fredericksburg, Va., 1,480.
138, n-Brian Huther, Tampa, Fla., 1,476.
139, n-Sean Mattison, Homestead, Fla., 1,471.
140, Jeff Sanders, Ocoee, Fla, 1,470.
141 (tie), n-Jason Plaskett, Pompano Beach, Fla., and n-w-Hannah Brookins, Ocola, Fla., 1,468.
143 (tie), Connor Pickford, Plano, Texas, and Steven Jusino, Miramar, Fla., 1,467.
145, Mike Preston, Gainesville, Fla., 1,465.
146, n-Cory Lenz, Machesney Park, Ill., 1,462.
147, Stephen Wood, Naylor, Ga., 1,459.
148, n-Dennis Bush, Ft. Myers, Fla., 1,446.
149, n-Juan Gaviria, Tamarac, Fla., 1,445.
150, n-Jay Hess, Gotha, Fla., 1,441.
151, James Johnson, Waynesville, Mo., 1,440.
152, Joshua Thomas, Lewistown, Pa., 1,435.
153, n-Patrick Wallace, Jupiter, Fla., 1,432.
154, n-Glenn Williams, King George, Va., 1,431.
155, ss-Frank Gallo Jr., Jacksonville, Fla., 1,421.
156 (tie), Daniel Weber, Boynton Beach, Fla., and n-John Bembaron, Plantation, Fla., 1,419.
158, n-Jeffrey Roberts, Clermont, Fla., 1,417.
159, n-Earl Cooke, Tampa, Fla., 1,415.
160, n-Justin Minnis, St. Petersburg, Fla., 1,410.
161, n-Garrett Litwin, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., 1,405.
162, Joe Fulner III, Belleview, Fla., 1,403.
163, n-Brad Waldbauer, Coral Springs, Fla., 1,402.
164, Donald Cheshire, Fernandina Beach, Fla., 1,396.
165, n-Jonathon Bush, Clermont, Fla., 1,393.
166, n-David Pavilack, Hollywood, Fla., 1,391.
167, n-Troy Christopher, British Virgin Islands, 1,387.
168, Mike Mayo, Edwardsville, Ill., 1,386.
169, n-Adam Colton, Boynton Beach, Fla., 1,385.
170, Israel Velasco, Pinecrest, Fla., 1,380.
171, n-Michael Vitalone Jr., Lake Worth, Fla., 1,379.
172, n-Mitchell Block, Lake Worth, Fla., 1,367.
173 (tie), n-Marucio Lima, Pompano Beach, Fla., and n-Ken Schneider, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., 1,366.
175, n-Rob Comito, Davie, Fla., 1,357.
176, n-Brian Metlika, Jacksonville, Fla., 1,348.
177, n-Mervin Hastings, British Virgin Islands, 1,339.
178, Adrian McCoy, British Virgin Islands, 1,338.
179, n-Robert Carroll, Ocala, Fla., 1,336.
180, n-Jason Smith, Jupiter, Fla., 1,323.
181, n-Marion Moreland, McDonough, Ga., 1,316.
182, n-Christopher Carroll, Leesburg, Fla., 1,297.
183, n-John Charneco, Coconut Creek, Fla., 1,186.
184, Aaron Schwartz, Boca Raton, Fla., 1,182.
185, Mitchell Shumway, Winter Springs, Fla., 1,402.
186, Vincent Balisky, Elmhurst, N.Y., 1,271.
x-Troup def. Learn, 222-200, in a one-game roll-off to decide the 62nd place in the cashers round.
n-denotes non-member; w-denotes woman.

NORDQVIST SETS COURSE RECORD

NORDQVIST SETS COURSE RECORD, SLEEPS ON TWO-STROKE LEAD
On a day when low scores were abundant at Wildfire Golf Club, it was Anna Nordqivst’s 61 that took the lead in round three of the Bank of Hope Founders Cup.  Nordqvist 11-under par in Saturday’s round set a new tournament course record, previously a round of 62 set in 2016.

The score ties her career low round, which she previously shot in the third round of the 2013 Mobile Bay LPGA Classic.

Nordqvist went out in the afternoon and got off to a quick start with a 5-under par, 31 on her first nine of the day. This event has a hometown feel for Nordqvist who carded a career-best T-6 in 2015.

To read Jennifer Meyer’s full recap of Saturday’s third round at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup, click here: http://www.lpga.com/news/2017-nordqvist-sleeps-on-two-shot-lead-in-round-three-at-founders

AMERICANS LOOK FOR SECOND TITLE OF SEASON
Americans make up four of the ten players that are within five shots of the lead at T7 or better.

Players currently T7 or better on the leaderboard have combined for 59 LPGA wins. Rookies Nelly Korda and Angel Yin along with Vicky Hurst are aiming for their first career victory.

HISTORIC ROUND
Anna Nordqvist’s third round 61 ranks among the best 18-hole scores in relation to par in LPGA history.

ANNA NORDQVIST - LOWEST CAREER ROUNDS
61, Round 3, 2017 Bank of Hope Founders Cup
61, Round 3, 2013 Mobile Bay LPGA Classic
63, Round 3, 2016 ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer
64 (six times)

18 holes In relation to par (All-Time LPGA Records)
-13 (59) Annika Sorenstam, Moon Valley Country Club, Phoenix, Ariz., second round, 2001 Standard Register PING, par 72
-12 (61) Lexi Thompson, Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island, Bahamas, 2017 Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic, par 73
-11 (62) Vicki Fergon, Almaden Golf & Country Club, San Jose, Calif., second round, 1984 San Jose Classic, par 73
-11 (61) Annika Sorenstam, Hermitage Golf Course, Old Hickory, Tenn., first round, 1999 Sara Lee Classic, par 72
-11 (61) Karrie Webb, Walnut Hills Country Club, East Lansing, Mich., second round, 2000 Oldsmobile Classic, par 72
-11 (61) Hee-Won Han, Panther Creek Country Club, Springfield, Ill., third round, 2008 LPGA State Farm Classic, par 72
-11 (61) Brittany Lincicome, Blackhawk Country Club, Danville, Calif., first round, 2010 CVS/Pharmacy LPGA Challenge, par 72
-11 (61) Anna Nordqvist, RTJ Golf Trial Magnolia Grove, Mobile, Ala.; third round, 2013 Mobile Bay LPGA Classic, par 72
-11 (61) Anna Nordqvist, Wildfire Golf Club, Phoenix, Ariz.; third round, 2017 Bank of Hope Founders Cup, par 72
-11 (60) Anna Acker-Macosko, The Ridge Golf Course, Auburn, Calif., fourth round, 2004 Longs Drugs Challenge, par 71
-11 (60) Paula Creamer, Highland Meadows Golf Club, Sylvania, Ohio, first round, 2008 Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic Presented by Kroger, par 71

GOING LOW
With the low scores being posted through three rounds the LPGA all-time scoring record in relation to par, 27-under set by Annika Sorenstam at the 2001 Standard Register Ping and matched by Sei Young Kim at the 2016 JTBC Founders Cup, could be threatened.

72 holes In relation to par
-27, 261 (63-66-70-62) Sei Young Kim, Wildfire Golf Club, Phoenix, Ariz., 2016 JTBC Founders Cup, par 72
-27, 261 (65-59-69-68) Annika Sorenstam, Moon Valley Country Club, Phoenix, Ariz., 2001 Standard Register PING, par 72
-26, 258 (65-67-61-65) Hee Young Park, Grey Silo Golf Course, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2013 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic, par 71
-26, 258 (63-67-64-64) Angela Stanford, Grey Silo Golf Course, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2013 Manulife Financial LPGA Classic, par 71
-26, 262 (63-67-64-68) Karrie Webb, Royal Pines Resort, Ashmore, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, 1999 Australian LadiesMasters, par 72
-26, 266 (64-65-69-68) Brittany Lincicome, Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island, Bahamas, 2017 Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic,
par 73
-26, 266 (70-64-64-68) Shanshan Feng, Pine Valley Golf Club, Beijing, China, 2013 Reignwood LPGA Classic, par 73

HALL OF FAME MATCHUP
LPGA Tour Hall of Famers Nancy Lopez, Patty Sheehan, Pat Bradley and Betsy King got the competitive juices flowing on Saturday. The foursome split into pairs and played a two-person scramble on the front nine at Wildfire Golf Club once the leaders made the turn. In the end, it was King and Bradley that emerged victorious over Lopez and Sheehan.

FOUNDERS PERCH
The Bank of Hope Founders Cup was created in 2011 to honor the 13 women who started the LPGA. Three of the original LPGA founders, Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork and Marlene Hagge Vossler, are in attendance this week sitting on the “Founders Perch” on the 18th green.

“You couldn’t find many people that would love sitting on a hole for four or five hours, but they do,” Stacy Lewis talking about the Founders Perch.

“They love seeing all the players that come through,” Stacy said. “The current players get to know the founders and get to know their stories and what they did to make this tour what it is. That’s really what this week is about.”

QUICK HITS
Anna Nordqvist is the only LPGA player to have multiple rounds of 61 in her career (twice). Only 13 other players have ever posted a round of 61, with only four players recording a round of 60 and just one player shooting 59 (Annika Sorenstam)

Anna Nordqvist’s 54-hole score of -21 (195) is also a 54-hole tournament course record, the previous 54-hole tournament record was -19 (197) recorded by Ai Miyazato in 2013

Five of Anna Nordqvist’s six LPGA wins have come when she has held a share of the third-round lead, including her last win at the 2016 ShopRite LPGA Classic

Anna Nordqvist’s 11-under 61 is the lowest round on Tour since Lexi Thompson shot a 12-under 61 on the par 73 layout at the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic

The top two players in the Rolex Rankings, Ariya Jutanugarn and Lydia Ko, are the only players inside the top-20 to go bogey-free through the first three rounds. Jutanugarn and Ko combine for 19 LPGA tournament titles

Three times in Bank of Hope Founders Cup history the third-round leader/co-leader has held on to win the tournament (Karrie Webb, 2011; Yani Tseng, 2012; Hyo Joo Kim, 2015), while three times the third-round leader/co-leader has finished as the runner-up