Will Etess Make Concord Deal Happen?
Louis Cappelli's numerous failed attempts to restart his long-stalled Concord Resort-Casino possibly could bear fruit with the involvement of Mitchell Grossinger Etess and the casino brand Etess over-sees, Mohegan Sun.
Etess as CEO of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority certainly adds credibility and stability and Mohegan does indeed bring a proven record of investment, development and operation of highly successful gaming and racing facilities in Pennsylvania and Connecticut to a Concord Resort redevelopment.
Liberty native Mitchell Grossinger Etess grew up at the famous former Grossinger's Hotel, the son of Elaine Grossinger Etess, popular well known Liberty resident who also served at one time as President of the Liberty School board.
A revived Concord Resort-Casino would be a big boost to tourism, job creation and tax revenue for both the state and County of Sullivan.
The only negative factor so far to this project is that it will create direct competition with the Monticello Raceway and Casino and with their plans for expansion. A perfect marriage here would be the two groups working together for one big project.
The proposed Concord project calls for a 75,000-square-foot casino with 2,100 video lottery terminals, up to 450 electronic table games, a 5/8-mile harness racetrack with simulcasting and in the Phase 1 the $600 million project calls for a 258-room hotel, 10,000 square feet of ballrooms and meeting space, five restaurants and retail outlets.
There are definite roadblocks that will be thrown in the path of this project but this endeavor with the support and backing of Etess and the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Association could become a reality.
Don't place your bets yet........the roulette wheel is still spinning.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
National Long Drive Champion Brian Pavlett drives a golf ball through this one-half inch piece of plywood.....the ball can be seen coming out of the back of the board and the wood chips are flying in the air from the force of the ball striking the board. We captured this shot at the New Jersey North Coast Golf Show in February at Somerset, NJ
"The Putting Doctor" Joe Bermel joins our Golfing Highlights Column this week and will offer putting tips weekly throughout the golf season. Golfing Highlights Column 5-27-11
FRIDAY, 5-27-11 GOLFING HIGHLIGHTS COLUMN w/photos
Picture Captures Golfers Power
National long drive champion Brian Pavlet wowed the audience at the North Coast New Jersey Golf Show February 4-6 at Somerset, NJ when he drove a golf ball through a one-half inch plywood board.
This columnist along with other Sullivan County and tri-state golfers who attend yearly this outstanding consumer golf show watched as he teed up the ball, placed the plywood board some 8 to 10 feet from the tee and launched a tee shot that took the ball all the way through the plywood.
We captured this shot which shows the ball through the plywood and the pieces of wood chips flying in the air.
Is that crazy, or what?
Brian's swing speed is 145 mph and his ball speed is 208 miles an hour, that's approximately .27 mach.......more than one-fourth the speed of sound.
Officially the longest drive he ever hit was 462 yards and the longest unofficially drive was 520 yards to the back of a green on a par five....unfortunately is was downhill.
Brian proudly lets golfers know what his Sunday set of golf clubs can do, his drivers averages 350-yards, 3 mtl 310, 3 iron 255, 4 iron 240, 5 iron 225, 6 iron 210, 7 iron 195, 8 iron 185, 9 iron 175, PW 165, 52 Gap Wedge 150, 56 Sand Wedge 135, and 60 Flop Wedge 120.
Brian came to golf in a roundabout way as he spent his youth playing baseball well enough to earn a scholarship to the University of Nevada (UNR) at Reno. He arrived at UNR expecting to play catcher and outfielder. That changed when his coaches discovered that Brian had one kidney instead of the usual two.
The University's athletic program considered his lack of two kidney's a potential insurance liability so they wouldn't let him bat and made him a pitcher. He threw in the 90's until he wrecked his arm ending all baseball hopes. Pavlett noted that "I was wild, anyway."
At 22 he began to play golf and immediately amazed people with his quick hands, power and distance. It took him only three years to win the 1993 National Long Drive Championship.
Brian has performed in over 1,200 shows worldwide and has entertained the troops in Iraq with the USO.
His engaging personality and performance make him one of golf's premier showmen.
Golf Tip
By Robert Menges
Lacking Strength In My Hands
Let's take a look at the lack of strength in golfers' hands. What's an easy exercise that will help to build up strength?
Your hands and forearms play a big role in releasing the club head through the ball. And the faster you can do this while staying in control, the farther and straighter you'll hit the ball.
Here's a simple exercise that will help to improve the strength in your hands. Grab your sand wedge and hold it with one outstretched hand at the very top of the grip.
Now try to work the club up through your hand with your fingers and thumb. And make sure your arm is outstretched all the time when doing this.
This sound easy, but once you try it you'll discover how difficult it can be. Keep doing this exercise regularly until you can raise and lower the club through your fingers five times. And after you can do that, keep doing it often to retain your newly found strength.
If you do this exercise regularly, then you will hit the ball longer.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club on Mt. Hope Road in Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by telephone at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net
Welcome Putting Doctor
To Our Column
We welcome this week the world famous "Putting Doctor" Joe Bermel to our weekly column. Joe will entertain golfers about the importance of putting to the entire game of golf.
The Putting Tip
By Joe Bermel
Putting: A Pragmatic Approach
How important is putting to the entire game of golf? We can not understate it. On average, 43% of the total score is putting. For a golfer to tangibly raise the skill level of their putting game, they must understand, and be committed to apply, all of the Keys To Good, Consistent Putting".
Absolute Key # 1 is organization of your mind. What are we going to do and how are we going to go about doing it. A clear organized mind is paramount. Key # 2 is a specific, exacting, methodical PPR (Pre Putt Routine). A great PPR is always airtight. Key # 3 is that of a triangle. Your eyes see the distance between the ball and the hole. A signal is sent to your mind. Your mind sends a signal to the muscles in your fingers for the amount of acceleration for the desired distance you want the ball to travel. EYES, MIND, HANDS.
Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His special edition DVD "How to Putt Well" is available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com
Picture Captures Golfers Power
National long drive champion Brian Pavlet wowed the audience at the North Coast New Jersey Golf Show February 4-6 at Somerset, NJ when he drove a golf ball through a one-half inch plywood board.
This columnist along with other Sullivan County and tri-state golfers who attend yearly this outstanding consumer golf show watched as he teed up the ball, placed the plywood board some 8 to 10 feet from the tee and launched a tee shot that took the ball all the way through the plywood.
We captured this shot which shows the ball through the plywood and the pieces of wood chips flying in the air.
Is that crazy, or what?
Brian's swing speed is 145 mph and his ball speed is 208 miles an hour, that's approximately .27 mach.......more than one-fourth the speed of sound.
Officially the longest drive he ever hit was 462 yards and the longest unofficially drive was 520 yards to the back of a green on a par five....unfortunately is was downhill.
Brian proudly lets golfers know what his Sunday set of golf clubs can do, his drivers averages 350-yards, 3 mtl 310, 3 iron 255, 4 iron 240, 5 iron 225, 6 iron 210, 7 iron 195, 8 iron 185, 9 iron 175, PW 165, 52 Gap Wedge 150, 56 Sand Wedge 135, and 60 Flop Wedge 120.
Brian came to golf in a roundabout way as he spent his youth playing baseball well enough to earn a scholarship to the University of Nevada (UNR) at Reno. He arrived at UNR expecting to play catcher and outfielder. That changed when his coaches discovered that Brian had one kidney instead of the usual two.
The University's athletic program considered his lack of two kidney's a potential insurance liability so they wouldn't let him bat and made him a pitcher. He threw in the 90's until he wrecked his arm ending all baseball hopes. Pavlett noted that "I was wild, anyway."
At 22 he began to play golf and immediately amazed people with his quick hands, power and distance. It took him only three years to win the 1993 National Long Drive Championship.
Brian has performed in over 1,200 shows worldwide and has entertained the troops in Iraq with the USO.
His engaging personality and performance make him one of golf's premier showmen.
Golf Tip
By Robert Menges
Lacking Strength In My Hands
Let's take a look at the lack of strength in golfers' hands. What's an easy exercise that will help to build up strength?
Your hands and forearms play a big role in releasing the club head through the ball. And the faster you can do this while staying in control, the farther and straighter you'll hit the ball.
Here's a simple exercise that will help to improve the strength in your hands. Grab your sand wedge and hold it with one outstretched hand at the very top of the grip.
Now try to work the club up through your hand with your fingers and thumb. And make sure your arm is outstretched all the time when doing this.
This sound easy, but once you try it you'll discover how difficult it can be. Keep doing this exercise regularly until you can raise and lower the club through your fingers five times. And after you can do that, keep doing it often to retain your newly found strength.
If you do this exercise regularly, then you will hit the ball longer.
Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club on Mt. Hope Road in Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by telephone at 292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net
Welcome Putting Doctor
To Our Column
We welcome this week the world famous "Putting Doctor" Joe Bermel to our weekly column. Joe will entertain golfers about the importance of putting to the entire game of golf.
The Putting Tip
By Joe Bermel
Putting: A Pragmatic Approach
How important is putting to the entire game of golf? We can not understate it. On average, 43% of the total score is putting. For a golfer to tangibly raise the skill level of their putting game, they must understand, and be committed to apply, all of the Keys To Good, Consistent Putting".
Absolute Key # 1 is organization of your mind. What are we going to do and how are we going to go about doing it. A clear organized mind is paramount. Key # 2 is a specific, exacting, methodical PPR (Pre Putt Routine). A great PPR is always airtight. Key # 3 is that of a triangle. Your eyes see the distance between the ball and the hole. A signal is sent to your mind. Your mind sends a signal to the muscles in your fingers for the amount of acceleration for the desired distance you want the ball to travel. EYES, MIND, HANDS.
Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows-tournaments. His special edition DVD "How to Putt Well" is available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com
Tournament-Golf Events
June 3--Jake Hulse Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Hulse 292-0438
June 3--Monticello PBA, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
June 5--New City FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 5--Sandy Acres Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, contact 607-498-5502
June 11--Jake Gunther Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 11--Jeffersonville Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Doug Immoor 482-5094
June 17--LGA Junior Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
June 17--Riveredge Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 18--Town of Callicoon Republican Party, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bonnie Hubert 482-5390
June 24--Mamakating Lions, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 27--Bull Pen Tourney, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 28--Sullivan County Community College Tourney, Grossingers CC, Call the college for information
July 9--Cornell Co-Op, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Sean Welsh 292-2420
July 10--TVGC Memorial Tournament & Dinner, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact Chuck Husson 607-498-5557
July 15--Country Store Youth Foundation Tournament, Tennanah GC, Contact 607-498-5502
July16--Single Golfers of Long Island, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Catskill Cup, Villa Roma Country Club, for information call 887-5097
July 17--Falls Lions-Alan Steingart Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Liberty Booster Club, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Deb Simpson 807-1996
July 22--Scotch Twosome Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
July 23--Liberty Elks, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Harry Fox 482-5331
July 24--Billy Moran Memorial Golf Outing. Villa Roma Country Club. Information call 887-4734 or 887-4174
July 24--Roscoe Kiwanis Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, Contact 607-498-5502
July 29-- Middletown St. Josephs Church, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
July 30--Monticello FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
July 30--Dave Curreri Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Joe Curreri 252-7358
Aug. 2--Catskill Regional Medical Center Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, Contact 607-498-5502
Aug. 5-6-7--Sullivan County Democrat two-man-better ball Golf Tournament. Villa Roma Country Club. Information contact the Sullivan County Democrat 887-5200.
Aug. 6--Rock Hill Ambulance Corp, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 7--N.A.M.I., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Beatini 754-8752
Aug. 11--Sullivan County Realtors, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug. 12--Wurtsboro St. Josephs/ Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 13--Monticello Rotary, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 14--St. Georges Church, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Moloney 482-5625
Aug. 19--United Way Pro-Am, Villa Roma Country Club, information call 887-5097
Aug. 20--Ramsey Vol. FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 21--N.A.M.I. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Beatini 754-8752
Aug. 25--Sullivan Correctional, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 26--Mahwah Elks, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug.27--Liberty P.B.A., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Devon Brust 807-3786
Sept. 10--Trevor Simpson Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bob Simpson 439-5034
Sept. 10--Otisville Hunting Club, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 10--Twin Village Gof Club Annual Dinner, Contact Chcuck Husson 607-498-5557
Sept. 18--Bethel Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Frangipane 583-6540
Sept. 18--Rock Hill FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 24--Bloomingburg FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 3--Jake Hulse Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Hulse 292-0438
June 3--Monticello PBA, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
June 5--New City FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 5--Sandy Acres Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, contact 607-498-5502
June 11--Jake Gunther Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 11--Jeffersonville Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Doug Immoor 482-5094
June 17--LGA Junior Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
June 17--Riveredge Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 18--Town of Callicoon Republican Party, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bonnie Hubert 482-5390
June 24--Mamakating Lions, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 27--Bull Pen Tourney, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
June 28--Sullivan County Community College Tourney, Grossingers CC, Call the college for information
July 9--Cornell Co-Op, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Sean Welsh 292-2420
July 10--TVGC Memorial Tournament & Dinner, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact Chuck Husson 607-498-5557
July 15--Country Store Youth Foundation Tournament, Tennanah GC, Contact 607-498-5502
July16--Single Golfers of Long Island, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Catskill Cup, Villa Roma Country Club, for information call 887-5097
July 17--Falls Lions-Alan Steingart Memorial, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
July 17--Liberty Booster Club, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Deb Simpson 807-1996
July 22--Scotch Twosome Tournament, Roscoe Twin Village Golf Club, Contact 607-498-5829
July 23--Liberty Elks, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Harry Fox 482-5331
July 24--Billy Moran Memorial Golf Outing. Villa Roma Country Club. Information call 887-4734 or 887-4174
July 24--Roscoe Kiwanis Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, Contact 607-498-5502
July 29-- Middletown St. Josephs Church, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
July 30--Monticello FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
July 30--Dave Curreri Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Joe Curreri 252-7358
Aug. 2--Catskill Regional Medical Center Tournament, Tennanah Lake GC, Contact 607-498-5502
Aug. 5-6-7--Sullivan County Democrat two-man-better ball Golf Tournament. Villa Roma Country Club. Information contact the Sullivan County Democrat 887-5200.
Aug. 6--Rock Hill Ambulance Corp, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 7--N.A.M.I., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Beatini 754-8752
Aug. 11--Sullivan County Realtors, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug. 12--Wurtsboro St. Josephs/ Knights of Columbus, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 13--Monticello Rotary, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 14--St. Georges Church, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bill Moloney 482-5625
Aug. 19--United Way Pro-Am, Villa Roma Country Club, information call 887-5097
Aug. 20--Ramsey Vol. FD, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 21--N.A.M.I. Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Beatini 754-8752
Aug. 25--Sullivan Correctional, Lochmor GC, Call 434-1257
Aug. 26--Mahwah Elks, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Aug.27--Liberty P.B.A., Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Devon Brust 807-3786
Sept. 10--Trevor Simpson Memorial, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Bob Simpson 439-5034
Sept. 10--Otisville Hunting Club, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 10--Twin Village Gof Club Annual Dinner, Contact Chcuck Husson 607-498-5557
Sept. 18--Bethel Lions, Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Contact Al Frangipane 583-6540
Sept. 18--Rock Hill FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Sept. 24--Bloomingburg FD, Tarry Brae GC, Call 434-2620
Walter Ray Williams Jr.
Back On Winning Track With
PBA Senior Mark Roth
Allentown Open Victory
Professional Bowlers Association legend Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., won the PBA Senior Mark Roth Allentown Open Tuesday for his first tour win in more than a year.
Williams defeated 2009 Senior Player of the Year Ron Mohr of Eagle River, Alaska, 268-168, in the championship match at Playdrome Rose Bowl for his first senior title of the season and second of his Senior Tour career.
Williams left little doubt of the outcome by opening the championship match with eight consecutive strikes before leaving a 10 pin in the ninth frame. Mohr, trying for his second consecutive win this season having won the Senior Miller High Life Classic in Mooresville, N.C., three weeks ago, could never get anything going.
“I got off to a good start and Ron just couldn’t get lined up, especially on the right lane,” said the 51-year-old Williams. “I was able to play between the first and second arrow and just had a nice angle to the pocket and great ball reaction from there.”
In his Senior Tour debut, Williams won his first Senior Tour title in the Senior Miller High Life Classic in early May of 2010, shortly after earning a record seventh PBA Player of the Year crown at the conclusion of the 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season.
After also going on to earn PBA Senior Rookie of the Year honors last year, it has been quite a dry spell for Williams, however. He experienced the worst PBA Tour season of his 28-year career in 2010-11 where his best finish was sixth. It ended a record streak of 17 seasons with at least one Tour win.
“I think the hard work I’ve put in the past couple of months has really paid off,” said the all-time leader in PBA Tour wins with 47. “I’m feeling very comfortable being able to make the adjustments I need to make and just bowling very well in general. You're going to have your good times and bad times but I’m very encouraged and confident going forward from here.”
Williams’ previous best Senior Tour finishes this season were second in the Sun Bowl In the Villages and third in the Senior Don Carter Open.
In the semifinals, Mohr defeated Hall of Famer and four-time Senior Player of the Year Tom Baker of King, N.C., 206-174, to advance to the championship match and Williams defeated Harry Sullins of Chesterfield Township, Mich., 238-192.
Williams is looking forward to the PBA Senior U.S. Open presented by the Suncoast June 12-17 at the Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas, which is the next Senior Tour stop.
“I wish it was next week,” Williams said of the U.S. Open. “But, it gives me a couple weeks to get back to work on my game and relax a little bit.”
PBA SENIOR MARK ROTH ALLENTOWN OPEN
Playdrome Rose Bowl, Allentown, Pa.
Final Results
Championship Match
Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. ($7,500) def. Ron Mohr, Eagle River, Alaska, ($4,000), 268-168.
Semifinal Round (losers earn $2,500)
Mohr def. Tom Baker, King, N.C., 206-174.
W.R. Williams def. Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Township, Mich., 238-192.
Round of 8 (best-of-three games, losers eliminated, $1,700 each)
Mohr def. Mike Henry, Brunswick, Ohio, 2-1.
Baker def. Dale Csuhta, Wadsworth, Ohio, 2-1.
W.R. Williams def. John Chapman, Canada, 2-0.
Sullins def. George Lord, Lakeland, Fla., 2-0.
Round of 16 (best-of-five games, losers eliminated, $1,300 each)
Henry def. Marc Lineberry, Camanche, Iowa, 3-1.
Mohr def. Wilbert Moorer, Dover, Del., 3-1.
Baker def. Ricky Beck, Box Elder, S.D., 3-1.
Csuhta def. Dennis Welshans, Watsontown, Pa., 3-0.
W.R. Williams def. Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 3-0.
Chapman def. Kent Wagner, Palmetto, Fla., 3-1.
Lord def. Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 3-1.
Sullins def. Patric Donaghue, Honeoye Falls, N.Y., 3-1.
Round of 24 (best-of-five games, losers eliminated, $1,100 each)
Moorer def. Sam Maccarone, Glassboro, N.J., 3-0.
Lineberry def. Bob Brady, Santa Monica, Calif., 3-0.
Beck def. Gale Voshell, Dover, Del., 3-2.
Welshans def. Bill Neumann, Renssalaer, N.Y., 3-2.
M. Williams def. Bill Henson, Westerville, Ohio, 3-1.
Chapman def. David Kneas, Annapolis, Md., 3-1.
Lord def. Darryl Bower, Mechanicsburg, Pa., 3-0.
Donaghue def. Jeff Schrum, Cherryville, N.C., 3-0.
Round of 32 (best-of-five games, losers eliminated, $1,000 each)
Moore def. Tim Kauble, Marion, Ohio, 3-2.
Lineberry def. Tom Lazaro, Allentown, Pa., 3-0.
Voshell def. Marty Berke, Allentown, Pa., 3-0.
Welshans def. Tommy Brodowski, New Hyde Park, N.Y., 3-2.
Hensen def. Mark Everette, Aliquippa, Pa., 3-0.
Kneas def. Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 3-0.
Lord def. Don Hicks, West Babylon, N.Y., 3-0.
Donaghue def. Emilio Mora, Defiance, Ohio, 3-2.
Back On Winning Track With
PBA Senior Mark Roth
Allentown Open Victory
Professional Bowlers Association legend Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., won the PBA Senior Mark Roth Allentown Open Tuesday for his first tour win in more than a year.
Williams defeated 2009 Senior Player of the Year Ron Mohr of Eagle River, Alaska, 268-168, in the championship match at Playdrome Rose Bowl for his first senior title of the season and second of his Senior Tour career.
Williams left little doubt of the outcome by opening the championship match with eight consecutive strikes before leaving a 10 pin in the ninth frame. Mohr, trying for his second consecutive win this season having won the Senior Miller High Life Classic in Mooresville, N.C., three weeks ago, could never get anything going.
“I got off to a good start and Ron just couldn’t get lined up, especially on the right lane,” said the 51-year-old Williams. “I was able to play between the first and second arrow and just had a nice angle to the pocket and great ball reaction from there.”
In his Senior Tour debut, Williams won his first Senior Tour title in the Senior Miller High Life Classic in early May of 2010, shortly after earning a record seventh PBA Player of the Year crown at the conclusion of the 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season.
After also going on to earn PBA Senior Rookie of the Year honors last year, it has been quite a dry spell for Williams, however. He experienced the worst PBA Tour season of his 28-year career in 2010-11 where his best finish was sixth. It ended a record streak of 17 seasons with at least one Tour win.
“I think the hard work I’ve put in the past couple of months has really paid off,” said the all-time leader in PBA Tour wins with 47. “I’m feeling very comfortable being able to make the adjustments I need to make and just bowling very well in general. You're going to have your good times and bad times but I’m very encouraged and confident going forward from here.”
Williams’ previous best Senior Tour finishes this season were second in the Sun Bowl In the Villages and third in the Senior Don Carter Open.
In the semifinals, Mohr defeated Hall of Famer and four-time Senior Player of the Year Tom Baker of King, N.C., 206-174, to advance to the championship match and Williams defeated Harry Sullins of Chesterfield Township, Mich., 238-192.
Williams is looking forward to the PBA Senior U.S. Open presented by the Suncoast June 12-17 at the Suncoast Bowling Center in Las Vegas, which is the next Senior Tour stop.
“I wish it was next week,” Williams said of the U.S. Open. “But, it gives me a couple weeks to get back to work on my game and relax a little bit.”
PBA SENIOR MARK ROTH ALLENTOWN OPEN
Playdrome Rose Bowl, Allentown, Pa.
Final Results
Championship Match
Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. ($7,500) def. Ron Mohr, Eagle River, Alaska, ($4,000), 268-168.
Semifinal Round (losers earn $2,500)
Mohr def. Tom Baker, King, N.C., 206-174.
W.R. Williams def. Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Township, Mich., 238-192.
Round of 8 (best-of-three games, losers eliminated, $1,700 each)
Mohr def. Mike Henry, Brunswick, Ohio, 2-1.
Baker def. Dale Csuhta, Wadsworth, Ohio, 2-1.
W.R. Williams def. John Chapman, Canada, 2-0.
Sullins def. George Lord, Lakeland, Fla., 2-0.
Round of 16 (best-of-five games, losers eliminated, $1,300 each)
Henry def. Marc Lineberry, Camanche, Iowa, 3-1.
Mohr def. Wilbert Moorer, Dover, Del., 3-1.
Baker def. Ricky Beck, Box Elder, S.D., 3-1.
Csuhta def. Dennis Welshans, Watsontown, Pa., 3-0.
W.R. Williams def. Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 3-0.
Chapman def. Kent Wagner, Palmetto, Fla., 3-1.
Lord def. Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 3-1.
Sullins def. Patric Donaghue, Honeoye Falls, N.Y., 3-1.
Round of 24 (best-of-five games, losers eliminated, $1,100 each)
Moorer def. Sam Maccarone, Glassboro, N.J., 3-0.
Lineberry def. Bob Brady, Santa Monica, Calif., 3-0.
Beck def. Gale Voshell, Dover, Del., 3-2.
Welshans def. Bill Neumann, Renssalaer, N.Y., 3-2.
M. Williams def. Bill Henson, Westerville, Ohio, 3-1.
Chapman def. David Kneas, Annapolis, Md., 3-1.
Lord def. Darryl Bower, Mechanicsburg, Pa., 3-0.
Donaghue def. Jeff Schrum, Cherryville, N.C., 3-0.
Round of 32 (best-of-five games, losers eliminated, $1,000 each)
Moore def. Tim Kauble, Marion, Ohio, 3-2.
Lineberry def. Tom Lazaro, Allentown, Pa., 3-0.
Voshell def. Marty Berke, Allentown, Pa., 3-0.
Welshans def. Tommy Brodowski, New Hyde Park, N.Y., 3-2.
Hensen def. Mark Everette, Aliquippa, Pa., 3-0.
Kneas def. Terry Metzner, Kentwood, Mich., 3-0.
Lord def. Don Hicks, West Babylon, N.Y., 3-0.
Donaghue def. Emilio Mora, Defiance, Ohio, 3-2.
PBA Spare Shots
PBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR KOIVUNIEMI TO THROW OUT FIRST PITCH AT CUBS GAME
PBA Player of the Year Mika Koivuniemi will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Memorial Day game between the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. PBA stars in town to compete in the GEICO PBA Team Shootout at 10pin bowling lounge May 29-June 1 will be in attendance at the Cubs’ game.
It could be interesting: Koivuniemi, who competed in hockey, basketball and soccer while growing up in his native Finland, admits he has never before thrown a baseball.
Chicago area bowling fans are invited to attend the GEICO PBA Team Shootout competition at 10pin bowling lounge in the Marina City complex at no cost. Shows will be taped for delayed telecast on ESPN on Tuesday from 1-3 and 5-10 p.m., and on Wednesday from 1-3 and 5-9 p.m. ESPN telecasts will begin airing on Saturday, June 25, at 11 a.m. CT.
REGIONAL PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP-EAST SET FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Professional Bowlers Association regional players from across the nation will gather at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., over Memorial Day weekend for the PBA Regional Players Championship-East, the first “major” championship on the 2011 PBA Regional schedule.
The RPC-East, with a $7,500 first prize and an elite field berth in the 2012 PBA Tournament of Champions at stake, gets underway with eight-game qualifying rounds for A and B squads Saturday, May 28, at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET. The squads will reversed positions for Sunday’s second eight-game rounds, after which the top 32 competitors will advance to single-elimination match play rounds on Monday.
PBA Central Regional member Riga Kalfas of Florence, Ky., is defending RPC-East champion.
The final block of qualifying Sunday and Monday’s complete schedule of match play rounds will be webcast live on pba.com’s exclusive Xtra Frame video streaming service. To subscribe to Xtra Frame, visit pba.com.
Also on tap over Memorial Day weekend will be back-to-back one-day PBA Midwest/Central Region senior events, sponsored by Aaron Wehmeyer Allstate Insurance, at Joliet Town and Country Lanes. For entry information, click on “regional tours” under the “schedules” drop-down menu on pba.com.
KRETZER WINS 14TH REGIONAL TITLE IN WOOSTER, OHIO
Brian Kretzer of Kettering, Ohio, defeated Joe Ciccone of Buffalo, N.Y. by 149 pins to win his 14th career PBA Regional title in the PBA Central Region’s J.D. Producing, Inc./Wayne Lanes/Pizza Pan Open in Wooster, Ohio, on May 22. Kretzer finished with an 8-4 match play record and a total of 4,907 pins for 20 games, including match play bonus pins, to win the $2,600 first prize. Ryan Ciminelli finished third, 43 pins behind Ciccone.
Jason Cornog of Cherry Hill, N.J., an 18-year-old high school senior and non-member, defeated Joe Stillman of Staten Island, N.Y., 236-203, to win the PBA East Region Long Island Non-Champions Open at AMF Bay Shore Lanes in Bay Shore, N.Y., on May 21. Because Cornog is not a PBA member, he will not be credited with a PBA title. Cornog earned $1,500.
In the PBA Midwest, Jason Poli of West Des Moines, Iowa, won four straight stepladder matches, defeating Dave Beres of Waukesha, Wis., 233-208, in the championship match to win his third PBA Regional title in the Midco Open sponsored by Midcontinent Communications at Empire Bowl in Sioux Falls, S.D., on May 22, Poli earned $2,500.
Poli started the stepladder finals with a 212-159 victory over former two-time Junior Team USA member Cassandra Leuthold of Black Hawk, S.D. He then eliminated Glen Paulsen of Sioux Falls, 203-197, and Matt Smallin of Minot, N.D., 192-159, to advance to the championship match.
Mark Scroggins of Canyon, Texas, topped William Sullivan of Austin, Texas, 263-246, to win the PBA Southwest Region Fort Sill Open at Twin Oaks Bowling Center in Fort Sill, Okla. Along with the $2,500 first prize, Scroggins claimed his 11th career PBA Regional title. For Sullivan, the runner-up finish was his highest ever in PBA Southwest competition.
Wayne Garber of Modesto, Calif., defeated PJ Haggerty of Roseville, Calif., 224-218, to win his eighth PBA West Region title in the Battle at Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne, Calif., on May 22. Garber won $2,500.
LAST CALL: BILLY WELU SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE MAY 31
Applications for the PBA’s 2011 Billy Welu Scholarship, awarded annually to a male or female college student who competes in the sport of bowling and exhibits exemplary qualities as a student and citizen, must be postmarked by midnight, Tuesday, May 31. Candidates must be amateur bowlers who are currently in college (preceding the application deadline) and maintain at least a 2.5/4.0 GPA or equivalent.
The scholarship winner receives a $1,000 award. To access the application form, click on this link:
http://www.pba.com/file_upload/scholarships/BillyWeluApplication.pdf
QUICK NOTES:
England’s Rob Thurlby won the European Bowling Tour’s Istanbul Open on May 15 in Istanbul, Turkey, defeating British teammate Paul Moor and PBA Player of the Year Mika Koivuniemi on his way to the title. Thurlby bounced Koivuniemi in the two-game semifinal match, 426-400, and then eliminated Moor in the title match, 393-386.
PBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR KOIVUNIEMI TO THROW OUT FIRST PITCH AT CUBS GAME
PBA Player of the Year Mika Koivuniemi will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the Memorial Day game between the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. PBA stars in town to compete in the GEICO PBA Team Shootout at 10pin bowling lounge May 29-June 1 will be in attendance at the Cubs’ game.
It could be interesting: Koivuniemi, who competed in hockey, basketball and soccer while growing up in his native Finland, admits he has never before thrown a baseball.
Chicago area bowling fans are invited to attend the GEICO PBA Team Shootout competition at 10pin bowling lounge in the Marina City complex at no cost. Shows will be taped for delayed telecast on ESPN on Tuesday from 1-3 and 5-10 p.m., and on Wednesday from 1-3 and 5-9 p.m. ESPN telecasts will begin airing on Saturday, June 25, at 11 a.m. CT.
REGIONAL PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP-EAST SET FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
Professional Bowlers Association regional players from across the nation will gather at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., over Memorial Day weekend for the PBA Regional Players Championship-East, the first “major” championship on the 2011 PBA Regional schedule.
The RPC-East, with a $7,500 first prize and an elite field berth in the 2012 PBA Tournament of Champions at stake, gets underway with eight-game qualifying rounds for A and B squads Saturday, May 28, at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET. The squads will reversed positions for Sunday’s second eight-game rounds, after which the top 32 competitors will advance to single-elimination match play rounds on Monday.
PBA Central Regional member Riga Kalfas of Florence, Ky., is defending RPC-East champion.
The final block of qualifying Sunday and Monday’s complete schedule of match play rounds will be webcast live on pba.com’s exclusive Xtra Frame video streaming service. To subscribe to Xtra Frame, visit pba.com.
Also on tap over Memorial Day weekend will be back-to-back one-day PBA Midwest/Central Region senior events, sponsored by Aaron Wehmeyer Allstate Insurance, at Joliet Town and Country Lanes. For entry information, click on “regional tours” under the “schedules” drop-down menu on pba.com.
KRETZER WINS 14TH REGIONAL TITLE IN WOOSTER, OHIO
Brian Kretzer of Kettering, Ohio, defeated Joe Ciccone of Buffalo, N.Y. by 149 pins to win his 14th career PBA Regional title in the PBA Central Region’s J.D. Producing, Inc./Wayne Lanes/Pizza Pan Open in Wooster, Ohio, on May 22. Kretzer finished with an 8-4 match play record and a total of 4,907 pins for 20 games, including match play bonus pins, to win the $2,600 first prize. Ryan Ciminelli finished third, 43 pins behind Ciccone.
Jason Cornog of Cherry Hill, N.J., an 18-year-old high school senior and non-member, defeated Joe Stillman of Staten Island, N.Y., 236-203, to win the PBA East Region Long Island Non-Champions Open at AMF Bay Shore Lanes in Bay Shore, N.Y., on May 21. Because Cornog is not a PBA member, he will not be credited with a PBA title. Cornog earned $1,500.
In the PBA Midwest, Jason Poli of West Des Moines, Iowa, won four straight stepladder matches, defeating Dave Beres of Waukesha, Wis., 233-208, in the championship match to win his third PBA Regional title in the Midco Open sponsored by Midcontinent Communications at Empire Bowl in Sioux Falls, S.D., on May 22, Poli earned $2,500.
Poli started the stepladder finals with a 212-159 victory over former two-time Junior Team USA member Cassandra Leuthold of Black Hawk, S.D. He then eliminated Glen Paulsen of Sioux Falls, 203-197, and Matt Smallin of Minot, N.D., 192-159, to advance to the championship match.
Mark Scroggins of Canyon, Texas, topped William Sullivan of Austin, Texas, 263-246, to win the PBA Southwest Region Fort Sill Open at Twin Oaks Bowling Center in Fort Sill, Okla. Along with the $2,500 first prize, Scroggins claimed his 11th career PBA Regional title. For Sullivan, the runner-up finish was his highest ever in PBA Southwest competition.
Wayne Garber of Modesto, Calif., defeated PJ Haggerty of Roseville, Calif., 224-218, to win his eighth PBA West Region title in the Battle at Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne, Calif., on May 22. Garber won $2,500.
LAST CALL: BILLY WELU SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE MAY 31
Applications for the PBA’s 2011 Billy Welu Scholarship, awarded annually to a male or female college student who competes in the sport of bowling and exhibits exemplary qualities as a student and citizen, must be postmarked by midnight, Tuesday, May 31. Candidates must be amateur bowlers who are currently in college (preceding the application deadline) and maintain at least a 2.5/4.0 GPA or equivalent.
The scholarship winner receives a $1,000 award. To access the application form, click on this link:
http://www.pba.com/file_upload/scholarships/BillyWeluApplication.pdf
QUICK NOTES:
England’s Rob Thurlby won the European Bowling Tour’s Istanbul Open on May 15 in Istanbul, Turkey, defeating British teammate Paul Moor and PBA Player of the Year Mika Koivuniemi on his way to the title. Thurlby bounced Koivuniemi in the two-game semifinal match, 426-400, and then eliminated Moor in the title match, 393-386.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Here & There Column 5-24-11
The cast of "A Raisn In The Sun".Outstanding Performance At Rivoli Theatre
The Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop's recently completed production of "A Raisin In The Sun" was undoubtedly one of the best produced and best acting performances this community theatre group has ever done.
Directed by Oliver King and featuring the great acting talents of John Neils, DeLois "Cookie" House, Ebony Isaac, Crystal Tweed, Frank DeGroat, Bruno D. Roberts, Francis Henderson, Paul Puerschner and Cynthia Toliver, the play tells the story of a lower-class black family's struggle to gain middle-class acceptance.
Money from a $10,000 insurance check and how to spend is a central theme in this play which finds the mother of this family (Mama) using part of the money as a down payment on a house in a white neighborhood while giving the balance to her son to invest in her daughter's college education and putting the rest in a checking account in his name.
The son instead invests the entire sum into a business scheme with prospective business partners and one of them runs off with the money.
This loss of money and the warning to this black family from a representative of the white neighborhood that blacks are not welcome and their offer to buy them out tests the spiritual and psychological mettle of each family member.
Their decision to continue with their plans to move highlights the true meaning of the play where right overcomes wrong.
With a cast in which all but one are African-Americans this was indeed a refreshing, well produced play with outstanding acting by all.
Next on the Dramatic Workshops stage at the Rivoli Theatre in South Fallsburg is "And Then There Were None" on June 3-5 and June 10-12. The organizations web site is http://www.scdu.net/
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