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Bergen's Jeff Parton registers his first perfect game

By Mike Pettinella

Acknowledging that "it took a while" to get there, Bergen resident Jeff Parton nonetheless now can say that he's a member of bowling's 300 club.

The 66-year-old right-hander rolled his first United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game last week -- capping a 705 series with 12 straight strikes on opening night of the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.

Competing on lanes 1-2, Parton started with a 180 game, before switching to the MOTIV Venom Shock in game two. That was the right ball change as he proceeded to post 225 and 300. 

His previous high games were 299 and 298.

Parton, a retiree, is a regular member of the Wednesday and Thursday leagues at Rose Garden Bowl.

In other action, Tom Baker of Pavilion is off to a hot start in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League at Mancuso Bowling Center, posting 706 and 769 in weeks one and two. 

For a list of high scores from the Genesee Region USBC, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Bryanna Coté captures U.S. Women's Open; McEwan places third, Liz Johnson fifth

By Mike Pettinella
Bryanna Cote
Bryanna Coté is congratulated by ABC Gates Bowl owners Russell Vallone, left, and Kelvin Parker after her victory Tuesday night in the U.S. Women's Open. Photo courtesy of United States Bowling Congress.

Coming off a 248 game in the semifinal match, Bryanna Coté of Tucson, Ariz., had to feel confident as she faced top-seeded Clara Guerrero of Columbia for the U.S. Women’s Open championship Tuesday night.

The road to her first major tournament victory became an extremely bumpy one, however, in the title match as Coté overcame opens in the first three frames to turn back Guerrero, 153-142, for the $60,000 top prize before an enthusiastic crowd at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester.

The stepladder finals, featuring the top five of the 108 entrants, was televised live on CBS Sports Network.

When asked what changed from her 248-199 win over fifth-seeded Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, Coté said it was a matter of “adrenaline kicking in a little bit.”

“When you’re bowling for the U.S. Open title and the adrenaline doesn’t kick in, something (wrong) is going on,” said Coté, the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Player of the Year in 2021. “The lanes definitely got the best of me the first few frames but I settled in and thought I started making some good shots on the right lane and it still kind of wiggled. I was making good shots on the left lane, so I just made a decision to try different balls.”

Calling it “a gutsy move” to make a ball change, Coté said she had to “take a big risk to win the big trophy.”

After Guerrero failed to convert the 2-4-10 split in the 10th frame – her fourth open frame of the game, Coté stepped up in the 10th needing nine pins on two balls to secure the win.

The ball came high on the head pin and the 3-6-10 was left standing. Coté had to get at least two of those pins for the victory and she did that and one more, converting the spare. She got eight pins on her final ball for the 153.

This is the fifth PWBA crown for Coté, a 37-year-old right-hander.

“To be a major champion now is just incredible,” she said.

For Guerrero, who posted a tournament-high 209.7 average for 56 games, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow.

She started with a spare and strike but didn't record another strike – failing to convert a split and two spares before the disastrous 10th frame.

“I felt good. I felt calm and I felt confident, but for some reason I couldn’t throw it as good as I needed,” said Guerrero, an international tournament star with one PWBA major title under her belt. “The lanes were very hard all week. I mean, a 140 or 150 game was coming.”

She was unable to keep the ball to the right of the head pin all game.

“I needed to keep my hand a bit cleaner (as far as the release), but I kept grabbing it a bit and that’s why the ball kept hooking,” she explained. “I moved a bit left (on the approach) in the 10th frame and thought it was a good shot, but it hydroplaned a bit and left the 2-4-10.”

Guerrero, who won $30,000 for placing second, didn’t hold back her disappointment.

“I have won Women’s World Championships (a separate tour) several times and have had a beautiful career,” she said, “however, this one hurts. I had a great week. I led the tournament, which isn’t easy to do, but not being able to close it out, it’s a tough day.”

The stepladder finals began with a pair of New Yorkers battling it out, with McEwan edging six-time U.S. Open champion Liz Johnson of Niagara Falls, 212-201.

McEwan rolled six strikes in the match, including a double entering the 10th frame. Another strike in the 10th would have locked it up but she left a solid 10-pin, giving Johnson a chance.

With strikes in the eighth and ninth frames, Johnson had to get another on the first ball in the 10th but left a 10-pin as the ball finished a bit late.

“It was in the right spot; it just didn't come off my hand great. I may have squeezed it a little bit, but I bowled a good game,” said Johnson, who has 25 PWBA titles. “It was not an easy shot this week, so I’m happy the way I finished. You always want to win, of course, but I got fifth in the U.S. Open.”

McEwan went on to defeat two-time United States Bowling Congress Queens champion Diana Zavjalova of Latvia in the second match, 227-192, to advance against Coté.

FINAL STANDINGS

1, Bryanna Coté, Tucson, Ariz., 401 (two games), $60,000.

2, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 142 (one game), $30,000.

3, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 638 (three games), $22,000.

4, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 192 (one game), $17,000.

5, Liz Johnson, Niagara Falls, N.Y., 201 (one game), $13,000.

STEPLADDER RESULTS

Match No. 1 – McEwan def. Johnson, 212-201.

Match No. 2 – McEwan def. Zavjalova, 227-192.

Semifinal – Coté def. McEwan, 248-199.

Championship – Coté def. Guerrero, 153-142.

Johnson, McEwan advance to tonight's televised finals of U.S. Women's Open at ABC Gates Bowl

By Mike Pettinella
U.S. Open finalists
The finalists for tonight's U.S. Women's Open, which will be televised on CBS Sports Network, are, from left, Clara Guerrero, Bryanna Cote, Diana Zavjalova, Liz Johnson and Danielle McEwan. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Liz Johnson of Niagara Falls, a 25-time champion on the Professional Women’s Bowling Tour, is back on television.

On Monday night at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, Johnson secured the No. 4 seed for the stepladder finals of the U.S. Women’s Open – a major tournament that she has won six times, beginning in 1996.

The finals will be televised live at 7 tonight on CBS Sports Network. First place is worth $60,000.

Johnson defeated Maria Jose Rodriguez of Colombia, 225-191, in the position round match last night to capture the fourth seed, and will take on another New Yorker – Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, who earned the No. 5 spot despite a 215-195 loss to Diana Zavjalova of Latvia.

Zavjalova is the third seed, while Clara Guerrero of Colombia and Bryanna Cote of Tucson, Ariz., are the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively. All of the finalists are right-handers.

Guerrero amassed 12,227 pins (including 30 bonus pins for each match play victory) en route to a 16-8 record. She posted a tournament-high 209.77 average for the 56 games.

For Johnson, who turned 49 in May, the finals’ appearance is her first in a couple years.

“I feel good. I’ve been bowling everything, all year on tour,” she said. “This is my first show probably since the middle of 2021. So, I’m excited just to be able to bowl tomorrow.”

She stayed in the top five throughout last night’s final eight-game block, but uncharacteristically lost a couple matches – game two against Cote and game four against Birgit Noreiks of Germany -- with opens in the 10th frame.

“Yeah, I struggled with that all week.  It’s gut-wrenching but you have to forget about it,” she said. “There were way too many of those to count. Open frames late in the games; that’s usually not me.”

She bounced back, however, winning her last two games with scores of 232 and 225 on the difficult oil pattern.

“The lanes change so fast. The lanes within the pairs – the left lane versus the right lane, they never played the same. The last couple games, I was using two different balls and, on and off, playing two different areas. It was one big grind.

“But, this is what the U.S. Open is all about. It’s not supposed to be a house shot.”

McEwan, 31, will be seeking her second U.S. Open title. She won the tournament in 2019, and was the runner-up last year.

“The U.S. Open is always a really hard tournament, but this week in particular was extra challenging and difficult in so many different ways. So, to be on the show took a lot of work,” she said.

“Every single lane and every pair plays totally different. The four different patterns made us play all different angles, lines, bowling balls, releases, speeds; every tool you had came into play this week.”

McEwan finished on the TV pair (31-32) last night and said she hopes to use that to her advantage in the opening match tonight.

“I have really good notes (on that pair) now,” she said. “The four and five seeds mean you're the first out on the pair and you have more of a ladder to climb, but it also gives you the advantage of figuring out what the pair is doing and getting comfortable on it before the other competitors come on.”

Unfortunately for the two New York bowlers, one of them will exit after just one game tonight and take home the $13,000 prize for fifth place.

The tournament pays $30,000 to the runner-up, $22,000 for third and $17,000 for fourth. For tickets to watch the show at ABC Gates Bowl, call 585-426-9099.

Shannon O’Keefe of Shiloh, Illinois, and Juliana Franco of Puerto Rico withdrew from the event prior to the start of the second round of match play on Monday morning. O’Keefe was replaced by Haley Richard of Tipton, Michigan, and Franco was replaced by Estefania Cobo of Puerto Rico.

All 108 competitors bowled 24 qualifying games over three days to determine the 36 players advancing to Round 4. After eight additional games, the field was cut to the top 24 bowlers for round-robin match play.

MONDAY’S RESULTS:

MATCH PLAY (56 games, 30 bonus pins for a win, 15 bonus pins for a tie)

1, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 16-8-0, 12,227. 2, Bryanna Cote, Tucson, Ariz., 18-6-0, 12,173. 3, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 18-6-0, 12,112. 4, Liz Johnson, Niagara Falls, N.Y., 16-8-0, 12,102. 5, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 13-11-0, 12,050. 

DID NOT ADVANCE

6, Maria Jose Rodriguez, Colombia, 15-9-0, 12,008, $9,500. 7, Birgit Noreiks, Germany, 10-14-0, 11,929, $8,500. 8, Missy Parkin, San Clemente, Calif., 14-10-0, 11,925, $7,900. 9, Jordan Richard, Tipton, Mich., 10-13-1, 11,667, $7,400. 10, Verity Crawley, England, 9-15-0, 11,663, $6,950. 11, Erin McCarthy, Elkhorn, Neb., 14-9-1, 11,651, $6,550. 12, Dasha Kovalova, Muskegon, Mich., 10-13-1, 11,619, $6,150.

13, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 11-13-0, 11,617, $5,900. 14, Lauren Pate, Ballwin, Mo., 10-13-1, 11,600, $5,700. 15, Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 10-13-1, 11,573, $5,500. 16, Taylor Bulthuis, New Port Richey, Fla., 11-13-0, 11,558, $5,300. 17, Olivia Farwell, Elizabethtown, Pa., 13-11-0, 11,530, $5,150. 18, Sydney Brummett, Fort Wayne, IN, 11-13-0, 11,493, $4,900.

19, Lindsay Boomershine, Brigham City, Utah, 9-15-0, 11,481, $4,750. 20, Stefanie Johnson, McKinney, Texas, 9-15-0, 11,449, $4,600. 21, Julia Bond, Aurora, IL, 11-13-0, 11,448, $4,450. 22, Haley Richard, Tipton, MI, 7-17-0, 11,404, $4,300. 23, Stephanie Schwartz, Racine, Wis., 11-13-0, 11,385, $4,150. 24, Estefania Cobo, Puerto Rico, 4-20-0, 11,046, $4,000.

New Yorkers McEwan, Liz Johnson in contention at U.S. Women's Open

By Mike Pettinella

Update 2:30 p.m., June 19:

Danielle McEwan of Stony Point and Liz Johnson of Niagara Falls have moved up to fourth and fifth place, respectively, after today's second of three eight-game match play blocks at the U.S. Women's Open at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester.

Both bowlers won seven of their eight matches with McEwan registering a high game of 279 while averaging 220 and Johnson averaged 212.5. The top five bowlers will advance to the stepladder finals on Tuesday night.

Clara Guerrero of Columbia, Bryanna Cote of Tucson, Ariz., and Diana Zavjalova of Latvia are 1-2-3 heading into tonight's final eight matches. Competition gets underway at 5 p.m.

------------------

While Germany’s Birgit Noreiks continues to lead the pack, two New Yorkers remain in contention for Tuesday night’s stepladder finals at the U.S. Women’s Open.

Noreiks won four of her eight matches at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester on Sunday to stay on top with a 40-game total of 8.605, which includes 30 bonus pins for each victory.

Rounding out the top five are Colombia’s Clara Guerrero, (8,592), Bryanna Coté of Tucson, Ariz. (8,530), Latvia’s Diana Zavjalova (8,468), and Shannon O’Keefe of Shiloh, Ill. (8,456). Zavjalova won all eight of her matches to jump from 10th place into fourth.

Missy Parkin of San Clemente, Calif., sits in sixth place at 8,438, followed by Danielle McEwan of Stony Point and Liz Johnson of Niagara Falls at 8,412 and 8,407, respectively.

McEwan is a former U.S. Open champion while Johnson, one of the best professional women bowlers ever, has won six U.S. Open tournaments. Johnson's many tournament wins include the New York State Queens at Mancuso Bowling Center in 1996.

The 24 match game competitors will bowl two more eight-game rounds today, the first at 10 a.m. and the second at 5 p.m., to determine the five bowlers who will vie for the $60,000 first prize on Tuesday night.

The stepladder finals will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

SUNDAY’S MATCH PLAY RESULTS (40 games, 30 bonus pins for a win, 15 bonus pins for a tie):

      1, Birgit Noreiks, Germany, 4-4-0, 8,605. 2, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 7-1-0, 8,592. 3, Bryanna Cote, Tucson, Ariz., 6-2-0, 8,530. 4, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 8-0-0, 8,468. 5, Shannon O'Keefe, Shiloh, Ill., 3-4-1, 8,456. 6, Missy Parkin, San Clemente, Calif., 4-4-0, 8,438.

      7, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 3-5-0, 8,412. 8, Liz Johnson, Niagara Falls, N.Y., 5-3-0, 8,407. 9, Maria Jose Rodriguez, Colombia, 5-3-0, 8,368. 10, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 6-2-0, 8,349. 11, Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 3-5-0, 8,295. 12, Lindsay Boomershine, Brigham City, Utah, 4-4-0, 8,266.

      13, Jordan Richard, Tipton, Mich., 4-3-1, 8,246. 14, Sydney Brummett, Fort Wayne, IN, 5-3-0, 8,238. 15, Dasha Kovalova, Muskegon, Mich., 2-5-1, 8,212. 16, Taylor Bulthuis, New Port Richey, Fla., 3-5-0, 8,207. 17, Lauren Pate, Ballwin, Mo., 4-4-0, 8,197. 18, Erin McCarthy, Elkhorn, Neb., 4-3-1, 8,196.

      19, Stephanie Schwartz, Racine, Wis., 3-5-0, 8,096. 20, Stefanie Johnson, McKinney, Texas, 3-5-0, 8,072. 21, Olivia Farwell, Elizabethtown, Pa., 2-6-0, 8,048. 22, Verity Crawley, England, 2-6-0, 8,042. 23, Juliana Franco (n), Colombia, 2-6-0, 7,973. 24, Julia Bond, Aurora, IL, 2-6-0, 7,863.

ROUND 4 (32 games):

      1, Birgit Noreiks, Germany, 6,880. 2, Missy Parkin, San Clemente, Calif., 6,772. 3, Shannon O'Keefe, Shiloh, Ill., 6,711. 4, Bryanna Cote, Tucson, Ariz., 6,675. 5, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 6,659. 6, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 6,658.

      7, Dasha Kovalova, Muskegon, Mich., 6,629. 8, Liz Johnson, Niagara Falls, N.Y., 6,624. 9, Verity Crawley, England, 6,589. 10, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 6,578. 11, Sydney Brummett, Fort Wayne, IN, 6,560. 12, Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 6,558.

      13, Lindsay Boomershine, Brigham City, Utah, 6,556. 14, Stefanie Johnson, McKinney, Texas, 6,532. 15, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 6,524. 16, Lauren Pate, Ballwin, Mo., 6,508. 17, Taylor Bulthuis, New Port Richey, Fla., 6,498. 18, Stephanie Schwartz, Racine, Wis., 6,478.

      19, Maria Jose Rodriguez, Colombia, 6,469. 20, Juliana Franco (n), Colombia, 6,455. 21, Olivia Farwell, Elizabethtown, Pa., 6,449. 22, Jordan Richard, Tipton, Mich., 6,445. 23, Julia Bond, Aurora, IL, 6,404. 24, Erin McCarthy, Elkhorn, Neb., 6,401.

DID NOT ADVANCE:

      25, Haley Richard, Tipton, Mich., 6,398, $2,590. 26, Sanna Oksanen, Finland, 6,392, $2,520. 27, (TIE) Ani Juntunen, Finland, and Estefania Cobo, Puerto Rico, 6,373, $2,425. 29, Peppi Konsteri, Finland, 6,369, $2,350. 30, Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla., 6,356, $2,300.

      31, Felicia Wong, Canada, 6,323, $2,250. 32, Josie Barnes, Hermitage, Tenn., 6,302, $2,200. 33, Kerry Smith, Lititz, Pa., 6,296, $2,150. 34, Hope Gramly, Aubrey, Texas, 6,293, $2,100. 35, Shannon Sellens (n), Long Beach, N.Y., 6,263, $2,050. 36, Jessica Earnest, Hermitage, Tenn., 6,210, $2,000.

Major players in women's professional bowling advance at U.S. Open tournament

By Mike Pettinella

The biggest names in professional women’s bowling are among the 36 competitors who have advanced to the cashers’ round of the U.S. Women’s Open at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester.

Led by Germany’s Birgit Noreiks, who topped the standings after each of the three eight-game qualifying squads, the list of bowlers who made the cut is a “who’s who” of stars on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour.

Noreiks knocked down 1,652 pins on Saturday to finish qualifying with 5,277 – a 219.88 average on three extremely challenging oil patterns. She holds a 175-pin advantage over Lindsay Boomershine of Brigham City, Utah, who posted the day’s best score of 1,806 for the eight games – finishing with 279-247-257.

Boomershine, an Amherst native, is coming into this PWBA major tournament on the heels of her victory in the USBC Queens last month, another major.

Six former U.S. Women’s Open champions entered this week and five of them have advanced.

They are three-time winner Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J. (eighth with 4,985), six-time champion Liz Johnson of Niagara Falls (10th with 4,956), Josie Barnes of Hermitage, Tenn. (11th with 4,950), Danielle McEwan of Stony Point (15th with 4,908) and defending champion Erin McCarthy of Elkhorn, Neb. (34th with 4,767).

Competition resumes at 10 a.m. this morning Sunday with the cashers’ round (another eight-game block) on a 41-foot oil pattern. The top 24 (after 32 games) will proceed to round-robin match play over two days, with seeding based on their 32-game pinfall totals.

Thirty bonus pins will be awarded for each win in match play, and the 56-game pinfall totals, including bonus pins, will determine the five players for the championship stepladder.

All rounds of qualifying and match play are being broadcast live at BowlTV.com through Monday night, and the event will conclude live Tuesday on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. Eastern.

First prize is $60,000 and the right to wear the coveted green jacket.

QUALIFYING -- (24 games)

      1, Birgit Noreiks, Germany, 5,277. 2, Lindsay Boomershine, Brigham City, Utah, 5,102. 3, Missy Parkin, San Clemente, Calif., 5,091. 4, Bryanna Cote, Tucson, Ariz., 5,051. 5, Dasha Kovalova, Muskegon, Mich., 5,045. 6, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 5,039.

      7, Shannon O'Keefe, Shiloh, Ill., 5,020. 8, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 4,985. 9, Maria Jose Rodriguez, Colombia, 4,968. 10, Liz Johnson, Niagara Falls, N.Y., 4,956. 11, Josie Barnes, Hermitage, Tenn., 4,950. 12, Verity Crawley, England, 4,945.

      13, Sydney Brummett, Fort Wayne, IN, 4,943. 14, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 4,936. 15, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 4,908. 16, Jordan Richard, Tipton, Mich., 4,905. 17, Estefania Cobo, Puerto Rico, 4,886. 18, Sanna Oksanen, Finland, 4,884.

      19, Stefanie Johnson, McKinney, Texas, 4,880. 20, Olivia Farwell, Elizabethtown, Pa., 4,879. 21, Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla., 4,874. 22, Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 4,869. 23, Juliana Franco (n), Colombia, 4,860. 24, Taylor Bulthuis, New Port Richey, Fla., 4,853.

      25, Felicia Wong, Canada, 4,845. 26, Haley Richard, Tipton, Mich., 4,827. 27, Stephanie Schwartz, Racine, Wis., 4,819. 28, Ani Juntunen, Finland, 4,815. 29, Julia Bond, Aurora, IL, 4,814. 30, Hope Gramly, Aubrey, Texas, 4,803.

      31, Jessica Earnest, Hermitage, Tenn., 4,795. 32, Peppi Konsteri, Finland, 4,791. 33, Lauren Pate, Ballwin, Mo., 4,781. 34, Erin McCarthy, Elkhorn, Neb., 4,767. 35, Kerry Smith, Lititz, Pa., 4,763. 36, Shannon Sellens (n), Long Beach, N.Y., 4,761.

WNY native at top of her game as she competes in U.S. Women's Open in Rochester

By Mike Pettinella
boomershine
Lindsay Boomershine is one of the favorites at the U.S. Women's Open which is taking place through Tuesday at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester. Photo by Mike Pettinella.

Amherst native Lindsay (Baker) Boomershine is back in Western New York this week with loads of confidence as she competes in the U.S. Women’s Open at ABC Gates Bowl.

Boomershine, a 37-year-old right-hander who moved to Utah in 2010, is less than a month removed from winning the United States Bowling Congress Queens tournament – her first victory in eight years on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Tour.

She is one of the favorites at the U.S. Women’s Open, which runs through Tuesday night at the 48-lane center on Spencerport Road.

In an interview with The Batavian following Friday’s second of three eight-game qualifying blocks, Boomershine said that capturing the Queens – a PWBA “major” that carried a $60,000 top prize – was a culmination of the countless hours of work she invested into her game.

“I worked really hard on releases and my spare game – with the release part it was all about being able to bowl on everything from urethane to hook it to lofting it to throwing it slower,” she explained. “Now, all of those things are pretty successful. I can do numerous tricks to try to get my ball to go through the pocket in the right way.”

Boomershine said she also made some changes “physically,” working with her husband, Hank, who is vice president of sales for Storm (Bowling) Products.

“Things have really worked out,” she added. “When you apply it to these situations with the best women bowlers in the world, you know, it feels pretty good that what you we’re doing in the offseason has paid off for this season.”

At the Queens tournament in Las Vegas in May, Boomershine was among the leaders throughout the week and earned the No. 1 seed for the televised stepladder finals. She needed just one victory for the crown and she came through, defeating her close friend, Maria Jose Rodriguez, 202-176.

When asked if she felt added pressure as the tournament leader, Boomershine said she “really, honestly just played my game.”

“I made some difficult spares, just like I had all week, and I struck out in the 10th frame. It was awesome. I couldn’t have had it any other way.”

Boomershine said her uncle, PBA and USBC Hall of Famer Tom Baker, is one of her biggest fans. He was instrumental in helping his niece become a standout bowler at Sweet Home High (she’s in the school’s Hall of Fame) and a four-time All-American at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (including collegiate Player of the Year in 2005-06).

“I talk to my uncle all the time,” she said. “He’s still bowling in the senior (Senior PBA) stuff and lives in King, North Carolina with Donna. He always checks in on my bowling. When I won the Queens, he said the Baker family always wins the big ones because he won the PBA World Championship (in 2004).”

After two of the three qualifying rounds of the U.S. Open, which are contested on three different and challenging oil patterns, Boomershine – who rolled a 300 game on Thursday -- sits in 22nd place out of 108 bowlers with a 16-game total of 3,296 – a 206 average.

Birgit Noreiks of Germany is in first place with 3,625, followed by Dasha Kovalova, Muskegon, Mich., 3,510; Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 3,505; Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, and Shannon O'Keefe, Shiloh, Ill., 3,420; Missy Parkin, San Clemente, Calif., 3,401; Bryanna Cote, Tucson, Ariz., 3,392; Liz Johnson, Niagara Falls, N.Y., 3,390; Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 3,382, and Verity Crawley, England, 3,370.

Several WNY bowlers, including Heather Ray of Caledonia (75th place, 2,998), are competing in the tournament.

The top 36 bowlers after today’s qualifying round will advance to the cashers’ round (another eight-game block) on Sunday morning.

The tournament schedule:

Today -- 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. – Qualifying (three squads each bowl eight games, cut to top third of the field – 36 bowlers.

Sunday -- 10 a.m. – Cashers’ Round (one squad bowls eight games, cut to top 24 players); 5 p.m. – Round-Robin match play (one squad bowls eight games).

Monday -- 10 a.m. – Round-Robin match play (one squad bowls eight games); 5 p.m. – Round-Robin match play (one squad bowls eight games, cut to top 5 players).

Tuesday -- 7 p.m. – Live stepladder finals on CBS Sports Network.

For more information about the U.S. Women’s Open, visit BOWL.com/USWomensOpen.

Batavians purchase Oakfield Hotel and Bowling Lanes, plan significant upgrades throughout

By Mike Pettinella
oakfield hotel
View looking north on South Pearl Street of the Oakfield Hotel and Bowling Lanes. Photo by Howard Owens.

The Oakfield Hotel and Bowling Lanes has new owners.

Batavians Tom Fluker, a Pepsi account executive, and Patrick Wester, owner of A to Z General Contracting, have teamed up

Tom Fluker
Tom Fluker

 to purchase the bar/restaurant and 12-lane bowling center.

The facility had been owned since 2019 by Cory Paris, also a Batavia resident.

Prior to that, the Scopano family owned the business – known as the Oakfield Hotel and Scopano’s Paradise Lanes -- for more than 50 years.

Speaking by telephone to The Batavian this morning, Fluker indicated the duo has an ambitious plan to increase the entertainment options at the South Pearl Street location.

“We’ve got a lot of ideas. There’s really five aspects to the place,” Fluker said, rattling off the following areas that need to be addressed – rooms for rent, outdoor pavilion, bowling lanes, interior renovation and the bar/restaurant.

He said there are eight one-bedroom apartments, plus a loft and a two-bedroom unit upstairs.

“Over the course of time, we want to keep the loft and the two bedroom and then we want to take the eight apartments and make two or three one-bedroom apartments and have some for office space,” he said. “We’d like to rent out some office space for meetings, or maybe a lawyer or somebody wants to come in.”

Fluker said he and Wester eventually want to utilize the huge outdoor pavilion for summer activities such as horseshoes, volleyball and cornhole.

“The biggest issue is there is such a big walk from outside to go inside to get beer and food or whatever. So, we're going to put some coolers and some grills outside for the players to have quick access to their drinks and for something to eat,” he said.

Bowling has always been a large part of the operation, but there haven’t been any certified leagues there recently. Fluker said that he and Wester aim to rectify that situation.

“We’re going to go through the lanes – pinsetters, scoring and the oil machine – to make sure that things are running the way they need to be to have league bowling,” he noted. “We’re looking at this in three phases, over the next three to four years, with the goal of making it a high-end bowling center.”

He said they are looking at upgrading the scoring, adding flat screens, purchasing glow house balls and installing black lights and specialty lighting for cosmic bowling on the weekends or for birthday parties. Fluker, who served as president of the Genesee Region USBC for several years, said he also wants to restore the youth bowling program in Oakfield.

Once up and running, the lanes will be called Strike Force Lanes, he said.

As far as the bar and restaurant are concerned, Fluker said they are looking at a train theme, tipping their cap to the history of the railroad that ran near to the building.

“If I’m looking at the picture correctly, the railroad ran about 40 to 50 feet away from the building, and I think across the road, kind of diagonally, was the West Shore (Railroad) depot,” he offered. “I’ve been getting some West Shore memorabilia and will also incorporate some old pictures from the Oakfield Hotel from back in the day. And, for sure, we’ll be adding some lighting and getting rid of the taxidermy that has been there forever.:”

Fluker said the kitchen will be remodeled to increase efficiency and TVs will be added in the restaurant area, which eventually will take on a sports theme. The partners also are looking to add about 20 arcade games, separate from the bar area, and will keep the big room off of the bar for extra seating and for larger gatherings.

“We’re going to get in there in July and take a look at the situation,” he said. “Get into the walls and ceiling to see what’s going on. Obviously, we’re going to take a look at the roof over the bowling lanes. If you don’t have a (solid) roof, you don’t have bowling. Plus, we're going to make it handicapped accessible."

The business is currently closed.

A May 19 entry on the Paris Oakfield Hotel Facebook page read as follows:

As many of you have heard we have sold the hotel. We as a family have decided this was in our best interest. We would like to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts who have supported us these last five years. We will miss all of our regulars and all the relationships that were built. We appreciated the opportunity of being a part of this community. We wish the new owners nothing but the best!

Our last day open will be tomorrow 5/20, come on down for one last drink at the Paris Oakfield Hotel! 

Byron resident elected to Genesee Region USBC bowling association board at annual banquet

By Press Release

Press release:

Dennis Maid of Byron, a longtime league bowler and officer, was elected as a director of the Genesee Region USBC at the association's annual banquet at Batavia Downs Gaming.

Dennis Maid
Dennis Maid

Maid, 63, has served as president of the Tuesday Coed League at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia for the past four years and previously was the president of the Wednesday Firefighters League at Mancuso’s for 10 years.

A bowler for 50 years, he also competes in a league at Midway Lanes in Vestal, not far from his full-time work as the pulmonary manager for UHS Binghamton General Hospital and UHS Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City. Maid, a consistent 175 average bowler, commutes from the Binghamton area on a regular basis, making sure to be back in Batavia to bowl on Tuesdays.

Maid fills a vacant director with a term expiring in 2025.

Association Vice President Jerry Davis of Pavilion was re-elected for another three-year term, as were directors Gary Gilman of Albion and Alishia Foss of Brockport. Currently, the association has one more vacant director post.

More than 50 people attended the banquet, which was highlighted by comments from guest speaker Patric Donaghue of Rochester, a former Batavian who will be inducted into the New York State Bowling Hall of Fame next month.

Donaghue has excelled in both the Senior Professional Bowlers Association -- cashing in multiple tournament -- and at the USBC Championships, where he has a 202 average in 25 years of competition on the challenging oil patterns.

A product of youth leagues at the former Moose Lanes and at Mancuso’s in Batavia, Donaghue competed in the Classic League for a couple years – recording a then Batavia Bowling Association-record 778 series -- before moving to Rochester after college in 1981. 

“I have to credit Batavians Dave and Tony Martino for helping me get rid of the hop at the end of my approach – they worked with me for several hours – and also (former Batavian) Ray DiSanto for giving me lessons,” he said.

Donaghue rolled the first of his 14 300 games in 1986, but he said he took some time off.

“When I came back in 1995, the game changed dramatically,” he said.

Still, he became a student of the game and teacher, guiding his son and daughter, who are accomplished bowlers. Donaghue went on to obtain his PBA card and made his mark on the regional circuit by cashing in five of six PBA50 events in 2010 and four of five in 2011.

Inducted into the Rochester NY USBC Hall of Fame in 2008, Donaghue has three Rochester Senior Masters titles and is a former champion of the Brockmyre scratch singles tournament in Newark. He also placed first in a NYS USBC Senior tournament in 2018.

He will be inducted into the NYS Hall of Fame on June 3 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona.

In other action at the banquet, seasonal leaders were honored, as follows:

  • High Series, Men, Robbie Hanks (Oak Orchard Bowl), 848; Women, Traci Spanitz (Le Roy Legion Lanes, 733.
  • High Average, Men, Curtis Foss (Oak Orchard Bowl), 239; Traci Spanitz (Le Roy Legion Lanes), 213.
  • High Game, Men, 300 by 38 bowlers; Women, Alishia Foss (Mancuso Bowling Center), 300.
  • High Youth Series, Boys, Ben Sputore, (Mancuso Bowling Center), 645; Girls, Allie Faryna (Perry Bowling Center), 523.
  • High Youth Game, Boys, Dominic LaPiana (Mount Morris Lanes), 279; Girls, Gianna LaPiana (Mount Morris Lanes), 218.
  • High Average, Boys, Ben Sputore (Mancuso Bowling Center), 183; Girls, Allie Faryna (Perry Bowling Center), 150.

Association Tournament champions also were recognized with plaques.

  • Open Team -- Nothnagle Drilling (Le Roy Legion Lanes), Kristin Clements, Jeff Nothnagle, Andrew Martin and Polly Nothnagle; Women's Team -- Perry Girls, Montana Bzduch, Joann Van Duser, Katy Bzduch and Rachel Huntz.
  • Open Doubles -- Steve and Cory Werner (Perry Bowling Center); Women's Doubles -- Roe Smith and Missy Potter (Mount Morris Lanes).
  • Open Singles -- Matthew Hurlburt (Perry Bowling Center); Women's Singles -- Barbara Casavant (Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion).
  • Open All-Events -- Jeff Nothnagle (Le Roy Legion Lanes); Women's All-Events -- Traci Spanitz (Le Roy Legion Lanes).

Winners of the grand prize drawing were Kevin Wallace of Stafford, Jason Jennings of Le Roy and Jared Zinkievich of Medina, $500 each, and Dennis Van Duser of Perry, Paul Spiotta of Batavia, William Yates of Churchville and Zachary Farruggia of Mount Morris, $25 each.

Association President Gary Kuchler has announced that the league secretary meetings for the 2023-24 season will take place on Aug. 15 at T.F. Brown's in Batavia and Aug. 17 at Mount Morris Lanes, both at 6:30 p.m.

Pat Donaghue and Ben Sputore
Guest speaker Patric Donaghue, left, congratulates Ben Sputore of Batavia upon the youth's achievements in Genesee Region USBC bowling this season.

Bowling standout Patric Donaghue to speak at Genesee Region USBC annual banquet on May 20

By Press Release

Press release:

Patric Donaghue

Batavia native Patric Donaghue, soon to be inducted into the New York State Bowling Hall of Fame, will be the guest speaker at the Genesee Region USBC Annual Banquet on May 20 at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road.

The banquet is set for 6 p.m. Tournament winners and association league leaders will be honored.

Donaghue, a longtime Rochester area resident, began his youth bowling career at the former Moose Lanes in Batavia, before participating in the junior program at Mancuso Lanes (now Mancuso Bowling Center). He went on to become a standout bowler in various leagues in Batavia, including the classic league.

He has won numerous tournaments, most notably as a member of the Morehead State University team in the 1977 Mountaineer Classic in West Virginia (finishing first in team, singles and all-events) and at the 1999 Empire State Games (placing first in the trio, team and mixed doubles divisions).

A member of the Professional Bowlers Association, Donaghue has achieved two top-four finishes on the PBA Senior Tour. One of his 14 300 games came in a PBA event. He also has four 800 series.

Inducted into the Rochester NY USBC Hall of Fame in 2008, Donaghue has three Rochester Senior Masters titles and is a former champion of the Brockmyre scratch singles tournament in Newark. He also placed first in a NYS USBC Senior tournament in 2018.

This season, he placed first in the Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour event at Mancuso Bowling Center and just competed in his 25th USBC National Tournament (where he holds a 201 average on the challenging lane conditions).

Donaghue is scheduled to be inducted into the NYS Hall of Fame on June 3 at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona.

The reservation deadline for the banquet is May 12. For reservations, call 585-343-3736 or send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com. 

Genesee Region USBC banquet set for May 20

By Press Release

Press release:

The Genesee Region USBC Association Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, May 20 at Batavia Downs Gaming on Park Road in Batavia.

The event will get underway with a brief memorial service at 6 p.m.

Tournament champions and league leaders will be honored and association officials will provide a report on the 2022-23 season.

The cost of the dinner is $30, with the following exceptions:

NO CHARGE – GRUSBC directors, Adult Tournament Champions (limit one tournament only), Youth Tournament Champions and one guest (limit one tournament only), guest speaker and one guest.

HALF PRICE – Past GRUSBC Hall of Famers, league secretary or representative (limit one per league).

The reservation deadline for the banquet is May 12. No reservations will be taken after that date and no one will be allowed to “walk in” on May 20.

The banquet is open to all GRUSBC members and to the public.

An election of officers and directors whose terms are up will take place as well. Two director positions are vacant.

For reservations or for information about serving on the board of directors, send an email to Association Manager Mike Pettinella at mikep@bowlgr.com or call 585-343-3736.

The GRUSBC includes bowling centers in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

Gibson ends season with 300 at Rose Garden Bowl

By Mike Pettinella

Press release:

Scott Gibson of Oakfield closed out the regular season in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in perfect fashion last week.

The 57-year-old right-hander rolled a 300 game in the third game on lanes 7-8 to cap off a fine 774 series at the eight-lane Bergen establishment. The 300 is Gibson's seventh United States Bowling Congress-certified perfect game.

In the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden, Bill Neubert of Batavia posted 721 to help his Genesee Patrons team take the league title.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT WINNERS

Results of the 16th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament are official, with the Nothnagle Drilling team winning the Open Division and the Perry Girls team taking the Women's Division.

The tournament took place on March 24-26, 31-April 2 at Perry Bowling Center (Team event) and Mount Morris Lanes (Doubles & Singles events).

Division champions are as follows:

Open Team -- Nothnagle Drilling, Le Roy Legion Lanes, $1,000. Team members are Kristin Clements, Jeff Nothnagle, Andrew Martin and Polly Nothnagle.

Women's Team -- Perry Girls, Perry Bowling Center, $360. Team members are Montana Bzduch, Joann Van Duser, Katy Bzduch and Rachel Huntz.

Open Doubles -- Steve and Cory Werner, Perry Bowling Center, $400.

Women's Doubles -- Roe Smith and Missy Potter, Mount Morris Lanes, $300.

Open Singles -- Matthew Hurlburt, Perry Bowling Center, $300.

Women's Singles -- Barbara Casavant, Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion, $200.

Open All-Events -- Jeff Nothnagle, Le Roy Legion Lanes, $120.

Women's All-Events -- Traci Spanitz, Le Roy Legion Lanes, $80.

Final standings and prize list can be found at www.bowlgr.com.

Foss posts 299; three top 230 mark at Mancuso's

By Press Release

Press release:

Curtis Foss of Medina finished the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion on a high note last week, posting a 299 game and 739 series.

The high-scoring right-hander concluded the season with a 239 average in the Genesee Region USBC league.

Three bowlers topped the 230 mark at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia as well:

  • Brian Cline of Middleport and Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls closed out the Mancuso Real Estate League with 758 and 699, respectively. Cline raised his final average to 235, best at the 24-lane center, while Culp ended with a 232 mark.
  • Mike Pettinella of Batavia rolled a 724 series in the Turnbull Heating Triples League, also finishing at 232 for the season.

In action at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Laurie Morgante recorded a 257 game and 690 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT CONCLUDES

Prize checks for the Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament, which concluded at Perry Bowling Center and Mount Morris Lanes on April 2, are expected to be mailed on April 17, according to GRUSBC President Gary Kuchler. Unofficial results can be found at www.bowlgr.com.

Harloff strikes again! Batavian posts 300 for second straight week; Merle registers 296

By Mike Pettinella

For the second straight Friday night, Batavian Geoff Harloff found perfection in the County Line Stone Trios League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 47-year-old right-hander posted 214-300-235--749 earlier this week after recording 300-230-222--752 the previous week.

The most recent perfect game is his third of the season in the Genesee Region USBC.

Jim Pursel of Batavia took top honors for the evening with 750 series, including a 279 game.

In the Tuesday Night Coed League at Mancuso's, Marshall Merle flirted with his second 300 of the season before finishing with a 296 game for a 744 series.

Elsewhere around the GRUSBC:

  • Lefty Brian Cline raised his average to 235 with a 279-222-269--770 series in the Mancuso Real Estate Monday Doubles League. Jason Quilliam was close behind with a 279--769.
  • James Townsend substituted in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen and led the way with a 287 last game and 770 series. Bill Neubert rolled 279--761 and Frank Jarkiewicz posted 257--745.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Herold, Harloff notch 300 games at Mancuso's

By Mike Pettinella

Batavian right-handers Shayne Herold and Geoff Harloff rolled their second perfect games of the season in Genesee Region USBC league bowling action last week at Mancuso Bowling Center.

In the Mancuso Real Estate League on Monday night, Herold started with a 300 game en route to a 694 series.

Previously, he recorded a 300 game on Dec. 1 at Legion Lanes in Le Roy, and he also had an 814 series on Jan. 27 in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League at Mancuso's.

On Friday, Harloff started with a perfect game in the County Line Stone league before posting 230 and 222 for a 752 series.

Previously, he posted a 300 game on March 3 in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday league, also at Mancuso's.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, William Yates spun a 290 middle game and a 753 series in the Thursday Owls League..

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Another 300 game for Busmire at Rose Garden Bowl; Brown posts 290 at Mancuso's, Spanitz 733 in Le Roy

By Mike Pettinella

Bergen bowler Harris Busmire continues to feast on the "home cooking" at Rose Garden Bowl.

Busmire, the longtime cook at the Viking Valhalla Restaurant at the Rose Garden Bowl & Volleyball Center, registered his second 300 game of the season last week -- finishing with the perfect game for a 733 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League. 

The big night raised the 58-year-old right-hander's average to 212 in the league.

In January, he posted a 300 game in the same league and in December, Busmire rolled an 813 series in the Thursday Owls League, also at Rose Garden Bowl.

In other action, Scott Gray of Warsaw posted his highest series ever -- 278-237-244--759 in the Thursday Owls League, improving his average to 195.

Elsewhere around the Genesee Region USBC:

  • Mark Brown of Attica spun 289 and 290 after a 206 opening game for a 785 series in the County Line Friday Trios League at Mancuso Bowling Center.  The 53-year-old righty recorded a spare in the first frame of the two big games before stringing 10 strikes and 11 strikes, respectively.
  • Traci Spanitz of Rochester rolled a 733 series in the Pizzaland Doubles League at Legion Lanes in Le Roy on Sunday, breaking the record for the highest three-game series by a woman in the eight-lane center's long history. Spanitz, a New York State USBC Hall of Famer, posted games of 268-238-227. The previous high series was a 730 by Naomi Hyde in December 2017.
  • Former Batavian Chris Colantonio and Mount Morris resident Dave DiSalvo rolled 800 series in recent action in the Saturday Night Mixed League at Mount Morris Lanes. Colantonio, who resides in Henrietta, had 803 on March 4 and DiSalvo had 815 this past Saturday.

For a list of high scorres for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

John Beadle registers 290--807 at Oak Orchard Bowl; Brian Cline records 267 triplicate at Mancuso's

By Mike Pettinella

Two Genesee Region USBC bowlers broke the 800 mark in league play this week -- John Beadle of Brockport, who notched his first at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, and Brian Cline of Middleport, who has at least 40 such series but said he has lost count.

Beadle, 56, an ambidextrous bowler who competes as a right-hander in the Sneezy's Monday Night League, posted games of 279-290-238 for an 807 series on lanes 1-2. The big series, which eclipses his previous high of 787, lifted his average in the league to 214.

"It took 56 years to get it," said Beadle, who registered 31 strikes over the three games, including three in the 10th frame of the final game to put him over the top. "I was nervous (in the 10th) but took a deep breath and let it go. All three were in the pocket."

An insurance scheduler/coordinator for the online platform Maximus, Beadle said he used the Storm Phaze 3 ball that he purchased before Christmas and had drilled by Curtis Foss at Oak Orchard Lanes.

His teammate, Reid Cole of Albion, fired a 793 series in the Thursday Triples League at Oak Orchard Bowl later in the week.

Cline not only bowled an 800 series -- 801 -- but did it by bowling three consecutive games of 267 on lanes 9-10 in the Mancuso Real Estate League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 267 triplicate isn't even the highest triplicate series for the 45-year-old lefty as he recorded a 279-279-279--837 several years ago at Rapids Bowling Center in Niagara Falls.

His latest effort raised his average to 234.9 -- the top USBC-certified average at Mancuso's this season. Cline works full time for National Grid and also runs the pro shop at Medina Lanes.

In other action around the Genesee Region USBC:

  • Tom Fluker of Batavia came within a stubborn 10-pin of another 300 game, settling for 299 and a 675 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen.
  • Adam Philp of Le Roy led the way in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League at Mancuso's -- finishing with a 279 game for a 762 series. Red-hot Geoff Harloff of Batavia was next on the list with 749.
  • Jason Quilliam of Batavia rolled 278--753 in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League at Mancuso's, Harris Busmire of Bergen spun 288--750 in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl, and Zach Plath of Le Roy set the pace in the Le Roy Moose League at Legion Lanes with 265--721.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

Harloff's 300, Pettinella's 769 lead the way at Mancuso's

By Press Release

Press release:

Batavia Geoff Harloff continues to light it up at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 47-year-old right-hander started and finished strong in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League this week en route to a 754 series on lanes 13-14.

Harloff rolled 12 consecutive strikes in the opening game for his fifth United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game and, following a 187 middle game, rebounded with a 267 to close out the night.

The night before, he posted a 705 series in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League and two nights before that, registered 693 while substituting in the Turnbull Heating Triples League. 

At 222, his average is among the top 10 at Mancuso's this season.

In other Genesee Region USBC league action over the past week:

  • Mike Pettinella of Batavia raised his average to 233 with a 245-256-269--769 effort in the Turnbull Heating Triples League;
  • Batavians Rich Wagner and Tom McJury set the pace in the Toyota of Batavia League with 748 and 746, respectively. Wagner upped his average to 224.
  • Mike Lyons of Elba continued his fine season at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen with a 277 game and 739 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League.

BARDOLS, BROWN , PFIEFER WIN RIGGI TOURNAMENT

The team of Caycee and Chris Bardol, Mark Brown and Tim Pfeifer combined for a 3,610 score to place first in the Ron Riggi Memorial Tournament at Legion Lanes in Le Roy last weekend. The winning team split $800.

Brown also was on the second place teams with Harloff, Jason Quilliam and Matt Balduf. They earned $400.

Aaron Philp won the optional singles event, winning $125.

The tournament drew 24 teams.

Batavian Marshall Merle records first 300 game

By Press Release

Longtime league bowler Marshall Merle of Batavia has been a consistent 195-205 average bowler for 35 years at Mancuso Bowling Center.

But, until this past week, perfection on the lanes had eluded the 63-year-old right-hander.

That all changed on Thursday night when he recorded his first United States Bowling Congress-certified 300 game in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League.

After starting with 178, Merle, using a Roto Grip Halo ball, put together 12 consecutive strikes for the perfect game on lanes 17-18. He finished with 193 for a 671 series -- raising his average to 197.

"I got a real break on the 11th ball," said Merle, a mechanic for LandPro. "I missed my mark three boards inside and it just sat there and the 5-7 was up. But right before the rack came down, the 5 fell and rolled into and took out the 7."

Merle said he made a great shot on the 12th ball and all 10 pins went into the pit.

"I've come close many times over the last five years, shooting several 290 games," he said.

In other Genesee Region USBC league play last week:

  • William Yates of Churchville started with 290 en route to a 770 series in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen. The xx-year-old righty's big series raised his average to 216.
  • Matt Baker of Elba registered 290 in a 729 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.
  • Mike Pettinella of Batavia made it four straight 700 series with 279--762 in the Turnbull Heating Triple League while Mike Szatkowski of Batavia rolled his second straight 700 with 276--732 in the County Line Stone Trios League, both at Mancuso's.

For a list of high scores, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

February tournaments include 'Super Bowl' singles, Crossroads House, GRUSBC Doubles No-Tap

By Mike Pettinella

Mancuso Bowling Center is hosting the annual “Super Bowl” Handicap Singles Tournament this Sunday with one qualifying squad set for noon.

First place in the event, which is sponsored by Red Bull, is $450 based on at least 32 bowlers. One in four bowlers will advance to the head-to-head final rounds.

Entry fee is $45. Handicap is 100 percent of the difference in the bowler’s average and 215 – using the 2021-22 highest United States Bowling Congress-certified average unless this season’s is 10 or more pins higher.

To enter, contact Mark Brown at 716-474-7960.

Other local tournaments during February are as follows:

  • Feb. 17-18, “Strike Out for Crossroads House.”

The 27th Annual Betty Ellison Memorial "Strike Out for Crossroads House" No-Tap Tournament returns to Mancuso Bowling Center, with squads at 6 p.m. Feb. 17 and noon and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 18.

Registration fee for the four-person team event is $100. Entry forms are available at the bowling center or on the Crossroads House website – www.crossroadshouse.com.

For more information, contact Vicki Johnson at vickijohnson@crossroadshouse.com or at 585-343-3892.

  • Feb. 18-19, Genesee Region USBC No-Tap Doubles.

Letchworth Pines in Portageville is hosting the 3rd GRUSBC No-Tap Doubles event with squads at 1, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. on both days.

Open to GRUSBC members, the entry fee is $60 per team. One in four teams will cash.

The maximum team average is 420 -- based on the bowlers' highest USBC book average in a league for at least 21 games over the past three seasons, unless this season's average is 10 or more pins higher (for at least 21 games).

To sign up, send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com or call 585-343-3736.

  • Feb. 19, Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour.

Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion will be the site of the next Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour stop.

Check-in begins at 10 a.m. with competition getting started at 11 a.m.

The entry fee is $50. Walk-ins are welcome.

  • Feb. 24-26, Ron Riggi Memorial 4-Person Handicap.

Legion Lanes in Le Roy will be conducting the 21st annual Ron Riggi Memorial tournament in honor of the late well-known Le Roy native.

Squad times are 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24, noon and 4 p.m. Feb. 25 and 1 p.m. Feb. 26.

Entry fee is $100 per team and first place, based on 32 teams, is $800. One out of every five teams will cash.

An optional singles tournament will take place, with an entry fee of $5.

To enter, contact Mark Brown at 716-474-7960.

Baker 823; Gray Jr., Culp, Iresabal 300 in GRUSBC action

By Mike Pettinella

This week in Genesee Region USBC league bowling produced the high three-game series at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, an "out of the box" 300 game at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, another honor score and huge series by the reigning GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament champion and the first perfect game of the season at Perry Bowling Center.

Tom Baker of Pavilion was a model of consistency on Thursday night as he spun games of 279, 278 and 266 for an 823 series on lanes 15-16 at the 24-lane center in Batavia. 

The 46-year-old left-hander recorded 32 out of a possible 36 strikes -- 10 in the first game (including the first nine) and 11 each in the second and third games.

He overcame an open in the sixth frame of game three by finishing with six strikes for his third United States Bowling Congress-certified 800 series. He also has a trio of 300 games.

The big set raised his average to 219.

In other action:

  • Warsaw lefty Kevin Gray Jr. used a new ball -- the Ebonite Envision Pearl -- for the first time in the Thursday Owls League at Rose Garden Bowl and the result was 300-236-233--769 on lanes 3-4.

Gray, 42, now has at least a dozen certified 300 games, including two in Bergen and three at Perry Bowling Center. The 769 raised his league-high average to 223.

  • Scott Culp of Honeoye Falls, who won the Scratch Memorial last month for the fourth time, fired 215-300-257--772 in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League at Mancuso's. 

The 44-year-old righty raised his center-leading average to 236 with his second straight 772 series. 

  • Jacob Iresabal of Castile became the first league bowler at Perry Bowling Center to string 12 consecutive strikes in one game as he rolled 300 in the Thursday Night League on lanes 5-6. 

The 37-year-old righty averages in the 190s.

  • Also, in the Wednesday Night Ladies League at Mancuso's, Mary Ann Stone of Batavia finished with a 277 game for a 597 series.

For a list of high scores for the week, click on the Pin Points tab at the top of the home page.

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