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Cline, Bacon post record doubles series at Mancuso's; Robbie Hanks registers 848 at Oak Orchard Bowl

By Mike Pettinella

Three 300 games. Four 800 series. Three 290 games. Last week was quite a week for league bowling in the Genesee Region USBC.

In chronological order:

MONDAY

At Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, teammates left-hander Brian Cline and right Paul Bacon set an association record for a doubles three-game series in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League.

Cline rolled games of 247-279-278 for an 804 series and Bacon added 257-277-234--768 for a 1,572 series.

At Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion. Curtis Foss added to his long list of honor scores with 227-289-300--816 in the Sneezy's Monday Night League. 

TUESDAY

At Mancuso's, Nick Johnson began the second half of the Turnbull Heating Triples League with a bang -- posting a 290 game en route to a 774 series.

THURSDAY

At Oak Orchard Bowl, Robbie Hanks set a "house record" with an 848 series -- registering 33 out of a possible 36 strikes in the Thursday Triples League. His games were 268-300-280.

The right-hander left two 4-pins in the first game and a 4-pin in the second frame of the third game. Every other delivery resulted in 10 pins into the pit.

At Mancuso's, Devon Leach broke the 800 mark with 268-290-258--816 in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League.  Rich Wagner posted 288--763 and Marshall Merle strung 11 strikes after an opening spare with a 290 game.

FRIDAY

At Mancuso's, Mark Brown opened the County Line Friday Trios League with a 300 game en route to a 731 series. Brian Green took top honors for the night with 739.

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

Pursel posts 790 in County Line Stone Trios league

By Press Release

Press release:

Batavian Jim Pursel took top honors for the week in Genesee Region USBC league bowling action, just missing an 800 series in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 55-year-old right-hander was in the pocket right off the bat as he rolled games of 279, 268 and 243 for a sparkling 790 series.

Pursel has an 800 series to his credit -- 827 recorded at Transit Lanes in Buffalo on Jan. 3, 2018.

In the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League at Mancuso's, teammates Matt DiMartino and Pat Potwora rolled 726 and 724, respectively, to lead the way.

DiMartino, 37, started with a 277 game -- posting the first nine strikes -- and went on to record his first USBC-certified 700 series, while Potwora, 38, finished with a 266 game on lanes 19-20.

At Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, Chris Bowman of Albion registered a 297 game and 682 series in the Sneezy's Monday Night League.

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

Tournament action returns to Mancuso Bowling Center on Jan. 7-8 with the 69th GRUSBC Scratch Memorial. Two qualifying squads are set for Saturday and a third is on Sunday morning.

The scratch singles event offers a $1,000 first prize, based on 80 entries. Entry fee is $60. The GRUSBC is adding $300 to the tournament prize fund.

The tournament will be bowled on a special “Challenge” oil pattern designed by Kegel, and available for viewing at www.bowlgr.com starting on Jan. 3

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

Bowling tournaments to ring in the New Year

By Mike Pettinella

Medina Lanes and Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia are ringing in the New Year with tournaments on the first three weekends of January.

On Jan. 1, Medina Lanes is holding its New Year’s Day Handicap Eliminator, a handicap singles event offering a first prize of $400, based on 40 entries. Squad times are 10 a.m. and noon, and the entry fee is $40.

The top 16 will advance to the eliminator round, where half of the field moves on after one additional game until a champion is determined. Handicap is based on 90 percent of the difference in the bowler’s average and 250.

The tournament is open to Genesee Region USBC members from the past two seasons. To enter, call 585-318-4474.

-- On Jan. 7-8, Mancuso Bowling Center is hosting the 69th GRUSBC Scratch Memorial, a scratch singles event offering a $1,000 first prize, based on 80 entries. Entry fee is $60. The GRUSBC is adding $300 to the tournament prize fund.

Four-game qualifying squad times are 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 7 and 10 a.m. Jan. 8. One in five from each squad will advance to the semifinals, which are scheduled following the 10 a.m. squad on Sunday.

The tournament will be bowled on a special “Challenge” oil pattern designed by Kegel, and available for viewing at www.bowlgr.com starting on Jan. 3

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

-- On Jan. 15, Medina Lanes will host the 9th annual GRUSBC Adult-Junior Doubles Handicap Tournament, with squad times at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Two youth divisions – 12 & under and 13 & over – are planned. Scholarships will be awarded to the top youth bowlers in each division. Entry fee is $45 per team.

All bowlers must be members of the GRUSBC. To enter, call 585-343-3736 or send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com.

Entry forms for the GRUSBC tournaments are posted at www.bowlgr.com.

Alishia Foss, Chris Armijo find perfection at Mancuso's

By Mike Pettinella

Mancuso Bowling Center league bowler Alishia Foss overcame the “10th frame jitters” last week to record her first United States Bowling Congress-certified perfect game.

Admitting that her hands were trembling as she picked up her Storm Phaze III ball, Foss, a 30-year-old Brockport resident, nonetheless came through with a 12th consecutive strike in the second game of the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League on Thursday night.

The 300 game surpassed her previous high game of 244 by a wide margin. Foss, who entered competition that night with a 186 average, finished with a 638 series.

Foss, a child resource and referral specialist for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, said she wasn’t thinking about a perfect game until the ninth frame. But after that ninth strike, nervousness set in.

“When the 10th frame came along, I kept thinking to myself just keep the ball on the lane,” she said. “The first ball was just like the other strikes (in the 1-3 pocket), so I was able to smile and take a deep breath.”

As other league bowlers gathered around lanes 13-14, Foss said she got the 11th ball a bit wide of her mark but it came back strong for another strike.

“Now for the last ball, my nerves were getting to me I started thinking about how this is the real deal,” she said. “I picked up my Phaze III, noticing my (right) hand was trembling trying to hang on to the ball. I went to my normal position spot on the line got set and went for it.

“The ball left my hand and I kept thinking get to the pocket. Everyone was yelling get there and it hit between 1 and 3 pin but started to push through the pocket leaving the 4-7. But then another pin slid across … and wiped out the 4-7 just enough to knock them over.”

She credited her cousin, Curtis Foss, for drilling the ball out of his shop at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, and her boyfriend, Corey Winters, and family for their support. She bowls on the LandPro team with Marshall Merle, Chase Cone and Sean McClellan.

The 300 was the first by a woman in the Genesee Region USBC since V.J. Frew’s perfect game at Mount Morris Lanes on Nov. 20, 2021.

  • Chris Armijo, a professional drywaller and Warsaw resident, spun his first 300 game on Monday night in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League.

The 35-year-old left-hander’s games were 300, 171 and 213 for a 684 series – upping his 186 average. He said he was using a Storm Axiom ball.

"It was probably one of the quietest 300 games ever," Armijo said, noting that everyone kept on bowling and didn't realize that he had nine consecutive strikes entering the 10th frame on lane 5.

His previous high game was a 298 last season in the T.F. Brown's Adult-Child League at Mancuso's.

  • In the Wednesday Community League at Medina Lanes, Mike Schepis hit the 800 mark for the first time -- registering a 296 game en route to 800 on the nose.

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

Harris Busmire spins 813 at Rose Garden Bowl; James Townsend: 299, 300 on separate nights at Mancuso's

By Press Release

Press release:

"This week in Genesee Region USBC bowling"' produced a couple more honor scores -- an 813 series by Bergen's Harris Busmire and a 300 game by Batavia's James Townsend -- and a couple of near misses, including a 299 game by the aforementioned Townsend.

Busmire, a 58-year-old right-hander and longtime cook at The Viking Valhalla and Rose Garden Bowl, recorded his second United States Bowling Congress-certified 800 series in the Thursday Owls League at his hometown center.

Bowling on lanes 7-8, Busmire spun 278, 268 and 267 -- notching strikes on his final six deliveries to break the 800 mark.  He had the front eight strikes in the first game and the last six strikes in game two before rolling 11 strikes in the third game for a total of 31 strikes.

It is his second USBC-certified 800 series. His first was an 811 in 2003 at Rose Garden Bowl.

-- Townsend, a high-revving righty who turns 25 on Friday, finished with 300 and 253 for a 768 series in the County Line Friday Trios League at Mancuso Bowling Center -- three nights after a 299 game and 791 series in the Tuesday Coed League at Mancuso's.

He now has four USBC-certified perfect games.

Also in the Tuesday league, Steve Krna of Batavia opened with a 290 game en route to a 747 series.

-- At Medina Lanes, Hayden Allis of Medina registered a 278 game and 796 series in the Wednesday Community League. A 7-10 split on his second ball in the final frame of his third game cost him an 800 series. He also rolled a 725 series to lead the Sunday Rolloffs League.

-- Batavian Jim Prucha rolled his best series ever in the Meyer's RV Monday NFL League at Mancuso's -- 235-249-267--751.

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

Albion kegler takes title; Batavians place second, third

By Press Release

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Press release:

Using his Storm Punch Out ball for the first time in quite a while, Albion resident Bill Logan knocked over plenty of pins en route to victory in the Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour stop Sunday at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

Logan, 72, a retired Village of Albion employee, averaged 244 for his six games – finishing with a 270 game in the four-person finals – to claim the $300 first prize. It was his first victory on the tour and first trip to the finals.

“I took the ball out of the cellar the Thursday before and used it throughout the tournament,” said Logan, who posted 709 in the qualifying round. He then rolled 225 and 265 in the eliminator rounds before ending with 270.

Batavians Mike Pettinella and Bill Neubert placed second and third, respectively,

Pettinella, 67, a two-time tour champion, rolled 681 in the qualifying round and followed that with 257, 228 and 201 to earn $195. Neubert, 72, qualified with 674 and then posted games of 224, 235 and 183.

Terry Bennetti, 72, of Lockport finished in fourth place.

Reid Cole of Albion, the high qualifier with a 750 series, made it to the top eight and won $70.

The tournament drew 46 entrants. The next event is scheduled for 11 a.m. Jan. 15 at Doug Kent’s Rose Bowl Lanes in Newark.

VOLKER, CAPIZZI 1ST IN LE ROY

The team of Kevin Volker of Buffalo and Sam Capizzi of Rochester took first place in the Bubba’s Landscaping Scratch Doubles Tournament at Le Roy Legion Lanes on Saturday.

The winning duo defeated Brandon Martin and Ricky Zinone of Rochester for the $800 top prize.

Batavians James Townsend and Jason Quilliam placed third, splitting $200.

Other local bowlers cashing were Paul Bacon/Mark Brown and Brian/Brady Weber. Bacon and Brown were the top qualifiers with 924 for two games – a 230 per bowler average.

Twenty-nine teams competed in the annual event.

Submitted photo: From left, Tournament Director Pete Nashburn, Bill Logan, Mike Pettinella and Bill Neubert.

Curtis Foss records 61st USBC-certified 300 game

By Press Release

Press release:

Medina's Curtis Foss added to his long list of honor scores this week, posting a 300 game in the Sneezy's Monday Night League at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

The 35-year-old right-hander now has 61 United States Bowling Congress-certified perfect games. He also rolled a 236 game en route to a 762 series.

In other league action around the Genesee Region USBC:

  • Mike Pettinella of Batavia stayed hot in the Turnbull Heating Triples League at Mancuso Bowling Center with a 265-269-227--761;
  • Alex Allis of Medina led teh way in the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes with a 279 game and 763 series.

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

North edges South in Karl Marth Cup bowling event

By Mike Pettinella

Sparked by 26-year-old team captain Hayden Allis of Medina, the BBA North team edged the BBA South team, 62-61, Saturday in the 28th edition of the Karl Marth Cup challenge match at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

The 26-year-old right-hander, one of seven members of the Allis family on the team, averaged 267 for his four games and won the maximum number of points (10.5) in the event, which features competition in Doubles, Singles, Baker Doubles and Baker Team. In Baker matches, bowlers alternate frames.

Allis’ first three games totaled 815, qualifying him for a United States Bowling Congress-certified honor score, and his overall performance resulted in him being named the Scott Wright Memorial Award winner.

The BBA North team now leads the series, 16-12. The tournament began in 1994 and now held in memory of Karl Marth, a Batavia Bowling Association Hall of Famer, who passed away in 2003. It was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The BBA South, which was led by Scott Shields of Batavia who averaged 246 and won eight points, dominated in Doubles before the North rallied to win both the Baker Doubles and Singles. Shields was selected as the Joe Trigilio Memorial Award recipient for his effort.

The outcome came down to the final frame in the Baker Team event, with Jake Rosenbeck of Medina striking out in the 10th frame to lock up the victory for the North. Rosenbeck averaged 232 for his four games.

Other members of the winning team were Alex Allis, Mike Allis, Roger Allis, Scott Allis, Tom Allis, Mike Lavender (who is married to Amy Allis), Dean Cadieux Jr., Tim Talbot, Scott Gibson and Jason Mahnke.

For the South, Geoff Harloff averaged 236, Scott Culp 230 and Matt Balduf 230. Other members were Ed Doody (non-playing captain), Fred Gravanda, Steve O’Dell, Josh Elliott, Mike Johnson, Jim Pursel, Jason Quilliam, Paul Bacon and Paul Spiotta.

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Submitted photo. The BBA North team, from left, Roger Allis, Mike Lavender, Jason Mahnke, Hayden Allis, Tim Talbot, Tom Allis, Dean Cadieux Jr., Alex Allis, Mike Allis, Scott Allis, Jake Rosenbeck, Scott Gibson.

Cline, Hanks eclipse 800; Fluker, Herold post 300 games

By Press Release

Press release:

Genesee Region USBC bowlers produced three 300 games and two 800 series during another week of prolific league bowling.

At Mancuso Bowling Center, Middleport left-hander Brian Cline added to his long list of honor scores by finishing with a 300 game for an 815 series in the Mancuso Real Estate Monday Night Doubles League.

Cline's games were 268-247-300, raising his average to 239. According to his list of achievements on the United States Bowling Congress website, he has a remarkable 43 800 series and 63 perfect games since August 2001.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Batavia right-hander Tom Fluker notched his 12th USBC-certified 300 game in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League. His games were 204-300-238 for a 742 series.

The previous week, Fluker picked the 4-6-7-10 ("Big Four") to earn a special award from the GRUSBC.

At Legion Lanes in Le Roy, Shayne Herold of Batavia registered his second perfect game in the American Legion Thursday Men's League. The right-hander started with 279 and 300 before struggling in game three for a 737 series. 

And at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion, Robbie Hanks of Spencerport spun 279-269-256--804 for his fifth USBC-certified 800 series. The son of hall proprietor Randy Hanks, he raised his average to 233.

In the Turnbull Heating Triples League at Mancuso's, Batavian Mike Pettinella finished with 269-277 for a 793 series, upping his average to 230, and in the Wednesday Nite Ladies League, also at Mancuso's, Kim Williams closed with 227 for a 638 series.

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

Karl Marth Cup bowling event is on Saturday in Batavia; Le Roy Legion Lanes hosting youth doubles tourney

By Mike Pettinella

The 28th annual Karl Marth Cup, pitting members from the former Batavia Bowling Association, is scheduled for 1 p.m. this Saturday at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

The 24 bowlers will compete for two teams – the BBA North (primarily from the Medina, Albion and Oakfield areas) and the BBA South (primarily from the Batavia area).

The BBA North holds a 15-12 advantage in the series. The event was not held in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The BBA North roster is Hayden Allis (captain), Alex Allis, Mike Allis, Roger Allis, Scott Allis, Dean Cadieux Jr, Brian Cline, Jim Foss, Scott Gibson, Mike Lavender, Jason Mahnke and Jake Rosenbeck.

The BBA South roster is Ed Doody (non-playing captain), Matt Balduf, Scott Culp, Josh Elliott, Fred Gravanda, Geoff Harloff, Mike Johnson, Steve O’Dell, Jim Pursel, Jason Quilliam, Scott Shields, Paul Spiotta and Rick Underhill.

LE ROY HOSTING YOUTH DOUBLES

The 17th annual Genesee Region USBC Youth Doubles Tournament is set for Le Roy Legion Lanes this weekend, with a 1 p.m. Saturday squad and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday squads.

Scholarships and trophies will be awarded to the top teams in two divisions based on team averages, depending upon the number of entries. The entry fee is $36 per team and all bowlers will roll three games.

The 1 p.m. squad on Sunday will run concurrently with the GR Youth Travel League, which features eight three-person teams this season.

To enter the doubles event, send an email to mikep@bowlgr.com or call 585-343-3736. Participants must be members of the GRUSBC.

SCRATCH DOUBLES SET FOR DEC. 10

Le Roy Legion Lanes also will be site of the Bubba’s Landscaping Scratch Doubles Tournament on Dec. 10. Squad times are 1:15 and 2:45 p.m.

First prize, based on 32 entries, is $800, and the top eight teams will advance to the finals as long as there are at least 28 entries.

Entry fee is $80 per team. To enter or for more information, call 716-474-7960.

60-AND-OVER TOUR COMING TO BATAVIA

The Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour will conduct its next tournament on Dec. 11 at Mancuso Bowling Center. Check-in starts at 10 a.m. with competition getting underway at 11 a.m.

Entry fee for the scratch singles event is $50. To enter, contact Pete Nashburn at 60bowlingtour@gmail.com.

Medina's Roger Allis captures GRUSBC Senior Masters; Batavia bowlers place third, fourth

By Press Release

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Press release:

Roger Allis of Medina broke into the tournament bowling winner’s circle for the first time by capturing the 17th annual Genesee Region USBC Senior Masters on Saturday at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

The 60-year-old right-hander defeated Scott Shields of Batavia, 279-247, and Bob Santini of Mount Morris, 224-192, in the three-person stepladder final round to claim the $325 top prize. He also earned a free entry into the GRUSBC Scratch Memorial Tournament on Jan. 7-8 at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia.

Allis rolled a 683 series in the three-game qualifying round – taking the 11th spot out of the 12 bowlers who advanced – and followed that with 440 in the two-game second round and 225 in the semifinals to make it to the finals. He averaged 231 for his eight games.

Santini, who registered 701 in the qualifying round, 440 in the second round and 268 in the semis, earned $200 for placing second while Shields pocketed $150 for placing third. Shields rolled 690 in qualifying, 406 in the second round and 204 in the semis to advance.

Batavian Mike Pettinella placed fourth – averaging a tournament-high 241 for six games, including 724 in the qualifying round and 520 in the second round. His 203 in the third round fell a pin short of tying Shields and forcing a rolloff for the third and final spot.

Also reaching the semis were Dean Cadieux Jr. of Oakfield and John Beadle of Albion, who placed fifth and sixth, respectively. They and Pettinella won $100 apiece. Beadle was the high qualifier at 733 and Cadieux was second at 729. They averaged 227 and 229, respectively.

Other cashers ($70 each) were Brian Weber of Perry, Bill Logan of Albion, Rick Pernicone of Dansville, Paul Spiotta of Batavia, Fred Gravanda of Batavia and Reid Cole of Albion. Pernicone, Logan and Weber all broke the 700 mark in the qualifying round.

The tournament drew 45 entries – 28 in the 50-59 age group, 13 in the 60-69 age group and four in the 70 and over age group.

Submitted photo: Tournament director Paul Spiotta, left; Roger Allis and Bob Santini.

Four top the 750 mark in Genesee Region bowling

By Mike Pettinella

Four bowlers cracked the 750 mark in Genesee Region USBC league bowling action last week.

At Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, AJ Allenbrandt of Le Roy led the way with 279-232-259--770 and James Townsend of Batavia posted 256-258-244--758 in the Toyota of Batavia 4-Man League. Allenbrandt finished the first game with 10 strikes after opening with a strike and nine spare.

At Legion Lanes in Le Roy, Tim Penders of Pavilion had the hot ahnd with 246-255-267--768 in the American Legion Thursday Men's League.

And at Medina Lanes, Mike Lavender of Medina registered a 286 game in a 752 series in the Sunday Rolloffs League.

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

Batavian Neubert captures Triple O bowling crown

By Mike Pettinella

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Press release:

Veteran Batavia bowler Bill Neubert captured the 15th annual Triple O Mechanical Handicap Singles Tournament title on Sunday, defeating second-year kegler Matt Bourg of Darien in the title match for the $700 first prize.

The tournament, hosted and co-sponsored by Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, drew 61 entries over three qualifying squads. The top 16 advanced to the “eliminator” finals and all cashed.

Neubert, 72, rolled 228 (209 scratch) to outdistance Bourg, who posted 199 (135 scratch). Bourg, who had a 151 entering average, earned $350 for placing second.

Semifinalists, taking home $200 each, were Terry Moretti of Rochester and Mark Brown of Attica.

Quarterfinalists, earning $120 apiece, were Doug Bates and Nick Manioci, both of Rochester; 2020 champion Mickey Hyde of Le Roy, and 2012 champion Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls.

Eight bowlers making the cut but losing in the first round won $80 each. They were Ricky Zinone of Rochester, Jim Pitts of Elmira, Gary Kinyon of Lockport, Chris Mathis of Rochester, Shayne Herold of Batavia, Kevin Gray Jr. of Warsaw, Chris Bardol of Brockport and Chuck Pitts of Cortland.

Hyde was the high qualifier with 769, followed by Mathis (764), Neubert (752), Moretti (751) and Brown (747). It took 696 with handicap to advance to the eliminator finals.

Photo: From left, Tournament director Mike Pettinella, Bill Neubert, Matt Bourg and Rose Garden Bowl proprietor Tom Sardou. Submitted photo.

Bowling tournament raises $1,385 for Oakfield man

By Mike Pettinella

The local bowling community rolled out the red carpet for an Oakfield resident and longtime kegler who has been battling bladder cancer.

A 3-person no-tap tournament to benefit Claude Schultz that took place at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia on Saturday generated $1,385 to help pay for the 62-year-old tractor trailer master technician’s medical bills.

“I would like to thank the Genesee Region USBC bowlers, Mark and Penny Brown (tournament directors) and Mancuso Bowling Center for putting this event on for me,” said Schultz, who was at the fundraiser along with his wife, Cathy, two of his daughters and three of his grandchildren. “This means a lot to my family and me.”

Schultz has been out of work – and off the lanes – since undergoing two operations in August and September and, after that, six weeks of chemotherapy. He said he goes back to the doctor on Dec. 6 for an “exploratory’ procedure.

If all goes well, Schultz said his plan is to substitute on a league with his friends at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen after the first of the year.

Thirty-nine teams competed in the tournament, with seven earning prize money.

The team of Shayne Herold, Aaron Philp and Adam Philp placed first with a 2,428 score to win $630. The team of Scott Shields, Tom Rohl and Brown finished second with 2,414 ($360), and Rick Underhill, Fred Gravanda and Matt Balduf placed third with 2,390 ($200).

Batavian Derek Leach rolls perfect game at Mancuso's

By Press Release

Press release:

After coming close on a couple occasions, Batavian Derek Leach achieved bowling perfection earlier this week in the Mancuso Real Estate Doubles League at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The 42-year-old right-hander rolled a 300 game in game three of what turned out to be a 678 series on lanes 11-12. His previous high games were 299 and 298.

Two others broke the 700 mark in the Monday night league -- left-hander Brian Cline of Middleport, 279--758, and righty Jason Quilliam of Batavia, 268--751.

Elsewhere around the Genesee Region USBC:

  • Mike Pettinella of Batavia posted 268--772 in the Turnbull Heating Triples League at Mancuso's, raising his average to 228;
  • Roger Allis of Medina rolled 300--656 in the Sunday Rolloffs League at Medina Lanes, for his seventh USBC-certified perfect game.

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

Ross, Lyons, Balduf, Townsend shine on the lanes

By Mike Pettinella

Several 750-plus series and a 290 game highlighted this week's league bowling action in the Genesee Region USBC.

At Medina Lanes today, John Ross of Middleport led the way in the Sunday Rolloffs League with a 787 series. His games were 246-263-278.

At Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen, Mike Lyons of Elba kept the hot hand with a 762 series in the Wednesday Men's Handicap League. His games were 247-247-268.

And at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, Matt Balduf led the way in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League with a 759 series. His games were 275-259-225, while James Townsend fired a 290 game and 710 series in the Tuesday Coed League.

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

Cline 300, Quilliam 297, Alishia Foss 712 at Mancuso's

By Mike Pettinella

The high scores continued in league action at Mancuso Bowling Center this week, with Brian Cline adding to his long list of perfect games.

Cline, 44, a prolific left-hander from Middleport, opened the Mancuso Real Estate Monday Doubles League with 300 and finished with a 725 series. The big night upped his average to 236.

Two members of the County Line Stone Friday Trios League registered games with 11 straight strikes. Jason Quilliam rolled 297 in a 715 series and Geoff Harloff put a long string together after an open in the first frame for 278 on the way to a 703 series.

Other high series at the Batavia establishment included Scott Culp with a trio of 250-plus games for 770 in the Mancuso Real Estate League; Alishia Foss with a 712 series in the Toyota of Batavia Thursday 4-Man and Nick Johnson with a 771 series in the Turnbull Heating Triples.

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

Bowling tournaments abound as November rolls around

By Press Release

Press release:

Several Genesee Region bowling tournaments are in store for the month of November.

The list includes:

  • Nov. 5-6, Genesee Region USBC Gladys Ford Senior Women, Le Roy Legion Lanes.

GRUSBC women members age 50 and over are eligible to compete, with bowlers divided into six age classifications. Entry fee is $30. Winners are determined by three-game pinfall with handicap. To enter, contact Joann Van Duser at jmvd@frontiernet.net or by calling 585-370-1671.

  • Nov. 5-6, PAWS Triples No-Tap, Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion.

Squad times are noon, 2 and 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 5 and 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 6. Entry fee is $75 per team and one in six teams will cash in the handicap event. To enter, contact Curtis Foss at 585-590-0804 or Oak Orchard Bowl at 585-589-6900. Proceeds will benefit PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion.

  • Nov. 12, 3-Person No-Tap to Benefit Claude Schultz, Mancuso Bowling Center, Batavia.

Squad times are 1 and 3 p.m. for the handicap fundraiser. Entry fee is $90 per team, with $15 of each team entry going toward Schultz’ medical expenses. First prize is $750, based on 40 entries, and one in six will cash. To enter, contact Mark Brown at 716-474-7960.

  • Nov. 13, 15th annual Triple O Mechanical Singles Handicap, Rose Garden Bowl, Bergen.

A $700 first prize, based on 48 entries, is being offered with the entry fee at $40. Squad times are 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., with eliminator finals to follow. Incentives for women, senior (55 and over) and super senior (65 and over) are part of the rules. To enter, contact Mike Pettinella at 585-861-0404.

  • Nov, 26, 17th annual GRUSBC Senior Masters, Oak Orchard Bowl, Albion.

Qualifying squad times are 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., with the finals set for 4 p.m. Entry fee is $40, with first prize, based on 48 entries, at $350 plus a free entry into the GRUSBC Scratch Memorial in January. One in four will cash in the scratch tournament. To enter, contact Paul Spiotta at 202-6458.

Medina's Curtis Foss claims seventh Masters Tournament title; Batavia's Mike Pettinella places second

By Press Release

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Press release:

The 60th and final edition of the Genesee Region USBC (and former Batavia) Masters Tournament was written over the weekend and, once again, Curtis Foss of Medina was the headliner.

The 35-year-old right-hander captured his unprecedented seventh Masters’ crown Sunday at Rose Garden Bowl in Bergen by winning six of eight matches and averaging 218 on a challenging oil pattern in the eight-bowler Peterson Point match play final round.

Foss amassed 409 Peterson Points. Under that system, 30 points are awarded for winning a match and points added or subtracted for each game score in relation to 200.

In claiming the $300 first prize, Foss became only the second bowler in Masters’ history to win three consecutive tournaments (2019, 2021 and 2022). The event did not take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tony Martino of Batavia won the Masters’ three straight years from 1974-76.

Foss’ previous titles came in 2008, 2009, 2014 and 2015.

The top-seeded Foss actually started slowly, losing 229-175 to Perry’s Brady Weber in the opening match, before putting together three straight victories with games of 237, 204 and 277 to move into first place.

From there, he held that spot by winning three of his last four matches.

Genesee Region USBC Hall of Famer Mike Pettinella of Batavia finished in second place, posting seven games of 200 or better – highlighted by a 259 in a game five win over Mark Brown of Attica, another GRUSBC Hall of Famer.

Pettinella, 67, averaged 215 in the finals – splitting his eight matches and totaling 288 Peterson Points. He and Foss had a close battle in game two, with Foss prevailing, 237-235, by striking on his first ball in the 10th frame.

Foss, a Professional Bowlers Tour member who has 60 perfect games and 49 800 series to his credit, called his victory “an incredible achievement and one that I work for day in and day out each year.”

“It has always been my favorite tournament,” he said. “It means a lot to me, sharing it in winning with my dad (the late Robert Foss Jr., who won the event in 2012).”

A user of Storm bowling balls, Foss maps out and drills his own equipment at a pro shop he has set up at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.

“I am truly thankful for the support I get from my best friend, Brittany; my mom, Susan; the Hanks family; my grandma, Cathy, and friend, Melissa,” he said. “And, of course, all the love from my dad and (late) grandparents, Darrell and Millie. This is dedicated to them all.”

Rick Pernicone II of Dansville finished in third place, winning six matches while averaging 200 for 213 Peterson Points.

He was followed by Jake Rosenbeck of Medina (4-4, 206 average, 208 points); Weber (4-4, 199 average, 172 points); two-time Masters’ champ Tom Rohl of Le Roy (4-4, 191 average, 69 points); Brown (3-5, 187 average); Derek Leach of Batavia (1-7, 165 average).

The GRUSBC contributed $450 to the prize list through its Masters' designated fund but will be dropping the tournament from its lineup due to a decline in entries over the past few years. This year’s event had 22 entries.

Submitted photo: Curtis Foss, left, is congratulated by Mike Pettinella, Genesee Region USBC association manager, following his Masters victory. Pettinella placed second as the tournament concluded a 60-year run.

Green 299-801, Culp 299 at Mancuso Bowling Center

By Press Release

Batavia left-hander Brian Green and Honeoye Falls right-hander Scott Culp set the pace during a high scoring week in Genesee Region USBC league action at Mancuso Bowling Center.

The high-revving duo each posted 299 games, with Green topping the 800 mark with 801 and Culp falling just short with a 794 series.

Green rolled games of 246, 256 and 299 in the County Line Stone Friday Trios League -- leaving a 6-pin on the last ball.

Culp registered 299, 228 and 267 in the Mancuso Real Estate Monday Doubles League -- leaving a 4-pin on the final ball of the opening game.

Other big scores last week:

  • Mike Pettinella of Batavia rolled a 775 series in the Turnbull Heating Triples League at Mancuso's on games of 279-229-267.
  • John Lowe of Le Roy rolled a 791 series in the American Legion Men's League at Le Roy Legion Lanes on games of 278-246-267. A 4-pin after a strike in the 10th frame of game three cost him a shot at 800.

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

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