New Hyde Park, NY: The LIGBT, sponsored by Storm, ran its first sport shot tournament in over a year at Herrill Lanes. Marc Miller, Merrick, NY won the $1,000 top prize by defeating senior bowler Richie Martinez, Howard Beach, NY, 231-193. Richie, who advanced to the final match by winning the semi-final shootout, earned $600 for his runner-up position. Marc, who has been an LIGBT member since 2016, finally got his first LIGBT title.
The LIGBT ran an abbreviated 2-round finals due to COVID restrictions. In the semi-finals, bowlers finishing in positions 2-6, after 4 qualifying games, bowled a 1 game shootout to determine who would go against the #1 seed, Marc Miller, in the final match. Richie advanced by defeating Phil Rivera, Franklin Square, NY, in a 9th/10th frame roll off after they tied with 228. While Phil earned $400 for 3rd, finishing in 4th was Charles Ko, Palisades, NJ with a 223 worth $300. Rounding out the top 6 was 5th place finisher Hari Soedarmastro, Levittown, NY with a 213 worth $275 and 6th place went to TJ Kim, Mineola, NY with a 211 worth $250.
The final match between Marc and Richie was competitive. Marc was getting 27 pins more in handicap which put him at a definite advantage on the tough “Winding Road” pattern. But when Marc started with 2 opens in his first 3 frames most of the handicap advantage disappeared. The match stayed close until the end when Richie threw 2 washouts and Marc filled his final frames to claim his first LIGBT title. The 5-year wait was finally over!
The LIGBT sport shot tournament drew a wonderful crowd of 78 bowlers, paid out $4,630 in prize money, and had 21 bowlers go to the cashing window. The side action paid out an additional $5,005 bringing the total event payout to $9,635. Cut scores on the difficult Winding Road pattern were 959 to advance to the finals and 882 to cash.
LIGBT’s next tournament is a house shot Mini-Marathon featuring both scratch and handicap prize lists. This 4-game event will be held on Sunday, April 11th at AMF Syosset. To view the results of the Herill Lanes event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, Vietri Associates, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.