Wantagh, NY: Denis Mendelson, a 67-year-old retired printer from Levittown, NY, shot a perfect 300 game in the final shootout to capture the $1,500 top prize at LIGBT’s Winter Major held at AMF Wantagh. This was the first perfect game in an LIGBT final shootout in the Tour’s 14-year history! It was an incredible performance especially considering $4,350 in prize money was on the line in the shootout.
The final shootout was an exciting match with Denis obviously dominating from the start. Finishing in second, and earning $1,000, was senior bowler Romeo Castro, Flushing, NY with a 286 handicap game. Third place went to the scratch division champion, Pierce Field, Shirley, NY with a 254 worth $750. Rounding out the top 5 were the 2 finalists from the 49 & under handicap division; Guy Sereno, W. Hempstead, NY finished in 4th place with a 230 worth $600 and 5th went to Sam Farber, Merrick, NY with a 222 worth $500.
The LIGBT Winter Major featured 3 different divisions; scratch, 49 & under handicap, 50 & over handicap. There were 4 qualifying squads for each event with 1 in 4 each squad cashing and 1 in 8 advancing to the finals and earning a minimum of $150. Each division had their own elimination finals with the remaining 2 from each handicap division, and the last remaining scratch bowler, combining to compete in a 1-game final shootout for the top prizes.
The LIGBT Winter Major drew 194 total entries, cashed 49 spots, and had an event payout of $10,430 (with $750 added by the LIGBT.) The side action paid out an additional $6,440 bringing the total event payout to $16,870. Cut scores on the house shot were high all weekend ranging from a high of 806 to a low of 731.
LIGBT’s next tournament is our annual scratch and handicap Super Bowl Marathon; Sunday, February 13th (11am start) at AMF Garden City. The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, Vietri Associates, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.