News

Syosset, NY:  The LIGBT returned to action after a COVID-19 induced 8-month layoff and ran a 4-game Mini-Marathon at AMF Syosset. An amazing crowed of 138 entries competed for over $8,000 in prize money. The tournament featured 3 separate prize funds; handicap 49 & under, handicap senior, and open scratch.

The 49 and under handicap champion was youth bowler Timothy Smith Jr., W. Islip, NY who won $1,000 in scholarship money with a 1025 series. Finishing second and earning $500 was Sean Nicholson, Levittown, NY with a 990. There were 15 cashers (better than 1 in 4) with a cut score of 908. A total of 57 entries bowled in the 49 & under handicap event which paid out $3,495.

The 50 & over senior champion was Dexter Wharton, Far Rockaway, NY who earned the $1,000 top prize with a 978 series. Finishing in second place was Rich Hengel, E. Meadow, NY with a 963 worth $500. There were 14 cashers (better than 1 in 4) that produced a cut score of 898. A total of 53 senior entries bowled which paid out $3,160.

The scratch champion was Ray Edwards, Middle Island, NY who earned $600 with a 950 4-game block. Finishing in 2^nd place, just 17 pins behind, was the 49 & under winner Timothy Smith Jr., who earned a $300 scholarship. Another youth bowler finished third; Joseph Zagari, Islip Terrace who shot a 906 earning a $225 scholarship. There was a total of 7 scratch cashers that produced a cut score of 852. The scratch division attracted 28 entries.

LIGBT’s next tournament is another 4-game Handicap and Scratch Mini-Marathon at AMF Wantagh on Sunday, December 6th.  To view the results of the AMF Syosset event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, Vietri Associates, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

Syosset, NY:  Jimmy Walsh, a 68-year old bartender from Glen Cove, NY won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s sport shot event at AMF Syosset. Jimmy earned his 5^th LIGBT title, over a 12-year span, by defeating Harry Park, Flushing NY 232-230 in the final shootout. While Harry earned $500 for second, finishing third was Jose Ferreira, Woodside, NY with a 198 worth $300. Rounding out the top 4 Guy Sereno, W. Hempstead, NY with a 180 worth $250.

The shootout was led by Jimmy from start to finish but he had to sweat out the 10^th frame to see if he won his 5^th LIGBT trophy. Jimmy started with a spare and triple, and except for a 5^th frame open, stayed clean the rest of the match. Harry, who shot the only clean game in the shootout, made a huge comeback with strikes in the 5^th through 8^th frames. Going into the final frame Harry had a 1 pin lead. When Jimmy struck on his first ball in the 10^th Harry was forced to throw at least 9 on his first ball or he would lose. Harry left an 8 count which gave Jimmy the $1,000 title.

The AMF Syosset Lanes event drew 79 entries, advanced 14 bowlers to the finals, and paid out was $3,665. The cut scores on the new Radium pattern were: 656 & 664. High series of the tournament was shot by our champion with a 725 in the 1pm squad. The wildcard winner was Daniel Gehrig, Baldwin, NY with a 1250 six-game series. Tiffany Smalls, New York, NY was the only woman to advance.    

LIGBT’s next tournament is a Beat-the-Board tournament at AMF Babylon on Sunday, March 22nd.  To view the results of the AMF Syosset event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

Garden City, NY:  Wesley Grant, a 43-year old right-hander from Uniondale, NY won the $5,000 top prize at AMF Garden City where LIGBT’s Super Tournament #7 was held. Wesley defeated Yon Gyo Phark, Flushing, NY 243-226 to win his first LIGBT title. Yon Gyo won $2,500 for his runner-up position. Finishing in third was Charles Ko, Palisades, NJ with a 223 worth $1,250. Fourth place went to Justin Laukaitis, Baldwin, NY with a 211 worth $1,000. Rounding out the top 5 was Andrew Mienkiewicz, Dix Hills, NY with a 174 worth $750.

The Super Tournament final shootout was a pressure packed match with $10,500 up for grabs. Wesley’s won the title due to his ability to fill frames as he was the only bowler to shoot a clean game. Wesley trailed early but took the lead with a triple in the middle of the game. He finished with 4 spares in a row to secure the title. Yon Gyo started out slow but threw 2 doubles late to capture second place. Charles, who was making his first video appearance, left seven 9 counts and just could not string strikes. Justin, also making his first shootout appearance, bowled well but had 2 opens and only 1 double. Andrew struggled as he couldn’t find a line to the pocket.

Wesley joins a prestigious list of $5,000 LIGBT Super champions; Tommy Grunwald, Astoria, NY was the 1st Super champion at Farmingdale Lanes (February, 2016), Cynthia Cooke, Patchogue, NY won the second Super Tournament at AMF Plainview (May, 2017) and Pak Wong, New York, NY won the 3^rd Super Tournament also at AMF Plainview (August, 2017.) Hector Diaz Jr., Bronx, NY was the 4^th Super Tournament winner at Levittown Lanes (June, 2018.) The 5^th Super Champion was Peter Libranti, Wantagh, NY at AMF Babylon (May 2019.) The 6^th Super Tournament champion was Jae Yi, Flushing, NY at AMF Garden City (September, 2019.)

The Super Tournament drew an amazing crowd of 430 entries plus 56 desperado entries. There were 82 finalists all sharing in a $26,320 prize fund. Cut scores were moderate on the custom pattern ranging from 679-697. High series was shot by Dwayne Redman, Bronx, NY with an 837 in the Sunday, 2pm squad. There were 38 women entries with 7 advancing to the finals. There were 4 wildcard winners: Charles Ko (1332), Wesley Grant (1358), Jack Kampf (1359), Audrey Rodriques (1351.)  Total payout for the weekend exceeded $50,000!

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad sport shot event at AMF Syosset on Sunday, March 8th. For complete results of Super Tournament #7 please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Randi Siegle Law, Kegel, Torch Bowling, Vietri Associates, Billvee Electric, Knockout Ball Cleaner, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

New Hyde Park, NY: The Senior Legends Tour (SLT) kicked off its second event at Herrill Lanes and crowned two new champions. The winner of the upper average division was Ferrill McNeil, Bronx, NY who earned $600 when he defeated Robert Vickers, New York NY 250-232 who earned $400. The lower average champion was Allen Johnson, Jamaica, NY who earned $600 when he defeated Paul Rourke, E. Islip, NY 290-227 who earned $400.

There was a total of 8 shootout finalists, 4 per average division. In the upper division Larry Selzer, Westbury, NY finished in third with a 220 worth $300. Rounding out the upper division top 4 was fourth place finisher Pak Wong, New York, NY with a 190 worth $250. The 3^rd place finisher in the lower average division was Eddie Cintron, Laurelton, NY with a 220 worth $300. Rounding out the top 4 in the lower average group was George Williams with a 169 worth $250.

SLT’s second tournament attracted 65 entries generating a $4,100 prize fund. A total of 16 bowlers made the finals (1 in 4) each cashing for a minimum of $125. Cut scores to make the finals were 984 in the upper division and 961 in the lower division. Both squad leaders wound up winning their division as Ferrill led the upper division with a 1031 series and Allen led the lower division with a 1030 series.  

SLT’s next tournament is Sunday, March 29^th at AMF E. Meadow. To view the results and finals video of the SLT Herrill event please visit www.thesltour.com.

Farmingdale, NY Robert Grieb, a 29-year old software developer from Deer Park, NY won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s sport shot event at Farmingdale Lanes. Robert earned his first LIGBT title by defeating Andrew Mienkiewicz, Dix Hills, NY 251-243 in the final shootout. While Andrew earned $500 for second, finishing in third was Rob Longiaru, Seaford, NY with a 214 worth $400. Rounding out the top 5 was 4^th place finisher Eddie Cintron, Laurelton, NY with a 209 worth $300 & fifth place finisher Dennis Garcia, Fresh Meadows, NY with a 198 worth $250.

The 5-person shootout was a close competition with 3 bowlers having a chance to win the title late in the match. While Dennis and Eddie struggled early, Robert held a 20-pin lead over Rob and Andrew through 5 frames due to his handicap advantage. After Robert opened in his 6^th frame he doubled which forced Andrew to strike out from the 8^th frame on to win the title. Andrew got strikes in the 8^th and 10^th frames but a stoned 9 pin in the 9^th frame potentially cost him the title. Rob couldn’t not throw a double and opened in the tenth which gave him 3^rd place.

The Farmingdale Lanes event drew a great crowd of 114 entries, advanced 15 bowlers to the finals plus cashed another 14 for $75. The total prize fund paid out was $5,150. The cut scores on the Plutonium pattern (39 ft) were: 672 & 651. High series of the tournament was shot by our champion Robert with a 790 in the 3pm squad. The wildcard winner was Alex Padmore, Jamaica, NY with a 1340 six-game series. Hee Jin Jun, Flushing, NY was the only women to advance as she shot a 679 at 3pm.    

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 3-day Super Tournament at AMF Garden City; February 28-March 1^st. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay; $5,000-$2,500-$1,250-$1,000. To view the results of the Farmingdale event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

Syosset, NY:  The LIGBT crowned 3 champions on Super Bowl Sunday at AMF Syosset. The handicap 49 & under champion was Chris Aponte, Bronx, NY with a 1322 series worth $750. The handicap 50 & over champion was Dennis McMillan, Jamaica, NY with a 1365 worth $1,000. The scratch champion was again Chris Aponte with a 1247 series worth $650.

The Super Bowl Marathon featured 3 separate events. The first prize list was for handicap bowlers ages 49 & under. A total of 31 bowlers competed in this event, with 6 bowlers cashing, in a $1,770 prize list. While Chris Aponte was the top bowler, finishing in second was Sean Ganser, Great River, NY with a 1298 worth $400. To cash in the 49 & under prize list it took a 1214 handicap series.

The second marathon event was for handicap bowlers age 50 & over. A total of 41 bowlers competed with 8 cashing in a $2,360 prize list. While Dennis McMillan won the event, coming in second was Antoine Thurston, New York, NY, with a 1327 worth $500. It took a 1220 handicap series to cash in the 50 & over prize list.

The third marathon event was for scratch bowlers. A total of 25 entries competed with 5 cashing in a $1,425 prize list. While Chris Aponte was the top bowler, finishing in second was James Alaimo, Malverne, NY with a 1232 series worth $325. To cash in the scratch prize list you had to shoot 1187.

LIGBT’s next event is a 2-squad sport shot tournament at Farmingdale Lanes on Sunday, February 16th. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000 & $500 with 1 in 4 cashing each squad. For complete results of the Super Bowl marathon please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

E. Meadow, NY:  Tyger Folmar, a 41-year old a U.S. Customs worker from Glendale, NY won the $1,500 top prize at LIGBT’s Beat-The-Board Tournament held at AMF E. Meadow. Tyger won his first LIGBT title by defeating Alex Henry, Sayville, NY 261-232. While Alex earned $750 for second, finishing third was James Marino, Lindenhurst, NY with a 221 worth $500. Rounding out the top 4 was William Tudy, Brooklyn, NY with a 181 worth $300. The final shootout was dominated by our champion. Tyger began his title quest with a spare in the first and then threw strikes in 6 of his next 7 frames to secure the title. The battle for second was a good one as James Marino overcame 3 missed one pin spares and moved from 4^th to 2^nd when he tripled in the last 3 frames. But Alex needed a double in the final frame to jump into second over James and he threw 2 perfect strikes to secure the $750 payout. William, who started with 5 marks, finished the game with 5 opens to settle for the 4^th spot.

The AMF E. Meadow event drew a nice crowd of 118 entries, advanced 24 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $6,050 in prize money. The cut score for the top 16 on the “Boardwalk” pattern was 682. High series of the tournament was shot by Harry Park, Flushing, NY with a 784 in the noon squad. Tommy Grunwald, Astoria, NY shot a 300 game in the first round of the finals. There were 2 wildcard winners: Paul Casella, Port Jeff St., NY with a 1409 from the first 2 squads and Darryl Freeman, Forest Hills, NY also with a 1409 six-game series from the last 2 squads. One woman advanced to the finals; Monique Compton, Bronx, NY with a 685.      

LIGBT’s next tournament is our annual Super Bowl Marathon at AMF Syosset. This 5-game no final event features 3 prize lists; scratch, handicap 49 & under, and handicap 50+. To view the results and video finals of the AMF E. Meadow Beat-The-Board event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, Vietri Associates, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

Garden City, NY:  Maniram Basdeo, a 60-year old taxi driver from the Bronx, NY, won the $3,000 top prize at The LIGBT’s Winter Major held at AMF Garden City. Maniram earned his sixth LIGBT title by defeating George Williams, Bronx, NY 268-216 in the final shootout. While George earned $1,500 for second, finishing third was Ferrill McNeil, Bronx, NY with a 205 worth $750. Rounding out the top 4 was Sunny Yee, Flushing, NY with a 182 worth $500.

Maniram dominated the final shootout with six strikes in a row in frames 2-7 after an open in his first frame. While Maniram locked up the $3,000 title by the 7^th frame, George and Ferrill were fighting for the $1,500 2^nd place prize. When George marked in his final frame it forced Ferrill to double to move into second place. But Ferrill failed to strike and settled for third place. Sunny had trouble striking, and with 4 open frames, finished 4^th for a very respectable finish.

The Winter Major at AMF Garden City drew an incredible crowd of 270 entries (including 36 desperado entries), advanced 48 bowlers to the finals and paid out $13,350. The cut scores on the “Alcatraz” pattern were low and ranged from 651 to 675. High series of the tournament was shot by Mike Nenna, Tobyhanna, PA with a 725 in the Sunday, 2pm squad. There were 4 wildcard bonuses. The Friday night wildcards were won by Hee Jin Jun, Flushing, NY (1298) and James Hellen, Lindenhurst, NY (1277). The Sunday wildcards were won by So Young Chin, Whitestone, NY (1313) and Joe Ceruzzi, Ry Brook, NY (1302). One extra woman was added to finals to meet the women guarantee; Beverly Parker, Brooklyn NY shot a 658 in the Sunday 2pm squad.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is a Beat-The-Board event on Sunday, January 26^th (noon-2pm-4pm) at AMF E. Meadow. Top prizes are guaranteed at $1,500 & $750. To view the results of the Winter Major please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Vietri Associates and Billvee Electric.