News

Babylon, NY:  Max Thomas, a 59 year old engineer from Stamford, CT won the LIGBT annual Holiday Tournament at AMF Babylon. Amazingly, it was Max’s second consecutive LIGBT title. Max’s third LIGBT title in the past 4 years became reality when he defeated Ron Hatchett, New York, NY, 217-210 to earn the $1,500 top prize. While Ron earned $750 for second, finishing third, just one pin behind, was Kevin Ohrnberger, Manorville, NY with a 209 worth $500. Rounding out the top 4 was Mike Simeone, Lindenhurst, NY with a 192 worth $300.

The final shootout was surprisingly low scoring. Everyone but Max had an open by the 3^rd frame and only Max and Ron threw a double by the 5^th frame. Max kept a small lead throughout the match since he didn’t have an open. But when Max had a surprising open in the final frame it gave Ron and Kevin a chance to grab the title in the tenth if they doubled. Kevin threw the first strike but couldn’t double and Ron got 9 on his first ball in the tenth giving Max the title while sitting down. Max was shocked as anyone that he won the tournament.

The AMF Babylon Holiday Tournament event drew a great crowd of 170 entries, advanced 31 bowlers to the finals and paid out $7,220. The cut scores on the “Boardwalk” pattern were 710, 703, and 702 for the 3 squads. High series of the tournament was shot by Kevin Ohrnberger with an 866 in the noon squad. The wildcard winner was Joe LaBargo, Bayside, NY with a 1369 6-game series. An extra woman was added to the finals; Evelyn Arena, W. Babylon, NY with a 689 series.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is a house shot event at Port Jeff Bowl. This 2-squad event will take place on Sunday, December 16^th and feature guaranteed top prizes of $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 6 advancing to the finals. To view the final results of the AMF Babylon event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates.

Astoria, NY:  Max Thomas, a 59 year old engineer from Stamford, CT won LIGBT’s house shot tournament at Astoria Bowl by defeating James Marino, Lindenhurst, NY in a 2 frame roll off 39-33. The two bowlers finished the 10^th frame with 243 which forced a 9^th/10^th frame roll off. Max earned $1,000 for his second LIGBT title while James took home $550 for second place. Finishing third was Shui Lee, Forest Hills, NY with a 235 worth $350 and fourth went to Mark Hulser, Ridgewood, NY with a 190 earning him $300.

The final shootout was historic as it was the first time in 10 years the title had to be decided in extra frames. Shui took the early lead with 6 strikes in his first 7 frames but 2 late splits hurt his title hopes. James also started out strong with 5 strikes in his first 6 frames but followed that with 2 missed spares. Meanwhile Max was the only bowler without an open frame which kept him in the match.

Going into the final frame James got up first and struck out for a 243. Max went next and needed a triple to beat James by 1 pin. Max got a double and 9 to tie James. Shui was the last bowler to finish and he needed a double and 9 to earn his first title. A stubborn 4 pin on his first shot cost him his first title and he had to settle for third place.

The roll off was filled with a lot of pressure as a big crowd stayed to watch the finals. James got up first and struck. Max’s first frame in the roll off was a devastating one pin spare open. Now Max needed to finish the roll off with at least a double to force James to mark. He accomplished his goal with 3 perfect strikes. James threw a good shot in his final frame and left a 10 pin. Amazingly he missed it right which gave Max the surprising victory.  

The Astoria house shot event drew a nice crowd of 90 entries, advanced 16 bowlers to the finals and paid out $4,215. The cut scores on the house shot were higher than normal; 766 & 769 for the 49 & under age group and 762 & 732 for the seniors. High series of the tournament was shot by Matthew Pejovic, Long Island City, NY with an 851 in the 3pm squad. One bowler, Aaron Geddins, New York, NY earned a $75 cashing spot due to the “no division” insurance.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is our annual Holiday Tournament at AMF Babylon. This 3-squad sport shot event will take place on Sunday, December 9^th and feature guaranteed top prizes of  $1,500-$750-$500-$300 and 1 in 6 advancing to the finals. To view the final results of the Astoria Bowl event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates.

            Shootout Scores

Garden City, NY:  Dexter Sapp, a 43 year old Verizon Technician from Valley Stream, NY, won the $3,000 top prize at The LIGBT Thanksgiving Major held at AMF Garden City. Dexter earned his record breaking 9^th title by defeating Yon Gyo Phark, Flushing, NY 221-200 in the final shootout. While Yon Gyo earned $1,500 for second, finishing third was Tony Gee, Floral Park, NY with a 191 worth $750. Rounding out the top 4 was Emmanuel Edobar-Osula, S. Richmond, NY with a 178 worth $500.

The final shootout quickly became a 2 bowler match as Dexter and Yon Gyo were the only ones to strike in the first 6 frames. Dexter took an early lead with a triple and it looked like he was going to run away with the title early. But when he opened in 3 out of his next 4 frames, and Yon Gyo doubled, the match got within 7 pins going into the 8^th frame. Dexter locked up the big money when he struck in the 9^th and 10^th frames.

The AMF Garden City event drew a record Thanksgiving crowd of 276 entries (including 43 desperado entries), advanced 43 bowlers to the finals and paid out $12,210. The cut scores on the “Alcatraz” pattern were low and ranged from 658 to 710. High series of the tournament was shot by Archie Nabas, Queens Village, NY with a 749 in the Sunday, 2pm squad. There were 2 wildcard bonuses. The Friday night wildcard was won by James Marino, Lindenhurst, NY with a 1279 six game series and the Sunday wildcard was won by the champion Dexter Sapp with a 1370. A total of 7 women made the finals with Monique Compton and Yvette Ford-Atkinson added via the woman guarantee.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is a house shot tournament on Sunday, December 2^nd (1pm & 3pm) at Astoria Bowl. Top prizes are guaranteed at $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 6 per age division each squad advancing to the finals and guaranteed a minimum of $100. To view the final results of the AMF Garden City Thanksgiving Major please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Vietri Associates and Billvee Electric.

 Josh Marino: Scratch Champion

Smithtown, NY:  Frank Spano, a senior bowler from Brentwood, NY won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s house shot event at AMF Smithtown. Frank earned his 2^nd LIGBT handicap title by defeating Max Thomas, Stamford, CT 229-200 in the final shootout. While Max earned $500 for 2nd, finishing in third with a 195 was Jack Saunders, Holbrook, NY earning $300. Fourth went to Deon Taitte, Amityville, NY with a 185 worth $250.   

The final shootout was a good match as all 4 bowlers were within 9 pins handicap. Frank started the match with 4 strikes in a row and was cruising until he opened in the 6th and 9^th frames. Jack had a chance to force Frank to double in the tenth if he doubled. Jack got the first strike but failed on his second attempt. When Max doubled in the final frame he grabbed second place by just 5 pins. Deon had trouble with the left lane and could not build a string of strikes.    

Prior to the handicap finals was the scratch final match between Joshua Marino, Forest Hills, NY and Warren Cooperstein, Fort Salonga, NY. Josh won the $600 scratch top prize by defeating Warren 231-203. Warren earned $300 for his runner-up position. Also cashing in the scratch prize fund was Anthony Fusco, W. Hempstead, NY (667) earning $150 and junior bowler Kyle Perillo, Nesconset, NY (657) earning a $75 scholarship.

This was the first time the LIGBT visited AMF Smithtown and it was a big success. The house shot event drew a crowd of 90 entries (70 handicap/20 scratch), advanced 13 bowlers to the finals (plus 2 scratch finalists) and paid out $4,225. The cut scores on the house shot were; 762 & 730 for the 49 & under age group and 731 & 752 for the seniors. High series of the tournament was shot by Deon Taitte with an 884 in the 1pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is our annual Thanksgiving Major featuring top prizes of $3,000 & $1,500. This 2-day event (November 23 & 25) will be hosted by AMF Garden City. To view the final results of the AMF Smithtown house shot event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, and Billvee Electric.

New Hyde Park, NY:  Eddie Cintron, a 61 year old Technical Project Manager from Laurelton, NY, won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s sport shot event at Herrill Lanes. Eddie earned his second LIGBT title by defeating Kameron Smith, Tobyhanna, PA 255-238 in the final shootout. While Kameron earned $500 for second, finishing third was Maniram Basdeo, Bronx, NY with a 236 worth $350. Rounding out the top 6 was 4^th place finisher Rafael Ongjoco, Babylon, NY with a 232 worth $300, 5^th went to Tony Jimenez, W. Babylon, NY with a 178 earning $275 and 6^th was taken by Dawn Vening Mount Vernon, NY with a 165 worth $250.

The six bowler shootout was a great match with 4 out of the 6 bowlers having a chance to win going into the final frame. Rafael took the early lead with a triple in frames 3 through 5. Eddie made a nice come back with his own triple in frames 5 through 7. When Maniram and Kameron doubled late in the match they also had a shot at the title. Eddie grabbed the title by doubling in the tenth forcing the other bowlers to also double. None accomplished the feat giving Eddie his second LIGBT trophy.

The Herrill event drew a good fall crowd of 95 entries, advanced 11 bowlers to the finals and cashed another 12 bowlers for $75 (better than 1 in 3.) The total prize fund paid out $4,325. The cut scores on the NCAA #3 pattern were low; 644 & 653. High series of the tournament was shot by our champion Eddie Cintron with a 736 in the 3pm squad. Women did very well as 3 advanced to the finals; Gloria Smith, Alice Vietri and Dawn Vening.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad house shot event at Whitestone Lanes; Sunday, November 11^th (1pm & 3pm.) Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000-1^st and $500-2^nd.  To view the final results of the Herrill Lanes event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates.

Scratch Finalists
Mike Dioguardo & Jonathan McCord

Patchogue, NY:  Dexter Sapp, a 42 year old Verizon technician from Valley Stream, NY won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s house shot event at Bowl Long Island. Dexter earned his record breaking 8th LIGBT title (his first in over 2 years) as he defeated Eddie Eng, Flushing, NY 244-214 in the final shootout. While Ed earned $500 for second, finishing in third with a 212 was James Marino, Lindenhurst, NY earning $300. Fourth went to Damian Walsh, Mastic, NY with a 211 worth $250. Rounding out the top 6 was fifth place finisher Tony Jimenez, W. Babylon, NY with a 210 worth $200 while 6^th place was taken by Denis Mendelson Levittown, NY with a 202 worth $150.  

The six bowler shootout was not as high scoring as previous house shot shootouts. Only one double was thrown (by James Marino) in the first 6 frames and 5 out of the 6 bowlers had an open frame by the 5^th frame. Dexter, who was the only bowler to shoot a clean game, took charge of the match with a four bagger starting in frame 6. By the time the final frame arrived the competition would be for second place which was only separated by 3 pins between 4 bowlers. Eddie Eng grabbed second place by striking out in the 10^th frame.

Prior to the handicap final shootout was the scratch final match between Jonathan McCord Medford, NY and Mike Dioguardo from Patchogue, NY. Jonathan won the $350 scratch top prize by shooting a clean 223. Mike settled for second, worth $230, with a 200. Jonathan advanced to the scratch finals with a qualifying series of 595 in the 1pm squad. Mike advanced to the finals with a 664 scratch series in the 3pm squad.

The Bowl Long Island house shot event drew a crowd of 64 entries (54 handicap/10 scratch), advanced 10 bowlers to the finals (plus 2 scratch finalists) and paid out $3,355. The cut scores on the house shot were low; 677 & 707 for the 49 & under age group and 682 & 704 for the seniors. High series of the tournament was shot by Denis Mendelson with an 818 in the 3pm squad. One additional bowler cashed via the “no division” insurance; Julio Arnold, Woodside, NY with a 704 in the second squad.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad sport shot event, November 4^th at Herrill Lanes. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay; $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 6 advancing to the finals. To view the final results of the Bowl Long Island house shot event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, and Billvee Electric.

Babylon, NY:  Hector Diaz Jr., a 39 year old IT Director from the Bronx, won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s sport shot event at AMF Babylon. Hector earned his fourth LIGBT title by defeating David Raiford, Long Island City, NY 219-217 in the final shootout. While David, who advanced to his second consecutive shootout, earned $500 for second, finishing third was left-hander Cameron Potts, Babylon, NY with a 202 worth $300. Rounding out the top 5 was 4^th place finisher Joe Laier, Massapequa Park, NY with a 197 worth $275 and 5^th went to senior bowler Sam Cooke, Patchogue, NY with a 192 earning $250.

The final shootout was a tight match all the way to the end. All 5 bowlers were within 10 pins in handicap so the shootout was basically bowled scratch. David started out strong with a triple and held the lead until the final frame. Hector was trailing David the entire match but when he doubled in the 8^th and 9^th frames, and David opened in the 10^th frame, the title was his when he marked in his final frame.

The AMF Babylon event drew a good fall crowd of 87 entries, advanced 15 bowlers to the finals (better than 1 in 5) and paid out $3,725. The cut scores on the “Autobahn” pattern were; 700 & 716. High series of the tournament was shot by 3^rd place finisher Joe Laier with a 786 in the 3pm squad. Three wildcard winners were added to the finals; Donald Eubanks, Elmsford, NY 1377, Deon Taitte, Amityville, NY 1370 and Sam Cooke 1355.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad house shot event at Bowl Long Island in Patchogue; Sunday, October 28^th (1pm & 3pm.) Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000-1^st and $500-2^nd.  To view the final results of the AMF Babylon event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates.

Astoria, NY:  Dennis McMillan, a 54 year old therapist, won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s house shot event at Astoria Bowl. Dennis’ first LIGBT title came fairly easy as he defeated Joe Scianna, Ronkonkoma, NY 300-257 in the final shootout. While Joe earned $500 for second, Tom Montilli, Bronx, NY finished third with a 249 worth $300 and fourth went to David Raiford, Long Island City, NY with a 214 earning him $250.

The final shootout featured a lot of strikes with Dennis almost throwing a perfect game except for a 10 pin in his second frame. Dennis finished with 280 scratch which was 23 pins higher than Joe’s 257 scratch game (Joe gets 0 handicap.) By the end of the match the contest was for second place between Joe and Tom. When Tom threw a strike in the 10^th it forced Joe to double which he did with ease. The shootout was well bowled as 3 of the 4 competitors threw clean games.

Joe and Tom also matched up in the scratch final shootout. Joe defeated Tom 254-235 to win the $375 top prize. Tom earned $250 for second. Also cashing in the scratch side event was Dainon Ward, Brooklyn, NY with a 707 earning him $75.

The Astoria house shot event drew a crowd of 67 entries, advanced 13 bowlers to the finals and paid out $3,425. The cut scores on the house shot were; 745 & 731 for the 49 & under age group and 719 & 731 for the seniors. High series of the tournament was shot by Archie Nabas, Queens Village, NY with an 853 in the 3pm squad. One bowler, James Marino, Lindenhurst, NY earned a $75 cashing spot due to the “no division” insurance.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad sport shot event, October 21^st at AMF Babylon. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay; $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 6 advancing to the finals. To view the final results of the Astoria Bowl event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates.