News

Garden City, NY:  Curtis Hetmeyer, a 51 year old senior aid and super from Brooklyn, NY won the $3,000 top prize at LIGBT’s Spring Major held at AMF Garden City. Curtis earned his second LIGBT title (first sport shot title) by defeating Sunny Yee, Flushing, NY 246-222 in the final shootout. While Sunny earned $1,500 for second, finishing third was Anthony Fusco, W. Hempstead, NY with a 215 worth $800. Rounding out the top 4 was Maniram Basdeo, Bronx, NY with a 211 worth $600.

The Spring Major shootout was dominated by Curtis as he threw 7 strikes in his first 8 frames. The only bowler in the shootout that kept the pressure on Curtis was Sunny Yee who marked in her first 8 frames. But when she opened her last 2 frames Curtis’ first major title became reality. Anthony, who was giving everyone pins, didn’t throw a double until the 7^th frame forcing him to finish in 3^rd. Maniram had 2 opens in his first 5 frames which he could never recover from. 

The AMF Garden City event drew a great crowd of 313 entries (including 34 desperado entries), advanced 53 bowlers to the finals and paid out $15,190. The cut scores on the “Athens” pattern were low and ranged from 656 to 678. High series of the tournament was shot by Timothy Lau, Albertson, NY with a 742 in the Friday, 10pm squad. There were 2 wildcard winners. The Friday night wildcard was won by Rafael Ongjoco, Babylon, NY with a 1322 six game series and the Sunday wildcard was won by Dexter Sapp, Valley Stream, NY with a 1294. Women bowled well all weekend with 8 advancing to the finals.    

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad sport shot tournament at Herrill Lanes on Sunday, April 28^th (1pm & 3pm.) Top prizes are guaranteed at $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 4 cashing each squad. To view the final results of the AMF Garden City Spring Major please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Vietri Associates and Billvee Electric.

Levittown, NY:  Mike Nenna, a 51 year old Verizon worker from Tobyhanna, PA won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s house shot event at Levittown Lanes. Mike won his first LIGBT title by defeating 9-time champion Dexter Sapp, Valley Stream, NY 292-282 in the final shootout. While Dexter earned $500 for second, Gregory Welch, Brooklyn, NY finished in third with a 273 worth $300 and fourth went to Michael Reed, Boston, MA with a 267 earning him $250.

The final shootout was very high scoring as the 4 talented bowlers took advantage of the easy conditions. Mike took control early by throwing 7 strikes in his first 8 frames and never looked back. Dexter, who was giving everyone pins and started the match with a missed spare, had too far to climb and finished 10 pins short despite throwing 10 out of 11 strikes his last 9 frames. Gregory bowled great but a missed one pin spare in the 8^th frame costing him his first title. Michael Green started with a triple but had trouble stringing strikes the rest of the game.

The Levittown event also featured a separate scratch prize fund. The two squad leaders, Jason Nicholas, Wantagh, NY (760-2pm) and Daniel Twomey, Teaneck, NJ (701-4pm) decided to split the top 2 prizes and each earned $355. The two other scratch cashers were Craig Koppell, Syosset, NY (682) and Chondite Faison, New York, NY (702) each winning $75.

The Levittown house shot event drew a good crowd of 117 entries (18 scratch), advanced 17 bowlers to the handicap finals and paid out $5,460 in prize money. Cut scores on the house shot were; 754 & 774 for the 49 & under division and 767 & 736 for the seniors. High handicap series was shot by Giovanni Lara, Flushing, NY with an 853 in the 2pm squad. The wildcard winner was James Marino, Lindenhurst, NY with a 1476 series. One woman was added to the finals and that was Lisa Giglia-Quroz, Howard Beach, NY with a 696 at 2pm.

LIGBT’s next tournament is our annual Spring Major at AMF Garden City. This 2 day event, April 12 & 14, will feature top prizes of $3,000 & $1,500 with all finalists earning at least $150.  To view the final results of the Levittown event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates.

W. Babylon, NY:  The LIGBT ran its first ever “Beat the Board” tournament and the winner of the $1,500 top prize was Darryl Freeman, Forest Hills, NY. Darryl won his second LIGBT title by defeating TeEssense Brown, Medford, NY 312-209. While TeEssense won $750 for second, finishing in third with a 204 was Frank Spano, Brentwood, NY earning $500. Rounding out the top 4 was Julio Arnold, Woodside, NY with a 184 worth $300.

The final shootout was dominated by “Freeman” as he rolled a 276 scratch game (312 handicap) to close out the match by the 7^th frame. It was one of the finest games bowled in an LIGBT final shootout. TeEssense, who was making her first shootout appearance, bowled well enough to finish in second. Frank had 3 opens but finished with a triple to grab 3^rd place. Julio, who was giving everyone handicap, had 4 opens and only 1 double to finish in fourth place.

The Beat the Board Tournament drew a great crowd of 189 entries, advanced 24 bowlers to the finals and paid out $6,850 with all finalists earning at least $150. It took a 718 to advance on a custom pattern from Kegel. High series of the tournament was shot by David Ehrlich, Fresh Meadows, NY with an 810 in the 2pm squad. The wildcard winners were Dom Napoli, Levittown, NY (1478) and Darryl McDuffie, Floral Park, NY (1473.)    

LIGBT’s next tournament is a house shot event at Levittown Lanes on Sunday, March 31^st:  2pm & 4pm. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay; $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 6 bowlers per age division advancing to the finals each squad. 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, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

E. Meadow, NY:  Archie Nabas, a 48 year old left-hander from Queens Village, NY won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s sport shot event at AMF E. Meadow. Archie’s 2nd title this season, and third overall, was accomplished when he defeated Donald Eubanks, Elmsford, NY 230-228. While Donald earned $500 for second, finishing in third was So Young Chin, Whitestone, NY with a 202 worth $300. Rounding out the top 4 was Rodney Williams, Central Islip, NY with a 184 worth $250.

The final shootout was close the entire 10 frames. Archie, who was giving handicap to the other 3 bowlers, shot the only clean game in the shootout. So Young couldn’t throw a double and Rodney had trouble making spares. Donald, who had opens in frames 3-5, threw a triple in his last 3 frames to force Archie to mark in the 10^th. Archie left one pin on his first shot and barely converted the spare to clinch the victory. Everyone watching thought Archie “threw away the title” but he avoided embarrassment by just one inch.

The AMF E. Meadow event drew a good crowd of 99 entries, advanced 14 bowlers to the finals and cashed another 12 bowlers for $75. The total prize fund paid out $4,650 with all finalists earning at least $150. The scores on the Kegel Turnpike pattern were low as it only took a 659 in both squads to cash. High series of the tournament was shot by John Tiburzi, Holbrook, NY with a 759 in the 3pm squad. The wildcard winner was 2nd place finisher Donald Eubanks with a 1324 six game series.     

LIGBT’s next tournament is a special sport shot event at AMF Babylon on Sunday, March 24th: noon-2pm-4pm. This is a “Beat the Board” Tournament with guaranteed top prizes of; $1,500-$750-$500-$300 and 24 bowlers making the finals. To view the final results of the AMF E. Meadow event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

Astoria, NY:  Harry Park, a jewelry maker from Flushing, NY won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s house shot event at Astoria Bowl. Harry, who is one of the hottest bowlers in the LIGBT, defeated Weldon Drayton Jr., Brentwood, NY 280-250 in the final shootout. While Weldon earned $500 for second, Nick Vacarro, Floral Park, NY finished third with a 248 worth $300 and fourth went to Jimmy Califano, Astoria, NY with a 226 earning him $250.

The final shootout was a high scoring event that was well bowled. There were only 2 open frames the entire match. Harry led most of the way as he threw 8 strikes, including 5 in a row the last 4 frames. Weldon also bowled well but couldn’t string strikes at the end as he finished second. Nick had two triples but also had one of the open frames as he left a blowout 7-10 split in the 6^th frame. Jimmy couldn’t figure out the left lane and with a missed 7 pin in the 9^th frame he settled in fourth place. 

The Astoria house shot event drew a good crowd of 94 entries, advanced 17 bowlers to the finals and paid out $4,315 in prize money. Cut scores on the house shot were; 697 & 757 for the 49 & under division and 740 & 721 for the seniors. High handicap series was shot by Max Thomas, Stamford, CT with an 834 in the 3pm squad. The wildcard winner was Tyger Folmar, Miramar, FL with a 1409 series. Two women made the finals; Kelsey Fisher, Brooklyn, NY shot 757 in the 3pm squad and Michele LaSala, Whitestone, NY shot 736 in the 1pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad sport shot tournament at AMF E. Meadow on Sunday, March 17th. 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.

Wantagh, NY:  Jimmy Walsh, a 67 year old bartender from Glen Cove, NY won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s sport shot event at AMF Wantagh. Jimmy earned his second LIGBT title by defeating Ed Eng, Flushing, NY in an extra frame roll off (both were tied at 215.) While Ed earned $500 for second, finishing in third was William Knoth, Patchogue, NY with a 205 worth $350. Rounding out the top 4 was 4^th place finisher Max Thomas, Stamford, CT with a 180 worth $300.

The final shootout was very low scoring as there were only 6 strikes in the first 8 frames. Jim won the title because he made 7 spares in a row, many of which were multiple pins. When the match entered the 9^th frame Jim had a 9 pin lead. That lead quickly disappeared when Ed doubled in his last 2 frames. To close out the match all Ed had to do was fill 10 pins on 2 balls. On his second shot in the 10^th Ed left a ten pin and then missed it to give Jim a chance. Jim needed a strike on his fill ball and he knocked down all 10 pins to force a roll off. In the roll off Ed started the extra frames with an open which gave Jim an easy road to victory.

The AMF Wantagh event drew a great crowd of 121 entries, advanced 16 bowlers to the finals and cashed another 17 bowlers for $75 (better than 1 in 3.) The total prize fund paid out $5,475 with all finalists earning at least $150. The cut scores on the Kegel custom pattern were low; 652 & 667. High series of the tournament was shot by Richard Martinez, Howard Beach with a 752 in the 3pm squad. The wildcard winner was 4^th place finisher Max Thomas with a 1325 six game series.     

LIGBT’s next tournament is a house shot event at Astoria Bowl on Sunday, March 3^rd: 1pm & 3pm. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay; $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 6 bowlers per age division advancing to the finals each squad. To view the final results of the AMF Wantagh event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

New Hyde Park, NY:  Hector Diaz Jr., Bronx, NY, won his 5^th LIGBT title, and the $1,000 top prize, at LIGBT’s sport shot event at Herrill Lanes. Hector, who is a 39 year old IT Director, won the sport shot title by defeating Sun Kim, Flushing, NY 241-219 in the final shootout. While Sun earned $600 for second, finishing third was Tony Gee, Floral Park, NY with a 204 worth $400. Rounding out the top 4 was 4^th place finisher Harry Park, Flushing, NY with a 184 worth $300.

The final shootout quickly became a 2 man race as Hector and Sun were tied in the 7^th frame. When Sun doubled in the 7^th and 8^th frame he took a 10 pin lead. But Hector came right back with his own double in the 9^th and 10^th frames to grab the lead back and secure his 5^th title. Tony, who was the 3pm squad leader, had to settle for third place as he couldn’t make a spare in the final shootout. Harry, who won the previous LIGBT tournament, missed 2 easy spares and couldn’t double and settled for 4^th place.

The Herrill event drew a great crowd of 129 entries, advanced 17 bowlers to the finals and cashed another 16 bowlers for $75 (better than 1 in 3.) The total prize fund paid out $5,950 with all finalists earning at least $150. The cut scores on the Beijing pattern were low; 658 & 647. High series of the tournament was shot by our champion Hector Diaz with a 748 in the 1pm squad. The wildcard winner was Sun Kim with a 1343 six game series. Hyo Jin Kim, Flushing, NY was the only women to make the finals when she shot a 706 series in the 1pm squad.    

LIGBT’s next tournament is another sport shot event at AMF Wantagh on Sunday, February 24^th 1pm & 3pm. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay; $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 4 bowlers cashing each squad. 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, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

 Farmingdale, NY:  Rodney Williams, a 50 year old Town of Islip employee from Central Islip, NY won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s house shot event at Farmingdale Lanes. Rodney won his first LIGBT title by defeating Guy Sereno, W. Hempstead, NY 260-250 in the final shootout. While Guy earned $500 for second, Lou Getzelman, Massapequa, NY finished third with a 211 worth $300 and fourth went to Kenny Hosek, W. Islip, NY with a 204 earning him $250.

The handicap final shootout quickly became a 2 man race between Rodney and Guy. Rodney, who was getting 31 pins more in handicap than Guy, had a 28 pin lead in the 8^th frame but when he missed a 1 pin spare in the 9^th, and Guy struck, the match was still up for grabs. Guy did his best to pressure Rodney as he threw 2 more strikes in the tenth frame which forced Rodney to throw a double. Rodney put all 3 balls in the pocket to finish like a champion and claim the $1,000 top prize. 

The scratch event finished with a one game match between Alex Henry, Sayville, NY and Guy Sereno. Both of these bowlers qualified for the scratch finals by leading their squad; Guy led the 1pm squad with a 757 and Alex led the 3pm squad with an amazing 791. In the final match Alex defeated Guy 217-205 to win the $450 top prize. While Guy took home $300 for 2^nd, finishing in 3^rd and 4^th was Kenny Hosek, and Anthony D’Elia, E. Islip, NY each earning $125. The scratch prize fund paid out a total of $1,000.

The Farmingdale Lanes event drew a nice crowd of 79 entries (60 handicap/19 scratch), advanced 13 bowlers to the finals and paid out $3,900 in prize money. Cut scores on the house shot were; 750 & 786 for the 49 & under division and 726 & 739 for the seniors. High handicap series was shot by Alex Henry with an 857 in the 3pm squad. The wildcard winner was Michael Adamo, Patchogue, NY with a 1422 series. NOTE: Michael Bagnato, Lindenhurst, NY, was tied for the first squad lead but had to withdraw due to an injury.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad sport shot tournament at Herrill Lanes on Sunday, February 17th. To view the final results of the Farmingdale Lanes event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates.