Garden City, NY: Jae Yi, a 48-year-old custom broker from Flushing, NY won the LIGBT Labor Day Weekend Major, sponsored by Storm, at AMF Garden City. Jae, won his third LIGBT title by defeating Joe Ceruzzi, Rye Brook, NY 277-269 to earn the $2,000 top prize. While Joe earned $1,000 for second, finishing in third was Aimee Matias, Staten Island, NY with a 234 worth $600. Rounding out the top 5 was Joe Scianna, Ronkonkoma, NY who cashed in both 4th and 5th place as a dual finalist (senior and scratch) earning a total of $700.
The Labor Day Weekend Major final shootout was a great match. Aimee was getting the most handicap, 54 pins, while Jae was getting 40 pins. Both Joes were bowling scratch so they started behind. Joe Ceruzzi bowled an incredible 269 scratch but Jae threw 4 consecutive strikes starting in the 8th frame to grab the lead and never looked back. Aimee started the match slowly with 3 opens in her first 6 frames but finished strong to secure third. Joe Scianna started striking too late and had to settle for the last 2 spots.
The LIGBT Summer Major featured 3 different divisions; scratch, 49 & under handicap, 50 & over handicap. There were 5 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 $100. 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 Summer Major drew a record-breaking crowd of 345 total entries (including the desperado), cashed 92 spots, and had an event payout of $13,735. The side action paid out an additional $13,630 bringing the total event payout to $27,365. Cut scores on the house shot ranged from a high of 735 to a low of 665. Pierce Field, Shirley, NY shot the only perfect game of the tournament.
LIGBT’s next tournament is a 1-squad house shot tournament at AMF E. Meadow on Sunday, September 18th. The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, Vietri Assoiates, Randi Siegle Associates, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.