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Farmingdale, NY:  The LIGBT crowned 3 champions on New Year’s Day at Farmingdale Lanes. The handicap 49 & under champion was Tiffany Smalls, New York, NY with a 1388 series worth $1,000. The handicap 50 & over champion was Dawn Vening, Mount Vernon, NY with a 1322 worth $1,000. The scratch champion was RJ Broege, Ronkonkoma, NY with a 1307 worth $1,000. An incredible 197 entries competed for $11,000 in prize money.

The NYD Marathon featured 3 separate events. The first prize list was for handicap bowlers ages 49 & under. A total of 68 bowlers competed in this event, with 14 bowlers cashing, in a $3,875 prize list. While Tiffany Smalls was the top bowler, finishing in second was Darius Fuller, Bayshore, NY with a 1356 worth $575. To cash in the 49 & under prize list it took a 1256 handicap series.

The second marathon event was for handicap bowlers age 50 & over. A total of 73 bowlers competed with 15 cashing in a $4,160 prize list. While Dawn Vening won the event with a 1322, coming in second was Bill Verni, W. Babylon, NY, just 6 pins behind with a 1316 worth $700. It took a 1261 handicap series to cash in the 50 & over prize list.

The third marathon event was for scratch bowlers. A total of 56 entries competed with 11 cashing in a $2,960 prize list. While RJ Broege won the scratch event with a 1307, finishing in second was Anthony Aria, Brooklyn, NY with a 1284 series worth $500. To cash in the scratch prize list you had to shoot 1182.

LIGBT’s next event is a 2-day major at AMF Garden City; January 17 & 19. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay; $3,000-$1,500-$750-$500 with 1 in 6 advancing each squad. For complete results of the New Year’s Day marathon 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:  So Young Chin, a 42-year old Import/Exporter from Whitestone, NY won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s sport shot event at Herrill Lanes. So Young earned her 2nd LIGBT title, first since 2015, by defeating Steve Chiu, Little Neck, NY 264-247 in the final shootout. While Steve earned $600 for second, finishing third was Darcy Monroe, E. Meadow, NY with a 233 worth $400. Rounding out the top 5 was 4^th place finisher Harry Park, Flushing, NY with a 215 worth $300, and 5^th went to Sal Florindo, Forest Hills, NY with a 199 worth $250.

The 5-person shootout was a good scoring competition with 3 bowlers having a shot at the title going into the final frame. Harry and Sal’s title hopes were dashed went both had several open frames during the match. Darcy had a chance to put pressure on So Young in the 10^th but missed a spare to finish 3^rd. Steve was the only finalist to shoot a clean game but could not throw a string of strikes to catch the champion. So Young, who opened in the 2^nd frame, struck out from the 7^th frame on to win the title by 17 pins.

The Herrill Lanes event drew a wonderful crowd of 137 entries, advanced 20 bowlers to the finals plus cashed another 15 for $75 (better than 1 in 3.) The total prize fund paid out was $6,225. The cut scores on the Beijing-35ft pattern were: 668 & 661. High series of the tournament was shot by Joe LaBargo with a 760 in the 3pm squad. The wildcard winner was Steve Chiu with a 1359 six-game series. Two women were added to the finals; Lisa Giglia, Howard Beach, NY (672) and Evelyn Arena, W. Babylon, NY (671.)     

LIGBT’s next tournament is the New Year’s Day 5-Game Marathon at Farmingdale Lanes featuring 3 prize lists all guaranteeing top prizes of $1,000 & $500.  To view the results of the Herrill Lanes’s event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, & Vietri Associates, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

Wantagh, NY:  Lou Barbera, a 61-year old high school teacher from N. Bellmore, NY won the $1,500 top prize at LIGBT’s holiday tournament at AMF Wantagh. Lou won his first LIGBT title by defeating Jong Bo Shim, Fresh Meadows, NY 231-221 in the final shootout. While Jong Bo earned $750 for second, finishing third was Rich Hengel, E. Meadow, NY with a 219 worth $450. Rounding out the top 4 was Archie Nabas, Queens Village, NY with a 215 worth $300.

The final shootout was a very close match right up until the final frame. Lou took the early lead with two doubles in his first 6 frames. Jong Bo, who was getting the most handicap, had a triple and 3 opens in his first 6 frames. Rich trailed early as he had 2 opens and no doubles through 6 frames. Archie, who was giving everyone pins, started with 2 opens but then strung 4 out of 5 strikes in the middle of the game to put him right back in the match.

Going into the 10^th frame all 4 bowlers had a shot at the title. Jong Bo completed his game first with a spare giving him 219. Rich needed a strike on his fill ball to tie Jong for the lead but left a 6 count. Lou needed a mark to take over the lead and struck on his first ball to give him the title. Archie could have jumped from 4^th to 2^nd with a double but only got the first strike and settled for 4^th place. 

The AMF Wantagh event drew a great crowd of 145 entries, advanced 26 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $6,240. The cut scores on the Broadway pattern were: 698 & 702. High series of the tournament was shot by our champion with a 780 in the 1pm squad. The wildcard winner was John Jackson, Bogota, NJ with a 1349 six-game series. One woman was added to the finals; Natalie Villemure, Levittown, NY with a 698.      

In addition to the finalists there were many other winners in the holiday raffle. Two Brunswick balls, 2 Torch triple rollers, 6 quarts of Knockout Ball Cleaner, and 16 LaRue LIGBT Jerseys were won. All bowlers received a bunch of holiday gifts from the LIGBT including a torch double tote bag, knockout ball cleaner, towel, and gifts from Station Casinos. Bowlers also enjoyed holiday cake and candy throughout the tournament.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad sport shot event at Herrill Lanes; Sunday, December 22^nd (1pm & 3pm.) To view the results of the Holiday Tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Brunswick, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, Vietri Associates, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

Garden City, NY:  Denis Mendelson, a 65-year old printer from Levittown, NY, won the $3,000 top prize at The LIGBT’s Thanksgiving Major held at AMF Garden City. Denis earned his second LIGBT title by defeating TJ Kim, Mineola, NY 246-232 in the final shootout. While TJ earned $1,500 for second, finishing third was Amanda Salyer, W. Islip, NY with a 227 worth $750. Rounding out the top 4 was Antoine Thurston, Harlem, NY with a 200 worth $500.

The final shootout was a tight match with all 4 players having a chance at the $3,000 title late in the game. While Antoine had the first double, his 3 open frames and smallest handicap forced him to play catch-up throughout the shootout. Amanda had a small lead going into the 8^th frame but when she missed a spare and Denis doubled in the 9^th/10^th he took the lead but had to wait for TJ to bowl his final frame. TJ needed all 3 strikes to win but settled for 2^nd place when he spared in the 10^th.

The Thanksgiving Major at AMF Garden City drew an incredible crowd of 270 entries (including 34 desperado entries), advanced 46 bowlers to the finals and paid out $13,140. The cut scores on the “Autobahn” pattern were moderate and ranged from 675 to 699. High series of the tournament was shot by James Marino, Lindenhurst, NY with a 782 in the Friday, 10pm squad. There were 4 wildcard bonuses. The Friday night wildcards were won by Dwight Dunkley, Brooklyn, NY (1345) and Monica McMillan, E. Elmhurst, NY (1327). The Sunday wildcards were won by Curtis Hetmeyer, Brooklyn, NY (1321) and Sal Lauretta Sr., Center Moriches, NY (1298). A total of 4 women advanced to the finals out of 27 women entries.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is our annual Holiday Tournament on Sunday, December 8^th (1pm & 3pm) at AMF Wantagh. Top prizes are guaranteed at $1,500 & $750. To view the final results of the AMF Garden City Thanksgiving Major please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Vietri Associates and Billvee Electric.

Babylon, NY:  Tony Jimenez, a 68-year old retired right-hander from W. Babylon, NY won the $1,500 top prize at LIGBT’s Beat-The-Board Tournament held at AMF Babylon. Tony won his 2nd LIGBT title by defeating Yon Gyo Phark, Flushing, NY 213-204 in a very low scoring final shootout. While Yon Gyo earned $750 for second, finishing third was Kenny Simpson, Shirley, NY with a 199 worth $500. Rounding out the top 4 was Tony’s son Adam DeRossi, Massapequa Park, NY with a 191 worth $250.

The final shootout was a grind from the beginning. By the 4^th frame three of the four bowlers had at least 2 open frames, and the leader, Ken Simpson, had one open. But from the 5^th frame on, Tony stayed clean, while Ken opened his last 3 frames, to give up a 20-pin lead and the title. Yon Gyo climbed from 4^th place to 2^nd by marking in his last 5 frames. Amazingly, there was not one double the entire match.

The AMF Babylon event drew a nice crowd of 120 entries, advanced 24 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $5,800 in prize money. The cut scores on the Alcatraz pattern was 681. High series of the tournament was shot by Max Thomas, Stamford, CT, with a 772 in the 4pm squad. There were 2 wildcard winners: Ken Simpson with a 1362 from the first 2 squads and Bill Verni, W. Babylon, NY and our tournament sponsor, with a 1396 six-game series from the last 2 squads. Two women advanced to the finals; Jennifer Bochicchio, Selden, NY with a 705 and Diane Allen, Fleetwood Station, NY with a 698.      

LIGBT’s next tournament is our two-day Thanksgiving Major on Friday, November 29 and Sunday, December 1^st at AMF Garden City. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $3,000 & $1,500. To view the results and video finals 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.

Farmingdale, NY:  Eddie Cintron, a 62-year old Technical Project Manager for the Red Cross from Laurelton, NY won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s sport shot event at Farmingdale Lanes. Ed won his third LIGBT title by defeating Krystal Idzinski, Middle Village, NY 219-217 in the final shootout. While Krystal earned $500 for second, finishing third was Scott Kampf, Levittown, NY with a 158 worth $300. Rounding out the top 4 was Scott’s older brother Justin with a 149 worth $250.

The final shootout was a low scoring battle between Eddie and Krystal. The Kampf brothers were giving the other 2 bowlers more than 40 pins in handicap so they needed to shoot a big scratch game to compete which was very difficult to accomplish on the USBC 2018 Open pattern. Eddie and Krystal battled throughout the 10 frames and when Eddie opened in both the 8^th and 9^th frames Krystal took an 8 pin lead. The final frame was the deciding factor, and when Krystal missed a baby split and Ed converted a 1 pin spare, Eddie was holding his 3^rd LIGBT trophy.

The Farmingdale Lanes event drew a great crowd of 101 entries, advanced 13 bowlers to the finals plus cashed another 13 for $75 (better than 1 in 3.) The total prize fund paid out was $4,525. The cut scores on the USBC 2018 Singles/Doubles pattern were: 652 & 664. High series of the tournament was shot by Justin Kampf in the 3pm squad with a 750. The wildcard winner was Pak Wong, New York, NY with a 1315 six-game series.      

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 3-squad Beat-The-Board Tournament at AMF Babylon; Sunday, November 17^th (Noon-2pm-4pm) featuring top prizes of $1,500 & $750. Twenty-four bowlers are guaranteed to advance to the finals. To view the 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, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.

Levittown, NY:  Jack Kampf, a 55-year old truck driver from Levittown, NY, won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s house shot tournament hosted by Levittown Lanes. Jack’s home bowling center is Levittown and he took full advantage of the “local knowledge” to capture his 4^th LIGBT title in 7 years. In the final shootout Jack defeated 2^nd place finisher Julio Arnold, Woodside, NY 256-227. While Julio earned $500 for his runner-up position, finishing in third was Darryl Freeman, Forest Hills, NY with a 220 worth $350. Rounding out the top 4 was Anthony Cotter, Bellmore, NY with a 197 worth $300.

The final shootout started out strong as all 4 bowlers had a double by the third frame. Darryl had the lead in the 5^th frame as he was the only bowler to stay clean the first half of the match. Jack’s victory run started in the 6^th frame where he struck the next 4 out of 5 frames to lock up the match. Julio could have won the title if he had tripled in the final frame. But a ringing 10 pin cost him the chance at the title.

The Levittown house shot event drew a nice crowd of 86 entries (79 handicap/7 scratch), advanced 14 bowlers to the handicap finals and paid out a total of $3,900. Cut scores on the house shot ranged from a low of 731 to a high of 771. High series of the day was shot by Dennis McMillan, Jamaica, NY with an 820 in the 4pm squad. The wildcard winner was Robert Grieb, Deer Park, NY with a 6-game total of 1455. The winner of the scratch prize fund was Justin Kampf, Levittown, NY with a 770 series, that included a 299 game, worth $250.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a sport shot event at Farmingdale Lanes on Sunday, November 3rd (1pm & 3pm).  Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000 & $500 with 1 in 4 per squad cashing.  To view the final results of the Levittown 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.

Meadow, NY: Dawn Vening, a 52-year old Legal Assistant from Mt. Vernon, NY won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s sport shot event at AMF E. Meadow. Dawn won her first LIGBT title by defeating Archie Nabas, Queens Village, NY 285-263 in the final shootout. While Archie earned $500 for second, finishing third was Rafael Ongjoco, Babylon, NY with a 194 worth $300. Rounding out the top 4 was Alex Padmore, Jamaica, NY with a 186 worth $250.

The final shootout was dominated by Dawn and Archie. Although Dawn was getting 21 pins in handicap from Archie, she didn’t need a single one as shot beat him scratch by one pin! Dawn started the match with 4 strikes, and then after an open frame in the 5^th, threw another 4 strikes in a row to hold off a late run by Archie. Archie threw the only clean game in the shootout, and finished with 6 in a row, but still fell 12 pins short of his 5^th title.

The AMF E. Meadow event drew a great crowd of 100 entries, advanced 14 bowlers to the finals plus cashed another 12 for $75 (better than 1 in 4.) The total prize fund paid out was $4,650. The cut scores on the “Boardwalk” pattern were: 653 & 670. High series of the tournament was shot by Stanley Waite, Dover, DE in the 1pm squad with a 726. The wildcard winner was Andrew Mienkiewicz, Dix Hills, NY with a 1350 six-game series. One woman was added to the finals due to the women guarantee and that was our champion Dawn who qualified with a 687.    

LIGBT’s next tournament is a house shot event at Levittown Lanes on Sunday, October 27^th (2pm & 4pm) featuring top prizes of $1,000 & $500. The house shot event will feature 2 age divisions (49 & under/50+) and advance 1 in 6 to the finals.  To view the 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.