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LEVITTOWN, NY: Gwendolyn Gaynus, a 77 year old retired Brooklyn right-hander, won her first LIGBT title with a fantastic 259 game in a 5 person shootout final from South Levittown Lanes. Gwenn defeated second place finisher Brad Morris, a 30 year old gym teacher from Bayside, NY by 20 pins. Gwendolyn earned $1,000 for her victory while Brad took home $500 with his 239 game.

The 5 person shootout started with some great bowling as almost every doubled in the first 2 frames. Rich Frost, E. Islip, NY, took the early lead despite getting the least handicap. Gwenn, who has been a member of the LIGBT for 5 years, bowled steady throughout the match and only had one open frame. Her double in the 7^th & 8^th frames gave her the lead which she never gave back as she marked the rest of the game. Finishing third was Rich with a 226 worth $300. Fourth place went to Robert Vecchione, Massapequa, NY with a 211 earning him $250 and fifth place went to Taisha Joliffe, Brooklyn, NY with a 208 worth $200.

The South Levittown tournament drew a nice crowd of 97 entries, advanced 17 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $3,380. Kegel’s 40 foot Highway to Hell pattern was used and scoring was on the low to moderate side (702 cut at 1pm & 678 at 3pm). High series of the tournament was shot by Brad Morris, who was the previous champion the last time the LIGBT visited South Levittown, with a 763 in the 3pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 3-day major event at AMF Babylon on Memorial Day Weekend (May 23-25). Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $3,000 & $1,500. One in 6 each squad advances to the finals and will cash for a minimum of $80. Prepaid entry fees for the Babylon Major are $65 per squad. For complete results of the S. Levittown tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Knockout Ball Cleaner and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

E. Meadow, NY: Cary Fishman, who owns his own cab and resides in New York City, struck out in the last 2 frames to shock second place finisher Justin Cohen, an 18 year old student from Melville, NY. Even third place finisher Julio Arnold, a security personnel director from Woodside, NY, thought he had a shot at the title before Cary stole the victory. Final scores in the shootout were Cary 228 ($1,000), Justin 227 ($500 scholarship), and Julio 218 ($250.)

The shootout had many lead changes with Cary trailing in third place most of the match. Cary’s luck changed when he converted the 5-10 split in the 8^th frame and then threw 3 consecutive cross-over strikes. Justin needed only a mark in the 10^th frame but he missed the 3-9 double wood spare which allowed Cary to throw one more strike for the victory. Cary’s final shot was perfect which gave him the $1,000 1 pin victory.

The AMF Wantagh tournament drew a nice crowd of 97 entries, advanced 17 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $3,260. Kegel’s 39 foot Winding Road pattern was used and scoring was on the moderate to high side (709 cut at 1pm & 718 at 3pm). Steve Williams shot the only 800 series of the tournament with an 801 in the 1pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad (1pm & 3pm) handicap event at S. Levittown Lanes on Sunday, May 18th. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000 & $500. One in 6 each squad advances to the finals and will cash for a minimum of $60. Entry fees for the S. Levittown event are $60-1^st entry and $50 for a re-entry. For complete results of the AMF E. Meadow tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Knockout Ball Cleaner and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

                                                                                      Donald Eubanks with his son.

Wantagh, NY: Donald Eubanks, a 56 year old limo company owner from Elmsford, NY, won his first LIGBT title by defeating second place finisher, Eric Vecchi, a 48 year old retired police officer from Islip Terrace, NY 235-228 at LIGBT’s April 27^th event at AMF Wantagh. Donald, who has been trying to win an LIGBT trophy for 5 years, earned $1,000 while Eric earned $500. Finishing third with a 208 was Eddie Cintron, a 56 year old Senior Project Manager for Windham Hotels, earning him $300.

In the final shootout there was only a 4 pin handicap difference between the three competitors so the match was basically bowled scratch. All 3 bowlers were looking for their first LIGBT title so the tense pressure and the tough lane pattern made for a low scoring match. Donald had a 5 pin lead going into the 9^th frame and when he doubled it gave him his first LIGBT victory.

The AMF Wantagh tournament drew a great crowd of 133 entries, advanced 23 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $4,775. The payout in the first two rounds was increased by more than 30% due to the large entry count. Kegel’s 40 foot Abbey Road pattern was put down, and scoring was on the moderate side (698 cut at 1pm & 700 at 3pm). There were two 800 series both shot in the 3pm squad: David Cincotta, N. Babylon, NY rolled an 826 and Brendan Delaney, Levittown, NY shot an 821.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad (1pm & 3pm) handicap event at AMF East Meadow on Sunday, May 4th. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000 & $500. One in 6 each squad advances to a match play finals and will cash for a minimum of $60. Entry fees for the AMF E. Meadow event are $60-1^st entry and $50 for a re-entry. For complete results of the AMF Wantagh tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Knockout Ball Cleaner and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Babylon, NY:  Rob Foerster, a 43 year old right-hander from E. Meadow, NY won the LIGBT Spring Major at AMF Babylon by defeating second place finisher Hermie Hannibal, Brooklyn, NY 243-232 in the final shootout. Rob becomes the first LIGBT champion to earn a spot in the finals from the Desperado Shootout to win the title.  This was Rob’s first LIGBT title since joining the club in 2009 and it was worth $2,000.

The Spring Major champion was not determined until the final frame. Hermie was trailing Rob by 9 pins going into the tenth frame and she filled the last frame with a 9 spare 9 forcing Rob to mark. Rob threw a great shot in the tenth but left a 9 pin which he converted for the victory. Hermie earned $1,000 for her runner-up position. Rounding out the top five were third place finisher Devon Johnson, Brooklyn, NY with a 215 worth $500, fourth was Jackie Delawski, Williston Park, NY with a 204 worth $300, and fifth was Dwayne Redman, Bronx, NY with a 161 earning him $250.

The AMF Babylon Spring Major drew a great holiday crowd of 223 entries plus another 58 Desperado Shootout entries and paid out more than $8,000 in prizes. A total of 35 bowlers advanced to the finals earning a minimum of $80. With 114 different bowlers competing close to 1 in 3 advanced to the finals in the 2-day event.

Kegel’s 42 foot Autobahn pattern was used for the 5 qualifying squads and scoring was moderate. Cut scores were consistent all weekend ranging from 700 to 717. Two bowlers shot an 800+ handicap series; John Mauro, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY rolled an 813 in the Saturday 8pm squad and Deon Taitte, Amityville, NY shot an 801 in the Sunday 1pm squad.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad handicap event at AMF Wantagh (squad times 1pm & 3pm) Sunday, April 27th. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000 & $500. One in 6 each squad advances to the finals and will cash for a minimum of $60. Entry fees for the Wantagh event are $60 & $50 prepaid and everyone receives a $5 bracket with their entry. For complete results of the AMF Babylon Spring Major please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Knockout Ball Cleaner and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

New Hyde Park, NY: Another exciting finish at an LIGBT event saw Daniel Goldberg, Douglaston, NY doubled in the tenth frame to win the $1,000 top prize at Herrill Lanes. Daniel defeated second place finisher William Tsantillas, East Norwich, NY, 256-252 to secure his second LIGBT title. William earned $500 for second while youth bowler Kristina Genova, Elmont, NY earned a $300 scholarship for finishing third with a 238.

The final shootout was as close as it can get. All 3 bowlers were within a few pins of each other going into the final frames. All 3 struck in the 9^th frame which set up the incredible finish. Kristina went first and threw the first strike but left a 7 pin on her second shot. William also threw the first strike but left a 4 pin on his second try. Daniel threw the double in the tenth securing his title by a mere 4 pins.

The Herrill Lanes tournament drew a great crowd of 123 entries, advanced 22 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $4,140. The payout in the first two final rounds were increased by more than 30% due to the large entry count. A new lane pattern was used, WTBA London (44 feet), and scoring was on the moderate to low side (685 cut at 1pm & 698 at 3pm). The high series of the day was shot by Julio Arnold, Woodside, NY, with a 772 in the 3pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 3-day major event at AMF Babylon. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $3,000 & $1,500. One in 8 each squad advances to the finals and will cash for a minimum of $80. Entry fees for the AMF Babylon Major are $65-1^st entry and $40 for all re-entries. For complete results of the Herrill Lanes tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Farmingdale Wellness Centers, Knockout Ball Cleaner and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Plainview, NY: Maniram Basdeo, Bronx, NY won his third LIGBT in 4 years by shooting the only clean game in a 5 bowler shootout at AMF Plainview. Maniram, who was added to the finals as a wildcard entry since he shot the highest 6-game series by a non-finalist (1,408), rolled a 260 to defeat second place finisher Darcy Monroe, Hicksville, NY by 5 pins. Maniram earned $1,000 for his victory while Darcy took home $500 with his 255.

The final shootout was a close one as 3 bowlers in the 8^th frame were within 3 pins of each other. Maniram took the title with a double in the final 2 frames to secure the victory. Finishing third with a 236 was Redy Bugaoan, Massapequa, NY who earned $250. Fourth place went to Angelo DeSena, Brooklyn, NY with a 229 worth $225. Fifth place was taken by recent champion David Cincotta, N. Babylon, NY with a 206 worth $200.

The AMF Plainview tournament drew a nice post major crowd of 107 entries, advanced 19 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $3,255. A new lane pattern was used, WTBA Stockholm (34 feet), and scoring was on the moderate to high side (728 cut at 1pm & 737 at 3pm). The high series of the day was shot by two bowlers; Scott Teitler, Patchogue, NY (3pm) and Darcy Monroe (1pm) both with 755.

LIGBT’s next tournament is at Herrill Lanes on Sunday, March 30^th (1pm & 3pm). Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000 & $500. One in 6 each squad advances to the finals and will cash for a minimum of $60. Entry fees for the Herrill Lanes event are $60-1^st entry and $40 for re-entries. For complete results of the AMF Plainview tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Farmingdale Wellness Centers, Knockout Ball Cleaner and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Babylon, NY:  John Rhodes, a 36 year old right-hander from Huntington Station, NY won the LIGBT March Madness Major at AMF Babylon by defeating second place finisher Steven Williams, Bellerose, NY 260-247 in the final shootout. This was John’s first LIGBT title since joining the club in 2010 and it was worth $3,000. Steve Williams earned $1,500 for his runner-up position. Finishing third with a 240 was Rob Foerster, East Meadow, NY earning $750 and fourth place, worth $400, went to John Ksar, Long Island City, NY with a 217.

The final shootout was extremely competitive as there were many lead changes. Steve Williams and Rob Foerster, both with the lowest handicap, had a string of strikes early while John Rhodes kept sparing every frame. In fact John shot the only clean game in the final shootout which gave him his victory. When Rob and Steve left an open frame in the 4^th and 7^th frames respectively, and John doubled in the 7^th/8^th frames, he secured his first title.

The AMF Babylon March Madness Major drew a record crowd of 367 entries and paid out more than $25,000 in prizes. A total of 58 bowlers advanced to the finals earning a minimum of $50. With 156 different bowlers competing better than 1 in 3 advanced to the finals in the 3-day event.

Kegel’s Sunset Strip pattern was used the first 2 days but the scoring was too high so the final day featured Kegel’s “Turnpike” pattern. The cut scores on the Sunset Strip pattern ranged from a low of 718 to a high of 751. On the Sunday Turnpike Pattern the cut scores ranged from 699 to 709. The high series of the tournament was shot by our champion John Rhodes who rolled an incredible 874 series in the Saturday 3pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-squad handicap event at AMF Plainview (squad times 1pm & 3pm) Sunday, March 23rd. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000 & $500. One in 6 each squad advances to the finals and will cash for a minimum of $60. Entry fees for the Plainview event are $60 & $40 prepaid. For complete results of the AMF Babylon Major please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Farmingdale Wellness Centers, Knockout Ball Cleaner and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Wantagh, NY:  Steven Williams, a 51 year old right hander from Bellerose, NY earned his first LIGBT title by defeating second place finisher Dave Soren, Long Beach, NY ($500) 263-241 in the final shootout. Steve earned the $1,000 top prize by shooting a clean game, the only one in the shootout. Finishing third and earning $300 was 2 time champion Jack Kampf, Levittown, NY with a 164.

Both Steve and Dave had never won an LIGBT title with both having two second place finishes during their 5 year membership. Dave started the shootout by striking in his first 3 frames while Steve spared in his first three frames. Steve took control of the match with 4 strikes in a row from frames 6 to 9. Dave could have won the title by doubling in the final frame but he left a split which ended his chances at the title.  

The AMF Wantagh tournament drew a big crowd of 139 entries, advanced 25 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $4,440. Kegel’s Abbey Road pattern (40 feet) was used and scoring was on the high side (708 cut at 1pm and 718 at 3pm). The high series of the day was shot by Anatoly Khodorkovsky, Brooklyn, NY with an 808 in the 3pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 3-day major event at AMF Babylon March 14-16. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $3,000 & $1,500. There will be a total of 8 squads with entry fees as low as $40! For complete results of the AMF Wantagh tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Farmingdale Wellness Centers, Knockout Ball Cleaner and CLS Custom Upholsterers.