Scratch Champion, Brian Ziesig
November 29, 2009
Babylon, NY: LIGBT hosted its first weekend major event over Thanksgiving at AMF Babylon. Over 350 entries competed for $21,000 in prize money. The scratch title went to Brian Ziesig of Levittown who earned $3,000 for his first LIGBT victory. The 210 and under handicap champion was Mack Oakman of Wheatly Heights who won $1,500 for his first LIGBT title.
The LIGBT Major consisted of 5 qualifying squads all leading to an elimination finals. The scratch and handicap events had 22 finalists each. All finalists were guaranteed to earn double their entry and all squad leaders were given 1 bye in the finals.
Brian’s road to his title started in Round 2 of the finals as he earned 1 bye for leading the Sunday noon squad with a 749. Brian made an early statement in the finals by shooting a 240 in Round 2 and came back with a 223 in Round 3. But Brian saved his finest performance for the Shootout Round where he started with 6 consecutive strikes and finished with a 257 game.
The Championship Shootout featured some great bowling under a lot of pressure. Finishing second was Steve Chiarella of Staten Island who rolled a 240 and earned $1,500. The third place finisher was our top senior bowler, Jim Hosier of New Jersey who rolled a 223 game and earned $1,000. Finishing up the final four was John Conroy of Mahopac who earned $700 for his 207 game. The only 300 of the tournament was shot by Anthony Pepe of Queens who rolled his perfect game in the Sunday 2pm squad.
The 210 and under handicap event continued its amazing growth as 185 entries were recorded which created a prize fund exceeding $7,800. Mack Oakman, a great LIGBT supporter who rarely misses an event, finally got to stand in the winner’s circle at LIGBT’s biggest tournament as of yet. Mack rolled a fine 233 game with handicap, getting a spare and eight in the tenth frame, to lock out his closest competitor Dave Soren of Long Beach who rolled a 219 with handicap. Dave, who shot the highest qualifying series of the tournament (798 with handicap and bonus pins), earned $750 for his fine second place finish.
Rounding out the 210 and under shootout was Ed Dougherty of Patchogue who earned $400 with a 210 game and Scott Shultz of Orlando, FL who earned $300 for his 189 game. A total of 46 bowlers cashed in the handicap event.
The next LIGBT event, Sunday, December 13th at AMF Garden City, is the Tour’s annual holiday tournament which is being sponsored by CLS Custom Upholsterers. All entrants will receive a holiday gift for participating in the event. The scratch tournament will feature 5 games of qualifying with 1 in 4 advancing to the finals. The handicap tournament will have its regular 3 games of qualifying and 1 in 4 advancing to the finals. Top prizes are guaranteed at $1,000 for the scratch event and $500 for the handicap tournament. For more information on the LIGBT, and complete results of the Babylon event, please visit our website at www.ligbtour.com or call the tournament office at 1.877.900.6464