News 2010

Latest LIGBTour News

JULIO ARNOLD RETURNS TO THE WINNER’S CIRCLE!

Posted On: November 18, 2024

KAREEM BYRD JR. WINS HANDICAP TITLE “MITH” LOUTAN TAKES SCRATCH TITLE

Posted On: November 03, 2024

CALVIN NOTTINGHAM & MANIRAM BASDEO DOUBLES CHAMPIONS AT AMF E. MEADOW

Posted On: October 27, 2024

ANDREW MIENKIEWICZ SURVIVES THE CHEETAH!

Posted On: October 21, 2024

LIGBT ANNOUNCES SEASON 17 SCHEDULE & SPONSORS

Posted On: October 06, 2024

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Tony Chin Wins His First LIGBT Title at East Meadow

Posted On: August 14, 2010

Champion Tony Chin and family

August 14, 2010

East Meadow, NY: The LIGBT visited AMF East Meadow for its August event and another great crowd of 78 bowlers competed for over $8,000. Tony Chin of Whitestone, NY won the $500 top prize and his first LIGBT champion’s trophy. Finishing second was Scott Gray of East Meadow, NY who earned $300. The final match was close until the 10^th frame; 261-241.

The East Meadow tournament was an unusually high scoring tournament for the LIGBT. The lane pattern used allowed bowlers to relax and have fun while competing for some big prize money. Once again this event featured 1 in 4 making the finals all earning at least $100 for their accomplishments.

The final shootout featured 5 great players, all whom had shot great scores to advance. Going into the 9^th frame all 5 bowlers had a chance to win the title. But Tony Chin doubled the last 2 frames to secure his 20 pin victory with a 261 (217 scratch) over Scott Gray 241 (205 scratch). Rounding out the top 5 was, third place finisher earning $250, Anthony Distinti of Commack (234-190 scratch), fourth & earning $225 was Donnel Matheson of Brooklyn (228-155 scratch) and fifth place finisher, earning $200, Darryl Freeman of NYC who shot a 220- 182 scratch.

The LIGBT’s next event will be the final event of LIGBT’s second season; Sunday, September 5^th at AMF Babylon and feature 2 squads; 4pm and 7pm. With this event the LIGBT returns to its normal format of two separate events; scratch and handicap. Lower entry fees will be featured for this Sunday of Labor Day Weekend event; $50 per squad handicap and only $70 per squad scratch. ALL MEMBERSHIP FEES AND RENEWAL FEES WILL BE WAIVED FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT.

For more information on future events and complete results of the AMF East Meadow tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com or call the tournament office at 1.877.900.6464.

Joe Muscat Wins His First LIGBT Title

Posted On: July 31, 2010

Handicap Champion Joe Muscat

July 31, 2010

Babylon, NY: The LIGBT ran its first of two added summer events and a great crowd of 78 bowlers competed for over $6,000. Joe Muscat of Melville, NY won the $500 top prize and his first LIGBT champion’s trophy. Finishing second was Anthony Distinti of Commack, NY who earned $300.

The lane pattern for the Babylon tournament, which was exclusively for handicap bowlers, was Kegel’s Broadway Pattern. Twenty bowlers (better than 1 in 4) advanced to the finals with cut scores of 678 in the first squad and 667 in the second squad. All bowlers advancing to the finals were guaranteed $90 which was 30% more than their entry fee.

The handicap shootout was extremely exciting as Joe Muscat needed a mark in the tenth to win the title. Joe bowled a 256 (194 scratch) to defeat Anthony Distinti by just 4 pins. Anthony rolled a 252 (202 scratch). There was a third bowler in the shootout but they were disqualified when their average was verified and it proved to be erroneous.

The LIGBT’s next event will be at AMF East Meadow on Saturday, August 14^th. There will be 2 qualifying squads with 1 in 4 each squad making the finals. Squad times are 4pm and 6:30pm. Once again, this event will only be for handicap bowlers averaging 220 or under.

The final event of LIGBT’s second season will be on Sunday, September 5^th at AMF Babylon and feature 2 squads; 4pm and 7pm. With this event the LIGBT returns to its normal format of two separate events; scratch and handicap. Lower entry fees will be featured for this Sunday of Labor Day Weekend event; $50 per squad handicap and only $70 per squad scratch. ALL MEMBERSHIP FEES AND RENEWAL FEES WILL BE WAIVED FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT.

For more information on future events and complete results of the AMF Babylon tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com or call the tournament office at 1.877.900.6464.

James Wallace and Mack Oakman $1,000 LIGBT Winners

Posted On: June 19, 2010

Scratch Champion Jim Wallace

June 19, 2010

South Levittown, NY: The LIGBT ran its final event of Season 2 at South Levittown Lanes and 163 entrants packed the center to enjoy great bowling and free food. James Wallace of Hicksville, NY (scratch champion) and Mack Oakman of Wheately Heights, NY (handicap champion) both earned LIGBT titles and $1,000 each.

The shot for the tournament was Kegel’s “Middle of the Road” lane pattern and it produced fairly low scores. It took a 212 average to make the finals and a 200 average to cash. The high series of the tournament was bowled by Brian Soto, Kew Gardens, NY, who average 233 with a 933 four game series. Only two other bowlers rolled a series above 900; Guy Sereno (909) and James Wallace (914). Ironically, the top 3 finishers were the three bowlers with the 900 series.

The final shootout was dominated by James Wallace who rolled a 267 in the final match. Jim started the shootout with the first 8 out of 9 strikes. The real competition was for second place which was won by Brian Soto by only 2 pins over Guy Sereno, Ridgewood, NY, 208 to 206. Brian earned $500 while Guy took home $350.

The 210 and under handicap event had another great turnout as 126 bowlers. The top prize was raised from $500 to $1,000 since entries exceeded 80 bowlers and everyone making the finals earned at least double their money. A total of 17 bowlers advanced to the finals while another 15 cashed. Mack Oakman, our champion, rolled the high handicap series of the day; 709.

The handicap shootout was extremely exciting as all 3 bowlers were within 4 pins of each other going into the 9^th frame. Mack Oakman took control by striking in the 8^th & 9^th and sparing in the 10^th to win. Mack’s final score with handicap was 204 which was 10 pins more than second place finisher John Pasciucco of Baldwin, NY, who shot a 194 and earned $500, and 13 pins better than third place finisher Robert Bader Sr. of Holtsville, NY who earn $340 with a 191.

Two bowlers from the South Levittown tournament won a free Mini-Eliminator Mini Marathon Entry worth $595. The entries went to the highest two squad series of each tournament. The scratch winner, with a 1667 8 game series, was Brian Soto and the handicap bowler with the highest 6 game series was Joe Gentile of Melville, NY who rolled a 1311. Good luck to all of the LIGBT bowlers heading out to Las Vegas to bowl the Mini-Eliminator.

The LIGBT would like to thank everyone who supported the tour throughout the year. Our second season was incredible as more than 3,000 entries were recorded and membership reached just under 1,000. An amazing $228,400 was paid out to hundreds of different bowlers. LIGBT Season 3 promises to be even better!

The LIGBT’s next event will be a special Sunday of Labor Day weekend tournament at AMF Babylon. Save the date; September 5^th as our Season 3 kickoff tournament will have some new twists. For complete results of the South Levittown event please go to www.ligbtour.com. Have a great summer.

Eric Taylor Jr. and Mike Ruggiero Win LIGBT Major Titles

Posted On: May 30, 2010

Eric Taylor Jr., Scratch Champion

May 30, 2010

Garden City, NY: The much anticipated LIGBT Memorial Day Weekend Major at Garden City was a big success. Close to 400 bowlers packed the bowling center on a beautiful weekend. After 6 qualifying squads, and a four round finals, two new LIGBT Champions were crowned. The scratch champion was Eric Taylor Jr. of Brooklyn, NY who won $3,000. The handicap champion was Mike Ruggiero of Smithtown, NY, who won $2,000.

The scratch event attracted 150 bowlers and it was obvious from the start the lefties were at a tremendous advantage. The PBA Viper pattern was used and the low scoring was expected but the dominance by the port side was frustrating. Twelve out of the 18 finalists were left-handed.

The final shootout was dominated by the young Eric Taylor who started his final game with the first 6 strikes. The other two finalists were trying their best to find a shot but before they could figure it out Eric had a 45 pin victory. To win his first LIGBT title Eric rolled a 243 while Senior Champion Tim Regan of E. Northport finished second with a 198 ($1,500) and Adam Sher of Commack took third ($1,000) with a 166.

The 210 and under handicap event had another great turnout as 236 bowlers packed AMF Garden City. A total of 29 bowlers advanced to the finals with 6 bowlers earning byes by leading a squad. High series for the handicap event was thrown by Tom Piazza of Roslyn, NY who rolled a 750 series with handicap and bonus pins. Tom earned 2 byes in the finals for his high series.

The final match was very close as Mike Ruggiero and Michael Bernard, Copaigue, NY, bowled head to head to determine the LIGBT Handicap Champion. Mike Ruggiero started with a 17 pin handicap advantage and never let his lead slip away. In fact, the 17 pin advantage wound up being a 16 pin victory; 204 to 188. Mike Ruggiero earned $2,000 for his victory while Michael Bernard took home $1,000.

The LIGBT’s next event will be its Bowler Appreciation Tournament at South Levittown Lanes. This will be a special 2 squad tournament on Saturday evening, June 19^th at 4pm and 7pm. Top prizes will pay as much as $1,500 for the scratch event and $1,000 for the handicap tournament. Free food and drinks will be served to all entrants. For complete details of the Garden City Major and our upcoming event at South Levittown please go to www.ligbtour.com or call us at 1.877.900.6464.

SANDY CATALANO OPEN RAISES MONEY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Posted On: May 17, 2010

Top 3 scratch finalists; Brian Soto, Brian Ziesig, and Rich Ambrosino

East Islip, NY - May 16, 2010: The 1^st annual Sandy Catalano Open was held at East Islip Lanes and over 400 bowlers competed for more than $25,000 in prizes. The two day event crowned three separate champions; Rich Ambrosino, Holtsville, NY won the 49 & under scratch title and $2,500, Tim Regan, East Northport, NY won the senior scratch title and $1,500, and Alex Ware, Brooklyn, NY won the handicap title and $1,500. But the biggest winners were the youth of Long Island as over $2,000 in scholarship money was raised.

The Sandy Catalano Open was created by the Catalano Family to remember a very special person, Sandy Catalano, who passed away in February, 2009. Sandy dedicated his entire life to his family, business, and bowling- especially coaching youth bowlers. To honor Sandy’s accomplishments, both as a bowler and person, a tournament was born. The Sandy Catalano Open will be an annual event with proceeds donated to The Sandy Catalano Scholarship fund.

What makes the Sandy Catalano Open unique is it is actually three separate competitions with three separate champions crowned. The richest event was the 49 & under scratch tournament which attracted some of the best bowlers in the tri-state area. But in the end it was a local house bowler that won the title. Rich Ambrosino bowls in league at East Islip Lanes and he promised the Catalano family whatever money he won would be donated back to the scholarship fund. Rich came through in a big way by winning the title and its $2,500 top prize.

The final shootout was exciting as Rich shot a 265 to defeat two great bowlers; Brian Soto of Kew Gardens, NY who rolled a 236 and earned $1,250 and Long Island bowling hero Brian Ziesig of Levittown who earned $700 by shooting a 235. A total of 17 bowlers advanced to the finals which featured a beat half-the-field elimination format.

The second event was the senior scratch tournament and their final match was probably the most exciting duel of the weekend. Tim Regan of East Northport threw 3 strikes in the tenth frame to defeat Don Hicks of W. Babylon, NY 258-256. Tim earned $1,500 for his victory while Don took home $750 for second place. A total of 12 seniors advanced to the finals with Mike Dioguardo rolling the highest senior series of the event with a 744.

The largest entry count of the three events was the handicap tournament which drew an amazing 211 entries. Alex Ware of Brooklyn took home the title and won the $1,500 top prize. The final four shootout was exciting as Alex rolled a 272 (with handicap) just getting by James Walsh of Glen Cove, NY who rolled a 259 with handicap. Jim earned $750 for second while Mike Angelus of Centereach finished third with a 257 handicap game and earned $550. Rounding out the top 4 was Kevin Dekenipp of Shirley, NY who won $450 with a 244 handicap game. A total of 27 bowlers advanced to the handicap finals.

The 1^st annual Sandy Catalano Open was considered a huge success and plans are already underway for the 2011 event. There were many tears throughout the weekend as everyone remembered what a great bowler, bowling coach, and person Sandy was. The Catalano family would like to thank all of the sponsors and volunteers that made the event possible. For complete results please visit the website; www.scholarshiptournament.com.

Senior Steve Tripp & Kevin Dekenipp Win LIGBT Titles

Posted On: May 08, 2010

Scratch Champion, Steve Tripp

May 8, 2010

Babylon, NY: The LIGBT, sponsored by Columbia 300, visited AMF Babylon on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend and 163 bowlers jammed the center. Senior bowler Steve Tripp, of Garwood, NJ, won his first LIGBT Scratch Title and the $1,000 top prize. Winning his first handicap LIGBT trophy was Kevin Dekenipp of Shirley, NY who earned $600.

Steve Tripp, who is one of the most talented senior bowlers in the tri-state area, averaged 243 to be the qualifying leader. Steve dominated in qualifying and in the finals as he shot a 279 in the final senior match to advance to the Championship Shootout against the final two 49 & under bowlers; John Randazzo, who was looking for his second consecutive LIGBT title, and Doug Feldman of Huntington Station, NY.

The final match started tight as Steve only had a ten pin lead in the 5^th frame over John Randazzo of Floral Park. John was the 49 & under qualifying leader by averaging 240 and automatically was seeded into the final match. But Steve took control after the 5^th frame and defeated John 256-227 to earn the $1,000 top prize. John took home $600 for his second place finish while Doug Feldman, who struggled with a 156 to finish third, earned $400.

The 210 and under handicap event had another great turnout as 102 bowlers packed AMF Babylon. A total of 26 bowlers advanced to the finals as it took a 655 series (including handicap and bonus pins) to make the cut and cash for at least $100- $40 more than the entry fee.

Kevin Dekenipp’s road to the handicap title started with a 705 series (636 scratch) in qualifying which placed him 6^th out of 26 qualifiers. Kevin had to bowl in 3 rounds of the finals to advance to the championship shootout. In the Championship Shootout Kevin rolled a 228 game (190 scratch) to defeat the second place finisher and top qualifier, Josh Handler (221) of Levittown, NY by 7 pins. While Kevin earned $600, Josh took home $350 for his second place finish. Rounding out the top 4 was third place finisher Donna Bertuglia (201) of Dix Hills earning $250 and Jennifer Christopher (169) of Kings Park, NY who took home $225.

The LIGBT’s next event will be a special “major” tournament which will take place Memorial Day Weekend at AMF Garden City. Top prizes for the weekend major are $3,000 for the scratch event and $2,000 for handicap. For complete details of the AMF Babylon tournament, and the LIGBT Garden City Major, please visit our website; www.ligbtour.com or call the tournament office at 1.877.900.6464.

John Randazzo and Alex Ware Win LIGBT Tournaments

Posted On: April 25, 2010

John Randazzo, Scratch Champion

April 25, 2010

Commack, NY: The LIGBT, sponsored by Columbia 300, visited AMF Commack and 155 bowlers jammed the center. John Randazzo, of Floral Park, NY, won his first LIGBT Scratch Title and the $1,000 top prize. Winning her first Handicap LIGBT trophy was Alex Ware of Brooklyn, NY who earned $600.

The scoring environment at AMF Commack was challenging but playable as Kegel’s Route 66 pattern was used. It only took a 210 average to make the finals in the 49 & under division and a 199 average in the senior division. Many angles were used to hit the pocket but the consensus was the lanes were hooking more than normal.

John Randazzo bowled great all day. He averaged 232 in qualifying and 238 in the finals. In the final shootout John started with the first 8 out of 9 strikes. Mike Dioguardo, Patchogue, NY stayed with John through 6 frames but a 7 pin in the 7^th frame allowed John to take the title by the 9^th frame. John finished with a 268 and won the title by 40 pins. Mike took home $600 for his second place finish. Joe Novara, E. Patchogue, NY bowled great all day as he was the qualifying leader with a 931 series. But in the finals Joe couldn’t carry and settled for a third place finish and $350.

The 210 and under handicap event had another great turnout as 93 bowlers packed AMF Commack. A total of 23 bowlers advanced to the finals and it took a 636 series (including handicap and bonus pins) to make the cut and cash for at least $100- $40 more than the entry fee.

Alex started her road to the title by qualifying second (721) which earned her one bye in the finals. Ironically, her lowest game in the finals was in the final shootout (198) but that was enough to defeat former LIGBT Major Champion Mack Oakman of Wheatley Heights, NY who shot a 184 and earned $350 for his second place finish. Donna Ryan of Smithtown, NY finished third with a 181 game and earned $250. Donna was the qualifying leader with a 725 series and was seeded directly into the final shootout.

The LIGBT’s next event will be on Saturday night, May 8th (6pm start) at AMF Babylon. For more information on the LIGBT, and complete results of the AMF Commack event, please visit our website at www.ligbtour.com or call the tournament office at 1.877.900.6464.

Senior Bowler Don Hicks & David Reed LIGBT Champs

Posted On: April 11, 2010

Scratch Champion, Don Hicks

April 11, 2010

East Meadow, NY: The LIGBT, sponsored by Columbia 300, returned to AMF East Meadow and 134 bowlers jammed the center on a beautiful day. Don Hicks, of W. Babylon, NY, won his first LIGBT Scratch Title and its $1,000 top prize. Winning his first Handicap LIGBT trophy was David Reed of Shoreham, NY who earned $500.

The scoring environment at AMF East Meadow was very tough as the PBA Chameleon Pattern was used. Accuracy was at a premium and spare making key all day. It only took a 196 average to make the finals in the 49 & under division and a 189 average in the senior division. Although challenging, it was refreshing to see lower scores with 220 games winning most game pots!

It was just a matter of time before Don Hicks won an LIGBT title. He has made the finals many times but at East Meadow he finally broke through and took home the trophy and the big money. But Don’s victory didn’t come easy as the final shootout ended in a 204 tie with high qualifier Jim Wallace, Hicksville, NY (926). It took two 9/10^th frame rolloffs to break the tie but a nasty 7-10 blowout split ended Jim’s bid for his first LIGBT title. Jim earned $550 for second and Chun Bae of Cedarhurst, NY finished third (198) and won $300.

The 210 and under handicap event had another great turnout of 82 bowlers with the top 20 advancing to the finals. It took a 626 series, including handicap and bonus pins to advance. All finalists were guaranteed a minimum of $100, $40 more than the $60 entry fee.

David Reed’s road to the finals started with a 650 qualifying series which put him in 7^th place. In the finals David almost got eliminated in Round 2 as he rolled a 199 handicap game which was the cut. He also was the cut score in Round 3 with a 218 handicap game.

But in the Shootout David took control early and shot a 220 (198 scratch) to defeated his nearest competitor by 23 pins. Finishing second was Jose Torres of Brooklyn who doesn’t put fingers in the ball. Jose shot a 197 and earned $300. Finishing third was Alex Ware of Brooklyn who bowled well all day and earned $250.

The LIGBT’s next event will be on Sunday, April 25^th at AMF Commack (1pm start). For more information on the LIGBT, and complete results of the AMF East Meadow event, please visit our website at www.ligbtour.com or call the tournament office at 1.877.900.6464.

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