Champion Alex Cavagnaro and Pat Catalano
March 20, 2011
Babylon, NY: The 2nd annual Sandy Catalano Open, which is part of the LIGBTour, crowned three champions at AMF Babylon on Sunday. The winner of the 49 & under event was Alex Cavagnaro, Lindenhurst, NY ($1,500), Senior Champion was Jose Perez, E. Elmhusrt, NY ($500) and the Handicap Champion was Miguel Carrion, Bronx, NY ($1,500.) A total of 356 bowlers competed for more than $15,000 in prize money.
The scratch shootout finals was an incredible test of fortitude which exemplifies the person the tournament was honoring; Sandy Catalano. Going into the 10th frame Alex had a 1 pin lead over second place finisher Toby Caruana, Holbrook, NY. Alex bowled first and by striking out, and finishing with a 259, shut Toby out by one pin. Toby finished with a 255 and earned $750. Finishing third with a 228 was the senior champion, Jose Perez, who was within 10 pins of the lead much of the game but failed to strike in 3 out of his last 4 frames.
The handicap shootout also had some incredible bowling. All 3 finalists were getting similar handicap so the match was basically bowled scratch. Miguel Carrion took the early lead with a double, trailed second place finisher Ryan Mapes, Yapank, NY by 1 pin in the sixth frame and secured the handicap title with 4 strikes in a row starting in the eighth frame. Final score in the shootout with handicap was Miguel 292 and Ryan 269. Ryan earned $750 for second while third place finisher, Tom Pagliaro, Astoria, NY earned $500 with a 257.
The 2nd annual Sandy Catalano Open was a huge success in terms of entries and money raised for the Sandy Catalano Scholarship Fund. The LIGBT donated over $1,000 to the Catalano Family while the Catalano Family business, CLS Custom Upholsterers added almost $2,000 to the prize funds. It was a great day for the competitors, for youth bowlers on Long Island, and the opportunity to honor a great bowling icon; Sandy Catalano.