Scratch Champion, Mike Dioguardo
March 13, 2011
Syosset, NY: The LIGBT visited AMF Syosset and 155 bowlers filled the center to compete for over $10,000 in prizes. Two new champions were crowned; Mike Dioguardo, of Patchogue, NY took home the scratch title and $1,000 while Tom Piazza of Roslyn Heights, NY won $600 and the handicap title. A total of 32 bowlers advanced to the finals and had a chance at one of the two titles.
Mike Dioguardo, who just received news from the LIUSBC he had been voted into the Long Island Bowling Hall of Fame, lead the senior division with a 1070 five game block. In the finals Dio didn’t let an early open frame bother him as he took the title away from his opponents by finishing with a 7 bagger and locking out the other three competitors.
The scratch final shootout was a classic as all four finalists bowled great. The early lead went to Ray Edwards, Middle Island, NY who eventually finished third with a 223 and earned $350. Finishing second, and earning $550 with a 227, was Jose Cepin, Corona, NY. Fourth place went to Brian Ziesig, Levittown, NY who bowled a 213 and won $300.
The handicap event drew another huge crowd as 125 bowlers jammed AMF Syosset. Tom Piazza has prepaid for two squads but only needed one to win the title. Tom lead the first squad with a 761 handicap series which seeded him directly into the final shootout. But Tom had to be patient and wait almost 4 hours before he could secure his first LIGBT title.
In the final shootout Tom was the only bowler that didn’t open in the early frames. In fact, Tom’s only open was in the tenth frame after he knew he had won the title. Tom shot a 239 (194 scratch) to win the shootout by 21 pins. Finishing second was Dexter Sapp, Valley Stream, NY, who rolled a 218 (173 scratch) and won $450. Third place went to Keston Glasgow, Brooklyn, NY who shot a 202 (131 scratch) to earn $300. The fourth place finisher was Ronnie Sandt, Franklin Square, NY who rolled a 191 (144 scratch) to earn $250.
The LIGBT’s next event is a special two day Sandy Catalano Open at AMF Babylon on the weekend of March 19
th & 20
th. All entry fees for the major tournament are only $60 and both the scratch and handicap top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,500 & $750 regardless of entries. For more information on these events and complete results of the AMF Syosset tournament please visit
www.ligbtour.com or call the tournament office at 1.877.900.6464.