Champion John Knieriemen Jr.
May 1, 2011
East Islip, NY: The LIGBT for the 14th time this season crowned first time champions in both its scratch and handicap tournaments. The two latest champions are John Knieriemen Jr., of Islip Terrace, NY who won $750 in the scratch event and Jason Lewis of N. Babylon, NY who earned $1,000 as the handicap champion. The East Islip tournament attracted 136 total entries and paid out over $7,000 in prize money.
The scratch tournament did not have the extreme high scores everyone expected. Joe Novara, E. Patchogue, NY lead the noon squad with a 753 which seeded him directly into the final shootout. Brian Ziesig, Levittown, NY lead the 2pm squad with a 749 that earned him a $50 bonus. Cut scores to make the finals were 705 in the noon squad and 680 in the 2pm squad.
The final shootout was a close one and when John threw the first strike in the tenth he sealed the victory to finish with a 237. Finishing second was Rich Ambrosino, Holtsville, NY who rolled a 223 and earned $400. Third place went to Anthony Pepe, Queens, NY who earned $300 with a 218. Anthony could have easily won the tournament but two stubborn 7 pins in the 8th and 10th frames halted his victory march. Finishing fourth with a 192 was Joe Novara who earned $250.
The handicap tournament had a great turnout as 94 bowlers competed. The noon squad leader was So Young Chin, Whitestone, NY who bowled an 832 handicap series to be seeded directly into the final shootout. The 2pm squad leader was Richard Walker, Brooklyn, NY who shot an 841 handicap series to earn a $50 bonus. A total of 18 bowlers advanced to the finals.
The handicap shootout was dominated by Jason Lewis. Jason had only one open frame and threw a 5 timer from the sixth to the tenth to shoot a 272 handicap game which was 39 pins higher than his nearest opponent. The fine bowling earned Jason his first LIGBT trophy and a $1,000 top prize. Finishing second and taking home $700 with a 239 handicap score was Alan Callahan, Staten Island, NY. Third place went to Hee Jin Jun of Flushing, NY who earned $500 for her 233 handicap game. Fourth place went to So Young Chin who earned $300 for her 190.
The East Islip event was sponsored by Jeff Schatz of D.B.L. Associates and Columbia 300. The next LIGBT’s tournament is Sunday, May 15th at AMF East Meadow. This will be a 2-squad event (1pm & 3pm) for scratch and handicap bowlers. For complete results of the East Islip tournament please visit
www.ligbtour.com or call the tournament office at 1.877.900.6464.