News 2017

Garden City, NY:  Maniram Basdeo, a 57 year old taxi driver from the Bronx, NY, won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s sport shot event at AMF Garden City. Maniram defeated second place finisher John Fitzgerald, Plainview, NY 255-250 in an exciting final match. While John earned $500, finishing third was Mack Oakman Jr., Melville, NY with a 240 earning $300. Rounding out the top 4 was Julio Arnold, Woodside, NY with a 215 worth $250.

The Garden City final shootout was a great match with the winner not decided until the final frame. John took the lead in the middle of the match by throwing a 4 bagger. Meanwhile, Maniram spared his first 5 frames and then threw a split in the 6th leaving him 34 pins behind John. But Maniram was determined to capture his 4^th title and he accomplished the feat by throwing a 4 timer to overcome the deficit and take the title. Mack who started with 2 opens, then threw all 9’s and strikes but couldn’t double in the final frame which would have given him the title.

The AMF Garden City event drew a great crowd of 123 entries, advanced 24 bowlers to the finals (1 in 5) and paid out $4,850. The cut scores on the “Autobahn” pattern were moderate; 710 & 708. High series of the tournament was shot by Jeonghun Ji, Flushing, NY with a 769 in the second squad. The wildcard winner was Julio Arnold with a 1366 series. The no bonus pins pot winners were Amanda Salyer (697), Marc Miller (701), and TJ Kim (696).

LIGBT’s next tournament is a special “1 in 4” sport shot event at Herrill Lanes on Sunday, April 30^th. Top prizes are guaranteed at $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 4 each squad advancing to the finals and guaranteed a minimum of $100. Entry fees are $80 & $70 and that includes the no-tap jackpot. To view the final results of the AMF Garden City event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Whitestone, NY:  Carlos Jimenez, an air conditioning technician from Jackson Heights, NY, won his first LIGBT title by defeating senior Ken Wright, Brooklyn, NY 329-287 at Whitestone Lanes. Carlos earned $1,000 for his victory while Ken earned $500. Rounding out the top 5 was third place finisher Joe LaBargo, Bayside, NY with a 238 worth $300, fourth went to James Marino, Lindenhurst, NY with a 233 worth $275 and fifth went to Jin Hong, Jamaica, NY with a 214 worth $250.

The final shootout was dominated by Carlos and Ken. Both went into the 9^th frame at a 279 pace. When Ken opened in the 9^th and Carlos struck the match was over. Joe put up a good fight by shooting a clean game with a triple but could not overcome the big scores by Carlos and Ken. James and Jin could not get a string of strikes going and had to settle for 4^th and 5^th place respectively.

The Whitestone Lanes house shot tournament drew a nice crowd of 100 entries, advanced 17 bowlers to the finals and paid out $3,925. The tournament pattern was erratic lane to lane resulting in lower than expected cut scores: 763 at 1pm and 733 at 3:30pm. High series of the tournament was shot by Leo Jiminian, East Elmhurst, NY with an 857 in the 1pm squad. The wildcard winner was Cary Fishman, NYC, with a 1422 six game series. James Marino bowled the only 300 game in the first squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a sport shot event at AMF Garden City on Sunday, April 23^rd. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000-$500-$300-$250 and 1 in 6 each squad will advance to the finals and earn a minimum of $100. Entry fees at AMF Garden City are $70 & $60.  To view the final results of the Whitestone Lanes event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Levittown, NY:  Yon Gyo Phark, a small business owner from Flushing, NY, won LIGBT’s Spring Major at Levittown Lanes. “Mr. Phark” captured his second LIGBT title by defeating Nick LaSerra, N. Massapequa, NY 286-251 to earn the $3,000 top prize. While Nick won $1,500 for second, finishing third was Abel David, Franklin Square, NY with a 229 worth $750. Rounding out the top 4 was Darryl Freeman, Forest Hills, NY with a 220 earning him $500. 

Mr. Phark had the highest average in the shootout which means he gave everyone handicap. But that didn’t bother Yon Gyo as he bowled the only clean game in the shootout which included 9 strikes. By the final frame Yon Gyo had secured the $3,000 top prize as he created a 35 pin lead. Nick, who was looking for his first LIGBT title, was able to secure second by having only one open frame and a double in a well bowled game on a very difficult pattern.

The LIGBT Spring Major drew a great crowd of 286 entries plus 34 desperado entries. A total of 63 bowlers cashed in a prize fund that paid $17,060. Kegel’s “Alcatraz was used and scoring was moderately with cuts ranging from 701 to 725. High series of the tournament was shot by John Maher with an 805 in the Sunday 1pm squad. The Friday night wildcard winners were Darryl Freeman (1422) and Joe Hatchett (1387.)

The “No-Tap” jackpot was hit 3 times: Ed Passaro for $500 on Friday at 8pm, Jimmy Walsh for $500 on Sunday at 1pm, and Curtis Hetmeyer for $100 on Sunday at 3pm. No one hit the jackpot on the last squad so it will be worth $260 in the first squad at the next sport shot event!

LIGBT’s next tournament is a house shot event Whitestone Lanes on Sunday, April 9^th (1pm & 3:30pm.) Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000, $500, $300 and $250. One in 6 advance to the finals and cash for a minimum of $100. Entry fees are $70 & $60. For complete results of the Spring Major please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Torch Bowling, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Randi Siegel Law Offices, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Wantagh, NY:  James Marino, a 2-handed bowler from Lindenhurst, NY won his first LIGBT title by defeating Eddie Eng, Flushing, NY and John Rizzi, Bayshore, NY by a mere 2 pins. James earned the $1,000 top prize with a 249 just 2 pins higher than Ed and John who both shot 247 and earned $400 each. Rounding out the top 4 was Deon Taitte, Amityville, NY with a 195 worth $250.

The AMF Wantagh tournament drew a great crowd of 132 entries, advanced 35 bowlers to the finals (better than 1 in 4), and paid out $6,270. The tournament pattern was “Dead Man’s Curve” (43 feet) resulting in moderate cut scores of 701 at 1pm and 703 at 3pm. High series of the tournament was shot by senior bowler Ken Simpson, Shirley, NY with an 818 at 1pm. The wildcard winner was Hector Diaz Jr., Bronx, NY with a 1385 six game series. The high handicap series without bonus pins pot winners were Dave Soren, Long Beach, NY with a 700 in the first squad and Jose Ferreira, Woodside, NY with a 691 in the 3pm squad. No one hit the no-tap jackpot in either squad so it will grow to $500 at the next event.

LIGBT’s next tournament is our annual Spring Major at Levittown Lanes. This 2 day event (March 31 & April 2) will feature guaranteed top prizes of $3,000-$1,500-$750-$500 with 1 in 6 each squad advancing to the finals and guaranteed a minimum of $100. Entry fee is $80 per squad and that includes the no-tap jackpot. To view the final results of the AMF Wantagh event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

New Hyde Park, NY:  Monique Compton, an executive assistant from the Bronx, won her first LIGBT title and $1,000 this past Sunday at Herrill Lanes. Monique, who has been an LIGBT member since 2013, defeated senior Sal Florindo 240-224 in the final shootout to earn her first title. Sal, who is 76 years young, earned $500 for his runner-up position. Rounding out the top 4 was third place finisher Jackie Delawski, Williston Park, NY with a 223 worth $300 and fourth went to Maniram Basdeo, Bronx, NY, with a 194 worth $250.

The final shootout, which was competed on the US Open pattern, was low scoring with spare making at a premium. Monique took the early lead by filling her first five frames while the other competitors all had opens. Despite the fact Monique had two splits in her last 5 frames no one could mount a charge. In fact there wasn’t a double the entire shootout!

The Herrill Lanes event drew a nice crowd of 110 entries, advanced 21 bowlers to the finals and paid out $4,500. The tournament pattern was “the 2016 US Open” (40 feet) resulting in a low cut score of 690 for both squads. High series of the tournament was shot by Curtis Hetmeyer, Brooklyn, NY with an 810 in the 3:30pm squad. The wildcard winner was last event’s champion Diane Allen, Fleetwood Station, NY with a 1327 six game series. The high handicap series without bonus pins pot winners were Dave Soren, Long Beach, NY with a 671 in the first squad and Denis Mendelson with a 680 in the 3:30pm squad. Guy Sereno, W. Hempstead, NY hit the no-tap jackpot in the first squad and earned $170. No one hit the jackpot in the second squad so it will roll over to our next event and be worth $220.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 1 in 4 sport shot event at AMF Wantagh on Sunday, March 26th. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 4 each squad advancing to the finals. Entry fees are $80 & $70 and that includes the no-tap jackpot. To view the final results of the Herrill Lanes event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Astoria, NY:  Diane Allen, a special education teacher from NYC, won her first LIGBT title by defeating James Puma, Valhalla, NY 233-230 at Astoria Bowl. Diane earned $1,000 for her victory while James earned $500. Rounding out the top 5 was third place finisher Julio Arnold, Woodside, NY with a 221 worth $350, fourth went to Tom Gulin, Middle Island, NY with a 207 worth $300 and fifth went to senior bowl Max Thomas, Stamford, CT with a 199 worth $250.

The final shootout was a great match and it took until the last shot to determine who would be the champion. To win her first title Diane had to overcome a 5^th frame foul, which lead to an open frame, and put her behind the leaders. Julio had the early lead but chopping two 6-10 spares cost him the title. James threw the ball great but couldn’t get a double. Diane needed a spare and 8 in the final frame and completed the task with a last ball strike. 

The Astoria Bowl house shot tournament drew a nice crowd of 120 entries, advanced 21 bowlers to the finals and paid out $4,660. The tournament pattern was “Bourbon Street” resulting in expected high cuts: 766 at 1pm and 783 at 3:30pm. High series of the tournament was shot by the champion Diane with an 871 in the 3:30pm squad. The wildcard winner was Michael Rodriquez, Jackson Heights, NY, with a 1508 six game series.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a sport shot event at Herrill Lanes on Sunday, March 12^th. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000-$500-$300-$250 and 1 in 6 each squad will advance to the finals and earn a minimum of $100. Entry fees at Herrill are $70 & $60.  To view the final results of the Astoria Bowl event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Pictured above: Weldon Drayton and daughter Brianna

Babylon, NY:  Weldon Drayton Jr., a 33 year old police officer from Central Islip, NY won his second LIGBT title at AMF Babylon on Sunday. Weldon defeated left-hander David Ruiz, Whitestone, NY, 258-250 to earn the $1,000 top prize. While David earned $500 for second, third place went to Wayne Garvey, Manchester, CT with a 240 worth $350. Rounding out the top 4 was senior Frank Lunghi, Farmingdale, NY with a 212 worth $300.

The road to Weldon’s second title started slowly. When Weldon opened in the 4^th frame he was behind 14 pins. But a triple in the middle of the game put Weldon ahead and he never relinquished the lead. David finished strong with a late triple but his 3 open frames in the middle of the game hurt his shot at his first LIGBT title. Wayne bowled a consistent game with only one open but couldn’t throw a double to make a shot at the title.

The AMF Babylon tournament drew an incredible crowd of 163 entries, advanced 32 bowlers to the finals and paid out $6,210. The tournament pattern was “Boardwalk” (35 feet) resulting in moderate cut scores: 710 at 1pm and 706 at 3:30pm. High series of the tournament was shot by Wayne Garvey with an 885 in the 1pm squad. The wildcard winner was Jin Hong, Jamaica, NY with a 1390. The high handicap series without bonus pins pot winners were Jason Nicholas with a 710 in the first squad and TJ Kim with a 669 in the second squad. Two women were added to the finals due to the women guarantee: Evelyn Arena (709) and Jennifer Bocchicchio (703). The no-tap jackpot was hit by third place finisher Wayne Garvey in the first squad and paid $634 giving him a total payout for the day of $984.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a house shot event at Astoria Lanes on Sunday, March 12^th (1pm & 3:30pm.) The event features guaranteed prizes of $1,000 & $500 with 1 in 6 each squad advancing to the finals. Entry fees are $70 & $60 for members. To view the final results of the AMF Babylon event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Wantagh, NY:  TJ Kim, a 46 year old right hander from Mineola, NY won his first LIGBT title by defeating senior Frank Lunghi, Farmingdale, NY 249-223 at AMF Wantagh. TJ, who has been a member since 2015, earned $1,000 for his victory while Frank, who was looking for his 3^rd LIGBT title, earned $500. Rounding out the top 4 was third place finisher Barry Dubin, Selden, NY with a 220 worth $300 and fourth went to Adam DeRossi, Massapequa Park, NY with a 189 worth $250.

The final shootout was a good one as Frank started with a double to take an early lead. He held onto the lead until he missed an easy spare in the 7^th frame. TJ started the match slow with 2 opens in his first 3 frames but stayed clean the rest of the game. When TJ doubled in the 10^th he secured his first LIGBT title and the $1,000 top prize. Barry had two doubles but his 4 opens hurt his chances. Adam struggled the entire match and had to settle for fourth place.

The AMF Wantagh tournament drew a great crowd of 137 entries, advanced 37 bowlers to the finals (better than 1 in 4), and paid out $6,240. The tournament pattern was “Turnpike” (41 feet) resulting in a low cut score of 680 for both squads. High series of the tournament was shot by Seung Yoo, New York, NY with a 789 in the 3:30pm squad. The wildcard winner was Jimmy Walsh with a 1344 six game series. The high handicap series without bonus pins pot winners were John Coughlan, Lindenhurst, NY with a 674 in the first squad and Adam DeRossi with a 664 in the 3:30pm squad. No one hit the no-tap jackpot in either squad so it will grow to $634 at the next event.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a sport shot event at AMF Babylon on Sunday, March 5th. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000-$500-$300-$250 and 1 in 6 each squad will advance to the finals and cash for a minimum of $100. Entry fees are $70 & $60 and that includes the no-tap jackpot. To view the final results of the AMF Wantagh event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.