Wantagh, NY: The LIGBT, sponsored by Storm, ran a 3-event house shot Mini-Marathon at AMF Wantagh and crowned three different champions. The winner of the 49 and under handicap event was Lawrence Bianco, Brooklyn, NY. The winner of the senior handicap event was Darryl McDuffie, Floral Park NY. The third champion was scratch winner; Aaron Rice, Islip Terrace, NY. Amazingly, all 3 Wantagh champions were first time winners.
Lawrence’s road to the title began with a 988 qualifying series which placed him as the 2nd high qualifier behind squad leader David Raiford, Long Island City, NY who led with a 1016 series. Also advancing to the final shootout was Matthew Ferrara, Farmingdale, NY with a 980 series. The final shootout came down to the 10th frame and when Lawrence ($700) threw a double on his first ball in the 10th it gave him a 1 pin victory over David ($400); 274-273. Matt shot a 240 in the finals and earned $250 for third place.
Darryl’s road to the title began by shooting a 1078 series which gave him the squad leader position. The senior shootout involved 5 bowlers and Darryl earned the $1,000 top prize by finishing with 6 strikes in a row to complete a 258 game. There was a tie for 2nd place; Devon Johnson, Brooklyn, NY and Dennis McMillan, Jamaica, NY both shot 244 with each earning $375. Finishing in 4th, and earning $225, was John Sandano, Brooklyn, NY with a 212. Rounding out the top 5 was Dave Soren, Long Beach, NY with a 204 worth $200.
The scratch event was won by Aaron Rice, earning $500, with a 982 series. Finishing in 2nd, just 9 pins behind with a 973 was Jose Perez, E. Elmhurst, NY earning $365. Rounding out the top 3 was youth bowler, Timmothy Smith Jr. with a 964 earning him a $200 scholarship. It took an 899 series to cash in the scratch event which drew 24 entries and paid out $1,440.
The LIGBT Mini-Marathon at AMF Wantagh drew a wonderful summer crowd of 106 entries, paid out $6,575 in prize money, and had 27 bowlers go to the cashing window. The side action paid out an additional $6,835 bringing the total event payout to $13,410. The scores to cash were 954 for the 49 & under event, 948 in the 50 + event and 899 in the scratch event.
LIGBT’s next house shot tournament is at AMF E. Meadow on Sunday, August 8th- 1pm start. To view the results of the AMF Wantagh event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Kegel, Knockout Ball Cleaner, Torch Bowling, Billvee Electric, Vietri Associates, and ManyStylesOfBowling.com.