News 2023

Babylon, NY: The LIGBT, sponsored by Storm, ran a special drop your low game sport shot tournament called: The First Pair Shootout sponsored by Bill Verni of Bilvee Electric. Phil Rivera, Franklin Square, NY won his 2^nd LIGBT title (first singles title) by defeating Darryl Freeman, Forest Hills, NY 270-252. Phil earned $1,500 for his victory while Darryl took home $800 for second place. Finishing in third was Andrew Mienkiewicz, Dix Hills, NY with a 219 worth $600. Rounding out the top 4 was Kymari Nelson, Copaigue, NY with a 215 worth $500.

The First Pair Shootout started with 2 divisions, 49 & under/50+ with each group bowling 4 games and dropping their lowest game to determined prize fund position. The top 2 from each division advanced to a 1-game shootout. Additional cashers were paid using a 1 in 3 ratio.

The final shootout quickly became a 2-person match. Phil started ahead as he was getting 27 pins more in handicap than Darryl. Even though Darryl through a clean game (no opens), and Phil had 2 opens, the extra handicap helped Phil secure his title. Both bowlers threw triples in the middle of the shootout. Darryl could have put pressure on Phil if he doubled in the 10^th. But when Darryl failed to strike in his last frame Phil claimed his first singles title.

As for the other 2 shootout finalists, Andrew struggled on the right lane and had to settle for third. Kymari was making his first LIGBT video shootout and it took a while for him to loosen up. But he finished strong with 3 strikes in his last 2 frames giving him confidence for his next shootout appearance.    

The LIGBT sport shot event at AMF Babylon drew a sold-out field of 99 entries, paid out a $7,410 prize fund, and had 30 bowlers cash. The side action paid out an additional $4,540 bringing the total event payout to $11,950. The cut scores to cash on the “Route 66” pattern were 700 in the under division and 714 in the senior division. Peter Ramo and Donald Eubanks won Storm balls in a special raffle. Over $1,000 was added to the prize fund from Bill Verni and the raffles.  

LIGBT’s next event is a sport shot tournament at AMF Garden City on Sunday, April 30^th (1pm & 3pm.) To view the results of the AMF Babylon tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Billvee Electric, and The Law Offices of Randi Siegel.

Garden City, NY: The LIGBT, sponsored by Storm, ran a Doubles Tournament at AMF Garden City and attracted an incredible crowd of 98 teams. Tom Catalano, N. Babylon, NY & Kymari Nelson, Copaigue, NY teamed up to win the $2,000 top prize with a 4-game total of 2,045. Finishing in 2^nd place, 26 pins behind, was the team of Bobby Annan, Copaigue, NY & Jonathan Mercado, Brentwood, NY. The 2nd place team shot a 2019 series earning $1,100.

The team of Nick Falsetta, N. Babylon, NY & Kymari Nelson took home $800 with their 3rd place finish shooting 2015. Rounding out the top 4 was the team of John Knierieman Jr, E. Islip, NY & Jonathan Mercado with a total of 2014 earning them $600.  It took a 1917 total to cash in the $8,300 prize fund.

A total of 16 teams cashed at AMF Garden City. The side action paid out an additional $4,455 bringing the total day’s payout to $12,755. The LIGBT welcomed 15 new members at AMF Garden City. Darius Fuller, Bayshore, NY shot the only 300 in the tournament. His perfection was done in game one. Donald Eubanks won the Storm Ball.  

The LIGBT’s next event is a special sport shot event at AMF Babylon; Sunday, April 23^rd at 1pm. Billvee Electric will be adding $500 to this 4-game handicap tournament featuring a “drop your low game” format. The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Randi B. Siegel Law Offices, Billvee Electric, CLS Custom Upholsterers and Turbo 2-n-1 Grips.

Meadow, NY: The LIGBT, sponsored by Storm, ran its 8^th event of its 12 tournament House Shot Series at AMF E. Meadow. The tournament used a 5-game format with each bowler’s best 4 games determining their prize fund position. The handicap champion was Justin Sternberg, Kings Park, NY earning $1,000. The scratch winner was Jason Forshee, Lindenhurst, NY earning $500. Both champions earned their first LIGBT title.

The final handicap shootout, where the top two from both age divisions combined for a 1-game shootout, was a great match. Going into the final frame 3 of the 4 bowlers had a shot at the title. Justin started slow opening twice in his first 5 frames which put him 34 pins behind the leader. But from the 6^th frame on Justin struck out to finish with a 252 and an amazing 11-pin victory. Kenny Bruce, Oceanside, NY shot the only clean game of the shootout but still needed a strike in the 10^th to grab the title. He left a 2-pin spare and settled for second place with a 241 worth $600. The 3^rd place finisher was 14-year-old Mel Sim, Queens Village, NY with a 228 earning him a $400 scholarship. Fourth place went to Beverly Parker, Brooklyn, NY with a 193 worth $300.    

The scratch event was won by Jason Forshee with a 4-game total of 934. Finishing in 2^nd place was Max Thomas, N. Babylon, NY with a 906 worth $300. Rounding out the top 3, and earning $200, was Mel Sim with an 885 series. A total of 6 bowlers cashed in the scratch prize list which paid out $1,380.

LIGBT’s House Shot Series Event #8 at AMF E. Meadow drew a field of 104 entries, paid out $6,390 in prize money, and had 27 bowlers go to the cashing window. The side action paid out an additional $3,665 bringing the total day’s payout to $10,055. Scores to cash on the Easy Street pattern were 876 in the 49 & under handicap division, 864 in the senior handicap division, and 897 in the scratch event. The winner of the Storm ball raffle was Eddie Eng, Flushing, NY.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is a special Handicap Doubles event at AMF Garden City, Saturday, April 8th at 11am. To view the results of the AMF E. Meadow tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Billvee Electric, Randi B.Siegle Law Offices  and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

New Hyde Park, NY:   The LIGBT, sponsored by Storm, ran its annual 2-day Spring Major at Herrill Lanes and crowned Tay Farinu, Cambria Heights, NY as the 2023 Champion. Tayo earned the $1,500 top prize by defeating Denis Mendelson, Levittown, NY 222-205 in the final shootout. While Denis earned $750 for second, placing third was Andrew Mienkiewicz, Dix Hills, NY with a 199 worth $500. Rounding out the top 4 was Jenn Bochicchio, Selden NY with a 161 earning $400.

The final shootout was a very competitive match. Andrew and Tayo were throwing most of the strikes but Denis and Jennifer hung in there by filling frames with spares. Heading into the final frame Tayo needed a mark and 7 pins to lock up the championship. Tayo threw a 9 spare and filled the frame with a 7 count to secure his $1,500 victory. The Abbey Road pattern proved challenging as all 4 shootout finalists had at least 2 open frames.

The LIGBT Spring Major was a success with 156 entries generating a $7,890 prize fund. A total of 42 bowlers went to the cashing window. The side action awarded an additional $7,125 bringing the total event payout to $15,015.

Scores to cash on the 40 foot “Abbey Road” pattern ranged from 654-678. The 4 squad leaders, each earning byes, were: Leslie Baptiste, Staten Island, NY (759 Saturday-noon), Joe Scianna, Ronkonkoma, NY (771 Saturday-2pm), James Walsh, Glen Cove, NY (786- Sunday-noon), and Jennifer Bochicchio (738 Sunday-2pm.) The 3 wildcard winners were: Monica McMillan, E. Elmhurst, NY (1268), Donald Eubanks, Elmsford, NY (1276), and Chondite Faison, New York, NY 1357.  

LIGBT’s next tournament is a house shot event at AMF E. Meadow, Sunday, April 2^nd at 1pm. To view the results of the Herrill Lanes event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Billvee Electric Randi B. Siegle Attorney at Law, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Wantagh, NY: The LIGBT, sponsored by Storm, ran a Doubles Tournament at AMF Wantagh and attracted a record crowd of 153 teams! Rob Longiaru, Seaford, NY and Joe Cavaliere, N. Babylon, NY teamed up to win the $2,500 top prize with a 4-game total of 2,018. There was a tie for 2^nd place with each runner-up doubles team earning $1,200. The team of Jordan Ockimey, Amityville, NY and Keith Bergstrom, W. Babylon, NY matched the team of Terrence Taylor, Flushing, NY and Eric Taylor Sr., Jamaica, NY with 4-game totals of 1,966.

The AMF Wantagh doubles event attracted 153 teams and paid out a prize fund of $12,480. A total of 27 teams cashed as it took an 1855 team total to get to the cashing window. The side action paid out an additional $5,965 bringing the total day’s payout to an incredible $18,445. The LIGBT welcomed 24 new members at AMF Wantagh.

The LIGBT’s next event is our annual Spring Sport Shot Major. This 2-day event is being hosted by Herrill Lanes and will run Saturday and Sunday, March 25 & 26 (squads at noon & 2pm.) The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Randi B. Siegel Law Offices, Billvee Electric, CLS Custom Upholsterers and Turbo 2-n-1 Grips.

E. Meadow, NY: The LIGBT, sponsored by Storm, ran its 7^th event of a 12 tournament House Shot Series at AMF E. Meadow. The 2-squad event, called The Winter Bonanza, featured 2 squads of 3-game qualifying with 3 separate divisions: Scratch, 49 & under handicap and 50+ handicap. The pattern used was Stone Street.

For the first time in LIGBT history a father and son finished in the top 2 spots. Darryl McDuffie, Floral Park, NY, representing the scratch division, defeated his son, Andre representing the 49 & under division, 237-231 in the final shootout. Darryl earned $1,200 for his title while Andre took home $650 for 2^nd place. Finishing in 3^rd was senior Antoine Thurston, Harlem, NY with a 221 worth $400. Rounding out the top 5 was 4^th place finisher senior Alex Padmore, Jamaica, NY with a 210 worth $350 and 5^th place finisher Jason Epps, Jamaica, NY, from the 49 & under division, with a 186 worth $300.

The final shootout was a close contest but became a 2-man race by the middle of the game. Andre, who was getting a 27-pin handicap from his dad, had the lead until the 7^th frame but when he missed a 1-pin spare, and Darryl started a 3-timer, the lead exchanged hands. All Darryl needed in the final frame, to secure the title, was a mark which he accomplished easily with a spare and strike.

LIGBT’s House Shot Series Event #7 drew a wonderful field of 131 entries, paid out $6,740 in prize money, and had 35 bowlers go to the cashing window. The side action paid out an additional $4,340 bringing the total day’s payout to $11,080. Scores to cash on the Stone Street pattern were 734 & 716 in the 49 & under handicap division, 716 & 703 in the senior handicap division, and 681 & 655 in the scratch event. The wildcard winners were Ramon Deleon, Uniondale, NY (1316) from the scratch division, Andre McDuffie, Floral Park, NY (1429) from the 49 & under handicap division, and Jack Kampf, Levittown, NY (1456) from the scratch division. The winner of the Storm ball raffle was Steven Schneider, Islip Terrace, NY.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is special Handicap Doubles tournament at AMF Wantagh- Sunday, March 19^th  (1pm.) To view the results of the AMF E. Meadow tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Billvee Electric, Randi B.Siegle Law Offices  and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

New Hyde Park, NY:   The LIGBT, sponsored by Storm, ran its sixth Sport Shot Series event at Herrill Lanes. Wesley Grant, Uniondale, NY won the $1,000 top prize by defeating 2^nd place finisher James Marinelli, S. Hempstead, NY 286-248. James earned $650 for his runner-up position. This was Wesley’s second title since becoming a member 10 years ago. Finishing in third place was Carolyn Willis, Bethpage, NY with a 226 worth $500. Rounding out the top 4 was Devon Johnson, Brooklyn, NY with a 198 worth $400.

While scoring was low in both qualifying squads, the shootout begin with 3 of the 4 bowlers throwing doubles. Wesley started with a double, stayed clean through the middle of the game, and finished with 6 consecutive strikes to secure the victory. James bowled well and had 2 doubles but he just couldn’t keep up with Wesley’s strong finish. Carolyn started out with a triple but 4 straight opens hurt her title changes. Devon just couldn’t carry and had to settle for 4^th position.

The LIGBT 2-squad sport shot tournament drew 128 entries, paid out $6,610 in prize money, and had 33 bowlers go to the cashing window. The side action awarded an additional $5,825 bringing the total event payout to $12,435.  

Scores to cash on the 43 foot “Dead Man’s Curve” pattern were 654 at noon and 683 at 2pm. The wildcard winner, which is the highest 6-game series by a non-finalist, was Eddie Eng with a 1,365. High series of the tournament was shot by Devon Johnson with an 845 in the 2pm squad. The winners of the Storm ball raffles were Kristen Henry, W. Islip, NY and Peter Parenti, Bayville, NY.

LIGBT’s next tournament is our Winter Bonanza, the 7^th House Shot Series event at AMF E. Meadow, on Sunday, March 5^th with 2 squads (noon & 2pm.) To view the results of the Herrill Lanes event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Billvee Electric Randi B. Siegle Attorney at Law, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

E. Meadow, NY: The LIGBT, sponsored by Storm, ran its 6^th event of its 12 tournament House Shot Series at AMF E. Meadow. The handicap champion was Ray Tang, College Point, NY earning $1,000. This was Ray’s 1st LIGBT singles title. The scratch winner was Joe LaBargo, Bayside, NY earning $500. Joe’s scratch title was his 7^th victory over the past 8 years. 

The final handicap shootout, where the top two from both age divisions combined for a 1-game shootout, was a relatively low scoring event. It was clear early the title grab would be between Damian Rodriguez, Freeport, NY and Ray Tang. Damian had the early lead but single pin opens in the 4^th and 6^th frames gave Ray the lead which he would never relinquish.

Ray, who shot the only clean game in the shootout, locked up his title with a spare and strike in his final frame giving him a 226-205 victory. While Damian earned $500 for his second-place finish, third went to Joe LaBargo with a 193 worth $300. Rounding out the top 4 was Karen Davis, Brooklyn, NY with a 158 earning $250.  

The scratch event was won by Joe LaBargo with a 4-game total of 999 (250 average.) Joe earned $500 for his scratch victory. Finishing in 2^nd place was Kyle Durfee, Levittown, NY with a 963 worth $300. Rounding out the top 3, and earning $200, was Darius Fuller, Bay Shore, NY with a 955 series. A total of 7 bowlers cashed in the scratch prize list which paid out $1,375.

LIGBT’s House Shot Series Event #6 at AMF E. Meadow drew a field of 89 entries, paid out $5,410 in prize money, and had 24 bowlers go to the cashing window. The side action paid out an additional $4,080 bringing the total day’s payout to $9,590. Scores to cash on the Main Street pattern were 924 in the 49 & under handicap division, 929 in the senior handicap division, and 900 in the scratch event. The winner of the Storm ball raffle was Steven Schneider, Islip Terrace, NY.   

LIGBT’s next tournament is our 7^th Sport Shot Series event at Herrill Lanes - Sunday, February 26^th (noon & 2pm.) To view the results of the AMF E. Meadow tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Storm, Billvee Electric, Randi B.Siegle Law Offices  and CLS Custom Upholsterers