Garden City, NY: Maniram Basdeo, a 64-year-old taxi driver from the Bronx, NY won the LIGBT Sport Shot Championships at AMF Garden City. Maniram won his 7th LIGBT title by defeating Julio Arnold, Woodside, NY 267-263 in the final shootout. Maniram earned $2,500 for his victory while Julio earned $1,500 as the runner-up. Finishing in third place, with a 236, was Nick Falsetta, N. Babylon, NY earning $1,250. Rounding out the top 4 was Rich Glinnen, Bayside, NY with a 231 worth $1,000.
The final shootout was a nailbiter until the final frame. Maniram took a big lead starting with 5 strikes. Julio started slow but struck 6 out of his last 7 shots to force Maniram to mark in his final frame. Even when Maniram finished with a spare to jump ahead of Julio, Rich still had a title shot by throwing a 4-timer going into the 10th. But an open by Rich in his final frame dropped him to 4th place. Nick had 2 early opens and finished in 3rd place by striking his last 5 shots.
In addition to the main event the LIGBT ran a bonus tournament for members competing in 8 or more sport shot events during Season 16. Al Green, Westbury, NY and Shawn Cummings, Middle Village, NY tied for the top spot with a 750 series each earning $750. Finishing in 3rd place was Denis Mendelson, Levittown, NY with a 746 worth $250. It took a 682 to cash in the 10-person $2,600 prize list.
The LIGBT Sport Shot Championships attracted 142 entries generating an $11,550 main event prize fund ($4,000 added by the LIGBT.) A total of 40 bowlers cashed in the 4-squad tournament. The side action awarded an additional $7,870 bringing the total event payout, including the bonus tournament to $26,530. Scores to cash on the “Winding Road” pattern were competitive ranging from a low of 667 to a high of 682.
LIGBT’s next tournament is the end-of-season House Shot Championships at AMF Garden City, September 27 & 29. To view the results of the Sport Shot Championships please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Randi B. Siegle Law Offices, Turbo Grips, and W.O.N. TV network.