News

Plainview, NY:  Cynthia Cooke, a left-handed hospital employee from Patchogue, NY won the $5,000 top prize at AMF Plainview at LIGBT’s Super Tournament #2. Cynthia defeated James Dickerson 230-203 to win her third LIGBT title. James, who is from Norwalk, CT earned $2,500 for his runner-up position. Finishing third was Fred Jankowsky, Staten Island, NY with a 194 worth $1,250. Fourth place went to Mike Simeone, Lindenhurst, NY with a 185 worth $1,000.

The Super Tournament final shootout was a pressure packed match with over $10,000 up for grabs. Cynthia’s road to victory got off to a rocky start a she missed three consecutive spares in the first three frames. Meanwhile, James started the shootout with a double and all marks through the first 6 frames making up the 40 pin handicap difference between the two bowlers.

In the second half of the shootout Cynthia actually bowled a better scratch score than James. When Cynthia tripled in the 6th through 8^th frames she secured her first title in many years. By the 9^th frame James had secured second place and the only competition was to see who would finish in third and fourth place. Mike needed a mark in the final frame to jump to third but left an open which gave Fred third place and Mike fourth.  

The Super Tournament drew an amazing crowd of 456 entries plus 46 desperado entries. There were 83 finalists who shared in a $28,090 prize fund. Twenty-one DV8 Pitbulls were won in the high game pots, and another $24,000 was paid out in additional side action. Total payout for the weekend was over $55,000!

There were other big winners at AMF Plainview via the no-tap jackpot. Joe Scianna earned $630 in the Friday 10pm squad. Kameron Smith won $415 in the Sunday 2:30pm squad and Sun Kim won $150 in the Sunday 5pm squad. Cut scores on the “Boardwalk” pattern were low all weekend and ranged from 664 to 704. High series of the weekend was shot by Sam Cooke, the champion’s husband, with an 805 series in the Friday 8pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is Sunday, June 4th at AMF Babylon. This 2 squad event features guaranteed prizes of $1,000-$500-$300-$250 and 1 in 4 advancing to the finals each squad. Entry fees are $80 and $70 and the lane pattern will be WTBA’s “London” For complete results of Super Tournament #2 please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

E. Meadow, NY:  Gloria Smith, a FedEx employee from Mamaroneck, NY, won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s sport shot event at AMF E. Meadow. Gloria defeated second place finisher William Luna, Corona, NY 31-28 in a roll off (224 tie) to win her first title. William was looking for his second consecutive title earned $500 for his runner-up position. Finishing third was Robert Aiello, Oceanside, NY, with a 219 worth $300. Rounding out the top 5 was 4^th place finisher Robert Mendez, Brooklyn, NY with a 191 worth $275 and Curtis Hetmeyer, Brooklyn, NY who finished fifth and took home $250.The final 5 shootout started out slow with all 5 contestants having at least one open by the 4^th frame. Going into the 8^th frame Gloria and William were tied with Robert staying close. Incredibly Gloria and William opened the last 3 frames to remain tied while Robert failed to double in the final frame to take the title. To break the tie a 9^th/10^th frame roll off was bowled with Gloria coming out on top by 3 pins.

The AMF E. Meadow event drew a good crowd of 121 entries, advanced 25 bowlers to the finals and paid out $4,885. The cut scores on the “Turnpike” pattern were 704 & 714. High series of the tournament was shot by William Luna with a 788 in the first squad. The wildcard winner was Pak Wong, New York, NY with a 1393 series. The no bonus pins pot winners were Scott Kampf (703), Robert Mendez (694), Justin Kampf (701), and Gloria Smith (696). The no-tap jackpot was not hit in either squad and has grown to $465.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 3-day Super Tournament at AMF Plainview (May 26-28) with guaranteed top prizes $5,000-$2,500-$1,250-$1,000 with 1 in 6 each squad advancing to the finals and guaranteed a minimum of $150. Entry fee is $80 per squad. To view the final results of the AMF E. Meadow event please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Torch Bowling, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Astoria, NY:  William Luna, a NYC policeman from Corona, NY, won his first LIGBT title by defeating his friend Johnny Kim, Fresh Meadows, NY 246-245 at Astoria Bowl. William earned $1,000 for his victory while Johnny earned $500. Rounding out the top 4 was third place finisher Emmanuel Edobor-Osula, S. Richmond Hill, NY with a 234 worth $300 and fourth went to 5-time title holder Cary Fishman, NYC with a 224 worth $250.

The final shootout went down to the last ball. Going into the final frame all 4 bowlers could have won the title. When Johnny doubled in the tenth it forced William to knock down 19 pins to win. William converted a 2 pin spare and then threw a great shot leaving only the 10 pin to secure a 1 pin victory and his first LIGBT trophy.

The Astoria Bowl house shot tournament drew a nice crowd of 92 entries, advanced 16 bowlers to the finals and paid out $3,650. The tournament pattern was “Bourbon Street” creating cut scores of 775 at 1pm and 763 at 3:30pm. High series of the tournament was shot by Sean Kelly, Maspeth, NY with an 861 in the 3:30pm squad. The wildcard winner was Johnny Kim, with a 1509 six game series.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a sport shot event at AMF E. Meadow on Sunday, May 21^st. 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. All bonus pins will be frozen at the next event. Entry fees at AMF E. Meadow are $70 & $60.  To view the final results of the Astoria 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:  Andrew Mienkiewicz, a 33 year old Project Manager from Massapequa, NY, won the $1,000 top prize at LIGBT’s very challenging sport shot event at Herrill Lanes. Andrew defeated second place finisher Taisha Jolliffe, Briarwood, NY 220-216 in a record low scoring final match. While Taisha earned $500, finishing third was Abel David, Franklin Square, NY, with a 209 earning $300. Rounding out the top 4 was Vinny Nguyen, Flushing, NY with a 180 worth $250.

The Herrill Lanes event was one of the lowest scoring tournaments in LIGBT history. The final 4 survived a brutal “Stockholm” pattern. By the second frame everyone already had an open. Abel held the early lead but two late splits cost him a chance at the title. Taisha had a 6 pin leading going into the final frame. When she marked in the 10^th she forced Andrew to throw a double for the title. Andrew won the title with a tripped 4 pin and a Jersey strike which made up for a stoned 8 pin in his 8^th frame.

The Herrill Lanes event drew a nice crowd of 113 entries, advanced an incredible 31 bowlers to the finals (almost 1 in 3) and paid out $5,760. The cut scores on the “Stockholm” pattern were very low; 652 & 641. High series of the tournament was shot by Jose Ferreira, Woodside, NY with a 771 in the second squad. The wildcard winner was Chris Werben, Brooklyn, NY with a 1278 series. The no bonus pins pot winners were Ron Hatchett (628), Jimmy Walsh (652), and Karl Nystrom (634). The no-tap jackpot was hit in the first squad as Nick Vaccaro, Floral Park, NY won $506.

LIGBT’s next tournament is a house shot event at Astoria Bowl on Sunday, May7^th. Top prizes are guaranteed at $1,000-$500-$300-$250 with 1 in 6 each squad advancing to the finals and guaranteed a minimum of $100. Entry fees are $70 & $60. 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.

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.