News

Levittown, NY:  Abel David, a 59 year old IT Director from Franklin Square, NY, won his second LIGBT title at South Levittown Lanes. Abel defeated second place finisher Clive Tobias, Huntington, NY 220-214 in a very tight match. Abel earned $1,000 for his victory while Clive took home $500 for his runner-up position. Finishing third was Richard Walker, Brooklyn, NY with a 211 worth $350 and fourth went to Jack Edvabsky, Levittown, NY with a 202 worth $300.

The 4-person shootout was a very tight match as only 4 pins separated the bowlers after 5 frames. Jack and Rich had consecutive opens late which hurt their title hopes. Going into the final frame Abel and Clive were separated by only 5 pins and the difference stayed that way as both bowlers opened in the 10th. The 220 winning score was one of the lowest in LIGBT history.

The South Levittown tournament drew a great crowd of 135 entries, advanced 24 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $5,130. The PBA Chameleon pattern (43 feet) was used resulting in cut scores of 733 in the 1pm squad and 720 in the 3pm squad. High series of the tournament was shot by Cary Fishman with an 803 in the 3pm squad.  

LIGBT’s next tournament is our monthly house shot event at AMF Plainview on Sunday, January 24^th with 2 squads; 1pm & 3pm. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000-1^st, $500-2^nd, $300-3^rd, & $250-4th. One in 6 each squad advances to the finals and cashes for a minimum of $80. Entry fees are only $65 & $55. For complete results of the South Levittown tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Babylon, NY:  Kevin Miller, who works for JP Morgan Chase and resides in New York City, won the $2,000 top prize at LIGBT’s 2016 Winter Major at AMF Babylon. Kevin secured his first LIGBT title with an impressive 291 handicap game giving him a 33 pin victory over second place finisher Darryl McDuffie, Floral Park, NY who earned $1,000 with a 258. Finishing third was Wayne Garvey, Manchester, CT with a 215 worth $750 and fourth was taken by So Young Chin Whitestone, NY with a 191 earning her $500.

With the 4 bowlers in the final shootout only having 1 LIGBT title combined you would think the scoring would get off to a slow start. But the 4 bowlers started strong as there was only 1 open through the first 5 frames. Kevin, who was getting the most handicap, had 3 strikes in the first 5 frames giving him the early lead. Despite Darryl’s 9-pin no tap 300 in the finals, Kevin finished strong with a triple to win the title before the last frame.   

The LIGBT Winter Major drew a 4 squad crowd of 201 entries plus 31 desperado entries. A total of 38 bowlers cashed (almost 1 in 3) in a prize fund that paid $9,100. Kegel’s 39 foot Winding Road pattern was used and scoring was on the high side for an LIGBT major with cuts ranging from 729 to 754. High series of the tournament was shot by Gary Paulsen, Massapequa, NY with an 824 in the Friday 9pm squad. Gary’s 800 was the only one of the tournament. Twelve bowlers earned a Brunswick Nirvana by shooting the high handicap score each game in every squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is at South Levittown Lanes on Sunday, January 17^th (1pm& 3pm). Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000, $500, $300 and $250. One in 6 each squad advances to the finals and will cash for a minimum of $80. Entry fees are only $65 & $55. For complete results of the Winter Major please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Farmingdale, NY: The LIGBT will be hosting a 5-game handicap marathon at Farmingdale Lanes on Super Bowl Sunday, February 7^th at 1pm. Immediately following the marathon all participants are invited to a Super Bowl party that will include food, raffles, big screen TVs, and a special match play tournament. Although this is an LIGBT event non-members are welcomed and will not be required to pay a membership fee. All non-members will get 20 pins off their average when determining handicap.

The 5-game handicap marathon will feature guaranteed top prizes of $1,000-$600-$400-$300 and an amazing 1 in 4 cashing ratio! The top 4 will advance to a 1 game shootout. A modified house shot will be put down and a handicap of 90% of 220 will be used. The entry fee is only $100 and includes the Super Bowl party. Non-participants are welcome to stay for the party for only $25.

Details of the Super Bowl Marathon and party are available on www.ligbtour.com. The marathon is sponsored by Brunswick who will be giving away 5 high performance balls at the tournament. For more information please call 1.877.900.6464. We hope to see you at Farmingdale Lanes on Super Bowl Sunday.

Babylon, NY:  Terry Cooper, Brooklyn, NY won the 2016 LIGBT New Year’s Day Marathon for his first LIGBT title since joining the club in 2009. Terry, who is 47 years old and works in the IT department for Homeless Services, rolled a 273 handicap game in the final shootout to defeat Vito Genova, Sr., Franklin Square, NY by 15 pins. While Terry earned $1,000 for his victory Vito took home $600 with his 258. Rounding out the top 4 was third place finisher Dwight Dunkley, Brooklyn, NY with a 213 worth $400 and fourth went to Darryl Freeman, Forest Hills, NY with a 177 earning him $300.

To advance to the marathon’s final shootout you had to shoot a 1300 series. The top 4 included two bowlers looking for their first title (Terry and Vito.) The first few frames were sloppy as all 4 bowlers had opens. Once the bowlers got into the later frames the strikes started rolling.  When Terry marked in the final frame it shut out Vito who finished strong with 5 strikes.

The 2016 New Year’s Day Marathon drew 103 entries, paid out 25 cashing spots totaling $5,910. A modified house shot was put down resulting in a cashing score of 1210 and a 1300 to advance to the top 4. High series of the tournament was shot by Darryl Freeman with a 1330 5-game series.  

LIGBT’s next tournament is a 2-day Winter Major at AMF Babylon January 8^th & 10^th.  Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $2,000-1^st, $1,000-2^nd, $750-3^rd, $500-4th. One in 6 each squad advances to the finals and cashes for a minimum of $100. Entry fee is $70 per squad. For complete results of the New Year’s Day Marathon please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Plainview, NY:  Maggie Joseph, a 57 year old right hander from Bay Shore, NY, won her first LIGBT title and the $1,000 top prize at AMF Plainview. Maggie doubled in the final frame to defeat Pak Wong, New York City, 242-240 in an incredible finish. While Pak earned $500 for second place, third went to Teddy Lucente, Las Vegas, NV, with a 208 worth $350. Finishing fourth was Sean Teahan, Islip, NY, with a 200 earning him $300.

The final shootout involved all non-champions looking for an invitation to LIGBT’s Tournament of Champions. Maggie, who was getting the most handicap with 63 pins, opened in 3 of her first 7 frames but still had a 2 pin lead going into the final frame. Pak doubled in the 10^th frame forcing Maggie to do the same to win. Maggie threw two strikes and 9 to win the title in exciting fashion.

The AMF Plainview holiday tournament an incredible crow of 153 entries, advanced 31 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $5,670. Kegel’s “Sunset Strip” pattern (40 feet) was used resulting in a cut of 753 in the 1pm squad and 735 in the 3pm squad. High series of the tournament was shot by Andrew Mienkiewicz, Massapequa, NY, with an 844 in the 3pm squad.  

LIGBT’s next tournament is a New Year’s Day 5-game marathon at AMF Babylon. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000-1^st, $600-2^nd, $400-3^rd, $300-4^th with one in 5 cashing for a minimum of $100. Entry fee is $90 for LIGBT members and $100 for non-members. For complete results of the AMF Plainview holiday tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, Knockout Ball Cleaner, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

 NEW BONUS PIN RULES

AS OF JANUARY 1, 2016

The cut scores for LIGBT events have gone up the last few tournaments. When researching why this is occurring we noticed scratch scores are similar but bonus pins have increased tremendously. As you are aware we changed the bonus pin rules at the beginning of Season 8. While the changes have been well received it is now starting to affect the actual tournaments.

Average and bonus pin rules will constantly be updated to protect the integrity of the competition. Beginning January 1, 2016 the following bonus pin rules will be in effect.

• You earn 2 bonus pins when you fail to cash on an entry. (NO CHANGE)
• You can earn up to 4 bonus pins in a tournament. (This rule applies only if you re-enter and fail to cash on either entry.) (NO CHANGE EXCEPT FOR MAJORS)
• In tournaments with more than 2 squads (Majors) the maximum number of bonus pins you can earn during that event is 4. (NEW)
• If you cash or make the finals in a tournament you will not earn bonus pins from any of your non-cashing squads in that event. (This rule applies only if you bowl re-enter.)  (NEW)
• In tournaments that do not use bonus pins (marathons and house shot tournaments) you will not earn bonus pins for if you don't cash. (NEW) 
• You will not lose bonus pins if you do cash in a house shot or marathon event. (NO CHANGE)
• When you make a finals you will lose 4 bonus pins for each round you advance (up from 2 per round) in a tournament that uses bonus pins. (NEW) 
• You will lose all of your bonus pins if you make a shootout of a tournament using bonus pins. (NO CHANGE)
• The maximum number of bonus pins you can earn per game remains at 16 (48 total.) (NO CHANGE)
• Bowlers cannot “bank” bonus pins once they reach the maximum of 16 pins (48 total.) (NO CHANGE)
• Bowlers will never have negative bonus pins. (NO CHANGE)
• The LIGBT no longer freezes bonus pins at any tournaments. (NO CHANGE)
• Bonus pins are used in qualifying only-never in finals, desperado, or side action. (NO CHANGE)
• Bonus pins are NOT USED in house shot tournaments or marathons. (NO CHANGE)

East Meadow, NY:  Angel Villavicencio, a 71 a year old retired grandfather from Whitestone, NY, captured his first LIGBT title at AMF East Meadow. Angel, who throws the ball without inserting his thumb, defeated Richie Patson, Lindenhurst, NY 246-235 with a mark in the tenth to win the $1,000 top prize. While Richie earned $500 for being the runner-up, third place went to Rafael Ongjoco, Babylon, NY with a 228 worth $350. Fourth was Eddie Cintron, Laurelton, NY with a 201 worth $300 and fifth went to Dwayne Redman, who was fighting a stiff back, with a 199 earning him $250.

The 5-person shootout started close as all of the bowlers had similar handicaps. Dwayne was getting the least amount and was the only champion in the finals. Angel started strong with 5 strikes in his first 7 frames which gave him a 50 pin lead. But when he opened in the 8^th and 9^th frames it gave several of the finalists a chance if they threw some late strikes. No one could mount a charge and Angel soon was holding the winner’s check and trophy with his wife Nancy.

The AMF East Meadow tournament drew 98 entries, advanced 17 bowlers to the finals, and paid out $3,640. Kegel’s “Autobahn” pattern (42 feet) was used resulting in unexpected high scores (due to a lot of bonus pins from the Thanksgiving Major); the cut was 755 in the 1pm squad and 761 in the 3pm squad. High series of the tournament was shot by Terry Cooper, Brooklyn, NY with an 826 in the 3pm squad.  

LIGBT’s next tournament is our annual Holiday Tournament at AMF Plainview on Sunday, December 20^th with 2 squads; 1pm & 3pm. Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000-1^st, $500-2^nd, $300-3^rd, $250-4th. One in 6 each squad advances to the finals and cashes for a minimum of $80. Entry fees are only $70 & $60. For complete results of the AMF East Meadow tournament please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, and CLS Custom Upholsterers.

Babylon, NY:  Bobby Wunsch, a pharmaceutical assistant from East Meadow, NY, won the 2015 LIGBT Thanksgiving Major at AMF Babylon. Bobby, although owning 2 LIGBT regular titles, has been in a terrible slump due to a variety of physical ailments. In fact, Bobby has only cashed in 1 out of his last 9 LIGBT events. With his $2,000 victory, and first major title, it looks like Bobby is feeling better.

The final 5 shootout, worth almost $5,000, was a real battle. Bobby was only getting 30 pins in handicap while everyone else was getting between 42 and 69 pins! Bobby knew he had to get off to a fast start and began the match with 4 perfect shots. Bobby took the lead in the 8^th frame and finished with a 243 giving him a 19 pin victory over Sun Kim, Flushing, NY who finished with a 224 and earning $1,000.

There were other great performances in the final shootout. Finishing third with a 214 was Clive Tobias, Huntington, NY earning $750. The next spot went to Joe LaBargo, Bayside, NY who struck out in the final frame to grab 4^th with a 201 worth $600. The final spot in the shootout went to Maniram Basdeo, Bronx, NY with a 200 worth $500.

The AMF Babylon Thanksgiving Major drew an incredible 4 squad crowd of 250 entries plus 27 desperado entries. A total of 53 bowlers cashed (almost a 1 in 3 ratio) in a prize fund that paid $11,300. Kegel’s 35 foot Boardwalk pattern was used and scoring was on the high side for an LIGBT major with cuts ranging from 702 to 737. High series and high game of the tournament was shot by Terry Cooper, Brooklyn, NY with an 860 series, including a 300 game, in the Friday 9pm squad.

LIGBT’s next tournament is at AMF E. Meadow on Sunday, December 6^th (1pm& 3pm). Top prizes are guaranteed to pay $1,000, $500, $300 and $250. One in 6 each squad advances to the finals and will cash for a minimum of $80. Entry fees are only $65 & $55. For complete results of the Thanksgiving Major please visit www.ligbtour.com. The LIGBT is sponsored by Brunswick, Kegel, Randi Siegel Law Offices, and CLS Custom Upholsterers