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NYS USBC to Establish
'Pat' Zonneville Scholarship
Bequest from Late President
to Advance Youth Bowling

SEPT. 27, 2016 – The New York State USBC's top scholastic award will be renamed the Priscilla M. "Pat" Zonneville Memorial Scholarship as a result of action taken by the state association's Board of Directors over the weekend.

Directors, at meetings on Saturday and Sunday at the Holiday Inn in Binghamton, gratefully accepted a bequest of $20,000 from the estate of the late Zonneville, who passed away on Sept. 6, and agreed to use those funds to support youth scholarships per her request.

Zonneville was elected as the first president of the New York State United States Bowling Congress in 2011, and served for four years.

Before that she was president of the New York State USBC Women's Bowling Association for more than a decade and, all told, she served in various capacities at the local, state and national levels for more than 30 years.

"Pat had a heart for the sport of bowling, and this generous gift will serve to perpetuate her desire to see young people who have taken a keen interest in the bowling achieve their personal goals," NYS USBC President Roger Buckman said.

Buckman said that $2,000 of the bequest will be allocated annually for 10 years to support the NYS USBC's maximum scholarship of $4,000 ($1,000 each year up to four years) to a graduating senior based on academics and bowling accomplishment. He also noted that local associations and individual bowlers will be able to donate to a fund is being set up in Zonneville's name.

The board also voted to award a pair of $250 scholarships at the 2017 NYS Youth Team Championships in Syracuse in memory of Zonneville.

In related action, the board:

-- Approved recommendations by the Youth Education Services (YES) Committee to support these additional scholarships for the 2016-17 season – $3,000 ($750 renewable annually up to four years), $2,000 ($500 renewable annually up to four years) and four $1,000 awards for graduating seniors; three Spirit Awards totaling $1,500 for grades 8-11, and five Future Stars Awards totaling $750 for grades K-7.

Information on how to apply for these scholarships will be posted in the near future on the Youth Scholarships page of this website.

-- Approved recommendations from the Finance Committee to send contributions of $10,000 to Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital and Roswell Park Cancer Institute, $1,500 to Bowlers to Veterans Link and $2,000 to the YES Committee for scholarships as a result of member donations at state tournaments and at the Annual Meeting during the 2015-16 season.

-- Approved a recommendation from the YES Committee to allocate up $7,400 in 2016-17 to fund up to two High School Assistance Grants and up to two In-School Bowling Kits, both programs of the International Bowling Campus Youth Development Team.

Last season, the NYS USBC awarded $2,500 to Sachem East High School in Farmingdale to assist its scholastic bowling program and $1,200 to Lockport City School District for an In-School Bowling Grant consisting of six carpet bowling lanes with balls and pins along with teaching curriculum.

-- Forwarded a Bylaws amendment stating that qualifications (resume) of those wishing to run for a spot on the NYS USBC Board of Directors must be submitted, in writing, at least 30 days prior to the opening of the Annual Meeting. The current bylaw reads that the resume must be submitted at least two weeks prior.

The 2017 Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 3 at a site to be determined by next month.

Board Votes to Let Youth Bowlers
Participate in NYS Queens, Masters

SEPT. 27, 2016 – Youth bowlers in good standing in New York State are eligible to compete in the NYS Masters and Queens singles championships starting with the 2017 tournaments in Farmingdale (Long Island) and Niagara Falls, respectively.

The NYS USBC Board of Directors over the weekend approved a recommendation by its Tournament Committee to allow youth members to bowl in the Masters and Queens as long as the participant signs a waiver prior to competition that all prize winnings will be put into the bowler's SMART account in the form of a scholarship.

Last year, the board voted against youth participation in these two events, citing complaints from adult participants and possible eligibility problems when youth bowlers move on to college. The United States Bowling Congress and many local associations do allow youth participation in singles tournaments.

"The Tournament Committee determined that there are no eligibility issues when it comes to collegiate bowling provided the proper waiver and parental consent forms, if necessary, are submitted before bowling," NYS USBC President Roger Buckman said.

"As a result, the board felt that the NYS USBC would be best served to fall in line with the USBC at the national level and give these talented young individuals opportunities to bowl against the best in the state."

Other Tournament Committee recommendations approved by the board are as follows:

-- An increase in the entry fee of the Queens Championships from $65 to $80 to offset the loss of a $2,000 allocation from the former NYS USBC Women's Bowling Association which expired with the 2016 tournament. The state association is seeking a sponsor for the 2017 event, which is set for April 22 at Rapids Bowling Center in Niagara Falls.

-- An allocation of $2,000 to the Women's Senior Singles Championships in 2017, only, and an entry fee increase from $30 to $35 starting with the 2018 tournament. There will be no NYS USBC funding after 2017.

-- A change in the average base for handicap purposes for the NYS Open Championships from 230 to 240, starting with the 2017 tournament at Ideal Bowling Center in Endicott. The handicap percentage remains at 90 percent. As a result, Team handicap will be based on 1200, Doubles handicap on 480 and Singles handicap on 240.

-- Establish a committee to explore the possibility of a NYS Senior Masters Championship for the 2017-18 season, preferably in November. Those interested in serving on this committee can send an email to bowlny300@yahoo.com.

-- Conduct the NYS Open Championships in 2018 at a site not close to Syracuse, which will be hosting the 2018 USBC Open Championships.

Plenty of Openings Exist
for NYS Open Senior Tourney

SEPT. 20, 2016 -- The 38th NYS Open Senior Championships will take place Oct. 15-16, 22-23 at King Pin Family Fun Center in South Glens Falls, and while the second weekend is nearly full, there are plenty of openings on both Saturday and Sunday of the first weekend.

The Doubles, Singles and Six-Game Combine handicap tournament features competition in six different age classifications. Squad times are noon and 2:30 p.m. each of the four days.

NOTE THAT THE 2:30 P.M. SQUAD ON SATURDAY, OCT. 22 IS FULL

Six-game combine winners in each age group will win a free entry to the 2017 USBC Senior Championships.

CLICK HERE for an entry form.

Note: The Ramada Inn in Queensbury is offering $72 per night rooms, with an additional 5 percent off if $25 or more is spent at the restaurant there. Address: 1 Abby Lane, Queensbury, NY 12804. Phone:(518) 793-7701.

Other area hotels and special rates:

Days Inn/Budgetel (1 mile from bowling center), 1660 Rt.9 South Glens Falls, NY 12803, 518-793-8891, $74 per night

The Queensbury Hotel (less than 2 miles from bowling center), 88 Ridge St., Glens Falls, NY 12801, 518-792-1121, $84 per night, www.thequeensburyhotel.com

Landmark Motel (3 miles from bowling center), 1418 Rt. 9, Fort Edward, NY 12828, 518-793-3441, $70 per night (king) $75 per night (2 doubles), www.landmarkmotorinn-ny.com

Around NYS – Sept./Oct. 2016

Northeast Council Events Planned for Oct. 9

The Staten Island USBC will be hosting the Northeast Council of USBC Associations' fall tournament and luncheon on Oct. 9.

The tournament at Rab's Country Lanes features a continental breakfast and check-in at 9 a.m. and a four-person team event beginning at 9:30 a.m. Awards will be presented to the top teams and individuals.

Entry fee is $96 per team.

The luncheon will take place at La Collina by Mario's, which is a few minutes away from Rab's. Cost of the luncheon is $45 per person, and includes hors d'oeuvres.

To register, contact Frank Wilkinson at 718-979-1600 or at frankjwilkinson@gmail.com by Oct. 1.

Youth Coaching Seminar Scheduled for Oct. 1

Want to learn how to teach the fundamentals of bowling?

Then join USBC Silver Level Instructor Tom Fluker as he leads a youth coaching seminar from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 at Mancuso Bowling Center, 214 East Main St., Batavia.

Advance registration is required and can be done by sending an email to usacoaching@ibc.com or calling 877-385-8339.

There is no cost for attendees, who will receive a coaching manual and also will have the opportunity to obtain Level I coaching certification.

Watch for Open, Queens,
Masters Entry Forms

SEPT. 16, 2016 -- Entry forms for the 2017 NYS Masters, Queens and Open Championships will be posted on this website sometime during the last week of September.

Rules and format for these three events are expected to be finalized over the weekend of Sept. 24-25 at the NYS USBC Board of Directors meetings in Binghamton.

The dates and places of the tournaments are as follows:

NYS Masters -- Farmingdale Lanes, Long Island, March 4, 2017.

NYS Queens -- Rapids Bowling Center, Niagara Falls, April 22, 2017.

NYS Open -- Ideal Bowling Center, Endicott, April 22-23, 28-30, May 5-7, 19-21, 2017.  This tournament will have bowling on three Friday nights to accomodate the expected number of entries.

Entry forms for the 2016 NYS Open Senior and 2017 NYS Women's Championships can be found by clicking on the Tournaments tab.

Information about the NYS Youth Team, Youth Pepsi and Adult-Junior tournaments can be found by scrolling over the Youth tab and clicking on the Youth Tournaments tab.

2016 Women's Senior Singles

NYS USBC Mails Out
Prize Checks to 103 Bowlers

SEPT. 16, 2016 -- Prize checks for the 103 women who cashed at last month's 36th NYS Women's Senior Singles Championships went out in today's (Friday, Sept. 16) mail.

The tournament took place on Aug. 19-21, 26-28 at Crystal Lanes in Corning.  Five hundred fifty women entered the event, with about 40 of them having to withdraw due to various reasons.

Final official results show the following champions in the six age classifications:

Shirley Ebron (New York City USBC), 75-and-over; Cindy Baker (Adirondack USBC), 70-74; Janet Jacob (Syracuse USBC WBA), 65-69; Tanga Stephenson (Long Island USBC), 60-64; Denice Hall (Auburn USBC), 55-59; and Jane Duffer (Lowville USBC), 50-54.

CLICK HERE for official prize list.

CLICK HERE for official final standings.

In Class AA, Ebron posted 1,353 with handicap while Dorothy Pecha (Southern Tier USBC) had 1,334, and Dolores Seamans (Genesee Region USBC) finished with 1,331.

In Class A, Baker's 1,296 edged Barbara Sim (Albany USBC) by four pins, while three bowlers -- Virginia Connell (Tri-County NY USBC), Arleen Strecker (Tri-County NY USBC) and Sandra Gates (Genesee Region USBC) tied with 1,279 each.

In Class B, Jacob tallied 1,345 -- 12 pins more than Bonnie View (Mohawk Valley Towns USBC). Darlene Amarilla (Tri-County NY USBC) is third with 1,289.

In Class C. Stephenson shot 1,322, two pins better than Barbara Knoll (Wayne County USBC WBA) and 10 pins higher than Karen Wilson (Tri-County NY USBC).

In Class D, Hall's 1,374 is 46 more than Donna Gilfus, also of Auburn USBC WBA. Teri Gayton (Mid-Hudson) is next with 1,285.

And in Class E, Duffer registered 1,284, while Lori Heneka (Hudson Valley USBC) and Anne Haase (Dunkirk Lakeshore USBC) posted 1,268 and 1,266, respectively.

The champions of each of the six age groups are eligible to receive a free entry to the 2017 USBC Senior Championships.

Obituary

Priscilla 'Pat' Zonneville,
First NYS USBC President

UPDATED SEPT. 11, 2016

SEPT. 7, 2016, MARION, NY – Priscilla "Pat" Zonneville, the first president of the New York State United States Bowling Congress and president of the New York State USBC Women's Bowling Association for more than a decade, passed away at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 6, 2016) after a long illness.

She was 74.

Zonneville (in photo at right, congratulating Shannon Sellens on her 2014 NYS Queens victory in Wappingers Falls) played a significant role in the advancement of the sport of bowling at the local, state and national levels for more than 30 years. She was a respected leader of the women's association and chairperson of the Transition Team that coordinated the formation of the New York State USBC, and went on to guide the NYS USBC in its early years.

Zonneville was elected president of the NYS USBC in June 2011, and stepped down four years later.

Current NYS USBC President Roger Buckman said that the news of Pat's passing "saddens all of us in the bowling community -- far and wide."

"Pat touched many people in her tenure as NYS Women's BA President for many years and as the first President of the merged NYS USBC," Buckman said. "She will be greatly missed by the bowlers of New York State and the many bowlers nationwide that Pat had connections with.

"It was a pleasure to have had the opportunity to know and mentor with Pat over the years, and on behalf of the NYS USBC Board of Directors, I send my deepest condolences to her family and many friends."

During Zonneville's tenure, the state association provided its members with a variety of championship tournaments, generated thousands of dollars for youth scholarships and charitable causes and built a website that has been embraced by New York State bowlers.

Robin Marshall, a USBC regional manager, praised Zonneville for her "forward thinking" and ability to teach others.

"She was such a great woman, great leader and amazing person, inside and out," Marshall said. "I cherished the times spent with her and all that I learned. (She was) such a forward thinking individual that loved this great game of bowling."

A longtime resident of Marion, Zonneville served on just about every committee and held just about every officer position for the Wayne County Women's Association and NYS Women's Association, and also served as Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms for the Women's International Bowling Congress from 1989-2001.

Additionally, she helped sustain the NYS Women's 600 Bowling Club and, as a result of her efforts, she was elected president of the organization in 2008.

A member of the New York State USBC Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service (2009 inductee), Zonneville also found success on the lanes as a Wayne County WBA Tournament champion, and with a high game of 289 and high series of 693.

She retired in 1991 after a 32-year career as a site chemical manager for Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester.

During her farewell address at the 2015 NYS USBC Annual Meeting, Zonneville reflected upon her long career as a bowling administrator, and expressed appreciation for the opportunities to serve.

She is survived by her siblings, Gayle (William) Shaver, Pamela (Michael) Abraham and Steven I. (Mary) Zonneville; aunt, Lee VanKouwenberg; special friend, Margaret Lancaster; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Donations in her name may be directed to the New York State Women's 600 Bowling Club. For a complete obituary and to leave a condolence, please visit www.murphyfuneralservices.com.

CLICK HERE for 2017 NYS Women's
Championships Reservation List

Thank You, Bowlers!

ON THE RIGHT PATH-WAYS: Julia Harvey, special events coordinator for Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, accepts a check for $10,000 from Roger Buckman, left, NYS USBC president, and Mike Pettinella, NYS USBC association manager, on behalf of the state association's members who donated to the Pathways to the Cure charity fundraisers at state tournaments during the 2014-15 season.  The NYS USBC is expected to authorize, in September, a similar donation to Roswell, and also to Memorial Sloat-Kettering Cancer Institute in New York City for donations received during the 2015-16 season.

July Lottery Fundraiser Brings In
$3,159 for NYS USBC Charities

AUGUST 1, 2016 – Contributions to the New York State USBC's July fundraiser have raised $3,159 to help support cancer programs, youth scholarships and other charities

The fundraiser was based on the New York Lottery evening number.

Thank you to all those who purchased a ticket or block of tickets and to those who help sell them across the state.

CLICK HERE for a list of winners.