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2019 Annual Meeting
Scheduled for June 1
at DoubleTree Syracuse

Info emailed to local associations this morning

NOVEMBER 8, 2018 – The New York State USBC's 8th Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, June 1 at The DoubleTree by Hilton Syracuse, 6301 NY-298, East Syracuse, NY, 13057.

The Annual Meeting will begin at 1 p.m., and will be preceded by a Memorial Service at 12:30 p.m.

The DoubleTree also will host the NYS USBC board of directors meeting on Friday, May 31, and the Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner on the evening of Saturday, June 1.

The hotel's phone number is 315-432-0200. Room rate for NYS USBC delegates and guests is $119 plus taxes. The Hall of Fame dinner information will be announced in the near future.

Earlier today, the NYS USBC office mailed delegate forms to local association managers, who are asked to return these forms with a list of their representatives to the Annual Meeting no later than Jan. 15, 2019.

Other attachments to the email included:

-- A letter about the Annual Meeting and about serving on the NYS USBC Board of Directors.

-- A chart indicating the number of delegates each local association can send to the Annual Meeting.

CLICK HERE for the chart.

-- A resume form for those interested in running for a position on the NYS USBC Board of Directors, which is located on the About Us page of this website.

All registered delegates will have voice and voting privileges at the Annual Meeting.

Please return the delegates forms by U.S. mail or by scanning them and emailing by Jan. 15, 2019 to NYS USBC, 55 Edgewood Drive, Batavia, NY, 14020, or bowlny300@yahoo.com.

Positions up for election in 2019 are as follows:

-- President (see resume form for specific qualifications).

-- Sergeant-at-Arms
-- Three Adult Directors.
-- One Youth Directors.

Potential candidates must send a copy of the resume form to the Nominating Committee chair – Betty Kingsley, 61 Alta Vista Drive, Rochester, NY, 14625 -- by Jan. 15, 2019.

For qualifications, please refer to Article 5, Section B of the NYS USBC Bylaws, which can be found on the About Us page of this website.

Delegates at the Annual Meeting also will elect the NYS delegate and alternate to the 2020 USBC Annual Meeting.

'TEXT' MESSAGE - RAY WINS AGAIN: NYS USBC Association Manager Mike Pettinella, left, presents the championship plaque to Ray Textor of Kennedy after he successfully defended his title at the 2nd NYS Senior Masters Saturday at Cort Lanes in Cortland. Pat Brick of Buffalo, right, placed second. 

NYS Senior Masters Championship

Jamestown Area's Ray Textor
Claims Second Straight Crown

NOVEMBER 4, 2018 -- Another great turnout. Another strong field. Another victory for Ray Textor.

That's the story of Saturday's 2nd NYS Senior Masters Championship at Cort Lanes in Cortland.

CLICK HERE for qualifying round and match play results.

Textor, a Kennedy resident (Jamestown Area USBC), defeated Pat Brick of Buffalo (Greater Buffalo USBC), 414-388, in the title match to capture the $1,250 first prize. Brick took home $750.

"I guess I'm getting better as I'm getting older," said Textor, a 60-year-old right-hander who placed second and sixth in a pair of PBA Regionals since his victory in the inaugural NYS Senior Masters last year at Lakeview Lanes in Fulton. "But, in that match (against Brick), I got a little luck ... Pat bowled better than I did; he just couldn't carry."

Both the second-seeded Brick and fourth-seeded Textor entered the two-game match play finals in the third round as they received two-round byes for their 1,003 and 935 scores in the four-game qualifying round.

Brick, 51, the only lefty among the top 16 finalists, eliminated PBA National Regional champion Ray Edwards of Middle Island (Long Island USBC), 463-400, and John Masiello of Kenmore (Greater Buffalo USBC), 435-408, while Textor ousted PBA Regional titlist Bob Leonard of Lockwood (Southern Tier USBC), 406-369, and NYS USBC Hall of Famer Mike Faliero of West Seneca, 472-420, to reach the title match.

In the finals, Textor rolled a pair of doubles in the first game, leading to a 214-199 win, and held off Brick, who was unable to carry the corner pins, 200-189, in the second game.

"I tightened up a little bit, and amped up my speed a bit, making the ball carry down too far," said Brick, who admitted he really wants to add a NYS Senior Masters crown to his impressive tournament resume. "But what Ray did, I can't express enough how hard it is to win a tournament of this caliber two years in a row. He deserved it."

Textor used Storm balls -- Sure Lock during qualifying and IQ Tour Nano and Phaze II in match play-- while Brick used Roto-Grip Idol exclusively.

The tournament drew 94 entrants – the same number as last year – and it took 878 for four games to advance to match play. The final cash number was 861. The event was contested on a 44-foot Challenge pattern designed by Kegel specifically for the tournament.

Joe Scianna Jr. of Ronkonkoma (Long Island USBC) was the top qualifier with 1,013 on games of 224-248-276-265. He was followed by Brick, Frank Cataldo of Fort Edward (Adirondack USBC), 952, and Textor. Those four received two-round byes.

Bowlers in the fifth through eighth spots received one-round byes. They were PBA Regional competitor Don Herrington of Ballston Lake (Schenectady USBC), 923; Masiello, 919; Carl Kinyon of Lockport (Lockport USBC), 908, and PBA Regional competitor Pat Donaghue of Honeoye Falls (Rochester NY USBC), 905.

The remaining eight finalists were Larry Case Jr. of Jamestown (Jamestown Area USBC), 902; Edwards, 900; Chuck Pitts of Cortland (Seven Valley USBC), 895; Robert Putman of Beaver Dams (Corning USBC), 887; Leonard, 884; Bill Hasiotis of Rochester (Rochester NY USBC), 882; PBA Regional champion Sam Ventura of Norwich (Norwich USBC), 879, and Faliero, 878.

Highlights of match play included:

-- Edwards' 279 game to cap a 523-411 win over Ventura in Round 1.
-- Masiello stringing the final six strikes in the second game to defeat Hasiotis, 471-465, in Round 2. A solid 7-pin on his first ball in the 10th frame kept Hasiotis, a right-hander, from winning.
-- Edwards striking in the 10th frame, getting the 2-pin from behind, to eliminate Kinyon, 456-438, in Round 2.
-- Masiello striking out in the 10th frame to edge Cataldo, 395-392, in Round 3.
-- Brick striking out in the 10th frame to shut out Masiello, 435-408, in Round 4.

Faliero, who bowled in both qualifying rounds (re-entering), bowled the most games – eight in qualifying and eight more in match play.

The 60-and-Over Bonus winners were Textor ($70), Masiello ($40) and Ventura ($20).

Next year's NYS Senior Masters is scheduled for Nov. 2, 2019 at Owego Bowl.

The NYS USBC wishes to thank the management and staff of Cort Lanes for hosting the tournament and delivering exceptional service.

SENIOR MASTER FINAL FOUR: NYS Senior Masters semifinalists, from left, Ray Textor, John Masiello, Mike Faliero and Pat Brick.

Donation to Memorial Sloan-Kettering

BOWLERS UNITE FOR THE CAUSE: Dr. Jacqueline Bromberg, Medical Oncologist/Physician-Scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, accepts a check for $11,000 to the hospital on behalf of New York State USBC bowlers on Sunday (Oct. 28) at Rab's Country Lanes in Staten Island. From left are Frank Wilkinson, proprietor; Greg Mocker, Pix 11 newscaster; Liz Philpott, Sue Petosa, Dr. Bromberg, Nazareth Laursen, NYS USBC Vice President Liz DeHart, Olivia Rosales (Liz's great-niece), Staci Pepe, Christine DeHart and Colleen Mugavero. The amount raised represents bowlers' donations at NYS USBC tournaments and events during the 2016-17 season.

NYS USBC Announces StateTournament
Dates, Sites Through November 2021

CLICK HERE for a list of NYS USBC adult championship tournament dates, sites through November 2021.

Buffalo Brothers Soar at USBC Championships

USBC STANDARD DOUBLES CHAMPS: Twin brothers Michael, left, and Jeffery Krywcum of Buffalo earned "Eagles" at the 2018 USBC Championships in Syracuse, posting 1,203 in the Standard Doubles division. The Tonawandas USBC and Greater Buffalo USBC members tied for first with a duo from Tennessee.

NYS Open Senior Championships
Gfeller, 83, Rolls 299 Game;
McClure Earns 'Triple Crown'
as Rochester Bowlers Excel

UPDATE -- NOVEMBER 6, 2018

CLICK HERE for final prize list.

Checks are expected to be mailed by the end of the week (Nov. 10).

OCTOBER 22, 2018 – Three Rochester NY USBC members -- led by 83-year-old Charlie Gfeller who rolled a 299 game in Doubles competition on Sunday and "triple crown" winner Troy McClure -- captured Six-Game Combine titles at the 40th NYS Open Senior Championships at Sunset Bowl in Waterloo.

Standings from the tournament, which took place on Oct. 13-14, 20-21, show that Gfeller (Super Senior 75-and-Up), Peter Pilaroscia (Class B 65-69) and McClure (Class E 50-54) finished on top in their respective divisions.

They, along with Richard Cook (Finger Lakes NY USBC) in Class A 70-74, John Knott (Albany USBC) in Class C (60-64) and Kimberly Hawkins (Mid-Hudson USBC) in Class D 55-59, will have the opportunity to represent New York State in the 2019 USBC Senior Championships next August in Cincinnati, Ohio, as long as the scores hold after final average verification.

At least one in five in each event (Doubles, Singles and Six-Game Combine) will cash. The NYS USBC has 30 days to issue prize checks, unless an extension is warranted.

CLICK HERE for final standings.

Gfeller, who rolled a USBC-certified 868 series as an 80 year old, started with 195 on the 42-foot Challenge pattern before finding the line in game two of the Doubles event on lanes 5-6. He put 11 balls in the 1-3 pocket before crossing over on the 12th delivery and leaving the 5-pin.

He finished with a 205 game and, coupled with partner John Merriwether's 709 series, (IN PHOTO AT RIGHT) also claimed the Super Senior Doubles title with 1,426 (including 18 pins handicap based on Gfeller's 213 average).

Gfeller posted 593 in Singles (575 scratch) to edge first-weekend leader Robert Massotti (Central NY USBC) by three pins in the Six-Game Combine. Peg Gilmore (Auburn NY USBC) is third at 1,289.

Pilaroscia (200 average) registered 1,308 with handicap – 619 in Doubles and 689 in Singles – to nip Wayne Potter (Canandaigua USBC) by four pins, Mike Cottrell (Central NY USBC) by five pins and William Thompson Jr. (Jamestown Area USBC) by six pins in Class B 65-69. He also earned the Class B 65-69 Singles title with the 689.

McClure (213 average) - photo at left -- put up a 702 score (684 scratch) in Doubles on the opening weekend, which resulted in first place in that event with partner Bob Wiley (Rochester NY USBC), who rolled a 709 series (all scratch). McClure came back on Saturday afternoon to roll 704 (686 scratch) in Singles to claim first place in Class E 50-54 Six-Game Combine.

Jeff Lafave (Adirondack USBC), who entered with a 216 average, made a run at the top on Sunday with 688 in Doubles and 702 in Singles for 1,390. He finished third in Class E 50-54 Singles with 702 – two pins behind leader McClure and a pin behind second-place Bill Hasiotis (Rochester NY USBC).

In Class A 70-74, Cook (180 average) recorded 1,357 on scratch sets of 605 and 566 to outdistance Bruce Szczepanski (Rochester NY USBC) by 61 pins. Cook also teamed with Ken Fehlner for 1,331 to successfully defend their Class A 70-74 Doubles title.

In Class C 60-64, Knott (157 average) placed first with 1,316, edging 2017 champion R. Jeffrey Ward (Greater Buffalo USBC) by 19 pins. Ward was under his average in Doubles, posting 445 scratch (615 with handicap), but rallied for 531 scratch (701 with handicap) in the Singles event, which also overtook Ward for first place.

In Class D 55-59 Six-Game Combine, Hawkins (156 average) held on with 1,343, based on her handicap scores of 673 in Doubles and 670 in Singles. Scott Shields (Genesee Region USBC) was second at 1,327.

Other first-place finishers are as follows:

-- Class B 65-69 Doubles – Joe Trigilio and Fred Gravanda (Genesee Region USBC), 1,283.

-- Class C 60-64 Doubles – Lloyd Amidon and Cottrell (Central NY USBC), 1,355.

-- Class D 55-59 Doubles – Robert Bartolone and Kim Herman (Rochester NY USBC), 1,278.

-- Super Senior 75-and-Up Singles – Massotti, 689.

-- Class A 70-74 Singles – Maresse Wager-Walawender (Lake Ontario USBC), 668.

-- Class D 55-59 Singles – Patric Donaghue (Rochester NY USBC), 708.

The tournament drew 114 Doubles teams and 210 Singles, one of the best turnouts in recent years. Next year, the event is scheduled for Oct. 12-13, 19-20 at Sportsman Bowl in Schenectady.

The NYS USBC wishes to thank the management and staff of Sunset Bowl for its excellent customer service and the women of the Finger Lakes NY USBC for their support in running the various charity fundraisers.  Ray Textor (Jamestown Area USBC) won the MOTIV bowling ball.

Steuben Center to Close as a Result of Wall Collapse

OCTOBER 11, 2018 -- A collapse of a back wall last month has brought an end to the Steuben Bowling Academy in the Steuben County village of Bath.

According to David Fusco, he and co-owner Mark Foster have decided to close the doors for good and will be attempting to "sell everything we can."

"Insurance doesn't want to pay; they're telling us it's due to erosion plus the building is over 100 years old," Fusco said. "It would take too much time (to repair) and we'd lose the bowlers anyway."

Fusco said there are about 130 league bowlers who either will be relocating to centers in Hornell or Corning or, unfortunately, will be giving up the game.

He said that the wall collapsed around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 29.

"A league was on ... we we're rocking and rolling," Fusco said. "Before you knew it, the fire marshal and police were there, yelling at everyone to get out. But the building has a steel frame and would not collapse, and the roof wouldn't collapse."

Fusco, 69, has spent 22 years there as proprietor and mechanic. He said damage was confined to a storage area; the lanes (which feature above-ground ball returns) and the pinsetters were not affected.

November is BVL Month in America

Strike Ten Entertainment is assisting with the launch of a national fundraising effort for BVL (The Bowlers to Veterans Link) -- an effort that could generate some added income for bowling centers and USBC associations.

Running for the month of November, Strike Ten has collaborated with the BVL to create a "Soldier Pin Fund Raising Program". As a participating center, you get a generous supply of soldier pin cutouts for use when your customers donate and support "BVL Month in America."

When your customers make a contribution to BVL, they'll write their name on their soldier pin and you can post it around the front desk or any other high traffic area. You will gain lots of local community goodwill for your effort and that will translate into more customers visiting your center more often.

For more information, contact Mary@BVL.org or call her at 703-934-6039 today.

NYS USBC Board of Directors

'At-Large' Seats,Youth Leader Push
Approved at Meetings in Rochester

SEPT. 25, 2018 -- New York State USBC directors over the weekend voted to accept the appointment of at-large directors to the board and to continue its commitment of more than $15,000 annually to academic scholarships through the Youth Education Services committee.

Meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford, the state governing body also pledged to lead an effort to expand the role of the NYS Youth Leaders program with the goal of holding a workshop after the first of the year.

Committee meetings took place throughout the day Saturday, followed by the full board meeting Sunday morning. The sessions were the first for newly-elected directors Janet Moro (Central NY USBC), Beth O'Brien (Greater Buffalo USBC) and Stephen Fawcett (Schenectady USBC).

NYS Bowling Proprietors Association representative Doug Bohannon (Adirondack USBC) was unable to attend due to tournaments at his bowling center, Kingpin's Alley Family Fun Center in South Glens Falls.

"With three more directors terming out after this season, the board made the wise decision to provide an avenue to enlist the services of at-large directors who could provide specific expertise or assist with targeted projects," NYS USBC President Roger Buckman said. "USBC bylaws give me the option to appoint up to two at-large directors, with approval by the board."

According to revised USBC bylaws, at-large director appointments should be based on experience that will enhance the board's ability to achieve its goals. At-large directors serve for one year (they can be reappointed) and have voting privileges.

Acting on the recommendation of the YES committee, the board again approved allocating $15,250 for scholarships, including $13,000 for seven graduating senior scholarships. The top three – Priscilla Zonneville Memorial for $4,000 and two others for $3,000 and $2,000 – no longer will be renewable scholarships, broken into quarterly amounts over four years.

Four other graduating senior scholarships will be for $1,000 apiece.

Directors also revised the scholarships for underclassmen – dividing the Future Stars scholarship into two categories: Grades K-4 and Grades 5-8. Each division will award $375. The Spirit Award scholarship will be available for those in Grades 9-11.

Details on these scholarships can be found by scrolling over the Youth tab and clicking on the Youth Scholarships tab of this website.

Concerning the Youth Leaders program, both the Youth and Future for the Sport committees agreed that the time is right to support existing NYS chapters and help start and build chapters throughout the state.

"Youth engagement – both on the lanes and in leadership roles – is the future of our sport, and it is incumbent upon us at the state association level to spearhead this initiative," Buckman said. "The Youth Leaders program has much to offer boys and girls who seek to put their leadership skills to use in their leagues and, hopefully, at the state level."

Youth Leaders have the opportunity to have a role in making important decisions for bowling, including coordinating and leading meetings, coordinating youth programs and recruiting bowlers, fundraising, planning tournaments, awarding scholarships, and coaching, training and mentoring youth bowlers. Scholarships are available through the Youth Leaders program.

Buckman said that Mike Callan (Rochester NY USBC), chair of the Youth and Future for the Sport committees, and Fawcett have been tabbed to facilitate the workshop.

In other action, Buckman:

-- Reported that he and Pettinella have been selected to represent the NYS USBC on the NYS BPA board of directors;

-- Reminded local association officials to submit nominations for the NYS Hall of Fame and service awards as outlined in the Hall of Fame section of this website;

-- Advised that the 2019 NYS USBC Annual Meeting will take place on June 1 in Syracuse. Hotel selection will be announced in the near future.

NYS YOUTH BOWLING MILESTONE: The New York State USBC, in recognition of the 50th year of the NYS Youth Team Championships, has commissioned a special 50th Anniversary patch that will be awarded to the state finalists of both the NYS Youth Team (Syracuse) and NYS Youth Pepsi (Rome) tournaments. For entry forms and information about the 2018-19 NYS youth tournaments, scroll over the Youth tab and click on the Youth Tournaments tab.

2019 NYS Queens
Champion to Receive Paid Entry
to USBC Queens in Wichita, Kan.

SEPT. 14, 2018 – The New York State USBC is sweetening the pot for the 2019 NYS Queens Championship.

For the first time, the champion of the Open Division will receive a paid entry to the 2019 USBC Queens and $150 in expense money to go along with the first-place check.

The 2019 USBC Queens is set for May 15-21 in Wichita, Kansas.

Furthermore, a separate prize fund is being established as an incentive to attract more bowlers 50 and over.

Bowlers wishing to enter the "50-and-Over Bonus" can do so by paying an additional $10 on top of the $90 entry fee. One in eight bowlers will cash with winners determined by their five-game qualifying round scores, all grouped into one division.

"We're acting upon suggestions from our Queens bowlers and are excited about these added incentives," said NYS USBC President Roger Buckman. "The Queens is one of our tournament crown jewels and we're doing everything we can to ensure its success."

The tournament is scheduled for April 13, 2019, at Saratoga Strike Zone in Saratoga Springs.

Qualifying squads are at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. with match play semifinals and stepladder finals in two scratch divisions – Open and Classified (194-and-Under).

CLICK HERE for an entry form.

The NYS USBC tournament committee also has extended the deadline to enter the tournament to April 4 – just nine days before the event. Those forced to withdraw from the tournament may do so by April 4 to receive an entry refund, or may obtain a substitute.

The field is limited to 130 bowlers – a maximum of 65 per squad using 13 pairs. Qualifying round times will be awarded on a first-paid, first-served basis.

Help Support Youth Bowling in NYS
by Purchasing Ads in Tourney Booklets

SEPT. 10, 2018 -- Local associations and businesses in New York State can play an important role in the future of youth bowling by taking out an ad (or ads) in the NYS USBC youth championship tournament program booklets.

Through Jan. 1, 2019, full page ads in both programs -- the NYS Youth Team Championships and the NYS Youth Pepsi Championships -- are being priced at $100, a savings of $50 over the regular price.

CLICK HERE for the Youth Team ad form (front)
CLICK HERE for the Youth Team ad form (back)

CLICK HERE for the Youth Pepsi ad form (front)
CLICK HERE for the Youth Pepsi ad form (back)

For more information, contact Tom Solimine, NYS USBC Youth Committee chair, at solimine2000@aol.com.

STRIKING OUT AGAINST CANCER: Alexandria Hoaglund, Team Roswell coordinator, accepts a check for $11,000 from New York State USBC Association Manager Mike Pettinella, right, and NYS USBC Director Bob Kaverman today (Sept. 5, 2018) at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo on behalf of bowlers who donated to the state association's charitable causes during the 2016-17 season. Through the generosity of its membership, the NYS USBC has been able to contribute annually to the two cancer hospitals as well as to the Bowlers to Veterans Link and to the youth scholarship program.

NYS USBC Now Accepting
Credit/Debit Card Payments

DECEMBER 1, 2017 -- As announced at the 2017 New York State USBC Annual Meeting, the NYS USBC is now able to accept credit card payments for tournament entry fees.

Team captains and individuals bowling in singles and doubles tournaments can pay for their entry using their debit or credit cards.

This option -- which comes with a small service charge -- will be available through the state association office in Batavia or on site (where walk-ins are permitted).

For more details or if you have any questions, call the NYS USBC office at 585-343-3736.