*Welcome to the New York State USBC Website *

ATTENTION:
NYS WOMEN'S, OPEN BOWLERS

JUNE 17, 2017 -- Prize checks for the 81st NYS Women's Championships were mailed on Thursday and prize checks for the 93rd NYS Open Championships are going out today (June 17) to group leaders, team captains and, in some cases, individual bowlers (including substitutes).

The NYS USBC requests that group leaders and team captains distribute these checks to their bowlers as soon as possible and for bowlers to deposit or cash the checks without delay. The checks expire 90 days after the date on the checks (6/15/17 for the NYS Women and 6/17/17 for the NYS Open).

For final standings and the prize list for both tournaments, scroll down on this home page.

Discount Offered to Local Associations
Wishing to Support NYS Youth Bowling

JUNE 8, 2017 -- Each year, local associations are given the opportunity to support the NYS USBC youth scholarship program by purchasing ads in the Youth Team and Youth Pepsi finals program books.

Now, and until the end of 2017, the state association is offering a 25 percent discount on two full-page ads in both books.

"Sponsorship ad forms received by December 31st will receive $25 off," said Tom Solimine, NYS USBC Youth Committee chair. "Local associations will get two full-page ads for $100 -- that's a 25 percent savings."

Hundreds of the program books are printed and distributed at the state finals. All proceeds from the ads go directly toward youth scholarships.

For more information, contact Solimine at solimine2000@aol.com.

CLICK HERE for the Youth Team ad sponsor form -- front.
CLICK HERE for the Youth Team ad sponsor form -- back.

CLICK HERE for the Youth Pepsi ad sponsor form -- front.
CLICK HERE for the Youth Pepsi ad sponsor form -- back.

Attention: NYS Women's Senior Singles Entrants

JUNE 7, 2017 -- Confirmation emails to bowlers (group leaders and/or individuals) entered in the 37th NYS Women's Senior Singles Championships in August at East Greenbush Bowling Center (Albany area) are being sent out this week.

Please make sure to check your in-boxes for your confirmations.

If you as a group leader or as an individual entrant have not received an email by the end of this week, contact the NYS USBC office at bowlny300@yahoo.com or 585-343-3736.

Openings remain on all squads except Aug. 19 at noon, 2:30 and 5 p.m. There will not be a squad on 8/12 at noon this year. Entries close on July 1.

CLICK HERE for an entry form.

CLICK HERE for a special website dedicated to this tournament, complete with much useful hotel, entertainment and other information about the Albany area.

For a list of hotels in the area, please go to the Tournaments page.

BRIDGING THE GAP: Tom Clinton, NYS USBC Youth Director and Staten Island youth bowling coordinator, poses with Amber Lupi of Schenectady USBC Youth association following Saturday's NYS USBC Annual Meeting in Corning. Clinton was honored by the NYS Youth Leaders with the Bridging of the Gap Award for 2016-17 for his efforts in enlisting young people to participate both on and off the lanes. Lupi is the secretary-treasurer of the NYS Youth Leaders. Photo by Mike Pettinella/NYS USBC Association Manager.

NYS USBC Annual Meeting
Delegates Return Incumbents
to Board of Director Posts

JUNE 5, 2017 – Delegates to the 6th Annual Meeting of the New York State USBC expressed their confidence in the organization Saturday by returning all incumbent officers and directors to the state association's governing board.

In balloting for three Adult Director positions, incumbents Betty Kingsley and Barry Vee, both of Rochester, and Robert Kaverman of Jamestown easily retained their seats.

Kingsley received the most votes – 123 – followed by Vee (119) and Kaverman (112). Other votes were cast for Maresse Wager-Walawender of Auburn (16), Karen Astafan of Carthage (8) and Roger Chase of Oneonta (5).

CLICK HERE for an updated Program Book of the 6th Annual Meeting.

Click on the Memorials tab for another photo.

One hundred thirty-one delegates from more than 40 USBC local associations in New York State were eligible to vote at the meeting, which took place at the Radisson Hotel Corning.

Two incumbent Youth Directors were – Tom Clinton of Staten Island and Mike Callan of Rochester – were re-elected by voice vote as they were the only candidates for two open positions.

President Roger Buckman of Rochester and Sergeant-at-Arms Dennis O'Donnell of Auburn ran unopposed and also were re-elected by voice vote.

Delegates also approved two pieces of legislation, both focusing on the deadline for candidates to submit their qualifications to the NYS USBC Nominating Committee for consideration.

The approved amendments for both director and officer positions require qualifications to be submitted, in writing at least 30 days prior to the opening of the Annual Meeting. The previous bylaw required qualifications to be submitted at least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.

Prior to voting, the delegation heard from United States Bowling Congress President Frank Wilkinson of Staten Island, who spoke about the USBC's continuing effort to ensure "average integrity" and its renewed investment in education. Later in the program, he moderated a "Meet the Candidates" session prior to voting.

"As you are aware, the USBC is operating in a different fashion than in years past, and I give our executive director (Chad Murphy) a lot of credit in moving us forward," Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson noted that the USBC is in the process of "right-sizing the organization" by requiring local associations that now may have separate entities for men, women and youth to merge by Aug. 1, 2018.

"In New York State, we have 53 non-merged associations and 20 of them already have come forward and some have already merged," he said. "On this (NYS USBC) board, you have a great support system since they have already gone through it."

The New York State USBC completed its merger in 2011 under the leadership of the late Priscilla "Pat" Zonneville, whose accomplishments were acknowledged by President Buckman. Zonneville passed away in September 2016.

Wilkinson also talked about the new Challenge league designation -- which is slotted between leagues that bowl on House and Sport conditions. He said that a new Challenge average adjustment chart is being developed in an effort to make sure that bowlers are given averages that truly reflect their abilities.

He said he was excited about the USBC's new Association Leadership Academy, a two-day, all-expense paid training at USBC headquarters in Arlington, Texas, for selected local associations.

"We have hired a new director of education, whose job is to train the USBC staff and provide you the tools to succeed," he said.

He also spoke about the $3 dues increase set for 2017-18 – the first national dues increase in 13 years – and promised that that the USBC board "will not ask for another increase in a very long time."

Both Buckman and Wilkinson stressed the need to recruit youth bowlers and encourage the "next generation" to get involved in leadership roles.

Buckman said he is exploring ways to develop youth participation on the NYS USBC Board of Directors.

Delegates participating in various fundraisers on Saturday raised more than $2,000 for the NYS USBC Pathways to the Cure efforts. Additional contributors to the cause were the Johnstown USBC WBA, NYS Bowling Writers and NYS Women's 700 Club.

Buckman announced that he will be attending the NYS Women's 600 Club's 50th anniversary celebration next weekend in Albany.

NYS USBC Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner

NYS USBC HONOREES: Six people were honored by the New York State USBC on Saturday night (June 3) at its Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner at the Radisson Hotel Corning. Seated from left are Brad Buckert and Bill Fortino, both of Rochester, who received the Service to Youth and Proprietor/Manager Recognition awards, respectively; standing from left are Hall of Fame inductees Gary Kinyon of Lockport, superior performance; Joan Ashby of Auburn, meritorious service; Roseann DiFlorio of Syracuse, superior performance, and Peter Sheridan of Cortland, meritorious service. More than 100 people were in attendance. Click on the Hall of Fame tab for an article about the ceremony. Photo by Mike Pettinella/NYS USBC Association Manager.

NYS Women's Championships
Erie Alumni, Team B O D,
Meadowridge Vet Hospital
Top Respective Divisions 

UPDATE -- JUNE 15, 2017

PRIZE CHECKS WERE MAILED THIS AFTERNOON - 6/15/17

GROUP LEADERS AND TEAM CAPTAINS PLEASE WATCH FOR THESE IN YOUR MAIL BOXES AND DISTRIBUTE TO YOUR BOWLERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BOWLERS, PLEASE DEPOSIT OR CASH THE CHECKS RIGHT AWAY.

MAY 24, 2017 – Erie Alumni (Tonawandas USBC) posted 2,806 – more than 700 per bowler – to jump into first place in the 760-and-Over Scratch division as the 81st NYS Women's Championships drew to a close over the weekend at Tonawanda Bowling Center.

CLICK HERE for official standings.

CLICK HERE for prize list.

One in six in each category will cash.

Team captain Tammy Burgstahler led the way with a 768 series on Friday night as Erie Alumni moved past previous leader Islanders No. 4 (Long Island USBC), which had registered 2,696.

Anna McIntyre added 709 while Jocelyn Stutz-Krempa rolled 685 and Holly Parrish 644.

On Saturday, the Voelker's Bowling Center team (Greater Buffalo USBC) challenged Erie's score before falling short, finishing with 2,707 for second place. Parrish (711) and Burgstahler (678) also were on that team, along with Kathy Geissler (691) and Suzanne Nawojski (627).

In 600-759 Handicap Team action, there were no changes at the top as Team B O D (Niagara Falls USBC WBA) maintained its lead, and in 599-and-Under Handicap Team competition, Meadowridge Vet Hospital (Auburn USBC WBA) stayed in first as well.

In Singles, Kendra Sweet (Johnstown USBC WBA) moved into first place in the 149-and-Under Handicap division with 700 – 541 scratch plus 159 pins handicap based on her 137 average.

Other final leaders:

Doubles
380-and-Over Scratch – Nawojski and Michelle Sterner (Niagara Falls USBC WBA), 1,440.
300-379 Handicap – Dianne Armstrong and Desiree Boone (Hudson Valley USBC), 1,337.
299-and-Under Handicap – Mabel Mills and Jo Ellen Saumier (Northern Adirondack USBC), 1,311.

Singles
190-and-Over Scratch – Krista Voelker-Burt (Niagara Falls USBC WBA), 776.
150-189 Handicap – Rebekah Partridge (Hornell USBC), 763.

All-Events
190-and-Over Scratch – Kristina Szczerbinski (Tonawandas and Greater Buffalo USBC), 2,188.
150-189 Handicap – Alexa Baker (Seven Valley USBC), 1,993.
149-and-Under Handicap – Connie Hulbert (Chen Del O USBC), 2,108.

The NYS USBC would like to thank officers, directors and volunteers from the Tonawandas USBC for their assistance throughout the tournament and the management and staff at Tonawanda Bowling Center for a job well done as hosts.

The tournament drew 404 teams, 760 doubles, 1,520 singles and 1,489 all-events entries. Next year's Women's Championships are scheduled for Fishkill Bowl in the Hudson Valley.

Rochester Team Holds on
to Top Spot at NYS Open;
Jewell, Culp Lead 300 Parade

UPDATE -- JUNE 17, 2017
PRIZE CHECKS BEING MAILED TODAY - 6/17

GROUP LEADERS AND TEAM CAPTAINS PLEASE WATCH FOR THESE IN YOUR MAIL BOXES AND DISTRIBUTE TO YOUR BOWLERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BOWLERS, PLEASE DEPOSIT OR CASH THE CHECKS RIGHT AWAY.

MAY 23, 2017 – The closing weekend of the 93rd NYS Open Championships produced 11 300 games and seven 800 series, but the barrage of strikes on the Ideal Bowling Center lanes in Endicott wasn't enough to knock the Family Affair team (Rochester NY USBC) out of the top spot.

CLICK HERE for official standings - updated on 6/16/17.

CLICK HERE for the official prize list.

In unofficial final standings released today, Family Affair, captained by Robert Cannon, held onto the lead in Handicap Team with 3,797. Other members are Vincent Fulmore, ShaQuell Strong, Aaron Young and Mark Cannon.

At least three teams had a shot at that score heading into the final frames, but fell short. In fact, only the KPA Golf Team (Adirondack USBC) was able to crack the top five, finishing with 3,723 – behind second place Ed's Rentals (Kingston NY USBC BA), 3,768; and Team Sippers I (Southern Tier USBC), 3,735.

Team Sippers I held onto the Scratch Team lead with 3,590, while Upstate Strikers I (Utica Central NY USBC BA) moved into the second spot with 3,502.

Members of the Team Sippers I team are Larry Porter, James Pecha, Blair Dury, Jim Thomas and Ray Cyr Jr.

The tournament drew 228 teams (one less than last year), 523 doubles, 1,046 singles and 910 all-events.

One in five will cash in all divisions, which include the top five spots in the Scratch divisions. Barring an extension for average verification reasons, prize checks will be mailed by June 21.

Individually, there were some noteworthy efforts over the weekend.

In Singles, Recco Jewell (Rochester NY USBC) put together back-to-back 300 games after an opening 207 to finish with an 807 scratch and a tournament-best 858 with handicap.

Jewell edged Chad Bodner (Auburn USBC BA) by two pins – Bodner had 204-288-300—792 scratch – and Mike Johnson (Genesee Region USBC) by 10 pins – Johnson also posted 792 scratch.

Jewell's 807 fell eight pins short of the Scratch Singles title. That went to Dan Vick (Rochester NY USBC), who rolled 815.

In Doubles, Scott Culp (Genesee Region USBC) started exploded for 300-300-242—842 and Jeff Fetzner (Hornell USBC) added 300—715 for a 1,557 score, good for first place by 11 pins over Chris Short and James Cramer (Southern Tier USBC).

Short and Cramer's 1,683 score with handicap, however, pushed them into first place past previous leaders Amanda Zastrow and Shawn Bender (Greater Buffalo USBC), 1,631. Cramer led the way with his first 800 series – 803.

In All-Events, Vick held on to the Scratch lead with 2,267 – edging Terry Thompson Jr. (Long Island USBC) by six pins – while Adam Blank (Kingston NY USBC BA) held on for the Handicap lead with 2,443 – 14 pins more than George Martin (Tri-County NY USBC), a longtime state tournament participant who will be cashing for the first time.

Other 300 games over the weekend: Brad Lawyer (Utica Central NY USBC BA), Dean Distin (Fulton USBC BA), Larry Bailey (Southern Tier USBC), Sean McGovern (Southern Tier USBC) and Thompson Jr.

Other 800 series were rolled by Thompson Jr., 834; Dustin Lee (Southern Tier USBC), 815; Bradley Stone (Syracuse USBC BA), 802, and James Diamond (Utica Central NY USBC BA), 801.

All told, there were 19 perfect games and 15 800 series on the Kegel High Street oil pattern.

The NYS USBC wishes to thank the Southern Tier USBC for its support and the management and staff at Ideal Bowling Center for hosting the tournament. The 2018 NYS Open Championships are scheduled to take place from April 21 through May 20 at Patel's Kingston Lanes in Kingston.

Rochester's Adam Turner Selected
to Receive 'Pat' Zonneville Scholarship

UPDATED - MAY 23, 2017

MAY 1, 2017 – Adam Turner of Rochester has been selected to receive the New York State USBC's top scholarship for this season – the newly-created Priscilla 'Pat' Zonneville Memorial Scholarship.

CLICK HERE for bios on the scholarship recipients

Go to the Youth Scholarship page for more on the Zonneville Scholarship

The $4,000 scholarship -- $1,000 annually, renewable for up to four years -- is named after Priscilla Zonneville, the first president of the NYS USBC and NYS Hall of Famer, who passed away on Sept. 6, 2017

(See the article at the bottom of this home page).

Six other scholar-athletes will be receiving scholarships from the state bowling association as a result of judging by the NYS USBC Youth Education Services committee.

They are:

-- Sarah Gerken of Brockport, $3,000 ($750 renewable annually for up to four years)

-- Robert DiGiacomo of Rye Brook, $2,000 ($500 renewable annually for up to four years)

-- Jessica Forminio of Staten Island, $1,000.

-- Jayden Skeete Solimine of New Rochelle, $1,000.

-- Breanna Forrest of Athens, Pa., $1,000.

-- Kyle Freberg of Oswego, $1,000.

The NYS Youth Leaders contribute $1,000 to these scholarships.

CLICK HERE for a cool video from Fairley Elementary 
on the In-School Bowling Kit it received from NYS USBC

Eight to Receive Spirit, Future Stars Awards

MARCH 24, 2017 – Eight youth bowlers have been selected to receive Spirit and Future Stars scholarship awards by the NYS USBC's Youth Education Services committee for 2016-17.

Spirit Awards are given to students in grades 8-11 who exhibit sportsmanship, commitment and leadership, as nominated by their youth bowling coaches.

Spirit Award winners:

1 -- McKinley Mulstay, Port Ewen, 10th grade, $750
2 -- Erin Blank, Mt. Marion, 10th grade, $500
3 -- Hunter Payne, Wellsville, 10th grade, $250

Future Stars Awards go to students in grades K-7 who were asked to submit (electronically) a bowling related photo ("selfie") with an appropriate caption explaining "Why I like to bowl!"

Future Stars Award winners:

1 -- Parker Boorom, Binghamton, 7th grade, $250
2t -- Keegan Alexander, Victor, 4th grade, $175
2t -- Jason Henze, New Hampton, 1st grade, $175
4 -- Brianna Mowry, Kingston, 3rd grade, $100
5 -- Mark Hammersley, Kingston, 4th grade, $50

The scholarships will be deposited into the students' SMART accounts through the USBC.

Scholarship awards to graduating seniors will be announced at a later date.

NYS USBC to Offer
Senior Masters Event

Lakeview Lanes in Fulton to Host
Scratch Singles Tournament on Nov. 4

MARCH 22, 2017 – The New York State USBC has added another state championship tournament to its late summer/early fall lineup of events for its men and women members age 50 and over.

The 1st NYS Senior Masters Championship, a scratch singles tourney offering a first prize of $1,200 (based on at least 80 entries), will take place on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017 at Lakeview Lanes in Fulton.

This one-day tournament comes on the heels of the 37th NYS Women's Senior Singles Championships on Aug. 11-13, 18-20 at East Greenbush Bowling Center (Albany area) and the 39th NYS Open Senior Championships on Oct. 14-15, 21-22 at Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool (Syracuse area).

"Thanks to the efforts of a small group of men committed to advancing our sport and to several companies who have signed up to sponsor the tournament, we are pleased to be able to offer the New York State Senior Masters," said Roger Buckman, NYS USBC president.

Buckman was referring to a committee comprised of Martin Fichera of Syracuse, Mike Tryniski of Fulton, Russ Mills of Auburn, Sam Ventura of Norwich and NYS USBC Director Dennis O'Donnell of Auburn, working with NYS USBC Association Manager Mike Pettinella, who developed the format for the tournament.

The tournament is being sponsored by Joe Bethmann of Bethmann Russell Financial Services in Syracuse, along with bowling ball companies Brunswick, MOTIV, Storm and Columbia 300.

The format features two four-game qualifying rounds (9:30 and 11:30 a.m.), with re-entry allowed, and followed by the top 16 competing in a single-elimination, two-game match play finals. The top 16 will include a guaranteed spot for a 60-and-over bowler, unless a 60-and-over bowler makes the cut outright.

The entry fee is $65.

For more details, go to the Tournaments page to download an entry form.

Entry forms for the NYS Women's Senior Singles Championships and the NYS Open Senior Championships also can be downloaded from the Tournaments page.

Both of those tournaments are handicap events, with divisions based on the bowlers' age.

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. The NYS USBC will be funding the rest of that scholarship, along with other scholarships for graduating seniors (see below).

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.