*Welcome to the New York State USBC Website *

50-and-Over Bowlers are in the Spotlight

Central NY Centers to Host
Open Senior in October,
Senior Masters in November

SEPT. 17, 2017 – Senior bowlers are in the New York State USBC tournament spotlight over the next two months.

Men and women members of the NYS USBC are invited to compete in a pair of championship tournaments in Central New York – the 39th NYS Open Senior Championships on Oct. 14-15, 21-22 at Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool (west of Syracuse) and the 1st NYS Senior Masters Championship on Nov. 4 at Lakeview Lanes in Fulton (north of Syracuse).

Entries are coming in a steady pace for the Open Senior tournament, which features handicap competition in Doubles, Singles and Six-Game Combine in six age classifications – 75-and-over, 70-74, 65-69, 60-64, 55-59 and 50-54.

Winners of the Six-Game Combine in each age group will be eligible to compete in the 2018 USBC Senior Championships next August at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., with the NYS USBC paying their entry fees and providing some expense money.

Squad times are 12:30 and 3 p.m. on each of the four days of the tournament. Openings are available on every squad. Entry fees are $25 per person for Doubles and Singles and $10 for Six-Game Combine.

Go to the Tournaments section of this website to download an entry form.

The 1st NYS Senior Masters Championship is a scratch singles tourney offering a first prize of $1,200 (based on at least 80 entries).

It is being sponsored by Bethmann Russell Financial Services of Syracuse and four bowling balls companies – Brunswick, MOTIV, Storm and Columbia 300.

Bowling ball raffles to support the tournament are taking place over the next several weeks at Boulevard Bowl in Schenectady, Bowl-A-Roll Lanes in Rochester, Lakeview Lanes in Fulton, Tonawanda Bowling Center, Rainbow Lanes in Weedsport and Cort Lanes in Cortland.

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.

CLICK HERE for a list of bowlers signed up thus far.

Please go to the Tournaments page to download an entry form.

NYS Women's Senior Singles Championships

Carson's 289 Game & 1,564 Total
Highlight Closing Weekend

UPDATE -- SEPT. 6, 2017

Results of the 37th NYS Women's Senior Singles Championships are official, with no changes at the top of the leaderboard.

CLICK HERE for the prize list.

CLICK HERE for the final standings.

Prize checks are going out in today's (Sept. 6) mail. Bowlers are asked to cash or deposit the checks as soon as possible.

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AUGUST 21, 2017 – A near-perfect game and a tournament-record 1,546 six-game score by Sharon Carson (Albany USBC) highlighted action on the closing weekend of the 37th NYS Women's Senior Singles Championships at East Greenbush Bowling Center.

Competing in the tournament for the first time, the 50-year-old right-hander rolled a 289 game on Saturday – leaving a 10-pin on the 11th ball – for a 696 scratch series, and followed that up with 688 scratch on Sunday for a 1,384 scratch total.

With handicap, based on her 183 average, Carson registered 1,546 to claim the Class E (50-54 age group) title by 68 pins over previous leaders Isaura Simon (New York City USBC) and Donna DeGraw (Corning USBC WBA).

Close to 550 bowlers entered the tournament, which took place over the past two weekends at the 32-lane center located about 10 miles from Albany.

The lead changed hands in three other divisions over the weekend with bowlers from New York City USBC, Genesee Region USBC and Greater Buffalo USBC rising to the top.

In Class AA (75-and-over), Leola Brown (New York City USBC) posted 1,429 with handicap to lead the way, followed by Bettye Laird (Chen Del O USBC) and Janet Malmstrom (Albany USBC), who had 1,394 and 1,377, respectively.

In Class C (60-64), Mary Ann Stone (Genesee Region USBC) recorded 1,405 with handicap to take over first place while Keesa Bess (Southern Tier USBC) shot 1,352 to move into second place, overtaking previous leader Annie Howell-Benitez (Westchester County USBC) by seven pins.

In Class D (55-59), Kathleen Willy (Greater Buffalo USBC), a 2014 champion in Class E, rolled 1,388 with handicap to take over first place from previous leader Maryanne Faranda (Adirondack USBC) by 28 pins.

Two division leaders held on to the top spot – Jeannette Francis (Westchester County USBC) in Class A (70-74), 1,368, and Jessie Buck (Syracuse USBC WBA) in Class B (65-69), 1,384.

The champions of each of the six age groups will win a free entry to the 2018 USBC Senior Championships.

Sue Winne (Albany USBC) won the breast cancer awareness bowling ball.

The New York State USBC would like to thank directors of the Albany USBC for their support and the management and staff of East Greenbush Bowling Center for their excellent customer service.

Next year's tournament is scheduled for Aug. 17-19, 24-26, at Colonial Lanes in Chester (Orange County).

Four NY Bowlers Cash
at USBC Senior Event

AUGUST 11, 2017 – While none of the nine New York State USBC representatives made it to the medal round, four cashed at the USBC Senior Championships which concluded Thursday at Texas Station in Las Vegas, Nev.

Barbara Sim of Albany was the top finisher – placing seventh out of 35 bowlers in the Women's Division 70-74 age group -- and earned $205.

Sim rolled 719 with handicap yesterday to move from the 26th spot to seventh, missing the medal round by six pins. The top six bowlers in each of the age classifications advanced to the medal round on Thursday night.

In the Open Division, Ron VanDerLinden of Cuba, Michelle Duchowny of Ballston Lake and Charlene Brandow of Nassau cashed.

VanDerLinden placed ninth out of 30 bowlers in the 75-and-over group, posting 677 yesterday for a 1,271 total; Duchowny placed 12th out of 33 bowlers in the 50-54 age group with 1,320, and Brandow finished in 12th place out of 32 bowlers in the 55-59 age group with 1,361.

One in three bowlers in each age group earned prize money.

Other New Yorkers' results:

Women's Division:
-- Anne Haase of Dunkirk, 12th, 50-54, 1,269.
-- Tanga Stephenson of Hempstead, 17th, 60-64, 1,280.
-- Denice Hall of Scipio Center, 25th , 55-59, 1,235;

Open Division:
-- LeRoy Brady of South Glens Falls, 19th, 65-69, 1,246;
-- William Thompson of Jamestown, 17th, 60-64, 1,292

NYS USBC Lottery Fundraiser
Brings in $3,617 for Charity

AUGUST 2, 2017 – More than $3,600 has been raised for charity as a result of the NYS USBC's lottery fundraiser in July of this year.

Donations made by bowlers and friends have resulted in a total of $3,617 which will be used to support the state association's Pathways committee.

As in the past, contributions will be made to the Bowlers to Veterans Link, and for cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and Roswell Park Alliance Foundation in Buffalo.

The tickets were sold by NYS USBC officers, directors and youth committee members and at various state tournaments. Winners were determined by the NYS Lottery Evening Number.

CLICK HERE for a list of July 2017 lottery fundraiser winners.

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.

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.