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The NYS USBC Office Will be Closed
on Monday, Jan. 21 for MLK Jr. Day

NEW YORK CONTINGENT: New Yorkers who took part in the BPAA Bowling Summit earlier this week are, from left, Chastity Agnew (Malone USBC), BPAA Bowl Expo committee member; Scott McLaughlin (Malone USBC), BPAA director; Brian Borowski (Lockport USBC), NYS BPA president; Kathy Leitgeb (Albany USBC), NYS BPA executive director; Jack Moran (Canandaigua USBC), BPAA past president; Chrissie Kent (Lake Ontario USBC), BPAA director at large; Frank Wilkinson (Staten Island USBC), USBC director and past president; Mike Pettinella (Genesee Region USBC), NYS USBC association manager.

BPAA Bowling Summit, New Orleans
Contributions to BVL
Hit $1.4 Million Mark

JANUARY 20, 2019 – Reports from industry leaders at the 2019 Bowling Proprietors Association of America Summit in New Orleans, La., this past week painted an optimistic picture as the sport continues to promote its cooperative agenda.

John LaSpina (Long Island USBC), pictured at right, one of several New York proprietors and association directors in attendance at the New Orleans Marriott, drew an appreciative response from the 250 people at the BPAA membership meeting on Tuesday when he announced that more than $1.4 million was raised for the Bowlers to Veterans Link in 2018.

BVL is bowling’s primary charity and LaSpina has devoted much of his professional career to fundraising for the organization.

CLICK HERE for information on a BVL’s new Facebook fundraiser.

“Run your business with a charitable heart,” LaSpina said, adding that the goal for 2019 is $1.5 million.

The membership also heard from leaders of the other groups that support the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, including USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy.

Murphy touched on points he made at a seminar the previous day regarding changes to bowling ball specifications (the cleaning of a ball, pending elimination of balance or weight holes and the rate of oil absorption) and lane certification requirements.

As of Aug. 1, 2019, bowlers will not be able to clean balls with any liquid substance during competition (unless there are marks from the pinsetter), and as of Aug. 1, 2020, balance holes will be eliminated – bowlers may have up to five holes for gripping purposes and all must be used on every delivery. Additionally, no-thumb bowlers will have to mark the intended grip center.

The USBC also is implementing a new standard for the rate that balls absorb oil, with the baseline set at a maximum of 2 minutes, 15 seconds.

“We have tested more than 1,200 bowling balls,” Murphy said, “and found that bowlers are starting deeper inside on the lane and moving more often, which deteriorates the lane condition quicker.”

He said that the amount of oil being put on lanes has increased dramatically over the years, which warrants a “universal system to measure oil absorption.”

Concerning lane certification, data collection continues and will result in the USBC certifying all centers for 2018-19 regardless of whether they are 100 percent compliant, Murphy said. For 2019-20, USBC is extending the study but all centers must have proper inspections and three signatures will be required for certification.

Murphy reported that the merger process is complete – there are 1,100 merged associations and 500 affiliate associations across the U.S. – and that the USBC’s Leadership Training classes will continue. He said that 343 local and state association directors and managers have attended these sessions thus far.

Other highlights at the industry update meeting:

-- BPAA membership gained 193 new members this year and saw 300 proprietors and managers graduate from the organization’s Bowling University course, said Frank DeSocio, executive director.

DeSocio reported that 96 percent of BPAA members used its rebate program, with $8.2 million going back to members through in Pepsi and Sysco rebates.

-- The Professional Women’s Bowling Association had 150 members in 2018 and tournament entries were up by 10 percent over 2017. Nearly $1 million in prize money is being offered this year and seven tournament finals will be televised live.

-- Go Bowling! Professional Bowlers Association CEO and Commissioner Tom Clark reported that the PBA has signed a multi-year agreement with FOX Sports, including a contract to add the USBC Masters and U.S Open to the network’s sports schedule.

FOX Sports will televise the U.S. Open live on FOX from 2020 through 2022 and the USBC Masters live on FS1 from 2019 through 2022.

“The PBA is thrilled to have these two major professional events as part of the PBA Tour television package on FOX Sports for years to come,” Clark said.

As a result of the agreement, the 2020 U.S. Open will move up in the calendar with the televised finals set for Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. The current U.S. Open format will continue, with a host venue for the 2020 event to be announced later.

The USBC Masters will continue to be conducted in its traditional time window in conjunction with the USBC Open Championships.

-- Gary Brown, IBC Youth managing director, reported that there are now 221 colleges (with 3,825 members) with bowling programs and that high school bowling saw a 6 percent increase in bowlers last year.

Brown noted that IBC Youth offers coaching seminars, USA leagues and tournaments, Pepsi Youth Championships, the bowling.com youth open and Junior Gold – resulting in opportunities for thousands of youth bowlers and more than $800,000 in scholarships.

He also noted that 46 high school grants were awarded through the “Bowlers Ed” Initiative, including one sponsored by the New York State USBC (the only state association to do so).

-- Cathy DeSocio, a BPAA past president who served as the association's de facto executive director when that position was vacant, was selected to receive the Victor Lerner Award, which puts her into the BPAA Hall of Fame.

She will be honored at the International Bowl Expo this June in Las Vegas, along with other service award recipients.

-- By Mike Pettinella, NYS USBC Association Manager.

BOWLING-MOBILE: Mike Pettinella stands next to the Go Bowling! car that was parked outside the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Attendees of the BPAA Summit were privileged to tour the museum and view the new movie, Beyond All Boundaries, produced by Tom Hanks, courtesy of Qubica AMF.

Attention: Youth Scholarships' Deadline Nears

JANUARY 18, 2019 -- The deadline for those wishing to apply for the various scholastic awards being offered by the New York State USBC for the 2018-19 season is Feb. 1.

The NYS USBC is giving scholarships to graduating seniors as well as in grades K-4, 5-8 and 9-11.

For online applications and other information, scroll over the Youth tab and click on the Youth Scholarships tab of this website.

Sign up Now for NYS Masters
March 3 at Elmira's Dixie Lanes

JANUARY 2, 2019 -- The NYS USBC is heading to the Elmira area for the first time to conduct the 29th NYS Masters Championship on March 2.

Dixie Lanes in Southport (Elmira) will host the scratch singles tournament, which offers a $2,500 first prize and free entry to the 2020 USBC Masters.

The entry fee is $100; there is no re-entry. One in five will cash.

Qualifying squad times (five games) are at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., with a maximum of 72 bowlers per squad. One in five bowlers from each squad will advance to the head-to-head, two-game match play finals with seedings based on total pinfall.

The event will be contested on a “Sport” lane condition.

CLICK HERE for an entry form.

A dress code will be in effect, and is indicated on the entry form.

So far, Kevin Donovan of Painted Post and Tim Hungerford of Spencerport have entered.

Bowlers are asked to contact NYS USBC Association Manager Mike Pettinella at bowlny300@yahoo.com to reserve their squad time.

Entry forms and checks are to be mailed to the NYS USBC office at 55 Edgewood Drive, Batavia, NY 14020. Credit card payment will be accepted by phone.

USBC Hires New Northeast Regional Manager

JANUARY 1, 2019 -- John McCarthy of Louisville, Ky., a longtime United States Bowling Congress member with diverse experience in the bowling industry, has been hired by the national governing body as its Northeast Regional Manager.

McCarthy is replacing Ben Brose, who left the organization several months ago. 

"The USBC is pleased to announce that John McCarthy has been added to our team as Northeast Regional Manager," said Richard Stewart, USBC Education & Training coordinator. "John has extensive and experience in the bowling industry as a competitive bowler, high school team coach, tournament director and center manager, and also has served as president of his local association."

Additionally, McCarthy has served on the International Bowling Campus Youth Committee and BPAA Tournament Committee.

His contact information is 817-385-8394, ext. 8394, and john.mccarthy@bowl.com.

Three New York Bowlers in National Spotlight

ARLINGTON, TEXAS, DEC. 28, 2018 – Three New Yorkers are among the United States Bowling Congress National High Average and High Series award winners for the 2017-18 season.

In the High Average category, 18-year-old right-hander Julia Bocamazo of East Islip (Long Island USBC) compiled a 226.6 average for 68 games in the Hot Shot Teens League at East Islip Lanes.

In the High Series category, Joseph Novara of East Patchogue (Long Island USBC) rolled a 900 series, also at East Islip Lanes, on Oct. 16, 2017 in the Monday Invitational League.

Novara, 27, became the 33rd bowler to roll a perfect series, and the set was the 34th-approved 900 series by USBC. He averaged 249 in that league.

Mackenzie O’Herien of Oneida (Sherill USBC) rolled the top series as a Youth Female with an 835 effort on March 18, 2018 in the Sunday Youth Doubles League at C A C Club House in Sherrill. The 17-year-old’s games were 289, 246 and her first USBC-certified 300 game.

Team USA standout Shannon Pluhowsky of Dayton, Ohio, earned the USBC National High Average Award as she reclaimed the record for the highest average for a season by a woman (250 in a league at Capri Lanes in Kettering, Ohio), and earned the National High Series Award for an Adult Female (868 in a league in Fairborn, Ohio).

CLICK HERE for the list of the National High Series and High Average Awards.

Brick, Young, Foster
Tyler to be Inducted
into NYS Hall of Fame

DECEMBER 19, 2018 – The New York State USBC's Awards Committee has announced its selections for induction into the New York State USBC Hall of Fame for 2019.

In the Superior Performance category, Patrick Brick (Greater Buffalo USBC and Tonawanda USBC), William Young (Seven Valley USBC) and Kelley Foster (Ithaca USBC) will be enshrined, and in the Meritorious Service category, Robert Tyler (Hudson Valley USBC) will be inducted.

Sandy Aitchison (Westchester County USBC) will receive the Service to Youth Award, Sandy Suchy (Fulton County Regional USBC) will receive the Service to Bowling/Community Award, and Mark MacBain (Central NY USBC) will receive the Proprietor/Manager Recognition Award.

The Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner is scheduled for the evening of June 1, 2019, at The DoubleTree by Hilton Syracuse, 6301 NY-298, East Syracuse, NY, 13057, following the NYS USBC Annual Meeting that day.

Brick, one of the most accomplished bowlers in Western New York, has won multiple New York State titles – including the 1999 NYS Masters crown, and the 2001 NYS Open All-Events (2,217) and Singles (799) titles.

He also has placed in the top 10 in state tournament competition on numerous occasions, highlighted by a second in the 2018 NYS Senior Masters, fourth in the 2001 and 2010 NYS Open Singles with 785 and 759, respectively, and sixth in the 2010 NYS Open All-Events (2,203).

A Tonawandas and Greater Buffalo USBC Hall of Famer, Brick won the prestigious George Obernauer Masters in 2004, the Tri-City Masters in 1996 and 2010 and the Tonawanda and Buffalo City tournaments several times. In 1999, he teamed with Jeff Walsh, Joe Jack, Jack Jurek and Jim Reese to win the Tonawanda City scratch title with a record 3,734 score.

Since 1998, the smooth left-hander has posted around 75 USBC-certified 300 games and 35 800 series, with a high of 834. He consistently averages in the 230’s. As a collegiate bowler, he was a member of the Erie Community College team that won the national championship in 1988.

Young, like Brick, has fared well in NYS competition over the past two decades, having captured the NYS Open Senior “triple crown” in 2015 – Doubles (with Steve Aloi), 1,404; Singles, 775, and Six-Game Combine (1,545). The right-hander rolled two of his 104 USBC-certified perfect games in that event.

He also was a member of the 2013 NYS Open champion RPM Auto team, rolling 696, and has placed in the top 10 in state tournaments several times. A Cortland Masters champion in 1995 and 1997, Young averaged 251 over two separate seasons, with that mark being the third best in the nation in 2006-07.

His 898 series (he has more than 20 800 sets) in 2004 was the highest in NYS at that time.

Young is a Seven Valley USBC Hall of Famer and a gold medalist at the 2015 Empire State Senior Games.

Foster has excelled in league and in a variety of tournament competition over the past 25 years, with titles in NYS Women’s Championships, 600/700 Club events, Empire State Games and local association tourneys to her credit.

A 25-year participant in the NYS Women’s event, the right-hander is a two-time Team champion (1988 and 2005) who placed ninth in Doubles in 2014. She also has com

peted in 15 NYS Queens events, with a 10th place finish in 2007 on her resume.

Foster has three Women’s 600 Club titles and one Women’s 700 Club title, along with eight local association titles in all the events. An Ithaca Women’s Bowling Hall of Famer (1998), she has a high average of 223, two 800 series, four 300 games and 87 700 series.

She competed in 10 Empire State Games, winning nine medals, including three gold, and was voted “Athlete of the Week” by an Ithaca radio station in April 1994 for her first 800 series – 800 on the nose.

Tyler is being recognized for his 20-plus years of service to USBC adult and youth members at the state, local and national levels.

The association manager of the Hudson Valley USBC since 2006, Tyler has made his mark as a past Empire State USBC BA director (2008-2010), secretary and assistant secretary for the Dutchess-Putnam association (2002-2006), as a league secretary-treasurer of three leagues for 15 years, as a Level I and II bowling coach and as a USBC national delegate.

He currently serves as a NYS USBC Regional Manager, serving youth in the Poughkeepsie area and beyond, and participates in state Open and Senior tournaments.  He has a NYS Open Senior title, placing first in Class A in 2009.

Aitchison has made a tremendous contribution to youth bowling in New York State, working tirelessly behind the scenes on behalf of the NYS USBC Youth Committee.

A member of the Westchester County USBC board, Aitchison has volunteered her services over the past 20 years to design all of the state association’s program booklets for both the Youth Team and Youth Pepsi tournaments – never duplicating the program and never accepting reimbursement for her expenses. These booklet have helped the youth committee raise more than $15,000 in scholarships for junior bowlers.

With this being the 50th anniversary of the NYS youth program, Aitchison has continued her commitment and designed the anniversary patch (CLICK HERE). This page will be given to each of the finalists at the Youth Team and Youth Pepsi tournaments in Syracuse and Rome, respectively.

 Suchy, a 22-year USBC member in the Gloversville area and a Fulton County Hall of Famer, has volunteered countless hours as a bowling ambassador to   her church and to the community’s charitable causes.

 She has assisted the Sisters of the Holy Spirit’s fundraising efforts for many years, commits two or three days a week to visit patients and help out at the Gloversville   Nathan Littauer Hospital Extended Care Unit.

 She also has contributed to the success of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Fulton County “Bowl for Kids Sake” tournament.

A NYS Women’s 600 Club member, she has competed in numerous NYS tournaments and several WIBC and USBC national tournaments.

MacBain takes a proactive role in the promotion of USBC-certified bowling by using all avenues – social media (Facebook), email, electronic and printer flyers, traditional media and, above all, by personally handing out entry forms and information to bowlers at his Bowl-Mor Lanes in East Syracuse and at other area centers.

He also has been a consistent and generous sponsor of several tournaments, including the Post-Standard Masters, Women’s Masters, Christmas and New Year’s events, Central NY Queens, Van Wie Doubles and MS Fish Bowl, and several leagues.

His commitment to “getting the word out” has more than kept bowling relevant in the Syracuse area.

On an international level, MacBain plays a key role in IGBO and serves as vice president on the organization’s national board.

State Tournament Changes
Include Way Average is Determined

DECEMBER 11, 2018 -- Several rule changes are in store for three New York State USBC adult tournaments in 2019 – NYS Women, Queens and Open championships.

Although they were announced previously – and can be found on the Tournaments tab of this website – the changes are summarized once again, as follows:

NYS WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS
KINGPIN’S ALLEY FAMILY FUN CENTER, SOUTH GLENS FALLS

The 83rd NYS Women's Championships are scheduled for April 6-7, 12-14, 26-28, May 3-5, 17-19, 2019 at Kingpin's Alley Family Fun Center in South Glens Falls.

Changes for 2019 include:

-- Handicap will be computed on a Team basis, instead of Individual basis, continuing three divisions (one scratch and two handicap) in Team, Doubles, Singles and All-Events.

-- As announced in June, averages will be considered from the past two winter seasons, instead of one, continuing the use of the 10-pin rule (as of April 1, 2019).

-- Entrants shall use their highest USBC certified STANDARD, converted CHALLENGE or converted SPORT average to determine their entering average for the tournament. Previously, only a Standard league average was considered when a bowler had both a Standard and a Sport or Challenge league average.

Additionally, on Friday, May 3 and Friday, May 14, there will be just one squad – starting at 6:30 p.m.

A list of reservations and entries along with entry form and hotel information can be found by clicking on the Tournaments tab.

NYS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
VALLEY BOWLING CENTER, WAVERLY

The 95th NYS Open Championships are scheduled for April 12-14, 26-28, May 3-5, 17-19 at Valley Bowling Center in Waverly.

A revised entry form, showing correct Friday bowling times and including a new rule regarding the determination of a bowler’s entering average (same rule as in the Women’s Championships) can be found on the Tournaments page.

Additionally, with the two division set-up, there will no longer be monetary scratch prizes. Scratch champions, however, will be recognized as such.

Competition in Team and Doubles & Singles is set for all four Fridays and alternates each weekend on Saturdays and Sundays.  In Doubles & Singles, there will be six bowlers on a pair of lanes.

Team captains are advised to contact the NYS USBC office – 585-343-3736 or bowlny300@yahoo.com -- to reserve their lanes as soon as possible.

MOTIV has supplied several balls to be raffled for charity throughout the tournament.

NYS QUEENS CHAMPIONSHIP
SARATOGA STRIKE ZONE, SARATOGA SPRINGS

The 48th annual NYS Queens Championship is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Saratoga Strike Zone in Saratoga Springs.

CLICK HERE for a list of entrants (through 1/17/19).

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.

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). A bowler's average will be determined in the same manner as the Women's and Open championships.

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.

Attention: Youth League Coordinators

NOVEMBER 30, 2018 -- The New York State USBC offers a robust scholarship program that rewards classroom and bowling achievement at all grade levels.

A slick one-page flyer (see below) is available for youth league directors to give to youth bowlers and parents by sending an email and the number requested to bowlny300@yahoo.com.

The deadline to submit scholarship applications is Feb. 1.

CLICK HERE to download the YES scholarship flyer above.

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.

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 State Tournament
Dates, Sites Through November 2021

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