By Ed Townsend
SULLIVAN COUNTY — December 27, 2002 – Twenty-seven year-old local league bowler Paul Minton starts his second attempt to bowl on the major Professional Bowlers Association tour when he competes this weekend in the PBA East Regional Strikemaster Open at Strikemasters Lanes in Seaford, Delaware.
This tournament runs from today through Sunday.
Regional PBA competition will be no stranger to Paul, who bowled in regional events when he lived in Myrtle Beach, SC. He has previously bowled against PBA Professionals Jason Couch, Brian Voss and Steve Wilson and has been successful by scoring more pins (over 200) over Steve Wilson. He never bowled against them on a one-to-one basis.
Paul has submitted his written application for his PBA card and has received the approval to compete.
His success in the regional tournaments may determine when he steps out onto the Major tour, but he says he will try the major tour even if it’s just to say he did it. When asked about how it felt to be competing in the PBA events Paul replied, “I get a little nervous. It’s scary to see these big name guys and it is even scarier when Brian Voss bowls 300 in the very first game of the tournament. I was getting more and more relaxed as I bowled with them.”
Where does Paul feel he needs the most help? It’s in the mental approach to bowling in the PBA.
“This is where I will need the most help and work, but it is improving with every ball I roll,” he replied.
When asked if he had secured a sponsor for the tour, Paul said that he had not done so yet but hoped to pick one up in time.
Minton has been bowling since the age of 9 and during his 18 years of bowling experience, he has certainly established himself as a high average competitive league bowler who maintains a 207 average in the Saturday Mixed Doubles, a 216 in the Sunday Mixed Doubles and a 207 in the Wednesday Men’s Mountaintop ISPN league, all at Kiamesha Lanes. In league competition he has bowled two 300 games, three 298 games, a 299 game and high series of 751, 761, 778 and 796 while bowling in Myrtle Beach, SC.
He thanks several people for his bowling success and growth. Peter Baldwin, a professional from Myrtle Beach who worked endless hours with him. His uncle, Ralph Hesse, who gave him the knowledge of the sport from when he was at a very young age. Ralph bowled out of Long Island where he has bowled again and beaten bowlers like Johnny Petraglia. Thanks also go to Bobby Fix who Paul says never was afraid to stop and give helpful advice.
“I still hear Bobby saying ‘stop bending over at the foul line,’” Paul said.
Special thanks goes out to his mother for the support she has always given him.
Paul said that as of now he will continue to bowl in local leagues.
And what type of bowling ball equipment will he use?
“I have loved Columbia’s stuff for a very long time because I get what I want out of their balls,” he explained. “I’m going to be using the Icon 2 for this weekend’s regional stop.”
We and all your fellow bowlers wish you the best, Paul.

League Bowlers Almost Hit Two Perfect Games

It just doesn’t usally happen this way, but, on the night of December 4 in the Wednesday Night Men’s Mountain Top ISPN league at Kiamesha Lanes two bowlers missed by one pin perfect 300 games.
The two 299 games were rolled by Tom Belgiovene of Rock Hill and Jaryl Scott of South Fallsburg.
Scott, 30, has been bowling for seven years and said all of his hits were directly in the pocket while bowling on lanes three and four. His 299 was combined with a 255 and a 219 for a 773 series.
He presently also bowls in the Monday Night Men’s league at Kiamesha Lanes and his current average is 205. He bowls on the Candy Cone team with Rudy VanDunk, Rudy Belanchia, Tom Skiff Jr. and Dan Allen. He uses a Columbia “The Game” bowling ball.
Single with two children, Scott is employed by Cooper Paints in Monticello.
Belgiovene is 54 and has been bowling 40 years. His previous high game was a 280 and he presently maintains a 205 average in two leagues.
He bowls in the Wednesday league on the Dutch’s East team with team members Dale Sonnenschein, Artie Eggleton, Mike Belgiovene and Paul Durland.
Belgiovene uses a Morich Peal bowling ball.
Married and the father of two sons, he is a self-employed carpenter.

Bowling Tip

By Mike Luongo
Bowlers: This week’s tip is no earth-shattering news. But it will improve your average faster than any other tip I have given thus far. Although it is fun throwing strikes, and many high games will result from doing so, spares are of ultimate importance when it comes to consistent bowling, winning leagues and tournaments.
Pay as much attention to making your spares as you would in getting prepared to deliver your first ball every frame. Instead of complaining about your bad luck when you leave a corner pin, concentrate on your basic fundamentals and make your spare. A small change in your thinking could result in large dividends when it comes to your final score.
Mike Luongo is technically certified through IBPSIA and is a Silver Level Coach with USA Bowling. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-341-1694 or via e-mail at mikespro@warwick.net

Liberty Lanes

In the Monday Ladies League, Sheila Fix scored a 222, 542, Leslie Atkins 187, 533, Sandy Cassevah 180, 201, 528, Joan Fredenburg 194, 186, 528, Shirley Townsend 194, Kathi Smith 185, Flo Good 184, Min Reinshagen 184, Sue Anthony 181 and Audrey Woolard 180.
In the Wednesday Men’s League, Wesley Tuttle scored a 232, 245, 655, Earl Jacobs 235, 204, 212, 651, Wayne McKenley 220, 243, 631, Jack Moylan 213, 216, 625, Bill Mitchell 213, 247, 624, Carl Houghtaling 202, 205, 603, Todd Houghtaling 222, 217, 603, Wayne Fox 218, 202, 595, Russ Bivins 211, 592, Charlie Burgio 223, 592, James Ratner 203, 592, Jerry Scandore 238, 589, Rich Vail 589, Ralph Coney 223, 583, Shane Conner 211, 571, Mike Fritz 203, 571, Mitch Juron 220, Lucas Stickle 216, Tom Mitchell 212, 204, Glenn Norris 211, Chris Marler 210, Roy Lepke 209, Keith Smith 207 and Steve Molloy 200.
In the Friday Mixed Doubles League, Brian Ihlefeldt scored a 194, 200, 576, Kevin Christian 230, Larry Rubin 212, 202, Brian Wormuth 203, Gary Reynolds 199, Matt Blume 198, Alan LaBounty 192, Tim Lake 191, Rich Perry 190, 190 and Val Mott 181.
In the Liberty Elks Saturday Morning Youth Leagues, in the Bumper Division, Tiffany Sprague scored a 91, Carolyn Mayer 88, Alexeea Almodovar 85 and Shannon Collazo 83. In the Bantam Division, Eddie Blume scored a 162, Keith Herbert 156, Zakary Walizadeh 98, Ross Kirchner 101, David Phelps 126, Ryan Zweck 101, 100, Angelique Ramos 95, Kyle Biedinger 110, Donea Robinson 133, Josmine Walizadeh 117, Aubrey Henderson 97, Jordon Thomas 90, Justice Dingevan 94 and Allie Wallgren 90. In the Teen-Age Division, Josh Casiano scored a 216, 531, Kyle Stevens 192, 518, Corey VanKeuren 182, 171, 504, Anthony Atkins 186, 600, Paul Tuttle 164, Gregg Skiff 178, 175, Chris Stevens 153, Peter Panagakos 168, 150, Justin Green 160, 155, Amanda Reyes 142, Travis Atkins 156, Jerry Sprague 132, Bonnie Putter 145, Devin Jardine 157, Ian Exner 153, Ken Brenner 136, Neil Murphy 180, Matt Gabus 143, Paeden LaGattuta 156, Rajan Patel 169, Nick Eldridge 172 and Debbie Sklar 154.
In the Saturday Mixed Doubles League, Phil Russell scored a 237, 587, Maureen Porter 503, Suzette Porter 191, 503, Keith Smith 227, Gene Smith 215, Russell Bivins 207, Glenn Porter 198, 203, Claude Davis 200, Bobby Koferl 190, Joan Davis 188 and Elisa Bound 182.
In the Sunday Mixed Doubles League, Barbara Neist scored a 188, 223, 207, 618, James Ratner 245, 199, 615, Kort Wheeler 201, 210, 201, 612, Mitch Juron 254, 575, Denice Smith 216, 524, Pat Biedinger 182, Pete Meachum 247, Phil Norris 200, Jared Helmuth 197, Al Smith 197, Tom Skiff Jr. 195, Glenn Norris 194, Frank Exner 192 and Tom Skiff 191.

Kiamesha Lanes

In the Sunday Mixed Doubles League, Duane Koskey scored a 187, Joe Sep 220, John Bartley Jr. 197, 188, Pat L. Bartley 184, 184, Nancy Greene 186, 181, 519, Bob Linzer 207, 182, 559, Greg Kuchar 186, Wayne Wright 187, Ken Hilton 203, 188, Frank Gerow Jr. 191, 185, Shirley Townsend 219, 537, Ed Townsend 207, 578, Bob Cady 225, 183, 579, Mark Bower 200, 205, Bryce Flynn 201, 184, Shari DiSanto 186, 200, 554, Michael DiSanto 194, Al Cioraciari 195, Brian Bunce 186, Dan Bartley 204, 219, 564, William Bartley 224, 180, Debbie Muller 189, 504, Frank Muller 208, Larry Berens 187, Joe Conklin 221, Paul Minton 224, 198, 226, 648 and Ryan Lepke 255, 221, 219, 695.
In the Monday Men’s League, Bobby Cooper scored a 201, 557, Rick Lake 256, 617, Jesse Kinney 202, Marty Waichman 212, 212, 574, Dan Ricco 255, 551, Mike Weiner 238, 229, 663, San Inzauto 204, 551, Rich Hendricks 213, 248, 628, Mark Hesleitner 206, 200, 586, David Graham 212, 201, 581, Steven Cabrera 209, 558, Art Stevens 218, 201, 591, Nelson McArthur 200, Bob Linzer 211, 203, 595, Joe Conklin 225, 252, 664, Les Quick 222, John Bartley Jr. 200, 579, Dave Roberts 558, Clint Morton 243, 597 and Jaryl Scott 278, 654.
In the Wednesday Mountain Top ISPN Men’s League, Charlie Winters scored a 215, 591, Ed Townsend 212, 200, 589, Russ Keesler 201, 221, 224, 646, Bob Cady 215, 586, Pete Meachum 204, Shawn Dibble 554, Josh Strang 233, 569, Pat Cassaday 205, 565, Jody Farquhar 228, 584, Cecil Walters 201, 247, 634, George VanArsdall 210, 228, 214, 652, Frank Gerow Sr. 200, Marty Waichman 231, 236, 653, Pedro Agapito 266, 631, David Graham 203, 205, 589, Walt Edwards 232, 607, Jim VanAken 205, Paul Minton 232, 568, Tim Bilyeu 245, 236, 674, Frank Muller Jr. 224, 595, John Sullivans 234, 596, Larry Berens 226, 570, Dean Shattuck 288, 655, Dale Sonnenschein 224, 214, 615, Mike Belgiovene 232, 564, Paul Durland 223, 208, 613, Tom Belgiovene 225, 216, 583, Bill Paul 244, 551, Rick Bradley 214, 213, 607, Ryan Lepke 202, 223, 214, 639, Jay Shapiro 214, Mark Gandulla 255, 230, 675, Ralph Gandulla 212, 231, 628, Dwayne Cabrera 214, 586, Rudy VanDunk 558, Rudy Belanchia 222, 204, 610, Jaryl Scott 253, 612, Dan Ricco 203, 222, 587, Bobby Cooper 202, Edwin Rodriguez 202, 215, 602, JoJo VanKeuren 219, Pete Mitro 557, Rich Levine 227, 587, Bo Gray 205, 213, 616, Tom Greene 226, 580, Al Gerow 235, 608 and Frank Emmens 240, 222, 247, 709.
In the Friday Mixed Doubles League, Laresko Niifa scored a 211, 265, 239, 715, Tom Greene 256, 246, 205, 707, Dan Allen 236, 236, 234, 706, Frank Emmens 191, 247, 243, 681, Tom Drobysh 217, 279, 183, 679, Joan Lake 245, 200, 207, 655, Mary Ann Drobysh Berens 186, 211, 204, 603, Susan Barrett 190, 210, 190, 590, Vera Bernhardt 204, 204, 577, Crystal Kirchner 195, 196, 554, David Graham 277, 203, 639, Richard Hendricks 257, 243, 663, Tolakii Deylii 213, 515 and Roberta Yakin 210, 512.