By Ed Townsend
LATHAM — May 16, 2006 – Rock Hill fireman Tom Belgiovene had the biggest thrill a bowler can have when he rolled his second career 300 game on May 7 in the New York State Firemen’s Association Tournament at the Bowlers Club in Latham.
Bowling in the team event with one of two Rock Hill Fire Department teams, Belgiovene rolled the perfect game in the first match. He added games of 201 and 187 for a 688 series.
While competing in the singles event the day before, the 57-year-old Belgiovene recorded a 278 game and a 714 series.
“This is a fun tournament and I found the oil pattern very good and felt I could score on it,” Belgiovene said.
He said that during his perfect game, bowlers from six lanes on both sides of him stopped bowling when he had nine strikes in a row. They then cheered him on as he rolled three consecutive strikes in the 10th frame to complete the 300.
Belgiovene noted that there had been four 300 games recorded in this year’s tournament prior to his perfect score. In addition, the tournament director immediately presented him with a $50 check for his efforts.
All 12 strikes were in the pocket, but the 4 and 7 pins were the last to fall on the 12th strike. Belgiovene used a new Morich Onslaught bowling ball, which was drilled by Mike Luongo of Mike’s Pro Shop in Middletown Lanes.
Belgiovene, who began bowling at the age of 12, presently maintains a 197 average in both the Monday Men’s League and the Wednesday Men’s League at Kiamesha Lanes. He also serves as president of the Wednesday Men’s League.
He scored his first 300 in January 2005. His high series is a 745.
Belgiovene’s wife, Jo Ann, is a teacher with the Monticello Central School District. Their son Mike is a New York State Trooper stationed in Wurtsboro and their son Steve is the Manager of Ellenville Lanes.
Tom Belgiovene is employed as an Assistant Building Inspector with the Town of Thompson.