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Janet Marien | Democrat

Sullivan County bowlers attending the PBA Go RVing Match Play Championship last weekend in Norwich, Conn. included from the left, Bowling Highlights Columnist Ed Townsend, Kelly Shattuck, Dean Shattuck, Frank Cornicelli from Schenectady, Shirley Townsend, Barbara Cady and Bob Cady.

Six county bowlers attend PBA Tour stop in Norwich, Conn.

By Ed Townsend
March 26, 2010 — Six Sullivan County bowlers attended the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Go RVing Match Play Championship last week at the Norwich Bowling and Entertainment Center in Norwich, Conn.
Sullivan County bowlers attending the first day’s event on Thursday, March 18 were Bob and Barbara Cady and Ed and Shirley Townsend, all from Livingston Manor. Arriving for the Friday evening matches were Dean and Kelly Shattuck of Monticello.
The six Sullivan County bowlers competed in the Saturday Pro-Am No-Tap event with Professional bowlers Chris Barnes, Todd Book, Mika Koivuniemi, Rhino Page, Mike Scroggins, Eddie VanDaniker Jr. and Walter Ray Williams Jr. Dean Shattuck shot a nice 800-plus series.
Also in attendance was a good friend of the Townsends, Frank Cornicelli of Schenectady.
The group witnessed upset after upset as the top 20 seeded bowlers were eliminated after the first round of 64 and 32. Brian Kretzer of Dayton, Ohio ended his 167-event winless streak on Sunday afternoon, defeating 13-time PBA title winner Patrick Allen of Wesley Chapel, Fla., 629-566, in a three-game title total wood match.
Kretzer, at age 43, became the sixth Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour competitor to win his first singles title during the 2009-2010 season.
Kretzer, the No. 27 seed entering the 64-player single-elimination match play tournament, took a 192-185 lead after the first game, but ran away from Allen, the No. 21 seed, in the second game, 241-167. With an 81-pin lead going into the final game, it was a matter of filling frames. Allen’s 214-196 win in the third game wasn’t enough.
“It’s been a long time,” Kretzer said. “I’m happy and I know my mom’s happy. It’s nice to win, whether it’s your first time or your 10th. I had a lot of success as an amateur before I joined the PBA, but this kind of completes my career. Now I’ve won at every level.”
Kretzer said his new-found success was a matter of turning back the clock.
“I went back to what I was doing in the ’90s when I was an amateur,” he said. “I was carrying the ball through my approach instead of pushing. Now I can feel the ball again. I can do what I want to do with it. I could always hook the ball, but now I can play straighter, too.”
Playing straighter was critical because the Go RVing Match Play Championship used a different lane condition on each lane. The left lane on each pair used a long-oil Shark pattern, while the right lane used a shorter Cheetah lane condition. Playing straighter on the Cheetah lane was the key to Kretzer’s victory, and solving the Cheetah lane was the primary reason Allen struggled.
“The Cheetah lane was a little different than yesterday, but I threw a lot of bad shots,” Allen said. “I never got comfortable on that lane, and when you are playing two extremely different angles, if you’re not comfortable on one lane, you’re not going to be comfortable on either.
“Brian took advantage,” Allen added. “When you get a guy down in a tournament like this,you’re supposed to stomp on him, and that’s what he did.”
Kretzer and Allen both grew up in the game as high-stakes amateurs.
“We’ve know each other since we were kids,” Kretzer said. “We crossed paths a lot, even though we didn’t bowl each other head-to-head very often.
“I have one thing over him now,” Kretzer smiled. “He’s never beaten me in a title match.”
The Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour now heads to West Babylon, N.Y. for the GEICO Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship. Mark, who suffered a severe stroke last year will be in attendance, but at the present time he has to use a wheelchair. The TV match is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN from AMF Babylon Lanes.
The Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo
Bowlers: This week the tip is for all bowlers to assist you on how to best use the dots and arrows on the approach as target aids.
When preparing to execute a bowling shot, whether it is a strike or spare, you must be prepared to understand the path down the lane you intend your bowling ball to take. With this in mind, when stepping on the approach you should have a focal point, simply the point from which the ball will roll off your hand in the direction you intend it to go, picked out.
If you throw a hook ball, you will be rolling toward the intended break point – the spot on the lane you expect your ball to change direction. If you are rolling the ball straight, the pocket or the pin/pins will be your intended target.
The tip: Look at your intended target and bring your eyes back to the spot on the lane that you are most comfortable looking at, whether it be the dots or an arrow.
To play the modern game, the sooner the ball comes off your hand the better. If you are looking at an arrow and tend to throw or hit up on the ball instead of rolling it off your hand, bring your eyes more toward the dots.
If you are a bowler that tends to play more across the boards with a lot of rotation, your focal point should be a far right (or left) as in between the lanes to get the ball to the correct break point.
If you play a straighter game, with a small hook, your correct focal point may be toward the 3-pin (for right-handed bowlers).
Remember, there is no substitute for making a good shot. If you combine good shots with good thinking, your scores will increase.
Mike Luongo is technically certified through IBPSIA as a Pro Shop Operator and Master Instructor. He is also a Silver Level Coach with the USBC and is a Sales Advisor and Special Events Coordinator with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached by telephone at 341-1694 or via e-mail at mikesproshop@ymail.com.
Tournament Schedule
• March 27-May 2: 58th annual Fox Bowling Center Handicap Tournament, Hancock. For more information, please call Bill Gleim at (607) 637-4401.
• March 27-28: Three-person Handicap No-Tap Team Tournament, Walton Lanes, Walton. For more information, please call Scott Moore at (607) 746-7885.
• April 9-May 16: 74th annual New York State USBC WBA Women’s Championship Tournament, Syracuse. For more information, please call Nancy Walczyk at (716) 662-0018.
• April 10-May 16: 86th annual New York State (USBC) Open Championships, Niagara Falls. For more information, please call Paul Kupelian at (315) 623-7100.
• April 10-May 16: 63rd annual New York State Elks Bowling Tournament, Rochester. For more information, please call the lodge at (585) 334-1900.
• April 17-May 16: 29th annual No Tap Tournament, South Side Bowl, Scranton, Pa. For more information, please call South Side Bowl at (570) 961-5213.
• April 17-May 2: Idle Hour Lanes 59th annual Bowling Tournament, Scranton, Pa. For more information, please call Idle Hour Lanes at (570) 489-7526.
Local Scores
Beechwood Lanes
Recent highlight scores in the Monday Ladies League included Diane Staves with a 216 game, a 201 game and a 194 game for a 611 series, Wendy Finn 167, Beth Schumacher 167, Dot McCormack 162, Jackie Mootz 164, Diane Conroy 197, 160, Lois Erdman 182, Barbara Cady 168, Julie Yewchuck 163 and Pat McGurrin 160.
In the Tuesday Ladies League, Debbie Loughrey 180, 179, 522, Julie Burlingame 172 and Lillian Zieres 481.
In the Wednesday Men’s League, Tim Ackermann 195, 201, 581, Tim Sykes 205, Brian Brustman 198 Mike Sorge 225 and Roger Widmann 202.
Fox Bowling Center
Recent highlight scores in the Wednesday Men’s Independent League included Al Bullis Sr. with a 249 game and a 661 series, Tom Anderson 234, Dale Conklin 225, 627, Jim Dibble 248, 236, 701, Art Gately 225, 604, Bill Gleim 257, 688, Jack Hazen 236, 626, Steve Jacobi 232, 612, Rob Johnson 235, 640, Pat Kille 231, 646, Donnie Marino 256, 228, 259, 743, Dick Price 258, 236, 675, Josh Rice 266, 646, Sam Rowe 610, Hank Whitmore 254, 623, Zuke Wormuth 251, 226, 668, Ken Wormuth 618, Lee Wormuth 256, Jay Wormuth 242, 233, 680 and Tony Wright 612.
In the Thursday Men’s Deposit National League, Rob Bolster 228, Al Bullis Jr. 225, 237, 685, Craig Conklin 225, 622, Ray Cornwell 246, 618, Howey Couse Jr. 256, 650, Jeff Curtis 256, 650, Norm Ellis Jr. 235, 637, Paul Fritz 628, Bill Gifford 253, 642, Bill Gleim 226, 670, Gino Jones 227, 233, 651, Dan Koch 631, Rich Lenio 233, Larry Mills 253 and Neil Mosher 257, 235, 698.
In the Friday Mixed Couples League, Andy Bullis 228, 243, 678, Frank Couse Sr. 233, 609, Anne Couse 226, 541, Howey Couse 233, 645, Carl Davis 229, Jim Dibble 268, 236, 725, Crystal Ellis 189, Norman C. Ellis 631, Bobbie Jo Horton 191, Gino Jones 225, 235, 684, Dana McGraw 185, Mark McGraw 603, Dawn Mclenon 183, Jen Smith 190, Tim Smith 235, Sandy Winans 196, 184, 549, Dan Wormuth 226, 234, 683 and Jay Wormuth 226, 622.
In the Sunday Afternoon Mixed Fun League, Marty Haeussler 226, Don Marino 235, 244, 693, Savanna Mills (youth scores) 142, 147, 160, 449 and Shirley Townsend 183.
Kiamesha Lanes
Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men’s League included Jaryl Scott with a 232 game and a 619 series, Dan Ricco 237, Mike Weiner 617, Paul Durland 235, Vinnie Collura 651, Donald Durland 278, 226, 687, Josh Strang 267, 643, Tom Belgiovene 619, John Hoffmann 242, 229, 247, 718, Nate Sanders 246, 602, John Fischer 601, William Bartley 616, David Graham 228, 647, Jo Jo VanKeuren 247, 669, Serafin Rodriguez Jr. 236, 620, Frank Martinez 262, 656, Jon Wilhelm 255, 259, 237, 751, Eddie Lake 246, 258, 720, Lloyd Bridges 254, 670, Niifa Laresko 245, 636, Jason Jones Jr. 235, 602, Matt Fallon 225, 233, 649, Jack Moylan 278, 240, 279, 797, Kort Wheeler 245, 226, 228, 699, Allan Jones 247, 625, Daniel Van Aken 234, Paul Curry 236, 619, Ronnie Totten 239, 608 and Timothy Totten 234, 627.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters League, Debra Blackford 187, 191, 187, 565, Carena Collura 184, Lisa Cartwright 186, 204, 537, Andrea Grossman 180, 182, 508, Russ Keesler 225, 619, Jason Jones 249, 652, Daniel Van Aken 228, 605, Debbie Durland 232, 180, 578. Mal Press 279, 237, 687, Jon Wilhelm 227, 226, 670, Ed Guthrie 228, 636, Cecil Walters 235, 634, Mary Lee Williams 180, 191, 548, Joan Lake 191, 509, Ryan Lepke 600, John Hoffmann 226, 246, 695, David Graham 255, 225, 669, Barbara Yeomans 194 and Larry Berens 611.
In the Wednesday Men’s League, Daniel Van Aken 610, George Van Aken Jr. 233, 235, 652, Kevin Stackhouse 238, 246, 696, Al Caycho 235, 645, Mike Weiner 245, 620, John Lopez 238, 228, 651, William Danchak 247, 234, 238, 719, George Battle Jr. 234, 605, Dean Shattuck 601, Paul Durland 242, 681, Josh Strang 640, Tom Belgiovene 632, John Hoffmann 245, 641, Rick Lara 604, Jason Jones Jr. 235, 606, Shawn Lyons 225, 608, Wayne Atkins 245, 243, 681, Eddie Lake 245, 268, 227, 740, Gregory Fallon 245, 299, 737, Matt Fallon 258, 610, Jon Wilhelm 242, 637, Richard Bradford 226, 610 and Donald Durland 249, 277, 750.
In the Thursday Ladies League, Rudy Hoke 188, 518, Debbie Durland 202, 214, 575, Mary Lee Williams 205, 535, Barbara Durbak 190, 519, Lisa Cartwright 185, Clorisa Hopkins 183, 212, 575, Liz Stubits 190, MaryJane Conklin 192, Joan Lake 180, 513, Karen Perrello 182, Kristin Emmett 197 and Mardette Wilcox 204, 557.
In the Friday Night Mixed League, Tom Palmer 217, 268, 233, 718; 202, 202; Edward Lake 246, 257, 205, 708; 227, 238, 211, 676; Don Durland 224, 236, 243, 703; 213, 227, 249, 689; Frank Emmens 243, 234, 213, 690; 239; Larry Berens 207, 214, 247, 668,280, 258, 720; David Graham 242, 237, 649; 248, 212, 203, 663; Michael Osborn 222, 207, 216, 645; 259, 258, 699; Kevin Stackhouse 218, 216, 633; 217, 203, 611; Daniel Ricco 243, 630; 214, 231; Alpesh Patel 206, 211, 607; Leroy Williams 247, 602; Mark Fedun 226, 200; Robert Linzer 201, 215; Rick Hendricks 237; Thomas Skiff III a 200; 254, 204, 646; Mal Press 207; Laresko Niifa 235, 204, 634; Victor Decker 200, 231; Glenn Fraser 203, 214; John Cascone 238; Frank Scuderi 204, 279, 223, 706; Roy Sweeney 247, 204, 208, 659; Joan Lake 182, 204, 555; 196, 180, 537; Christa Sweeney 224, 549; 220, 509; Linda Schaefer 219, 546; 201, 182, 552; Tammy Sze 198, 544; 189, 183, 542; Carolyn Williams 208, 532; 24, 204, 187, 637; Cathy Carpenter 181, 187, 529; 182, 526; Mary Lee Williams 181, 519; 216, 205, 598; Antionette Rau 505; 208, 238, 604; Nancy Fraser 191, 503; Joan Redington 202; Lila Hendricks 191; Sillporah Boldiis 188, 507; Amanda Scuderi 183; Vera Bernhardt 184 and Liz Panagakos 186.
This column is written by Ed Townsend, a public relations consultant to the amateur and professional sport of bowling and to several bowling writers associations. If you have a topic that would make good reading or have league and tournament scores and information, Ed can be reached by phone at 439-8177, via e-mail at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com and by fax at 230-8674. For a more expanded version of the bowling column, please visit our Web Page at http://bght.blogspot.com.
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